The party ended very late. Everyone left the Angel's Share one after another, and Durandal also returned to Cape Oath.
Lying quietly under the tree, she hadn't expected so many things to happen today. Most of them were novel experiences, and quite interesting.
Had her peaceful daily life been disrupted recently? In the past, she would stay in the small area of Cape Oath, not seeing a single person for ten days to half a month.
Despite this, she didn't feel bored. Instead, she thought such a life was quite good, undisturbed by others, and thus not interacting with others, which could avoid disputes.
Many disputes arise from conversations with others. To avoid such occurrences, Durandal always kept herself hidden.
Occasionally, when Mondstadt needed help, she would secretly resolve the trouble without leaving any traces.
Such a life was good, but contact with humans was also a good experience. Although this life didn't last too long, the feelings she gained were already more than what she had experienced during a thousand years alone at Cape Oath.
"I wonder what will happen tomorrow?"
She didn't know when, but she actually started to look forward to tomorrow, looking forward to what novel things would happen tomorrow.
Especially that strange fellow, Lumine. Even if she didn't go to Mondstadt City, she would probably find a way to know she was at Cape Oath and specifically come to her to take "quests" and get her daily Primogem.
Really... was her telling Lumine that she had Primogem a mistake? Fortunately, ten Primogem was enough to satisfy her.
Just as Durandal was enjoying this leisurely time, a figure slowly appeared in her field of vision. The person bore some resemblance to Lumine, but this person was clearly not Lumine, but Durandal's "acquaintance."
"Prince of the Abyss? Why come to my territory?"
The newcomer was the one called the "Prince" by the Abyss. Unlike the creatures of the Abyss, this "Prince" looked like a normal human from the outside.
But he clearly wielded the power of the Abyss, and his strength was extraordinary. He had fought her once when Durandal broke into the Abyss, and they had been locked in a stalemate for quite a while.
What was his purpose in coming to Cape Oath this time? Was he perhaps looking for trouble?
If so, that would be a bit of a headache. A battle with him would definitely destroy the surrounding vegetation, and the flowers and plants she had painstakingly planted would surely be damaged by the aftermath of the fight.
As for whether she would lose? Hmph! She had never fought with all her strength in this world. Although her ranking among the Apostles was relatively low, the power of an Apostle at their peak was enough to rival the Seven Nations, or even surpass them.
"black plague, I'm not here to fight you. You don't need to assume that posture."
The "Prince" stopped a few steps away from Durandal. His body was enveloped in a layer of Abyssal power. The purpose of this was to prevent Durandal from secretly injecting toxins into his body.
The Abyss had specifically studied Durandal's abilities, and this level of precaution was necessary, but if Durandal became serious, this little protection would be like paper, easily torn.
"Not here to fight me? Then to talk to me? If so, then leave. I have nothing to talk about with you in the Abyss."
In the past, the Abyss had constantly harassed her to win her over, resorting to force when persuasion failed, wanting to integrate her into the Abyss through corrosion.
But they didn't expect Durandal to be completely unafraid of the Abyss's corrosion. Not only was she unafraid, but she also transformed the power of corrosion into her own strength.
Because of the Abyss's actions, Durandal entered the Abyss through the portal at Musk Reef and wreaked havoc. Ultimately, the Abyss had no choice but to "send" her out using special abilities.
From then on, Durandal and the Abyss became enemies, but unlike previous enemies of the Abyss, Durandal's strength was immense, and she was immune to the Abyss's corrosion. They simply couldn't find a way to deal with Durandal, but Durandal could deal with them.
This was an unprecedented situation. Usually, others feared the Abyss, but this was the first time someone had made the Abyss fearful.
Regardless, they were already enemies. To prevent Durandal from visiting them in the Abyss again, they absolutely couldn't provoke this formidable individual in daily life, otherwise, there would be dire consequences.
Before, both sides had ignored each other and gone about their own business. Now, the "Prince" of the Abyss inexplicably found her and wanted to talk to her? Who would bother with him?
The "Prince" was not annoyed by Durandal's attitude. He calmly looked at Durandal and said, "I'm here this time to express my gratitude to you."
Hmm? Durandal, who had no interest, couldn't help but size up the other person. What did this person just say? He came to thank her?
"What do you want to say?"
"I want to thank you for taking care of Lumine all this time, black plague."
Hmm? Lumine? Durandal perked up. She hadn't paid much attention before, but looking closely, she realized that this guy really looked like Lumine.
She seriously sized up Aether for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "Aether? You are Lumine's brother, Aether, whom she's looking for?"
