A Traveler From Hell (Genshin Impact X Female Alastor Reader)

Chapter 41

You followed behind Aether as the two of you entered Liuli Pavilion. The two of you found your friends on a nearby table, next to them was another male.

"Hey, come sit and dine with us. I'm just about to introduce you guys to this gentleman right here." Childe exclaimed as he gestured towards the male.

You looked closely at the male and noticed his long black hair that turns to gradient orange at the tips. You noticed his yellow, amber eyes were scanning your figure as you gave him a friendly grin. You took the vacant seat besides the male, Aether seated himself next to you as the two of you looked at the various meals served on the table.

In the corner of your eye, you noticed the curse on your arm emitting a faint golden glow when you sat near the amber-eyed male. You looked around to make sure no one was looking as you pulled the sleeves of your outfit to try and hide the curse.

"Would you like some tea?" the male asked you, giving you a smile as he gestured to the pot of tea in front of him.

"No thank you, dear. I'm not very fond of noodle juice." you replied, politely turning down the male's offer. Aether choked on the tea he was drinking as he tried to hide his laughter at the male's confused expression.

"Allow me to introduce Mr. Zhongli, consultant to an organization known as Wangsheng.. and a trusted associate of the Fatui." Childe exclaimed as he seated himself across from you, brushing his legs against yours under the table.

"An associate?" you asked, kicking Childe's knee when he kept playing with your legs. The others glanced at the harbinger when he let out a small groan of pain but hid it behind a grin.

"Indeed. Wangsheng's line of work can be.. sensitive at times. Let's just say they understand when discretion is needed." Childe informed, sending a light glare in your direction as he rubbed the area you kicked him. You gave the ginger an innocent grin as you drank a cup of water.

"It is an honor to meet you two. I have heard tell of you from Mondstadt." Zhongli exclaimed holding out his hand towards you.

"It's quite a pleasure to meet you, Mr. John Lee!" you replied, taking a hold of his outstretched hand and shaking it with yours. Unknowingly using your hand that has the curse as you shook Zhongli's hand.

A wave of static jolted through both of your hands as the two of you quickly pulled away from the handshake. You glanced down at your cursed arm and noticed it was glowing a much brighter gold before slowly dimming back to a faint glow.

"John Lee! Oh my Archons that's hilarious!" Childe exclaimed as he held his stomach and laughed. Aether and Paimon snickered as you and Zhongli looked at them in confusion.

"I believe that they are laughing about how you stated my name incorrectly. It's Zhongli, not John Lee." Zhongli informed you as you nodded in reply.

You glanced around the table in front of you and noticed a pair of thin, wooden sticks near you. You picked up the sticks and eyed them curiously, noticing there aren't any spoons, forks, or even knives on the table.

'Is this what the people in this nation use to eat..? Where are the forks and knives? Not even a spoon? What kind of voodoo is this?' you thought to yourself as you ignored the others talking amongst themselves.

You looked at Aether and noticed him skillfully use the sticks to eat his meal. Trying to copy Aether's movements, you tried to hold the chopsticks the same way Aether did but failed when the sticks fell out of your grasp and onto the table.

"Do you not know how to use chopsticks?" Zhongli asked with a light chuckle as he watched you try to hold the chopsticks between your fingers.

"I don't know how to use these 'chopsticks' you speak of but I can kill a man with a toothpick!" you replied, grinning at the amber-eyed male as you put down the chopsticks on the table.

"Sounds hot." Childe muttered under his breath, making you choke on a breath as you gave him a look.

"Oh! Don't worry, girlie! You're not the only one that can't use these chopsticks!" Childe quickly stated, showing you the chopsticks in his grasp as you narrow your eyes at him.

You felt someone tap your shoulder as you turned and saw Aether holding out a piece of food towards you with his chopsticks. You tilted your head to the side as Aether lightly waved the food in front of you.

"Since you can't use the chopsticks for now. I can feed you." Aether stated, encouraging you to eat as he gave you a warm smile.

You raised a brow at the blonde's actions but shrugged it off and ate the food he held out for you. Aether glanced at Paimon and saw her give him a thumbs up, making him grin in success.

Aether felt a harsh glare being directed towards him as he turned to look at Childe, staring daggers at him with a small smile on his face. Aether returned Childe's glare and stuck out his tongue at the harbinger, making said harbinger's eye twitch in annoyance. Childe quickly cleared his throat, making all of you turn your attention to him.

"In any case, I brought you two here to meet Mr. Zhongli because.." Childe trailed off as he gestured towards Zhongli to continue his sentence.

"Because I can bring you to see Rex Lapis' vessel." Zhongli finished, placing down his cup of tea as he glanced at you and your companions.

"Really?" Aether asked as Zhongli nodded in reply.

"Rex Lapis may be the Prime of Adepti but he is ultimately an adeptus. Many adepti have left us over the millennia, this is the inexorable trend. As you have seen, the time of the adepti is ending, and the time of mankind is slowly dawning." Zhongli explained.

'Quite an odd answer.. this man is knowledgeable about everything in this nation. The question is... why is the curse glowing when he is near me? Is it a trigger..?' you thought to yourself as you narrowed your eyes at the consultant.

'I'd like to know why.. I hope you'll be able to indulge me with your knowledge, darling.' you thought, a smirk forming on your face as you found yourself another entertainment.