Step. Step. Step.
The steady sound of footsteps echoed from the entrance of the cave. Klee, who was striking a pose with her little hands in the air, lit up with excitement, her small face beaming as she turned to look.
A tall figure with ice-blue hair tied back with a black ribbon stepped inside. Eula's elegant features carried a slight hint of indignation. Standing at the entrance, she shook off the snow from her shoulders, her Cryo Vision glimmering faintly on her chest.
"Eula!" Klee exclaimed, waving her little hands energetically, her face brimming with joy.
"Klee?!" Eula froze mid-action, her eyes widening as she spotted the small girl.
"What are you doing here? Dragonspine is no place for children!" Eula scolded, quickly walking over to Klee. "If you get frozen or injured by enemies, how will I seek revenge?"
"I'll remember this grudge, you troublesome little rascal!"
"Hmph!" Klee puffed up her chest, placing her hands on her hips. Standing on tiptoes to meet Eula's gaze, she declared, "Eula, it's been so long since we've seen each other, and you didn't even hug Klee. I'll remember this grudge!"
"Unless you hug me now and say you missed me, I might consider forgiving you."
"You little brat," Eula muttered, flicking Klee's forehead gently. "Didn't I tell you not to copy my way of speaking?"
"I'll remember this grudge too!" Klee said with a mischievous grin.
Pulling Eula's hand, Klee brought Qiqi forward. "Eula, this is my new family, Sister Qiqi."
Then, pointing to each person in turn, Klee continued, "This is Sister Kuroneko, and this is Brother Hiroshi. They're all my family. You have to get along with them, okay?"
Eula's gaze shifted to the unfamiliar faces in the cave, her brows furrowing slightly. She turned to Albedo for an explanation.
"This is Hiroshi, the honorary knight who helped resolve the Stormterror crisis. He's here on Acting Grand Master Jean's request to assist us," Albedo explained.
"I see," Eula said, crossing her arms and looking Hiroshi up and down. "So you're the honorary knight who took credit for my glory. I'll remember this grudge. Stick close to me in the mountains, or if you get hurt, I won't be able to avenge you."
"And Albedo," Eula added with a huff, "you called for reinforcements without telling me. I'll remember this grudge too."
Albedo introduced her calmly, "This is Eula Lawrence, captain of the Reconnaissance Company of the Knights of Favonius, also known as the Spindrift Knight. She's a reliable ally, though her personality is… unique."
"Hmph!" Eula turned to Albedo, raising her chin. "You dare call me reliable and troublesome? I'll remember this grudge!"
"I, Eula Lawrence, am a descendant of Mondstadt's sinners and an internal traitor to the Knights. One day, I'll repay the grudge of Mondstadt overthrowing the Lawrence Clan."
"As you can see," Albedo said to Hiroshi with a straight face, "her personality is indeed… complicated. But she is trustworthy and kind."
Ignoring Eula's attempt to add another grudge to her list, Albedo returned to his seat and sipped his tea.
"Don't believe what this guy says," Eula warned Hiroshi, glaring at him. "I'm a traitor's descendant, so be careful, or I might stab you in the back."
"Understood," Hiroshi said with a knowing nod. "She's like a tsundere. I'm familiar with that."
Kuroneko puffed her cheeks and tapped Hiroshi's shoulder. "Hiroshi, are you talking about me?!"
"No! Definitely not about you, Kuroneko!" Hiroshi quickly turned to Eula and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Knight Eula. I'm Hiroshi. Let's work well together."
Eula scrutinized him, her expression softening slightly when she saw his unchanging demeanor despite hearing her surname. A faint smile flashed across her face before she quickly masked it.
Gripping Hiroshi's hand, Eula said, "As long as you're not afraid of me betraying you."
"I trust you," Hiroshi replied with a warm smile. "I believe in what I see with my own eyes. Rumors aren't reliable; only firsthand experience can be trusted."
"Hmph! Questioning a noble's words?" Eula's lips curled into a small smile. "I'll remember this grudge too."
"Eula, how did your scouting mission go?" Timaeus asked, handing her a cup of hot coffee. "Did the Fatui find any significant locations related to Durin?"
Taking the coffee, Eula took a sip and immediately winced. "Ow!" She stuck out her tongue slightly and glared at Timaeus. "I'll remember this grudge too!"
Settling by the fire with the warm cup in her hands, Eula waited for the stinging sensation on her tongue to subside. She then pulled a map from her pocket.
"This is what I retrieved from the Fatui during my mission," Eula said, unfolding the ancient-looking map under the firelight. It detailed the terrain of Dragonspine and part of Mondstadt.
Pointing to a green-white boundary, Eula said, "This marks our current location."
Tracing her finger down to a spot farther from their camp, she added, "The Fatui are heavily concentrated in this valley, searching everywhere. Durin's resting place is likely here."
"Moreover," Eula's expression grew serious, "I suspect the Fatui have another goal beyond Durin. Half their forces are searching the valley for him, while the other half are scouring the mountains for something else."
Turning to Albedo, Eula continued, "There must be something else hidden in this mysterious Dragonspine. That's their true objective."
"As expected," Albedo said calmly, gazing at the now-clear snowy landscape beyond the cave. "After all, Dragonspine is a place full of secrets."
Lost in thought for a moment, Albedo sighed and looked at the map in Eula's hands. "This map appears to be quite old."
The green-white boundary depicted Mondstadt's location, surrounded by unending frost. At the heart of Dragonspine, a pure white expanse seemed to spread endlessly.