Seeing her silence, Barbara's eyes filled with anticipation and excitement, but hidden deep within was a sly playfulness.
She seemed to want to see Fischl embarrassed.
Her tone even carried a bit of urging: "Fischl, say it quickly! What kind of feeling is it? Comfortable... what kind of comfortable?"
Hearing Barbara's words, Fischl was instantly speechless, her face so red it could almost drip blood.
Finally, she stammered, "It's just... um... relaxing... and then..."
Fischl stopped halfway.
Took a deep breath, seeming to finally make up her mind.
As if recalling some addictive experience, her tone carried an indescribable softness: "It's just... a particularly warm feeling. The whole person unconsciously sinks into it, as if body and mind are wrapped..."
"That kind of feeling..."
As Fischl described it, Barbara's eyes grew brighter, pupils full of disbelief.
She bit her lower lip, a wonderful expression appearing on her face.
As if some unknown curiosity was hooked, or fantasizing about some indescribable scene.
"Act... Actually... so comfortable?"
As Fischl continued to describe, Barbara's face became rosier, even her earlobes泛起 a faint pink.
But her tone also revealed a hint of envy and excitement.
"Oh my... In that case..."
Barbara couldn't help patting her cheek lightly, seeming to force herself to calm down, but the light in her eyes was hotter than before.
"Fischl, you... aren't exaggerating, right?"
Barbara muttered in a low voice, seeming a bit disbelieving.
Fischl was already embarrassed enough. Seeing Barbara's skeptical attitude of "Is it really that comfortable?", she instantly became anxious and retorted quickly: "Of course it's true! Otherwise... you try it yourself?"
As soon as the words fell, she realized what she had said.
Widening her eyes abruptly, mouth slightly open, the blush on her face almost spreading to her neck.
"Umm... I, I didn't mean that..."
Fischl waved her hands quickly, trying to remedy it.
"Wh-What?! You want me to try it?!"
Barbara was completely stunned. The blush on her face exploded instantly, almost burying herself in her skirt!
Her breath hitched, eyes wandering, hands holding together at a loss, heart beating as if it would jump out of her chest.
"I, how could I... tr-try it!"
Barbara was overwhelmed, lowering her head in panic, small hands gripping the corner of her skirt tightly, toes curling in tension.
She originally wanted to tease Fischl.
To see Fischl embarrassed.
Unexpectedly, Fischl said this directly.
For a time, Barbara blushed and said, "Let's... Let's stop talking... Let's, let's go down and eat!"
After speaking, she walked quickly toward the stairs as if escaping, afraid she would explode if she stayed any longer!
Fischl stood in place, looking at Barbara's fleeing back, unable to help lowering her head and laughing lightly.
The blush on her face hadn't dissipated, but there was an inexplicable satisfaction in her heart.
Let Barbara tease me.
I am Chuunibyou, not stupid!
Immediately Fischl followed.
The morning light of Wangshu Inn spilled on the corridor, reflecting the slightly red cheeks and subtle emotions of the two girls.
And this day, because of this accidental conversation, was quietly dyed with some unspeakable throbbing.
Until the meal was finished, Barbara's face was flushed.
"Speaking of which."
Paimon looked at Fischl and Barbara, scratching her head. "Do others know you came here? After all, you two are Vision holders. Disappearing rashly isn't good."
Hearing this, Barbara and Fischl, who had eaten and drunk their fill, tightened their hearts, skipping a beat.
"Oops!"
They came secretly!
And... didn't go back all night!
The two looked at each other, seeing a bit of awkwardness in each other's eyes.
Barbara's small face instantly tangled.
Biting her lower lip lightly, fingers twisting her skirt unconsciously, appearing somewhat cramped: "Ah... this..."
Fischl beside her pretended to be calm after a second, scratching her hair, saying nonchalantly, "Ahem, thou need not worry. We are those who tread on the journey of fate. How can we be bound by a night's disappearance? Hmph, it is but a mere day. Mondstadt will not fall into chaos because of it!"
Fischl crossed her hands, assuming a posture of "No need to worry."
There was even a trace of confidence in her eyes, as if saying: "This Prinzessin's whereabouts need not be explained to anyone!"
However, Barbara wasn't as free and easy as her.
After all.
She was the Deaconess of the Church of Favonius!