The "Prince," or rather, Aether, nodded, admitting that he was Lumine's brother, the relative she had always wanted to find.
"Heh, the brother she's been searching for has been hiding nearby, watching, yet she doesn't even know. And he's from the Abyss, possibly even an enemy in the future. Such a script sounds really interesting."
If it weren't for the fact that Lumine had no Abyssal aura on her, she would even suspect that Lumine was a spy arranged by the Abyss, with the goal of traveling the Seven Nations and finding their weaknesses.
While such a script sounded interesting, it was rather unpleasant. At least, Durandal didn't like such a script.
"Why don't you go see her? She wants to see you, don't you want to see her?"
Durandal had no family, but the look of loneliness Lumine showed every time she mentioned Aether clearly indicated that she wanted to see him.
Since this guy had been watching Lumine all this time, why didn't he come out and meet her? What exactly did he want to do?
"...It's not the right time yet."
Aether shook his head. He also wanted to meet Lumine, but for various reasons, he couldn't meet her.
What was this reason? Perhaps only Aether himself knew. Durandal, as an outsider, wouldn't get an answer even if she asked him.
Thinking of this, Durandal no longer had the mood to continue the conversation. She waved her hand, signaling Aether to leave quickly and not disturb her rest.
Seeing this, Aether also didn't plan to stay long. He couldn't fathom Durandal's thoughts and worried that if he stayed here too long, Durandal would deal with him.
"Lumine will encounter various troubles in her upcoming journey. Please help her when she encounters trouble."
In addition to the dangers of the Abyss, Lumine also had to face threats from the Fatui. Lumine no longer had her past strength, and she was now very susceptible to crises.
Aether hoped that Durandal could step forward to help Lumine when she needed it, not necessarily acting as Lumine's protector, but simply intervening when she needed assistance.
He believed that in this world, apart from the Seven Nations and the Heavenly Principles, there was no opponent who could make Durandal even slightly serious.
Durandal did not answer. She simply closed her eyes, as if asleep, and only opened them after Aether stepped into the Abyssal portal and left.
She hadn't expected Lumine's long-lost brother to be the "Prince" of the Abyss. The Abyss had always wanted to overthrow the Seven Nations and gather strength to resist the Heavenly Principles.
Lumine would meet all sorts of people on her journey. She would become friends with the residents of the Seven Nations, and even the Seven Nations themselves might become her friends.
Ultimately, when the Abyss overthrows the Seven Nations, will Lumine stand with her friends or with her family? This is a very interesting question.
No matter what, Lumine's final choice would be painful, because no matter which side she chose, her heart would be tormented.
However, with Lumine's personality, she might find a solution that benefits both sides. She is the kind of person who brings surprises, and Durandal is very much looking forward to what decision she will make.
The next day, as Durandal passed through Springvale, she encountered a very peculiar creature.
How to describe it? It was very small, shorter than a Children by half a head, and looked extremely harmless. When it met Durandal, it even showed a brilliant smile.
Despite being such a creature, Durandal sensed its extraordinary nature. Although very faint, almost imperceptible, she still felt an energy that only certain beings possess—God.
In the past, it must have been a God, but due to losing its power, it eventually transformed into its current cute form.
Durandal reached out to touch its head. It didn't resist Durandal's caress; on the contrary, it seemed to enjoy it, smiling and making strange noises. This gave Durandal a peculiar feeling, with flowers representing "happiness" occasionally floating around its body.
"Guoba! Guoba, where did you run off to?"
As Durandal enjoyed the soft touch of this mysterious creature, a slightly anxious voice of an energetic Damselette rang out.
Soon, a Damselette in a cheongsam-style outfit ran out from the nearby bushes. Seeing Guoba interacting with Durandal, she walked over, fuming.
"Seriously, didn't I tell you not to run off? You always make people worry. Guoba, bad!"
"!"
Guoba's eyes widened, and he made an unintelligible sound.
"I'm sorry, Guoba didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"
Durandal shook her head, unable to resist scrutinizing the Damselette. She couldn't understand what charm she possessed to have a former God follow her around.
"Oh, that's good then. By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Xiangling from Liyue, and he is Guoba, my assistant. I'm currently practicing my cooking, searching for inspiration to create new dishes."
"Durandal. You are... a chef?"
"Yes! Hehe~ I learned a little cooking from my father's teachings since I was young."
Xiangling smiled a bit shyly. Noticing that Durandal seemed interested in cooking, she asked, "Are you also interested in cooking? If so, would you like to help me try a new dish? I just got some new inspiration, and I just need someone to taste it for me."
"...Okay."
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