Perhaps because the Dragon Disaster had ended, both Amber and Eula had significantly less work recently; otherwise, they wouldn't have had time to go camping outside.
Their free time was a good thing for all of Mondstadt, meaning that Mondstadt had basically returned to normal, at least there were no urgent threats on the surface.
Of course, things were not so calm beneath the surface.
Otherwise, the "Darknight Hero" would not have appeared.
"This is the intelligence you gathered?" The blonde Damselette looked down at the Hydro Abyss Mage kneeling before him, frowning slightly.
"V-very sorry, Your Highness. Your blood relative and that Damselette were together the entire time in Dragonspine. We truly couldn't find an opportunity…" The Hydro Abyss Mage stammered, trembling. If it could sweat, it would probably be drenched by now.
"Never mind, you may leave," the blonde Damselette waved his hand, not making things difficult for his subordinate.
The Abyss Mage bowed and retreated as if greatly relieved.
The blonde Damselette looked down at his feet. He was standing on a cliff, where the scenery was quite good, but he hadn't come here for the view.
In the distance, a considerable distance away, a small point of firelight flickered before a small lake.
That was a campsite, set up by three Damselettes.
His target was among them.
Long ago, upon hearing of the Damselette's strange qualities, he had already begun to investigate.
With such a dangerous element appearing beside his younger sister, he found it difficult to rest assured.
But the other party was powerful, especially now that she had formed a bond with Lumine. His people couldn't get close to monitor her, nor could they actively eliminate her. They could only gather bits of information from others' mouths.
He had intended to personally test the other party's true strength, but he was temporarily preoccupied with other matters. By the time those other matters were resolved, the Damselette had already gone to Dragonspine with his younger sister.
From the moment he learned this news, he had felt a constant sense of irritation, as if she would do something bad to his sister in Dragonspine.
Although it was later proven that Lumine was fine, still…
"You may go," the Damselette waved his hand, and the shadows behind him disappeared in response.
He decided to make a move against that Damselette. Of course, this time he wasn't preparing a grand display.
The purpose was still just a test. He wanted to personally see how that Damselette fought and what the source of her power truly was.
To avoid any unforeseen issues with his future plans, he had to make thorough preparations.
The campsite Eula and Amber chose was an unnamed small lake near Springvale.
The scenery here was beautiful, and at night, fireflies often appeared in large numbers.
Moreover, because it was close to Springvale, there was no need to worry about monsters, and they could also hunt wild boars near Springvale.
That was Mondstadt's primary source of meat, and it tasted very good.
Of course, taste also depended on the skill of the cook; otherwise, even the best ingredients would be useless.
"So, did you understand? Later, just let Amber handle the hunting. Absolutely do not let her touch anything related to cooking," Eula said earnestly to Aether once they arrived at the designated campsite.
Having been out with Amber more than once, she had a deep understanding of Amber's cooking skills.
The dish Amber named "Outrider Roasted Meat" was often five-tenths cooked on one side and fifteen-tenths cooked on the other, truly difficult to swallow.
"What? I think I've improved a lot now!" Amber pouted unhappily at Eula.
"That's truly unexpected." Even though Aether had known Amber for a long time, it was the first time he learned that Amber's roasting skills were so poor.
Logically, as an Outrider who often ran around, Amber should have mastered the art of roasting.
"But my hunting skills are really great. Even on a night like this, it won't be difficult for me. Do you want to try going with me later, Aether?" Amber asked Aether with some anticipation.
"Sure," Aether nodded with a smile.
Although she wasn't very good at hunting, going along for fun was still fine.
"Then you two go. Remember not to hunt too much." Eula planned to set up the campfire and tents first.
She and Amber each brought a simple tent. Originally, there wasn't a third person joining, so tonight Aether would have to squeeze in with Amber.
However, judging by Amber's expression, she seemed quite happy about this.
"Tsk, how strange." Eula glanced in the direction the two had left, pursing her lips.
The atmosphere between these two was too unusual. They must be hiding something from her.
Eula's gaze became resolute. The reason she invited Aether to come along today was partly because Aether was temporarily staying at Amber's house, and it wouldn't be good for the two of them to leave Aether alone.
Secondly, it was due to some of her own private motives.
She wanted to observe the two of them closely and figure out their secret.
Although it sounded a bit improper, facing Aether, she found it very difficult to suppress her curiosity.
Why does this person have such great charm…
It wasn't until the figures of the two gradually disappeared that Eula came back to her senses and began her work.
---
"Aether, look…" Amber and Aether crouched in a patch of grass, pointing into the distance.
Under the moonlight, a wild boar was lying there, sleeping soundly.
"Do these guys not build nests?" Aether asked curiously.
"Wild boars generally don't have fixed nests. Occasionally, they build temporary ones to rest," Amber licked her lips, as if she could already taste the wild boar's meat.
"But it's so big, it would be difficult for the three of us to finish it," Aether remarked, sizing up the wild boar.
"Hmm, that's why I chose to camp near Springvale. The remaining meat we can sell directly to the hunters in Springvale tomorrow morning."
"I see." Aether nodded.
"Hey, Aether, you try it," Amber took out her bow and arrow and handed it to Aether.
They had agreed earlier that Aether would take the shot, and now was a perfect time.
The wild boar was sleeping soundly, not moving. It was a stationary target, so even if Aether was a novice who had just touched a bow and arrow for the first time, there should be no problem.
"Okay." Aether had been eager to try for a while. She took Amber's bow and arrow, and following Amber's instructions, drew the bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed.
Deep breath, relax, then release…
With a "whoosh," the arrow instantly flew out.
Although she couldn't imbue the arrow with Pyro element like Amber, for dealing with a wild boar, such an arrow was completely sufficient.
Unfortunately, the arrow ultimately grazed the wild boar's body and flew past.
"Roar!!!"
"??" Aether tilted her head in confusion.
Why did the wild boar scream so terribly when it wasn't even hit—wait, that cry doesn't sound like a wild boar's?
It sounded a bit like the Cryo Hilichurl Armor King they had fought before…
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!