Although her usual duties weren't heavy, she would at least say hello in advance.
But this time she was pulled by Fischl and teleported directly to Liyue, which meant—
She didn't explain to anyone at all!
Barbara sighed softly, frowning slightly.
Barbara crossed her small hands, revealing a somewhat annoyed expression. "I... I should be fine... After all, my work isn't that busy, and the Church of Favonius usually doesn't manage me too strictly."
Her tone carried a trace of uncertainty, obviously a bit guilty.
After all, she hadn't returned all night. If Grand Master Jean really found out, would she be lectured?
Thinking of this, Barbara couldn't help regretting a little.
If she had left a message in advance, maybe she wouldn't be so flustered...
"However..."
In the next second, Barbara suddenly thought of something and frowned slightly.
Looking up at Fischl, her tone carried a trace of hesitation. "Fischl, the problem is... can we still go back in a short time?"
Her gaze fell on Fischl, voice somewhat helpless. "After all, that pass seems... unusable."
"Eh?!"
Paimon's eyes widened instantly, floating over in surprise, tone confused. "Why is it unusable? Is it one-time use?"
"Hmph."
Fischl flicked her long hair gently, tone carrying a trace of indifference. "How can an object of fate be easily controlled by mortals? We have used it to step into Liyue. The energy of the pass has naturally been exhausted... If we want to use it again now, I fear it cannot be charged in a short time."
Speaking of this, Fischl's small face was also wrinkled.
Yes.
She and Barbara charged it with elemental power for three days and two nights.
During the period, they even used the elemental power conductor treasure in the Favonius Cathedral.
This was only enough to come here once.
Barbara also noticed Fischl's frown, helplessness appearing in her eyes.
Then whispered, "Does that mean... for at least these few days, we have to stay in Liyue?"
"Umm... In that case..."
Paimon touched her chin, a "plan solved" smirk appearing on her face, saying with a grin, "Isn't this simple! You can ask Kael to send you back! No need for the pass!"
"Eh?"
Barbara was stunned. "Is that possible?"
She looked at Kael in surprise.
Kael smiled faintly and nodded casually. "Sure."
"There is a Statue of the Seven in the nearby Dihua Marsh. The Ley Line energy there is rich. I can use the power of the Ley Lines to open an Anchor and teleport you directly back to Mondstadt."
He discovered this yesterday.
It just wasn't in the direction of Wangshu Inn, so he didn't set it yesterday.
"As long as it's a place with a Statue, it represents a rich Ley Line energy node."
Paimon pinched her chin. "Whether it's Mondstadt's, Liyue's, or others', it can be used."
"I thought only Mondstadt worked."
Kael had used the Statue of the Seven in Mondstadt before.
Now Liyue worked too.
"The operation of Ley Lines is about energy guidance, not ownership."
Kael shook his head. "This is also why the Abyss Order likes to open spatial anchors everywhere."
Barbara listened with half-understanding.
Although she had a Hydro Vision herself, she never thought the power of Ley Lines could be used like this.
But she knew the elusiveness of the Abyss Order was due to moving with Ley Line energy.
Fischl beside them suddenly revealed a thoughtful look. "...My Eye of Fate has long seen through everything. Thou indeed possess mysterious power. Controlling such a passage is also within my expectations."
After all.
She had experienced it without the pass!
Going back and forth between Mondstadt City and the Cryo Regisvine valley at that time.
Paimon grinned. "So, you don't need to worry about the pass being unusable! Just let Kael take you back, no need to wait for charging!"
"Today we can have a good stroll around."
"It's Barbara's first time in Liyue too. Just right to stroll around. Later Kael will send you back. We rest at Wangshu Inn for a day, then set off tomorrow!"
Hearing this, Barbara's eyes lit up slightly.
But then looked at Kael with some hesitation. "Then... will it be troublesome for you?"
"No."
Kael shook his head. "Just a casual matter."
As long as there was a Statue of the Seven, he was very relaxed.
Hearing Kael's words, Fischl snorted lightly.
Arms crossed, the corner of her mouth raised slightly, tone carrying a trace of conceit. "Hmph, since we have set foot in Liyue, why rush back? This is the arrangement of fate. Don't you want to travel more in Liyue?"
Barbara was stunned, looking at Fischl hesitantly. "You mean... stay a bit longer?"
