[Option 3: GO WITH THE FLOW ]
Context: You don't know where the journey ends. You won't promise to stay forever, nor will you cut off the possibility of return. Perhaps one day, you will step on this land again to see old friends.
Reward: [Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow] (Summon).
Effect: Summon a phantom of the Fragmentum that roams after the Eternal Freeze. It unconditionally obeys your orders. In combat, it wields an ice axe to delay enemy actions.
Kael: "???"
Looking at the three options, Kael suddenly had question marks all over his face.
Triggering options again?
This conflicts with Stelle's invitation before... or are there just multiple choices?
The most critical thing was... what the hell is the reward for the third option?
Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow?
Kael's expression gradually became strange.
He naturally knew what the Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow was.
This thing was a phantom roaming in the Fragmentum after the Eternal Freeze descended. It twistedly imitated the figure of a Silvermane Guard. Its armor was as rigorous as the soldiers of Belobog, but its head was replaced by faceless ice prisms. In combat, it wielded an ice axe to delay enemies.
This thing can be a reward?
Doesn't that mean I have a chance to obtain those monsters in the future?
For a moment, Kael's eyes were a bit dazed.
If I can summon all kinds of monsters, I can form my own faction, right?
Thoughts flashed through his mind rapidly.
All this happened in a flash.
With a decision in his heart, Kael nodded. "Then thank you, Grand Master Jean. If there is a chance, I will come back. I am also an adventurer of the Mondstadt Adventurers' Guild. It's nothing to lend a hand to Mondstadt when I can."
Hearing Kael's words, a brilliant smile appeared on Jean's face.
That's good.
She looked forward to what convenient shortcuts Mondstadt would welcome after Kael returned from his travels.
"If you need help outside, feel free to send a message to me."
Jean nodded and continued.
As Jean finished speaking.
In front of Kael, the reward for the option appeared.
[Facing Bronya's kindness, you chose to Go With The Flow. Congratulations on obtaining Option Three Reward: One Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow. Can be summoned at any time.]
At this time.
Fischl beside him looked a bit strange.
She suspected that if Jean knew Kael could return to Mondstadt instantly the next second after leaving, she would be shocked.
Thinking that this was a benefit only she could get, Fischl narrowed her eyes, looking smug.
"Strange, why isn't Fischl sad?"
While Fischl was thinking happily, Barbara, standing beside Jean, glanced at Fischl with confusion.
You have to know.
She heard Fischl's voice in Kael's room last night.
Fischl slept in Kael's room at night, so the relationship was definitely not ordinary.
Fischl wasn't leaving with Kael.
Does she have no reluctance about Kael's departure?
Why does she look... happy?
Very strange.
Yesterday at Good Hunter, Fischl looked very depressed, feeling low just like her.
Even more exaggerated.
Not seeing her for just one night, this feeling of loss was gone?
Although Barbara looked confused, she quickly tidied up her mood and walked out gently.
She held a small package in her hand, hesitation and shyness in her aqua-blue pupils.
"K-Kael..."
Barbara spoke carefully.
Pursing her lips, she summoned up the courage to hand over the package, her voice soft and gentle. "This is... the gift I prepared for you."
Barbara's cheeks blushed slightly, like cherry blossoms under the dawn, revealing a touch of charm.
Kael was slightly stunned, then smiled and reached out to take it. "Thank you."
"Hope you like it..."
Barbara lowered her head, fingers gripping her skirt tightly, whispering.
Kael nodded. "Of course."
This scene fell into the eyes of others. Paimon immediately leaned in and asked curiously, "Oh my, what did Barbara give?"
Barbara waved her hand quickly, saying flusteredly, "N-Not anything precious, just some homemade recovery potions, and a Liyue Travel Guide I compiled... I heard you are going to Liyue, so I thought it might be useful."
Hearing this, Paimon exclaimed immediately, "Wow! So thoughtful, Barbara!"
Amber was also surprised. "Barbara actually knows how to compile guides."
Fischl stood aside, arms crossed.
Looking at the interaction between Kael and Barbara with subtle eyes, narrowing them slightly.
"Thank you, Barbara. I will cherish this gift."
Kael nodded and thanked her again.
Hearing Kael's words, Barbara's face became rosier, and she responded in a low voice, "En..."
Immediately, Kael, Lumine, and Paimon...
Left Mondstadt City under the gaze of Jean and others, walking toward the outside.
At this moment.
The onlookers also saw this scene and understood the reason.
