"En."
Hearing Albedo's words, Jean nodded. "The explosion on your side might attract the Fatui's attention. Be careful tonight."
"It's fine."
Albedo shook his head. "Even if the Fatui want to investigate, they won't find anything."
"If you encounter anything similar to last night—the Fatui or that aura of destruction reappearing—contact me immediately."
"En."
Jean and Albedo exchanged a few words before Albedo left.
His alchemy workshop had been blown up; he needed to rebuild it.
It would take time.
Jean also had to order the Knights of Favonius to assist Albedo.
Both of them were busy.
While the two went to arrange their respective tasks...
On the other side.
Inside the Adventurers' Guild of Mondstadt, the atmosphere was heated and noisy.
When Katheryne closed the ledger, looked up, cleared her throat, and formally announced the result...
The entire Adventurers' Guild hall seemed to be struck by lightning, instantly falling into a dead silence.
"Adventurer Kael Arclight. Excluding the elemental minerals reserved for custom forging, the total comes to... 637,000 Mora."
In that moment, the air seemed to solidify.
"Six... Six hundred thousand Mora?!"
"Heavens!!"
"Is... Is that even an amount a human can earn?"
"In just one day? Over six hundred thousand?! I don't even make that much in a year!!"
After a brief moment of shock, the surrounding adventurers exploded into chaos!
Their gazes were locked on Kael and Fischl, filled with unconcealable shock and fervor.
"That's over six hundred thousand Mora!!"
"Just the Mora alone is an astronomical figure!"
"And it only took one day?! Is this the Kael we know?"
Some eyes were complicated, jealous to the point of madness. Others clenched their fists, gritting their teeth and whispering, "This guy... earns more than Vision holders..."
"Is this something a human can do?!"
"Damn it! If I knew earlier, I would have gone to the Whispering Woods to try my luck..."
Amidst the shocked and envious gazes, Kael looked indifferent, as if the 600,000+ Mora was just pocket change he picked up.
In contrast, Fischl's reaction was much more exaggerated.
"Hmph, hmph, hmph! The grace of Fate has finally descended upon this Prinzessin!"
"Our glory shall become a brilliant stroke in the history of Mondstadt's adventures!"
Oz translated: "My Lady means: She is very happy."
The surrounding adventurers: "..."
Fischl still has the mood to be chuunibyou?!
Immediately after, Katheryne quickly calculated Fischl's adventure points and mission earnings.
Logically speaking, Fischl should receive a considerable share of the reward.
However, when Katheryne took out her share—tens of thousands of Mora—Fischl waved her hand lightly. Without hesitation, she said, "In the alliance of our journey, primary and secondary roles must be distinguished. Such worldly possessions are naturally unneeded by this Prinzessin. They should be given to my comrade-in-arms."
Oz: "My Lady means: She doesn't want a single Mora. Give it all to Kael."
Katheryne: "...?"
Kael: "...?"
The surrounding adventurers: "???"
You don't want it?
You don't want a single coin?!
Such a large sum of Mora, and you just refuse it?!
Kael raised an eyebrow, looking at Fischl with some surprise. "Are you sure?"
Fischl lifted her head slightly, her expression firm. "Naturally."
Oz translated again: "My Lady means: She believes this operation relied mainly on your ability. She was merely support and does not deserve a share of the Mora."
Kael was silent for a moment. The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. He didn't say anything more and accepted all the Mora directly.
"In that case, let's go."
"Where to?"
"To have a good meal, of course."
Kael smiled faintly. "To celebrate."
Fischl's eyes lit up.
A chance to have dinner with Kael.
The two humans and one bird left the Adventurers' Guild瀟洒ly, heading for the Good Hunter restaurant.
When they arrived at Good Hunter...
Fischl ordered wildly without holding back.
Even Oz got his own separate dining table nearby.
Before long, a dazzling array of delicacies was served.
Grilled fish, roasted meat, desserts made with Windwheel Asters, spicy stew brewed with Flaming Flowers...
A sumptuous feast that whetted the appetite.
Fischl held her plate, tasting the food with a satisfied face, occasionally expressing her "Great Prinzessin of Condemnation's Culinary Insights" in her chuunibyou style.
Kael leisurely drank fruit wine, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility.
"This trip was worth it."
Kael muttered to himself, looking at the Mora pouch in his hand, a slight curve on his lips.
Over six hundred thousand Mora. This was more than what average Vision holders earned.
