Currently in the borders of Mondstadt, three figures were just beginning to salvage what was left by the huge explosion that Naofumi, Bennett, and Fischl had caused. An explosive so loud that Naofumi is very certain that Jean will immediately go to see if Klee is still in solitary confinement.
Then be in complete shambles to wonder if Klee's mother, who he heard was more of an expert on explosions, had suddenly come back to Mondstadt only to cause a huge ruckus outside the city. Naofumi had fully prepared to take the full blame as he was the one who suggested a strategy that even he didn't think would cause such a powerful explosion.
The Bomb Shield really, really is powerful if it is used for Shield Prison and Change Shield, along with two Elemental Skills or Bursts that cause Overloaded. Best be prepared to join Klee in solitary confinement.
"Fast Heal! Fast Heal! Fast Heal!"
Naofumi kept using his healing spell on his two companions, himself included, but most of his spell went to Bennett because Barbatos knows that, even if his luck (even if it ⅔ has been suppressed), he would still need to have people around him to help.
As well as being his big brother, it is his duty to make sure there aren't any bruises or any bleeding on his little brother. Once he was out of magic power, he looked at Bennett to Fischl.
She has fair skin and blonde hair that extends to the middle of her back. Her visible eye is light green. Over her left eye, she wears an eyepatch that is almost entirely covered by her bangs. Two sections of Fischl's hair are tied into side twin tails with black ribbons, the left of which is decorated with a bat wing pattern. The rest of her hair is left loose. Her eyepatch is black.
Fischl wears a sleeveless black lace dress-like leotard with a black lace collar and purple bow tie, crosses stitched in, and black and violet tailcoats. Her Electro Vision is tied to the back of this dress with a bat-wing-style purple ribbon. Her upper back has a black tattoo of wings.
Her appearance and dress remind Naofumi of a book he read during his free time called "Flowers for Princess Fischl." It was a pretty good read when Lisa recommended it to him. Then, out of nowhere, during his month here, he met a girl who looked exactly like Fischl, who introduced herself as Fischl, the Prinzessin der Veruteilung.
As a veteran otaku himself, Naofumi instantly concluded that the "Fischl" he met was a chuunibyou. A person with the delusion to believe they're someone either fictional or just simply believes they are special. Naofumi has seen and met a few times back in his world.
Some have let go of their chuunibyou and would rather do everything in their power to not let anyone know of their embarrassing past. But some would still have their chuunibyou even in high school and college, depending on how far the delusion goes.
If Fischl were born in his home world, then he would have fully believed she was a full-time chuunibyou, but because of where he is now and the existence of Visions, he might believe she is actually the Fischl from the book. But thanks to his party menu, he soon learned that her real name is Amy.
Still, it was nice to see some familiarity from Fischl that was from his world. And her introduction to him had really made him feel like Teyvat does have the culture of Japan, even if Mondstadt didn't look Japanese to him. Perhaps he would feel right back home once he gets the chance to someday go to Inazuma.
Anyway…
"Are you both alright? Considering what we had just done a moment ago."
Naofumi asks in concern, wondering if the explosion caused any damage other than just physical damage. But his concerns faded as Bennett gave him a thumbs up while Fischl spoke of her usual sentence.
"My fellow companion from another world, do you believe I, the Prinzessin der Veruteilung, would fall to such creatures? It is thanks to the powers of our worlds that have granted us the strength to overthrow these walking beings!"
"Mein Fräulein means to say it was thanks to our combined efforts that we survived this many opponents."
"Oz!"
There was a raven bird flapping its wings next to Fischl, its name was Oz, and he is Fischl's familiar. From what he understands from Bennett, who knows her best, is that she met with her familiar on her fourteenth birthday, the day she got her Vision.
From what he heard from Bennett, it seems the negativity of being a chuunibyou isn't spared even in a different world with magic elements. Fischl was mocked and made fun of for her chuunibyou behavior by her peers, which hurt her. And in her lowest moment, she felt that she was being watched.
And upon looking she saw her Vision appeared before her with a raven manifesting from her Vision. From Oz's words, Fischl created him the moment her Vision appeared along with his powers. Even when she isn't using her Vision her loyal familiar is always there flying beside her.
Naofumi was astonished to learn that a Vision is capable of creating a living being, which he noticed was also from the novel he read. As if using an element was surprising enough for him, he wonders if he can do something similar considering he is actually from another world.