Everyone was full of surprise, confusion, and puzzlement.
"Kael is leaving?"
A vendor asked in a low voice, disbelief in his eyes.
"He's going to Liyue?"
A woman beside him also questioned, "That's a faraway place. Won't the road be dangerous?"
Some looked envious. "Liyue... I heard that place is even more prosperous than Mondstadt. There are more opportunities and resources there. I want to go too."
Speaking of which, their eyes revealed yearning, seemingly having fantasized about life in Liyue long ago.
Others showed hesitant expressions. "But how good it would be if he stayed. Mondstadt needs him."
"Without him, wouldn't our Adventurers' Guild lose a solid pillar?"
Some residents and adventurers of Mondstadt who had sought Kael's help felt lost, a trace of reluctance rising in their hearts.
A young man seemed to think of something and suddenly realized, "So, the money Kael earned during this time was to prepare for going to Liyue."
"Heard there are many business opportunities there. Many people want to expand business."
Hearing this, the people around nodded one after another. It seemed to be the case. Everyone understood Kael's move.
"Really going to Liyue..."
A girl murmured to herself, a trace of envy and reluctance in her eyes.
"Don't know when Kael will return."
"Speaking of which, there are very few Liyue people in our Mondstadt City... almost none."
"Even Liyue merchants rarely come to our Mondstadt. It was okay before, but since the Stormterror disaster appeared, there were almost none."
"Now that the Dragon Disaster has been solved, Liyue merchants should come to Mondstadt to trade in the future."
One after another discussed.
Some blessed Kael's departure, thinking he could go to a bigger place to venture.
Some felt it was a pity. Kael left, and Mondstadt would lose a trustworthy adventurer.
While they were discussing, Jean and the others also left.
Oz landed gently on Fischl's shoulder.
Fluttering wings shook in the air. Accompanied by his arrival, Fischl instantly felt a trace of coolness.
Fischl turned her head slightly unconsciously, looking at Oz perched on her shoulder. "What is it, Oz?"
Oz's feathers scattered light in the sun. He said, "My Lady, although Kael has left, it is only a short parting."
"En."
Fischl nodded, without excessive emotional fluctuation.
Her gaze was distant, not troubled by Kael's departure.
"Hmm?"
Seeing this, Oz was stunned.
He had never seen Fischl so calm, confusing him inside.
"My Lady has no sense of loss at all?"
Oz was astonished.
He thought his Prinzessin would be uncomfortable.
But she didn't seem uncomfortable now?
Did I worry for nothing?
Shaking his head, Oz felt he was really overthinking.
Immediately he said, "By the way, My Lady, I saw Miss Barbara last night."
"At that time, Miss Barbara seemed to go to Kael's house, holding a gift in her hand."
"I thought she sent it last night, but unexpectedly, she sent it today."
"Hmm?"
Fischl, who was preparing to leave, heard this, and her expression suddenly became strange.
"Barbara? wanted to give a gift to Kael yesterday?"
Suddenly, Fischl's pretty face blushed.
No way.
Did Barbara come to Kael's door last night?
Oz said, "Miss Barbara might just simply care about Kael. Not sending it last night might be fear of disturbing Kael."
Fischl: "..."
Is there a possibility...
Barbara left because she knew I was in Kael's house too?
Right.
Fischl suddenly thought of something.
She immediately ran in the direction Barbara left.
On the street, the breeze blew. Sunlight spilled on Fischl's hair, mapping a layer of soft halo.
She moved agilely, crossing the crowd, catching up with the hurried Barbara in a while.
"Girl! The mission to save the world requires thee!"
Fischl arrived in front of Barbara, hands on her hips, looking at Barbara.
Hearing Fischl's words.
Barbara stopped with a confused face, looking at Fischl dully. "What do you mean?"
"Barbara!" Fischl shouted, her voice crisp and firm, carrying a trace of excitement and urgency.
Barbara tilted her head slightly, a little puzzle in her eyes. "Why did you call me?"
Fischl stopped her suddenly. What did she want her to do?
She was curious.
"Hmph hmph, I need thee, as a pastor possessing sacred power, to use thy powerful Hydro power to start this mysterious ritual!"
Fischl narrowed her eyes and spoke, making Barbara fall silent abruptly.
What do you mean?
What ritual?
Beside her, Oz flew over and translated: "My Lady means: She hopes you can help mobilize Hydro power."
"Oh, oh."
Hearing this, Barbara suddenly realized. "Oh, so that's it. So that's how it is."
