Mm."
Hearing Albedo's words, Acting Grand Master Jean nodded slightly.
"The explosion at your place might draw Fatui's attention. Be careful tonight."
"It's fine," Albedo replied calmly, shaking his head. "Even if the Fatui come to investigate, they won't find anything meaningful."
"If you encounter the same kind of incident as last night—whether it's the Fatui or that Destructive Aura appearing again—contact me immediately."
"Understood."
After a brief exchange, the two went their separate ways.
Albedo's alchemy workshop had been blown apart—he needed to rebuild it from scratch.
That would take time.
Jean, meanwhile, had to assign Knights of Favonius members to assist with the cleanup and reconstruction.
Both of them were soon buried in work.
Meanwhile, at the Adventurers' Guild in Mondstadt—
The air was loud and lively.
When Katheryne finally closed the account ledger, lifted her head, cleared her throat, and officially announced the results—
—it was as if thunder had struck the hall.
The entire guild fell into dead silence.
"Adventurer Kairo," Katheryne declared, "after deducting the elemental ores used for your custom orders, your remaining total comes to 637,000 Mora."
The air seemed to freeze.
"S-sixty… over six hundred thousand Mora?!"
"Archons above!!"
"That's… that's an inhuman amount of money!"
"All in one day?! Six hundred thousand? I don't even earn that in a year!"
After the brief shock, the guild erupted into chaos.
Dozens of adventurers gawked at Kairo and Fischl, their eyes filled with disbelief and envy.
"Six hundred thousand Mora!"
"That's a fortune beyond imagining!"
"And he made that in one day? Is this really the Kairo we know?"
Some looked torn between admiration and jealousy, fists clenched tight as they muttered through gritted teeth:
"This guy… he's making more than Vision holders now…"
"Is that even humanly possible?!"
"Damn it, if I'd known, I'd have gone to the Whispering Woods too…"
Amidst the chaos, Kairo remained perfectly calm—as though six hundred thousand Mora were nothing more than pocket change.
Fischl's reaction, on the other hand, was predictably theatrical.
"Muhahaha!" "At last, destiny's blessing descends upon the Prinzessin der Verurteilung!"
"Our glorious triumph shall be etched into the annals of Mondstadt's adventuring history!"
Oz translated dryly: "My lady means to say she's very happy."
The surrounding adventurers: "..."
She still has the energy to act chuunibyou at a time like this?!
Katheryne quickly calculated Fischl's own mission reward and presented her share of Mora.
But just as Fischl received the pouch containing several tens of thousands of Mora, she raised a hand dismissively.
"Hmph! Between comrades bound by fate, there is no need for division of such worldly trifles! This mere currency—grant it to my companion!"
Oz translated: "My lady means she doesn't want any Mora. Give it all to Kairo."
Katheryne: "...?"
Kairo: "...?"
The adventurers: "???"
You… don't want it?
You're just giving up that much money?
Kairo arched his brow, looking at Fischl with mild surprise.
"You're sure about that?"
Fischl lifted her chin proudly, expression resolute. "Naturally."
Oz translated again: "My lady means the success of this mission was mainly your doing—she was only assisting and doesn't deserve a share."
Kairo paused for a moment, then smiled faintly and accepted Mora without protest.
"In that case… let's go."
"Go? Where to?"
"Obviously," Kairo said with a small grin, "to get a proper meal."
"Let's celebrate."
Fischl's golden eyes sparkled instantly.
A dinner with Kairo—how could she refuse?
The two (and one raven) left the Adventurers' Guild in high spirits and headed to the Good Hunter.
Once seated, Fischl wasted no time ordering half the menu—
even Oz was given his own small plate and perch.
Soon, dish after dish filled their table—
grilled fish, roasted meat, Windwheel Aster Sweets, fiery stew made with Flaming Flower Stamen…
A feast fit for a noble.
Fischl ate happily, occasionally pausing to deliver dramatic "royal decrees" about the glory of fine cuisine,
while Kairo leisurely sipped fruit wine, enjoying the rare tranquility.
"This trip was definitely worth it," Kairo murmured under his breath, glancing at the bulging pouch of Mora in his hand.
Over six hundred thousand—
more than most Vision holders could dream of earning.
And that was in a single day.
He could already picture the mountains of Mora waiting for him in the days to come.
Fischl, overhearing him, tilted her head proudly, golden eyes shining.
"Hmph. Our journey has only just begun!"
Oz translated: "My lady means she hopes to keep working with you."
Kairo chuckled.
He, too, was looking forward to obtaining the "stealth skill" he'd seen Fischl inherit from Seele.
Time passed.
When the meal was over, Fischl stood, dusted off her skirt, and placed her hands on her hips.
"The gears of fate have begun to turn—our dawn awaits!"
Oz translated: "My lady means, see you tomorrow."
Kairo smiled and waved. "See you tomorrow."
Fischl nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave, her golden hair glimmering under the setting sun.
Kairo watched her silhouette disappear down the street, a faint smile curving his lips.
This mission had gone surprisingly well.
If he could keep this up, he'd not only amass plenty of Mora—but more Path abilities, too.
That thought alone was enough to make him feel content.
By now, night had fallen over Mondstadt.
The city glowed under countless lanterns—lively, yet peaceful.
Kairo stepped out of Good Hunter, the evening breeze carrying faint hints of fruit wine and roasted meat.
