Genshin Impact: This fireplace house is your graveyard.

Chapter 21 The Rings of Time Leave Nothing But Scars

Qiuhe sat by the sea, recounting his own 486-year journey through the story of Funina, only now he had replaced the protagonist with himself.

During this time, he also continuously used the Void Rift Intersection technique to sense the surrounding life forms to avoid being overheard by bystanders.

"If I fail, the Katelort Empire will ultimately be punished by the gods, everyone will turn to ashes in agony, and the Katelort Empire will cease to exist."

Qiuhe's account of the 14 years after 486 years is mostly fabricated; he does not reveal the true history of Funina.

Because he wasn't sure if this would rewrite Fontaine's fate, Fu Ningna, tears streaming down her face, asked in a choked voice, "So you haven't reached the end yet?"

His voice carried a mixture of sympathy and fear. After all, Qiuhe's history was Funina's history, only the protagonist had changed to herself, so Funina would definitely empathize.

At the same time, she was also very afraid, afraid that she might end up like him, never reaching the end in 500 years. "Oh right, like Lady Funina, I haven't reached the end I'm meant to go yet."

"But Lady Funina need not worry, your mission will soon come to an end, in its final 14 years." Funina looked puzzled upon hearing this.

Akikawa then gently placed a hand on the back of Funina's hand. "Because what I just recounted was your own life, Lady Funina."

Furina knew that if her secret were revealed, the prophecy could not be resolved, and her eyes were filled with tears of despair.

Qiuhe also noticed the despair in Funina's eyes. He slowly stood up, gently cupped Funina's face with both hands to wipe away her tears, and smiled as he said to Funina:

"Lady Funina need not worry. The one in the sky is still fast asleep. I come from another world and will not affect Fontaine's future."

"I only said those things to make you feel better. I know how much you have suffered and how painful your 486 years of loneliness have been."

"In the darkness, there is only yourself and the incessantly tolling clock. The river of time stretches endlessly, the clock keeps turning without ceasing. The mental torment has made it impossible for you to control your tears."

Funina quietly looked at the cute boy in front of her. When he stood up, he was only a head taller than her when he was sitting.

He kept comforting himself, wiping away the tears in his eyes, and speaking of the pain and repression buried deep in his heart.

"Although I come from another world, I am happy to listen to Lady Funina's thoughts and share your joys and sorrows. If this can make you feel better, then it is all worthwhile."

Then, Qiuhe's gentle smile completely unlocked the lock on Funina's heart. Sunlight shone on Funina's face, and his eyes shone like the most beautiful, dazzling, and magnificent gems in the world.

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Fu Ningna hugged Qiuhe tightly, as if she wanted to pour all her feelings into that embrace.

Her voice was constantly sobbing and trembling; her heart-wrenching cries echoed in the air, breaking hearts. She kept lamenting her 486 years of loneliness, every word filled with endless sorrow and pain.

Qiuhe listened quietly to Funina's story, though he himself could not fully comprehend everything Funina had gone through.

He could only rely on his imagination to picture the 486 years of suffering, trying his best to empathize and attempt to heal Funina's already deeply wounded heart.

After all, he hadn't experienced 486 years of loneliness himself, nor could he, and not everyone could bear it. He couldn't afford to reveal even the slightest flaw in his 486 years of pretense.

He lived in constant fear, gently stroking Funina's hair, trying to offer her comfort and warmth. After a while, Funina's mood gradually improved.

Having stopped crying, Qiuhe looked at the sun high in the sky. He knew it was probably noon, and it was time for him to return to the Hearth House.

At this moment, Qiuhe slowly released his grip on Funina, sat down gently, and said softly to Funina, "Lady Funina, it's already noon. I need to go home now; my friends are still waiting for me at home."

Funina smiled and nodded, then gave Qiuhe a pass, telling her that she could use it to go to Mo Mang Palace to find him.

After waving goodbye to Funina, they returned to the Hearth House. It was already noon, but not yet lunchtime; everyone was already in the dining hall.

Clementine also saw Qiuhe enter immediately and noticed the large water stains on his chest, shoulders, and back.

"Oh my god, Leyi, you didn't fall into the river, did you? You're covered in... wait, no!"

As Claire spoke, she moved closer to Qiuhe, but when she got close enough, she smelled his perfume. She quickly moved closer and sniffed hard, confirming that it was indeed his perfume.

At this moment, Claire looked at Qiuhe with a sharp gaze and questioned him, "Why do you smell like a girl's perfume!"

Peruvéli, who was still looking at a combat technique book, turned around and glared at Akikawa with eyes that seemed to want to devour him. Akikawa, seeing this, was completely bewildered.

She wondered why they reacted so strongly, even if she smelled of another girl's perfume. But regardless, it seemed she couldn't admit it.

Otherwise, I doubt I'd have a peaceful night. "I...I just...I...I went to do that thing, you know, I...I..."

Qiuhe stammered, unable to articulate his thoughts, when Tian Yaochen, who was eating cookies beside him, said something that felt like a cannonball hitting Qiuhe instantly.

"Is that even a question? He's probably out on a date with a girl," the air around them seemed to freeze instantly. Qiuhe's lips twitched, and veins bulged on his forehead.

Looking at Tian Yaochen with an utterly speechless expression, she silently thought to herself, "Damn it." Claire, who had been staring at Tian Yaochen, mechanically turned to look at Qiu He in front of her.

He asked in a low voice, "Is what he said true?" At this moment, Qiuhe also noticed a strong murderous aura emanating from Peruvier beside him, her hand gripping the book so tightly it was creased.

She knew that if she confessed now, the night wouldn't just be filled with chaos; she might be utterly devastated. "No, it's like this," she said, "I just wanted to go for a walk and come right back."

"But then I suddenly wanted to buy you both a bottle of perfume. I thought you two would definitely like this gift, Claire and Peruvian. I tried a lot of perfumes at the time."

"That salesperson was weird too. He was just trying it on, but then he sprayed it on me. After that, I took a liking to this Chery perfume and bought it for you two."

Hearing this, Claire questioned, "Where's the perfume?" Qiuhe pretended to rummage through his pockets, then slapped his thigh. "Oh dear, what a forgetful thing! I left it at the perfume shop. I'll go get it right now."

Seeing that Clementine and Peruvier still looked unconvinced, Akikawa hugged them both. "Oh, I'm telling the truth! Don't worry, I'll be back soon!"

Tian Yaochen, who was lying on the table eating cookies, suddenly felt that the cookies in his hand tasted different. He looked at Qiuhe with a very disdainful gaze, and a word involuntarily came to mind.

Clementine and Peruvier exchanged a glance. Clementine nodded slightly, and Peruvier blinked. Clementine then said, "Then, hurry back!"

After receiving permission, Qiuhe dashed out of the Hearth House and quickly ran towards the Moman Palace. At dinner time, Clévy and Peruvier were also looking at the perfume in their hands—a blue and white bottle with a small crown on the cap.

Claire thought for a moment, sprayed some on her hands, smelled them, then smelled Akikawa. Confirming it was the same scent, she nodded to Peruvier.

After receiving confirmation, Peruvier slowly turned her head. Akikawa, watching this scene, breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Clementine then produced a roster. "This is what my mother gave me. It's for our duel training this afternoon. She said it's individual training, no group matches."

"In other words, we might end up becoming adversaries on the training field."

Qiuhe took the roster and glanced at it. His first opponent was a girl named Qiu Shanshan, whose weapon was a sword. It seemed that children with different weapons would be placed in different training grounds for trials.

Akikawa glanced at Peruvier beside him and sensed something was off about her expression. That expression looked so much like...

Concern