Nodding immediately, breathing a sigh of relief, she asked, "What do I need to help with?"
"What is the ritual?"
As Barbara spoke, Fischl took out the mysterious Ticket from her embrace, holding it up in front of Barbara, as if displaying some incredible artifact.
Seeing this scene, Barbara looked thoughtful. "You mean, let me inject Hydro power into this?"
"Correct."
Hearing this, Fischl nodded approvingly. "This is the mysterious Pass to see Kael! Good stuff!"
Hearing this, Barbara was stunned instantly.
A flash of confusion in her eyes, completely unable to understand Fischl's implication. "Good stuff to see Kael? What is this?"
Barbara frowned slightly, seeming completely unable to understand Fischl's overtones.
"As long as thou exertest thy powerful Hydro divine power, this Pass can take us through space instantly to the place where he is!"
"Hmm?!"
Hearing this, Barbara looked dull. "Ah?"
This ticket can let them see Kael?
Barbara widened her eyes, somewhat not understanding Fischl's words.
Hesitating for a moment, she repeated, "This ticket can cross space??"
Barbara looked at the ticket flickering with weak light, completely unable to understand.
This thing can let people see Kael?
Fischl nodded, revealing a confident expression. "This is a super treasure designed for the Prinzessin—as long as thou chargest it, we can instantly reach the place where Kael is!"
Barbara: "..."
She understood.
Injecting elemental power into this, this thing could take people to see Kael, just like teleportation in a Domain.
But how is this possible?
Where did Fischl get this thing?
Real or fake?
How can such a thing exist?
Looking at Fischl's appearance, Barbara asked hesitantly, "So, is this why you weren't lost when you saw Kael leave?"
"What not sad? This is just a short parting. I have the ticket, I can find him anytime!"
Fischl curled her lip. "How can this little distance and time block the great bond between me and him?"
Barbara: "..."
"I roughly understand."
Barbara looked thoughtful. "This is a special thing, right? However, are you sure you can really find Kael through this thing?"
"That's right."
Fischl nodded. "With the ticket in hand, even crossing time and space, Kael's figure is still before this Prinzessin's eyes."
She learned from Kael that it needed elemental power.
Thinking about it, she found she could ask Barbara for help.
Barbara and she acting together could charge it faster.
She couldn't find anyone else.
As for telling Barbara about the ticket, it didn't matter.
Because Kael coming back to Mondstadt later would definitely be known. She also knew Kael didn't care about this.
"I understand."
Immediately, Barbara nodded. "I'll help, and take a look by the way."
Since Fischl said so, she would help.
Anyway, she wouldn't lose anything.
At most a waste of time.
But if this time was used meaningfully, it was still okay.
And with Kael leaving Mondstadt, she didn't need to wait at the Adventurers' Guild or the city gate every evening.
With a little free time, she could just help Fischl mobilize elemental power to charge this whatever ticket.
Seeing Barbara agree, Fischl narrowed her eyes happily, reaching out to pat Barbara's shoulder. "Come, Great Messenger of Water, let us open up a new world together!"
Barbara: "..."
Immediately, Barbara and Fischl left here together, heading to the Cathedral.
Preparing to go to Barbara's room to mobilize elemental power for this ticket.
While the two girls were busy...
On the other side.
The path outside Mondstadt City.
Lumine and Kael walked shoulder to shoulder. Paimon flew and chuckled: "Kael, have you been to Liyue?"
"You said you wanted to go to Liyue before, so you should know Liyue, right?"
"Naturally."
Hearing Paimon's words, Kael nodded gently.
He knew Liyue too well.
"Then can you give me a detailed introduction? For example, the Geo Archon, and such."
Beside him, Lumine looked at Kael curiously. "I know nothing about Liyue."
Kael knowing Liyue was really good news.
Unlike her, completely unfamiliar.
"Hmm?"
While Lumine was saying this, Kael's expression became strange.
Because in front of him, options appeared again.
[You boarded the Astral Express, bidding farewell to Belobog where the snow turned to clear weather. The train headed for the depths of the stars again.]
[According to the tradition established by Akivili, the path of the Nameless should be chosen by the Nameless themselves.]
[Before deciding on the next world, the train passengers gathered together to cast a sacred vote to decide the next stop.]
[You participated in the Warp Route Meeting. The Trailblazer asked for your opinion. You gave the suggestion to go to the Luofu, arousing the Trailblazer's curiosity.]