***
No one spoke a word as they followed the dusty road to the inn.
"There is no way.... right?"
Yomite's eyes widened as they entered the inn's grounds and he realized how high he had to climb.
He observed guests eating dinner at their respective tables on the third floor and made a mental note of it.
"Do we really have to climb up there to enjoy a meal? What kind of inn is this!?"
"A good one," a man's voice answered him.
When the group turned around to see who had addressed them, they saw an elderly man with white hair and a beard wearing green robes.
The man greeted them with a smile that revealed his white teeth. "How may I help you young travelers? Do you need any help finding your rooms?"
"We only came here to eat a dinner before going our own ways. Do you mind me asking, where are the stairs?"
"Ah, right. The stairs were damaged... I do not know the specifics, but it may have occurred during a terrible storm not long ago. If you want to take a bite out of something, go and visit the reception, you can use the elevator right there." The man pointed at the platform right at the walking distance.
An old elevator made of wood, or at least... something that resembled one...
"An...elevator?" Yomite asked doubtfully.
"Yes, it will take you up to the reception," the old man told them. "It's a genius invention from Fontaine! It's still a prototype, but it worked wonders for getting customers and merchants to their destination!"
"I...don't know if I want to use the elevator...maybe we should just climb..."
Barbara noticed his hesitation immediately.
"Yum-Yum? What's wrong? You seem nervous..." she asked, her soft voice filled with concern.
A voice of an angel and a devil. One that was so soft that it could melt his heart, while in reality, her hidden intentions were as sharp as the blades of a demon who killed thousands of men.
"I'm not nervous," Yomite insisted. "Why would I be nervous?!" He crossed his arms over his chest, hoping that no one could tell he was lying.
The reason he was in this world was precisely, because an elevator crushed him to death.
He did not take any chances with the elevator's less stable and functional prototype, even if his body was way stronger than it ever was before.
"Assistant~ You seem frightened~ Don't be scared~ I'll hold your hand!" Hu Tao giggled, interlacing her small hand with his.
"Girls...come on...I am not scared!" Yomite retorted. "I just feel like climbing! Is all! I want to stretch a little!"
"You're afraid! How cute~ Yommie~"
"Hu Tao...stop..!"
"Paimon wonders why he's so afraid. Maybe because the elevator's so high?" she mused aloud. "Maybe he fears falling off or something."
"Party Leader...cute."
"Girls, I'm telling you, I'm fine. Just stop."
"Oh? So you're not afraid~ Well, alright then!"
Hu Tao laughed and stepped into the elevator.
"Come to Momma~ I'll hold you so that you won't fall off~"
The other girls now, noticed Yomite's hesitation more than ever before.
Collectively, they believed it was the first time they had witnessed him feeling fear and were intrigued by this new emotion he was displaying.
All of them soon boarded the wooden elevator, leaving him outside.
"Girls...what...?"
"Don't worry, Yum-Yum! I'll hold you! Come in!"
"Maybe he's afraid after all~ Poor baby.."
The man who told them about the elevator laughed, "You have good friends! Enjoy your stay!"
They all bid the old man goodbye as he left.
With no other option, Yomite clenched his fists and anxiously stepped in the elevator after them.
Still, the fact that there was an elevator in this world, baffled him.
Compared to countries like Liyue or Monstadt, the city of Fontaine appeared to be highly developed.
This world was very much different than his own.
This reminded him, that he wanted to buy condoms somewhere, but no one in Mondstadt seemed to know what they were, and the same went for Liyue.
Did the condoms not exist?
'Maybe the Fontaine would have some? In the worse case, I'll have to create one myself in the Teapot I received from the granny. The problem is, I would have to collect materials for it, and while I don't know how much it would need, considering it's a pretty small item, it shouldn't be much, right?'
Hu Tao waved her arms excitedly as the elevator began its ascent.
"This is so fun!" she exclaimed, "How mysterious this device is, to be able to bring us up without needing to move!"
"There's a nice view." Lumine commented upon viewing the high mountains of Liyue.
"Hmph, to think this Casanova was scared of something so trivial. Better note this to myself!"
"Look, garbage woman, one more word and you'll be thrown out. I'm really not in the mood right now..."
"What did you just call me?! I'm the esteemed astrologer, Mona Megistus! Stop giving me weird names! Or are you not intelligent enough to remember it?"
"Okay, Monika, shut it for now, I'll be asking questions later, just wait till then."
"Tch! The nerve of this guy! You're lucky I still consider you worthy to teach!"
Yomite felt his stomach churning nervously once more. He wasn't feeling the best.
But he knew this elevator wasn't that dangerous.
He also knew he couldn't show any signs of discomfort, or else they'd make fun of him again.
It's not that he was scared of the elevator, he was just uncomfortable being in one.
Once they arrived at their destination, the door automatically opened.
The girls stepped out and Hu Tao immediately had to leave a teasing remark once more.
"Good job! Amazing! You made it! Yommie! I'm so proud of you~"
"...Tao, come here for a second."
While the other girls weren't looking, he called for her.
Hu Tao tilted her head curiously but complied anyway.
She watched him closely when he reached out, taking a handful of her buttock cheeks in his hands, squeezing them.
It was his method of relaxation following a stressful situation.
She didn't mind; they belonged to him after all.
"Hm? Why are you touching me there? Are you perhaps scared of my bottom too, Assistant~? Or perhaps..." She lowered her voice, "You want to do it in front of all the girls~?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself." After getting his fill, he pinched her butt hard, eliciting a yelp from Hu Tao.
"Owie!"
The other girls looked back to see what was wrong but they saw nothing.
They were certain that the two were acting strangely, but no one spoke up or noticed anything strange.
Upon seeing some people eating, Paimon announced,
"Let's get food! Paimon's salivating!"
The girls agreed, eager to taste the delicious food inside of the restaurant.
