"Sigh..."
With a sigh, Ying no longer dwelled on the previous question and began to answer Paimon's other inquiries.
"First, I need to clarify, I am not some naive and cute little loli. Don't spout nonsense, or I'll sue you for defamation. (￣へ￣)"
Upon hearing this, Paimon indulgently indulged her host.
Alright, alright~ The host isn't naive and cute, just both naive and cute.
"Hmph... you know what's good for you."
Ying, not noticing the latter part of the sentence, pinched her chin and began to ponder her recent changes.
"Hmm... to be honest, I don't really have the motivation to meddle in other people's business anymore. My mind is completely focused on helping you and Lumine recover your bodies."
"If we trace the root of it, it should have a lot to do with that fellow named Tora. He actually took advantage of my kindness..."
Speaking of Tora, Ying suddenly thought of something and immediately shared it with Paimon.
"Speaking of which, have I ever told you that I met a younger Tora when I was destroying their base before?"
Paimon nodded.
You did, but at the time, due to the pursuit of the Shogunate army, you couldn't discuss it with us.
However, thinking about it now, it does seem a bit scary. After all, based on the timeline you mentioned, we also encountered Tora then. For one person to be in two places at the same time, isn't that a bit too bizarre?
"Elemental power itself is already unreasonable, okay?"
Ying casually retorted, then pondered for a moment and voiced her guess.
"A clone technique or something like that is unlikely, since both individuals are of different ages. However, when I interacted with him before, I could feel his great interest in science. You can see this from the improved giant puppet you fought against."
"Perhaps... that younger Tora is a clone of him..."
As she analyzed this, Ying shook her head, feeling unsure about her own idea.
After all, by normal standards, clones are usually created to be identical, or at most, at their peak age. The younger Tora, who was easily defeated by me and destroyed in one move, clearly wasn't his peak.
"Never mind... the more I think about it, the more complicated things become. In short, he is the one who changed my perspective a lot."
"Since he so thoughtfully wanted me to see the cruelty of this world, I definitely have to reciprocate and repay this kindness..."
Oh? How does the host plan to repay him?
Facing Paimon's curious inquiry, Ying merely offered a smile and pushed open the door of the house where Paimon and Childe were staying.
"Hello~ Are you two enjoying your rest here?"
Upon hearing her host's voice, Paimon, who was feasting at the dining table, immediately perked up. She quickly flew to Ying's side, stomped her little feet, and complained to her.
"Not happy! Lumine actually refused to take me with her to see you, and made me stay here with that guy. I'm so angry!"
Ying smiled and gently rubbed her little head, explaining on Lumine's behalf.
"Lumine probably didn't want you to encounter danger. By the way..."
Ying's tone shifted as she looked at Childe, who was sitting there looking dejected.
"Why has he become like this? If I remember correctly, he was quite energetic and recuperating at the entrance when I went out for training this morning..."
Hearing Ying mention him, Childe finally turned his head and silently grumbled.
"I was a bit energetic this morning, but after I realized that my month's worth of provisions was squandered by a certain little one in just a few days, I couldn't hold on any longer."
Uh...
"Even though our factions are different, I still want to say, you've worked hard..."
After a brief chat with the two, Ying trotted over to the large bed nearby, kicked off her shoes, and flopped onto it, intending to rest her recently battered body.
After all, she had undergone a long period of special training before being "bullied" by Lumine. Although it wasn't difficult, prolonged exertion and concentration were still very tiring.
Of course, the main reason for her current state was that scoundrel Lumine. Really, that girl was getting better and better at teasing her, and she felt like Lumine had discovered all her sensitive spots...
Ying looked at Childe, who had regained a tiny bit of his spirit, and without any reservation, asked him her question.
"By the way, I noticed you always woke up earlier than me and returned later than me these past few days. Were you out doing something? Don't tell me you were reporting our situation to your Fatui?"
Childe was not yet in a state to joke with Ying. He simply waved his hand lazily and replied.
"Come on, we've known each other for quite some time. Is that how you see me?"
Ying pouted.
"Your evasive tactic makes me even more suspicious! Besides, in my impression, you're just a creepy old man who uses me as a discount coupon~"
Seeing that he couldn't fool this somewhat dim-witted person in her memory, Childe stopped playing dumb and directly revealed what he had been doing these past few days.
"It's nothing much, really. I was just taking advantage of my free time to search for Scaramouche's whereabouts. But alas, it seems he's not around here."
"Not around..."
Ying sighed in frustration and rolled over on the bed.
Although she didn't know if this news was true or not... for now, she'd just take it as true...
Sigh... If only I could have caught her before I went to fight the Raiden Shogun. Then we could have fought that woman who only knew how to fight all day long together with Lumine...
Wait... it's not like she fights all day long. If I remember correctly, those people who temporarily transmigrated here before mentioned that she liked to eat... uh... what was it she liked to eat...?
Paimon's voice chimed in softly.
Sweets.
"Oh, right, right, sweets."
Sigh... Even this she forgets. What a foolish host.
Uh... considering you reminded me, I won't argue with you this time...
After finishing her private chat with Paimon, Ying began to ponder her plan.
Sweets... uh... it seems unrealistic to rely on sweets to make her abolish the Vision Hunt Decree...
However, if sweets could prevent her from attacking me immediately, then perhaps I could try to persuade her with my "mouth-fu"...
Well, after all, a god who can come up with such a bizarre thing as the Vision Hunt Decree must not be very intelligent. Moreover, she has been staying in her "little black room" all the time, completely unaware of what's happening outside.
I imagine she probably doesn't even know that her own citizens have spontaneously formed resistance groups to oppose the Vision Hunt Decree by now...