Chapter 112. Arriving in Mondstadt
Futsu Mitama felt momentarily numb.
He looked at Klee, whose eyes were brimming with tears, and for a brief instant, he did not know how to respond.
Because obtaining an item on one's very first sign-in was exceedingly rare. Within the Chat Group, only Shinobu, Kamisato Ayaka, Guizhong, and Aila had ever achieved such a feat.
Aila's first sign-in reward had been that broken pocket watch.
And now, a fourth person had appeared.
Klee had obtained Purification Liquid on her first sign-in. From the name alone, it was clearly on the same tier as condensed resin and similar items.
"Klee, your luck—" Futsu Mitama sighed softly, his expression unusually complex as he reached out and ruffled her small head. "It's really good."
"Good luck?" Klee replied, her voice thick with grievance. "Klee doesn't want items. Klee wants experience! Didn't they say the Chat Group's level needs experience to increase? After getting this item, Klee didn't get any experience at all."
In Klee's eyes, experience was far more important than an item.
An item could only be obtained once—but experience was different. Experience meant raising the Chat Group's level. Although Klee did not fully understand what the Chat Group's level represented, she could clearly sense that everyone wanted to see it rise.
And when the level increased, everyone seemed to gain benefits.
Like the emoji pack. One of them even showed a smaller cute version of herself.
"Actually," Kuki Shinobu spoke, looking at Klee with a somewhat complicated expression, "getting an item is much better than getting experience. Experience is something everyone can obtain. But items are different."
"Items are extremely rare. Even if you keep getting items instead of experience when you sign in, everyone will still be very happy."
That was the truth. Compared to experience, everyone hoped for items to appear more.
No matter what, most items obtained from the Chat Group were genuinely useful.
The most valuable among them were condensed resin and the special husk doll.
But even items considered less significant—such as the miko outfit Kuki Shinobu had obtained, the presence-concealing cloak Kamisato Ayaka had signed in for, or Aila's broken pocket watch—were still extraordinarily practical.
This was precisely why everyone in the Chat Group was eager to sign in for items.
Albedo and Zhongli had even collaborated to research ways to improve luck.
And yet now, Klee, after signing in and obtaining an item, looked as though she had committed a grave mistake.
"Really?" Klee's grievance faded at once. Her eyes lit up as she turned to look at Kuki Shinobu.
"Mm." Kuki Shinobu nodded.
Albedo, standing nearby, also reached out and gently patted Klee's head. "Yes. Sister Shinobu is right. Items are more important. Now then—what does the description on the purification water say?"
At those words, Futsu Mitama, Zhongli, and Kuki Shinobu all turned their gazes toward Klee with clear curiosity.
"Um…" Klee looked at the translucent screen before her and read slowly, "It says that purification liquid has the power to restore life and dispel evil."
"But…dispel evil?" Klee tilted her head. "Mama said bombs can also dispel evil."
As she spoke, she pulled out a Jumpy Dumpty with an angry expression.
This was her special Jumpy Dumpty—one that could dispel evil.
Zhongli glanced at the bomb and sighed inwardly.
Truly…mother and daughter pair.
Their ways of thinking were almost identical.
"Restore life… dispel evil…" Futsu Mitama looked at the bottle of purification water in Klee's hand, his thoughts drifting to Dvalin, who was still suffering from Durin's poisonous blood.
Could this bottle cure him?
If condensed resin could heal erosion and dispel Xiao's karmic burden…then could purification water cleanse the forbidden knowledge afflicting Maha Rukkhadevata?
But he quickly reined in his thoughts. It was too early to consider such matters.
He still had a long road ahead before reaching Sumeru.
Their next destination was Mondstadt. After returning to Liyue, he would still need to bring materials back to Inazuma.
From his understanding of the Sumeru plot, if his strength was insufficient and he caused trouble there, no one would be able to protect him.
The Dendro Archon was powerless. Maha Rukkhadevata lacked awareness of Sumeru's internal situation. And the Akademiya was practically labeled an "enemy" during that phase of events.
Moreover, Il Dottore had already established himself in Sumeru.
If he went there recklessly, he would likely face two forces at once—the Akademiya and Il Dottore's slices.
