Inside the truck cab, Piper had one foot propped on the steering wheel, one hand resting behind her head, and yawned with the other.

The truck had been on the road for an hour and was now close to New Eridu. Once they passed through the canyon ahead, the outskirts of the city would come into view.

In the cargo hold, Yae Miko, Kujou Sara, and Kamisato Ayaka peered out the windows, watching the scenery pass by. Sayu was curled up in the corner, fast asleep.

Looking out at the vast Outer Ring—endless desert stretching as far as the eye could see—Kamisato Ayaka couldn't help feeling uneasy.

Soon, the truck entered the canyon. When they emerged again, the view changed dramatically.

What had been barren wasteland now sprouted more and more greenery.

Kujou Sara suddenly noticed something. She turned sharply to the other side, eyes widening in surprise.

"What is that?"

Kamisato Ayaka quickly stood up. "What is it, General Kujou…"

The next moment, following Sara's gaze, she saw it too: an enormous city sprawling before them, and beyond it, the colossal Hollow Zero.

The mountains had hidden it before, but now its full scale was revealed—so vast it looked as though an island had been dropped onto the land.

"So this is New Eridu?"

"That's right. We'll be in the city shortly, then I'll take you to Hare's House. By the way, you're here to help with Hollow Zero too?"

"New Eridu has already signed a contract with Liyue. For the time being, we cannot intervene in New Eridu's affairs. However, should the need arise, we will, of course, lend our aid."

"I see. I thought you were working with those Adepti..."

Though she lived in the Outer Ring, Piper had already heard about the Crane and Deer and knew those Adepti were connected to Sam Li.

...

The truck rolled into the city.

Just as Billy, Furina, Keqing, and the others had been on their first arrival, Kamisato Ayaka, Kujou Sara, and even Yae Miko couldn't hide their surprise.

Though separated by barely a hundred miles, the Outer Ring and New Eridu were worlds apart. One was a wasteland; the other, a thriving metropolis of skyscrapers, clean bustling streets, and dazzling lights in every color.

Piper drove quickly. Before long, they reached the Janus Quarter, weaving through blocks until finally stopping at the door of Hare's House.

"Alright, we're here—"

"Sayu, wake up. We've arrived."

At that, Kamisato Ayaka, Yae Miko, Kujou Sara, and Sayu all stepped off the truck.

No sooner had they disembarked than a patrol car with the Public Security emblem pulled up beside them. Out stepped Zhu Yuan and Qingyi.

Zhu Yuan eyed Piper. "I heard someone was speeding in the city again. Don't tell me it was you?"

Piper gave a small cough and shook her head quickly. "Pretty sure it wasn't me."

Qingyi turned her attention to Yae Miko and the others. "And they are?"

Piper gestured to them. "Let me introduce you. This is Yae Miko, this is Kujou Sara, this is Kamisato Ayaka, and this is—well, someone you already know—Sayu. They're here to see Miss Keqing."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuan frowned. She was certain she hadn't seen these people during her last trip to Liyue.

Just then, Keqing, Hu Tao, Nicole, Nekomata, and the others came outside after hearing the commotion.

The moment Keqing saw Yae Miko and Kujou Sara, she recognized them and frowned slightly.

Xiangling tilted her head in confusion. "Are they here for us? Sayu, who are they?"

Yawning, Sayu reluctantly introduced them one by one.

When Xiangling heard their identities, her eyes went wide. "Huh? The Lady Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine? The famous heiress of the Kamisato Clan? And a commander of the Shogun's Army? You're all here... Did you come to help with Hollow Zero too?"

At the mention of Hollow Zero, Yae Miko smiled faintly. "No need to be nervous. I know about the treaty between Liyue and New Eridu. Naturally, I won't interfere with your cooperation."

Then her tone shifted. "However, the Shogun is concerned Hollow Zero may be linked to the Abyss. To prevent the calamity of five hundred years ago from happening again, she sent me here to investigate. You have nothing to worry about."

With just a few words, Yae Miko had made her own position clear—as well as Liyue's.

Keqing nodded. "I see. Welcome to New Eridu."

...

Nearby, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi exchanged glances, finally understanding.

These people weren't from Liyue. They were from the "other nations" the Traveler and Paimon had spoken of.

Hu Tao grinned. "Don't just stand around outside. Since you're here, come on in."

Nekomata wagged her tail happily. "That's right, hurry inside... Sayu, come here, let me see if you've grown."

Sayu gave her a blank stare. "..."

First thing she asks is about my height. Unbelievable.

Inside Hare's House, Keqing and Yae Miko sat down to talk. Keqing explained the current situation with Hollow Zero in detail.

After listening, Yae Miko's interest was piqued. "Next time you enter Hollow Zero, let me know. I'd like to see it for myself."

Keqing replied seriously, "In a few days, we'll begin the first phase of the plan."

Meanwhile, Nekomata and the others turned curiously to Zhu Yuan. "Officer, back so soon? Is something wrong?"

Zhu Yuan glanced at Xiangling, then at Guoba, and said, "The Superior Officer is very pleased with the Bangboo you trained. There are still some Bangboo at the precinct. We'd like to ask Guoba to serve as an instructor and help train them."

Billy wasn't surprised at all.

After all, Guoba's training results spoke for themselves. Not only had the Bangboo grown stronger, but even Billy had gained new insights after learning Guoba's martial arts—and was already thinking of creating new gun techniques.

Zhu Yuan bowed her head slightly. "Miss Xiangling, Guoba... sir, please accept this commission."

Xiangling turned to her partner. "Guoba, would you be willing to help train them?"

Guoba nodded eagerly. "Lu lu lu—"

Xiangling smiled. "Guoba agrees."

...

For the next few days, Guoba visited the Public Security branch daily, sparring with the Security Bangboo and quickly becoming their friend.

Meanwhile, every department of New Eridu's government worked tirelessly to prepare for the Hollow Zero operation.

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, another week had gone by.

Finally, the day arrived—the one Keqing and New Eridu's leadership had agreed upon in advance.

According to the plan, Keqing, the Adepti, Hollow Special Operations Unit 6, along with Yae Miko and Sam Li, would enter Hollow Zero to begin the first stage of combat operations.

Originally, Yae Miko and Sam Li hadn't been part of the plan.

Yae Miko had volunteered to join, while Sam Li had been personally invited by Moon Carver.