After Kael escorted Barbara to the wounded, he turned to Kaeya, whose brows were still furrowed.
"Have all the Hilichurls near Mondstadt been driven back? Is there anything else I can help with?"
"Most of them have been destroyed. Only a few scattered ones remain. They'll be gone soon enough."
Relieved, Kael exhaled. "Good."
"But," Kaeya's voice hardened, "I have something to ask you."
He looked at Kael with sharp seriousness. "Eula said there was something unusual about that Hilichurl camp you went to. Their strength seemed unnaturally heightened, at least two or three times stronger than usual. In fact, the Hilichurls who attacked Mondstadt today were the same."
"They were terrifyingly strong. Compared to the Hilichurls we usually face, they were like an entirely different species. That's why the Knights of Favonius suffered so many casualties."
"I suspect someone is targeting Mondstadt—using these berserk Hilichurls to launch their attack."
"If you and Eula hadn't discovered that Hilichurl camp first, they probably would've joined the assault on Mondstadt."
"Now I need you to recall carefully—while you were at that camp, did you notice anything strange?"
Kael didn't even need to think.
The strangest thing was attached to him right now.
What could possibly be more bizarre than a parasite that fed off human desire?
He was certain these overpowered Hilichurls were tied to that bastard inside him.
Maybe… maybe he should tell the Knights of Favonius he was possessed.
Let them investigate what exactly this thing inside him was.
And besides, letting them know might actually be useful.
Once his Sensory Mode ended and that thing seized his body again, the Knights could destroy it—ending this life simulation for him.
But the timing had to be right.
Right now, only Kaeya was here.
And he and Kaeya had never been close. There was no trust between them.
If he confessed now, Kaeya might see him as a threat to Mondstadt.
He might even be branded the mastermind behind the Hilichurl attacks.
No—he had to wait until people who supported him were present before revealing the truth.
With his plan settled, Kael gave Kaeya an apologetic smile.
"That Hilichurl camp was indeed strange. But I want to report directly to Acting Grand Master Jean."
Jean had spent some time with him. And unlike Kaeya, she wasn't so suspicious by nature.
Even if she didn't care for him, Kael believed Jean would make the right decision.
Kaeya gave him a long, suspicious look. But in the end, he nodded.
"Alright. Jean should be back soon."
---
All he could do was tend to the Knights of Favonius with lighter wounds—bandaging them, carrying the injured—simple, ordinary tasks.
After Barbara finished treating the last of the critically injured knights, her face turned even paler than before.
When Kael saw her preparing to heal more knights who weren't badly hurt, he rushed forward to stop her.
Supporting Barbara, who was nearly too weak to stand, he said softly, "Barbara, rest for a while. The others can make do with medicine for now."
Barbara leaned against his chest, nodding weakly.
"Alright."
Just as Kael was about to guide her back into the Church of Favonius, a sudden commotion broke out in the crowd.
"Where's the Deaconess? We need the Deaconess! Acting Grand Master Jean needs healing!!!"
Several knights pushed through, carrying a stretcher.
Kael froze when he saw Jean lying on it.
Her eyes were shut tight, her expression slack with unconsciousness.
Her blue-and-white uniform was drenched in blood, so much that he could hardly tell its original colors.
She was gravely wounded.
Kaeya shoved his way through the crowd.
"Miss Barbara, Acting Grand Master Jean looks terrible. Please… treat her first before you rest."
Barbara lifted her head, glancing up at Kael.
He was standing there, brows furrowed, worry written plain across his face as he looked at Jean on the stretcher.
Barbara bit her lip. "I…"
In truth, seeing her sister hurt this badly, Barbara's heart ached.
But then she saw Kael's expression—and suddenly, her body refused to move.
Of course she would treat her sister. But…
Kael felt her gaze and lowered his head.
Barbara was staring up at him, waiting, as if she wanted him to say something.
---
It was an awkward, impossible moment.
He'd just told Barbara to rest.
Now Jean was here—was he supposed to turn around and push Barbara, weak as she was, to heal her?
Wouldn't that be cruel to a girl who liked him?
But Jean… Jean really did look dangerously injured…
Seeing his conflicted expression, Barbara's eyes dulled.
So that was it. In his heart, Jean would always come first.
She let out a self-mocking smile. "Alright. I'll treat Acting Grand Master Jean."
She pulled herself from his arms, kneeling weakly beside Jean and summoning her Elemental Skill.
A Blue glow bloomed from Barbara's palms, gradually restoring color to Jean's face.
But Barbara's own face grew even paler. Exhaustion pulled at her features, and her trembling hands barely held steady.
Kael couldn't bear it anymore. "Barbara, that's enough. Acting Grand Master Jean doesn't need more elemental healing."
"No." Barbara's face was set in stubborn defiance.
She pressed her hands more firmly over Jean. "I'll heal her completely."
"I said enough!" Kael's voice snapped as he surged forward.
Scooping Barbara up into his arms, he carried her straight toward the cathedral.
His yearning for Jean belonged to the Kael in the life simulation.
But right now… right now his eyes and heart were filled only with Barbara, frail and trembling in his arms.
He didn't notice that on the stretcher, Jean's lashes fluttered. Barbara's healing had already roused her, and she opened her eyes just enough to see his retreating figure as he carried Barbara away.
---
Inside, Kael laid Barbara gently on a bed, brushing the cold sweat from her brow.
"Jean doesn't need healing anymore. Rest now."
Barbara suddenly grabbed his hand as he withdrew it from her face, holding tight. Her voice trembled with disbelief. "You… you're worried about me?"
Kael squeezed her hand back. "I've always cared about you."
No. This is different.
Before, your concern was just for a friend. But just now… between me and my sister, you chose me. That means… I'm finally in your heart, isn't that right?
Barbara couldn't help but smile.
Kael sat at her bedside, still holding her hand.
"Sleep. I'll stay here with you."
After a day spent healing, after hope and despair tearing at her heart, Barbara was completely drained.
The moment his words reached her ears, she relaxed. Her eyes closed, and within a heartbeat, she fell into deep sleep.
As her consciousness slipped away, one final thought drifted through her mind:
Kael didn't lie to me. Hard work really is the most magical power in the world…
Kael remained seated at her bedside, watching over her.
Until a knock came at the door. Kaeya stepped inside.
"Kael, Acting Grand Master Jean is awake. I reported what you told me earlier. She wants to see you."
Kael looked down at Barbara, still sleeping peacefully.
With Sensory Mode's time running low, this might be the last time he ever saw her.
But there would be another chance. In another timeline, in another space.
He gently slipped his hand from Barbara's grasp.
"…Let's go."