At that same moment—
Inside Mondstadt, within the Knights of Favonius Headquarters,
The steady rhythm of paperwork in Acting Grand Master Jean's office was suddenly interrupted.
Jean's hand froze mid-signature as a low, thunderous boom rolled through the air. Her brows furrowed instantly. Setting down her quill, she strode toward the window, gazing out over the city skyline.
"Acting Grand Master Jean!"
A patrol captain burst through the door, panting slightly, his face tight with urgency.
"A massive explosion just occurred to the northwest of Cider Lake! The sound was terrifying—strong enough to shake the city walls! It may be a monster attack. I've already dispatched a scouting team to investigate!"
Jean's blue eyes narrowed. "The northwest of Cider Lake?"
She thought for a moment, then issued her orders swiftly and decisively:
"Alert all knights to high vigilance immediately! Send two more squads to assist in the investigation and secure the surrounding area."
"Yes, Acting Grand Master!"
The patrol captain bowed sharply and hurried out to carry out her commands.
Jean turned her gaze once more toward the horizon, the faint trace of concern flickering in her expression.
Meanwhile, at the scene of the explosion—
Beside the charred shores of Cider Lake, a small figure stood clutching the corner of someone's coat, her face full of worry.
"Brother Kairo… what do we do now?" Klee's round eyes shimmered with panic. "Cider Lake is all blown up again! The Knights will definitely come soon! Klee just got back and now I'm going to be locked up again…"
Her little face scrunched up like a wrinkled bun.
It wasn't her first time blowing up part of Cider Lake—but today's explosion was on a completely different level.
In her excitement earlier, she'd completely forgotten how powerful her latest "special bomb" actually was.
Kairo was speechless for a long second. "…Don't panic. At worst, you'll just get confinement again. For you, that's practically… a second home."
His tone was calm, almost resigned. "Just show good behavior, admit what happened, and you'll be out in no time."
"Well… that's true," Klee mumbled, scratching her head, her expression full of regret. "But then I can't play with Brother Kairo for a few days… and Klee just started testing her new bombs today…"
She looked up at him, lip quivering. "What if I get out and can't find you anymore?"
Kairo chuckled softly. "If that happens, you can always find me at the Adventurers' Guild. I stop by every day to check the mission board. When you're out, we can team up—"
He smiled faintly. "You make the bombs, I'll add a little something special to them, and together we'll handle any commission. Maybe even blow up a few more fish while we're at it."
To him, bomb-making materials were expensive and hard to gather. Buying them cost money; collecting them took time.
But with Klee? That problem didn't exist.
She could make bombs endlessly, and all he had to do was enhance them with his Power of Destruction—no cost, no effort.
"Okay! Then it's a promise!"
Klee's crimson eyes sparkled with excitement. She bounced on her toes and looked at Kairo with a beaming smile. "When Klee gets out, Klee will come find you!"
"Good. Now, while everyone's still busy investigating, you should go back and admit it honestly," Kairo advised gently. "If you confess early, your confinement time will be shorter. It's better than waiting for Jean to personally drag you back."
"Right!"
Klee nodded vigorously, though her face drooped again a moment later. She knew she couldn't run from this one. The explosion was too big—even the Acting Grand Master must've heard it by now.
And she really didn't want Jean to extend her confinement.
Still… thinking about several days—or even a whole week—without being able to play freely, her expression fell completely flat. She kicked at a pebble on the ground, mumbling under her breath, "Confinement is so boring… and they don't let Klee play with bombs…"
Kairo sighed. "This time, you did cause the trouble yourself, you know."
"But Klee only wanted to blow up some fish…" she muttered even more quietly, shoulders drooping.
Seeing her like that, Kairo couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her hair. "Alright, don't be sad. The sooner you admit it, the sooner it's over. After that, we can research new bomb tricks together."
"Mm…"
Klee rubbed at her eyes with her sleeve, then looked up at him again, determination flickering behind her watery gaze.
After a short silence, she took a step closer, tugged on his sleeve, and said seriously:
"Brother Kairo!"
Her voice carried both resolve and a trace of pleading. "You have to wait for Klee to come out! You're not allowed to run away while I'm locked up!"
Kairo blinked, caught off guard. "Why would I run away?"
"Because…"
Klee lowered her head, twisting her fingers nervously. "Because confinement takes a long time. Klee's scared that when she comes out, you'll be gone."
They had only met that day, after all.
Kairo smiled helplessly. "Why would I run? I'll be here when you're done, alright?"
But Klee suddenly raised her head, eyes wide and urgent. "No! You have to wait! When Klee comes out, Klee will introduce you to her mom—and then…"
Her voice grew louder and prouder, bursting with enthusiasm.
"Then you can become Klee's dad! That way Klee will have unlimited bombs forever!"
"Pfft—!"
Kairo almost choked, the corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
"…Are you trying to bribe me with promises now?"
"Bribe?" Klee tilted her head, confused. Clearly she didn't understand the word, but she waved her little hands energetically. "No, no! I'm serious! Mommy's really nice! And if Brother Kairo becomes Klee's daddy, then we can make bombs together! We'll never run out again!"
Klee's eyes sparkled brighter and brighter as she spoke, her tiny fists clenched with excitement.
Kairo could only sigh silently.
He finally understood—Klee wasn't just being playful. She was scared he'd disappear while she was confined, so she was trying her hardest to make him promise to stay—offering the grandest "dream" her little mind could imagine.
But then, Kairo's expression shifted.
Because right before his eyes, a faint blue system panel appeared once more—visible only to him.
And on it, new lines of glowing text began to form.