"…"
Kairo let out a long, helpless sigh. In the end, he still took the new pair of stockings from her hand.
He sat down on a nearby stone and gestured for Fischl to sit as well. Then, reaching out, he gently took hold of her leg.
As he slipped off her shoe, a fair, delicate foot wrapped in torn garter stockings was revealed. Her ten toes twitched restlessly inside the fabric, betraying her nervousness.
Fischl froze completely.
Just moments ago, she'd been brimming with royal confidence—but now, she was as stiff as a statue.
The instant Kairo's warm palm closed around her ankle, a shiver ran through her entire body. Her face flushed scarlet in an instant.
"Y-You… y-you—!"
She tried instinctively to get up, but with Kairo holding her leg, she couldn't move an inch.
Her eyes darted about in panic as she bit her lip, voice trembling.
"T-This is merely… post-battle maintenance! I-I shall remain composed… I can… handle… this… uuuu…"
Oz sighed softly. "The young lady means—she's about to faint."
"…"
Kairo could only shake his head. He deftly slid off the torn garter stocking, revealing a pair of slender, perfectly proportioned feet—pale, smooth, and glistening faintly in the waning light.
Suppressing a wry smile, Kairo helped her into the fresh pair.
As soon as the new stockings were on, Fischl bolted upright like a bird freed from its cage, hopping half a step away.
"Th-Thy actions… shall be forgiven… this once!"
Oz translated dutifully, "She means—she's so embarrassed she might pass out."
Kairo rose to his feet and chuckled. "So shy? Weren't you the one who said it was 'only natural' just now?"
"Silence, knave!"
Fischl stamped her foot, flailing her arms like a puffed-up kitten, cheeks blazing red. Then she spun around dramatically and started marching ahead.
"O-Our mission hath reached its glorious conclusion! Let us make haste back to Mondstadt!"
Oz gave a resigned sigh. "She means—let's go."
Kairo smiled, deciding not to tease her further. He simply followed, his footsteps falling in time with hers.
The evening sun poured through the canopy, stretching their shadows long upon the forest path. Golden leaves drifted on the wind, scattering softly at their feet. The moment was warm, calm, and strangely serene.
Fischl crossed her arms, her lips curving slightly upward. Her golden eyes gleamed with pride beneath the sunset glow—radiant, confident, and magnificently delusional.
"Heh… as expected, the script of fate unfolds thus…
Thy existence is as a meteor across the night sky—piercing the darkness and illuminating the path of this princess!"
Oz: "She means—do you have any free time soon?"
Kairo: "…"
He paused mid-step, glancing sidelong at her with a mixture of disbelief and amusement.
Fischl didn't notice; she was still caught up in her grandiose monologue.
"Thy Crimson Echo is rare indeed, a judgment worthy of divine decree! Therefore, this princess shall bestow upon thee the highest of honors!
From this day forth, thou shalt march beside me into battle—together we shall cleave through the thorns and purge all evil from this land!"
Oz translated flatly, "She means—she wants to team up with you again. She likes how useful your 'Ruin Power' is."
Kairo's mouth twitched. Could she not, for once, speak like a normal person?
"So… you want me to form a party with you?" he asked casually.
Fischl smirked, her tone haughty but her eyes flickering with nervous light.
"Hmph! Do not misunderstand! My own might is more than enough to subdue the evils of this world! Thou art merely…"
She trailed off, sneaking a quick glance at Kairo. Her golden eyes wavered faintly before she coughed and straightened up again, forcing herself to sound imperious.
"…merely one whom I permit to fight at my side!"
Oz added smoothly, "She means—if you don't come, she'll be really upset."
Kairo: "…"
He held back a laugh. For all her lofty talk, what she really meant was "Come adventuring with me again." This girl… so tsundere, yet so endearing.
Smiling faintly, Kairo gave her a teasing look.
"Oh? But you just said you could handle all the evils of the world alone. What use would you have for me?"
Fischl froze mid-stride. Her entire expression twisted into an adorably awkward mix of pride and panic, as though her secret thoughts had been laid bare.
Her cheeks flared pink; her lips parted, then closed again—unable to find a retort.
Finally, she stomped her foot hard and turned away with a huff.
"Hmph! This princess is merely magnanimous enough to allow thee to witness her glory! Thou art the one who fails to grasp such honor!"
Oz, as ever, offered the simplified translation: "She means—if you keep teasing her, she's going to lose her temper."
Kairo chuckled softly. This chūnibyō girl really was something else.
Just then, a familiar flicker of light appeared before his eyes. A virtual interface unfolded. Lines of text shimmered into view—
[Because you accepted Seele's invitation and spent the day gathering resources together, your bond has been rekindled. Your connection grows stronger. You have obtained Option Two Reward: Seele's Path of the Hunt branch skill — Ripple. When used, it increases the target's movement speed by 25%.]
The moment the message appeared, a strange power surged through his body.
Kairo's eyes widened as his entire being seemed to tremble with vitality. His blood coursed faster, his muscles and nerves felt alive, and an airy lightness spread through him—as though the wind itself was carrying his weight.
"…!"
He activated Ripple experimentally.
Instantly, he felt the difference—his movements became smooth and effortless, his body lighter, his steps quicker. He took a step forward—
Whoosh!
In that instant, he was faster—noticeably so. A faint stream of air followed his motion, like he was slipping just ahead of inertia itself.
"…Interesting."
Kairo murmured to himself, a spark of genuine surprise lighting his eyes.
This wasn't mere speed. It was refinement—his entire body moved with enhanced precision and grace. It was as though he had shed invisible weights, moving freely through the world.
"A 25% increase feels this good… what would 100% be like? Flying?"
His mind raced. In battle, a speed buff like this could change everything—pursuit, evasion, positioning. It was a major upgrade.
"And if I can apply this buff to others…"
Kairo's eyes narrowed slightly. That would make Ripple an incredibly strong support ability—capable of amplifying his allies' combat efficiency dramatically.
A grin crept across his face. This reward was a jackpot.
But then—his expression suddenly turned… peculiar.
"Wait a second… that 25% movement buff…"
His gaze shifted ever so slightly, a strange thought flashing through his mind.
"…Could it also be applied… there?"
The corners of his mouth twitched. It probably could.
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