The next morning, as usual, Karl made his way to Aurum Alley to continue his work. Sweeping the streets, arranging tables, hauling away overflowing trash cans—his routine was the same as always. By the time he finished tidying up, the sun had already climbed high, and it was nearly afternoon.
"Soon, this place will be bustling with customers again," Karl thought as he sat down on the ground, twisting open a bottle of water. He took a few refreshing gulps before standing once more, ready to welcome the arriving crowd.
By late afternoon, the alley was already lively. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Karl looked out at the streets full of people and smiled. Setting aside his broom, he muttered, "Phew, looks like I can finally go home now."
"Karl, good work! And thanks again for cleaning my shop this morning!" came a warm voice.
"It's no problem, Mrs. Karla!" Karl replied with a grin. He had met her on his very first day in Aurum Alley, when he had gotten lost looking for the shop he was supposed to clean.
Not long after, another voice called out, rough but cheerful. "Karl! Next time I'll give you a 20% discount on my products!"
Turning his head, Karl saw a burly man with a thick beard waving at him.
"Then I'll gladly accept that hospitality, Mr. Bard!" Karl chuckled.
As he made his way out of the alley, vendors and shopkeepers greeted him warmly, one after another. By the time the bustle faded behind him, he found himself walking alone on the quiet streets. Each step echoed faintly, creating a rhythm in the silence. He chuckled to himself, lost in thought.
A whole month had passed since he'd arrived here. He was getting used to this life—yet the more he tried to adapt, the stronger his longing for home and family grew.
"I… I'll never be able to return to that kind of life," he murmured. A soft breeze swept past, tugging at his tied hair and scattering it across the air.
"Hmph. Whoever dropped me here should've at least let me bring my phone. At least then I could play some music while I work." He sighed in annoyance, but when he lifted his head, he realized he had already reached the gate of Tingyun's house—their house.
"Heh… would've been nice if it was 'our' house, instead of just 'hers,'" Karl muttered.
As if the universe were mocking him, a soft, melodic voice drifted from behind. "What do you mean by our house, Karl?"
Startled, Karl spun around to see Tingyun standing gracefully, food in hand, her eyes glimmering with curiosity.
"Oh—hahaha—it's nothing. Just slipped out of my mouth." He scratched his head, embarrassed under her gentle gaze.
Tingyun only smiled, slipping her hand around his arm and tugging him toward the door. "What are you standing out here for? Let's go in~!"
Karl let himself be pulled along, grinning from ear to ear. After all, who wouldn't want to be loved like this?
The night stretched on ahead, and maybe the universe really would laugh at him again—but who cared? As long as Tingyun was here, that was all that mattered.
—-----
Day turned to week, week turned to month, and month turned into years. Karl had finally accepted his new life. Much had happened during those months—the same routine of sweeping and cleaning Aurum Alley became a habit, the lively chatter of the vendors and playful kids became part of his days.
And slowly, Tingyun and Karl grew closer—so close that they would hold hands naturally.
By then, Karl had decided to take the initiative and confess his feelings to Tingyun. He still remembers how it happened.
It was a new day before Christmas—Karl was surprised to learn Christmas even existed in Xianzhou Loufu. Sure, there was no snow since the weather was artificial, but that didn't stop him from confessing.
That evening, Karl and Tingyun were invited by Madam Yukong to attend a celebration. When they arrived at the venue Yukong had prepared, it was already bustling with activity.
Laughter echoed, the smell of sake and food filled the air, and the whole place felt alive. Karl didn't know anyone except Tingyun and Yukong, so he quietly followed her inside.
Both of them sat next to Yukong, who was drinking calmly while her colleagues were downing their sake like madmen.
"Uhh… Are they okay?" Karl asked, flabbergasted.
"Leave them be. They're merely enjoying themselves too much—they rarely get a chance like this," Yukong replied, her cheeks faintly red.
"I… see." Karl said, unsure, while Tingyun teased,
"Madam Yukong, are you sure you're not drunk~?"
"I am not," Yukong replied coolly, taking another sip. "You should enjoy yourselves as well. A celebration like this is rare."
Out of things to say, Karl just ate quietly while Tingyun and Yukong chatted. That's when something unexpected caught his ear.
"Tingyun~ I've got news for you!" a mischievous Foxian called out. Beside him stood a younger foxian, blushing furiously.
"Hm? What is it? Don't tell me it's another gossip~" Tingyun chuckled.
"This guy has a crush on you!" the Foxian announced, slapping the younger one's back.
A squeal went around the room, bottles of sake clinked as everyone watched with anticipation.
