Oz had officially given up translating. The raven tilted his head skyward, bearing the weary air of one who had seen far too much — utterly resigned to whatever royal nonsense was about to unfold.
Kairo, meanwhile, smiled faintly. Gazing at Fischl's flushed face, his tone carried a teasing lilt.
"What's wrong? Weren't you just saying you'd follow me everywhere from now on? Getting shy already?"
"Y-You! Cease thy impudent tongue at once!"
Fischl covered her face in panic, her twin golden tails trembling in disarray.
"Thy… thy indecorous words must be a test of fate! I—I merely—"
"Hm?" Kairo arched a brow, clearly enjoying her flustered state.
"I merely… merely…!!"
After stammering for a good while, Fischl finally crouched down, clutching her head.
"Uuuuu… I know not what to say!!"
Oz sighed, fluttering his wings.
"In short, she means she's so embarrassed she might pass out."
"…"
Kairo could only look at the crouching, crimson-faced princess and let out a helpless sigh.
No matter when or where, Fischl was hopelessly chūnibyō.
But also… did she have to get embarrassed this easily?
He rubbed his temples, unsure whether to laugh or scold her.
Then, all of a sudden, Fischl sprang to her feet — hands on her hips, forcing herself into a calm and regal posture. Her face was still red, but she changed the subject abruptly.
"Ahem! O-Our noble quest hath been fulfilled!" she declared, voice rising theatrically.
"It is time we return to the Adventurers' Guild and claim our rightful reward for this glorious triumph!"
Oz dutifully translated, "She means: the mission's done, we should head back now."
"Not going to collect the loot first?" Kairo asked with a faint smile.
That made Oz pause mid-flap.
Right… they'd almost forgotten the spoils!
The Hilichurls' weapons — especially those Pyro Axes — were decent gear. And there were probably other things scattered around the camp… corn, radishes, miscellaneous plants. Even if most had been destroyed, there would still be salvageable materials like horns or masks.
At that thought, Oz immediately flapped off toward the encampment.
Fischl patted her cheeks, trying to calm herself down, then hurried after him — though the tips of her ears still glowed a faint pink.
Kairo couldn't help but chuckle as he watched her go.
Then, glancing down at the half-used vial of Enhancement Balm: Ice, his eyes flickered with thought.
This stuff was… really good.
Maybe he should reevaluate its potential.
After all, as far as he knew, there wasn't just one type of Enhancement Balm: Ice — there were others beyond Frost.
If he could find a way to mass-produce it…
Time passed as he pondered.
Oz busied himself flitting from tent to tent while Fischl crouched on the ground, skillfully sorting through the Hilichurl loot, packing every valuable piece into her satchel.
All in all, this mission had been an overwhelming success.
Not only had they cleared an entire Hilichurl camp, they'd also gathered an impressive haul — monster materials, and even a few rare minerals.
Oz's wings fluttered happily as he chirped,
"The young lady says this mission went splendidly, and she's very pleased with the results!"
Fischl's face was radiant, her golden eyes sparkling with delight. She turned toward Kairo, grabbing his arm excitedly.
"Thy martial prowess and strategic foresight have earned the admiration of mine exalted self! Since we have already purged this domain of evil, why not press onward, and continue to smite the vile shadows that linger beyond?"
Oz translated dryly, "She means—she's having fun and wants to keep hunting Hilichurls."
"…"
Kairo shot her a side glance and sighed.
"Fine. I've got a few other things I want to test anyway. Let's make another round."
Thus, the two of them spent the rest of the afternoon roaming the Whispering Woods, clearing out minor camps and gathering resources as they went — berries, Windwheel Asters, even rare chunks of Magical Crystal Ore.
Thanks to Kairo's Bio-Wave Scanner, their efficiency far surpassed that of ordinary adventurers.
By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, both of them were thoroughly satisfied and ready to return to Mondstadt.
Kairo, especially, had spent the entire afternoon experimenting with Fischl's Electro-infused arrows, using his skill Crimson Echo to enhance their elemental power.
He managed to push her arrow damage higher and higher — but still, it couldn't match the raw destructive force of his bombs.
Her elemental conversion and control over Electro energy were strong — yet still lacked complete harmony.
A bit of a shame, really.
He was still mulling over these thoughts when Fischl suddenly froze mid-step. Her gaze had dropped to her legs, and her whole body stiffened.
"…What is it?" Kairo frowned and followed her eyes — and then raised a brow in surprise.
Her stockings — well, one of them — had been completely ruined.
Fischl's usual outfit featured asymmetrical legwear: her right leg covered by a full-length black stocking, her left clad only in a gartered thigh-high, leaving a tantalizing stretch of fair skin exposed.
But now, that left stocking was tattered — ripped in several places, with runs and tears all over from catching on branches.
Fischl blinked blankly, staring at her leg in dismay.
"M-My royal dignity…!"
Oz helpfully supplied, "She means—her stockings are ruined. What now?"
"…"
Kairo stared wordlessly.
How did she even manage to destroy them that badly?
After a long pause, Fischl frowned, reached calmly into her bag… and pulled out a fresh pair of stockings.
Then — without the slightest hesitation — she handed them straight to Kairo.
"Thou—shalt change them. At once!"
Oz sighed.
"The young lady means—she wants you to help her put them on."
"…You can't be serious."
Fischl nodded without a trace of embarrassment, looking at him as if this were the most natural request in the world.
"Since we are comrades-in-arms, bound by destiny's decree, it is only natural that thou shouldst aid thy princess in donning her royal raiment of battle!"
Oz translated with a little chuckle,
"She means—it's hard for her to change them herself, so she wants your help."
"…"
Kairo stared at her for three long seconds, expression unreadable.
"This isn't the first time, is it?"
Fischl stiffened, a faint pink blush spreading to her ears. Then she turned away abruptly, crossing her arms in mock haughtiness.
"Ahem! Our crusade against darkness brooks no distractions! The royal decorum of this princess must not be bound by mortal convention!"
Oz added cheerfully,
"In other words—he's done this before, so she thinks it's perfectly fine."
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