What happens next at the shipyard is crucial.
Takumi knew he had to be prepared.
After all, there wasn't much time left before the Rite of Descension.
It would be best to complete all the battleships by then.
When the time came, he would let the Vortex Demon God experience the true power of modern weaponry.
Takumi drove straight to the shipyard.
The Qianyan Army, who were guarding the entrance, quickly stepped aside upon seeing him.
Takumi glanced at the surrounding guards and couldn't help but murmur to himself.
Some Qianyan Army members were stationed in hidden positions, yet their attire remained the same.
It looked out of place.
They were still wearing heavy armor.
That wouldn't do.
They needed new uniforms.
Later, he would ask Keqing to prepare camouflage gear and have the Qianyan Army swap their outdated attire.
Now that firearms existed, why were they still wearing armor?
This wasn't close-combat warfare anymore!
Jiang Ji, upon hearing of Takumi's arrival, immediately put down his work and ran out to greet him.
Inside the shipyard, construction was already underway.
The framework of a ship had been completed.
Of course, it was just the basic structure.
Other parts were still in production.
"How long until the first ship is ready?"
Takumi asked Jiang Ji as he examined the progress.
Jiang Ji answered earnestly:
"At our current pace, it will take about half a month to fully assemble the hull."
"The main issue is that our workers lack experience."
"Otherwise, we could go even faster."
The problem was inexperience.
Once they finished the first ship, the next ones would come together much quicker.
Many workers had been reassigned to the shipyard to speed up construction.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to construct the framework so quickly.
Takumi nodded as he took in the scene before him.
"Try to speed it up."
"Aim to have at least five ships ready by the Rite of Descension."
"We might need them."
Hearing this, Jiang Ji immediately nodded.
"Understood, Lord Takumi."
"Assembling the main structure isn't difficult."
Jiang Ji sighed as he spoke.
The materials he had received were excellent.
The rest of the process would be handled by Takumi.
Although he wasn't entirely sure what Takumi planned to do, he was looking forward to it.
Takumi remained at the shipyard, overseeing the work.
Whenever workers encountered problems, they could ask him directly.
Meanwhile, Lumine was starting her new life in Liyue.
Diona and her group were busy setting up their Loli tavern.
Klee eagerly handed a drawing of Dodoco to the decorator in charge of signage.
"Uncle, I want this as the plaque."
"And put a few Dodocos by the entrance!"
The decorator looked at Klee's drawing and was momentarily speechless.
Diona had just handed him a picture of a cat for the sign.
And now Klee wanted Dodoco?
Would the other two girls do the same?
This decoration was turning into quite the challenge.
"Hmm…"
"How about combining your two designs?"
"We can incorporate both inside as well."
The decorator, unable to refuse these adorable children, made a suggestion.
He had been recruited by Shenhe to handle the tavern's design.
Now, with the drawings from Klee and Diona, he felt that a fusion of ideas might be best.
Hearing this, Klee's eyes lit up.
"Okay!"
"It's decided!"
"Diona, what do you think?"
Klee turned to Diona.
Diona nodded.
"Sounds good to me!"
She liked Dodoco too.
And just like that, they finalized the design.
The decorator began sketching on the spot.
At the same time, Yaoyao and Qiqi were called over to share their preferences.
The decorator had realized something.
These little girls were planning to turn the tavern into their own paradise.
He had no choice but to follow their wishes.
Perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea.
A children's-themed tavern?
The idea was growing on him.
He decided that once it opened, he would come by for a drink.
Who could resist drinks served by a bunch of adorable girls?
Hearing the decorator's questions, Klee and the others eagerly shared their thoughts.
Shenhe, observing the scene, was helpless.
These little girls were truly something else.
With a sigh, Shenhe spoke up:
"Klee, you keep busy here."
"Call me if you need anything."
"I have my own matters to attend to."
Hearing Shenhe's words, Klee nodded enthusiastically.
"Okay, Sister Shenhe."
"Goodbye, Sister Shenhe!"
"Sister Shenhe, take care!"
The girls waved goodbye.
Shenhe nodded, then turned and left.
She had other responsibilities to handle.
Since settling in Guili Plains, Shenhe had fully adapted to city life.
When she had first descended the mountain, she had been cold and distant.
But now, she had warmed up, no longer detached from the world.
Klee, who had once found Shenhe intimidating, had grown fond of her.
To Klee, Shenhe had been cold at first.
But over time, her warmth had started to show.
Now, Klee liked her very much.
Even though Shenhe was the so-called "Dodoco Demon King," she wasn't a bad person!
After Shenhe left, Klee and the others continued chatting excitedly.
Klee even thought about asking Albedo for help in making decorations for the tavern.
However, Diona suddenly spoke up hesitantly:
"Uh, Klee…"
"If we keep going like this, I won't have enough money."
Hearing this, Klee was stunned.
"Not enough money?"
"Wait, look at this."
"Brother Takumi gave me this."
"Is this enough?"
Klee pulled out a deposit slip and handed it to Diona.
This was money Takumi had secretly given her after the Shimen incident.
He had told her to spend it slowly.
But she hadn't found an opportunity to use it yet.
Curious, Diona examined the slip.
When she saw the amount, she was shocked.
"400,000 Mora?!"
"Klee, you have this much money?!"
Was this the same Klee who used to have only five Mora a day?
Was she rich now?
Klee giggled.
"Brother Takumi gave it to me."
"Is it enough?"
Seeing Diona's shocked expression, Klee was clearly pleased with herself.