"Tch."
Watching Lumine leave, Fischl crossed her arms and snorted lightly.
Her purple pupil narrowed slightly, full of dissatisfaction.
She puffed out her cheeks, golden hair shining slightly in the sun.
Then she flicked her hair dissatisfiedly, her tone carrying a bit of resentment: "Hmph hmph, it seems our tour today was in vain, and even the established line of fate was disturbed."
She reached out, pointing to the entrance of the Cathedral, looking serious: "This noble Prinzessin and my Fated One, Kael, were intercepted here, wasting most of the afternoon. Such behavior is truly hateful."
"You mean we came for nothing?"
Kael smiled at Fischl, the corner of his mouth raising slightly.
"Naturally!"
Fischl raised her chin, snorted coldly, her face written with dissatisfaction: "Thou and I should have spent the afternoon leisurely, but were delayed here by mundane matters. Truly regrettable!"
Kael laughed dumbly. Although Fischl looked unhappy, he didn't agree in his heart.
If he hadn't come here, he couldn't have triggered Pela's Option.
And couldn't have obtained that special Path Power — [Frostshot].
However, of course, he wouldn't say it out loud.
He just smiled gently and looked at Barbara beside him.
The petite girl was blinking her azure eyes in confusion at this moment.
Seeming not to understand the meaning of Fischl's words.
She tilted her head, golden braids swaying gently, with a bit of cute daze: "Eh? Th... What does this mean?"
"Nothing."
Kael smiled, then stretched his arms casually, his tone relaxed: "Forget it. Since things are handled, let's go to Good Hunter for afternoon tea? It's rare to come out."
"Eh?"
Barbara was slightly stunned, a trace of surprise flashing in her azure eyes.
Kael smiled at her. "Barbara, want to join us?"
Hearing this sentence, Barbara was obviously stunned. She blinked, seemingly surprised.
Her gaze involuntarily fell on Kael.
The young man in front of her wore a faint smile as always. His whole person was lazy but confident, his eyes gentle and bright, making people involuntarily feel good about him.
Her cheeks blushed slightly. She lowered her eyelashes shyly, hesitated for a moment, and asked hesitantly, "C-Can I? Is... is this okay?"
"What's wrong with it?"
Kael was slightly surprised. "Compared to being busy in the Cathedral all the time, you should relax occasionally."
Barbara bit her lip, a struggle in her eyes.
She was the Deaconess of the Church of Favonius and had always been used to taking care of others.
Even if today's task was completed, she subconsciously felt she should stay in the church to handle affairs.
However...
Her gaze couldn't help falling on Kael again.
He stood there, looking calm, but inexplicably reassuring.
Kael's tone was unhurried, as free and leisurely as the wind of Mondstadt, without constraint.
"O... Okay."
Barbara nodded subconsciously, her voice soft, like a mosquito's hum.
Fischl beside them snorted, crossing her arms and turning her head arrogantly.
Although she said nothing, her eyes revealed a trace of pride.
So, the three walked along the stone road of Mondstadt, all the way to Good Hunter.
The afternoon at Good Hunter was as leisurely as ever.
Orange sunlight spilled in through the restaurant's window lattice, shining on the wooden tables and chairs, reflecting mottled light and shadows.
The air drifted with the faint aroma of roasted meat, mixed with the fragrance of black tea, creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere.
The three found a seat by the window. The atmosphere in the restaurant was lively and warm.
On the street outside the window, the shouts of vendors and the laughter of children intertwined, forming a leisurely picture of Mondstadt's daily life.
Barbara sat down carefully, hands on her knees, tidying her skirt reservedly.
Her gaze looked around Good Hunter, seeming a bit unaccustomed to such an environment.
"Miss Barbara, is this your first time here?"
Seeing Barbara's appearance, Kael raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
"En..."
Barbara blushed slightly and nodded gently. "I used to work in the Cathedral all the time. Occasionally I would come out to buy things, but sitting down for afternoon tea like this... it's the first time."
Kael laughed. Fischl, on the other hand, looked unfathomable, raising her chin slightly: "Heh, the songstress of Mondstadt has not yet appreciated such delicacies of the mortal world. Truly a great regret in life."
Barbara was amused by her appearance and chuckled lightly, the reserve on her face easing a bit.
Soon, the waiter served black tea and several plates of snacks.
Barbara picked up the teacup gently, took a sip, her eyes lighting up slightly: "So sweet!"