That was why Futsu Mitama had told Maha Rukkhadevata that he could not go to Sumeru for now. It was simply too dangerous.
An Akademiya with unclear intentions.
Il Dottore's slices watching him with covetous eyes.
And the looming uncertainty of whether Scaramouche would appear to carry out Il Dottore's plan.
In any case, before his strength reached at least that of a weak Archon, Futsu Mitama would not dare step foot in Sumeru. Even Lumine, wielding four elements, had nearly fallen into grave danger there.
If not for the Dendro Archon's assistance, she might not have escaped unscathed.
In Liyue and Inazuma, Futsu Mitama had places of refuge—Tenshukaku and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. If danger arose, both the Raiden Shogun and Zhongli could intervene.
But in Sumeru—
Even the Dendro Archon herself was endangered, let alone capable of protecting him.
While Futsu Mitama was deep in thought, Albedo and Zhongli—after receiving Klee's permission—began examining the purification water out of sheer curiosity. Once the commotion surrounding the Chat Group's level-up settled, the group quickly set off toward Mondstadt.
At the same time, in Liyue Harbor, Tartaglia received news of their departure.
He was left utterly bewildered. He knew Futsu Mitama and the others were headed to Mondstadt—but wasn't this too fast?!
They had left immediately after the Rite of Descension ended! What about his situation?!
They had agreed that Futsu Mitama would provide information, and in return, Tartaglia would act as his intermediary to explain matters to the Liyue Qixing!
"Lord Harbinger…he wouldn't just leave like that, would he?"
One of the Fatui asked uneasily. They had already received reports that the machinery transported from Snezhnaya had been seized by the Abyss Order. Coupled with the Abyss Order's actions—using Snezhnayan machinery to forcibly evolve Geovishaps—this was already a colossal mess.
The Fatui had no intention of taking the blame.
They had greater objectives to pursue. Being driven out of Liyue over something like this was unacceptable.
"No."
Tartaglia answered confidently on the surface—but inwardly, he was uncertain.
His doubt was not about Futsu Mitama. It was about the Liyue Qixing. Would they seize this opportunity to expel the Fatui from Liyue?
If they truly used this excuse, Tartaglia would have few options left. At worst, he could have Il Dottore activate his hidden contingencies—throwing Liyue into even greater chaos.
But that would be a lose–lose outcome.
Liyue would become even more hostile toward the Fatui, and they might be forced to consider an extreme solution: gathering the Harbingers and forcibly seizing Morax's Gnosis.
Such an act would be nothing short of igniting an unprecedented war. And that was never part of the plan.
Tartaglia felt a headache coming on. He wanted to resolve the situation—but had no clear path forward.
It was said that Mr. Zhongli had also left Liyue and traveled to Mondstadt alongside Futsu Mitama, though no one knew the reason.
Now, the two people in Liyue who could have assisted him were gone.
Leaving Tartaglia alone to stew in anxiety.
"Yes. He wouldn't do that."
A voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
Tartaglia turned. A masked child had appeared within the Northland Bank, accompanied by two imposing Debt Collectors.
"Il Dottore—?"
Tartaglia hesitated.
This was the first time he had ever seen Il Dottore in the form of a child. The slices he had encountered before ranged from adolescence upward, each with distinct personalities and temperaments.
But one thing was consistent.
Nearly all of Il Dottore's clones were arrogant—utterly convinced of their own correctness. And all of them possessed "wisdom."
When Tartaglia realized who it was, his expression brightened.
Excellent.
The Fatui within the bank immediately knelt on one knee.
Despite their private grievances—Il Dottore had caused them endless trouble in Liyue—he was still the Second Harbinger.
His contributions to Snezhnaya were immeasurable.
With the situation in Liyue so delicate, and with Tartaglia clearly ill-suited for political maneuvering, Il Dottore's arrival brought a silent sense of relief.
"Mm." The child Il Dottore nodded faintly, his gaze calm as he looked at Tartaglia "The Fatui still have value to the Liyue Qixing. Rex Lapis and the Adeptus are showing signs of decentralizing authority. The Qixing will exhaust every effort to present a flawless report to Rex Lapis."
