Smoldering
Last updated 2026-08-24
Smoldering is the second part in the Teyvat storyline Archon Quest Song of the Welkin Moon: Prelude - The Journey Home.
Steps
- Head to the Flower-Feather Clan
- Look for Ineffa
- Talk to Ineffa
- Return to the Flower-Feather Clan
- Go check on the situation
- Meet with Citlali
- Look for Ineffa
- Defeat the Source Mechanisms
- Talk to Ineffa
- Keep an eye on Zhuoxin
- Keep your distance and follow Zhuoxin
- Observe the entrance
Gameplay Notes
- During step 7, the active party is limited to a trial Chasca.
- During step 8:
- The character menu is disabled.
- A trial Ineffa joins the party.
- Most details about Ineffa cannot be seen as the character menu is disabled, except that at World Level 9, she is Lv. 90, has 20600 HP, and uses Fractured Halo as her weapon.
- Leaving the area will reset the quest's progress back to the beginning of this step.
Trial Character
| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
  Lv. 90 C3 Chasca Lv. 90 R3 Astral Vulture's Crimson Plumage |
|
 Max HP: 17,488 ATK: 2,411 DEF: 737 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 45.2% Crit DMG: 220.3% Energy Recharge: 135.0% |
|
|
Dialogue
- (Continuing directly from the previous quest)
- Paimon: The last few days really flew by! Do you think Ineffa and the merchants are enjoying their stay at the Flower-Feather Clan? Let's go see how they're doing!
- (Approach the marked location at the "Flower-Feather Clan")
- Adieta: Um... Do you think Ineffa will like this gift we got her?
- Little Robot: Beep-beep.
- Yatlan: See, see? It said "Yes"!
- Kotimy: Are you sure? 'Cause when I asked it who's the better hero, Ixquieh or Lianca, it gave the exact same answer...
- Little Robot: Beep beep beep!
- (The traveler and Paimon approaches the group)
- Capac: Hey, you hear that? That's the answer it gave when I asked who'd win in a fight between Cacucu and Ajaw!
- Paimon: You guys, it's just making random beeps!
- Yatlan: Whoa! Is that... "Tumaini" and the flying expert?
- Paimon: ...Uh, beep beep, yes, it's us! Anyway — where's Ineffa?
- Kotimy: Probably out mopping up those mad machines, as usual. There must be a lot of them, 'cause she hardly ever comes back for a rest...
- Paimon: Wait, all by herself? Are we sure that's a good idea after what happened last time...?
- Kotimy: Umm, Ineffa said that since she lost her memories, her... "cognition module's been running more smoothly." And it's... "greatly boosted efficiency in cleaning and tidying tasks"... I think that was it.
- Paimon: Huh... So, losing her memories has somehow made her a better fighter?
- Capac: She's awesome! I saw her carrying a whole pile of beaten-up machines in one hand!
- Kotimy: All the grown-ups say that they feel much safer leaving the house now, thanks to her. So we thought it'd be nice to give her a little gift.
- Capac: We've tried giving her flowers and feathers, but it seemed like she didn't like them very much... That got us thinking — maybe robot people don't like the same things as us.
- Paimon: Uh-huh... So that's why you made her this flower out of mechanical parts?
- Adieta: Yeah... we still don't know if she'll like it, though...
- Yatlan: It's okay, Adieta! She'll love this one, I'm sure of it!
- Adieta: But... What if she doesn't? This might be my last chance...
Last chance? What do you mean?- Adieta: Well... Now that all of my mom and dad's other friends from Nod-Krai have left to go home, it's just us left... And they said today, it's our turn to go home too.
- Paimon: Already? Wasn't the plan to stick around until Ineffa gets better?
- Adieta: Dad says everyone back home is expecting us, and he doesn't want us to overstay our welcome here.
- Adieta: He thought we should at least make sure Ineffa wasn't getting any worse first, but now that it's been a few days, he says it's time we made a move.
- Adieta: To be honest, I can kinda understand. He hasn't been home in so many years. Mom and I can tell that he misses Liyue a lot...
- Paimon: Ah, no wonder... So, what about your mom then? Guessing she's not from Liyue?
- Adieta: No, she's from Nod-Krai. She met my dad after he moved there. I was born there, too.
- Adieta: He's been there the whole time I was growing up, so... he hasn't been home in at least ten years.
- That's a long time... No wonder he's getting homesick.
- Capac: Don't worry! We'll write to you and let you know how Ineffa's doing!
- Kotimy: You bet! And once she's all better, we'll bring her to visit you in Liyue!
- Yatlan: Yeah! So don't worry too much about the flower. I'm sure she'll love it, but even if not, you'll have other chances in the future!
- Little Robot: Beep beep!
- Adieta: Hmm...
- Yatlan: Although... I guess we still need to wait till she gets back. I wonder how much longer she'll be?
- Capac: Who knows... Seems like she takes longer and longer every time she goes out.
- Kotimy: Can't we go take it to her? No, wait... the grown-ups would never let us do that. Way too many of those mad machines out there.
- Adieta: What am I gonna do? If she doesn't get back soon, I might run out of time...
- I can deliver it to her for you.
- Adieta: *gasp* Really? Thanks, "Tumaini"!
- (Talk to Adieta, Capac, Kotimy, or Yatlan, optional)
- Capac: All the grown-ups I know who've been to Liyue say it's a really beautiful place! They have loads of cool toys there too, right?
- Adieta: Umm... I only know what my dad's told me. He said there's a toy seller at Chihu Rock...
