"That's true. Maybe he's really too tired."
"After all, blessing us with those magical abilities must consume energy too."
"Even Lumine, without a Vision, needs to rest after mobilizing elemental power for a long time."
Hearing Paimon's words, Barbara took a deep breath, a trace of complexity in her eyes. "It seems... I can only find him tonight."
Speaking of this, Barbara smiled gently, returning to her usual gentleness. "If Kael is not free to gather today, we can go stroll around Mondstadt together first."
Paimon's eyes lit up. "Really?! That's great! Barbara, you know every corner of Mondstadt, you can definitely lead us to find lots of delicious food!"
Lumine also revealed a slight smile. "Then sorry to trouble you, Barbara."
Barbara nodded gently, a trace of faint sadness in her smile.
"Then, let's go."
Even if there is reluctance in my heart...
At least in this last time, Barbara wants to leave more beautiful memories with Lumine and the others.
Lumine and Paimon hadn't properly strolled around Mondstadt since they arrived.
Because they encountered the Stormterror crisis as soon as they arrived.
Then solved the Stormterror crisis.
Although they rested in Mondstadt City for a few days before, they hadn't really wandered around.
Under Barbara's lead, Lumine and Paimon gradually became familiar with Mondstadt City.
While Lumine and Paimon were familiarizing themselves with Mondstadt...
On the other side.
Kael's Home.
Afternoon sunlight spilled in through the window. Warm rays cast obliquely on the bed.
The soft halo outlined Fischl's profile, revealing a trace of laziness and coziness.
That golden long hair spread loosely on the pillow.
Reflecting the sunlight, the hair strands glowed with a faint luster, like flowing golden satin.
The breeze blew gently, bringing a strand of hair to brush softly across her exquisite cheek.
Fischl narrowed her eyes halfway. Her purple pupil loomed in the interlaced light and shadow, revealing a trace of sleepiness not fully awake.
She moved her body slightly, stretched her arms lazily, the corner of her mouth carrying a lazy smile, seemingly unwilling to leave this warm quilt.
"Mmh... Unknowingly, it is already noon..."
She murmured softly, with the unique hoarse softness of just waking up.
Yawned slightly, raising her hand to block the overly dazzling light.
Sunlight outside the window spilled gently on her skin, reflecting a faint crimson on her fair cheeks, as if plated with a layer of soft golden light.
She shrank her body gently, burying her face in the quilt, feeling the soft touch underneath, looking like she didn't want to get up at all.
Just like this, Fischl nestled lazily on the bed again.
Letting the sunlight spill on her body, carrying warmth to make her more intoxicated.
The room was quiet, only the rustling sound of the breeze blowing the leaves outside the window.
And the faint noise of Mondstadt City in the distance, interwoven into a leisurely afternoon song.
"Time to get up."
Looking at the lazy Fischl, Kael sighed.
"No, so sleepy."
Hearing Kael's words, Fischl muttered two sentences and gave Kael a beautiful view of the back of her head.
Even lying on Kael didn't affect her giving Kael the back of her head.
Kael: "..."
Even with the Star Rail Pass, Fischl's enthusiasm last night was greater than usual.
Looking at Fischl who still wanted to sleep.
Kael shook his head and said no more.
Nothing to do today anyway. If Fischl didn't want to get up, then she wouldn't.
Time passed quietly.
The afternoon sun slowly shifted its angle. The soft light became more golden, spilling on the bed, outlining Fischl's figure more warmly and quietly.
Afternoon.
Fischl finally opened her eyes slightly, stretched lazily, her arm drawing an elegant arc in the air.
Then she sat up slowly, gently tidying her long hair.
"Mmh... Slept so comfortably..."
Fischl turned her head slightly, looking at the warm orange sky light outside the window, a satisfied smile on her lips.
This sleep was exceptionally satisfying.
Immediately, Fischl got up, narrowed her eyes, stood in front of Kael, and opened her arms. "Dress this Prinzessin!"
Kael: "..."
"Wear it yourself."
Facing Fischl's chuunibyou, Kael backhanded a slap (light tap).
Making Fischl jump away immediately, pouting with dissatisfaction.
Damn it.
I'm already his person, yet he won't yield to me a bit!
Soon.
After Fischl dressed neatly, she stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror and tidied the corner of her clothes.
Confirming her demeanor still maintained the style a "Prinzessin" should have.
Golden hair glowed faintly in the sun. Her eyes carried a trace of mistiness from just waking up.
But it was soon replaced by hunger.
She touched her stomach, instantly revealing a somewhat aggrieved expression.
"Kael, I am famished. As a loyal knight, thou shouldst escort this Prinzessin to the Good Hunter restaurant of the Kingdom of Mondstadt for a feast!"