Perhaps even getting a familiar of his own someday. Maybe one day.
Still, as an otaku himself, Naofumi decided to play along with Fischl's personality with a few conversations of trying to understand her and to respond with similar wording that he could somewhat manage to do. And in an instant, Fischl became quick friends with Naofumi, as in her eyes, there was someone else who could act and speak like her.
It was like she finally found someone who could actually understand her. Understands the way she spoke that only her friend Bennett can somewhat understand.
"Bennett, what about you?"
"Ah, it's nothing. Your healing magic pretty much healed what the explosion range got on me."
"Maybe I should give you some healing potions just in case."
Bennett quickly stopped Naofumi as he kept on telling him that he was alright as Naofumi just managed to get one bottle out from his shield.
"Ah, it is wonderful to see such a wandering bond of brothers that was connected by fate itself to be blessed upon both of you. I must say, such a bond that I, the Prinzessin der Veruteilung, would have been blessed to myself as well."
"She means she is jealous of how you both act and wishes she had a sibling of her own."
"OZ!"
Naofumi had to hold back his laughter at Fischl's reaction. But deep down, just hearing the familiar words reminded him of his own brother back home. He now wonders how he and his parents are faring ever since his month of being in Teyvat.
But his attention was focused back on the Ruin Guard his shield was absorbing. Naofumi had imagined that the parts he needed for Sucrose's project would have taken hours because of how many he needed. Had this truly been a game then he would have gotten like 1-2 pieces of the circuits.
But because he is in an actual real world, the circuits he needs to obtain would easily come from one, two, heck, maybe even three Ruin Guards. And the three of them manage to destroy six of them while having to deal with their attacks of being targeted and their arms.
The fact that they managed to hold their own against that many Ruin Guards was shocking enough.
"Hmm…"
"Naofumi? Is something wrong?"
Naofumi was quiet for a moment, before he took a look at his shield, then in the direction of where Liyue was. He felt something along with his shield, it happened to just react during the fight with the Ruin Guards. Something that wasn't in where he was, as he swore he felt like he wanted to drop everything he was doing and head towards whatever he was glancing at.
It was strange, it felt similar and yet different at the same time. As if… He wasn't the only outsider here, wasn't the only legendary hero here. A curious expression was formed on his face as he turned back to his friends.
"Sorry, my shield reacted to something. It didn't notify me or anything whatever just happened. This may sound strange… But it felt like someone with a legendary weapon appeared in Liyue. Or at least that is what I'm feeling."
Bennett and Fischl's eyes widened from what they heard. Bennett was awestruck while Fischl was deeply thinking about it.
"So this means there is someone else who could be from the world you came from? Someone with a different weapon than yours?"
"It's a possibility. It could be any hero, the Sword Hero, the Spear Hero, or maybe even the Bow Hero. But, unless I head to Liyue right now, then I don't know if I'm able to figure out who it is."
Bennett can see what Naofumi is saying, but he also notices the expression on his face. He can see it, his big bro wanted to see and meet a fellow hero like him, but going to a nation that he only heard from either merchants or those who have actually traveled to the nation of contracts.
"It seems another soul had descended upon this world as if by fate to soon meet thee, legendary hero. What path shall our defender decide the moment he learned of this information?"
Naofumi was in deep thought as he didn't hear Oz's wording and Fischl's screeching as he was thinking of what to even do at this point. So far, he has only managed to get around all of Mondstadt this entire month, and there are still places he hasn't been to. Like the ancient Mondstadt for example.
Still, for him to just immediately head on to a nation he only heard about from those without him, actually seeing what the nation is like, is just going on an unknown level, not knowing what to expect if you weren't prepared. Liyue isn't like Mondstadt.
Their god, the Morax, Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, the God of Contracts, is said to be the oldest Archon of all six. And is, from what he heard, only appears once a year in an annual event called the Rite of Descension, to offer guidance on what Liyue should follow for the upcoming year. This also begins another annual event called Lantern Rite.
An event where everyone in Liyue prays for those who have fallen in battle and helps guide them back home in Liyue. To remember those who risk and give up their lives for Liyue and the future of it. Every year, one fallen hero is picked for what Lantern Rite is focused on: their history and why they're important.
And if his calendar is right, it will happen between January and February. Which means he'll have to wait for next year to participate in an event like that. Still, he could use the months to learn about Liyue like he did with Mondstadt.
