Several years passed in the blink of an eye.
During his time in Mondstadt, Yu Xie had met many people.
Although he hadn't become a member of the Knights of Favonius, he had interacted quite a lot with members of the Order.
Grand Master Varka was a humorous and down-to-earth man with no airs about him. On many occasions, he invited Yu Xie to his office for tea, though Varka would secretly sip some wine when no one was watching.
Jean Gunnhildr, honored with the title of "Dandelion Knight," quickly rose to become the Vice-Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius due to her exceptional abilities. Yu Xie was invited to attend Jean's knighthood ceremony.
Then there was Lisa Minci, the librarian of the Knights. She liked to tease Yu Xie, and her slightly eccentric personality sometimes left him struggling to keep up.
And of course, there was the brotherly duo—Kaeya, the Acting Grand Master, and Diluc, the Captain of the Cavalry.
In short, while Yu Xie's life in Mondstadt wasn't one of immense wealth or free of worries, he had met many people, and it was an experience he didn't regret.
Yu Xie knew that one day the time would come to say goodbye. But this time, he felt confident that he could face the end alongside everyone else.
After all, they were all just ordinary people, weren't they?
Today was a normal day. The sunlight shone brightly outside the window, birds flew by, and people walked along the streets. Everything was peaceful.
Yu Xie stood by his window, gazing out blankly.
Eula had yet to join the Knights of Favonius, though both Grand Master Varka and Jean had extended offers to her. Perhaps Eula felt she wasn't yet ready, and had politely declined for the time being.
Then there was Amber...
Thinking of Amber, Yu Xie sighed slightly, put on his coat, and prepared to leave.
Just then, there was the sound of footsteps outside, followed by a knock at the door.
"Yu Xie, are you home?" It was Eula's voice.
Yu Xie walked over and opened the door.
Eula stood outside, looking somewhat anxious.
"Amber... recently, she's been so down, so different from her usual self. If this continues, I'm worried she might..."
Although Eula usually appeared indifferent to others, at times like this, she couldn't help but worry deeply.
Amber's grandfather had left Mondstadt not long ago, leaving without a word.
The sudden departure had left both Yu Xie and Eula saddened, and undoubtedly, Amber was the one most affected.
Ever since then, Amber's usual smile had disappeared, and the vitality and energy that used to radiate from her seemed to have faded.
The fiery, passionate Amber had completely changed.
"I was just about to go find Amber. Let's go together," Yu Xie said.
The two of them left the house, walking through the winding streets of Mondstadt, making their way to the familiar courtyard.
Over the past few years, Yu Xie had often come here, helping Amber and Eula tend to the flowers and vegetables in Amber's grandfather's garden. They had spent many leisurely moments together.
Those times were nostalgic. But now, those moments seemed as though they were forever gone.
Yu Xie and Eula opened the gate to the courtyard and stepped inside.
Amber was sitting on the ground beneath the eaves, curled up with her knees hugged to her chest.
"Yu Xie, Eula, you're here," Amber's voice was soft.
"Amber, have you had breakfast?" Yu Xie asked. "Eula and I brought you something."
"Thanks, but I'm not hungry," Amber replied, her tone flat and emotionless, like a calm lake without a ripple.
"You can't skip meals," Yu Xie said, walking over with the breakfast and sitting next to her, placing the food in front of Amber.
Amber hesitated for a long time, before finally taking the breakfast, gently biting into a piece of bread.
The bread tasted good, but there was no smile on Amber's face, no joy from eating something delicious as there would have been before.
It was so calm, as if she had forgotten how to smile.
Eula also walked over and sat down beside Amber.
"Amber..."
Eula wasn't someone who was good at comforting others, and at times like this, she didn't know how to begin.
"Yu Xie, Eula, why did Grandpa leave without a word? Some people... even say he betrayed us." Amber said quietly.
"There must be a reason, Amber. Grandpa definitely didn't betray anyone!" Eula raised her voice slightly.
"That's right, Amber. There must be a reason for all this," Yu Xie said, "We may not figure it out right away, but Grandpa wouldn't want to see you like this. Amber, you need to be brave."
"I..." Amber froze for a moment.
Amber, you need to be brave.
Those words Grandpa had said to her.
Whenever she was scared, Amber would think of those words Grandpa had told her.
Now, Grandpa was gone, and no one knew where he had gone. The Outrider squad he had led was all but disbanded.
At times like this, as Grandpa's granddaughter, and as someone who had only recently become a scout knight, Amber knew that she should be brave, that she should step up and lead everyone. She understood this well, but…
Countless questions filled her mind.
Did she really have the ability to lead the Outrider squad? Could she really do as well as Grandpa had done?
And where had Grandpa gone?
She missed those quiet afternoons with Grandpa in the garden. His tea had always been so good, and his smile had been a great comfort.
But now, all of that seemed so distant.
Even the final farewell was missing.
"Amber, Eula and I have something for you." Yu Xie took out a book.
Wind, Courage, and Wings — that was the title of the book.
"This is..." Amber looked at the book, her pupils trembling slightly. Her grandfather had mentioned this book to her before.
"Cheer up, Amber. You can do it." Yu Xie handed the book to Amber.
Holding the book in her hands, feeling its weight, Amber was silent for a long while.
Finally, she slowly spoke:
"Yu Xie, Eula, can I be alone for a while?"
"Amber..." Eula looked concerned, but she still didn't know what to say. She was very clumsy when it came to comforting others.
"Let's go, Eula." Yu Xie stood up.
"But..."
"Eula, don't worry."
"...Okay."
The two of them left the yard.
Walking side by side down the street, neither of them spoke.
People hurried past, and the voices of the street vendors could be heard all around.
"Yu Xie, I'm still really worried about Amber," Eula said, her voice filled with concern.
"Don't worry. Amber will pull through. She's the one and only scout knight in Mondstadt." Yu Xie said with a smile, "Trust me, we'll soon see that Amber with her bright, cheerful smile again."
The wind rustled past their ears, and the leaves on the roadside rustled as they fell.
Even in this city of freedom, filled with laughter and joy, farewells still happen.
There are many things in life that can't be predicted.
Tomorrow and partings— we never know which one will come first.
End of chapter
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