"Ah—ah—umm—" the younger Foxian stuttered, completely incoherent. Karl froze, staring at them, countless thoughts rushing through his mind before he snapped out of it, taking a shaky breath and waiting for Tingyun's response.
"Fufufu~ Please don't joke around, Mister." Tingyun said with a polite laugh.
Instant rejection?! Karl screamed in his head.
"Heh… The worst thing she can say is 'no'…" he told himself, then laughed silently, shoulders shaking. Yukong, beside him, glanced and smiled knowingly. Ah, young love, she thought, sipping her drink.
"Instant rejection!" Everyone in the room shouted in unison before bursting into laughter. Tingyun calmly went back to eating.
Karl smirked at the younger Foxian. Heh, my wife truly knows the best! Serves you right. But I'll admit—you're strong. You have my respect.
"You're not going to drink?" Tingyun asked, sliding the sake bottle towards him.
Karl shook his head. "Nope. I'm not into drinking."
"Juice then~?" Tingyun teased, handing him a glass instead.
"Yep. Thanks, Tingyun!"
—----
By the time the party was over, it was already midnight. The air had turned cold, and their breaths came out in faint, misty clouds. After bidding Yukong farewell, Karl and Tingyun walked side by side through the empty street. One of them reeked faintly of sake, the other completely untouched by it.
Karl exhaled softly, his breath briefly visible in the chill. His gaze turned to Tingyun, his thoughts heavy.
"Tingyun," he said at last, breaking the quiet. "What do you think about that guy who confessed to you earlier?"
Tingyun glanced at him, then turned her eyes back to the path ahead. Her voice was calm, almost teasing.
"What about it?"
Karl opened his mouth, then shut it again. Doubts crowded his mind, silencing him. After a moment of hesitation, he inhaled deeply and spoke.
"It's just… don't you ever want to have a relationship with anyone else?"
His words made Tingyun stop in her tracks. The redness in her cheeks deepened as she turned to face him slowly.
"Wh–why would you say that?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.
Karl's heart pounded in his ears. The moon above bathed Tingyun in pale light, making her look even more ethereal. Her cherry-red lips pressed together, her hair fluttered gently with the breeze, and her golden eyes locked onto him.
"Ba-dum."
Karl's heartbeat echoed louder. His face flushed. Slowly, with a shaky breath, he spoke three simple words:
"I love you."
The words hung in the air as if time had slowed. The breeze passed between them, and for a moment, neither moved. Tingyun's mouth hung slightly open, her eyes wide. Her face grew even redder as she sucked in a quick breath.
"W-what did you just say?!" she shouted, her voice trembling.
"I said I love you." Karl's voice was firm now, his feelings pouring out. "I love you so much I want to be with you forever! Ever since the first time I saw you, I felt time stop. It was like I forgot to breathe, like I was meant to stay right there — in that moment — just to be close to you."
Tingyun's blush deepened until her ears turned pink. She fidgeted with her fingers like a shy schoolgirl, unable to meet his gaze at first. Then, suddenly, she stepped closer, making Karl freeze.
This time, she looked at him over her shoulder, her lips curling into a mischievous — almost daring — smile.
"Then… let's fall together, Karl~♡"
[END]
—------
"And that's how Tingyun and I became lovers. Yippie!" Karl thought to himself, sweeping with an exaggerated grin plastered on his face. "Perfect room, perfect timing… it felt like the universe smiled just for me." He even hummed softly, looking like a complete fool.
"Hey, don't you think Brother Karl's smile is getting weirder, Xier?" Ken snickered, watching from nearby.
"How can you tell, Ken?" Xier tilted her head as the two siblings and the other gathered around.
"Did you see that, Chao?"
"Yeah, I saw that, Ching."
"I saw it too, Ching, Chao."
It was Karl's usual troublemakers — Ken in his oversized long-sleeve shirt and brown shorts, Xier in her knee-length dress and plain shoes, and the twins Ching and Chao dressed identically in white shirts and black shorts. While Xîhe wore a distinguishing clothing similar to an adult.
Ken grinned at the group. "How many balloons do you all have?"
"Twenty," the twins answered together, grinning back.
"Perfect."
"Guys, maybe we shouldn't bother Brother Karl today…" Xier said softly, looking unsure.
Ken smirked. "No way. It's not like he ever gets mad. Don't you want to play with him?"
"Well… I do want to play, but—"
"No 'buts'!" Ken cut her off, already grabbing her hand. "Come on!"
Soon, they were filling water balloons by the lake, and moments later they rushed Karl from behind—
Swoosh—SPLASH!
The first balloon burst against his back. Karl turned, blinking.
"You bra—!"
