Astrology and the 50-Year Pact

Astrology and the 50-Year Pact is the first part of .
==Steps==
#Leave Liyue Harbor
#Accompany Mona to say farewell to Mr. Zhu
#Attract slimes and reclaim Mr. Zhu's lost ring
#Defeat the slimes and search for the ring
#* Wave 1: 
#* Wave 2: 
#* Wave 3: 
#*You obtain Nephrite Ring
#Talk to Paimon
#Give the ring back to Mr. Zhu
==Dialogue==
;(After leaving Liyue Harbor)
:;(A cutscene plays)
:: ???: Finally.
:: ???: You kept me waiting so long I almost fell asleep.
:: ???: Haha, as usual, my astrological predictions are proven correct.
:: ???: You. Yes you. Come with me.
:: Paimon: Um... Are you some sort of door-to-door fortune teller?
:: Paimon: Sorry, but we're not really interested.
:: ???: You're not from this world, are you?
:;(Cutscene ends)
;(If the player has not met Mona before)
:: Paimon: H–How do you know about that?
:: ???: How? Because I'm a master of true astrology.
:: ???: If you've no other questions, let's be off.
:: Oh, I'm just full of questions.
:: For starters, who are you?
:: ???: *sigh* Fine, I'll exercise a little patience, and explain.
:: Mona: I am Astrologist Mona Megistus. But considering that it is most rude to misremember names, I allow others to call me Mona.
:: Mona: I am on a mission from my master to retrieve a certain box from Mondstadt.
;(If the player has already met Mona through The Crisis Deepens)
:: Mona: Does my ability to see through your secrets so easily not evoke any memories?
:: It's been a while.
:: You're Mona!
:: Paimon: Oh, Paimon remembers! You're that astrologist!
:: Mona: That's right. It is I, Astrologist Mona Megistus.
:: Mona: This time, I would like you to come with me to Mondstadt to reclaim a box that belongs to my master.
: Mona: It was part of an agreement she made with a friend 50 years ago. But she isn't as spry as she used to be, so it's now up to me.
: Paimon: Not sure what getting some box back has to do with us. Why do you need us to come along?
: Mona: Well... that's because I would also like to take on the guardian of the box.
: Mona: My master and her friend contended in the mystic arts all their lives without a clear victor. If I triumph here, then I will show myself to be superior to my master!
: So you want to prove yourself, huh...
:: Mona: Ahem, well, I want to prove the power and status of astrology, to be precise.
: So basically, you want to look good.
:: Mona: What are you talking about? The main thing here is to use this chance to prove the power and status of astrology!
: Mona: Now, from my predictions, I know that my master's friend has left Mondstadt, leaving her successor as the current guardian of that box.
: Mona: Like me, that successor must also be the one who has surpassed their teacher. I must not be careless.
: Mona: But I would prefer to assure my victory in this contest, and upon giving it some thought, you came to mind!
: But... I have no idea how astrology works.
:: Paimon: How did she get involved in this anyway?
: How did you end up thinking of me?
: Mona: The knowledge passed down to me from my master must be passed on in turn.
: Mona: If I were to bring my disciple to meet her, then the lead is already mine, no?
: Mona: And you are Mondstadt's great hero, my equal in status. So...
: I refuse.
: Since when was I your student?
: Mona: Come on, you don't have to actually become my disciple. You just need to act the part.
: Mona: There's something in it for you as well, should you come with me to get that box.
: Mona: Once I meet that successor and have a chance to exchange knowledge with them, I should be able to read your fate more accurately.
: Mona: Then, I will have answers for you, even regarding such distant and foggy matters as gods and kin.
: Paimon: That... that does seem much faster than searching the land country by country!
: Those sound like fine conditions.
: Well... I guess we'll play along.
: Mona: Hehe, a wise decision. Let us be off, then.
: Mona: That said, I would like to pay a certain place a visit before we go.
;(After cutscene ends)
: Mona: There is a small inn near that never sees a lot of business, even though its food is always great value for the money.
: Mona: The owner has always been good to me, so I'd like to say a farewell before I set off.
----
; (At Mr. Zhu's inn)
: Paimon: (Well, it's no wonder that an inn set up here has no business...)
: Mr. Zhu: Mona, you've come at just the right time. Did you see a jade ring while you made your way here?
: Mona: A jade ring? Can't say I have.
: Mr. Zhu: Oh, that's not good... that ring was given to me by my mentor. But while my back was turned, it was swallowed up by a slime!
: Paimon: Hmm? That should be no trouble with Mona here. She's really good at astrology...
: Mona: Absolutely not. Astrology is meant to be used to gain insight into reality and observe destiny itself. It's certainly not for such mundane affairs.
: Paimon: But didn't you say that the owner here's been good to you?
: Mona: This is a matter of pride and one's state of mind. If an astrologist thinks that their arts can solve all problems, they will be forsaken by the starry ether.
: Mona: Their divinations will lose the power to guide, and will not be able to pierce the fog of the unknown before them. Principles are principles.
: Paimon: Such a powerful ability, and you don't use it to earn a living? What a shame...
