This time, nothing unexpected happened. Everything unfolded just as it did in the original storyline—Jean asked the Traveler to help clear out the Four Winds' Temple.
Cael, on the other hand, was labeled as "knowledgeable" by the group and ended up acting as the battle strategist.
Which left him feeling extremely helpless.
After all, he really didn't want to get involved in something this troublesome. If not for the plot forcing his hand, he would've already gone straight to Stormterror's Lair and beaten Dvalin into submission himself.
That said, Cael still went along with them.
Of course, throughout the entire process, aside from directly pointing out mechanisms and occasionally protecting Paimon, he had basically nothing to do.
You could say he fully committed to slacking off.
...
By the time everything was resolved, night had already fallen.
Cael chose to part ways, letting Lumine and the others continue on their own. He had no intention of staying involved any longer.
"Mm… alright," Paimon said after a moment of thought. "You've already helped us so much. I'm really grateful."
She understood that Cael had only known them for a single day. They weren't traveling companions—just friends who happened to meet.
And honestly, dragging him into something this dangerous in the first place had been their mistake.
Paimon nodded, genuinely understanding.
Cael didn't waste time on unnecessary words. He simply waved and left.
...
...
Cael returned to Mondstadt after Lumine.
"Hmm… I should probably find a place to sleep…" he muttered, looking around. "But are there even any inns nearby?"
Mondstadt in reality was far larger than it appeared in-game. There were far more buildings too, and for a moment, he had no idea which direction to go.
Then—
"Ahaha! O land of silent twilight! Thou, a lost soul who seeks no return—fear not! For I, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, shall guide thee to thine destined refuge!"
A girl suddenly appeared in front of him.
She wore an eyepatch, a black gothic dress, and radiated an overwhelming aura of chuunibyou.
Cael froze.
"…Fischl?"
Running around the streets at night role-playing this hard—wasn't she afraid of running into a suspicious adult?
Beside her floated a dark raven, which politely nodded at Cael.
"My lady means to say: You appear to be lost. Allow us to help you."
Fischl nodded proudly, clearly satisfied with the translation.
Cael couldn't help laughing inwardly.
Perfect timing—he'd been worrying about finding an inn, and here came a kind soul.
"I'm looking for a nearby inn," Cael said. "I'm from Liyue. I just arrived in Mondstadt today and haven't found a place to stay yet."
At that, Fischl covered her eyepatch dramatically, excitement overflowing.
"I am the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, Fischl! And this is my familiar, Oz! Since thou hast entreated me, I shall open my all-seeing eye of judgment and lead thee to sanctuary! Follow me!"
Oz sighed and translated calmly:
"My lady says she knows where an inn is. Please follow her."
"Then I'll be in your care, Your Highness—and Oz," Cael said with a smile, following along.
...
In setting, Fischl was a classic chuunibyou girl.
Cael actually liked her personality quite a bit—but when traveling with her, one needed to be mentally prepared for sudden social death.
Thankfully, it was nighttime. There weren't many people around, which made him feel much safer.
...
There was an inn nearby. Fischl quickly led Cael to the closest one.
At the entrance, Cael felt genuinely grateful.
So, inspired by old anime tropes, he gave her a proper gentleman's bow. Since it was late and no one was watching, he was more than happy to play along.
After all—who hadn't been chuunibyou at some point in their youth?
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Fischl's eyes instantly sparkled.
"O–Oh?!"
She quickly coughed and straightened her posture.
"Arise! Since this Prinzessin has fulfilled thy wish, thou must now offer a fitting recompense!"
Oz, without missing a beat, translated:
"My lady means—please give her a reward."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Both Cael and Fischl froze.
Fischl's face turned bright red as she grabbed Oz by the neck and started shaking him violently.
"OZ!! Why would you translate it like that?! You nearly destroyed my dignity!!"
Cael immediately understood.
So… a reward, huh. Oz really did have a nasty sense of humor.
After a moment's thought, Cael took out a paper bag from his system inventory.
Inside were cream buns.
They were made using a Liyue grain similar to wheat—likely something his past self had developed. The cream itself was made from milk imported from Snezhnaya.
He'd brought them along as snacks. Food stored in the system inventory didn't spoil, after all.
This was his last one. He'd already eaten most of them on the way to Mondstadt.
"This is my offering," Cael said solemnly, presenting it with both hands.
Fischl stopped tormenting Oz and curiously accepted the bun.
She took one bite.
And then—
Her eyes widened.
The rich flavor exploded across her taste buds, and she blissfully closed her eyes.
"S–So good!!"
She immediately started eating in huge bites. Cream burst out with every bite, occasionally smearing her cheeks.
When she finished, her face was covered in white cream, and she unconsciously licked her lips.
"It's delicious! Do you have more?! I want more!!"
She hopped excitedly in front of Cael.
Due to her height, she only reached his chest, forcing him to look down.
Oz hurried over, exasperated.
"My lady… please mind your composure. Don't trouble this gentleman."
Only then did Fischl realize how unrefined she looked. She quickly composed herself.
"Ahem. This Prinzessin is most pleased with thy tribute. I find thee… worthy. We may become companions of mirth."
Oz translated:
"My lady would like to be friends with you."
Cael nodded with a smile.
"I'd be honored to be Your Highness's friend."
Fischl blinked, clearly happy.
"R–Really?! Ahem… then we shall be bound as steadfast companions!"
...
...
After parting ways with Fischl, Cael checked into the inn and booked the most luxurious single room available.
No explanation needed.
He was rich.
"System, open my status panel."
[Opening Status Panel]
Host: Cael
Age: >6000
Vision: Can create Dark-element Visions
Attribute: Dark
Inventory: Dull Blade (Tier 2), paper, pen, Mora, 100,000 Primogems, Hu Tao's token…
Assets: Small Tycoon
...
Half a year had passed, yet the Dull Blade was still Tier 2.
Looks like small, everyday achievements just weren't enough anymore. He really did need to stick close to Lumine.
What caught his attention more, though—
It seemed he could now create Visions.
A Dark-element Vision…
That felt oddly strange.
Did that mean he could distribute Visions himself now?
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