"Futsu Mitama must have informed them of the situation. But given the Qixing's nature, they will likely leave you untouched for now—before coming to negotiate. After all, they will want to make use of the Fatui's strength in Liyue."
"And at present, we are indeed at fault. Appeasement is inevitable."
Il Dottore curled his lips in faint disdain. As if the Qixing's methods were transparent and crude. He had not even been in Liyue long before seeing through their little schemes.
Yet seeing through them changed nothing. The mess "he" had left behind was simply too great.
"But why did you come so quickly?" Tartaglia asked, puzzled.
That clone had died the day before yesterday—and today, another had arrived.
The speed was astonishing. Was he truly eager to be imprisoned?
Tartaglia knew that the previous clone had chosen suicide after realizing escape was impossible.
Rex Lapis had not intervened.
Instead, he had left behind a message.
Il Dottore was to come personally and serve his sentence.
Otherwise, Snezhnaya would bear Morax's wrath on his behalf. An Archon who had lived for millennia and emerged victorious from the Archon War—once angered—was not something anyone wished to provoke.
Still, Tartaglia had not expected Il Dottore to comply so swiftly.
"Hmph. Do you think I wanted to?" Il Dottore's face darkened.
"That 'me' was a fool. We warned him not to go to Liyue on a whim, but he refused to listen—self-important to the end. Now that Morax has been angered, the other 'me's' refuse to come."
"So I'm the only one left to be imprisoned. According to Liyue law, four to five hundred years should suffice. That is not difficult. I only hope my brain—filled with knowledge—will still be allowed to function."
With that, Il Dottore turned his gaze to Tartaglia.
Tartaglia frowned.
"You want me to negotiate with the Liyue Qixing… so you can conduct experiments while imprisoned?"
"Only small ones." Il Dottore smiled.
In the body of a child, such a smile should have appeared innocent.
Yet it inspired only irritation. The kind that made one want to punch him.
That was exactly how Tartaglia felt. He had no confidence in negotiating such terms.
And yet Il Dottore had arrived declaring he would accept imprisonment—so long as his experiments were unrestricted. Did he truly believe the Liyue Qixing were fools?
"I'll do my best." Tartaglia sighed helplessly.
For now, he had no choice but to appease this voluntarily imprisoned Il Dottore. If this slice changed his mind and committed suicide again—
The "Il Dottore" elsewhere would likely explode in fury.
"Good." Il Dottore nodded slightly. Then he asked calmly, "Exactly how much information did you sell to Futsu Mitama… for him to personally intervene and explain this matter to the Liyue Qixing?"
Il Dottore understood Futsu Mitama very well.
The other party was not a simple individual. He never acted without benefit—if there were insufficient gains, Futsu Mitama would never help Tartaglia serve as a lobbyist.
Because of this, Il Dottore was certain that Tartaglia had sold intelligence to Futsu Mitama. After all, aside from some combat ability, intelligence was the only thing capable of arousing Futsu Mitama's interest.
"Not much," Tartaglia replied calmly. "I only told him your whereabouts, along with intelligence regarding that special doll that escaped from Snezhnaya."
Without the slightest hint of guilt, Tartaglia revealed the information he had disclosed.
And why should he feel guilty?
He had sold that intelligence precisely because of the mess Il Dottore had left behind. Otherwise, had he been peacefully stationed in Liyue, why would there have been any need to approach Futsu Mitama at all?
"Nothing else?" Hearing this, Il Dottore's expression eased slightly. He stared at Tartaglia intently. "You didn't mention what I did in Sumeru and Inazuma, did you?"
Under Il Dottore's gaze, Tartaglia shook his head. At the same time, curiosity stirred within him.
He knew a little about what Il Dottore had done in Sumeru—but Inazuma? What exactly had Il Dottore done there?
Tartaglia was not someone who constantly monitored classified intelligence.
Still, he quietly took note of it, intending to investigate after this situation was resolved.
"That's good."
Seeing Tartaglia's steady expression, the Dottore nodded faintly, confirming that the more sensitive information had indeed not been leaked.
Yet as he sighed inwardly, Il Dottore also found himself reassessing Futsu Mitama. After determining they were enemies, Futsu Mitama had not deliberately probed into his affairs—instead, he had asked about the special husk doll.