SPLASH! Another hit him square in the chest.
"Well, Brother Karl?" Ken called out mischievously, already winding up another throw. "Did you finally stop daydreaming?"
"Right! You've been staring into space all morning!"
"That's right! Mom says people who do that are weird!" Ching shouted, grinning.
Soaked, Karl stared at them, deadpan. "What do you guys want?" he asked flatly.
"Nothing! We just wanna play!" Ken said proudly, puffing out his chest.
Karl sighed, defeated. "Fine. But you call this 'playing'? You've turned half the street into a puddle…"
"Let's go to Stargazer Navalia!" Ken suddenly shouted, eyes shining.
"No way," Karl refused immediately.
"Why not? The Cloud Knights guard it, it's safe!"
"That's exactly why it's dangerous," Karl said seriously. "Places with guards usually need them."
Ken looked ready to argue again, but Xier stepped forward, pleading softly. "Please, Brother Karl… we just want to see the Starskiffs."
Karl let out a long breath. "...Fine. But you all stay close. If you wander off, your parents will kill me before the Cloud Knights ever could."
The kids cheered, completely ignoring Karl's dramatic sigh.
—---
Karl rubbed his wet shirt with a sigh, muttering under his breath about kids and puddles, but still found himself walking with them toward Stargazer Navalia.
The night was alive with faint lights and the hum of distant Starskiffs gliding across the docks. The kids ran a few steps ahead, their ears twitching with excitement.
"Stay close!" Karl called out. "If one of you falls into the sky, I'm not gonna come after you!"
"You'd save us!" Chao shouted back, grinning.
"I might throw you a rope," Karl replied, crossing his arms.
They finally arrived at the edge of the docks. Stargazer Navalia stretched before them — a massive loading zone for Starskiffs, glowing faintly with lanterns and patrolled by a few bored-looking Cloud Knights.
"Wooooah!" Ching's eyes sparkled. "They're so big!"
Karl followed their gazes. Starskiffs floated above their berths, their sleek hulls shimmering under the lantern light. Dockworkers were shouting instructions, crates floated gently through the air with the help of automation arrays.
"Alright, you've seen it," Karl said, waving casually. "Let's head back before one of you gets the idea to climb on one of those things."
But Ken's grin only widened. "Climb on one? Brother Karl, we're not that stupid…"
Karl narrowed his eyes. "Ken. I've known you for years. That sentence means you're about to do something exactly that stupid."
Ken froze, pretending to whistle, while the twins giggled behind him.
"Ken…" Karl's tone sharpened.
But before he could scold them properly, a Starskiff overhead gave a loud whoooosh as its engine shifted power, startling all four kids.
"Woooow, it's moving!" Ching shouted, pointing.
"Don't get too close!" Karl warned, stepping between them and the dock edge.
He looked at the Starskiff again, sighing inwardly. They're just kids. I guess I should at least let them enjoy this…
Karl crouched down next to them, pointing at the engine array. "See that part there? That's the propulsion core. And those glowing spheres are the stabilizers. Without them, this thing would flip over mid-flight."
The kids' eyes widened, hanging on every word.
"Woah… Brother Karl knows everything!" Chao said, impressed.
"I don't know everything," Karl muttered, but a small smile crept onto his face.
For a moment, the night was peaceful — kids staring in awe, Karl feeling oddly proud of himself for explaining something without yelling.
Karl immediately looked at the children and counted—one, two, three, four—
"...shit."
"Where is Xîhe?!" Karl's shout echoed through the dock, startling the other three kids.
Ken froze mid-step, ears twitching, and quickly looked around. "Uhh… didn't he just—he was just with us a moment ago!" His head whipped side to side, scanning every corner.
Xier's face paled, and she grabbed Chao's arm. "H-He was right behind me! I swear!"
Karl's heartbeat kicked into overdrive. The busy loading docks suddenly felt much bigger, the hum of Starskiff engines now sounding like a warning bell.
"Dammit—talk about luck." Karl crouched down quickly, his voice sharp and commanding. "All of you, hold hands! Ken, Xier—you're with me. Chao, Ching—you hold on to them and don't let go. We're finding Xîhe now."
The kids immediately obeyed, their earlier smiles gone, fear creeping onto their faces.
Karl took a deep breath, steadying himself. Focus. Don't panic. Find him before something happens.
He started moving fast but careful, scanning every shadowed corner of the docks. The sound of crates being shifted and Starskiffs lifting off felt unnervingly loud now, masking smaller noises.
"Xîhe!" Karl called out, his voice almost lost in the distant mechanical hum.
No response.