Kael chuckled. "This restaurant's black tea is a Mondstadt specialty, carrying a bit of fruity fragrance, sweet but not greasy."
Fischl gracefully picked up the teacup, shaking the tea gently, a satisfied look on her face: "For us Prinzessin to encounter such delicious things during today's tour, this is the guidance of Fate."
Barbara looked at the two, and the corner of her mouth couldn't help but raise a smile. An inexplicable feeling of relaxation rose in her heart.
Perhaps, coming out to relax occasionally wasn't a bad thing.
"Where is Oz?"
Suddenly, Kael realized something was missing beside Fischl and looked at her in surprise.
Usually, no matter when or where, there would always be a Night Raven Oz waving wings and speaking human language beside Fischl.
But today, Oz wasn't by her side, not even a shadow.
Pfft!
Fischl was holding the teacup gracefully, preparing to take a sip.
Hearing Kael's words, her hand shook, almost spilling the tea.
"Cough, cough cough."
Fischl coughed twice and immediately raised her chin.
A look of calmness and nobility appeared on her face, her purple eyes flashing with a trace of awkwardness.
Then, she flicked her golden hair lightly, assuming a matter-of-course look: "Ahem—"
"Oz, he..."
She paused, seeming to brew suitable words.
Her exquisite pretty face flushed with a suspicious blush, tone pretending to be indifferent. "Oz is my loyal kin. Today... cough, today he has important matters, going to the Netherworld to inspect the trajectory of stars and fate."
"So, he is not by my side today."
Kael blinked lightly, looking at her with interest, the corner of his mouth hooking up in a meaningful smile.
"Oh?"
Fischl's eyes drifted slightly.
Then she hurriedly returned to a dignified and confident appearance, tapping the table gently with her slender fingers, continuing to add righteously: "As the kin of the Prinzessin, he naturally fulfills his duties loyally. As my left and right arm, Oz naturally has his heavy responsibilities. Today he was ordered to patrol the star trails of the night sky to ensure the balance of the realms."
Hearing this, the smile in Kael's eyes deepened.
He naturally knew Fischl's personality. Usually used to calling herself "Prinzessin," her speech always carried full Chuunibyou aura.
But today... this sounded a bit deliberate?
"Is that so?"
Kael shook his head and laughed. "But isn't Oz your Shadow of Fate? Logically speaking, he should be by your side all the time. Why is he suddenly so busy today?"
"Uh."
Fischl's fingers stiffened instantly, her eyes dodging slightly.
"Th-This."
She opened her mouth, suddenly changing her tone.
Pursimg her lips lightly, she snorted coldly. "Hmph, the threads of fate do not intersect at all times. The wings of every Prinzessin must also bear the test of fate alone!"
"Today, I shall walk alone on this river of fate, waiting for the storm to pass, to reveal deeper truths."
She spoke righteously, composed, as if stating an unquestionable fact.
But in her heart, her mind began to race.
Actually, when she went out this morning, she deliberately sent Oz away.
Of course, she wouldn't admit that she deliberately sent Oz elsewhere to have a chance to be alone!
After all...
If Oz was around, he would inevitably chatter and remind her: "Your Highness, why did you dress up so carefully?" or "Your Highness, your mood today seems unusual?"
Moreover, when she came to find Kael this morning, she did have some small expectations in her heart.
Later, those expectations were indeed not in vain.
She spent the whole morning under Kael... If Oz knew, that would be no good!
Yesterday, Oz was surprised, and she didn't explain.
If Oz saw the scene of her being intimate with Kael, that would be too shameful.
Thinking of this, Fischl looked away guiltily, cheeks slightly red, as if even her earlobes were dyed crimson, humming: "Foolish worldlings, how can you understand the trajectory of this Prinzessin's fate?"
"Oz is actually being kept in the dark too?"
Noticing Fischl's guilty conscience, Kael laughed dumbly.
Immediately, Kael chuckled, picked up the teacup lazily, and shook it gently. "Since Oz is busy patrolling the star trails, then today let Her Highness the Prinzessin accompany me for tea."
Fischl was slightly stunned, her purple pupil trembling gently.
In the next second, she snorted lightly, the corner of her mouth raising slightly. "Hmph, since fate arranges it so, then I shall reluctantly grant thee mortals this moment of glory."
She slowly picked up the teacup, a hidden joy flashing in her eyes.
And Barbara tilted her head, looking at the two with a confused face.
She felt a bit out of place.
While Barbara was thinking this.
On the other side.
Windrise.
Lumine also arrived in front of Venti.
