11. A Rite for the Hero

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"Aggh..." Paimon stretched her back, then slumped down. "Finally, we're here... Never again is Paimon doing that! How come Liyue is so far away from Mondstadt?!"

Traveler chuckled. "Let's find a place to rest at for now." They suggested.

"Quickly!" Paimon rushed, drained yet still full of energy.

"..." Cale clung onto his knees, supporting his upper body. He was the one that was truly tired! Not Paimon! 'How come the only breaks we get is when we're sleeping?!' Cale had a lot to complain about.

They quickly found and registered at a nearby accommodation.

"Cale. We're going to head out to help Keqing with the preparations. I left a bit of mora on the table for you." Traveler waved goodbye as they left with Paimon.

"Goodbye." Cale let them leave.

When they left, Cale checked on the bag of mora. 80,000. Decent enough.

(A/N: Idk if that's much. Players have a lot of mora, but prob not the same for NPCs.)

'I'll take a long nap first.' Cale decided. That long trip had worn him out completely.

5 hours later...

Clink

Clank!

The door swung open.

"Today was a productive day." Traveler's voice came inside. "We got a lot done. This year's Lantern Rite might be more festive than ever."

"I really hope so. Paimon worked so hard!" Paimon groaned. "Paimon feels like she could faint on the spot!"

"Come on, Paimon. We still have to help her tomorrow." Traveler smiled worriedly.

"Ugh..."

The next day...

Traveler and Paimon had already left.

Cale woke up shortly after their departure. He yawned softly, under the sunlight radiating from the open window. 'Should I take a short walk today? The sunlight feels warm..'

Growl...

'Ah.. I haven't eaten yet...' Cale got up from bed. 'I should get something to eat with the mora they gave me.' He headed out the door.

The streets were bustling. Lanterns, banners, and lights were put up everywhere. It seemed they were preparing for the "Lantern Rite Festival" that Cale heard from Traveler. Children ran through the streets joyfully as the adults worked.

Cale strolled down the streets, searching for a restaurant of some sorts. "Hm..?" Cale felt a hand touch his shoulder. He turned around, greeted by a man.

He seemed decent. A handsome face, tall yet slim structure. Long, tied up hair. Wears makeup, especially that unique eyeliner. Though he looked young, his aura felt old.

"Is something wrong?" Cale asked.

The man seemed shocked, as if he did not stop Cale himself. "Ahem.." He faked a cough. "I apologize if this seems odd, but would you like to have a meal with me?"

'That's fucking creepy, not odd. Who asks a stranger to have a meal with them!?' Cale grew suspicious. 'Don't tell me.. a human trafficker...!?'

"I'm a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor." The man started introducing himself. "My name is Zhongli. The director is planning to participate in the Lantern Rite Festival this year by performing a rite to honor the dead."

'What does that have to do with me?' Cale wondered.

"We're currently looking for someone to participate in the ritual as the Red-Haired Hero."

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