Fischl said seriously.
At the same time, grabbing Kael's arm, pulling him toward the door involuntarily.
Kael sighed helplessly, letting her pull him out of the room.
"I wonder, you had so much energy when riding me in the morning, why do you have no strength now?"
Hearing Kael's words, Fischl's cheeks instantly dyed crimson.
Thinking of Kael's enjoying face while holding her legs in the morning, she instantly became ashamed and angry.
Pinched the soft flesh of his waist fiercely. "Shut up! Walk fast!"
The corner of Kael's mouth raised in a smile. He reached out and rubbed Fischl's head, smiling dotingly. "Okay, okay, okay, take you to eat roasted meat."
Before long.
The two arrived at Good Hunter.
Even in the afternoon.
Good Hunter was still bustling with people. The air was filled with the aroma of food.
The rich aroma of charcoal-grilled meat mixed with the smell of freshly baked bread made people salivate.
The two found a window seat. Fischl couldn't wait to flip through the menu, a pair of purple pupils flashing with eager light.
"Boss! Two portions of Mondstadt Grilled Fish, one portion of Charcoal Baked Matsutake, and Crispy Fried Chicken!"
Fischl ordered several meat dishes boldly in one breath, completely without the image of a lady.
Obviously really starved.
Kael looked at Fischl's decisive ordering method, without any chuunibyou, and spoke slowly, "This is normal. But Her Highness, you have to pay attention to your image."
"Hmph! This Prinzessin is a warrior. Warriors must replenish sufficient energy."
Fischl snorted righteously, then waited impatiently for the food.
Not long after, steaming roasted meat was served.
The aroma hit the nose instantly. The grease sizzled under the roasting of the fire, the surface carrying a charred color.
Fischl's eyes lit up. She grabbed a piece of roasted meat directly and bit down.
Gravy exploded in her mouth, overflowing with fragrance. Fischl narrowed her eyes with satisfaction, unable to help sighing, "Too delicious! This is the Royal Meal of My Clan!"
Kael looked at her eating appearance, shaking his head with a laugh.
He also picked up a skewer of Charcoal Baked Matsutake and ate it slowly.
Time passed bit by bit.
The noise and warmth of Good Hunter wrapped the two.
The air was filled with the aroma of food, making this meal exceptionally pleasant.
"After finishing this meal, we will depart for Liyue tomorrow."
Kael said softly, "You don't need to send me off tomorrow."
Hearing Kael's words, Fischl paused slightly, the movement of biting the roasted meat stagnating for an instant.
Then she continued to chew a few times, saying nonchalantly, "En... This Prinzessin will not send thee off, but this Prinzessin will stay at thy place tonight!"
"From now on, thy house is the temporary resting place of this Prinzessin!"
While speaking, a complex emotion emerged in Fischl's purple pupil...
Even if she had the ticket Kael gave her, she had to charge enough energy herself to travel back and forth once in a short time.
And just one time took many days to charge.
As for going to Liyue with Kael.
No can do.
Her parents would definitely not agree to let her travel far.
She could only use the ticket Kael gave her and find Kael when she was free later.
Just as her mood was churning, suddenly, a familiar voice broke her thoughts.
"Kael! Fischl! You guys are actually here!"
A white figure rushed in quickly from the door, carrying a familiar surprise and excited tone.
Paimon's voice resonated through Good Hunter, instantly attracting the attention of many diners.
The corner of Kael's mouth raised slightly, nodding with a smile. "Good afternoon, Paimon."
However, Paimon didn't respond immediately. Instead, her gaze turned to Fischl who was buried in eating.
When she saw a large plate of clean meat skewers piled in front of Fischl, she was dumbfounded instantly, eyes wide, almost suspecting she saw wrong.
"Heavens, Fischl! What did you do? Are you that hungry?!"
Paimon's voice carried thick shock.
Usually, even if Fischl was occasionally bold when eating.
But not to the extent of now, gobbling as if she hadn't eaten for days.
Hearing Paimon's words, Fischl's movement froze instantly.
With a piece of fragrant roasted meat still in her mouth, her pretty face instantly dyed with a suspicious blush, even the tips of her ears turning slightly red.
She subconsciously straightened her back, wanting to maintain her noble posture as "Prinzessin."
But the roasted meat in her mouth betrayed her, making her look both cute and somewhat comical.
"Cough..."
But in the end, she didn't say any explanation, just continued to lower her head and gnaw on the meat skewers.
Kael looked at her reaction, unable to help shaking his head with a laugh.
"She hasn't eaten all day."
"Ah?"
Hearing this, Paimon blinked in astonishment.
"That's why she's so hungry."
Kael added slowly, picking up his water glass and taking a sip.