"The wind among the trees is nice. It has a scent I like."
Venti looked up, gazing at the big tree, sighing long. "I said this last time too. Sigh, why is it that every time I say this, it's when my luck is bad?"
"So... what is a Gnosis?"
Lumine, who rushed over, looked at Venti curiously.
"...You noticed."
Hearing Lumine's words, Venti sighed and said, "Sigh... This isn't a topic I can talk about with ordinary people. But, telling you secretly is fine."
"You should know that Visions are external magical organs owned by very few people in this world. They guide elemental power through Visions."
"Actually, every Vision holder is qualified to become a God, thus called an Allogene (Genshin), possessing the qualification to ascend to Celestia."
"Allogene?"
Hearing this, Paimon looked surprised. "Never seem to have heard this word before..."
"Hehe, because this is a secret only true gods know. Anyway, we don't need such primitive organs as Visions."
Venti smiled. "Instead, the god's magical organ resonates and connects with Celestia... that is the Gnosis."
Hearing this, Lumine's eyes flickered, looking strange. "Then what is hanging on your waist?"
"Ehe. Just a glowing glass ball to avoid unnecessary suspicion."
Looking along Lumine's gaze, Venti chuckled "Ehe."
Lumine was speechless.
Paimon said quickly, "Then, who was that bad woman who blew me away and snatched Venti's Gnosis just now?"
"She is Signora—The Eighth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, code name 'The Fair Lady'."
Venti said, "Every Harbinger of the Fatui, like her, has been granted god-like authority by the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya, gaining power beyond mortals."
"The Tsaritsa of... Snezhnaya? Isn't that..."
"En, one of the Seven, the Cryo Archon sitting in the Zapolyarny Palace, the only object of allegiance for all Fatui Harbingers."
Venti nodded gently. "Although the relationship between the Seven is not all very harmonious, I didn't expect her to be plotting to seize the Gnosis of other gods..."
"What kind of god is the Cryo Archon?" Lumine asked curiously.
"Ah... how should I say it?"
Venti scratched his head. "I knew her five hundred years ago, but I'm very unfamiliar with the current her."
"After a great disaster five hundred years ago, she cut off all communication with me..."
"However, about the Cryo Archon and the Fatui, let's talk about it later."
"Traveler, you want to find all Seven Gods. The journey will probably have many difficulties."
"Go to Mondstadt's neighbor first—the Geo Archon of Liyue is different from me. He governs the entire territory of Liyue personally."
"He only descends formally once a year, bestowing oracles, guiding the direction of Liyue's operation for the year."
"Hiss."
Hearing this, Paimon sucked in a breath of cold air. "Even so, it sounds like the frequency of work is much higher than a certain Lord."
"Ehe?"
Venti was a bit embarrassed. "...Anyway, this year's Rite of Descension seems to be starting soon. Hmm, if you miss it, you have to wait a whole year."
"Wah?! Why didn't you say such important information earlier?"
Paimon widened her eyes abruptly. "When?"
"About a month."
Venti thought for a moment and said, "Maybe even sooner."
"You can check the details directly in Mondstadt City."
"The Stormterror issue was solved without much delay this time. You can still stay in Mondstadt for a while. It won't affect you being late for Liyue."
"What about you?"
Lumine looked at Venti curiously. "What will you do next?"
"Of course, be a bard."
Venti smiled. "Traveler... when you set foot on the journey again, you must remember the meaning of the journey itself."
"The birds, poems, and city-states of Teyvat, the Tsaritsa, the Fatui, and monsters... are all part of your journey."
"The destination is not everything. Before reaching the destination, use your eyes to observe this world more..."
"I understand."
Hearing this, Lumine nodded seriously.
Seeing Lumine serious, Venti smiled. "En! The Anemo Archon's warning ends here! Next is Venti Time."
"If you want to chat more, do it now. Because a bard won't always stay in one place singing."
Saying this, Venti blinked.
"Do you know Kael?"
Hearing Venti's words, Lumine thought for a moment and said, "You said before that Kael is also an Otherworlder."
"Umm, I don't know this point. I only learned about him recently."
Venti scratched his head. "Regarding the abilities he displayed... like you, they are very magical, not the power of Teyvat. If you have his help in your next journey, I believe you will get twice the result with half the effort."
"Mm-hmm."
Hearing Venti's words, Lumine and Paimon nodded deeply.
Although the time acting with Kael wasn't long.
But Kael's reliability was deeply rooted in her heart.
If Kael could travel with me, that would be great.
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