"Yeah, that makes sense… maybe he really is tired."
Paimon floated over the table, chin in her palms, thinking out loud. "He keeps buffing us with those weird, amazing abilities — that has to cost him something. Even Lumine has to rest after using elemental power for too long, and she doesn't even have a Vision."
Barbara drew in a light breath. There was a little loss in her eyes, but she still smiled the way she always did. "Then… I guess I can only go find him this evening."
She straightened up, smile warm again. "If Kairo isn't free to meet today, we can still walk around Mondstadt together."
Paimon's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?! That's great! Barbara, you know all the good places — we can eat everything!"
Lumine also smiled. "Then we'll be in your care."
Barbara nodded gently. The smile was still there, but it had a faint sadness mixed into it.
"Alright. Let's go."
Even if she couldn't change the fact that he was leaving…
At least today, she could help them remember this Mondstadt — the peaceful one, without dragons, without monsters, without commissions.
When Lumine and Paimon first arrived, they hadn't even had time to enjoy Mondstadt properly. They'd gotten pulled straight into the Stormterror mess, then helping the Knights, then running around doing tasks. The past half month had been busy, not relaxed.
So Barbara led them through the city — the flower shop, the cathedral hill, the fountain plaza, the windmills, even the back streets with good pastries. Paimon squealed the whole way.
While those three were exploring Mondstadt…
Over on the other side of the city…
Kairo's house was quiet.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the window in a slanted line, warm and soft. It spilled across the bed and landed on the girl lying there.
Fischl.
Her golden hair was loose, scattered over the pillow like ribbons of light. In the sun, every strand gleamed faintly, soft and bright. A breeze slipped through the window and fluttered a few strands over her cheek.
She half-opened her eyes, still sleepy, violet pupils hazy and soft.
"Mmm… noon already…?"
Her voice was low and lazy, the kind of voice people only have right after waking up. She raised a hand to block the light that was a bit too bright, then promptly buried half her face back into the blanket again.
She had absolutely no intention of getting up.
The room was peaceful — only wind in the trees, and the far-off hum of Mondstadt's streets.
Kairo looked at her and sighed. "You should get up."
"…Don't wanna. Still sleepy."
Fischl mumbled it into the blanket and very deliberately showed him the back of her head.
Even after getting an astral pass from him last night, she had somehow managed to be more enthusiastic than usual.
Kairo could only shake his head.
Well, he didn't have anything urgent today. If she wanted to sleep in, she could sleep in.
Time slid by quietly. The sunlight shifted, turning a deeper golden.
At last, sometime in the afternoon, Fischl stretched like a lazy cat and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Aaah… slept so well…"
She glanced out the window — the sky was already a warm orange — and she smiled, satisfied.
Then she padded over in front of him, eyes half-closed, and opened both arms.
"Attend to your princess. Dress me."
Kairo: "…"
"Dress yourself."
He flicked her forehead. She yelped, jumped back, and puffed her cheeks.
Ugh!
She was already his, and he still wouldn't indulge her a little?!
A few minutes later, Fischl had changed back into her usual ornate outfit. She stood in front of the mirror, neatened the hem, made sure she still looked every bit the "Prinzessin der Verurteilung."
Then…
Her stomach grumbled.
She pressed a hand to it and looked up at Kairo with real grievance. "Kairo, I am famished. As my loyal knight, you should escort me to Good Hunter to partake of a royal feast."
She grabbed his arm and headed for the door like it was already decided.
Kairo sighed, letting her pull him along. "I just don't get it. You had plenty of energy this morning… how are you tired and hungry now?"
Fischl's face went red in an instant.
She pinched his waist, hard. "Silence! We go. Now."
Kairo chuckled, ruffled her hair. "Alright, alright. I'll feed you."
They reached Good Hunter not long after.
Even in the afternoon it was lively — cooks shouting, plates clattering, the smell of grilled meat drifting everywhere.
They found a seat by the window.
Fischl didn't bother with her usual chūni speech — she snatched the menu and said crisply, eyes sparkling, "Two Mondstadt Grilled Fish. One roasted matsutake. One platter of skewered fowl. And… another serving of roasted meat."
Kairo arched a brow. "Now you look normal. Still — Your Highness, image."
"Warriors must replenish energy," Fischl said righteously, already looking at the kitchen like she might go in there herself.
Soon, the food arrived — sizzling, fragrant, still steaming.
The smell alone could make people hungry.
Fischl's eyes lit up. She grabbed a piece of meat, bit down, and her whole expression melted. "Mmm! This is worthy of royal banquets!"