He exhaled softly and began walking home.
The streets were still busy; vendors called out cheerfully, the air filled with the mingled aromas of cooking and drink.
Knights patrolled nearby, children laughed as they played, and a bard strummed a harp beneath the plaza statue, singing a gentle tune.
The city felt warm and alive.
Then—
"Kairo-gege!!"
That bright, cheerful voice rang through the night!
"?!!"
Kairo froze on the spot. He knew that voice.
A small red figure came sprinting toward him like a cannonball.
It was Klee.
Wearing her signature red coat, golden hair bouncing as she ran, arms open wide, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Kairo blinked in disbelief.
Wait—wasn't Klee still in confinement?
She's only been locked up for a day!
"How… did you get out?" he asked, puzzled.
Klee giggled, clasping her hands behind her back and looking up at him proudly.
"Klee's been released!"
"So soon?"
Klee nodded vigorously.
"Uh-huh! Acting Grand Master Jean let me out herself! I was super good, so she said I could go play again!"
Kairo: "..."
Jean must've been way too soft on her.
Rubbing his forehead, Kairo sighed.
"So, what do you plan to do now?"
Klee tilted her head, smiling brightly.
"Of course—go fishing! With bombs!"
"Cider Lake's off-limits, but Starfell Lake is fine! Let's go there tomorrow!"
Her eyes gleamed as she rubbed her little hands together.
"Klee promises to bring even more bombs tomorrow!"
"Ah—right!" she suddenly exclaimed, slapping her forehead.
"My backpack and bombs are still with Acting Grand Master Jean… I haven't gotten them back yet."
"So I'll go ask Albedo to make me some new ones!"
Kairo: "..."
He glanced wryly toward the still-smoking ruins of Albedo's alchemy workshop.
Albedo's workshop just exploded, and she still wants him to make bombs?
Then again—bombs were useful.
The Enhancement Balm: Ice he used with Fischl wouldn't last forever,
but Klee's bombs were cheap, powerful, and renewable.
Having her around would be… convenient.
"Alright then," Kairo said lightly, "bring plenty tomorrow."
"Okay!"
Klee's eyes lit up. "Klee will definitely bring lots and lots of bombs!"
Her face was practically glowing with anticipation.
Not far away, near Mondstadt's gate, Albedo was giving orders to a group of Knights.
As he turned to speak, his gaze happened to fall on a familiar little figure.
Klee.
Seeing her wasn't the surprising part—he'd just seen her earlier at headquarters.
What surprised him was the young man beside her.
Albedo's amber eyes narrowed slightly.
He didn't recognize the face.
With his memory, that was impossible unless they'd never met.
The man wasn't a Knight of Favonius.
And more importantly—he had no Vision.
A normal person, close friends with Klee?
Albedo's mind ticked.
It was the first time he'd seen Klee act so openly affectionate toward a stranger.
Klee beamed up at Kairo, waved goodbye, and hopped away—
heading straight for the remains of the alchemy workshop.
Albedo's gaze lingered thoughtfully on Kairo's retreating back.
What had Klee been talking about with him, to make her so happy?
After a pause, Albedo shook his head.
No need to overthink it.
Klee making new friends in Mondstadt was a good thing.
He turned back to his work and resumed directing the knights.
A few minutes later, Klee came bouncing up to the workshop.
"Albedo!"
Her face lit up when she saw him.
Good—he wasn't busy!
But just as she was about to run up, her steps faltered.
The workshop was a wreck—charred walls, cracked floors, the faint smell of burning still lingering.
"Eh?!!"
Klee's eyes went wide, round as marbles.
"Albedo! Your workshop… exploded?!"
Albedo stood calmly amid the ruins, amber eyes reflecting her stunned little face.
He glanced once at the damage, then said evenly,
"…Yes. A small accident."
Klee: "..."
A small accident?! It looks like a war zone!
She stared at the blackened ruins, utterly dumbfounded.
Albedo could only sigh inwardly.
Of course he wouldn't tell her that this "small accident" happened because he was studying her bombs,
or that the Destructive Aura had nearly injured him.
He simply cleared his throat and said gently, "Don't worry. I'll have it fixed in a few days."
But Klee's focus had already shifted elsewhere.
Tilting her head, she asked curiously, "So Albedo's workshop can explode too? I thought that only ever happened to Klee."
Albedo: "..."
He really didn't want to admit that.
Still looking puzzled, Klee suddenly remembered why she'd come.
Her eyes brightened again.
"Um—Albedo!"
She rubbed her little hands together, face full of expectation.
"Klee wants more bombs! Can you make some new ones for me?"
Albedo followed her gaze to his half-destroyed workshop.
Klee blinked, finally realizing what that meant.
If the workshop was gone… that meant he couldn't make bombs right now.
Her expression immediately fell.
"Aww…"
She kicked at a pebble, looking dejected.
"Then Klee will just have to go find Miss Lisa…"
She muttered softly, already planning her next move.
Albedo's workshop was destroyed—he'd be busy rebuilding.
She couldn't bother him with bomb-making.
She'd just make her own instead.
And for that, she'd need an alchemy table.
After a moment of thought, she decided: Lisa would definitely help!
Albedo couldn't help but smile quietly at her words.
He didn't stop her—just watched the little spark of energy that was Klee bounce off into the night.
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