The avalanche struck with terrifying force, burying the narrow mountain paths and overwhelming the makeshift defenses. In an instant, the scouting team on Dragonspine found themselves cut off, isolated in the snow-covered wilderness.
At the base of the mountain, Saphir stood stunned as she watched the massive wall of snow thunder down. They say every snowflake in an avalanche bravely journeys to the ends of the earth—this was her first time witnessing nature's might so directly.
Fortunately, she and Klee were far enough from the impact zone. Even if the avalanche reached their location, the frozen lake ahead would buffer the damage. There was no danger to them.
While Saphir calmly assessed the situation, Klee clutched her hand, frightened.
"Saphir, did I cause trouble again? Will Captain Jean put me in solitary confinement?"
"Hmm… that's a tough one." Saphir scratched her head. She didn't want to lie and become one of those grown-ups Paimon always complained about—deceiving even children. But if she admitted Klee caused the avalanche, would this child run to Jean and confess?
She recalled hearing that Kaeya once got himself thrown into confinement by Jean for leading Klee into mischief. If Jean found out about this disaster, would she throw her in too?
After thinking it through, Saphir decided it was unlikely. Her status as a Fatui Harbinger should still have some deterrent effect… right?
Then she remembered something she'd discussed with Jean when they first met—about the scouting team stationed on the mountain.
"Klee… is the Recon Team still up there?"
Klee's eyes widened. She tilted her head, thinking.
"Uhh… I think Eula was still on the mountain last time I saw her."
Saphir's face darkened. "Ah. That's going to be a problem…"
Near Wyrmrest Valley, within a snow-covered cave, a tense standoff had formed.
A tall woman with icy blue hair and piercing eyes stood alone, facing off against a group of Fatui skirmishers. Her form-fitting black combat outfit left her legs mostly bare, with only a pair of black thigh-highs for cover. The way they hugged her figure… would've been alluring in any other context.
She was Eula Lawrence—the captain of Mondstadt's Recon Team, self-proclaimed scion of sinners, and renegade of the once-noble Lawrence Clan.
Facing her was a Fatui advance unit: standard lineup—Rifleman, Electrohammer Vanguard, Anemoboxer, and Hydrogunner. Their leader, a Windfist vanguard named Anjiu, was one of Saphir's subordinates. They had come here under Saphir's orders to investigate the remains of Durin on Dragonspine.
But tensions with Mondstadt's Recon Team had steadily escalated. A skirmish had already broken out before—Eula had cost them a geoslinger in that encounter. Now, with the avalanche, things had only gotten worse.
"Listen," Anjiu said, trying to stay calm, "we're all trapped here. Let's forget the earlier scuffle. Right now, we need to work together and get out of this cave."
Eula scoffed. "So it's my fault for stopping you from destroying Dragonspine now?"
Anjiu frowned. Yes, they'd been a bit heavy-handed at first—typical Fatui behavior—but they had tried to explain afterward. She hadn't listened.
The Electrohammer soldier behind him growled, "We've told you a hundred times, we're just doing research! You're the one who wanted to pick a fight. What kind of unreasonable woman—"
"Enough, Qinila!" Anjiu cut him off sharply.
"But Captain, this mission's already gone south—what do we even tell Lady Saphir?"
Anjiu clapped his shoulder in silent apology, then turned back to Eula.
"I admit we were in the wrong. But let's at least cooperate for now. We can deal with everything else after we're out of here."
"And if I refuse?" Eula's Ice-forged sword shimmered dangerously in her hand. She was seriously considering killing them all and blaming it on the avalanche. It wasn't as if a little snow could stop her from leaving this cave.
Anjiu's palms were sweating. They were familiar with the terrain and usually had superior numbers. But now, their forces were scattered and they were boxed in. If Eula went all out, they had no chance.
"Must we really go this far?" he pleaded one last time.
Eula said nothing—but her sword spoke volumes.
Just as the battle was about to erupt, the entrance of the cave burst open. The compacted snow gave way to a blast of power—and a voice rang out like salvation to Anjiu:
"Anyone need a hand?"
Eula froze, her blade crumbling into frost. She turned to the source of the voice, only to see a girl in black clerical robes stepping in, holding the hand of a crimson-haired child.
"Eula!" Klee cried happily. "Saphir is so amazing—she found you right away!"
Eula blinked. Was she seeing things? Klee had shown up… with a Fatui Harbinger?!
"Klee?! What are you doing here? And this woman—"
With the immediate threat gone, Eula dismissed her sword. The Fatui skirmishers sighed in relief—saved from certain death. Eula eyed the black-robed woman warily. She hadn't yet received word of Saphir's presence in Mondstadt.
"Nice to meet you, Captain Eula," Saphir said pleasantly. "I'm Afurola Saphir, Twelfth Seat of the Fatui—codename: the Dark Shepherd."
"An executive?!" Eula's instincts flared. Her hand twitched. A moment ago, she'd been preparing to kill this woman's subordinates.
Anjiu, meanwhile, practically wept in joy.
"Lady Saphir!" he rushed forward and dropped to one knee. "Small unit leader Anjiu reporting!"
Saphir blinked. "Anjiu? What are you doing here with Eula?"
Anjiu explained everything—their mission, the clashes with the Recon Team, and the aftermath of the avalanche. Saphir nodded, then turned her gaze toward Eula.
"So this is the famed Wave Knight… What's wrong? Planning to give me something juicy to write in my expedition report? Like: 'Found Mondstadt's Recon Team buried in the snow—multiple casualties.'"
Her smile was cold. The Recon soldiers stood frozen, terrified. None of them had ever been subjected to a Harbinger's aura before. The fact that they weren't on their knees was already impressive.
Eula's brows knitted tightly. Of all people, why did this Harbinger have to be the one overseeing the skirmishers she had been fighting?
She wasn't afraid for herself. But Klee was here—and Klee's background wasn't simple. If anything happened to her…
"I can't let that happen," Eula resolved. She would protect Klee at all costs—even if it meant her own death.
Just then, the child in question tugged on Saphir's sleeve.
"Saphir, I don't want to blow up fish anymore. Let's go back to Albedo."
"Hm? Sure." Saphir smiled, ruffling Klee's hair.
Then she turned to Anjiu. "Withdraw your men. Suspend the investigation at Wyrmrest. Head back to Mondstadt and await further orders."
"Yes, ma'am!" Anjiu saluted and departed with his team.
Saphir turned her gaze to the remaining Recon Team soldiers.
"I need to have a private chat with your Captain. Klee, could you lead the nice soldiers back to Albedo?"
"I can do that!" Klee chirped.
"Good girl." Saphir fixed her hat for her with a gentle smile.
The soldiers hesitated. Eula gave them a nod, and they left the cave, escorting Klee away.
Now only Saphir and Eula remained, facing one another in silence.
Neither spoke.
Seconds ticked by like minutes. It was as if they were in a competition: whoever spoke first would lose.
Eventually, Eula gave in.
"Alright, what do you want?"
Saphir pulled out a letter. "Anastasia sent me a report. She said she's managed to turn a high-ranking Mondstadt official to our side—someone who can help us gain control of the city."
Eula narrowed her eyes.
"What's interesting," Saphir continued, "is that the traitor comes from the long-fallen Lawrence clan. Fascinating, isn't it?"
She handed the letter over.
Eula's eyes widened as she read it. The contents were real—there was no doubt. The person collaborating with the Fatui… was her uncle, Schubert Lawrence.
She gritted her teeth. "What's the point of showing me this? Want to see me die in despair?"
She crumpled the letter in her hand.
"This grudge… I'll remember it."
~~~----------------------
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