Aether and Amber arrived by Collei's side at some unknown time, with Eula following close behind them.
Collei pointed at the large crater and laughed:
"I was actually planning to drag him into the trap with me and perish together!"
"Who knew that the nightmare that plagued me for so many years would be this weak!"
"When I left the farm before, Mr. Arkz gave me a gift."
Collei took out the farm teleport totem given to her by Arkz from her chest. She always kept it close, and it was still warm with her body heat and scent.
"Mr. Arkz said that if I tear this teleport waypoint, it would transport me back to the farm."
"So I was thinking of dragging him into the trap."
"And then, under his desperate gaze,"
"I would use the farm teleport totem to escape the explosion."
Collei turned and smiled at the three of them.
Aether, Amber, and Eula.
Although she felt a bit jealous of Amber and Eula's close relationship, Collei now considered Eula a friend, a true friend, for being able to appear here.
Collei reached out and pulled the three into an embrace.
Such an intimate gesture caused a blush to spread across Eula's face.
However, she did not struggle.
Collei smiled and said:
"With such wonderful friends, how could I bear to leave you all and perish with that guy..."
With that, Collei fell into a deep sleep.
Looking at Collei's peaceful little face, which still held a smile even in her slumber, the three of them couldn't help but feel joy for their friend.
Collei, who had been tormented by hatred for so long, could finally get a good night's sleep.
Escorted by Aether and the others, Collei was sent back to the farm.
Due to the previous outburst, her body, which had recovered under Arkz's delicious feast, had become weak again.
Fortunately, this time the injury did not affect her core, and Collei would recover after a few more days of rest.
"You're back?"
Arkz was watering the crops on the farm. Seeing the group return with Collei, he asked calmly.
"Yes, we're back."
Although Arkz appeared very calm, the empty watering can was still held in the posture of watering, which made the group see his concern for Collei.
Behind the group, Eula was curiously observing the scenery inside the farm.
Noticing Arkz looking at her, Eula greeted him politely.
"Hello, Mr. Arkz."
As a member of the Lawrence Clan, who had undergone rigorous aristocratic training since childhood, Eula was certainly not ignorant of social etiquette.
Rather, she was very skilled at it.
It was just that for Eula, ignoring people who showed disgust when facing her was the greatest form of politeness.
"Hello to you too, Miss Eula."
"There aren't many rules on the farm, please make yourself at home."
Seeing Arkz's sincere attitude and the absence of the malice common among Mondstadters in his eyes, Eula's friendship level with Arkz increased significantly.
"Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Arkz."
With that, Eula followed behind Amber and busied herself helping care for Collei.
...
...
Inside the Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
After locking up the Fatui members captured at Starsnatch Cliff in the interrogation room, Kaeya immediately hurried to the Grand Master's office where Jean was.
Knock, knock.
Kaeya pushed the door open and entered.
Jean, who was buried in paperwork, looked up at Kaeya once before lowering her head to continue working.
"Is something wrong? Just leave it here."
Since the matter was serious, Kaeya disregarded whether he was disturbing Jean's work and spoke directly:
"Grand Master Jean, I have an urgent matter to report."
"It concerns the Black Fire Case, and the situation might be a bit complicated..."
As a member of an underground intelligence organization, Diluc had already obtained the investigation report regarding Collei.
Diluc didn't mind lending a hand to the poor girl with such a tragic background as Collei, and he certainly wouldn't pass up an opportunity to frustrate the Fatui.
Therefore, on the way back escorting the Fatui, he and Kaeya had already discussed how to handle the situation.
The 'culprit' of the Black Fire Case, the mysterious black-robed figure who commanded a Delusion while wearing a black cloak (played by Diluc), was apprehended by the Knights and handed over to the Fatui.
As the local official authority, the Knights of Favonius had fulfilled their duty by capturing the mastermind.
As for the 'mastermind' knocking out the Fatui guards on the way and escaping, that couldn't be blamed on the Knights.
Listening to Kaeya's account, Jean's expression shifted from confusion to sudden realization.
"I see. So all these things happened in the middle?"
"Kaeya, you did wonderfully."
"As for the subsequent handover of the 'culprit' and those Fatui members who inexplicably appeared at Starsnatch Cliff, I leave those matters to you to handle."
Kaeya saluted seriously.
"As you command, Grand Master Jean!"
Then, he smiled:
"Grand Master Jean, I recall that Miss Collei is a guest of Springvale Farm, right?"
Grand Master Jean nodded. She looked at Kaeya, her eyes showing some confusion, not understanding why Kaeya was asking this.
Kaeya wore a smile, but his eyes were filled with seriousness.
"It's like this: during the battle at Starsnatch Cliff today, Miss Collei blasted a large crater into the cliff. So, the subsequent repair issue needs to be handled by you, Grand Master."
Starsnatch Cliff was considered a tourist spot in Mondstadt; it truly couldn't be left alone.
Jean pondered for a moment and said, "I understand. I will arrange for people to handle it."
Immediately after, Grand Master Jean leaned down to continue her work.
A moment later, she looked up, about to rub her aching eyes, but suddenly noticed Kaeya had not left.
"Kaeya, is there something else?"
Kaeya explained with a playful grin:
"There is one more thing, Grand Master Jean. I hope to get approval for some potion of pure water."
"During this battle, I discovered that potion has a weakening effect on the power of a Delusion, so..."
"Understood."
Jean nodded, signed her name on the application form, and handed it to Kaeya.
"Take this and go find the logistics Knight Hertha; she will approve it for you."
Holding the approval slip, Kaeya suppressed the excitement in his heart and quickly left the Grand Master's office.
The last time there was a comprehensive inspection in Mondstadt, he had already discovered the miraculous power of the water of purity.
Although very faint, Kaeya had indeed discovered that the miraculous water of purity actually possessed the magical effect of purifying the curse imposed by Celestia upon the people of Khaenri'ah.
Although completely eliminating the curse on a Khaenri'ah native might require an amount of water of purity capable of filling an ocean,
the implication behind this was not that simple.
The existence of the water of purity meant that the curse of Celestia was not unsolvable.
Perhaps if they could decipher the principle behind the water of purity, they might be able to save all the Khaenri'ah survivors.
Although he was determined to stand with Mondstadt, Kaeya couldn't help but be excited by his discovery.
Of course, Kaeya was not lying in his report to Jean.
The water of purity did indeed have a weakening effect on the attacks of a Delusion.
Jean probably sensed that Kaeya was hiding something, but she chose to trust him.
And Kaeya had no intention of betraying Jean's trust.
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