And the reason he said this was because this was only what he earned in one day.
For the next few days, he could already see piles of Mora waving at him.
Beside him, hearing Kael's mutterings, Fischl raised her eyebrows proudly, her golden eye shining with confidence.
"Hmph. Our path has only just begun."
Oz, who was pecking at a steak on the side table, translated immediately: "My Lady means: She wants to continue working with you in the future."
Hearing this, Kael laughed.
He was also looking forward to that invisibility skill from Fischl (Seele).
Time passed.
After eating and drinking their fill, Fischl stood up, patted her skirt, put her hands on her hips, and looked at Kael with high spirits.
"The gears of fate have begun to turn. We shall welcome a new dawn!"
Oz translated: "My Lady means: See you tomorrow."
Kael smiled and waved his hand. "See you tomorrow."
Fischl nodded with satisfaction, then turned and left the Good Hunter restaurant with light steps.
Her long golden hair fluttered slightly under the setting sun, reflecting a dazzling glow.
Kael watched her retreating figure, the corner of his mouth lifting. He shook his head and continued to sip his fruit wine leisurely.
This mission went unexpectedly smoothly.
For the next few days, he just needed to continue operating like this. Not only could he accumulate wealth, but he could also get his hands on the Path Technique. This feeling was truly satisfying.
At this moment.
Outside Good Hunter, the night of Mondstadt gradually descended. Under the illumination of lights, the whole city appeared bustling yet quiet.
Kael walked out of the restaurant slowly. The night breeze brushed his face, carrying the faint scent of wine and the aftertaste of food.
After exhaling gently, he strode toward his residence.
Mondstadt at night was still lively. The stalls on both sides of the street hadn't closed yet. Merchants were enthusiastically greeting customers, and the air was filled with the mixed aroma of roasted meat, honey brew, and fruit wine.
Kael walked past a small square. He could see several Knights of Favonius patrolling.
There were also children playing and chasing each other. Occasionally, he could hear bards playing lyres and singing brisk songs, immersing the whole city in a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
However, just then, a familiar, crisp, and excited childish voice suddenly rang out in the night!
"Big Brother Kael!!"
"!!!"
Kael paused, instantly recognizing the owner of the voice.
In the next second, a small red figure, like a little cannonball, sprinted toward him from the other end of the street!
It was Klee!
She wore her familiar red coat. Her golden hair swayed in the night. Her two small hands were spread open, rushing toward Kael with excitement written all over her face. Her eyes were sparkling.
Seeing Klee, Kael was slightly stunned.
Wait... isn't Klee still in the confinement room?
Hasn't she been locked up for less than a day?!
"How did you... get out?"
Kael looked at the cheerful little guy in front of him with a strange expression.
Klee giggled, put her hands behind her back, raised her little head, and looked at Kael proudly, her eyes narrowing into two small crescents.
"Klee was let out!"
Kael raised an eyebrow. "That fast?"
Klee nodded proudly. "Mm! Master Jean personally let me out! Klee was only locked up for one day!"
She patted her chest excitedly, announcing proudly, "Klee is super obedient! Master Jean saw how good I was and let me out!"
Kael: "..."
Master Jean was probably conned by you, right?!
Kael rubbed his eyebrows, feeling a faint headache coming on.
"...So what do you plan to do next?"
Klee blinked, tilted her head, and a brilliant smile appeared on her face.
"Of course—Fish Blasting!"
"Big Brother Kael, we can't bomb Cider Lake, but Starfall Lake is okay! Let's go to Starfall Lake tomorrow!"
Saying this, Klee rubbed her hands excitedly. "Klee promises to bring even more bombs tomorrow."
"Ah? That's right."
Speaking of this, Klee suddenly patted her small head. "My backpack and bombs are still with Master Jean. I haven't got them back yet."
"Umm... Klee will go find Big Brother Albedo in a bit and ask him to make some bombs for Klee."
Kael: "..."
Hearing Klee's words, Kael looked speechlessly at the distant, shattered alchemy workshop where the Knights of Favonius were busy cleaning up.
Albedo's workshop just blew up. Does he really have time to make bombs for you?
But thinking about today's operation...
Destroying the Hilichurl camp with Fischl relied on the Reinforcement Salve.
But the salve would run out.
He couldn't use it forever.
The most useful thing was still bombs.
And bombs were the easiest, cost-free items for him to obtain.
With Klee joining, it would be very convenient.
