"Dadaupa Gorge?" Kaeya echoed in surprise.
That valley lay beneath Cape Oath—deep hilichurl territory. Clearing it would require significant Knight deployment.
But the area was remote and inconvenient. With most people sticking to safer roads these days, hardly anyone went there anymore.
"It's there…" Kaeya frowned.
Kaito explained the letter. "A hunter near Springvale heard a dragon's roar while hunting nearby. The hilichurls panicked. He checked it out and found a crimson crystal."
Kaeya nodded slowly. "I just received intel—the Fatui headed there early this morning."
"Fatui?" Kaito shook his head. "Probably unrelated."
They might guess what the Tear Crystal was, but they couldn't possibly know it could be purified.
"If you're going, take me along," Kaeya said. "I want to see what the Fatui are up to."
"Alright."
They needed three purified Tear Crystals in total. One was already secured at the Thousand Winds Temple. Another was now confirmed at Dadaupa Gorge.
Diluc's search in Stormbearer Mountains was far less certain—no sightings, no fixed location. That uncertainty was why he'd sent the letter instead of going himself.
After Kaeya left, Noelle worked even harder.
"Good job," Kaeya encouraged her.
"Yes!" Noelle replied, energized.
Kaito rubbed his temples. "This is only making it worse…"
As he planned the Dadaupa Gorge trip, the door burst open.
"Da-da-da! Brother Kaito, Klee heard you're back!"
A red blur charged in—white hair in twin braids, bright crimson eyes, a four-leaf clover hat bouncing as she ran.
She dashed up the stairs, down again, then back up, plush toy swinging wildly.
"Da-da-da! La-la-la!"
"Senior Klee…" Noelle called.
"Oh! Noelle!" Klee stopped. "Are you here to play with Brother Kaito too?"
"I'm helping," Noelle replied.
"Is that knight training?"
"No—wait, no! Last time I got locked up with Acting Grand Master Jean!"
Klee ignored her and barreled into Kaito, rubbing happily against his leg.
"Brother Kaito, Klee's been very well-behaved lately!"
"And then?" he asked, patting her head.
"And Klee didn't go fish-blasting or lizard-catching, and it's been sooo long since I ate yummy bass!"
She looked up at him with sparkling eyes, grabbing his arm. "Brother Kaito, will you make bass for Klee, pleeease?"
Kaito suddenly smiled.
No one was better suited.
Lots of hilichurls? Perfect.
Bombs.
And he'd gain another cultivation target.
"Alright," he said. "How about I take you out to play tomorrow?"
"Really?!" Klee jumped with joy.
"Really."
"Brother Kaito is the best!" She ran circles around the table.
"I've missed grilled fish too," Kaito muttered.
He picked a fat black-back bass, cleaned it, stuffed it with spices, and set it to marinate.
Klee stared. "…Brother Kaito, why did you stop?"
"Let it absorb the flavor."
"Ooh."
She didn't really understand—but nodded anyway.
Klee soon dashed off again and collided with someone.
"Oof!"
"Barbara? Are you okay?" Klee panicked.
"I'm fine," Barbara said, popping up with surprising speed—then relaxing when she realized Jean wasn't around.
After a few words, Klee vanished again.
Barbara climbed upstairs. "Brother Kaito."
"Yes?"
"During the storm… you weren't hurt, were you?"
"No."
"…Then—Acting Grand Master Jean?"
"She was injured."
Barbara gasped—then realized he was teasing her when he added, "I treated it right away."
She pouted and sat down, sulking.
Kaito continued prepping ingredients—onions, mushrooms, vegetables, chili.
Barbara's nose twitched.
"…What are you making?"
"Grilled fish."
"Isn't it usually boiled bass?"
"Different today. Klee prefers it grilled."
"…Is there enough for three people?"
Kaito said, 'Me, Klee, and Noelle.' Barbara pouted. 'Brother Kaito, you're doing that on purpose.'
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