Star Railway: The Last of the Grammer Riders

Chapter 210 Exploring a Side Story: Teyvat Paradox (1)

Jiang Tianxing, who returned to Teyvat through the portal, drifted through the starry sky with Bai Zhi (who, in case anyone forgets, is Buyer's alias in the human world) and Gretchen, who was traveling with him.

Protected by their pioneering spirit, they drifted in space without turning into silly ice blocks or becoming space debris that would be blown away by trains.

Instead, it landed directly in the direction of Teyvat.

They passed through three layers of film, each layer producing a sound like shattering glass.

The people inside Teyvat saw that a hole had been torn in the sky.

But the hole was gone in an instant, and was quickly repaired.

Jiang Tianxing transformed into "Bai Ze" and carried the two women down to earth.

They flew over Sky Island and saw the three shadows watching them silently, and saw the still-sleeping Tenryu.

They crossed the winter solstice and saw the icy, snowy landscape of winter, much like Siberia.

Passing through Nata, I witnessed the warring kingdoms that triumphed over the abyss.

As I flew over the border between Fontainebleau and Liyue, I saw the Obi-Clay Opera House, a dragon laborer who had been working hard for 500 years, and twins with white and blue hair eating cake in a coffee shop.

I caught a glimpse of a silver-white-haired girl strolling through Liyue Harbor, accompanied by a mature woman with long silver-blue hair.

I greeted an old man who was drinking tea and listening to opera, and a drunkard who was slacking off while drinking.

Far across the sea in Inazuma, two sisters are enjoying pastries and tea with their friends.

Finally, it landed in front of the Pure Goodness Palace in Sumeru City.

"Is this the kingdom ruled by Uncle Tianxing and Sister Baizhi? It's truly filled with the aura of knowledge," Greta said, lightly stepping off Jiang Tianxing.

“Hmm, welcome to Sumeru, Gretchen.” Bai Zhi gracefully floated down and said to Gretchen. “This is the ‘Void,’ a device similar to a mobile phone. Simply wearing it allows you to connect to the ‘Void Website.’ Your access is below ours, but you can see the information we can access.”

"Such a small and lightweight machine, is it actually a cell phone? If Sister Velvi saw it, she would definitely want one to study, right?" Gretsch said, looking at the "Void" in her hand.

"Hehe, actually this is just a device driven by elemental force. As long as there is elemental force, it can connect to the 'terminal' through the ley lines to achieve operation similar to a mobile phone. And this is our modified second generation, which can be used for taking photos!"

"Buyergresh, isn't the Mondstadt Flower Festival coming up soon? Want to go together?" Jiang Tianxing checked the date and found that the Flower Festival was not far away, so he asked the two of them.

“Yes, let’s go together. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Barbatos and the others,” Bai Zhi said.

“If you’re looking for that drunkard Barbatos, you’ll have to go to Liyue. He’s currently drinking tea and listening to storytelling with Morax at Three Bowls Hill. But he should be going back on the last day of the Windflower Festival,” Jiang Tianxing explained Venti’s whereabouts.

"The Wind Flower Festival? Is it the festival of that city called Mondstadt? Uncle Tianxing, can you tell me the story of this festival?" Gretchen asked Jiang Tianxing, showing her curiosity and interest in the festivals of this world.

"Well, let's talk about it on the way. I'll explain the origin and meaning of the Windflower Festival to you." Jiang Tianxing once again lifted the two women and flew towards Mondstadt.

Mondstadt…

The atmosphere in Mondstadt today is somewhat somber, and even the weather seems to be affected by the atmosphere, giving the feeling that a storm is brewing.

Jiang Tianxing entered Mondstadt, but strangely, he could clearly sense that the city seemed to have a low population density upon entering…

No, it should be said that it's too little.

Moreover, the expressions on the faces of those strolling on the road were somewhat strange, but they weren't directed at Bai Zhi and Gretchen, but at Jiang Tianxing alone.

He sensed something was wrong…

He hurried to the Knights of Favonius, which was strange...

The knights' gate, which should have been guarded, was deserted today, as if something unexpected had happened.

After Jiang Tian walked in, he saw a knight coming down from upstairs and learned from him that the knights in Mondstadt were currently being tried on the second floor.

As for the subjects of the trial... that truly shocked Jiang Tianxing.

Unexpectedly, Aberdo was put on trial and stood in the dock.

Moreover, the charge was murder.

Upon arriving at the courtroom, I discovered that many familiar faces were there…

All members of the Knights of Favonius, the common people, and Diluc, who is at odds with the Knights of Favonius.

The arrival of the three surprised everyone.

Qin, in particular, had not expected that Lord Tianxing would return at this time.

Kaiya also found it unbelievable, but she still smiled.

They weren't the only ones stunned; some civilians and members of the Knights were also taken aback.

Even Grandpa Diluc was surprised by his arrival.

Meanwhile, Abedo, who was at the center of the incident, sat calmly in the defendant's seat, quietly waiting for the outcome.

"Ignore me and continue your trial." Jiang Tianxing found a good spot to sit down, which happened to be next to an empty seat.

"You've arrived just in time... Are you done with your work?" Kong asked Jiang Tianxing.

"Yes, they've headed to the next stop. Bai Zhi and I had nothing to do, so we came back first. Naxida and Keli stayed there to play. How's the situation now?" Jiang Tianxing asked.

“Yes, it’s bad. Abedo’s situation is very unfavorable. All the evidence points to him…” Kong replied.

"I see... It seems the situation is indeed very bad." Jiang Tianxing could sense the heavy atmosphere.

