This aura of destruction was simply too strong. It far exceeded the scope of any normal elemental reaction.
If Klee had unknowingly triggered some unknown power while using these bombs, or worse, if she had become an unwitting part of some "experiment"...
Then Klee's current safety status had to be completely reassessed!
Klee could not be allowed to come to harm.
Thinking of this, Albedo's expression darkened instantly.
"Jean."
Albedo finally spoke, his voice low and solemn. "I need to see Klee immediately."
Jean's expression sharpened. She nodded. "Let's go!"
Without further hesitation, the two turned and strode rapidly toward the confinement room!
As Albedo spoke, Jean's thoughts also turned to Klee.
They needed to question her properly.
"I suspect that the Abyss Order's operation last night... might have been an attempt to retrieve Klee's bombs."
As they walked, Albedo frowned and explained his reasoning to Jean. "According to you, Klee threw a bomb into Cider Lake yesterday, causing a significant disturbance."
"As far as I know, Klee likes to hide her bombs. Usually, she buries them in places like Windrise."
"So before she retrieved that specific bomb, even she didn't know its power."
"Yesterday, Klee brought the bomb back, caused the explosion at Cider Lake, and was sent to solitary confinement. But her backpack and the remaining bombs were left behind."
"Then, last night, the Fatui elites were killed. Even though they used Delusions, they couldn't stop the attacker."
"And the scene was left with the exact same energy signature you described."
"This..."
Hearing Albedo's logic, Jean's eyelid twitched violently.
Everything seemed to connect.
Could it be that the Abyss Order's operation was entirely because of the bombs in Klee's backpack?
To the point where they were willing to fight the Fatui in Mondstadt City?
And wiped out the Fatui elites in the process?
"Wait. No."
In the next second, Albedo shook his head. "In such a short time at night, the only ones who can move in and out of Mondstadt like ghosts are Vision holders or Abyss Mages. Why would they target the Fatui?"
"It makes no sense for them to attack the Fatui directly."
"Is it possible that when the Abyss Order infiltrated Mondstadt to find the backpack, they ran into the Fatui?"
Jean hesitated, then pondered aloud. "The Fatui followed them, the Abyss Order attacked and killed the Fatui, but that special energy was left at the scene?"
"That seems like a plausible explanation."
Albedo's expression was grim. "If that's the case... was Klee targeted by the Abyss Order last night?"
"Unlikely."
Jean shook her head. "The Knights of Favonius Headquarters has a protective barrier. Even the Abyss Order cannot infiltrate silently. I checked on Klee when I went to rest last night. The child was sleeping soundly."
"She asked for some materials this morning, saying she wanted to do some small research. I made sure not to give her anything like gunpowder."
"Regardless, let's see Klee first and ask her about the situation."
Albedo said softly, "I'm just worried that the Abyss Order's conspiracy has entangled Klee."
Hearing this, Jean's face solidified.
Indeed.
Klee must not be harmed.
Thinking of this, the two quickened their pace, heading straight for the confinement room at Headquarters.
Meanwhile.
The sun was setting in the west. Golden-red afterglow spilled onto the high walls of Mondstadt, illuminating the travelers returning home.
The streets of Mondstadt were still bustling, with people coming and going endlessly.
With the Knights of Favonius guiding traffic, the citizens of Mondstadt gradually calmed down.
However, the rolling black smoke rushing straight into the sky was a bit of an eyesore.
Like a beacon of war, it stood out starkly against the evening glow.
From a distance, an entire corner of Mondstadt seemed shrouded in black smoke.
Even standing outside the city gate, one could clearly see the churning column of smoke, and the air even carried a faint smell of burnt ozone.
"Hah...!!"
Walking back across the stone bridge, Fischl suddenly stopped. Her purple pupil widened abruptly. Staring at the rolling black smoke, she exaggeratedly spread her arms, her cape fluttering in the wind.
"Could it be that the Shadow of the Demon Lord has already encroached upon the skies of Mondstadt?"
"Has the Cataclysm already descended—?"
Oz sighed beside her, translating in his usual tone. "My Lady means: She is surprised that there was such a violent explosion in the city."
Kael, returning with them, saw this scene. His eyes flickered slightly.
He stopped, narrowing his eyes at the direction of the smoke.
Explosion?
Did someone in Mondstadt accidentally ignite Pyro elements again?
Kael didn't think much of it. He just adjusted the sacks on his shoulder and continued walking toward the city gate.
But the moment they stepped through the gate, the stationed Knights immediately noticed them.
"Kael!"
A Knight of Favonius waved at Kael with surprise, a look of familiarity on his face.
His gaze fell on the two full sacks in Kael's hands, and he was instantly astonished. "Looks like you had a good harvest today. Carrying two big bags back?"
Kael smiled faintly and replied casually, "It was alright."
At this time, Fischl lifted her chin slightly, looking triumphant. "Hmph! Naturally! The Prinzessin personally led the expedition to the Whispering Woods. How could we return empty-handed?"
Oz translated: "My Lady means: We really did get a lot today."
Kael laughed, then looked toward the city again, asking directly, "What happened in the city?"
The Knight paused, then realized what he meant. He answered seriously, "Oh, you mean the explosion?"
"It was Mr. Albedo's alchemy workshop. A violent explosion occurred. Grand Master Jean has already rushed over, and the Knights are handling it."
"Fortunately, the surrounding streets weren't affected. Only the workshop itself was badly damaged."
"It's not a huge disaster."
Hearing this, Kael's expression suddenly turned slightly strange.
Albedo's alchemy workshop exploded?
As the top alchemist in Mondstadt, even if Albedo had an experiment go wrong, he would keep it within a controllable range.
It shouldn't have caused such a large-scale explosion inside the city.
Wait.
Suddenly, Kael thought of Klee, and his expression became even stranger.
Remembering the [I Want To Help] skill (Clara's Destruction buff) he had applied to Klee's backpack of bombs yesterday...
The corner of Kael's mouth twitched, and his face became a little subtle.
He looked at the distant black smoke, and a not-so-good guess suddenly popped into his mind.
Don't tell me Albedo accidentally set it off while researching those bombs?
It shouldn't be.
The bombs are on Klee, and Klee is in confinement. Her backpack is usually taken into the confinement room with her.
"Ahem."
Kael coughed lightly, deciding not to think about it anymore.
Anyway, it has nothing to do with me.
Beside him, Fischl was still staring excitedly at the black smoke in the city.
She wore an expression that said, "This is definitely the omen of some conspiracy descending on Mondstadt," her eyes filled with an eagerness to explore the unknown.
She patted Kael on the shoulder, her eyes shining. "Let's go! Since there is an anomaly in the city, naturally, we must witness it in person!"
Kael: "..."
"Let's go to the Adventurers' Guild to hand in the mission first. We need to tally up the resources."
Kael shook his head and walked toward the city center.