Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

The traveler gently pushed open the slightly heavy carved wooden door of Jingshan Palace, and with a creaking sound, the noise and light of the outside world rushed in.

The blinding sunlight pierced through the gaps between her fingers, dancing on her eyelids and causing her to unconsciously squint slightly, her long eyelashes shimmering with a golden halo in the sunlight.

She slowly walked down the ancient and smooth stone steps, each step seeming as if she were saying goodbye to a cycle of reincarnation.

Tiny moss grows in the cracks of the stone steps, appearing exceptionally green under the morning dew.

In the distance, the figure wearing the iconic little round hat had his back to her, his toes tapping the ground impatiently, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

The mercenaries guarding the gates of Jingshan Palace yawned and rubbed their sleepy eyes, just like ordinary office workers, reluctantly starting their day's work.

For them, today is just one of countless ordinary days, completely unaware of the thrilling story hidden behind this seemingly mundane day.

This afternoon, when people return home after a day's work, Nasita will issue an administrative decree to correct the time of Sumeru, so that the time of this country will be aligned with the rest of the world.

Only then will people realize that, without their notice, several months have quietly passed.

A mountain of work awaited Nasita, and a whole host of unfinished business awaited the traveler. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh softly.

The traveler stepped forward and gently patted the shoulder of the figure whose back was to her.

Couldn't he have turned around when he heard my footsteps? Did I have to do it myself?

"Let's go." He didn't turn around, his voice as indifferent as ever.

Regarding this matter… the traveler paused, his voice gentle yet firm, “I still have work to do here, I can’t go with you.”

She knew this guy's stubborn nature all too well and knew that persuading him wouldn't be easy.

Unexpectedly, he merely responded and walked straight ahead, his figure quickly disappearing into the morning mist without uttering another word.

Ah, that guy. The parting came so suddenly that even though the traveler had prepared himself mentally, he couldn't help but feel a moment of disorientation.

He just left so easily?

I haven't had a chance to tell him yet that all of this was a joint plan between me and Nasida. Nasida neither deceived me nor forced me.

These words stuck in my throat, eventually turning into a soft sigh.

The traveler stretched and yawned, feeling the cool morning breeze on his face.

She stepped on the dappled light and shadow on the ground, ready to begin a day free from both the threat of demons and heavy workload—at least, that's what she hoped for at this moment.

However, a strong gust of wind suddenly came from behind.

The traveler keenly sensed something amiss and turned his head to investigate, only to be met with a sudden, intense feeling of weightlessness. He was lifted up in a ball and launched into the air.

"You think it's so easy to get rid of me?" A familiar mocking voice came from above, tinged with smugness.

The traveler looked up at the face that had succeeded in its prank and frowned slightly.

I knew it wouldn't be that easy!

……

Riding the wind, they leaped over the branches of enormous trees, verdant leaves fluttering beneath them. Finally, the two landed gracefully on the balcony of the inn where the travelers were staying.

The soldier took out a brooch inlaid with a large heart-shaped stone from his pocket and handed it to the traveler sitting on the low white wall of the balcony. The brooch shimmered with a soft luster in the sunlight, which was out of place with the soldier's usual style.

I thought it had been destroyed along with the scattered soldiers when the demon attacked.

The traveler accepted the exquisite ornament with some surprise, his fingertips gently tracing the surface of the heart-shaped stone.

"Nasita gave it back to me when you passed out," the soldier replied, turning his head away, his tone somewhat uneasy.

Speaking of Narcida, using me as a bargaining chip was actually my own decision, but... you know, she wanted to ensure the Demon God wouldn't notice our underhanded dealings, which is why she didn't tell you. The traveler's fingers traced the smooth surface of the heart-shaped stone.

How long-winded. He unconsciously pouted slightly, looking like a sulking child: I have more important things to do, we'll talk about these later.

Oh... so you're the kind of person who would never apologize, but would make amends through actions. The traveler suddenly realized.

He probably already knew he was wrong.

However, due to my personal experience, I find it difficult to trust others and am easily swayed. Just like how he didn't trust me at first.

"You're not coming with me, which suits me just fine. I didn't want to take you with me anyway, and if you insisted on coming along, it would just give me a headache." He smiled, feigning ease, but the traveler saw an undisguised loneliness in his eyes.

I believe he really didn't want to take me with him. Judging from the expressions on the faces of the stragglers, the place he was probably going to... wasn't a safe place.

Goodbye. The traveler spoke first.

Are you in such a hurry to get rid of me? After hearing what I said, he deliberately pretended that he didn't want to leave.

No. The traveler carefully put the brooch into his pocket.

I didn't give it to you. Keep it for me for now, I'll come back for it after I'm done with my business. He then commanded: Now close your eyes.

The traveler didn't understand what was going on, but he obediently closed his eyes.

The unease didn't last long; a cool yet soft touch came over my cheek, as fleeting as a butterfly's descent.

"Open your eyes." His voice was close to her ear. When she opened her eyes again, there was no one there, and even if she looked around, she couldn't find him.

Already gone?

Why do I always have this feeling that he will suddenly reappear?

Phew... This guy, turns out he's not good at saying goodbye either.

dong dong dong-

"Miss Traveler, excuse me, there's a letter for you from Liyue. Would you mind receiving it?" The room butler Taric's voice broke the silence on the balcony from outside the door.

Ah! Liyue!

Oh no! I haven't done anything for Walnut these past few months!

She must be coming to inspect our work again!

The traveler felt a wave of dizziness and managed to stand up by leaning against the wall.

She seemed to see a mountain of work pressing down on her; those matters delayed by reincarnation would eventually have to be dealt with one by one.

*

The city of Sumeru was brightly lit at night. The traveler had finally finished dealing with his property issues and arrived at the bustling Lambad Tavern.

The tavern was bustling with noise, the sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and the clatter of dishes all blending together.

Almost all the seats were occupied, and the air was filled with the aroma of delicious food and a cheerful atmosphere.

"Traveler! Over here!" a loud voice called to her.

Following the sound, the traveler saw Kavi waving at her.

Beside Kavi, a figure with his back to her slowly turned around—Elhesen, with short gray hair, half-draped in an academic robe, a small turtle hair clip on his head, and holding a thick book in his hands.

This scene is exactly the same as when he first met her in the seventh reincarnation, when she had lost her memories.

Time seemed to have completed its cycle at this moment, bringing all the stories back to their very beginning.