"We should head back, and make sure to clear up Klee's name in case everyone already assumes it was her who caused the explosion we made. While also taking all the blame for that explosion. No doubt it causes everyone to panic."
"Wait what!? Naofumi you can't take all the blame!"
"I can and I will, it was my suggestion that would have caused the whole Drunkard Gorge to crumble down, causing a massive road block for not only merchants but also knights and others, who would have to find alternate paths around here."
Bennett was about to argue more but Fischl put her hand on his shoulder. He looked at her for a moment as he saw the expression on her face. Fischl, who also looks conflicted about Naofumi's choice, but notices how his declaration won't be swayed, no matter what the two of them have to say.
Even if he doesn't act like it most of the time, from the time she spends with him, she can see how responsible he can be. Willing to be kind to others, offers help whenever he can, and is willing to protect anyone from anything, including punishment.
Plus he can even show proof that he did the explosion because of the shield that created the explosion. A shield that has a similar design to Klee's bombs, which could also lead her to spend further time in solitary confinement.
"Come on, we've got a commission to turn in, and for me to confirm what happened. I can say I'll be joining Klee for perhaps a few hours, depending on how much panic I caused to everyone in the city. I wonder if an adult has ever been sent to solitary confinement."
The two didn't say anything more, but prayed to Barbatos that Naofumi wouldn't get into much trouble. And with that, the three of them began to head back after Naofumi absorbed everything in his shield.
On the way back, he was thinking about what to do and plan before he made his decision. He needs to have more information about Liyue, about its laws, what he needs to know about the nation of contract, where he should stay, and who he would meet for an extra precaution.
Suddenly, Naofumi remembers something: Eula once mentioned to him that she once saved a lawyer from Liyue, and the two have been in contact by mail since then.
He now wonders if he could get Eula to send a letter to her friend in Liyue to help him around once he is within the borders of the city. Perhaps even to act as a guide for him, just in case he doesn't act clueless, in case there are some things in Liyue that are sacred.
With that he his first priority is to find Eula and tell her what he had just felt back there. Once he dealt with the aftermath of all of this. He sure hoped that what he felt was indeed another legendary hero like himself. He wonders how he or she is faring right now.
—
Meanwhile, an hour later, back with Kizuna, she and her new friend Hu Tao. The two of them are walking back from the mountain, Kizuna, now known as Wuwang Hill, which is an area within Bishui Plain. Right now the both of them are walking within the dirt path that leads to Liyue Harbor.
Kizuna notices there is a statue from a distance as Hu Tao was speaking to her, still in shock and amazement at what she heard from her.
"So… You're saying that you are from another world? You were summoned to beat up a dragon from another country. Your big knife that is now a fishing rod, is a legendary weapon, a special weapon that has similar abilities as a Vision, and that you could not attack humans at all?"
Hu Tao said as Kizuna had their hunting tool turned back to her trusty fishing rod to prove its ability. It was after that that she used the knife to show Hu Tao that she really couldn't be damaged. A sudden slash made Hu Tao wonder what Kizuna was doing until she noticed she wasn't bleeding or felt any pain.
As if the mysterious attacks were shocking enough, it was also Kizuna's inability to even harm her. It made Hu Tao baffled as she was acting mischievous while being on guard only to find out that she wasn't in any danger at all.
"Yes, I was summoned by the people who welcomed me to the world I was sent to. Defeated the Demon Dragon Emperor with my best friend, stayed in the country for as long as I remember until suddenly one day while I was out alone I was captured by enemies of the neighboring country and was thrown into a prison that wouldn't let me age and was stuck there for who knows how many years, I lost count while I was there."
Despite being trapped in an inescapable prison for so many years, Kizuna can still remember the day she was summoned… Even to the day she was captured. And why is she still thinking about it? Well, it's not like she can't easily just forget the immense loneliness of the place she could not escape from.
"Wow, that must have been pretty lonely for you to deal with."
Hu Tao said with a look of pity. Sure, she knew her actions could lead to her being lonely, but to think someone like Kizuna would be trapped where no one was there, alone, truly alone with no one around or trapped with her.
"Believe me, it was worse if you were the Hunting Hero, like me, who had dealt with the mockery of the enemy nations telling me that I'm the weakest out of the four heroes."
If Kizuna were fully honest, she couldn't see how the legendary jewel, blunt instrument, and ofuda would be any better than a literal hunting tool capable of dealing more damage to any living creature. While also the fact that she hadn't seen how they work in a fight, as she only saw vassal heroes during her time in that world.
