Sketching again. His drawing skills are quite good, by the way. He's an alchemist, so why is he proficient in this area?
Could it be that to better draw diagrams, this ability was unconsciously enhanced?
Miss Delezie glanced at Eula. Albedo was sketching at this moment, so interrupting him suddenly might not be ideal. But she wasn't alone; Eula was beside her, so she might as well ask her opinion.
Eula didn't appear impatient; on the contrary, she was quite interested in Albedo's work. The snowy mountains, which she was already very familiar with, took on a different flavor in Albedo's hands.
It was just those few Hilichurls dancing a strange dance at the top that were a bit in the way. If they hadn't appeared, the effect of the painting would have been even better.
Fortunately, Albedo was very fast, and a sketch was completed quickly. Looking at his work, Albedo nodded with satisfaction.
"Hmm? It's you two. When did you get here?"
"We came over midway. We saw you sketching and didn't want to disturb you. By the way, you're a researcher, why are you drawing Hilichurls? Does this help your research?"
Albedo shook his head: "It's just a hobby, a way to relax from work. Besides, I don't fully dedicate my energy to alchemy. I also help draw illustrations; I'm an illustrator."
"An illustrator? Like those light novels in Inazuma? You have that kind of job too?"
These... these two jobs are completely unrelated. Before people ask you to draw illustrations, you need to have a certain reputation.
Could it be... you've been an illustrator for people more than once? Hmm? Wait a minute... "When I was in Inazuma, the editors at Yae Publishing House mentioned that there's a very skilled illustrator in the industry called Teacher Calx. This Calx, it couldn't be you, could it?"
Albedo had previously used the term 'Calx,' which ordinary people wouldn't say or know. This means... he's already a well-known illustrator in the industry?
"Yes, that's me."
"It really is you... If it weren't for your achievements in alchemy, I'd definitely say you're neglecting your proper work."
She felt like there were so many things to complain about, but then she felt that if she seriously complained, she would lose, falling into a very subtle state.
Albedo was not in a hurry to ask Miss Delezie the purpose of her visit. He began to organize his sketching tools, preparing to return to his base in the snowy mountains.
Eula, who had been silent, nudged Miss Delezie. The pleasantries could end here; if they continued, they wouldn't get to the main topic.
Don't you have something important to ask? If you don't ask now, when do you plan to?
Miss Delezie nodded, signaling Eula not to worry; she was just about to speak.
"Have you returned to Mondstadt recently, Albedo?"
Remembering what Sucrose told her, Miss Delezie asked abruptly while Albedo was organizing his tools.
"Hmm? No, I've been staying in the snowy mountains recently. What's wrong? Has something happened in the city? Or are Sucrose and Timaeus looking for me?"
He wasn't lying; he truly hadn't left the snowy mountains. So, the Albedo that Sucrose encountered, and the Albedo secretly watching her, were not the real person.
After observing Albedo for a moment, he had no injuries, nor any lingering plague aura from a clone within his body. It could pretty much be confirmed that he was not the same person she had seen before.
"It's not about the city, and it's not Sucrose or Timaeus. I have something I want to ask you. Have you seen anyone impersonating you recently?"
Feeling that there was something particularly confidential involved, and with Eula still present, Miss Delezie deliberately changed her wording to avoid involving her.
"Someone impersonating me?"
Albedo's gaze suddenly turned serious; he clearly understood what Miss Delezie meant. Her word "impersonate" definitely wasn't meant literally.
Albedo's reaction indicated that he knew about that person, or rather, he had always known but had ignored it for some reason.
"You said someone is impersonating him? Could such a person really exist? Impersonating him isn't that simple."
Albedo is the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius; his knowledge is beyond what ordinary people can compare to. Even if someone could imitate his personality, his knowledge is not something an average person can replicate.
If such a person truly existed, he would surely be discovered quickly and then apprehended by the Knights of Favonius.
"Hmm, you're right. That's why he only operates near Dragonspine to avoid exposing his identity. Miss Delezie, the reason you came here is because you saw his traces near Dragonspine, right?"
"Yes, that's right. I initially thought it was you, but his behavior was suspicious, so I came to inquire."
The two of them cooperated with each other's words, half-truths and half-lies. Eula didn't notice anything unusual; her mind was solely focused on the person impersonating Albedo.