How absurd.
As for a Harbinger's whereabouts? What value did that truly hold?
The movements of the Fatui Harbingers were outdated intelligence; even Il Dottore himself could not track all of his colleagues. Only straightforward individuals like Tartaglia would remain in one place, waiting patiently for opportunity.
Those like the Lady or Scaramouche preferred to seize initiative—creating opportunity rather than passively awaiting it.
Still, this was understandable.
Futsu Mitama would rather look after his little maid than devote his efforts to confronting him directly.
To be honest, Il Dottore felt a twinge of disappointment. It seemed the other party was not as extraordinary as he had imagined.
"Block all intelligence related to me," Il Dottore said calmly to the Fatui before him. "When the Liyue Qixing come knocking, I will speak with them personally."
"My mess—I will clean it up myself. Remember this well: wait for the Qixing to come to me."
"When they do, it will mean they can no longer sit still."
With that, Il Dottore turned and walked deeper into the Northland Bank, clearly intending to remain there for some time. When the Liyue Qixing arrived, he would voluntarily submit to imprisonment. As for now—
He still had experiments he wished to conduct.
Liyue was a natural testing ground. The Chasm, the Geovishaps, and the Abyss Order's intentions regarding his machines—all of it fascinated him greatly.
If possible, he would even cooperate proactively with the Liyue Qixing, using imprisonment itself as an advantage. Compared to Snezhnaya—and the atrocities "he" had committed—the Abyss Order was a common enemy.
"Do whatever you like." Tartaglia showed little concern for Il Dottore's plans.
He had never wanted to handle this affair to begin with. If Liyue were not under his jurisdiction—and if Il Dottore had not inconveniently stirred up trouble here—he would never have involved himself.
Forced by circumstance, he had taken over Il Dottore's affairs. Now that Il Dottore was willing to clean up his own mess, that was only a good thing.
Tartaglia was inherently belligerent by nature, unsuited to such winding schemes. And so, the conversation between Tartaglia and Il Dottore came to an end.
The Fatui within the Northland Bank once again felt their nerves tighten.
The situation was eerily reminiscent of what had occurred in Inazuma not long ago—two Harbingers, their voices and intentions intertwined.
Their subordinates were caught squarely in the middle.
An unbearable position.
Fortunately, it would likely not be long before Il Dottore was imprisoned. Once that happened, the Northland Bank would again have only Lord Tartaglia's voice.
Thus, the bank fell into temporary silence.
—
Time passed.
Minute by minute, day and night alternated—and before anyone noticed, two days slipped by.
During these two days, Futsu Mitama, Kuki Shinobu, Zhongli, Albedo, and Klee remained constantly on the road.
Perhaps due to joining the Chat Group, Klee's mental state had improved significantly. Previously, she would fall asleep the moment exhaustion caught up to her. Now, she merely needed a short rest before becoming energetic once more.
With Kuki Shinobu—the ever-reliable all-round helper—present, Albedo no longer needed to devote much attention to Klee's care.
This allowed him to fully immerse himself in researching the special husk doll and the purification water alongside Zhongli.
Naturally, the special husk doll occupied most of their focus. The purification water was studied far less.
Even so, their's fervor astonished both Kuki Shinobu and Futsu Mitama.
After two full days of travel, Albedo and Zhongli had barely slept, exchanging thoughts and theories day and night.
Futsu Mitama could have done the same, but instead, he devoted more of his time to Raiden Style · Martial Arts within the Chat Group, as well as Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine, bestowed by Zhongli.
Moreover, Zhongli had mentioned that after the Rite of Descension, Futsu Mitama could consult him directly regarding the deeper techniques of Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine.
Naturally, during these two days, Futsu Mitama spared no effort in seeking Zhongli's guidance—particularly regarding the Jade Shield and Planet Befall aspects.
Zhongli, in turn, taught him patiently and without reservation. He also took time to instruct Kuki Shinobu in talisman arts.
This left her genuinely astonished.
"Mr. Zhongli…you know this as well?!"
Zhongli merely smiled and replied that he knew a little. As for where he had learned it—he chuckled softly and brushed the matter aside.
After two days of swift travel, they not only departed Liyue, but reached the border of Mondstadt.