- Kotimy: Sounds awesome...
- Yatlan: Once you get there, you have to write to us and tell us all about it!
- (Approach Ineffa)
-
- (Ineffa scans some Secret Source Automaton parts around her)
- Ineffa: ...Threat eliminated. Scanning for next target...
- Paimon: Ineffa!
- Ineffa: (Traveler), Paimon... Annihilation mode disengaged. Chat mode activated.
- Paimon: Chat mode, huh? You'd probably get along well with a Fontainian magician friend of ours... She does "modes" instead of "moods," too.
- Ineffa: Good morning. Nice to see you again. What lovely weather we're having.
- Good morning. Nice to see you again too. It is lovely, isn't it.
- Paimon: Hey, don't you start too! One robot's enough!
- Ineffa: These are some standard greetings I learned recently. Three greetings in a row equals thrice the greetment. Hypothetically speaking.
- Paimon: Where did you get "greetment" from...? Never mind, you're doing a whole lot better than the last time we met.
- Ineffa: Yes. My cognition and language modules are recovering well. I can now sustain fluid conversation.
- Ineffa: ...But I have still been unable to retrieve the memory containing the code to the cryptex. I will keep trying. Sincere apologies.
- It's okay, it'll take however long it takes.
- Let's see what Xilonen and the others can find out.
- (Ineffa's gaze shifts to the mechanical flower in the Traveler's hand, which the Traveler raises up)
- Ineffa: Yes. Now that a convenient moment to change the topic has presented itself, what is that object in your hand? A new model of source mechanism?
- It's a... "flower." Adieta made it for you.
- Ineffa: "Flower"...? Flowers are plant reproductive organs... But I detect no signs of life.
- Paimon: Uh, it's more like a... flower built from mechanical components.
- Ineffa: Understood. A flower-shaped machine component... What is its function? Which module is it designed for? Is it compatible with my hardware?
- Paimon: Uhh... It doesn't have a "function," it's just for looking at. Y'know... a cute little souvenir.
- Ineffa: Cute little souvenir... But if it serves no function, for what purpose was it built?
- This conversation just got really deep!
- Ineffa: A cryptex is for sending messages, machines are for performing tasks... What about this flower? What is it for?
- I guess... it's to express gratitude.
- Ineffa: Gratitude?
- Paimon: Yeah. If someone helps you out, you help them back, and if someone gives you a gift, you get them something in return. That's how we show gratitude to other people.
- Ineffa: ...The Flower-Feather Clan took me in, so I'm neutralizing threats near their territory. Like that?
- Paimon: Yes, exactly! You got it! So, it all makes sense now, right?
- Ineffa: But... is this not "tit-for-tat"? I heard Mr. Kinich use this term.
- Paimon: No, that's completely different!
- Ideas like this can take some time to fully grasp.
- To start with, will you accept this flower?
- Ineffa: ...I will. Gratitude.
- Paimon: In terms of its purpose... Think of it as a memento of your friendship!
- Ineffa: Memento?
- An object that symbolizes an important memory.
- It's for remembering something or someone by.
- Ineffa: Important memory...?
- (Ineffa's vision starts flickering)
- Ineffa: Memento...
- (A flashback is shown)
- Unfamiliar Lady: Here, wear this flower. And this feather, too... There, much better! Gotta look your best for your big journey!
- (A flower? Why? It'll only increase the total load...)
- Unfamiliar Lady: It's just a flower, it's not that heavy. Just think of it as a little souvenir from me. Something to take with you on the road.
- (Souvenir?)
- Unfamiliar Lady: That's right — a souvenir. Sometimes, when people have something important to remember, they'll pick an object to use as a reminder of that thing.
- Unfamiliar Lady: Even if you end up forgetting everything, this flower will always keep blooming. It could take a thousand times, maybe two thousand... But maybe one day, you'll see the flower bloom — and suddenly, you'll remember the reason for your journey.
- (...Shouldn't I stay here and help you?)
- Unfamiliar Lady: No. Everyone's on their own path, and they have to walk it alone. Just as your journey is yours, and no one else's.
- Unfamiliar Lady: Besides, I have no plan to go to war against him. We both owe each other far more than our mere lives... If either of us actually wanted to claim on that debt, all they'd have to do was ask.
- Unfamiliar Lady: If anything... I pity him. In a way, his situation's not so different from yours, but in his case, it's turned him into something neither human nor dragon. The more he chases the sun, the more it blinds him to the creatures who live by its light.
- Unfamiliar Lady: You were once... well, "she" was once the enemy of humankind. And Och-Kan doesn't care to distinguish between you and her like Ixquieh and I do. He sees you as the same being.
- Unfamiliar Lady: So if you stay behind — and especially if you help me — it'll only stoke the flames of his blind hatred even further.
- (...But...)
- Unfamiliar Lady: *sigh*... Come on, you have bigger things to worry about than me right now. You have a huge journey ahead of you. That should be your focus.
- Unfamiliar Lady: Have faith. This tribe will kneel to no one — they will never be slaves. If they lose their leader, someone else will take up the mantle. Heck, even a child who's barely learned how to walk could do it.
- Unfamiliar Lady: Alright, time to go. Some things are destined to be forgotten — don't let it get to you. In a thousand years' time, you'll have a life far, far away from here. So, go...
- Unfamiliar Lady: ...Cross the ocean. Find a new place to belong.
- (The scene in the flashback changes)
- ???: Malfunction who betrayed us all.
