After Kael wrested back control of his body, he started walking toward Mondstadt.
At first, that dumbass in his head wouldn't shut up—yelling about how he'd definitely take the body back.
But the farther he walked, the quieter it got.
No way was Kael dumb enough to think the idiot had just left.
With how cocky that bastard was, there could only be one explanation for the silence.
It had run out of energy.
Just like it had bragged about, it survived by feeding on other people's desires.
Switching into Sensory Mode, Kael's will overrode the one from the life simulation.
Now, with not enough desire left in this body to sustain it, the parasite naturally shut up.
"So yeah, guess nobody in Teyvat knows the saying 'the villain dies from talking too much.' If that idiot hadn't run his mouth and tipped me off to a loophole, I never would've thought of this way to beat him."
Kael grumbled at the System.
But then he remembered—his Sensory Mode only had eight hours left.
When it ended, the body's control would go right back to that bastard.
He had to figure out within eight hours how to end this life simulation with SSS.
As he mulled it over, suddenly he caught sight of a flash of blue racing toward him.
Wait—
The figure shot at him like a cannonball and slammed straight into his chest.
The impact forced Kael back several steps before he managed to steady himself.
Looking down at the head of blue hair pressed against him, he hesitated. "Eula?"
Eula Lawrence's arms locked tight around him, her body trembling.
Then, warmth spread across his chest where his shirt was dampening.
She was… crying?
"Don't cry. I'm fine."
But the moment Kael spoke, it was like someone had flipped a switch. Eula's silent sobs broke loose into full-throated wailing.
"You're alive… thank the Archons, you're alive!!!"
Eula had promised Barbara she'd bring Kael back.
But deep down, she'd been terrified.
She'd been gone from that Hilichurl camp so long… what if he couldn't hold out… what if he was already—
She forced herself not to think about it and just ran.
Only when she finally saw that familiar figure did the crushing weight in her chest finally lift.
He was safe. She hadn't lost him. It really was too good to be true…
Eula clutched him tight, the joy of regaining what she thought she'd lost tearing down her pride and shattering her usual aloofness.
"I like you, Kael… I like you!"
For the first time, she confessed her feelings without reservation.
She lifted her head, her catlike eyes gazing up at him, still brimming with tears.
Pride, restraint—all of it was gone.
She didn't want to hide behind excuses anymore.
If she had lost Kael today, the one regret she would've carried to her grave was never letting him know how she truly felt.
"Oh? This woman's body is amazing. If I were you, I'd tear that blouse off right now and take her right here in the grass!"
The voice was back in his head, goading him relentlessly.
"Those curves, those arms like ripe peaches…"
Tch.
Kael forced himself to calm down, willing the bastard to shut the hell up.
He knew why it had reappeared—because he'd been moved.
When Eula held him and poured her heart out, it stirred something in him.
Any man would struggle not to react.
And in that fleeting spark of emotion, he'd wanted to be with her.
That sliver of desire was all the parasite needed to feed again.
Damn it. The bastard really was everywhere, taking any opening it could get.
Kael set his hands on Eula's shoulders, gently pushing her back a little, hoping to steady himself.
But as soon as Eula felt him pull away, the brightness in her tear-soaked eyes dimmed.
"…I know. I know the one you love is Jean. Your Vision awakened for her. I never expected you to like me back right now. It's just… since you can fight for your love, why can't I?"
Eula had always used pride and coldness to cover up her true feelings.
Revealing her heart now left her burning with shame, her face flushed crimson.
But she still forced herself to go on. "All I want… is the chance to try."
Kael realized she had misunderstood—she thought he was rejecting her.
Seeing her expression, shy yet tinged with heartbreak, remembering how she'd run herself ragged just to reach him… his heart softened.
He pulled her back into his arms.
"Eula, I've seen how hard you've tried. I know how you feel. Just… give me some time, okay?"
Eula hugged him back tightly, burying her face against his chest, her muffled reply soft but firm. "Mm. I'll wait for you."
Once her emotions had settled, the two of them began heading toward Mondstadt together.
After a while, Eula spoke again, hesitating before she admitted, "The reason I recovered so quickly and could come find you… was because of Barbara. She poured out everything she had to heal me—for your sake."
Eula knew Barbara loved Kael too. In truth, they were rivals in love.
But her own sense of pride and fairness wouldn't let her steal Barbara's credit.
The image of Barbara's tear-streaked face, pale from exhausting her Vision's power, was seared into Eula's mind.
Barbara's love for him was no less than her own.
She felt he deserved to know.
Eula's expression turned complicated as she said quietly, "Barbara really does love you."
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Next target 250PS