All of them gained something.
Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu grew stronger.
Albedo, meanwhile, gained experience quietly, imperceptibly. He could not help but sigh inwardly.
As expected of the longest-living Geo Archon…his accumulated experience is truly immense.
Far beyond what Albedo had anticipated.
Upon reaching Mondstadt's borders, Albedo grew a little emotional.
When he had traveled with Klee before, it had taken nearly seven or eight days to journey from Dragonspine to Liyue.
Now, they had arrived in roughly two days.
Such speed was astonishing—and owed largely to Kuki Shinobu's assistance.
Within the Chat Group, after two days of communication, Maha Rukkhadevata and Keqing had gained a basic understanding of the group's mechanisms, as well as the identities and relationships of its members.
Keqing spoke rarely, stating bluntly that she had far too much work to do.
Maha Rukkhadevata, by contrast, was active almost daily—conversing with Raiden Makoto, Azhdaha, and Guizhong.
Zhongli occasionally joined as well, offering his own insights.
[Futsu Mitama: "We've reached the Mondstadt border. We should arrive in Mondstadt City tomorrow."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "So fast! Didn't it take Albedo seven or eight days before?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Are you traveling day and night? That's incredibly quick."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "More or less—though we do rest. Our mental state is still fine."]
[Klee: "Klee caught a lizard with strange patterns! But it ran away—"]
[Raiden Makoto: "From Liyue to Mondstadt in two days…I expected at least four or five."]
[Azhdaha: "Indeed fast. Did you rush the entire way?"]
[Albedo: "Not that extreme—but close."]
[Albedo: "@Yae Miko, where has Guuji reached?"]
[Yae Miko: "On a ship. The weather's been terrible lately. Even with Ei's item that ignores thunderstorms…well, you'll see."]
[Yae Miko: "[Video]"]
[Keqing: "I don't understand maritime matters, but this looks like a rare storm."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "With waves like that, even Watatsumi's best captains wouldn't sail."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "Unless it's the Dragon King who brought us—those waves would send us straight back to Inazuma."]
[Raiden Makoto: "At this rate, it'll still take you some time to reach Liyue."]
[Yae Miko: "Yes…more time to [vomit soul]."]
[Albedo: "Guuji is on her way."]
[Yae Miko: "Oh? Retaliating now, are we?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "@Maha Rukkhadevata, how are you feeling?"]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Very well. The forbidden knowledge hasn't worsened. You were right. It seems this Chat Group is unaffected by it. That is a great relief."]
[Zhongli: "Is a cure possible?"]
[Guizhong: "Two days have passed—any hope?"]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Difficult. Suppressed, slightly worn down—but far too slowly. Still, joining this miraculous Chat Group has bought my successor time."]
[Azhdaha: "In that sense… this Chat Group is terrifying."]
[Guizhong: "Terrifying indeed—but we benefit from it."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "@Futsu Mitama, Group Leader, I heard you inherited the teachings of the Raiden Shogun and Rex Lapis. If possible, I would like to bestow my own inheritance upon you."]
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "Consider it a token of gratitude. I will still need your help in Sumeru."]
[Futsu Mitama: "No—please not yet! I haven't fully mastered two Archons' inheritances. If you upload it now, I won't be able to resist learning it."]
[Aila: "Even so, Young Master would grow much stronger."]
[Raiden Makoto: "His talent truly is exceptional."]
[Yae Miko: "A pity he was so low-key back then. Otherwise, the Guuji position might've been his."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Hehe."]
The atmosphere within the Chat Group remained lively.
As Futsu Mitama and the others officially stepped into Mondstadt's territory, a gentle breeze swept across the open grasslands.
"This is Mondstadt…"
Looking at the familiar scenery, Futsu Mitama sighed softly.
"Half a year ago, I was still in Inazuma, discussing with Aila how to leave and retire in Liyue or Mondstadt. I never imagined that wish would come true so quickly."
From the moment he set foot on Mondstadt's soil, it felt as though his soul itself was being cleansed.
"This…" Kuki Shinobu looked at him with a subtle expression. "I knew you and Aila talked about leaving Inazuma someday. But I didn't expect that even now, you still think this way."