- ???: ...You dare seek a place to belong?
- (The flashback ends, but Ineffa is still in a trance)
- Paimon: ...Ineffa! Ineffa! What's wrong?
- (Ineffa snaps out of her trance)
- Ineffa: ...I... I was...
- Ineffa: ...Sincere apologies. My cognition module crashed for a moment. It is now fixed.
- Paimon: Is it 'cause you've been fighting for too long? You need to rest. Come on, let's get you back!
- Ineffa: Back? ...Back to the Flower-Feather Clan?
- Paimon: Yeah, of course... Everything else aside, Adieta and her folks will be leaving soon. Don't you wanna say a proper goodbye?
- ...Is something bothering you?
- Ineffa: ...Yes. The closer I am to the Flower-Feather Clan, the more erratic my cognition module becomes. Occasionally, unidentified data surfaces from my memory banks.
- (Traveler): (Ineffa had a similar reaction to this when Xilonen said the name "Lianca"...)
- Paimon: Memory data? So... what about that "curse" Xilonen mentioned? Does it not hurt to remember anymore?
- Ineffa: It does. Even now, it still hurts. I have merely switched off the corresponding facial expressions to avoid making other people uncomfortable.
- (Traveler): (Is that the robot equivalent of "I'm just used to it now"?)
- Ineffa: But if I do not recall my memories, I cannot complete my task.
- Paimon: So... is this why you've been spending so much time out here?
- Ineffa: ...When memory data surfaces, there is a high probability that my cognition module will crash. This constitutes a safety risk. Therefore, I have been spending time away from the tribe.
- (Traveler): (A safety risk... like what happened at the Children of Echoes?)
- Come back with us. No need to worry about safety risks with us around.
- Paimon: Yeah, exactly! Whatever happens, we'll make sure things don't get out of hand!
- Maybe going back to the tribe will trigger some useful memories.
- Adieta would really like to say goodbye to you in person.
- Ineffa: ...
- Ineffa: Assessing relative combat capability... Paimon: approximately one-fifth...
- Paimon: One fifth? Of what!?
- Ineffa: (Traveler)... Risk mitigated. Strategy accepted.
- Great. Let's go!
- (Approach the marked location at the "Flower-Feather Clan")
- Zhuoxin: I can't thank you enough for hosting us these past few days... And thanks for agreeing to look after Ineffa. I know it's a lot to ask.
- Chasca: It's alright. She'll be in good hands.
- Adieta: She never came back... I guess I'll have to leave without saying goodbye...
- Aamu: Hey now, you'll see her again! And we have so much to look forward to in Liyue. All those Xiao Lanterns lighting up the sky. You've always wanted to see that!
- (The Traveler, Paimon, and Ineffa walk toward Adieta's group)
- Ineffa: Adieta, Aamu, Zhuoxin. I am back.
- Adieta: Huh... Ineffa? ...You brought her back? Thanks so much!
- Paimon: Hehe, don't mention it!
- Ineffa: Also... gratitude for the flower.
- Adieta says a reluctant goodbye to Ineffa...
- Ineffa: What does it feel like... to know where you are returning to?
- Paimon: Hmm? That's a strange question... As soon as you're all better, you'll be returning to Nod-Krai!
- Paimon: Oh, and we forgot to say — we're actually heading there ourselves soon. Maybe we can travel together!
- Ineffa: Nod-Krai... is that home?
- Paimon: Huh?
- Ineffa: Cognition module unable to define "home."
- Ineffa: All the memory data that has presented itself recently has been related to Natlan. But the merchants tell me that I have "family" waiting for me in Nod-Krai...
- Ineffa: If I do recover my memories, which time period will they be from? And will the post-recovery me be the same "me" that I am now, or someone different?
- Paimon: Whew... That's a deep question...
- Chasca: What is it that you're afraid of? Are you worried the new you will be so different, you don't even recognize her?
- Ineffa: Finding near-synonyms for "mind" and "conflict"... "cognition module"... "split"...
- Ineffa: ...Yes. Once I have been "split"... will it change the way I define "home"?
- Chasca: Huh... Now that's a tough question. A lot of people, and a lot of saurians, spend their whole lives searching for an answer to that.
- Chasca: But if you want my opinion, home is... somewhere you can always return to, wherever that might be.
- Chasca: No matter how far you fly, there'll always be someone back there waiting for you. No matter how battered and bruised you get, you can always go back there to rest and recover.
- Chasca: I guess you could say, it's somewhere you... belong?
- (Ineffa has a shocked expression)
- Ineffa: ...!
- Chasca: Wherever it is that your memories guide you back to... I'm sure it'll be somewhere you feel safe. Somewhere you feel you belong.
- Chasca: Of course, everyone's situation is different, and I don't know how applicable my experience is in your case. But... consider it a reference point, I guess?
- Ineffa: ...Okay. Recorded under "reference data."
- Chasca: Heh, and at the end of the day, I mean, who says you can't have more than one home? There's no law against it.
- Chimpu: Squawk...
- Chasca: Hmm? Someone's looking for us? Hopefully, this means there's been some progress.
- Chasca: ...Don't be afraid to recover your memories. They might contain the answers you're looking for.
- Ineffa: Got it.
- (Ineffa's vision flickers, and she sees a vision again)
- ???: ...Recover your memories?
- ???: Malfunction... Have you forgotten why you cast them away to begin with?
- (Approach Citlali)
- Paimon: Oh, it's Citlali! Didn't think it'd be you.
