Crackling sounds of the fire echoed in the air.
Under the warm orange glow, everyone sat around the campfire, discussing the day's discoveries. Hiroshi handed roasted meat to Klee and Qiqi, who were staring at him eagerly, before turning to Albedo with a smile.
"How did the investigation on Durin go?"
Giving Hiroshi a curious look, Albedo nodded. "It went smoothly. We uncovered many things."
"We also found ruined Ruin Guards in a nearby cave. They seem to carry some kind of information."
"Ruin Guards?"
Hiroshi warmed another piece of roasted meat without much concern. He distributed the freshly heated meat to everyone and leaned back against a drowsy Bebera, who had fallen asleep beside him. Feeling the soft and warm sensation at his back, Hiroshi let out a content sigh.
He turned to watch Klee twirling a glowing blue Starsilver greatsword in the air, with Qiqi quietly observing nearby. Pulling Kuroneko closer to his side, Hiroshi asked softly, "Kuroneko, if one day an unimaginable disaster strikes Teyvat, what should I do?"
"Hmm?"
Leaning against Hiroshi's chest, Kuroneko tilted her head slightly. "What's wrong, Hiroshi? Did something happen?"
"Nothing."
Shaking his head, Hiroshi smiled gently. "It's just a hypothetical question. Can you tell me your answer, Kuroneko?"
Her crystal-clear eyes gazed at Hiroshi as she tightened her embrace. "This is something you must think through yourself and find your own answer."
"And I will stay by your side, walking the path with you."
"Besides..."
With a gentle smile, Kuroneko whispered, "Hiroshi, you've saved many people. To me, you will always be my hero."
"A hero, huh~"
Tightening his arms slightly, Hiroshi's eyes brightened as he gazed at the cave ceiling illuminated by the firelight, a smile forming on his face. "Then I'll have to work even harder."
Nearby, Albedo silently finished his portion of meat and walked to his workstation. After all, the meat of the God of Old was an exceptionally rare research material, even if it was delicious.
The morning sunlight seeped into the quiet cave, blending with the soft sounds of even breathing and the occasional tinkling of glass.
Rubbing her red eyes, Klee groggily sat up. Noticing Albedo, who had been working through the night, she greeted him softly, "Good morning, Albedo."
Feeling a slight movement, Klee looked down and saw Hiroshi, who had woken up and was looking at her. She beamed at him.
"Good morning, Brother Hiroshi."
"Good morning, Klee."
Freeing himself gently from Kuroneko and Qiqi's embrace, Hiroshi lifted Klee into his arms.
Straightening up, Hiroshi looked at the golden morning light shining into the cave and smiled. "It's time to move out."
As the morning began, the group split into two teams. Albedo led Sucrose and the others to continue their research, while Hiroshi took Kuroneko and the others to explore Dragonspine.
Amid the snowy landscape, Klee and Qiqi dashed ahead, Klee pulling Qiqi along enthusiastically. The Starsilver greatsword that Klee had been playing with had already been taken by Albedo for study.
Suddenly, Klee skidded to a halt, holding a confused Qiqi tightly. She looked down at a snow-covered road and shouted, "Brother Hiroshi! Klee found a big cave!"
"Let's go!"
Pulling Qiqi along, Klee leaped down toward the enormous cave she had discovered.
Trailing behind, Hiroshi's expression twitched as he quickened his pace toward the direction where Klee and Qiqi had disappeared. Knowing Klee's adventurous spirit, Hiroshi believed that if she vanished from his sight, she could drag Qiqi along for an entire day of chaotic exploration.
In front of the massive cave, clusters of enormous icicles grew in various corners. Inside, a biting cold wind howled from deep within.
Grasping Klee, who was eager to charge inside, Hiroshi led the group cautiously into the cave. Amid the relentless gusts of cold wind, ice-blue glowing flowers swayed gently. The space gradually brightened, and the area expanded significantly.
Standing at the cave's exit, Hiroshi looked up at the vast hollow of the mountain, his gaze carrying a hint of emotion. The icy blue hue filled the entire cavern, where Hilichurl brutes wielding ice shields and snow-white Hilichurls roamed. The ancient nation had now become a nest of monsters.
"Graaa!"
The Hilichurls and their brutes charged upon spotting intruders. With glee, Klee pulled out a bouncing bomb.
Boom!
Golden light flashed across the icy blue space, and intense heat began spreading through the once lush land. As Kuroneko observed traces of human habitation left in the mountain hollow, she furrowed her brows slightly.
"Why would the gods destroy this nation? It was supposed to flourish under their guidance."
"I'm curious about that too," Hiroshi replied, gazing at the frozen ground and snow-covered Ruin Guards below. He leaped down.
Crouching, Hiroshi placed his hand on a Ruin Guard's faintly flickering core. A fragment of information emerged, revealing a series of incomplete numbers. His eyes reflected an enigmatic glimmer as he scanned the mountain hollow with his perception, every corner vividly appearing in his mind.
"Kuroneko, please wait here. I'm going to check on the Ruin Guards."
After instructing the group, Hiroshi disappeared in a flash of light. Streams of colorful energy swept through the hollow before ascending and vanishing into the distance.
In the valley where Durin rested, Albedo packed up his belongings. His research on the corrupted dragon had concluded, and the next phase required the facilities of Mondstadt's laboratory.
Suddenly, a beam of light descended, and Hiroshi landed. He quickly approached Albedo and placed a hand on his shoulder, transferring the information he had retrieved from the Ruin Guards.
"These are the numbers I obtained from other Ruin Guards. Can you decipher the data within?" Hiroshi asked softly.
"Hmm..."
Albedo pondered for a moment, supporting his chin with his hand. Finally, he nodded slowly. "I'll try. Give me a moment."
After considering his findings, Albedo spoke. "The translated message says: 'For the nation, we must not abandon this power from the heavens. But we failed.'"
"These Ruin Guards are battle automatons from Khaenri'ah, a subterranean nation that fell 500 years ago. Could this message be referring to Khaenri'ah?"
Albedo's face turned grim. "Was the calamity that befell Khaenri'ah 500 years ago connected to this power from the heavens?"
"Khaenri'ah?" Hiroshi asked, puzzled. "What kind of nation was it, and what calamity did it cause?"
Albedo explained, "Khaenri'ah was a technologically advanced underground human civilization. It was a powerful human nation and, notably, a godless one."
"However, 500 years ago, Khaenri'ah suddenly fell. Endless darkness rose from the earth, birthing countless monsters. Teyvat plunged into chaos."
"The corrupted dragon Durin was also created by a fallen alchemist from Khaenri'ah. It brought immense destruction until Barbatos and Dvalin defeated it, leaving it to fall on Dragonspine."
"A godless nation?!" Hiroshi exclaimed. "Where are its ruins now? Are there any survivors?"
"I don't know."
Shaking his head, Albedo continued, "Most records of Khaenri'ah were lost during that disaster. What remains has been classified as forbidden texts and destroyed. This is all I know."
"I see."
Letting out a breath, Hiroshi smiled. "Knowing this much is already a great help. Thank you, Albedo."
"Since there are no further leads, I'll go check on Klee and the others."
Waving goodbye, Hiroshi vanished in a flash of light. Albedo sighed softly as he watched Hiroshi disappear.
Looking up at the snow-filled sky, Albedo murmured, "Master, was it right for me to delve into Durin's secrets?"