"By the way, who's that next to you...?" Sora asked, noticing Gretchen sitting to the side watching the whole scene.

“My niece, Gretchen,” Jiang Tianxing explained briefly. Upon hearing her name, Gretchen turned around and greeted Kong.

"This is bad... Sora, the situation seems to be very unfavorable for Abedo!" Paimon said nervously, tugging at Sora.

“It’s alright, Paimon. Trust Abeddo,” Sora said.

"Hey? Tianxing, when did you get back?" Paimon noticed Jiang Tianxing sitting to the side at this moment.

"Just recently. I happened to stumble upon this. But... things are a bit interesting..." Jiang Tianxing noticed something amiss with this trial; it was less of a trial and more like... a trap designed to lure people in. "I never expected Abedo to kill someone? I really didn't think of that. He's usually so quiet; I never imagined he could be so ruthless. Tsk tsk tsk..."

"Tianxing, how can you believe that Abedo would do such a thing?!" Paimon said in shock.

"Paimon, just sit still. The results will be out soon."

Shortly after, it was halftime.

Kong received a message that someone had asked him to meet at Zhaixing Cliff.

Kong and Paimon were very curious and decided to keep the appointment.

Jiang Tianxing planned to go along, but he left Bai Zhi and Gretchen in the Knights Order.

The three of them arrived at Star-Picking Cliff via the teleportation anchor point.

They encountered a drunkard named Fengshen who was still drinking from a sake bottle.

"Singing for money? What do you need us for?" Paimon asked Wendy when he saw her.

"Hey everyone, long time no see. But hey, I'm not the one looking for you today," Wendy replied.

"Excuse me, everyone, I need to speak with you." A boy with light pink hair, who was slightly smaller than Wendy, stepped forward and said.

"It's nice to meet you again, Your Excellency, Knight of Honor."

"You are...the one on stage just now! I think your name is...Talia?" Paimon thought for a moment and said.

“Yes, but my name is Talia, not Talia. I am an assistant priest of the Church of Favonius, the preacher of the wind god Barbatos,” Talia said. “And this… a deity of Liyue, or rather, a great sage of Sumeru?”

"Oh? It seems this drunkard has told you my identity too," Jiang Tianxing said, looking at Wendy with interest.

Wendy felt a little uneasy under that gaze.

"Don't...don't look at me like that. You never told me you wouldn't hide your identity," Wendy said somewhat guiltily.

"So... you called us here because of him?" Sora asked Talia.

"Hmm, of course. But the main thing is to understand the views of the Great Sage and the Honorary Knights of the Knights of Favonius on the current situation."

"My view is that... the evidence presented in this trial is too fragmented and chaotic. And a lot of people are acting very strangely, especially after I arrived."

“Yes, I’ve noticed that too. The behavior of those people has been different and strange lately. For example, Miles has been listless lately, Ms. Beatrice is restless… and Donna no longer loves Mr. Diluc.”

"Wait, what do you mean Donna no longer loves Grandpa Diluc?" Paimon was shocked. "This is a huge problem! I remember Donna really liked Grandpa Diluc, she would find a way to see him almost every day. She even asked us to help her quite a few times! And now she doesn't like him anymore?"

"Hmm...maybe we've given up hope?" Sora offered another possibility.

“Hmm~ ‘There is no more love to sing of, only the narrative of disaster remains in the valley. Who would accept such a fate? Has the savior not yet arrived?’” Wendy recited a poem.

"You street singer, you're being a riddle-teller again," Paimon said speechlessly.

However, Jiang Tianxing did understand some of the things mentioned.

“Heh, in Barbatos’ words, this story is a necessary test. Someone has to find a way to overcome the difficulties. And even the gods should respect fate,” Wendy explained.

"But... is there any kind soul willing to help that dear friend? If something really happens to him, Mondstadt will be in real danger!"

"Are you planning to ask us to help you for free again?" Paimon said, looking at Wendy speechlessly.

"How could that be? I'll still give you a reward. After all, I don't want to be hung on a leash like a capitalist and whipped around." Wendy said jokingly. "But I certainly won't let you search blindly. Here, take this!"

Wendy threw a bouncy bomb into the air.

Upon seeing the bouncy bomb in his hand, Kong panicked for a moment before realizing that it was actually the communicator he had used during his last island adventure.

“Alright, don’t stay here any longer. The task of helping Abedo is now yours!” Wendy said.

Kong put away the Dudu communicator and immediately returned to the Knights of Favonius.

However, Jiang Tianxing did not leave because he wanted to ask Alice where she was.

"Barbatos, tell me. Where is Alice now?"

"Hehe~ I don't know either~ Maybe she's in Mondstadt right now~" Wendy said, feigning ignorance.

Jiang Tianxing glanced at Wendy, then ignored him and left.

"Barbatos, what is his relationship with Ms. Alice?" Talia asked after Jiang Tianxing left.

"Well...their relationship...is that of friends. But...Claire is his biological daughter. You could say Alice is his second wife," Wendy said with a smile.

"I never expected that Klee would be the child of a god," Talia said, looking in Mondstadt with great interest.

"Hmm, if we're talking about connections, Klee is probably the most powerful in all of Teyvat," Venti said with a hint of joking. "Her father is a god, her sister is a god, her mother was the first member of the Witches' Guild, and all the other members are her aunts. She also has Mondstadt's most powerful alchemist as her brother. Moreover, the Fatui Enforcers, except for the 2nd, 5th, and 9th seats, all look after Klee out of respect for Skywalker, and the Seven Regents are the same."

　I'll write two chapters about Teyvat first, then other side quests, and then the main storyline.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)