- Citlali: Why? Don't you think I'd want to do my part to help (Traveler)? ...And anyway, no one's more qualified than the Masters of the Night-Wind when it comes to Natlan's ancient history.
- Chasca: "Ancient" history? ...Wow, even by Citlali's standards?
- Citlali: ...If you think I didn't hear that, you're sorely mistaken. But anyway, back to the matter at hand. I don't know if you noticed, but Kinich's little sidekick has been acting a little strange around Ineffa.
- Ajaw? Yeah, you can say that again.
- Citlali: After you parted ways, Kinich put him in timeout for three whole days and nights. Then, he had Ifa send Cacucu to torment him for another night...
- Poor Ajaw!
- He had it coming, though.
- Citlali: Finally, Ajaw got so infuriated with Cacucu's pestering that he lost his cool and let slip a crucial piece of information. Two words: "Sovereign ruler."
- Ineffa: ...
- Chasca: Sovereign ruler? So what, isn't that just how he introduces himself?
- Citlali: It is, and I always assumed it was a load of hot air... But apparently not. Turns out, the title refers to the thirteen dragonlords who ruled Natlan in ancient times.
- Ooh, I think I've heard of them...
- Citlali: Wait, really? How... It took me forever to figure this out...
- Hmm, don't think I've heard much about them...
- Citlali: Hehe, of course you haven't. Even I spent forever figuring it out!
- (A cutscene is shown)
- Citlali: Ahem... Anyway, the thirteen sovereign rulers are not ordinary dragons but forms of artificial intelligence created by the Pyro Dragon using secret source technology.
- Citlali: They had superior intelligence and greater authority than even the ancient dragons themselves. Each ruled over a portion of Natlan's territory.
- Citlali: But one by one, they disappeared during the war with the heroes... Even most of their names are unknown now, long since buried in the sands of time.
- (The cutscene ends)
- Citlali: If we hadn't managed to pry that tidbit out of Ajaw's mouth, I would have had no idea where to even start.
- Chasca: I always thought that little monster's biggest claim to fame was arguing with Cacucu for an entire day... He has quite a history then, huh? Which of the thirteen was he?
- Citlali: Not a clue. So far, he has staunchly refused to reveal which of the sovereign rulers he was... My guess is that he doesn't even remember.
- Citlali: Remember, these rulers were supposed to be powerful forms of artificial intelligence, and Ajaw... Well, it hardly seems like he's still in his prime. I'll bet he's lost most of his memories and power by now.
- Ineffa: Lost... memories...
- (Citlali looks at Ineffa, and Ineffa looks at her chest's core)
- Citlali: Yet despite that, Ajaw seemed to sense the presence of a fellow sovereign ruler when you were nearby. Specifically, it's the core in your chest he was reacting to.
- Paimon: What!? Ineffa's a sovereign ruler too!?
- Citlali: Could be. Kinich and Ifa have been keeping a close watch on Ajaw, in case he reveals anything else. But so far, it seems like those two words are all he remembers.
- Paimon: Darn... So the trail's gone cold.
- Citlali: Not completely. There's also Lianca and the Flower-Feather Clan, both of which have triggered a response from Ineffa so far. And as it happens, out of the sovereign rulers that I was able to dig up information on, there was one who had a very close relationship with Lianca.
- (A cutscene is shown)
- Citlali: Her name was the Priestess of Floral Candles and Skyborne Feathers, otherwise known as the Eighth Lord. She ruled over what is now the Flower-Feather Clan's territory.
- (The cutscene ends)
- Citlali: The records claim that she didn't die in the war with humanity, but was executed by her own kind... Her crime being, betrayal of dragonkind by secretly raising a human — Lianca.
- Paimon: Huh!? Chasca, did you know this?
- Chasca: ...Some of it... Our tribe's origin story has Lianca being raised by a dragon, and of the Six Heroes, she had the closest relationship with dragonkind.
- (A cutscene is shown, where Lianca walks through the "Flower-Feather Clan")
- Chasca: After raising her, her surrogate mother then encouraged her to leave the nest and seek her own path.
- Chasca: She traveled far and wide, settling disputes between humans and saurians. She didn't pick sides based on past grievances between humanity and dragonkind. She stood up for the weak, protecting them from those more powerful who sought to exploit them...
- Chasca: Gradually, a community of like-minded people and saurians gathered around her, united by their desire for freedom and equality... And that was how the Flower-Feather Clan began.
- (The cutscene ends)
- Chasca: But that's as much as the legends say. They never mentioned her dragon mother's name, or what became of her in the end...
- Ineffa: ...
- ...Ineffa?
- Ineffa: ...Oh. Sorry... My cognition module is acting up again. At some point during this conversation, it started behaving very erratically...
- (Ineffa walks toward Citlali)
- Ineffa: You mentioned that the Priestess of Floral Candles and Skyborne Feathers was "executed"... Might I ask how?
- Citlali: Unfortunately, the humans of that time weren't privy to all the details of dragon affairs... The only records we have are vague references from after the fact.
- Citlali: It's very possible that this is mere speculation or complete fabrication, so don't give too much weight to it. But for what it's worth — it's said that a curse was placed on the priestess by one of the other rulers:
- Citlali: "If she truly harbors pro-human sentiment... then for every ounce of goodwill she feels, may her mind be flooded with pain of immeasurable proportions."
- Citlali: ...In the savage conflict and chaos that followed, the priestess's mind was ultimately destroyed.