Paimon froze for a moment, then revealed a sudden realization expression.
Then couldn't help complaining, "No wonder! So she was hungry all day... But why hungry all day?"
Fischl was a bit embarrassed by what was said, but still snorted stubbornly, barely maintaining the arrogant posture of the Prinzessin: "The actions of this Prinzessin have their own profound meaning, not easily understood by mortals like thee!"
"Okay, okay, okay, you are right."
Paimon rolled her eyes helplessly.
Having dealt with Fischl, she naturally saw through Fischl's personality.
For Fischl's words, mostly just agreeing was enough.
And Fischl simply ignored Paimon, continuing to bury her head in enjoying the delicious roasted meat, as if nothing had happened.
Inside Good Hunter, firelight reflected on Fischl's slightly red cheeks.
The air was filled with the smell of meat. The afterglow of the sunset outside shone into the restaurant through the window, elongating the shadows of several people, falling on the warm wooden floor.
Soon, Fischl ate and drank her fill, leaning back on the seat satisfied, hands crossed on her abdomen, corners of her mouth raised slightly, a look of contentment.
Her purple pupils glowed with soft luster under the reflection of the lights.
Leaning lazily on the back of the chair, feeling the full happiness in her stomach.
Kael gently put down the teacup in his hand and looked out the window.
Night had quietly descended.
The streets of Mondstadt were embellished with soft lights. The evening breeze blew gently, bringing the unique quiet atmosphere of the night.
"It's late."
Kael stood up slowly, stretched, and looked at Lumine and Paimon. "See you at the city gate tomorrow morning. I have to go to the Alchemy Workshop to find Albedo."
Lumine nodded.
Paimon waved her small hand, saying with a grin, "No problem! Then see you tomorrow!"
Watching the two leave Good Hunter.
Before Kael could get up, Fischl was already standing behind him, tidying her cloak calmly, saying seemingly casually, "This Prinzessin also has important matters. Just on the way with thee, I shall reluctantly accompany thee."
Knowing Fischl just found an excuse to follow him, Kael nodded.
Immediately settled the bill, left Good Hunter, and went to Albedo's Alchemy Workshop.
Under the night, the streets of Mondstadt had less noise than during the day, but more quiet beauty.
The lanterns by the street emitted soft light, illuminating the reflections on the stone road.
The night wind was slightly cool, but not cold.
When Kael and Fischl arrived at the alchemy workshop, Albedo was lowering his head organizing alchemy materials.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and smiled faintly. "You came."
Saying this, he took a small wooden box from the shelf aside and handed it to Kael. "The thing you wanted is ready."
Kael took the wooden box, opened it, and saw a silver-white Alchemy Pendant inside, carved with delicate patterns, faintly revealing weak brilliance.
"This pendant can store a small amount of items and retrieve them remotely in a short time."
Albedo explained, "Although not comparable to some special spatial equipment, at least it can make your journey more convenient."
Kael nodded and put away the pendant. "Many thanks."
And Albedo looked at Kael, his eyes flickering slightly. "I heard from Klee that you are leaving Mondstadt tomorrow?"
"En."
Kael nodded. "Thought about it before. This time is just the right opportunity."
Even if Mondstadt today didn't have the Stormterror disaster, he couldn't stay.
The most crucial thing was that the Trailblaze Path required him to go to other countries, explore and pioneer, to advance.
And there were rewards from the HSR Counterattack System.
Although this system was retarded, the rewards given were truly generous.
Seeing Kael nod, Albedo nodded slightly, his expression calm, seemingly expecting it, but still said seriously, "No wonder you never joined the Knights of Favonius. But I still have to say, be careful on the journey."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"Also, this is your Bow and Arrow."
Albedo looked at Fischl again, taking out the already packaged bow and arrow.
Handing it to Fischl while speaking: "According to your requirements, I have finished crafting it. I believe it will become your aid next."
"After you go back, you can test it yourself. If there are any other requirements, you can continue to find me."
"Good!"
Hearing Albedo's words, Fischl narrowed her eyes instantly.
Today was really a good day.
Her new weapon was finally here!
Immediately Kael and Fischl bid farewell to Albedo and walked out of the alchemy workshop side by side.
Under the night, the shadows of the two were elongated by the moonlight, walking silently on the stone road.
Watching the two leave, Albedo walked out of the alchemy workshop calmly.
Then walked toward the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
Arriving at Jean's office, he saw Jean working at a glance.
At this time, Jean was buried in handling paperwork.
Hearing Albedo's voice, she looked up at him and asked, "What is it?"
"That Traveler and Adventurer Kael are leaving Mondstadt tomorrow."
"What?!"
The quill in Jean's hand paused slightly, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes.
"So fast?"
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