"I didn't expect that you aren't just ordinary passers-by without any combat ability." Amber looked at Stelle, who was twirling a baseball bat, and was slightly mesmerized.
Although he wasn't sure what the strange stick Stelle was holding was, the heroic sight of him charging into the Hilichurl crowd and fighting single-handedly was deeply imprinted in his mind.
Stelle didn't have a Vision, nor did he use elemental power just now; he was simply striking with that stick.
Even though these Hilichurls weren't strong in combat, for an ordinary person like Stelle, such strength and courage were already very commendable.
Hmm, I like him so much...
"?"
Stelle tilted her head in confusion. Amber started to zone out after saying a sentence, not knowing what he was thinking.
This situation seemed to have happened more than once or twice; when she spoke to Amber just now, Amber was always like this.
At first, she even suspected whether this Damselette had some impure motives, but now it seems... is he not very bright?
"Speaking of which, why are Hilichurls appearing here? Such creatures generally shouldn't set up camps so close to the city, right?" Paimon suddenly asked.
"It should be due to the Dragon Disaster. Because Stormterror appears frequently, the Knights of Favonius have to divert their attention to defense, which is why these guys' activity range is getting closer and closer." Amber regained his composure and explained to Paimon.
"Dragon Disaster." Stelle recalled the giant dragon he saw this morning.
The so-called Dragon Disaster should be caused by it.
Recalling it now, she still felt her palms tingling slightly; the force of that fellow's claw was truly considerable.
It's a very formidable opponent.
"Speaking of which, Amber." Stelle suddenly thought of something and looked at Amber: "You said the things dropped by Hilichurls can be exchanged for money, right?"
They had also dropped a lot of spoils of war when they cleared the Hilichurl camp just now.
They were all some damaged masks and some arrowheads.
They didn't look valuable, but Amber had carefully collected all these things.
"Mhm, some things can be used as alchemy materials, so these things can be sold... but generally, the purchase price won't be very high." Amber nodded.
"Is that so..." Stelle rubbed her head. She had considered the issue of money today.
After all, she had just arrived in this world and was penniless.
She couldn't possibly enter the city today and then start thinking about money, could she?
"Miss Stelle, are you very short on money?" Amber looked at Stelle in confusion.
In his opinion, if Stelle was a wandering Traveler, he should have some money on him.
Otherwise, how would he sustain his journey?
"Just call me Stelle. After all, one always has to consider ways to earn money." Stelle touched his head, a little embarrassed.
Amber didn't know that she had only just arrived in this world a couple of days ago; let alone money, she wasn't even sure what the currency of this world looked like.
"Ac, actually, Miss Stelle... Stelle, during your time in Mondstadt, I can take care of you." Amber said, a little bashfully.
"Ah? Uh, well, thank you..." Stelle always felt that Amber's expression and words were strange.
Lumine, on the other hand, looked at Amber with a thoughtful expression.
"Cough, anyway, follow me. Your diligent and responsible good Knight will escort you into the city."
-
Mondstadt City is surrounded by Cider Lake on all sides, with only one stone bridge connecting it to the outside world.
Appearing before Stelle was a city wall like a natural chasm, towering into the clouds.
Two Knights in uniform were guarding the city gate and greeted Amber after seeing him.
Likely also because of Amber, the two Knights did not question Lumine and Stelle excessively, merely asking about their origins, and then saying, "Welcome to Mondstadt, respected strangers and Travelers."
"Allow me to formally introduce it: this is the City of Wind and Dandelion Pastoral, the City of freedom—Travelers protected by the Knights of Favonius, welcome to Mondstadt City!"
"This is great! Finally, we don't have to sleep in the wilderness anymore!" Paimon said excitedly.
"Yes, it's great." Lumine also nodded with deep feeling.
Unlike Lumine, they had both lived in the wild for a long time. If it weren't for the fact that both of them were somewhat special, perhaps when Stelle met them, he might have seen two wildlings.
"However, everyone seems to be in low spirits?" Stelle looked around and noticed that the faces of the passersby were all etched with a hint of sorrow and worry.
"It's also because of the Dragon Disaster; the lives of Mondstadt citizens have been greatly affected." Amber sighed, "So I'm very sorry, I might not be able to treat you well."
"It's alright, we're already very satisfied just being able to enter the city," Lumine quickly said.
"Hmm, come with me in a bit. As compensation, I'll give you two a gift." Amber smiled, looking at them, especially Stelle, her voice filled with anticipation.
"You should like it."
"What about me? Don't I get one?" Paimon quickly scurried over to Amber, asking.
"This… Little Paimon probably won't need it, right?" Amber sized Paimon up and down, then rubbed her head and said, "But I can treat Little Paimon to Mondstadt's special Honeyed Carrot Stew with Meat."
"Honeyed Carrot Stew with Meat!" Paimon's eyes instantly lit up.
It seemed that Paimon was more interested in food than other gifts.
"I'll take you on a tour of Mondstadt City first, then I'll give you that gift from a high place later," Amber suggested.
"Okay." For the two who had just arrived in Mondstadt, they naturally had no objections to Amber's arrangements.
Walking up the city stairs, the group gradually moved deeper into Mondstadt City.
However, the further they walked into the city, the more they felt how deserted Mondstadt City was at the moment.
"Actually, Mondstadt City is usually very lively, but unfortunately, due to the Dragon Disaster, there are far fewer merchants and Travelers. Even the locals have been affected by the business, and many shops have temporarily closed," Amber said, looking at the street in front of her, sighing helplessly.
"The taverns, however, although somewhat affected, are among the few shops that can still operate normally." Amber stopped, pointing to the corner of the street beside them.
"Look, that tavern over there is called Cat's Tail Tavern. Business has always been good, even now. And most importantly, the bartender Diona is super cute!"
"Bartender… cute?" Stelle found it hard to associate that profession with cuteness.
"Hehe, you'll know if you get a chance to see her later."