- Paimon: Geez, what a bizarre method of execution... Definitely sounds like the history writers used some artistic license there.
- Ineffa: ...
- ...Are you okay?
- Ineffa: I'm fine... This didn't seem to trigger any erratic behavior. So, do you think that my origins have something to do with this sovereign ruler?
- Citlali: Hmm, interesting... Well, it's hard to say what, if any, direct connection you have to the Eighth Lord. But since the name "Lianca" seems to ring a bell for you, why don't you look into it yourself?
- Citlali: I brought some woven scrolls with me that might be useful. Have a look if you're interested. Here, take them, (Traveler).
- You mean me...?
- (While the Traveler walks toward the woven scrolls, Citlali grabs the Traveler's hand)
- Citlali: (...Don't say anything. In a moment I'm going to leave. I need you to join me, discreetly.)
- (Traveler): (Am I... hearing your thoughts?)
- (Citlali smiles at the Traveler)
- Citlali: (It's just a little spell based on our prior experience. I'll explain everything shortly when you catch up with me.)
- Citlali: ...Well, I need to get going now. If I find out anything more, I'll keep you updated.
- Ineffa: Gratitude. Goodbye.
- Paimon: Bye, Citlali!
- (After the cutscene)
- Citlali: (...Now's your chance. Slip away quietly while they've got their heads buried in those woven scrolls. Meet me at the other side of the settlement.)
- (Talk to Chasca, Ineffa, or Paimon, optional)
- Ineffa: ...Would a machine created by dragons really betray its own kind? Hmm... She seemed to approve of the path her daughter took — but what about her? What path did she take?
- Chasca: None of the legends of Lianca say anything about her dragon mother defecting to humanity and fighting against dragonkind... Sounds like speculation to me. Maybe the other sovereign rulers just didn't trust her.
- Paimon: So mean! Hmm... Do you think it's possible that Lianca found a way to secretly save the priestess of... uhh, flower-feather... something?
- (Approach Citlali and Xilonen)
- Xilonen: Hello, (Traveler).
- Xilonen? What's going on?
- Xilonen: Well, Citlali hasn't told you everything. There's another sovereign ruler that Ineffa might be connected to, not just the one from the Flower-Feather Clan.
- Citlali: All trace of this other sovereign ruler was lost after the war. The records claim that in their final battle, they fought against Ixquieh... and Lianca.
- What!? Why didn't you say anything?
- Xilonen: It was my idea. I suggested we bring up the dragon mother first and see how Ineffa responds. And, well... Citlali has debriefed me on how it went.
- Xilonen: Apparently, she barely reacted — despite a very strong reaction to the name "Lianca"... To me, that says we need to tread very carefully when probing her about the Eleventh Lord.
- What about the Eleventh Lord...?
- Citlali: She's the one who went missing after the war. Said to be the proudest of all the sovereign rulers — and the most hostile towards humanity.
- Citlali: When the Pyro Dragon fell, she couldn't accept that dragonkind had been defeated. She sank into despair and insanity...
- Citlali: But the rest is lost to history. There's no way to find out what became of her, or even what her name was.
- Xilonen: Remember, though — in essence, these sovereign rulers weren't physical entities, but pure intelligence, built with secret source technology.
- Xilonen: I mean, who knows what happens when a manufactured mind goes mad? Maybe she lost her power and memories... maybe she split into different personalities.
- Are you saying what I think you're saying?
- Citlali: The point is, if Ineffa really does originate from the Eleventh Lord, then we need to...
- (Chasca reveals that she has been spying on the three)
- Chasca: What, have her taken out? Because of some baseless speculation? How would that be any different from what they did to Lianca's mother?
- Citlali: Chasca? Wh—What, uh, brings you here...?
- Chasca: Anyone with a brain could see you were up to something back there... Unless it's a Paimon-brain. Or a robot-brain.
- Xilonen: ...Okay, you got us. Actually, we never intended to cut you out of this, it's just that Citlali's spell only works on (Traveler).
- Xilonen: But Chasca, I'm telling you — we have legitimate concerns here. This is not baseless speculation.
- Xilonen: Ever since Ineffa set sail for Natlan, the secret source automatons have been getting increasingly aggressive... It's as if they're drawn to each other.
- Xilonen: ...Ineffa could well be the Eleventh Lord herself. And if so, then the moment she recovers her memory, all of us — all of humanity — will instantly become her enemy.
- Chasca: I've been keeping an eye on her movements at the Flower-Feather Clan.[Note 1] Whatever she was in the past, and whoever she becomes in the future, I trust who she is today.
- Citlali: Even if the past and future Ineffa are a completely different person from who she is now?
- Chasca: Heh... If you're suggesting that there's a volatile force within her, threatening to rise up and take over at any given moment... That makes two of us.
- Chasca: But no one ever gave up on me. Not momma bird, not Chuychu, not my dad... So what right do I have to give up on her?
- Chasca: If Lianca was here... I have every confidence that she'd say the same.
- Chasca: Besides, even if the Eleventh Lord rises again and declares all of us her enemy, the solution is simple: We defeat her. The heroes managed it, so there's no reason we can't too.
- Especially with Tumaini on the team.
- Citlali: *sigh*... Fine, fine. I had a feeling this might be your reaction.
- Chasca: Look, I get it — you're only acting like the villain here to make us realize how serious the situation is. You know how I know that? Because when I was a kid, and they brought me to you for treatment, you didn't give up on me either.
