In a world blanketed by pure white, a few dark figures slowly made their way along a snow-covered mountain path.
Standing next to Klee, Eula affectionately rubbed Roly-Poly's fluffy head and nodded. "Klee, you have such a clever way of staying warm. But I've never seen a creature like this before. I'll remember this grudge."
"Hehehe." Klee snuggled against Roly-Poly's back, smiling brightly. "Roly-Poly and Beibei are good friends that Brother Hiroshi gave to me. If you like them, Eula, you can come play with me more often."
"Eula… sister." Sitting behind Klee, Qiqi gently tugged on Eula's coat and pointed behind herself. "Would you… like to sit with… Qiqi?"
Eula looked down into Qiqi's small, innocent eyes, opening her mouth to speak but instead smiling softly as she patted Qiqi's head. "Thank you, but I'm a reconnaissance knight. I need to protect everyone."
"Okay." Qiqi nodded obediently, looking up at Eula and whispering, "Sister… good luck."
Blushing slightly, Eula tilted her head and said confidently, "Don't worry. I'm very capable."
"Eula seems to really like Qiqi," Kuroneko teased from the other side of Roly-Poly, smiling at the slightly flustered knight.
"Hmph! Of course not!" Eula retorted, nervously glancing at Kuroneko. "It's just that she's a small child and looks so… helpless. Protecting children is a knight's duty, even for a so-called traitor like me. If I'm a knight, I'll fulfill my responsibilities."
"Sister… is shy?" Qiqi looked curiously at Eula, reaching out to hold her hand. "Sister… feels familiar to Qiqi."
"And… sister has a warm… heart. Qiqi can feel it." Qiqi added softly.
"Pfft, hahaha." Kuroneko couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Qiqi holding Eula's hand as the knight grew increasingly flustered. Covering her mouth, Kuroneko said, "Eula, Qiqi has the ability to sense emotions. Being tsundere won't work with her."
Patting Qiqi's head, Kuroneko continued with a gentle smile, "She likes you, so it's okay to be honest."
"Hmph!" Eula's face turned a deep shade of red as she instinctively tried to cross her arms and deliver her trademark phrase, "I'll remember this grudge."
But Qiqi's grip on her hand kept her from moving. Glancing at the others, who were sneakily watching the scene unfold, Eula's face reddened further. She gently released Qiqi's hand, patted her head, and turned to Kuroneko with a huff.
"I'll remember this grudge, you vile woman! I'll repay this humiliation someday!" she declared, glaring at the others. "And to all of you watching my disgraceful moment, I'll remember this grudge too!"
Eula summoned her icy-blue greatsword with a flourish and leaped away, vanishing into the snowy landscape. "I'm going to scout ahead. Next time, I'll have my revenge!"
Watching her disappear, Hiroshi couldn't help but laugh. Ruffling Qiqi's hair, he said, "She's no match for natural sweetness."
"Brother Hiroshi… did Qiqi do something wrong?" Qiqi asked softly, glancing at Eula's retreating figure. "Why did sister… leave?"
Hiroshi hugged Qiqi close and playfully rubbed her cheek. "Don't worry, Qiqi. Eula really likes you. She's just shy. Look, she didn't even say her usual 'I'll remember this grudge' to you."
Pinching her little nose gently, Hiroshi smiled. "Next time, just keep being yourself with Eula. She'll come around."
"Okay." Qiqi nestled against Hiroshi's chest and closed her eyes. "Eula feels like… Sister Kuroneko. Warm and safe."
"Is that so?" Hiroshi chuckled, handing Qiqi to a teary-eyed Kuroneko. Patting Klee's head, Hiroshi turned his attention to the massive silver valley ahead.
"Albedo, Durin's core is down there. What's your plan?"
Albedo, stroking his chin thoughtfully, replied, "The valley is vast, and even with their numbers, the Fatui can't possibly search every corner. If we stay hidden, I believe my knowledge can help us locate Durin's core before they do."
Klee, sticking out her tongue playfully at Hiroshi, turned her curious gaze to the valley below. Raising her hand, a golden-red bouncing bomb appeared, gleaming with energy.
"Albedo, can I throw my bomb down there?" Klee asked innocently.
"No," Albedo answered flatly without even looking at her.
"Hmph!" Klee pouted, withdrawing her bomb as she glared at the patrolling Fatui below. "You bad guys are lucky Albedo won't let me show you the power of my bombs."
On Beibei's back, Sucrose adjusted her glasses and stared at Klee's antics with a puzzled expression. "Did I imagine it, or was there really a golden glow earlier?"
Following Eula's tracks, the group carefully advanced toward the valley. Perched on rib-like rock formations, Eula crouched and observed the Fatui's organized movements below, her brow furrowing.
"They've become more vigilant since our last encounter. Troublesome." Eula tightened her grip on her greatsword, ready to report back.
"Eula, what are you looking at?" Klee's voice suddenly called out from behind, startling her. Turning, she saw Klee mimicking her posture, peeking at the Fatui.
"Oh, it's those bad guys again!"
"Klee, why are you here?!" Eula exclaimed, pulling the girl close. "What if you fell? That would be disastrous!"
"Don't worry!" Klee giggled, hugging Eula tightly. "I can fly!"
As golden light enveloped them, Klee held onto Eula and vanished. Below, the Fatui continued their search, unaware of the commotion above.