"You know the Raiden Shogun values you greatly. I doubt she would let you leave easily."
In Kuki Shinobu's eyes, Futsu Mitama was now a rare asset.
Raiden Shogun.
Raiden Ei.
Raiden Makoto.
All three were watching him.
And Rex Lapis's stance in Liyue remained ambiguous as well. Though he spoke of having an heir, who could say he did not intend to claim Futsu Mitama?
Keqing had even hinted that the Liyue Qixing privately regarded him as the Archon's successor.
This left Kuki Shinobu deeply perplexed. Why would the Qixing think so?
Had they completely ignored the fact that Futsu Mitama was a retainer of the Raiden Shogun?
As an Inazuman, Kuki Shinobu still hoped he would become the Eternal Guardian—or the next Raiden Shogun, as Raiden Makoto and Yae Miko called him.
"How should I put it—" Futsu Mitama smiled wryly.
"I prefer a quiet life. I don't like chaos. And I'm powerless to change Inazuma's turmoil. So my earlier plan was simple—run if I could. Even if reforms succeed, Inazuma will need at least a century to recover. And in those hundred years…too many variables exist."
"If things go wrong, the situation could become even worse. That's why my plan was to sell everything when the chance arose—and permanently settle in Liyue or Mondstadt."
Albedo raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Is Inazuma truly that dire? I've heard some things from you…but is it really so serious? Futsu Mitama—aren't you an Inazuman noble?"
Facing Albedo's question, Zhongli also turned his gaze toward Futsu Mitama, curiosity flickering faintly in his eyes.
He truly wished to know what Futsu Mitama had experienced in Inazuma.
What kind of ordeal could compel a talent of his caliber to abandon the land of thunder, choosing instead to reside long-term between Mondstadt and Liyue?
Even now—though it might be somewhat unfair to Baal and Beelzebub—Zhongli still harbored the hope that Futsu Mitama would one day leave Inazuma entirely and settle in Liyue.
If that were to happen, he could openly acknowledge him as his successor.
"How should I put it—" Futsu Mitama exhaled softly as he walked. "At that time, the atmosphere in Inazuma was extremely—extremely—oppressive. And I was affiliated with the Yashiro Commission…"
As they advanced, he recounted what had transpired back then.
These were not matters he usually spoke of. They were trivial in the grand scheme of things, yet now—having arrived in Mondstadt, surrounded by its unrestrained freedom—he found himself unexpectedly willing to revisit that miserable period of his life.
While he spoke, the group continued onward. If nothing unexpected occurred, they would reach Mondstadt City before nightfall.
After some time, however, Futsu Mitama's voice fell silent.
Zhongli, Albedo, and Kuki Shinobu all sensed something amiss and lifted their gazes toward the distance.
Rows of wooden stakes stood ahead.
Futsu Mitama halted. Musou Isshin manifested silently in his hand as he stared forward, his expression subtly strange.
"Yah!"
"&*#￥!"
A group of Hilichurls burst forth, brandishing wooden clubs and shouting incoherently as they blocked the path of the four.
There were no Mitachurls among them—only Hilichurl Berserkers wielding great axes and wooden shields.
"Swish, swish, swish—!!!"
From behind, crossbow bolts tore through the air, aimed directly at Futsu Mitama and the others.
"Swish—!"
Kuki Shinobu drew her tachi in a flash. Electro energy surged as she cleaved through the incoming arrows in one clean motion. Her expression, however, was faintly complicated.
"To be honest," she said, "after fighting Mitachurls, Geovishaps, and… more Geovishaps… seeing ordinary Hilichurls like this actually feels a little…nostalgic."
It was strange.
In the past, she would have eliminated Hilichurls without hesitation.
Yet after everything she had experienced in Inazuma and Liyue—battling Harbingers, clashing with monsters of overwhelming strength—such enemies now stirred a different feeling in her heart.
Those high-intensity battles had driven her forward, sharpening her power…but also planting seeds of doubt.
Why had her strength risen so quickly after cooperating with Futsu Mitama? And why had the enemies they faced grown increasingly terrifying?