Fischl nodded gently. "Since we have arrived in Liyue, why not take this opportunity to see this brilliant land... Moreover, Kael has not finished his journey. How can we leave easily?"
Paimon clapped her hands and smiled. "Hehe, well said! Anyway, Liyue is so big, why not play together!"
"But, did you tell your family?"
Barbara hesitated, looking at Fischl.
Making Fischl's heart skip a beat.
Really didn't.
Not only that, Oz didn't come with her.
However, disappearing for a short time, Oz should help her hide it. But she definitely can't stay for a long time.
Unless she can take a longer outing mission.
Then take the opportunity to come to Liyue.
Better do this next time.
While Fischl was thinking this.
On the other side.
Mondstadt City.
Morning sunlight spilled into the hall of the Knights of Favonius Headquarters through the clouds. The air was filled with a calm and solemn aura.
However, this calm was soon broken by sudden news.
"What? Barbara is missing?!"
In the Knights of Favonius office, Jean sat behind the desk, seriously reading the recent documents of Mondstadt.
Hearing the news brought by Kaeya, she frowned slightly.
Kaeya crossed his arms, pondering. "Yes, news just sent from the Favonius Cathedral. Deaconess Barbara—completely disappeared."
Getting Kaeya's confirmation, Jean put down the quill, tapped the desk gently, eyes deep. "Impossible. Barbara wouldn't leave the Favonius Cathedral at will. And the Church always has guards. How could they not find her?"
Her tone was firm.
As Barbara's sister, she always had control over Barbara's whereabouts.
Although Barbara sometimes went to the Knights, or practiced singing in Mondstadt Plaza.
But disappearing without a message was the first time.
Moreover, beside Barbara, there was a Nun guarding her.
That one was also a Cryo Vision holder (Rosaria).
How could she disappear for no reason?
Kaeya shrugged. "This is the strange part. The Church people said Miss Barbara never left the Favonius Cathedral, but she vanished into thin air."
Jean's eyes sank slightly, alarm bells ringing in her heart.
"Vanished into thin air?"
These four words made her frown deepen.
Church personnel wouldn't fabricate such things without reason.
If they couldn't even confirm Barbara's whereabouts, then the matter was definitely not simple.
Being able to make people vanish into thin air, only the Abyss Order could do it.
But since the Holy Lyre was stolen, the defense force of the Favonius Cathedral was raised immediately.
Even if the Abyss Order wanted to sneak in unknowingly, they couldn't do it.
Let alone kidnapping someone.
Jean pondered for a moment, quickly organizing her thoughts. "Is anyone else missing? Any information from the Church?"
Kaeya chuckled lightly, his eyes playful. "Yes, and an unexpected person."
Saying this, Kaeya paused, speaking leisurely: "Fischl."
"...What?"
Jean's brow raised, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Fischl is missing too?"
Kaeya nodded, speaking slowly, "Yes, and what's stranger is, her kin—Oz also stayed in Mondstadt."
"Fischl was with Barbara of the Church these past few days. It can be confirmed that the two entered the Favonius Cathedral and didn't come out, but the people disappeared."
Hearing this, Jean tapped the desk lightly, her doubts deepening.
She didn't know much about Fischl.
But one thing was certain.
Oz and Fischl never separated!
That mysterious Electro Raven was almost Fischl's exclusive translator.
There had never been a situation of acting alone.
However, this time, Oz stayed in Mondstadt.
And Fischl disappeared with Barbara?
Jean's gaze became deeper, faintly feeling that this matter wasn't a simple disappearance.
Thinking for a moment, Jean asked, "Since Oz is still in Mondstadt, have you asked him about Fischl and Barbara's whereabouts?"
Kaeya nodded, then shrugged, tone carrying a few points of playfulness. "Someone from the Church already asked, but Oz's answer... makes people care even more."
"Hmm?"
"Oz only said one sentence—Her Highness the Prinzessin asked Barbara for help with something. As for the whereabouts, he isn't too sure either."
Jean: "..."
Jean's eyes condensed slightly, fingertips pausing for an instant.
Then she sighed deeply, tone carrying a trace of helplessness. "Even Oz keeps his mouth shut... It seems things aren't simple."
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now and daily updates!
@patreon.com/Zefyrus