Immediately, Kael withdrew his gaze, looked at Klee, and nodded. "Then bring a bit more tomorrow."
"Okay!"
Hearing this, Klee's eyes glowed. "Klee will definitely bring lots more bombs tomorrow!"
Thinking of those high-power bombs, Klee was very excited.
While Klee was excited...
On a street near the Mondstadt city gate.
Albedo was giving instructions to a Knight of Favonius.
While instructing, he suddenly saw the familiar Klee and looked surprised.
Surprised not at seeing Klee—he had just parted ways with her at Headquarters not long ago.
What surprised him was the handsome young man beside Klee.
Albedo's gaze lingered on Kael for a moment without leaving a trace.
Don't know him.
With Albedo's memory, he couldn't forget anyone he had met.
That person wasn't a member of the Knights of Favonius.
Most importantly... that person did not have a Vision.
Albedo narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering secretly.
An ordinary person without a Vision... has such a close relationship with Klee?
Did Klee make a new friend?
It was the first time he had seen Klee so intimate with a stranger.
Just then, Klee looked up and flashed a brilliant smile at Kael, then waved goodbye excitedly.
After speaking, she skipped away.
Her target was the direction of the alchemy workshop.
Albedo's gaze rested quietly on Kael's back.
What did Klee talk about with that person to make her this excited?
Albedo stood there, pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
Forget it. No need to worry.
It's a good thing for Klee to make new friends in Mondstadt.
Then, Albedo continued instructing the knight in front of him.
In a short while, Klee ran up to the alchemy workshop.
"Big Brother Albedo!"
Seeing Albedo right at the entrance of the workshop, Klee looked pleasantly surprised.
Big Brother Albedo isn't busy! That's great!
She had been worried there would be an "Experiment in Progress" sign hanging on the door.
Just as she was about to pounce on Albedo, she suddenly noticed the scene in front of her.
The alchemy workshop was in ruins. Black smoke hadn't completely dissipated, and the air carried a smell of burnt wreckage.
Klee's footsteps stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened, looking at the scene before her with shock written all over her small face.
"Eh?!!"
Klee's eyes were round as saucers, staring at the dilapidated workshop in disbelief.
"Big Brother Albedo!! Your alchemy workshop... exploded?!"
Albedo stood calmly in place, his amber pupils reflecting Klee's shocked face.
He tilted his head slightly, glancing at his half-destroyed workshop.
Then he withdrew his gaze as if nothing happened and said lightly, "...En. There was a small accident."
Klee: "..."
—What kind of small accident blows up an entire alchemy workshop like this?!
Klee stared blankly at the ruined surroundings. Her gaze swept over the charred floor, the cracked experiment table, and the collapsed corner walls. She was dumbfounded.
Seeing her expression, Albedo felt complicated.
Of course, he wouldn't tell Klee that he blew up the workshop entirely because he was researching her bombs.
Nor would he tell her that the terrifying aura of destruction nearly injured him.
Albedo just coughed lightly and said in a gentle tone, "Don't worry. It will be repaired in a few days."
However, Klee's focus was completely elsewhere.
She tilted her head, frowned, and her eyes were full of doubt. "So, Big Brother Albedo blows up workshops too? Klee remembers you never did that before."
Albedo: "..."
He really didn't want to admit that.
Klee's small face was full of confusion, but soon, her mind returned to her true purpose. She blinked, looking at Albedo expectantly.
"Umm... Big Brother Albedo!"
Klee suddenly rubbed her hands together and said expectantly, "Klee wants more bombs! Can you make some new bombs for Klee?"
Hearing this, Albedo glanced quietly at his workshop, which had turned into wreckage.
Klee followed his gaze and froze.
She finally realized, belatedly...
Big Brother Albedo's workshop exploded. That meant... he couldn't make bombs right now.
In an instant, Klee's small face collapsed. The excitement faded rapidly, replaced by a look of disappointment.
"...Sigh."
She lowered her head, kicking a stone on the ground dejectedly. Her small body exuded depression.
"Then Klee can only go find Big Sister Lisa..."
She muttered, starting to calculate her next source of bombs.
Big Brother Albedo's workshop exploded. He definitely has to rebuild it. He'll be busy. I can't waste his time asking him to make bombs.
I have to make them myself.
But to make explosives, I need an alchemy table.
Thinking about it, Klee felt she could find Big Sister Lisa.
Hearing Klee's muttering, Albedo laughed dumbly and didn't stop her.