However, just as Arkz was happily collecting materials scattered across the farm, a purple crow on a tree not far from the farm quietly flapped its wings and left.
The residential area within Mondstadt City.
Amy, no, the prinzessin der verurteilung Fischl, watched the footage transmitted back from Oz's synchronized Vision, her legs encased in black stockings trembling with excitement.
Recalling the terrifying scene of the giant bear brutally trampling the forest and the earth just moments ago, Fischl couldn't help but roll back and forth on the bed, hugging a pillow to relieve her agitated mood.
Fischl: "To adjudicate all the sins of this world, to illuminate all the truths of this matter."
"At this grand and magnificent moment, the Lord of the Immernachtreich, the prinzessin der verurteilung, has finally encountered her nemesis—the Tyrant of the Forest, the vicious bear Candiff who tears apart the sky and the earth!"
"My familiar—Oz!"
"Go! Bring victory back to your mistress!"
Oz: "..."
Oz helplessly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his magnetic voice saying, "Mistress, even if you say that, I still can't defeat that Mr. Giant Bear."
Fischl: "Oz, as the Princess's familiar, you should be invincible in this world, judging the sins of the world. How can you shrink back in the face of such a small difficulty?"
As an excellent Adventurer from the Adventurers Guild, Fischl could complete reconnaissance missions assigned by the Guild without leaving her residence by utilizing the ability to share Vision with Oz.
Today, after accepting a mission from the Guild to scout a Hilichurl camp, Fischl directed Oz to investigate while she herself lay comfortably at home, reading a novel borrowed from the library and sipping delicious freshly squeezed juice.
However, during Oz's return journey, he suddenly discovered the whereabouts of the giant bear Arkz. Fischl, who was extremely interested in such matters, immediately commanded Oz to fly over quietly and gather intelligence.
Oz perched on the treetop. As long as he remained silent, he looked just like a crow with slightly unusual coloring, and anyone who happened to see him wouldn't pay him any mind.
Thus, through Oz's eyes, Fischl witnessed the entire process of the giant bear Arkz clearing the farm.
The bear's massive body acted like an efficient bulldozer, smashing through the trees and large stones blocking its path and turning them into materials. The entire process felt inexplicably healing and stress-relieving.
(Bears Two: Bear One, Logger Vick is cutting down trees again.
Bears One: Let's go chop down all his trees so he has none left to cut.
Bears Two: Bear One, you are so clever.
Logger Vick:???)
Fischl enjoyed the spectacle, but Arkz's side was much more troublesome.
As an onlooker, Fischl and Oz only needed to watch to their satisfaction and then fly away after flapping their wings. But Arkz, the owner of the farm, had to expend great effort picking up all the timber scattered around the farm.
It was truly: "Chopping trees is fun for a moment, picking up wood is like an incineration site!"
Arkz continuously bent over to pick up the wood on the ground, feeling like his waist was about to break.
At this moment, he intensely missed the Magnetic Ring from the game. Just by wearing the ring, materials on the ground would be automatically collected—it was simply a blessing for the lazy!
Unfortunately, the system hadn't given him any hint about where to buy one. He couldn't possibly expect equipment to drop from Slimes and Hilichurls like in the game, could he?
Arkz: "Hoo~~"
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Arkz let out a long breath.
Looking at the materials filling his wooden box, this sense of achievement instantly made Arkz forget his fatigue.
He moved a wooden chair out of the cabin and lay down leisurely to rest.
Gazing at the clouds in the sky and enjoying the caress of the breeze, he placed his straw hat over his face to block the sun's intensity.
The air still held the fresh scent of trees and the fragrance of freshly turned earth, causing one's tense body to relax involuntarily.
Time seemed to slow down, and even the clouds in the sky appeared languid.
Without the worries of schoolwork, without the troubles of life, even life itself became wonderful.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the sun had set.
Removing the straw hat covering his face, Arkz looked at the afterglow of the setting sun, stood up leisurely, and stretched lazily.
Since obtaining his Vision, Arkz's physical fitness had been continuously improving. After just a short rest, the physical labor that would have previously caused muscle strain now left him feeling as if the fatigue had been blown away by the wind.
He felt refreshed!
Even the exhaustion from his previous journey was healed by this short break after working!
The thought that he could enjoy a leisurely farming life afterward, free from the burden of heavy work and studies, able to freely decide his working and resting hours, made Arkz feel like the entire sky had brightened.
Feeling the surging vitality within his body, a smile appeared on Arkz's face.
Arkz: "It's been a long time since I've been this relaxed. Thinking about it, this afternoon wasn't wasted after all."
As the sky grew darker, Arkz touched his rumbling stomach and decided to head to a restaurant in Mondstadt City for a meal.
The small wooden house on the farm hadn't been lived in for a long time, and the original wooden furniture had long been gnawed apart by rats. To restore the cabin to a habitable state, he needed to replace the furniture inside, repair the leaky roof, and then clean everything thoroughly.