Futsu Mitama himself was no exception. After being forced to confront Scaramouche, he had accelerated his growth at an alarming rate, subsequently clashing with Fatui Harbingers, Primo Geovishaps, and Abyss Lectors. Compared to that—
Kuki Shinobu looked at the Hilichurls blocking the road and suddenly felt as though a max-level boss had wandered into a beginner village.
The feeling was unmistakable. These Hilichurls were not weak to ordinary people, but to their group—
She felt that even Klee alone could charge in and blast them into a panicked retreat.
"Hm~" Futsu Mitama nodded slightly, sharing the same sentiment.
The last time he had seen such Hilichurls was near Mt. Hulao. Back then, Shenhe had said nothing—only rushed forward and frozen them all with a single talisman.
Now, he could do the same.
A single Musou no Hitotachi would be more than enough. And yet—
Did these Hilichurls truly not know who stood before them?
Rex Lapis.
The Kreideprinz.
Raiden Shogun's retainer.
The Spark Knight.
A former Grand Narukami Shrine priestess.
Any one of them alone could erase this group without effort. Who had given these Hilichurls the courage to block their path?
At this moment, two Hilichurl Berserkers charged forward, axes raised, shields braced. Several ordinary Hilichurls followed close behind.
The formation looked imposing—but compared to Mitachurls, it was laughable.
Kuki Shinobu tightened her grip on her tachi. Electro light flickered as the Delusion at her side resonated. A talisman slipped into her hand. She had no intention of wasting words.
"Get out of the way! Unknown travelers."
A clear female voice rang out. A greatsword slammed into the ground between Kuki Shinobu and the charging Hilichurls.
"That voice?!" ×2.
Albedo and Klee reacted instantly.
A graceful figure descended from above, landing lightly. With her back to the group and her gaze fixed on the enemies ahead, she pulled the greatsword free and spoke calmly:
"Knights of Favonius. Geurrilla Captain. Splash Knight. Here to eradicate monsters."
Blue hair, tall and slender, her presence was like a snow lotus blooming upon an iceberg. She stood alone, clearly intending to deal with the monsters herself.
Just as she raised her greatsword—
"Big Sister Eula!!!"
Klee waved enthusiastically and shouted.
Eula staggered for a split second, nearly losing her balance.
The next instant, she moved like a dancer, greatsword flashing as she cleaved through the charging Hilichurl Berserkers. A sharp kick followed, sending the shield-bearing Berserker stumbling backward.
Spinning elegantly, she glanced toward the shadows beneath the trees, where Klee and Albedo stood.
"Why are you two here?" she said in surprise. "Never mind. I'll remember this grudge."
Without another word, she charged again. One strike was not enough—Eula knew their resilience well. This time, her blade fell decisively, severing the Berserker's head.
Cold gathered along her greatsword as she turned toward the remaining enemies.
"Glacial…Illumination!"
Biting frost erupted outward, instantly engulfing the Hilichurls. Eula followed with a swift finishing strike, erasing them completely.
Silence returned to the road.
Kuki Shinobu watched quietly.
She's strong. Eula's movements were clean, efficient, and decisive. There was no doubt—this was a seasoned combatant.
Her strength was likely not far below Kuki Shinobu's own. Had they truly just arrived in Mondstadt's outskirts…only to encounter someone of this level?
Eula turned back toward Klee and Albedo.
"Why are you two here?"
"This road leads toward Liyue," she continued, a trace of confusion surfacing. "And this location isn't particularly close to either Mondstadt City or Dragonspine."
As Knights of Favonius, she knew them both.
Albedo—the Chief Alchemist of Mondstadt.
And Klee—No one could possibly forget Mondstadt's Spark Knight.
Even Eula herself had witnessed Klee fishing with bombs in the wilderness—followed shortly by several trees catching fire.
"Big Sister Eula, we're back from Liyue!" Klee chattered excitedly. "Liyue was super fun! Big Brother Albedo took me to the Rite of Descension! Everyone in the Knights knows we went to Liyue!"
Then she paused.
"Huh? Big Sister Eula, didn't you know Klee and Big Brother Albedo went to Liyue to play?"
"Hm."
Eula nodded slightly.
"I've been tracking the Abyss Order recently," she explained. "Their activity has increased. My workload went up. I didn't hear about this."
She paused, then added flatly:
"I'll remember this grudge."
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