- Citlali: Yeah, well, playing the villain is a force of habit for old Granny by this point... Just know you've been warned, alright? Watch out for any new developments, and make sure you know where she is at all times...
- (Traveler): (Haha, that really sounded like a granny talking to a rebellious teen...)
- (Citlali shows an angry expression at the Traveler as she hears the Traveler's thoughts)
- Citlali: (Hey! The spell hasn't worn off yet, you know!)
- Citlali: Ahem... Anyway, now that we're all caught up, you should get back on Ineffa watch, and we should get back to investigating...
- (Paimon hurries into the area)
- Paimon: Help, someone...! Oh... Chasca? What are you all doing here? And when did Xilonen show up?
- Chasca: Paimon? You were supposed to stay with Ineffa...
- Paimon: Oh, right, Ineffa! Something weird happened. She got halfway through those woven scrolls, and then flew off all of a sudden! Paimon tried to stop her, but she wouldn't come back!
- Citlali: Did something trigger a new memory? This doesn't make any sense... She barely responded when we were chatting. What could it be?
- Paimon: No idea... But it must be something important, 'cause she sure looked like she was in a hurry... Also, she said... "Annihilation mode activated"!
- Xilonen: ...! Okay, Chasca, you're our eye in the sky — find out where she's gone. We'll inform everyone else, tell them to be on high alert.
- Chasca: Roger that.
- I'm coming with you!
- Paimon: Wait, don't you wanna discuss this first— Hey, wait up!
- (While flying as Chasca)
- Paimon: Slow down! Paimon's gonna puke...
- (Approach Ineffa, Aamu, Adieta, and Zhuoxin, who are being attacked by Secret Source Automatons)
- Aamu: Ah... Aaah!
- Ineffa: Target acquired. Activating annihilation mode.
- (Chasca and the Traveler drops down from above)
- Chasca: Whoa, are these all secret source automatons?
- Let's take them out!
- Chasca: ...Okay!
- (During the battle)
- Ineffa: Reinforcements have arrived. (Traveler), Paimon, Chasca... Gratitude.
- Paimon: Not now! Save it for later!
- (After defeating the Secret Source Automatons)
- Chasca: Phew...
- Ineffa: Threat eliminated. Annihilation mode disengaged.
- Gulebu: Ugh! Boss, what do we do now?
- Fajeyi: We've tried the same thing several times now, and it isn't working. We can't keep waiting around for her to leave the settlement...
- Velimiru: ...
- (A voice is heard within Velimiru's mind)
- ???: ...Well, well. An ancient relic from Natlan's dragon civilization? Hmph...
- ???: If you want to play with fire, then be my guest. But there is an unpredictable variable you need to watch out for...
- (The Traveler is highlighted in Velimiru's vision)
- Velimiru: ...Let's fall back. This isn't worth the risk.
- (The Fatui leave)
- (The scene transitions back to the Traveler's group)
- Zhuoxin: Aamu, Adieta! Are you okay?
- Adieta: I—I'm fine, but mom's hurt...
- Aamu: I'll be okay, I just hurt my ankle... Ineffa got here just in time...
- Zhuoxin: Why would they do this? Ugh... Argh! Why!!!
- Chasca: No one could have known the automatons would ambush you here.[Note 2] Don't blame yourself.
- Zhuoxin: ...I, uh...
- Paimon: Wait... Ineffa, how did you know to come here? Did you sense that they were in danger?[Note 3]
- Ineffa: Yes, I... heard the secret source automatons... talking.
- Huh, well that's interesting...
- Ineffa: Even now, I still hear them.
- Paimon: Really? Paimon doesn't hear anything!
- Ineffa: ...Hypothesis: language module requires translation functionality... Please wait...
- Ineffa dismantles the automatons...
- (Ineffa uses her little robot to connect with, translate and broadcast the Secret Source Automatons)
- Ineffa: Finished. Please try again.
- Chasca: That was quick... How come you're so familiar with their architecture?
- Ineffa: I have... seen them many times before. At least, I think so.
- Chasca: Hmm. More random memory data, I guess...
- Little Robot: ...Reconnecting...
- Paimon: Wow! It's actually talking!
- (Zhuoxin addresses the Secret Source Automatons through the Little Robot's screen)
- Zhuoxin: Hey! What do you think you're playing at? Why did you attack us!?
- Little Robot: ...Under... Fatui... control... they... made us... attack...[Note 4]
- Zhuoxin: ...!
- (Zhuoxin is shocked, then he curls up his fist, while the Traveler is shown to be in thought)
- The Fatui!?
- Chasca: How is that possible? The Captain's soldiers certainly aren't capable of this, and besides — we know everything they're up to... Has another Fatui regiment infiltrated Natlan?
- Little Robot: ...Fatui... invaded... territory... haywire...[Note 5]
- Paimon: Ugh, why's it getting so choppy? Bad signal, maybe?
- Ineffa: Hypothesis: Distance to signal source increasing, transmission compromised. Combining these words with what I have heard so far, I believe the full message should be:
- Ineffa: "The Fatui invaded my territory, so the automatons went haywire."
- Paimon: Oh... So all the recent automaton attacks — the Fatui were behind it all along?
- Little Robot: Stole... privileges... control...[Note 6]
- Ineffa: "They stole my privileges and took control of the automatons."
- Zhuoxin: ...No!
- So... who are you?
- Little Robot: Mirror of the Dawning Morn... detected... sending... request... restore...[Note 7]
- Ineffa: "Mirror of the Dawning Morn detected nearby. Now sending request for Mirror of the Dawning Morn to restore my privileges."