And she hadn't met the wielders of said weapons, plus with the fact that she hadn't even seen them during her time there, as she only heard of them when she was informed of other heroes like her being summoned.
"Weakest? Unless you mean not dealing any damage to humans then I can see what you mean. But with your capability, you can easily beat the Abyss Order or the Hilichurls. How can that make you the weakest?"
Kizuna sighs as she looks towards Hu Tao, with an exhausted expression on her face.
"It's been like that for the first few months after my summons. Word travels fast about legendary heroes and such. And that there was already information about my legendary weapons in the other nations, unlike the one that summoned me, they had already had their option for me. Viewed me as only a tool against monsters and creatures, not for politics and such."
"Aiya~ That must be very irritating for anyone to treat you like that. Doesn't that bug you?"
Kizuna didn't respond for a moment but eventually she did.
"Once in a while. But I usually ignore it whenever I'm fishing. No matter where I am, where I am sitting, fishing always calms me down even when I get really mad."
"Ohhh, so you like to catch any fish that swims in the water?"
"Yep! I would reel in any fish I see in the water. And I have so much free time on my hands that I can be fishing all day, every day! I'm a master when it comes to fishing."
"Hmm, I bet any fishermen or fisherwomen would like to have you accompany them on their daily fishing. But since I hadn't seen you fish yet, I can't say if you truly have the skills as a fisherwoman."
"Oh? Doubtful of me? Just lead me to a fishing spot and I'll erase your doubts within ten seconds."
Hu Tao chuckled as she looked forward she noticed the two of them were now next to the Statue of the Seven.
"Kizuna, I've told you about these special statues right?"
"Yeah, on our way here while you were filling me in about Liyue."
Now that she has a clear look, Kizuna can see what Hu Tao meant when Rex Lapis looked like he was sitting on his throne and had the whole world in his left hand. And that "world" was an exaggeration when it was just a cube the Archon was holding. She did note that he is shirtless and was showing his ab chest.
"Wait, didn't you say the statue would normally be blue? Why is it red?"
"Oh! From what I've heard from my wonderful employee, he mentioned that the statue will, over time, turn red because of the lack of prayers whenever people don't come across this particular statue often. I guess no merchants or people had been through here often. Guess I'll pray just for Rex Lapis to guide me back. You should pray with me Kizuna!"
Kizuna just laughs as she follows her and Hu Tao gives them a silent prayer to Rex Lapis. It was a quiet and calm prayer as Kizuna could hear the water and nature around her. A real atmosphere rather than what she felt back then.
Kizuna slowly opened her eyes as she watched the statue and the Archon on it. She couldn't help but wonder… What would happen if she touched it? And… Now that she thinks about it, wasn't there a similar thing, like the statue, but smaller, back on Wuwang Hill?
She felt something was strange about the statue, and on instinct, she looked at her hunting tool and noticed the weapon was reacting to the statue a bit. As if it was telling her that she should touch the statue.
And without hesitation, she placed her hand on the gold plate of the statue as Hu Tao had just finished her prayer as she opened her eyes, only to see what her friend was doing. Before she could even say anything, the statue began to react. The red glow was now blue as the statue was shining.
"The world opens itself before those with noble hearts."
Kizuna heard the words echo in her mind, and suddenly her statue menu was changing and modifying. The Hunting Tool Map even changed as her map menu now showed the whole Bishui Plain. An orb of yellow emerged from the statue as it was floating towards her. An orb with a symbol that Kizuna guessed must be Geo as it went inside of her
She got a notification that her connection to Return Dragon Vain was now connected to the Statue of the Seven. Then she unlocked the Teleport Hunting Tool, which gave her the skill to use the Transfer Hunting Tool. Kizuna was shocked as if the statue she just touched was a dragon hourglass.
She also unlocked other Hunting Tool forms, and the bonuses were about energy, a skill called "Rock Strike," a small increase to ground damage, and a large increase to Geo damage.
Then to top it all off, there was this "system update" that told her that her system was now compatible with Teyvat. Kizuna was stunned by this as she realized she now had the Geo element within her.
"Wow."
That was all she could say as she was bombarded by questions from Hu Tao who had witnessed what had happened from her point of view. It had just been the first day for Kizuna in another, another world and so much had already happened.