Moreover, he hadn't prepared enough food. How to solve his eating problem on the farm was also a difficult issue.
At least until the first batch of crops matured, he would still need to buy food.
These things needed to be resolved slowly, but fortunately, Arkz had plenty of time. The struggle for a bountiful harvest was also a form of happiness for a farmer.
Walking on the road toward Mondstadt City, as he passed Springvale, Arkz looked at the lights shining from the townspeople's houses and the aroma of food wafting out, unable to help but swallow.
Arkz couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.
It was a pity that he arrived in Mondstadt too late. Otherwise, he would have already become familiar with these townspeople and could shamelessly go to someone's house to freeload a meal at this time.
The night in Mondstadt arrived faster than Arkz had anticipated.
Although night had fallen, Arkz was not in a hurry.
The wilderness of Mondstadt at night held a unique charm in its night scenery.
Following the country path, Arkz gazed at the full moon and stars in the sky. From not far away, a melodious sound of a zither drifted over.
La la la~, la la la la la la~, la la~...
Perhaps due to his skill and boldness, Arkz stood quietly, listening and appreciating the beautiful zither music.
Under the moonlight, the music was like a wind spirit, dancing gracefully under the gaze of the stars, showing Arkz the enthusiasm and friendliness of Mondstadt.
"Yo-ho, traveler from afar, you seem to enjoy my performance very much."
The Bard, wearing a green hat, white stockings, and two small braids, looked like a beautiful elf under the moonlight. The moving smile on his face inexplicably charmed anyone who saw him.
Facing the hand extended by the Bard, Arkz thought for a moment before expressionlessly placing a Mora in Venti's hand.
"Pfft—"
The smile on Venti's face couldn't hold, and he quickly tried to explain:
"I'm not here to beg!"
Venti took a deep breath, calmed his agitated emotions, and said seriously, "Friend, looking at you, you seem to be heading to Mondstadt City? I happen to be heading there too, for a good drink. Why don't we travel together? That way, if we encounter any Hilichurls, we can help each other."
Arkz looked into the Bard's green eyes and a smile suddenly appeared on his face.
"Of course, friend. I happen to feel a bit bored walking the road alone at night."
"If the two of us travel together, we can chat and pass the time."
"But since you aren't begging, can you return that Mora just now to me?"
Faced with Arkz asking for the Mora back, Venti looked evasively to the side:
"Friend, look closely at my clothes and guess what my job is?"
Arkz carefully examined Venti's attire.
"Tsk tsk, Mondstadt is truly full of freedom! You're not perhaps a cowherd, are you?"
Venti couldn't hold back again, saying, "How could that be! I am a Bard!!! Didn't you see the lyre in my hand?!"
Arkz apologized without sincerity, "Sorry, I thought that was an accessory to enhance the mood."
Venti silently covered his face, suddenly regretting trying to test this guy.
Arkz suddenly moved closer to the dejected Venti and clapped his back forcefully:
"Haha, I was just joking, friend."
"My name is Arkz. I am currently the owner of a farm near Springvale. Feel free to visit my farm when you have time; I will prepare fine wine for you."
Upon hearing 'fine wine,' Venti, who had been very dejected moments ago, suddenly sprang back to life. His large eyes stared intently at Arkz, sparkling with excitement.
Venti: "Really?! Really?! Really?!!!"
"We have an agreement, don't lie to me!!!"
Venti was already looking forward to it. Would the fine wine brewed by this guest from another world carry a unique flavor from that other world? It was truly something to look forward to.
Arkz: "Of course. I, Arkz, am the most trustworthy."
"However, my farm is still in ruins. It will take quite some time to organize it. The fine wine I promised you might have to wait a while."
Venti smiled and draped his arm over Arkz's shoulder. Due to the height difference, it looked as if Venti was hanging on Arkz.
Venti: "As the saying goes, good wine is worth the wait. Waiting a while is nothing."
"As long as you treat me to a drink, you are my good brother!"
On the wilderness of Mondstadt, the two youths traveled together, sharing their stories under the gentle moonlight.
When they were deep in conversation, Venti played his lyre, and Arkz softly hummed a tune from his homeland. Even the moonlight seemed intoxicated by it, transforming into flowing water, accompanying the night's music.
They walked and talked, reaching the large bridge into Mondstadt City still feeling like they hadn't talked enough.
As the saying goes, even half a word of conversation that hits it off is better than a thousand irrelevant words. Arkz hadn't expected to get along so well with Venti.
But parting always comes. At the city gate, the two bid a reluctant farewell.
Refusing Venti's invitation to get drunk at Angels Share that night, Arkz found the same inn where he had stayed previously, intending to get a good night's rest.
He had a lot of work to do tomorrow; the farm couldn't be left unattended.
As for meeting up with his new friend Venti, there would always be time for that.