- Paimon: "Mirror of the Dawning Morn"? Who or what is that?
- Ineffa: Hypothesis: This appears to refer to me... or more specifically, to my core.
- Little Robot: Mirror of the Dawning Morn... return... core...[Note 8]
- Ineffa: I think... she wants me to go with her to return the core. So she can repair the damage done by the Fatui.
- Paimon: Wait, you mean... she knows you?
- Ineffa: Yes. Before the translation began, she referred to me by a different name: "Eleventh Lord."
- (The Traveler exchanges a suppressed shocked look with Chasca)
- ...!
- (Traveler): (So Ineffa is the missing sovereign ruler who fought against Lianca?)
- Paimon: What!? So... Ineffa is the eleventh sovereign ruler!?
- Chasca: Hold on... This automaton just attacked us moments ago. We shouldn't trust everything it says.
- Chasca: You say Ineffa is the Eleventh Lord. What proof do you have?
- Little Robot: ...Return... Eighth Lord's... territory... restore... memory...[Note 9]
- (Ineffa looks visibly shocked)
- Ineffa: ...!
- Paimon: Ineffa? Wh—What did she say?
- Ineffa: She said, return to the Eighth Lord's territory, and I can restore all of my memory data.
- Chasca: Eighth Lord... Lianca's mother's territory? What does the Eleventh Lord have to do with that?
- Little Robot: ...Split... exiled... reborn...[Note 10]
- Paimon: Uhh, this is getting weirder by the second... What did she say this time?
- Ineffa: ...Excessive signal interference... Unable to translate.
- Ineffa: The signal should improve as we get closer to her territory. (Traveler), Chasca, shall we proceed?
- (The Traveler and Chasca exchange looks)
- Zhuoxin: Wait! ...Um... You should think this through carefully...
- Zhuoxin: I... may know a thing or two about the Fatui regiment that entered Natlan recently. They're kind of a special ops team... definitely not your average soldiers.
- Chasca: ...Oh?
- Zhuoxin: They've been showing up everywhere, hungrily searching for secret knowledge about all kinds of ancient civilizations... they say they're trying to make some sort of... "inference."
- Zhuoxin: The leader of this regiment is a harbinger based in Nod-Krai... known as "Marionette."
- Chasca: Marionette? ...How exactly do you know all this?
- Zhuoxin: I, uh... heard bits and pieces at the market in Nasha Town. But I figured they were just rumors. Didn't realize it was true...
- Aamu: Is that right? How come I'm only hearing about this now?
- Zhuoxin: I'm sorry... I was so preoccupied with getting ready for the journey, and like I said, I thought they were just rumors anyway... Didn't wanna worry you...
- Adieta: So these Fatui are soldiers, huh? Who's stronger, them or Ineffa?
- Zhuoxin: Ineffa, of course! Haha... But still... maybe you should tread carefully here? Ineffa's already had to rescue us so many times now, I... I'd be mortified if anything happened to you.
- Chasca: ...You're right. First things first, Aamu's injured — we should take her back to the tribe and get her checked out. And as for this "Eleventh Lord" business... We need to discuss this with the others before deciding how to proceed.
- (Chasca looks at the Traveler)
- (Traveler): (An Eleventh Lord with her memories back will probably see humanity as her enemy... Xilonen and Citlali's worst fears might be coming true. We need to tell them.)
- (The screen shows a dragon symbol on the Little Robot's screen)
- Little Robot: ...
- Chasca: Look, I know the news about the Eighth Lord and Marionette is very concerning... But we should probably come up with a plan before checking things out.
- Ineffa: ...Understood. Destination canceled.
- Don't lose hope. This is still a big breakthrough.
- We'll follow up on all this soon. It won't be long.
- Ineffa: Yes. New destination: Flower-Feather Clan.
- Chasca: (Traveler), Ineffa, could you check that the coast is clear? I'm gonna patch up Aamu, then head out.
- Ineffa: Understood. Commencing task.
- (The Traveler, Paimon, Ineffa and her little robot begin to leave)
- Zhuoxin: ...Adieta, I need you to go keep mom company while the doctor takes a look at her. Dad has some things to take care of, so I'll be staying out here a while longer...
- Adieta: You're not coming back with us? Why not?
- Zhuoxin: Dad's gotta pack up the luggage and make sure all our goods are safe! Don't forget, they're our ticket to a great new life in Liyue!
- Zhuoxin: Don't worry, Dad will be back very soon... I'm sorry girls, I promise it's going to be okay.
- Chasca: I'll get help as quickly as I can. If anything happens, save yourselves first.
- (The scene shifts to a little distance away)
- (The little robot stops and turns around to look back at Chasca, Aamu, Adieta and Zhuoxin)
- Paimon: ...Huh? Why'd it stop moving? Has it malfunctioned on us?
- Little Robot: Liyue... merchant...
- Little Robot: His portrait... at Fatui... stronghold...[Note 11]
- (The scene transitions back to Chasca's group, which the Traveler's group comes back to)
- (The Traveler pulls Chasca aside to talk)
- Chasca: ...You're saying Zhuoxin might be a Fatui spy? And he's staying behind as their eyes on the ground?
- Chasca: But... Should we really leave Ineffa here too? Not that I don't trust her, it's just... are you sure you'll be okay keeping an eye on her by yourself?
- I'll be fine.
- If we get anything more out of the automatons...