She couldn't tolerate the appearance of such a person. As a member of the Knights of Favonius, if that individual was a dangerous person with a Vision, then he would pose a certain threat to Mondstadt.
He must be found before he causes any trouble, and this needs to be done as quickly as possible.
"Since he's in Dragonspine, let's try to find him. What do you think, Durandal?"
"I can't confirm that he's active in Dragonspine yet. I'm already looking for him, and if there's any news, I'll know very soon."
"You're already looking? How are you looking?"
Of course, it's her secret helpers. Although her most powerful helper is currently in Liyue Harbor, there are more potential helpers in Mondstadt than just Agalu; other small animals will also work hard for her to achieve "evolution."
These words certainly couldn't be spoken. She could only fabricate an excuse, saying she could communicate with animals, successfully fooling Eula.
"I see... That certainly makes things much easier. If I also had such an ability, reconnaissance would be much simpler."
"It is indeed very convenient..."
Durandal chatted briefly with Eula. After Albedo finished tidying up, the three of them walked together towards Albedo's camp.
On the way to the camp, Durandal took advantage of Eula walking ahead and whispered into Albedo's ear.
"You... you must know the reason behind this, right? That person... isn't impersonating you, but has some connection to you, isn't that right?"
"..."
Albedo didn't answer. Lies couldn't deceive Durandal, but he didn't know whether to tell Durandal the truth, so he remained silent.
Durandal looked deeply at Albedo. She saw that Albedo needed more time to consider. Since that was the case, she would give him a bit more time to think about how to resolve this matter.
Albedo's camp was very simple. Most of the items there were related to alchemy. It seemed he hadn't relaxed his research into alchemy even while in Dragonspine.
"Since you devote all your time to alchemy, how do you find time to draw illustrations?"
She had heard from the editors at Yae Publishing House that a good illustration takes several days to complete, and even a black-and-white one requires careful thought.
Albedo was clearly a very busy person. How did he manage to find time to do other things amidst his busy schedule?
"Illustrations, you say? That's much easier compared to alchemy. If I have inspiration, I can complete illustrations that satisfy the editors in a single day."
"..."
Is this what they call a genius? If the illustrators in Inazuma heard this, they would surely be envious to the point of shedding tears of blood.
Talents are truly unpredictable, just like cooking. Some people are geniuses, while others can no longer be described as merely bad at it.
Recalling Raiden Ei, who once blew up the kitchen, Durandal felt a headache. This world truly isn't fair.
"If you've thought it through, you can come find me anytime. Don't doubt it, I'm the kind of person who can help you solve all your problems. No matter how big the problem, I can handle it for you, understand?"
"...Hmm, I understand."
Albedo nodded, watching Eula and Durandal leave, and let out a long sigh. He looked up at the sky, his mind lost in thought.
He touched the mark on his neck, his proof, an imperfect flaw.
"Have you finally awakened? But... your awakening comes at a very inopportune time."
Of all people to encounter, he had to meet Durandal, this terrifying existence. Fortunately, her current intention was to let him handle this matter. If she were to deal with it personally, he wouldn't last long.
"Although we can be called brothers, still... I cannot let you appear in Mondstadt, in front of ordinary residents. So..."
On the other side, Durandal, led by Eula, arrived at the ice lake where she always bathed.
The first time she met Eula was here. Neither then nor now could she understand why anyone would like to bathe in such a cold lake.
Eula touched the temperature of the lake water, nodded contentedly, and under Durandal's gaze, effortlessly stripped off her clothes and naturally submerged herself in the water, sighing comfortably as if taking a bath.
"What's wrong, Durandal? Don't just watch, come in too. It's very comfortable here."
"What a strange person..."
How could an ordinary person endure such cold water? However... since she had extended an invitation, she would give it a try. Even if it were hundreds of degrees Celsius, it would be the same for her.
Durandal also mimicked Eula, taking off her clothes and soaking in the water. This feeling was quite interesting, though most people wouldn't be able to accept it.
Just as they were bathing, a figure suddenly appeared nearby and greeted them with a smile.
The newcomer was Amber, one of the few friends Eula could converse with in Mondstadt.
"I knew you'd be here, Eula. When I heard you were heading towards Dragonspine, I guessed you might come here to bathe. I've come to join you... Hmm? Miss Delezie? Why are you here too?"
It had always been just her and Eula bathing here. Why was Durandal here?
Amber inexplicably felt a very strange sensation.
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