: Mr. Zhu: *sigh* Well, I was going to put up twenty thousand Mora as compensation, if you were willing.
: Mona: Twenty thousand...!
: Are you alright?
: What's with that look on your face?
: Mona: Oh, ahh, it's nothing! I... I was just thinking that the person who finds that ring must be lucky indeed, to be able to earn twenty thousand Mora just like that.
: You were just talking about an astrologist's pride...
: Whatever happened to "principles are principles"?
: Mona: Ahem. Yes. Of course. Still... the owner's business has had it pretty hard. It must be a truly extraordinary ring, to be worth spending this much Mora to find.
: Mona: It wouldn't be right for us to leave like this, so let's help to search for it. There may be other means we can employ besides astrology.
: Paimon: Oh, Paimon knows where this is going.
: Mona: , I know, I'll leave this one to you! This is the first mission I'm giving you as your master!
: But of course...
: Guess it's become my business. Again.
: Paimon: Hmm, since it was swallowed up by a slime, maybe we can use Elemental Bait to lure all the nearby slimes to us.
: Paimon: You remember? The stuff we helped Master Diluc make.
: Paimon: And... Hehe, Paimon actually kept a small amount!
: Well done Paimon!
:: Paimon: Paimon's the very best partner, right?
: Don't tell me that when you get greedy, you...
:: Paimon: Aw, don't sweat the small stuff.
: Mona: Seems like you already have a plan.
: Paimon: Yup. We'll be back in a jiffy!
;(After cutscene ends)
: Paimon: The Elemental Bait's really strong – it will attract all the slimes in the area.
: Paimon: Even if they're just slimes, they can be dangerous together, so we'd best prepare ourselves.
; (Talking to Mona again)
: Mona: This is your first mission, so don't mess it up.
: Mona: But if the going gets too tough for you... Well, I shall lend a hand then.
;(Talking to Mr. Zhu again)
:Mr. Zhu: Thank you all very much, that ring really is very important to me.
----
;(Upon finding the ring)
: Paimon: Found it! This must be the ring!
: Paimon: It's so pretty. Paimon's sure it's worth a ton of...
: Paimon: ...Ah, Paimon wasn't having any bad thoughts! Let's bring the ring back to !
----
;(Giving the ring back to Mr. Zhu)
: Mr. Zhu: That's it, that's the one! I thought it was lost forever!
: Mona: You actually found it. Not bad.
: Mona: Mr. Zhu, you must take care of such precious things a bit better. You might not be so fortunate next time.
: Mr. Zhu: You're absolutely right. How would I have faced my family if I had lost the 253rd ring my mother gave me?
: ...
: ... ...
: ... ... ...
: Mr. Zhu: Ah, let me explain. My family owns three jade mines, and in order to ensure that I would be able to find myself a good wife, my mother had many jade accessories made as heirlooms.
: Mr. Zhu: I think there might be over five hundred of them.
: Mona: Then, why would you feel the need to set up an inn here?
: Mr. Zhu: Well, inheriting the family business too early unavoidably made things boring.
: Mr. Zhu: Thank you, all the same. Here's the Mora, as agreed. Please take it.
: Paimon: Then—
: Mona: —Then I'll take it gladly!
: That was quick!
: Even Paimon wasn't that fast!
: Paimon: But we did all the work!
: Mona: A disciple should act like one. How can they steal their master's thunder?
: Well...
:: Paimon: Traveler, didn't we say that we were just playing pretend?
: I never said I'd really be your disciple.
:: Paimon: Exactly!
: Mona: Well, you need to start practicing now. If my rival is as smart as I think they are, they will figure you out in a heartbeat.
:???: *stomach grumble*
: Mona: Huh...
: Paimon: What was that rumbling sound?
: Mr. Zhu: Oh, right, you mustn't have eaten in days. I'm very sorry, I forgot that you have no...
: Mona: Aaaaaaah—! Shhhhahahahaha! That didn't happen! Forget it!
: Mona: ...Hmph! Well, I suddenly feel that you have indeed contributed to our good fortune. I say we spend this money on treating you to a fine meal!
: Mona: If we travel north, we'll reach the . I hear that the food there is really good, so let's go try it out!
: Mona: No need to thank me, I'm just doing as a good master should!
: Paimon: Did she say she was treating us?! Is Paimon hearing things?
: "Let's go after her." There. I said it for you.
:: Paimon: Let's go after her! For good food!
: "She's a good person." Said it for you.
:: Paimon: She's a good person! Hehe, let's have ourselves a great meal!
;(Talking to Mr. Zhu again)
: Mr. Zhu: Thank you all so much. You're welcome to drop by again.
: Mr. Zhu: Well, if this inn hasn't closed its doors yet, haha...
==Soundtracks==
==Trivia==
* One of the reasons why Darknight Hero's Alibi needs to be completed is due to the quest requiring Elemental Bait.
==Other Languages==
==Change History==
es:La astrología y el pacto de 50 años
ja:占星術と50年の約束
pt-br:Astrologia e o Pacto de 50 Anos