Kairo watched her eat and couldn't help smiling. He took his time with his own food.
After a while, he said, lightly, "Once we eat, we're setting out for Liyue tomorrow. You don't have to see me off."
Fischl's hand paused for a beat.
Then she resumed chewing like nothing had happened. "Mn. I will not see you off. But I will still sleep at your place tonight."
She lifted her chin. "From today, your house is also my temporary residence."
Her tone was casual.
Her eyes weren't.
Even if she had the Astral Rail Pass, she still had to charge it for a day or two between jumps.
It wasn't the same as going together.
And she couldn't just leave Mondstadt and run around Teyvat like Kairo. Her parents would never agree.
So she could only come find him later.
As she was thinking…
A familiar voice rang out at the door.
"Kairo! Fischl! You guys are really here!"
Paimon flew in like a white comet, all noise and sunshine.
Kairo smiled. "Afternoon."
But Paimon's eyes had already landed on Fischl's table.
More precisely — on the pile of empty skewers and plates.
Paimon's jaw dropped.
"W-Wait… Fischl?! What did you DO? Why are you THIS hungry?!"
Today's Fischl was not the dignified Mondstadt noble who ate gracefully.
Today's Fischl was — starving.
Fischl's chewing slowed.
Her cheeks flushed again.
She straightened in her seat and tried to put on her "royal" face… but the meat in her mouth completely ruined the effect.
"Ahem…"
She didn't explain.
Kairo calmly said, "She didn't eat all day."
"Ah?"
Paimon blinked.
"That's why," Kairo added, taking a sip of tea.
Realization dawned on Paimon's face. "Ooohhh… so that's why you're eating like you haven't seen food in a week. But… why didn't you eat?!"
Fischl coughed, turned her head away, and said in the most dignified tone she could muster, "My actions follow a higher order, beyond the understanding of mortals."
"Yeah, yeah," Paimon said, rolling her eyes. "You're mysterious. We know."
Fischl ignored her and continued eating like nothing had happened.
Outside, the sun dipped low, throwing golden light across the tavern floor.
When Fischl finally leaned back, she looked well and truly satisfied. She folded her hands over her stomach and closed her eyes like a happy cat.
Kairo put his cup down and looked toward the window. Night was falling; Mondstadt's lanterns were starting to glow.
"It's getting late," he said. "Tomorrow morning at the city gate. I'm going to the alchemy camp to find Albedo."
Lumine nodded.
Paimon waved. "Okay! See you tomorrow!"
They hopped off their chairs and headed out.
Before Kairo could stand up, Fischl was already at his side, calmly adjusting her cloak. "I, too, have business outside. I shall deign to accompany you."
Kairo knew she just wanted to stick with him.
He didn't expose her.
He simply paid the bill and walked out with her, toward the alchemical workstation on the edge of the city.
Night in Mondstadt was gentle — dim lanterns, cool wind, the smell of wine and river water.
When they arrived, Albedo was indeed there, sorting reagents.
He looked up and smiled faintly. "You came."
He took a small wooden box from the side table and handed it to Kairo. "The item you requested is finished."
Kairo opened it.
Inside lay a silver-white alchemical pendant, carefully carved, faintly glowing.
"This can store a small amount of items and retrieve them remotely for a short time," Albedo explained. "Not as good as a proper spatial artifact, but on the road it will save you trouble."
Kairo nodded. "Thanks."
Albedo studied him for a moment. "Klee told me you're leaving Mondstadt tomorrow?"
"Yeah." Kairo didn't deny it. "I planned it a while ago. This time's just good timing."
Even without Stormterror, he couldn't stay in Mondstadt forever. The Trailblaze Path needed him to go somewhere new. And his system's rewards… were worth chasing.
Albedo inclined his head. He'd expected as much, but still said seriously, "Then take care on the road."
"I will."
Albedo turned to Fischl and took out another package — a bow and a set of arrows. "Yours. I followed your requirements. Test it when you're free. If you need improvements, come back."
Fischl's eyes brightened. "Excellent."
After saying their goodbyes, Kairo and Fischl stepped back into the night.
Their shadows stretched together on the lit stone road.
Albedo watched them go, then left the camp as well — this time, walking toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
He knocked and entered Acting Grand Master Jean's office.
Jean was still working, quill scratching across paperwork.
She looked up. "Is something the matter?"
Albedo said it very simply:
"That traveler — and the adventurer Kairo — will be leaving Mondstadt tomorrow."
Jean's quill paused.
"So soon?"
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