Albedo felt a bit awkward.
No one expected that with Klee's visit to Blue Star, he would inexplicably gain an uncle.
Facing this new uncle, Albedo still braced himself and said, "Un… Uncle, hello."
"Hello, Albedo. Go play in the study—there might be books you're interested in," Ken said with a smile.
The villa's study was larger and had a wider variety of books, including some on alchemy.
Although it wasn't quite the same alchemy, Albedo would still be interested.
"Thank you, Uncle."
With his head down, Albedo slipped away quickly in the direction Ken indicated.
Too awkward.
"Daddy, this is big brother Kaeya."
Little Klee tugged Ken's arm and brought him to Kaeya.
Hearing the introduction, Kaeya's eyelid twitched. "Ahem… I don't mind if Klee calls me uncle from now on. Mr. Ken, thank you for saving Mondstadt."
He had no intention of ending up like Albedo and calling Ken "uncle."
Kaeya made the wise choice.
Hearing this, Jean instinctively smiled. Taking in the fresh floral scent and the lively atmosphere, she felt more relaxed than she had in a long time.
"No need to be so polite. There's Chicken-Mushroom Skewer and Mondstadt grilled fish in the dining room—your favorites."
The system-rewarded food finally had a use.
"Since you invite me so warmly, I won't refuse…" Kaeya's eyes lit up. Because they were coming to Blue Star, he hadn't eaten breakfast. Hearing Ken's invitation now, he naturally wouldn't say no.
"Captain of the Knights of Favonius Reconnaissance Company, the Spindrift Knight Eula Lawrence, extends her greetings."
Klee pulled Ken over to Eula, but before she could speak, Eula took the lead.
Though her tone remained cold, a glimmer of admiration flashed in Eula's eyes.
In Mondstadt's dragon calamity, the man before her was indispensable.
For that reason alone, he deserved courteous treatment from the Knights.
"I know you—the excellent Spindrift Knight. I'm glad you came to Blue Star."
"Klee, go play with big sister Eula."
Ken patted Klee's little head with a smile.
With his god's-eye-view knowledge, he naturally knew Eula was cold outside but warm within. He found her manner perfectly normal.
Only—
Those words landed in Eula's ears and made her pause.
"I am of the Lawrence clan, a descendant of sinners."
Eula added instinctively.
In the eyes of Mondstadt's people, her joining the Knights was ill-intentioned—she was a mole within the Knights, a filthy noble, someone to be shunned.
Mockery, insults, provocation, picking fights, isolation—
Eula had long experienced these human coldnesses.
Even those she saved would dislike her because of her lineage.
But Ken's reaction just now didn't seem to care—in fact, he even told Klee to play with her.
Although the Knights didn't dislike her, in Eula's eyes, since Ken was Klee's father, the weight of his words was completely different.
"Would you ever harm Klee?"
While Eula was still surprised, Ken suddenly asked.
Eula blinked, then shook her head on reflex. "No…"
"Then that settles it." Ken placed Klee's hand into Eula's and, for once, spoke solemnly. "We can't choose our birth. It isn't your fault."
"Yeah! Daddy's right! It's not big sister Eula's fault! Big sister Eula, let's go play! This house is so pretty!" Klee had previously found Eula a little strange and hadn't been very close.
But hearing Ken say that, the innocent Klee immediately changed her view, tugging Eula toward the outside.
Eula hesitated briefly, but when she heard Klee call her "big sister" again and again, she allowed herself to be led into the flower-filled garden.
"Wow… I really wish Mondstadt didn't have such prejudice either!"
Amber watched Eula's departing back and spoke with hope.
Ken shook his head. "A lot of prejudice can't be dispelled overnight. But people should live happily and freely—caring too much about worldly opinion is exhausting. Right, Outrider Amber?"
"You really do have a great prophecy art, Mr. Ken! I'm Amber—nice to meet you, and I'm so happy to be on Blue Star!" Amber said excitedly.
Everything here was novel and strange to her, and she could hardly wait to look around.
After greeting Ken, she eagerly ran off to find Eula and Klee.
"Didn't expect you to be so good at cheering people up, little cutie."
Lisa, watching the harmonious scene, winked at Ken, every gesture dripping with charm.
Compared to their first, slightly awkward meeting, the witch had now found her rhythm.
"Your Anemo Archon is still here. Could you tone it down a little?"
Ken smiled and looked at Venti nearby.
Though he had lived for more than two thousand years, the curiosity in Venti's eyes was no less than anyone else's.
Blue Star's different style wasn't the main point.
The key was… Venti sensed that even time itself seemed gentler here. The erosion that had tormented the Archons was drastically reduced in this place.
Such a reduction in erosion left Venti pleasantly surprised.
"Just call me Venti."
"May I come here often? The world's greatest bard wishes to grace Blue Star with his beautiful songs."
Venti's jewel-like eyes were full of anticipation.
At the same time, he was a little surprised by Ken.
If he wasn't mistaken, Ken carried two elemental auras—and without a Vision.
Truly a bit mysterious.
"Of course you can come often. I've specially prepared many Blue Star brews. Go have a taste."
As one of the two major brewing fruits, apples had been refined to the extreme on Blue Star.
The villa's wine cabinet was stocked with many fine liquors, included with the villa when the system rewarded it.
"Alright!"
"But… thank you as well for helping Mondstadt and Dvalin. Lessening Dvalin's suffering is my heartfelt wish."
Venti placed his right hand over his chest and offered Ken sincere thanks.
As both Dvalin's master and the Anemo Archon worshipped by Mondstadt, he needed to express his gratitude.
"Now that's more like the Anemo Archon…"
Watching the rare serious side of Venti, Barbara sighed from the side.
Compared to the unserious, busking drunkard, the serious demeanor suited him more.
"Go try the good wine first. After that, there's something I'll need your help with."
Ken was not shy.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Since you've come to Blue Star, don't think about leaving without being squeezed a little.
"May I look around?"
After Venti left, Diluc spoke thoughtfully.
It was his first time on Blue Star, and his heart was full of questions. He wanted to explore.
"Of course. Make yourselves at home."
Ken replied sincerely.
Once everyone was freely exploring and studying what interested them in the villa, Jean walked up to Ken.
"Barbara seems to like you a lot, Mr. Ken?"
Jean looked at Barbara swinging in the garden and asked with meaning.
…
…
Advanced chapter here: p-atreon.com/Sajaboyzzz
<><><><><>><>>><><><><>
Keep the Chapters coming - Support with Power Stones!
Every 200 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter!