"Beryl, could you lend a hand?"
"No…"
"I've got some Vermilion Fruit."
"…Fine. What do you want?"
"Help me move the stove from home, will you? If that's too much, just bring a few pots and pans and knives—and start a bonfire."
"You should just starve~"
Hands on her hips and cheeks puffed out, the tiny sprite climbed off the beach chair.
She wanted to refuse, but the red fruit in Huoliya's hand was too tempting.
Opening a spatial gate with a flick, Beryl fetched the household cookware, pots, and utensils in a blink—then built a neat little campfire.
Vermilion fruit. Vermilion fruit.
No—she wasn't greedy. Absolutely not.
She just didn't want the Wisdom Lord to go hungry, that's all.
"Beryl, you're such a good girl~"
Huoliya slipped the fruit into her arms.
Stretching lazily, she stood, her flawless figure gleaming in the sunlight.
"Hmph~"
Clutching her prize, Beryl fluttered her wings and zipped straight toward Taro.
Landing on his shoulder, she held up the fruit like an offering.
"Wisdom Lord, would you like a Vermilion Fruit?"
"Mm. Thank you."
Taro took a small bite and smiled.
"Let's share it."
"Okay~"
Offering to the Buddha: success.
Beryl bit right into the same fruit, cheeks puffed, eyes shining.
Sweet.
As a Root-bound familiar—a sprite of plants—she naturally loved things rich in elemental energy.
But if the Wisdom Lord had tasted it first, it somehow felt even better.
She fluttered happily, savoring the flavor.
For a fruit barely the size of a fist, it brought her ridiculous joy.
This little one was far easier to please than Haitang ever was—
Not greedy, diligent, polite, and always offering the first bite to him.
A perfect little sweetheart.
Compared to her, the difference was night and day.
"Wisdom Lord, when will the fish bite?"
"Are we having grilled fish for lunch?"
Perched on his shoulder with the half-eaten fruit in hand, Beryl blinked curiously.
Whatever the Wisdom Lord did must have a reason.
If he was fishing, there had to be fish.
Whether there was bait or not didn't matter; surely some silly fish would bite anyway.
The Wisdom Lord's intellect was beyond doubt.
She only wondered when the fish would come—
and what kind of fish they'd eat.
Grilled? Boiled? Braised? So many choices.
"Those who wish shall bite," Taro said calmly.
"Don't worry. You'll eat plenty today."
He didn't explain.
He wasn't even trying to catch anything.
Fishing was simply… relaxing.
Fish or no fish—it didn't matter.
A true angler never goes home empty-handed.
Besides, it cultivated patience and focus.
A fine exercise for the heart.
The result?
Tranquility. Balance. Moderation.
(It sounded nice. Mostly.)
Farther down the beach, Fanan returned with a small bamboo basket, sharing her finds with Huoliya, who was busy prepping ingredients.
Nearby, Yingda crouched by the fire, hands blackened with ash as she buried two sweet potatoes in the coals.
Her little face, however, beamed with pride.
Roasted sweet potatoes.
One for Sensei, one for her.
That was fair.
Anyone else who wanted one could roast their own—including her sister.
Huoliya, of course, didn't get any.
Smart girl.
On the distant horizon, a round, fluffy shape flapped desperately through the air.
It wobbled, tired, then landed weakly atop a sunshade.
Wide eyes blinked as it studied the group on the sand, gaze shifting from one person to the next.
Finally, it fixated on Beryl.
The little sprite didn't notice right away.
Still nibbling her fruit, she sensed it faintly through the plants nearby—
A tiny bird… with the aura of vegetation?
And… two souls inside?
Interesting. Cute. She wanted it.
"Wisdom Lord," she said softly, "I want a pet."
"A pet?"
Taro blinked. "Alright. What kind do you want?"
"Cats? Dogs? A tiger? A lion? A crane? Or a whale?"
His pet wanted a pet.
Well—why not.
As long as she cared for it properly.
"A tonsparrow," she said. "I want to raise a tonsparrow. It's so round and cute."
Tonsparrow?
The word brought to mind a certain little zombie.
Qiqi loved tonsparrows—and coconut milk too.
He'd have to visit her again sometime.
"Want me to catch one for you?"
"Beryl already has a target!"
"Alright. But you'd better take good care of it. No losing interest and abandoning it later."
"Mm!"
With permission granted, she nodded eagerly and curled a tiny finger.
"Oh no…"
Before the unsuspecting bird could flee, fine green vines erupted from the sand, wrapping it tight.
A pulse of energy shimmered; the tonsparrow was lifted gently from the umbrella and floated into Beryl's waiting hands before the vines sank back below the surface.
"Wisdom Lord, look—this one! Isn't it cute?"
She held it up proudly.
The poor creature could neither move nor speak, trapped not only in vines but within a strange spiritual barrier, trembling helplessly in its mind.
"Hmm?"
Taro glanced over, ready to praise her… then froze.
His Appraisal skill flickered to life, reading the captured being's true name:
[Tonsparrow – Lesser Lord Kusanali]
He nearly fell off his chair.
Good grief.
Well done, Beryl.
Of all the tonsparrows in Teyvat, she'd somehow managed to catch the Dendro Archon herself.
"…Yes," he said slowly. "It's very cute."
He reached out and poked the tonsparrow's head with a teasing smile.
Through the harmless form, he could almost see the flustered face of Nahida inside—
blushing furiously.
He didn't expose her, nor did he release her.
It was Beryl's capture, after all.
Whether Nahida had just been passing by or had sought him out on purpose—
that could wait.
The World Tree of Teyvat… he would visit it in due time.
The Great Tree King could wait.
No need to hurry.
(End of Chapter)
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