After watching the boars perform tricks and the clowns act out comedy skits, the circus stage was now occupied by a magician performing classic illusions—pulling flowers or doves from a hat.
Victor Wang turned to the visibly excited Klee and spoke.
"Klee, do you know what death is?"
"Eh?"
"Do you know what it means to die?"
Klee went silent.
Victor Wang certainly wasn't trying to hurt Klee. But what he needed to do required him to ensure that Klee understood what death meant.
"The lizards this morning—I killed them. And the fish this afternoon—you blew them up. When people get killed, they die too.
"When a person's heart stops beating, their body stops moving, and their mind stops thinking—when they disappear from this world—we say they have died."
"Death is the final destination of all life. No one can escape it."
He and Klee sat there quietly, watching the magician perform a 'sawing a person in half' trick. Neither of them said another word.
Victor Wang had spent the whole night thinking about how to carry out Alice's request. He couldn't just blurt out 'your mom is dead' the moment he met Klee.
That sounded more like an insult than anything.
The evening show at the circus concluded, and the crowd began to leave.
Once only Victor Wang and Klee remained seated, he lifted his left wrist and let the bracelet glint under the lights.
"Klee, do you remember? When we met this morning, I said I had something very, very important to tell you?"
"Klee is sleepy now. I wanna go home."
"Alright. This isn't really the right place anyway."
But the time had come. No matter how harsh it sounded, the truth had to be said.
As they walked through the streets of Mondstadt, the unusually bright moon cast a silver glow over the areas untouched by streetlamps.
Klee's home had no streetlamps nearby. Bathed in silver moonlight, the three-story villa stood solemn and dignified, more so than the homes glowing under orange lamplight.
The stars in Teyvat might be illusions—but surely the sun and moon were real? Victor Wang let his thoughts drift.
"Brother Albedo!"
They hadn't even reached the door yet, and Klee was already calling. But it was clear no one was home—there wasn't even a single light on.
Thank goodness Albedo's not back yet... Victor Wang thought nervously. If he were, would I get beaten to death for what I'm about to do?
Seeing no reply, Klee quickened her pace and ran up to the front door, pulling out a key to unlock it.
Victor Wang didn't follow—he stayed at a safe distance.
"Klee, did you have fun today? What I'm about to say is very serious, so please don't get upset."
Klee's hand trembled. The key was already perfectly fitted into the keyhole, but she didn't turn it.
"Klee won't listen! Klee won't listen!" she cried, now covering her ears with both hands.
"Klee, think. Why do I have your dad's cloak and your mom's communicator?"
"Klee can't hear! Klee can't hear! Klee can't hear..."
"Your mom is dead."
Klee squatted down, clutching her head. "Klee! Can't! Hear!"
Victor Wang shouted, "Your mother is dead!"
"You're a big meanie! I'm gonna blow you up!"
"Wait—calm down!"
Victor Wang panicked. He had intentionally kept some distance from Klee's door, and now he took two more steps back. No way am I dying over this.
"Klee, listen! I'm not a bad guy. Your mother sent me—because she was afraid you'd lose control if you heard the news. That's why she asked me to come and calm you down!"
Seeing that Klee was still crouched down, arms over her head, but hadn't taken out any bombs, Victor Wang continued, arms raised in a calming gesture.
"Deep breaths! Deep breaths! Calm down. Your mom, wherever she is now, wouldn't want you to lose control. The best way to honor her memory... is to stay strong."
"I don't wanna hear it… I don't wanna hear it..." Klee was shaking her head wildly now, her voice clearly choked with sobs.
"Klee, you're Mondstadt's Spark Knight! You can't let down Master Jean, or Albedo, or your parents! You need to grow up strong and brave, so that one day, you can follow in their footsteps and become a great adventurer! Only then... only then can you avenge your mom."
"Who killed Mommy? Who?!"
Victor Wang calmed down the moment he saw Klee latch onto the idea of a culprit.
He didn't actually know who killed Alice—but he certainly couldn't say that.
"Your mom didn't want you to worry about that so soon. When you're older, someone will tell you."
"Sniffle... sniffle... I don't believe you. Mommy's not dead. You're lying to me!"
"You still have her communicator, right? Try calling her. She won't answer..."
Seeing Klee cry so hard, Victor Wang almost couldn't continue.
Victor Wang, you're such a terrible person.
But… I'm not even a person right now... I'm a Hilichurl.
Was that a curse at himself? Or just a fact?
Klee trembled as she stood up and gripped the key still hanging from the door's lock. What was she thinking now? If I don't check… maybe Mommy isn't dead?
But she didn't run. She turned the key and, before entering, shot Victor Wang a fierce glare.
BANG! The door slammed shut.
Only now did Victor Wang dare approach Klee's home.
From the doorstep, he soon heard Klee yelling, "Mommy! Mommy!"—but there was no response.
Then came a sobbing sound, soft and pitiful like a small wounded animal.
The bracelet relayed a voice—Alice's, low and quiet. "Your task is complete. You can go now."
Victor Wang's mission had been simple: by any means necessary, make Klee believe that Alice was dead. Naturally, Alice had coordinated everything behind the scenes.
When he'd first received the request, Victor Wang had been dumbfounded.
"I don't get why you're doing this..."
"If I had someone familiar with Klee do it, their relationship would be ruined forever."
"...I'm not talking about that. I mean—why pretend to be dead at all?"
"Helping a child face a parent's death—isn't that something every responsible parent should do?"
"What the—@%&... This is way too early and way too realistic! She'll understand eventually when she's older!"
"And what if I don't live that long?"
"...Someone could hurt you?"
Victor Wang hadn't been flattering—Alice wasn't invincible in Teyvat, but she was certainly far from weak.
"Hey, I am in a high-risk profession. How about some trust, hmm?"
Spoken like it was something to be proud of. All Victor Wang knew was that Alice's work touched on Teyvat's boundaries, though the details were still unknown.
But if her profession was that dangerous, then perhaps it wasn't so strange that her life could be in real danger.
"Now go. Standing in front of my house is very inconvenient."
"Alright, alright. I'm leaving now."
He took one last glance at the still-dark three-story villa—then turned and walked away.
An hour later, Alice appeared at the doorstep.
Knock knock knock. That was Alice knocking.
Knock knock knock. Still Alice.
No answer.
"Klee, Mommy's home."
A loud crash sounded from inside—something breaking—followed by the clack of shoes against wooden floors.
"Mommy!" Klee ran into Alice's arms.
"Sob sob Mommy… today there was a big meanie who lied and said you were dead…"
Seeing Klee's red, swollen eyes, Alice's heart ached. She gently stroked Klee's head.
"That was an actor Mommy hired. So? Was the acting convincing?"
"Why did you lie to me? Mommy's the biggest meanie!"
"..."
"And he's a meanie too! ...But the grilled fish was really good."
"Mommy was watching you all day from the shadows. That was your trial, and you passed with flying colors!"
"Really?"
"Really! Klee's already on her way to becoming a grown-up."
"I don't want praise. I just don't want Mommy to leave me."
"...I'm sorry, Klee. Mommy and Daddy both have responsibilities. We have no choice but to leave you here." Wiping away Klee's tears, Alice continued, "I can't promise I'll always be by your side. Please, forgive me."
Klee nuzzled deeper into Alice's embrace. "Mommy..."
...
"What should I do with this bracelet?"
Now that his task was done, the bracelet had technically served its purpose too. Victor Wang fiddled with it, unsure.
"Hello hello, can you hear me clearly?"
"Yes, loud and clear."
Victor Wang immediately placed the bracelet on the table and sat upright, like an employee caught mid-scroll by a sudden video call from their boss.
"You'll keep the bracelet. Inject elemental power into it, and you'll have one—and only one—chance to call for my help."
"Do I need to do anything in return? I understand the rules of equivalent exchange."
"You don't need to do anything for me. Just stay as you are."
"That's it?"
"Let me be blunt. The fact that you're able to use Anemo means someone has placed a bet on you."
So, Alice did know something. But she wasn't saying more—perhaps her own strength wasn't enough to join the game?
Victor Wang waited silently.
"There are quite a few outsiders in Teyvat. But none of them have ever left. Everyone hopes for change... those who know, know."
"I get it." Not really.
"If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."
"Wait, could you teach me teleportation?"
"Teleportation? Like fast travel? That costs a price, and I can't teach you anyway—it's just part of my job."
"I see... Alright then."
Alice ended the call.