The moment the System chimed, Kael knew he'd made the right choice.
Pain Value came from the emotions of the characters in the life simulation.
For the Keqing in that simulation, there were two things that hurt her more than anything else.
The first was Kael's promise.
He had told her they would meet again, that he would return to her side.
But in the simulation, Keqing waited and waited… and never saw him again.
The second was the guilt.
Kael had died because of a chain of events she indirectly caused.
If these two wounds were healed in reality, Keqing's Pain Value would naturally fall.
And that was true for everyone.
Their greatest source of pain was always Kael's death.
So whenever he promised to stay with them, their Pain Value dropped dramatically.
Beyond that, each person carried their own shadows.
For Barbara, it was how he always chose someone else over her.
For Ningguang, it was the regret created by her own hesitation.
For Amber and Eula, their wish was much simpler—they just wanted to remain by his side.
As for Yanfei, Beidou, Jean, and the others he had yet to meet in this world, all of them were influenced by their lives in the simulation, each with scars of their own.
If he could soothe every shadow in their hearts, their Pain Values would fall one by one.
Kael was determined to make up for everything they suffered in the life simulation.
After running into La Signora, Keqing had calmed down, but her expression still held deep worry.
To cheer her up, Kael suddenly thought of something.
"Keqing, weren't you curious about Mondstadt? Do you want to go there and experience it yourself?"
The moment he said it, Keqing understood.
"You're using the Adepti Artifact to take us there?"
"Yeah."
Hearing his suggestion, Keqing's eyes brightened.
"If that's possible, that would be wonderful…"
Seeing her spirits return, Kael smiled and placed her into the Serenitea Pot.
Then he opened the map and tapped the teleport waypoint.
In the blink of an eye, the two of them appeared at the waypoint outside Mondstadt's bridge.
In barely five seconds, they had crossed the vast distance from Liyue to Mondstadt.
When Kael released Keqing from the Serenitea Pot, she looked completely dazed.
"Huh…? We're already here…"
She stared at the iconic bridge ahead and the distant Gothic architecture. The scene felt impossibly surreal.
"Yes."
Kael smiled at her. "This Adepti Artifact is incredibly powerful. If it's just me, it only takes one second to travel anywhere in the world."
"So, you don't need to worry anymore."
Keqing froze.
Finally, she understood why he brought her here.
He wanted to show her, again, what the Adepti Artifact could do—to let her see for herself that he could escape danger anytime.
Her gaze softened as she looked at him. She nodded gently.
"Alright. I understand."
Kael took her hand. "Let's not let others ruin our mood. Since we're in Mondstadt today, let's enjoy it."
Keqing's lips lifted. "Okay."
They walked into Mondstadt City, and immediately ran into someone familiar.
A green figure stood atop the fountain by the city gate, lyre in hand, surrounded by enraptured listeners.
The Anemo Archon was busking again.
Keqing asked curiously, "Who's that?"
Liyue had its share of street performers, but she'd never seen an instrument like that.
And whatever the green bard was singing… didn't seem like a song?
Was this what books described as a bard?
Seeing her curiosity, Kael took her hand. "Let's go listen."
Venti's fingers danced across the strings, and graceful music drifted through the air.
When the last note faded, the crowd erupted into applause.
"Amazing! As expected of Mondstadt's greatest bard!"
"That was incredible!"
"Venti, when's your next new piece? We're waiting!"
Keqing stood quietly, entranced.
The poem carried Mondstadt's spirit. Freedom. Ease. Joy.
Her expression grew thoughtful.
This was the complete opposite of Liyue's culture.
Liyue revered Contracts, the Nation of Contracts. A place where stability and responsibility were everything.
She had always believed Liyue's way was unquestionably superior.
But looking at the joyful faces of Mondstadt's people, the relaxed way they carried themselves…
She could feel their happiness.
She realized freedom wasn't bad at all.
Maybe there were things Liyue could learn from it.
Venti's collection box was already overflowing with Mora.
He smiled at the crowd and bowed.
"Thank you for listening. I don't know when the next piece will be ready. I'll write when the wind grants me inspiration. I hope you'll come again."
Once the crowd dispersed, Venti finally spotted Kael among them.
He waved cheerfully.
"Traveler! Long time no see!"
Kael walked over with Keqing.
"Yeah, I've been in Liyue for a while."
"Really? Then you have to tell me all about your adventures. Maybe it'll give me inspiration."
He shook his wooden box, the Mora inside clinking brightly.
"You treated me to drinks last time. Today, it's my turn!"
His gaze drifted to Keqing.
"And this lovely visitor from afar should join us too!"
One look at her clothing and he knew she wasn't from Mondstadt.
Kael sent Keqing a questioning glance.
Keqing was already intrigued.
From his poem alone, she could tell this bard deeply understood the concept of freedom. She wanted to learn more about Mondstadt's values, and maybe find something Liyue could adopt.
She nodded with interest.
"Let's go."