After countless simulations, this was the first time Kael had ever watched someone he loved die right in front of him.
The shock crushed him. For a moment, he couldn't drag himself out of the grief.
Only after the System's alarms rang and forcibly cleared his negative emotions did he slowly regain control of his mind.
[Host, how do you feel now?]
Kael lifted his head. His tear reddened eyes cleared.
"I'm fine."
Once the sorrow faded, he remembered the mission he still hadn't finished.
The real Amber still hadn't woken up. And the Amber inside the simulation… she was still waiting for him.
"Did you save the energy from the simulated Amber?"
[It's been stored. Once the Host gathers enough Attribute Points, you can restart the simulation.]
"Good."
Kael gently laid Amber's hand back on the bed and stood.
"Pause the simulation for now. I'll restart it once I collect enough Attribute Points."
If he returned to the real world, the simulation would erase every trace he left behind. Even if he buried Amber's body now, the world would reset eventually.
Rather than letting her remain here, lifeless and alone, he'd rather freeze everything in this moment.
Let time stop with her still at peace.
[Understood.]
The System agreed immediately.
This time, the only one who had formed an emotional connection with Kael was Amber. And she was already gone. With no one left to generate emotional energy, this world had no reason to continue.
Shutting it down didn't matter anymore.
Once everything was set, Kael spoke quietly.
"Open the portal back to the real world."
[Alright.]
Space tore open, revealing the path home.
Kael took one last look around the little house, letting his gaze linger on Amber's still form.
Then he stepped through.
The moment he passed, the door behind him vanished like it had never existed.
"Now that I've gathered all the mental fragments… how do I save Amber?"
[Host only needs to approach the real Amber. The energy will return to her automatically.]
"Alright."
Kael opened the map and teleported straight to the Jade Chamber.
He sprinted to Amber's room as fast as he could.
When he pushed the door open, he found Ningguang sitting in the center of the room.
She had moved her desk and all her documents here just to watch over Amber.
At the sound of the door, she looked up. Her usually radiant face was pale with exhaustion. But when she saw Kael, a spark of relief lit her expression.
"Kael, you're back? Did you find a way to help her?"
He had been gone for five days. During that time, Amber never woke.
Ningguang could only ask Baizhu from Bubu Pharmacy to maintain Amber's physical condition.
But she hadn't eaten in days. She was growing weaker with each hour.
Ningguang had been preparing to send a message to the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt to report Amber's condition.
Thankfully, Kael had returned.
Hopefully with good news…
Kael nodded.
"She should be fine now. Let me try."
He moved to sit beside Amber's bed.
The System had said all he needed to do was be close…
"Mmh…"
Ningguang's eyes widened. She had heard that weak sound come from Amber's lips.
Was she… waking up?
Amber slowly opened her eyes. After so long unconscious, the light made her eyes water.
She looked around, confused. "Huh…? Why am I lying here…? Kael?"
She stared at him, baffled.
She remembered Jean saying they needed a knight to deliver a letter to Liyue.
She had volunteered so she could see Kael again.
Then, after arriving in Liyue, she had immediately collapsed.
Everything after meeting Ningguang was a blur. Only darkness remained.
Ningguang spoke gently. "Amber, you fainted the moment you arrived on the Jade Chamber. You've been unconscious for five days. Thankfully Kael managed to save you."
She still didn't know exactly how he'd done it.
"Five days?" Amber blinked, stunned. Her health had always been fine—how had she suddenly collapsed for so long?
She turned back to Kael and saw the bloodshot eyes, the shadows under them, the exhaustion etched across his face.
Her expression softened. "Kael… have you not slept for days? Was it because of me?"
Kael shook his head. "I'm fine. You're the one who needs to recover."
Amber scooted inward on the bed, making room.
"Kael, I'm already okay. Come lie down for a bit. Just rest for a moment."
But Ningguang cut in with a light smile.
"Amber, your face is still pale. You haven't eaten in days. I've already ordered the kitchen to prepare something gentle on your stomach. The most important thing now is getting your strength back."
"As for Kael, the Jade Chamber is large. I'll arrange a separate room for him to rest."
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