The announcement that the dragon crisis had been resolved spread quickly, and the people of Mondstadt poured out of their homes. In an instant, the once-quiet streets and alleys became lively again.
"Your Highness, about Dvalin…"
On a cliff overlooking Mondstadt, Aether let the breeze tug gently at his hair while an Ice Abyss Mage reported at his side.
"The Anemo Archon took action. Dvalin was no match."
Aether wasn't surprised. As one of the original Seven Archons, Barbatos was far from ordinary, despite not wearing a crown.
"And this one called Koji… any intel?"
"Your Highness," the Abyss Mage replied carefully, "he didn't act much. But when he drew his sword, the aura was enough to make my heart tremble. I judge his strength to be above your blood relative's."
"Oh?"
"I see…"
Aether stroked his chin. So, this future brother-in-law was stronger than his sister. At least that meant Lumine's safety was guaranteed. He had too many burdens to shoulder—he couldn't always stay by her side.
"Starsilver ore…"
Koji was mining for once, not opening chests but collecting minerals.
[Blessing of Forging: The mastery of a legendary craftsman, capable of turning the ordinary into the divine—able to forge artifacts.]
The Dawn Sword was fine, but ultimately still just a three-star weapon. Koji intended to gather ore to reforge and upgrade it.
Starsilver, mined only from Dragonspine, glittered as though starlight had been sealed within it. A rare, beautiful material.
[Blessing of Cold Resistance: Enables activity in freezing environments.]
Dragonspine had once been every newbie's nightmare, flattening hotheaded adventurers with impartial elbow drops.
"Albedo's not around?"
Koji stopped at a camp but didn't find the person he sought. He was curious about alchemy—though he could just conjure a Blessing of Alchemy, he wanted to see it firsthand.
Since Albedo was likely out gathering ingredients, Koji didn't linger and continued strolling through the snowy mountain.
Splash—
In an icy lake, a woman bathed. For others, the water would have been bone-piercingly cold; for her, it was bliss.
She had short, striking blue hair and a body as flawless as a sculpture. White slimes bobbed lazily beside her as crystalline droplets rolled down her collarbone, traced the curve of her chest, and slid over skin as pale as polished jade.
Because this was Dragonspine's deep interior, with endless blizzards and freezing winds, almost no one ventured here. She relished the solitude.
Crack!
The snap of a branch made Eula's eyes fly open. She turned toward the shore.
"Uh… hello?"
"…Had lunch yet?"
Koji scratched his nose, startled. What a sight. The Spindrift Knight's figure was truly exquisite—slender where it should be, full where it should be. A feast for the eyes.
Much obliged.
He remembered well how he'd first been captivated—by her sneeze.
"Ahhh!"
"Who are you?"
Eula instantly ducked lower, leaving only her head above water, her face flushing crimson with shame and fury.
He saw me—should I kill him?
"Ahem… better put on clothes first. Soaking too long isn't healthy."
Koji turned his back and took a few steps away.
Splash, splash—
Blushing, Eula quickly rose from the water. The sounds of her hurried movements were dangerously tempting.
Rustle, rustle—
She had never dressed so fast, terrified he might turn around midway.
"All right, you scoundrel, you can turn now," Eula's cool voice called.
Koji turned—and his eyes lit up. That look suited her perfectly.
A knight's uniform, thigh-high black boots embracing pale legs, modest enough but still radiating allure. The damp patches clinging to her hinted at a "wet look" that made her all the more dangerously captivating.
"Let's be clear—this was an accident. I didn't know anyone bathed here." Koji placed a hand on his chest, sincerity itself.
"…"
Eula was silent. Only her close friend Amber knew she liked to bathe here. She realized he wasn't lying. Still, to be seen like this by a man, even if only partially, left her simmering with embarrassment.
"I believe you. Who are you?" she asked, brow furrowing.
Anyone who could reach Dragonspine's heart wasn't ordinary. His attire wasn't Mondstadt's either.
"Koji. A traveling outsider. In Mondstadt, I hold the title of Honorary Knight."
"You're the Honorary Knight?" Eula said in surprise.
As captain of the Reconnaissance Company, she often worked in the wild, but she'd heard of the Honorary Knight—helping the Knights of Favonius resolve the dragon disaster.
A reputation she secretly admired.
She, after all, bore the cursed surname Lawrence. Even within the Knights, many Mondstadters still scorned her.
Prejudice was a mountain not easily moved.
"Eula Lawrence. I'm sure you've heard the name. Best keep your distance, or you'll share in the glares of Mondstadters."
"Or we could just get to know each other. About earlier—I can take responsibility," Koji said earnestly.
My crystal palace has plenty of room.
"Huh?! Who needs you to take responsibility!" Her blush deepened furiously.
"Do you care about being a Lawrence? Are you evil? I'm not from Mondstadt—why would I care about that?" Koji shrugged.
Her character was beyond reproach; those who judged her with prejudice were the ones at fault.
"…"
Eula bit her lip. Only a handful of friends—and now this outsider—ever looked at her without bias.
"Hmph. Peeking at me in the bath—I'll remember this grudge."
The Spindrift Knight's classic line, delivered with arms on her hips, made her look adorably tsundere.
"So, Honorary Knight, what brings you to Dragonspine?" she asked.
"Collecting Starsilver. Planning to forge a weapon." Koji showed the ore he'd gathered.
She nodded. She knew the rare ore—found only here.
"You still have missions?" Koji asked.
"No. I finished and came here to relax."
"I've got enough ore. Want to head back together?"
Eula gave him a strange look. "You're seriously asking me out? You're not afraid of being seen with me?"
Koji shrugged. "I walk my own path. Why care about others' stares?"
"Heh… you've got a point."
(End of Chapter)
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