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Chapter 97 - Facing the Girl's Plea, You Choose...

"I need to test it properly tonight."

Hearing Kael's words, everyone stood up, preparing to leave Good Hunter.

Barbara also stood up, but couldn't help stealing a glance at Kael, her eyes complex.

She knew that in two days, Kael would leave.

And she... would ultimately stay in Mondstadt, continuing her duties.

She shouldn't be attached.

But a corner of her heart was still unwilling to say goodbye just like that.

As everyone walked out of Good Hunter.

The afterglow of the sunset had completely disappeared.

Night fell slowly.

Gentle starlight appeared, spilling on the streets of Mondstadt.

Kael and the others first sent Barbara back to the Mondstadt Cathedral.

The girl stood on the stone steps of the church, looking at Kael with complex eyes, seemingly wanting to say something.

But in the end, she just bowed gently and said goodbye with a smile.

"See you tomorrow, Mr. Kael."

Barbara's voice was soft, but carried a trace of imperceptible loss.

Although we can see each other tomorrow and the day after...

But the day after that, we won't be able to.

"En. See you tomorrow."

Kael nodded with a smile, watching Barbara step into the church.

Until her figure completely disappeared into the light and shadow of the Cathedral.

As time passed, the team gradually dispersed.

Lumine and Paimon returned to the residence arranged by the Knights of Favonius.

Klee was also picked up by the Knights.

Finally, only Fischl remained standing at the street corner. Beside her, Oz flapped his wings, watching his master silently.

The night was dark as ink. The breeze blew gently. The girl's purple pupil reflected a few deep rays of light under the starlight.

Fischl lowered her eyelids, watching Kael's gradually receding back, her expression complex, emotions surging in her heart that even she couldn't describe.

Finally, she bit her lip and ordered softly, "Oz, you go back first."

"Mein Fräulein?"

Oz tilted his head slightly, a trace of doubt in his amber eyes.

Fischl took a deep breath, her tone firm. "This Prinzessin has more important things to do today. Kael..."

"He is leaving. If this Prinzessin does not spend time with him today, I fear there will be no chance in the future."

Oz was stunned, then silent for a moment.

Then he bowed his head in understanding, flapped his wings and flew into the sky, turning into a black shadow and flying toward Fischl's home in the city.

And Fischl looked at the direction Kael left, clenched her fists, and walked toward Kael's home.

When Kael pushed open the door and just stepped into his house, his footsteps suddenly paused.

On the street outside, a familiar figure walked slowly.

The black-purple gorgeous long dress swayed slightly with her light steps. Golden hair was blown by the night wind. Purple pupils flashed with deep light like the night sky under the starlight.

"Kael."

Before her voice fell, Fischl's figure flashed and pounced directly into Kael's arms!

Caught off guard, Kael took a step back, and a soft body filled his arms.

The girl hugged him tightly, arms wrapped around Kael's back, as if afraid he would disappear in the next second.

Fischl's forehead pressed against his chest. Her golden hair was slightly messy, and her purple pupil was full of unconcealable longing.

"Don't go... okay?"

Fischl's voice carried a trace of coquetry, mixed with a trace of unconcealable pleading.

"This Prinzessin does not want thee to leave Mondstadt..."

Fischl looked up. Those violet eyes twinkled with starlight, carrying unprecedented expectation and reluctance.

As if at this moment, she was no longer the girl claiming to be a Prinzessin.

But just a girl afraid of losing someone important.

Kael looked down at Fischl, his heart instantly softening.

He knew that Fischl's pride made it difficult for her to express her true emotions in front of everyone.

Even at Good Hunter just now, Fischl just remained silent and didn't say a word of retention.

But now.

Under the cover of night.

Fischl finally put down all disguises and revealed her truest feelings.

Fischl wasn't willing to watch Kael leave.

Wasn't willing to watch the person who fought side by side with her embark on another path just like that.

At this moment, Kael could even feel her slightly trembling fingertips.

And the warm breath buried in his chest.

Silence all around.

Only the breeze gently blowing the night curtain, bringing up the girl's soft golden hair, drawing a faint arc in the air.

Kael didn't rush to answer but looked at the option that suddenly appeared, stunned.

Can options be triggered at this time too?

[Because you accepted the Trailblazer's invitation and chose to board the Astral Express, becoming a member of the Nameless, the girl Seele is very reluctant to part with you after knowing this.]

[Facing your imminent departure, the feelings hidden in the bottom of the girl's heart are no longer hidden. Seele hopes you stay and accompany her to assist Bronya in building Belobog.]

[As long as you don't leave, Seele expresses willingness to have children with you and hold a grand wedding under Bronya's witness.]

[Facing Seele's retention, you choose...]

[ OPTION 1: STAY TOGETHER FOR LIFE ]

You decide to go back on your word to the Nameless, give up the opportunity to board the Astral Express, and choose to stay in Belobog to accompany Seele... Your wedding will be held under the blessings of the entire city.

Reward: Seele's Path Branch Ultimate — [Butterfly Flurry].

Effect: Upon use, immediately enter a buffed state, turning into afterimages to deal Quantum DMG equal to 255% of ATK to the target.

[ OPTION 2: GENTLE REFUSAL ]

Although Seele's request makes you reluctant, you know deep down that your journey is not over yet. There are still more worlds waiting for you to explore. You decide to bid farewell to Seele, promising that if there is a chance in the future, you will definitely return to Belobog.

Reward: [Star Rail Pass].

Effect: Upon use, lock onto the target's footprint and instantly appear within a one-kilometer radius of the target. With good luck, you can appear beside the target. The ticket has sufficient energy and can be reused. Go anywhere you want, see anyone you want, and leave the memories you want.

[ OPTION 3: GO TO THE STAR SEA TOGETHER ]

Facing Seele's retention, you decide to reach out and persuade Seele to give up building Belobog, leave Bronya, pull Seele to board the Astral Express together, become a member of the Nameless, and go to the Star Sea together.

Reward: [Seele's Scythe].

Description: A Path Weapon containing the power of The Hunt, possessing indestructible and sharp characteristics.

Looking at the three options appearing.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

The first reward was good.

Pity it conflicted with his choice.

As for the second option, it was actually a Star Rail Pass.

This thing could actually be a reward.

If he had this, he could solve Fischl's problem.

As for the third one, he didn't lack weapons.

And the most crucial point was that he couldn't persuade "Seele" (Fischl) to leave "Belobog" (Mondstadt) with him and board the "Express" (Travel).

Belobog (Mondstadt) was waiting to be rebuilt. Seele (Fischl) needed to assist Bronya (her life/parents).

Correspondingly, Fischl here in Mondstadt was still a young girl. She ate and lived at home, with parents helping with laundry and cooking.

He couldn't just take Fischl away from Mondstadt.

Leaving aside whether Fischl was willing, her parents would definitely not be willing.

Even as adventurers with Visions, they couldn't let their child travel far alone.

Moreover, Fischl was also a very family-oriented person.

The reward for the second option could be used on Fischl.

After all, she was his woman.

Thinking of this, Kael smiled slightly, reached out and gently rubbed Fischl's soft hair.

Between his fingers, he could feel the girl's carefully cared-for beautiful hair, as if touching a strand of delicate silk.

Kael chuckled in a low voice, a trace of comfort in his tone: "Don't worry. Although I'm leaving Mondstadt, you can still find me."

Hearing this sentence, Fischl's body shook.

Looking up slightly, a glimmer of hope appeared in her purple pupil.

But then it dimmed quickly, replaced by dissatisfaction and grievance.

Fischl pouted slightly, hiding a bit of complaint in her eyes, muttering with a slightly sour tone: "Liar."

Kael raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a faint smile, asking softly, "Oh? Why am I a liar?"

"You are clearly leaving..."

Fischl's voice lowered slightly. She bit her lip, a trace of loss in her eyes.

She didn't say any more, just hugged Kael's waist gently.

Resting her head on Kael's shoulder, her tone was a bit muffled: "You left, how can I find you?"

Kael laughed at her words, looking at the girl in front of him gently, whispering, "I can come back anytime, anywhere."

"Eh?"

Fischl looked up abruptly, eyes full of confusion.

Fischl looked at Kael in astonishment, blinking. "Y-You... what did you say?"

Kael didn't explain. He reached out directly and gently clasped Fischl's wrist.

Before the girl could react, he used the power of the Trailblaze Path.

In an instant, a vast and boundless power emerged from the void.

Surging with brilliance like the flow of a galaxy, swallowing the figures of the two instantly.

After Kael used the power of the Trailblaze Path, he instantly felt some places he had walked before floating in his mind like a map.

Most places couldn't be selected.

But some places could be selected.

As long as he selected, he could go there instantly.

In just an instant.

When Fischl opened her eyes again, the surrounding scenery changed abruptly.

Cold air permeated the valley. Ice-blue crystals flickered with faint light.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Traces of Cryo elemental aura still remained on the ground.

