"Memories… lost?"
The blond-haired youth seemed to realize something. The turbulence in his gaze slowly settled.
"So you weren't joking with me back then… heh. Fine. I'll play the villain a little longer—just as you wish."
He murmured to himself, then turned his eyes toward the Abyss Mage kneeling before him.
"You may oppose him the same way you oppose my sister. I don't mind that."
"But if his life is ever endangered because of you—"
"No mercy."
"I have no interest in planning layoffs."
The pressure exploded outward.
The Abyss Mage was pinned in place, unable to move, terror written all over its face.
"Y–Yes! This subordinate understands!"
Its form flickered—and vanished.
The youth slowly rose to his feet, gazing up at the ceiling as though staring into an endless abyss.
"…Brother Cael."
Meanwhile—
Lumine cautiously kept Cael behind her, treating him like priceless cargo, while Paimon floated nearby, chatting as usual.
Rustle… rustle…
A sound came from the bushes ahead.
"Client! Step back!" Lumine gestured urgently, inching forward on guard.
Paimon leaned over to peek—
And nearly screamed.
A slender, androgynous-looking youth stood there… gently stroking the head of the very dragon they had encountered earlier.
"Don't be afraid. I'm back."
His voice was soft, soothing, as though calming an old friend.
"H–He's… talking to the dragon?!" Paimon covered her mouth, eyes wide.
Cael, however, recognized him immediately.
The Anemo Archon—Venti.
Or rather—Barbatos.
Lumine was still processing the scene when—
A sudden surge of Anemo erupted near her.
The dragon instantly went berserk.
"Who's there?!" Venti snapped, turning sharply toward Lumine.
At the same time, he subtly winked at Cael.
Cael understood at once.
The dragon roared, whipping up a violent gale. Sand and debris spiraled into the air, pine trees bending under the force.
Lumine braced herself, grabbing Paimon's hair so she wouldn't be blown away.
"Wait—my client?!"
Lumine spun around.
Cael was gone.
"Crap! The client got blown away!"
"Long time no see, Cael!"
The moment Cael landed, Venti spread his arms wide, clearly going in for an enthusiastic hug.
Thud.
Cael kicked him flat onto the ground.
Venti instantly burst into exaggerated tears.
"Even with amnesia, your kicking power hasn't dropped at all!"
Cael rolled his eyes.
"So Morax already told you."
"Ehe~"
"..."
"Why are you looking for me?" Cael asked, tired.
Venti scratched his cheek, suddenly awkward.
"Well… you've seen it. Dvalin is unstable. Even if your power hasn't fully returned, you wouldn't ignore an old friend, right? You wouldn't, riiight?"
Cael had a powerful urge to twist that smug mouth off his face.
He resisted.
"I'll help—but only at critical moments. I'm lazy."
He wasn't keen on revealing too much too soon.
"Besides, that blond girl will handle most of it for you."
Venti smiled faintly.
"I think so too. That outlander will lead Mondstadt to victory."
Then he asked quietly, "Is she the one you once called 'that person'?"
Cael nodded.
"Yes. It's her."
"Then I'm relieved."
Cael turned to leave.
"Alright. I need to go find a good spot to 'die' for a while."
"Mm-hm. Go on."
"Are you heading to Mondstadt City?"
A girl with bright red hair and a large bunny-ear headband asked seriously.
"Once this task is done, I can escort you there."
Lumine nodded quickly.
"Amber—also, one of my companions got separated earlier. Can we look for him?"
"Of course! Protecting civilians is the Knights' duty!"
She placed a hand over her chest and gave a crisp salute.
Cael lay down along the road where the plot had to pass.
"Ah… not bad. Pretty comfy."
Paimon drooped beside Lumine.
Lumine noticed and spoke gently.
"Still worried about Cael? He'll be fine."
Paimon shook her head, eyes watery.
"I feel so irresponsible… We ate his food, promised to protect him, and when it mattered, I only cared about myself. I didn't even try to grab him…"
"If he really died, I'd feel guilty forever!"
"Guilty my ass," Lumine said bluntly, knocking Paimon on the head.
"I'm the one who took the commission. And he's not even dead. Saying that is rude."
"…But I'm worried."
"I think you're more worried about not getting his cooking anymore."
"Lumine! Is that really how you see me?!"
"Yes."
"Waaah—stop bullying me!"
Amber laughed softly as she listened.
"You two really get along. I have two close friends too—Eula and Collei."
Then she paused.
"…Huh? There's someone lying ahead."
She pointed forward.
Paimon looked—and lit up.
"It's Cael!!"
Lumine rushed over, checking him carefully.
After a moment, she said, "He's asleep."
"…Huh?" Paimon blinked.
"He fell from that height and he's just… sleeping?!"
Amber glanced at a nearby Anemo Slime.
"He likely used wind to reduce the fall. Probably just minor injuries."
"Bingo~ Correct."
Cael opened his eyes suddenly.
All three jumped.
"Cael! You scared me to death!" Paimon snapped.
He chuckled.
"She's right. I used a Wind Slime to cushion the fall. Didn't know the road, so I figured I'd lie down and wait."
"You've got some nerve, sleeping out here," Paimon crossed her arms.
Cael turned to Lumine, apologetic.
"It's not your fault. I lost my footing."
Then his tone shifted.
"But since you didn't properly protect me, I've decided to deduct 20 Primogems from your pay."
"…WHAT?!"
Lumine's expression completely collapsed.
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