The moment the words left her mouth—
Cael felt something soft suddenly wrap around his waist.
"…?!"
He looked down.
The petite girl was hugging him tightly, her small body trembling ever so slightly.
"Agarest…"
"…welcome back."
Cael's face instantly heated up.
So this is what past-me did…
I really understood myself too well back then.
This was… dangerously criminally cute.
Then, an extremely ill-timed voice broke the atmosphere.
"Oh my—Twirly Dragon, you turned into this again? Long time no see! Come here, let me give you a good ruffle!"
Venti suddenly appeared, arms wide open, lunging toward her.
The girl's eyes went cold.
"Do something useful for once, Barbatos."
"Eh?!" Venti clutched his chest in heartbreak.
"Twirly—no, Dvalin! I'm your god! How can you side with an outsider?!"
"…"
She buried her face into Cael's chest and ignored him completely.
To be honest, now that Dvalin had this form, Cael genuinely felt she had become a real little girl.
Her grip was light.
So light that a gentle push might make her fall over.
Watching the two, Venti pouted.
"Hey, Cael, could you maybe let go of my dragon?"
"Five hundred years ago it was like this, and now it's still like this… Anyone watching would think she's your familiar."
He turned to her again.
"Come on, Dvalin, let's go home."
"…Tch."
That was the only response he got.
"…Sigh. Kids grow up and don't listen anymore," Venti muttered.
"Do whatever you want. I'm going to buy apple cider."
And just like that, he left.
...
With a soft pop, the girl pulled herself out of Cael's arms.
"Don't call me Dvalin," she said calmly.
"Use the old name."
Cael tilted his head.
"Let me guess… Xiao-Lin?"
She nodded.
"That's the one."
"…Xiao-Lin?" Cael tried again.
"Mm! I'm here!"
She hesitated, then continued:
"You used to let me call you Brother."
"Can I still do that?"
Cael didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Of course. I'd be honored."
"…Brother."
She looked up at him seriously.
"I'm here, Xiao-Lin," Cael replied gently.
Then—
"…Hehe."
Her expressionless face suddenly bloomed into a soft, affectionate smile.
A direct critical hit.
10,000% damage.
"Too cute… TOO CUTE!!"
Cael felt like he'd ascended.
How could something be this adorable?!
Past-me, you absolute genius!!
Unable to resist, he began vigorously ruffling her hair.
Do not let desire overtake reason—
...
...
After thoroughly satisfying his head-pat quota, Cael looked at her flushed but still stoic face.
"Want to visit Mondstadt?"
She shook her head.
"Not yet. My power hasn't fully recovered. I can't leave Stormterror's Lair."
"That's fine," Cael said easily.
"I'll come visit when I can."
She nodded.
"If you need me, call for me. I will come."
Cael smiled and turned to leave.
...
...
Knights of Favonius – Grand Master's Office
"Grand Master Jean…"
"…I'm turning myself in…"
Klee lowered her head pitifully.
Jean frowned.
"…Turning yourself in?"
Klee sniffed.
"My Jumpy Dumpty hurt the fluffy thing… He only took my bomb, but then… then…"
Paimon was stunned by this logic.
"Listen, Klee—Abyss Mages are bad guys. They're monsters. Enemies of humanity!"
Klee froze.
"Fluffy is bad… but not a person… but a monster…?"
"…Error."
Her brain visibly overheated.
Jean sighed and patiently explained everything.
In the end—
Klee was declared not guilty.
But immediately detained again.
Reason: burying Jumpy Dumpty.
And thus, the matter came to an end.
Just as Lumine relaxed—
A small pouch appeared in front of her.
"Huh?"
She turned.
Cael was smiling.
"Your payment."
The promised 160 Primogems.
"WOOO! Thanks, Sponsor!!"
Lumine happily rubbed her face against the gems.
Paimon crossed her arms.
"Hmph! What's so great about Primogems? I wouldn't want that pervert's payment anyway!"
Cael calmly pulled out a bag of sunflower seeds.
"…So you don't want this either?"
"SEEDS—GIVE ME!!"
She lunged.
Cael dodged smoothly.
"Didn't you just say you didn't want it?"
"…I—I changed my mind!"
He gently tugged her cheek, then handed over the seeds.
"Nice texture. Very pinchable."
Paimon froze, face instantly red.
"YOU PERVERT! YOU'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ME!"
"What advantage? You don't even have any tofu to eat," Cael laughed, mocking her height.
"You bully me! Lumine, beat him up!"
Lumine shrugged.
"Nope."
"…Everyone bullies me! Unfair!"
...
...
Night – On the way back
Cael ran into a familiar face.
"Ohho! Good evening, my loyal retainer!"
It was Fischl.
Beside her, Oz bowed politely.
"Good evening, Mr. Cael."
"Did you need something?" Cael asked.
Fischl dramatically extended her hand.
"Soon shall I embark upon a grand expedition! I hereby summon thee to accompany me!"
Oz translated:
"Miss Fischl has received a mission to investigate anomalies in Dragonspine. She would like to invite you to join, if you're available."
Cael stroked his chin.
Another quest already?
He smiled.
"If I'm free, I'll come."
Fischl's eyes lit up instantly.
"Ahem! Thou must come tomorrow!"
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