Surrounding Mist Flowers swayed slightly in the cold wind, like quiet ghosts.

It was the valley where the Cryo Regisvine was located!

"Wh-What?!"

Fischl widened her eyes abruptly, looking around in shock, almost unable to believe her eyes.

She remembered clearly that they were just at Kael's house...

How did we suddenly... arrive here?!

Fischl turned her head sharply, looking at Kael, her voice trembling slightly: "Kael... What didst thou do? We... How are we here?!"

Kael smiled slightly, a bit of pride in his eyes: "This is the power I master."

"...?"

"Some places I have been to, I can travel back and forth."

Kael looked at the surrounding environment while pondering. "Some places don't work, some places do. I suspect it might be related to the energy of the Ley Lines."

"But as long as I use the power of Trailblaze to set an Anchor, even in places that don't work, I can teleport directly."

This was also his first time using the power of the Trailblaze Path.

After becoming a Trailblaze Pathstrider, he knew the function of the Trailblaze Path power.

So when he came back, he thought of testing it.

Testing just now, most places he had walked couldn't be accessed. He could only use the power of Trailblaze to set an Anchor.

But a handful of places could be used.

Kael suspected this might be related to Teyvat's Ley Lines.

Because even if he wanted to set an Anchor, he needed enough energy to activate it.

And the power that could activate the Anchor, besides elemental power, was the Ley Lines.

While Kael was thinking this.

At this time, Fischl was a bit dull.

She widened her eyes, lips slightly parted, wanting to say something, but finding her thinking couldn't keep up with Kael's rhythm.

She only felt her worldview was severely impacted.

"...Are thou serious?"

Fischl asked hesitantly, her voice full of incredulity: "Thou... canst actually do such a thing?!"

Kael nodded gently.

This was the power of the Trailblaze Path.

Although he was also surprised, he sighed with emotion in his heart.

Fischl stared blankly at Kael for several seconds.

Then suddenly puffed up her face, snorting very dissatisfiedly.

Hands on her hips, a trace of complaint flashed in her purple eyes: "Kael!"

"Thou couldst do this long ago, right?!"

"Why didst thou make us walk back so hard before!?"

"..."

Seeing Fischl with her hands on her hips, Kael held his forehead helplessly, shook his head, and smiled. "Don't misunderstand, I only mastered this recently. I couldn't do it before."

For his woman, there was nothing he couldn't say about some information.

Hearing Kael's words, Fischl curled her lip and snorted.

Obviously not very satisfied with this explanation.

"So, although I will leave, I can also come back."

Kael spoke with a smile.

As Kael spoke.

A line of words instantly appeared before his eyes.

[Facing the girl Seele's retention, you chose Gentle Refusal. Congratulations on obtaining Option Two Reward: [Star Rail Pass]. Upon use, lock onto the target's footprint and instantly appear within a one-kilometer radius of the target. With good luck, you can appear beside the target. The ticket has sufficient energy and can be reused. Go anywhere you want, see anyone you want, and leave the memories you want.]

Got it.

Looking at this option appear, Kael narrowed his eyes.

As long as he moved his mind, he could instantly obtain this Pass.

And after hearing Kael's words, Fischl's eyes flickered slightly.

Then she looked up at Kael, her tone carrying a bit of coquetry: "Then... since thou hast such ability, there is even less reason not to return."

"Hmm?"

Kael raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Fischl.

Fischl took a deep breath, cheeks blushing slightly, voice slightly stubborn: "Thou travelest abroad... Thou wilt definitely throw the matters of Mondstadt to the back of thy mind... and throw me to the back of thy mind too."

"So, thou must return once every day, hearest thou?"

Hearing this, Kael was stunned.

Then he chuckled lightly, eyes full of tenderness: "But... what if I don't have time to come find you?"

Fischl stagnated instantly, purple pupils widening slightly.

Then she rolled her eyes angrily, staring at Kael fiercely: "Liar again! Thou clearly hast this power, how canst thou not have time to return?!"

Kael continued unhurriedly: "I don't have time to come find you... But you can come find me."

"..."

Fischl froze directly, blinking, seemingly not reacting at once.

"How can I find thee?"

After reacting, Fischl put her hands on her hips and questioned dissatisfiedly: "I do not possess such ability!"

Facing Fischl's words, Kael smiled.

With a thought.

Instantly, a pale blue stream of light emerged in his palm.

Like a wisp of gentle starlight condensing slowly.

A moment later, a crystal clear Ticket, floating dreamily in his palm.

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