- She's the only one who can make sense of it.
- Chasca: ...You're not wrong. We need all the intel we can get on Marionette and the Fatui — as far as I'm concerned, they're a bigger threat than any sovereign ruler.
- Chasca: Still, even with your abilities, be sure to stay on your guard. And not just because of the Fatui and the Eleventh Lord... it's that automaton, too. I'm still not convinced we can trust it.
- Chasca: Why the sudden request for assistance from the Eighth Lord's territory? Are we supposed to believe that Lianca's mother survived? Surely, there'd be at least some mention of that in the tribal legends... I don't know, something just doesn't add up.
- Paimon: Hey, Chasca! Aamu's ready to go!
- (Zhuoxin discreetly looks up at the group)
- Chasca: That's my cue... I'll be back with the others as soon as I've gotten Aamu and Adieta to safety. If you have to leave the area for any reason... be sure to leave a trail.
- I will.
- (The scene transitions as some time passes)
- (After everyone else has left, Zhuoxin stops handling his family's luggage)
- (Zhuoxin then looks around to ensure nobody is around, then he leaves hurriedly)
- Zhuoxin: ...
- (Some distance away, the Traveler, Paimon and Ineffa secretly watch Zhuoxin)
- Paimon: ...He's on the move! So much for keeping the goods safe... Do we think he's going to meet someone?
- Paimon: Should we tail him? He won't know he's being followed — this could be our chance to get our hands on some really useful intel! Either about the sovereign rulers or this "Marionette" person...
- Ineffa: (Traveler), shall I follow him? [Note 12]
- ...Let's do it. Make sure you leave a trail, so we can be traced.
- Ineffa: Got it.
- (After the cutscene)
- Ineffa: Stealth mode activated...
- Paimon: Uhh... Would it not be even stealthier to just not say that out loud!?
- (Message shown if the player gets too close)
- You're too close, you've been spotted...
- (Resets to the beginning of the stealth section)
- (Approach the tunnel entrance)
- Paimon: Now, why would someone dig a random tunnel in the middle of nowhere? Unless... it's the entrance to one of the sovereign rulers' territories?
- Little Robot: Territory... sealed by Lianca... This was... once one of... the secondary access tunnels...[Note 13]
- Paimon: Hey, that was pretty clear this time. What's changed?
- (Ineffa observes the tunnel entrance)
- Ineffa: ...
- Little Robot: ...Getting closer... increased activity in language module...
- What do you mean by "sealed"?
- Little Robot: ...Li... Och... finding...[Note 14]
- (Ineffa walks toward the tunnel entrance in the background)
- Paimon: Huh? You're breaking up again... Looks like the signal's still pretty choppy.
- Little Robot: ...Lianca sealed... territory... stop Och-Kan... finding it...[Note 15]
- Little Robot: Later... Fatui... weak point... broke in...[Note 16]
- Paimon: Sounds like those Fatui have made this their stronghold... Well, this is probably a good point to stop and wait for reinforcements.
- Paimon: What do you think? Ineffa... Oh no! What's she doing!? She charged right in!
- *sigh* I take my eyes off her for two seconds, and now this...
- Little Robot: ...
- Paimon: (Traveler), are we going after her? Or waiting here?
- ...We're going after her.
- I promised to watch over her.
- I'm concerned for her safety.
- Paimon: Alright then... But let's be careful!
Trivia
- Ineffa's assessment of Paimon's strength being "approximately one-fifth", and Paimon asking in return "One fifth? Of what!?" is a callback to the Traveler's Voice-Over: About Measuring Fighting Strength, where Paimon compares her own strength to one-fifth of a wild boar.
Notes
- ↑ Actual voice-over omits "her"
- ↑ Actual voice-over: "Look, no one could..."
- ↑ Actual voice-over: "Wait... How did Ineffa know to come here? Did she sense that they were in danger?"
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "We are under the Fatui's control. They made us attack you."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "The Fatui invaded my territory, so the automatons went haywire."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "They stole my privileges and took control of the automatons."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "Mirror of the Dawning Morn detected nearby. Now sending request for Mirror of the Dawning Morn to restore my privileges."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "Mirror of the Dawning Morn, please come with me and return the core."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "Return to the Eighth Lord's territory, and you can restore all of her memory data."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "You were split and exiled, and finally reborn."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "His portrait is hung up at the Fatui stronghold."
- ↑ Actual voice-over: "Shall we follow him?"
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "The territory was sealed by Lianca. This was once one of the secondary access tunnels."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "Lianca sealed the territory to stop Och-Kan finding it."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "Lianca sealed the territory to stop Och-Kan finding it."
- ↑ Audible voice-over: "Later, the Fatui found the weak point and broke in."
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Smoldering | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 阴燃 Yīnrán | Smoldering Hidden Flame |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 陰燃 Yīnrán | |
| Japanese | 静かなる炎 Shizuka-naru Honoo | |
| Korean | 타오르는 잔불 Taoreuneun Janbul | |
| Spanish | Ardiendo | Burning |
| French | Ardent | Ardent |
| Russian | Тлеющее пламя Tleyushcheye plamya | Smoldering Flame |
| Thai | มอดไหม้ | |
| Vietnamese | Âm Ỉ | |
| German | Schwelbrand | Smoldering Blaze |
| Indonesian | Membara | |
| Portuguese | Ardente | |
| Turkish | Yakıcı | |
| Italian | Sotto la cenere |
Change History
Released in Version 5.8
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