"Dammit." Karl tightened his grip on the kids' hands and quickened his pace, his free hand balling into a fist. "If that brat climbed somewhere he wasn't supposed to—"
Before he could finish his thought, a faint clatter echoed from further down the dock, near one of the cargo ships.
Karl's head snapped toward the sound, his eyes narrowing.
"Stay close," he muttered to the kids as he led them toward the noise, every step heavier with dread.
Just as Karl peeked toward the source of the noise, he froze. There, lying on the ground, was Xîhe — unconscious, clutching something tightly in his small hands.
But what made Karl's blood run cold was the figure standing over him.
"Mara-struck soldier…" Karl muttered.
Clad in dark, battered armor, its body twisted with jagged wooden growths and blooming golden ginkgo leaves, it looked like a nightmare given form.
The creature slowly raised its arm, the blade-like limb glinting in the dim light — aiming straight for the boy. Fear gripped Karl's entire being, but his body moved before his mind could catch up.
He let go of the other children's hands (much to their shock) and dashed forward, heart pounding, reaching out to Xîhe.
His right hand instinctively pulled to his side — and in that moment, a golden spear materialized, its divine radiance lighting up the alley.
"Longinuslanze Testament!!" Karl roared, his voice cracking from desperation.
Without thinking, he hurled it forward — or so he thought.
The spear didn't travel. It didn't cut through the air or make a sound.
It simply was.
One moment it was in Karl's hand — the next, it had already impaled the Mara-struck soldier, nailing it to the wall behind. The ginkgo leaves scattered like golden sparks, and silence fell.
Karl stood frozen, his outstretched hand still trembling.
The golden spear shimmered for a moment, then dissolved into motes of light, leaving nothing but the lifeless, pinned body of the Mara-struck soldier who slowly disappeared.
His breath came out ragged, shaky. "I… I killed it."
The words barely escaped his lips. His knees nearly gave way as he stumbled toward Xîhe, scooping the boy into his arms.
The other children rushed to him, their faces pale with fear.
"B-Brother Karl… what was that?" Ken asked, his voice shaking.
Karl didn't answer right away. His eyes were still fixed on where the spear had been. The weight of what just happened pressed down on him. His heart was pounding, not just from adrenaline — but from the terrifying realization that whatever that weapon was, it obeyed him.
Finally, he exhaled, clutching Xîhe tighter.
"It doesn't matter. He's safe… that's all that matters."
But deep down, Karl knew this was no ordinary moment. This was the first time the Longinuslanze Testament had struck — and it had chosen him to wield it.
Karl looked at what Xîhe was holding and… a smartphone… his smartphone! Karl then quickly grabbed the smartphone which Xîhe was holding. He pressed the power on button and it came to life, not even the battery was drained after many years.
"Haha… what kind of mess up joke is this?!" He said furiously, he forced himself to calm down and carried unconscious Xîhe in his hand, while the children followed him side by side.
—--
By the time Karl and the children arrived at Aurum Alley, Xîhe had already woken up during the trip back. After making sure the kids were safely home, Karl silently made his way back, his hands gripping the smartphone he thought he had lost.
He pressed the power button. The screen flickered to life — no sign of battery drain, Wi-Fi and signal bars still strong despite being in another universe.
Swiping through the home screen, he muttered, "As expected… Honkai Star Rail is gone."
He kept swiping until his finger stopped over the music app. It was still there.
"What a convenience… convenience my ass!" His voice cracked, frustration leaking through. "If only I hadn't agreed to their request… this wouldn't have happened."
He slumped onto his bed, staring at the screen blankly.
"Dammit… that child almost died because of my incompetence…"
Karl took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. His thumb scrolled through the music list until it stopped on Let Down.
He pressed play. The soft rhythm began, slow and melancholic.
[One day, I am gonna grow wings
A chemical reaction ♪
Hysterical and useless ♪
Hysterical and ♪
Let down and hanging around ♪
Crushed like a bug in the ground ♪
Let down and hanging around ♪]
He had realized that tears had been flowing down his cheeks.
"Dammit... If only... If only I didn't let myself get distractive..." His voice cracked, raw and uneven, like a broken microphone.
[END]
A/N: Hi~, it's me your author here~! Anyway, do you think this chapter felt like rush or something? After all, it was sudden where Xîhe got lost because he found something interesting, only to get unconscious by Mara-struck soldier. And Karl, using Longinuslanze Testament kinda felt lacking... Or not? I tried to visualize it but then realize, why would I need to visualize it when Longinuslanze Testament can just one shot it? Lmao, anyway, comment what's your thoughts about this chapter since I've been planning this moment, since first chapter, xD! Anyway, thanks for reading!