Today, the weather in Mondstadt is exceptionally fine. The sky is a clear blue, and white clouds drift along with the breeze.
Near Cider Lake, at a large estate, lush green trees shade the garden, and flowers bloom in a vibrant display. In front of a three-story mansion, a flash of white light appeared, revealing Hiroshi, Klee, and Lumine in the middle of the flower field.
"Lumine!" A voice called out, and Paimon quickly flew in circles around Lumine, asking, "Lumine, are you hurt? Did you just come back from another world?"
"Mm-hmm." Lumine nodded with a smile, patting Paimon's head. "I'm fine. Everyone was there, and I'm pretty strong, remember?"
"Oh." Paimon replied softly, reassured. Then she moved closer to Hiroshi and asked, "Hiroshi, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Hiroshi smiled at Paimon, taking out a snack made by Shirou Emiya and stuffing it into her mouth, muffling her reply. He then took a small clump of bamboo from his spatial storage.
Klee, who was smiling brightly beside him, saw Hiroshi take out the bamboo and excitedly ran over, hugging his leg. She looked up with her big eyes and asked joyfully, "Big brother hiroshi, are we preparing a home for Beibei and Yuanyuan?"
Hiroshi nodded with a smile, taking Klee's small hand in his. He gestured to Lumine, motioning for her to come along, and they walked to the northern part of the estate. This area bordered the Windrise and had fertile soil.
Around 600 meters away from the mansion, the group stopped at a patch of cleared land. Under Paimon's curious gaze and Klee's eager expression, Hiroshi planted the bamboo at the center of the land.
Using his spiritual energy, he activated the power of the "Mountain Spirit's Blessing." The bamboo at his feet rapidly sprouted and grew, forming a neat bamboo grove under Hiroshi's direction.
Although the "Mountain Spirit's Blessing" ability to manipulate plants couldn't be used directly in combat, it proved very useful for daily life.
Satisfied with his work, Hiroshi turned to Klee, who was eagerly waiting. "Klee, let those two little fellows out now."
"Okay!" Klee nodded quickly, and a magic circle appeared beneath her feet. Two small black-and-white panda cubs appeared beside her.
The cubs moved lazily, lifting their heads to look innocently at Klee.
"Heave-ho!" Bending down, Klee picked up the smaller cub, Yuanyuan, her little face happily rubbing against Yuanyuan's furry head.
"Big brother hiroshi, can Klee take Beibei and Yuanyuan to see Captain Jean and the others?" Klee asked expectantly, her eyes full of curiosity.
Hiroshi snapped off a bamboo shoot that had just sprouted and handed it to Beibei, who had eagerly crawled over. He then handed another bamboo shoot to Yuanyuan, who was reaching out impatiently from Klee's arms.
He looked at Klee, who was holding Yuanyuan, half her size, and smiled. "These are Klee's magical companions, so you can decide what to do. But don't tire them out too much; they're still young."
"Mm, Klee understands!" Hearing Hiroshi's approval, Klee hugged Yuanyuan and spun around in joy. Beside her, Lumine also found Beibei adorable and hugged the panda while rubbing her face against it. Beibei, however, simply pushed Lumine's face up with an annoyed look, focusing instead on eating in her lap.
Hiroshi took a screenshot of the scene and shared it in their group chat, smiling as he joined the lively conversation.
**Takimoto Hifumi**: Is everyone home safe now? o(*^@¯*)o
**Kazuma Satou**: Safe and sound. Roundy.jpg
**Takimoto Hifumi**: ✩(*°□°*)✩ A panda! So cute.
**Klee**: Heeheehee, look, Hifumi big sis! Klee with Yuanyuan's picture.jpg
**Hiroshi**: Beibei says, "I'm just here to eat; don't bother me, lady." Lumine with Beibei's picture.jpg
**Takimoto Hifumi**: o(*≧▽≦)ツ So many cute pandas, where did they come from?
**Klee**: Big brother hiroshi, Shirou Emiya big brother, and Kazuma Satou big brother brought them back!
**Takimoto Hifumi**: (⊙_⊙)?
**Riku**: @Hiroshi, can humans really achieve something like that?
**Riku**: Can humans really gain that kind of power?
**Riku**: Is there a way to make it widespread?
**Hiroshi**: It's possible! But there's no way for everyone to achieve power at our level that easily.
**Hiroshi**: We group members can rapidly grow stronger as if we're cheating.
**Hiroshi**: Like me—after half a month with the chat group and experiencing two missions, I already have legendary-level power.
**Hiroshi**: But, yeah, it's the quick-and-dirty method...
**Hiroshi**: After this mission, most of the group members will be at legendary level!
**Riku**: I see.
**Riku**: Then, is there any way for me to quickly grow stronger?
**Infinity**: You missed this mission. Without points or experience, it's tough.
**Riku**: I figured... it seems I missed the chance to leverage the chat group's power.
**Riku**: But now I at least know a bit about the future events.
**Riku**: Though it seems I still won't be able to lift the Star Grail.
**Xiaohei**: @Riku, Riku big brother, I'll lend you my points.
**Hiroshi**: I'll take you leveling up.
**Takimoto Hifumi**: ヾ(?°?°?)?? I'll lend you my points too, Riku. Make sure you and Shubi make it through.
**Vanir**: I shall teach you the ways of magic. All my ultimate spells—if you wish to learn, I shall share them with you!
**Vanir**: I salute you, boy who will fight the gods!
**Vanir**: I am truly happy to be part of such interesting events.
**Kazuma Satou**: I'll lend a hand too!
**Megumin**: Oh, whatever god it is, I'll blast it away!
**Klee**: Heehee!
**Shirou Emiya**: I'll offer my strength as well.
**Hinata Gokou**: Riku big brother, do your best!
**Keqing**: If you need my strength, I'll give it my all!
**Keqing**: You are a person worthy of respect.
**Kuroyukihime**: @Hiroshi, Hiroshi, I'll come over to join you.
**Kuroyukihime**: @Riku, since hiroshi decided to help you, I'll also give it my all.
**Hiroshi**: Come on over, Kuroyukihime.
**Riku**: ....
**Riku**: Is it really worth it for you all to help me like this?
**Infinity**: Seeing your situation, as a fellow human, I want to help you.
**Xiaohei**: Riku big brother, I like you and Shubi, so I want to help.
**Hiroshi**: I'm willing to.
**Kazuma Satou**: +1
**Megumin**: +1
**Keqing**: When there are those in distress, shouldn't we extend a helping hand?
**Keqing**: Especially someone worthy of respect.
**Hiroshi**: Riku, is your side safe right now? Do you know roughly when the big battle mentioned in the quest will happen?
**Riku**: Everyone...
**Riku**: According to the fate quest timeline, the battle is when I've already finished my war plan. Right now, I've just started drafting it.
**Riku**: Ideally, we have about a month.
**Hiroshi**: Great, then finish what you need to do and come here soon.
**Hiroshi**: After that, I'll take you across Mondstadt's lands.
**Keqing**: I'll also do my best to clear up recent work and be ready to support you. Liyue welcomes you too.
[**Ding!** Xiaohei has sent a specified gift to Riku.]
[**Ding!** Takimoto Hifumi has sent a specified gift to Riku.]
[**Ding!** Keqing has sent a specified gift to Riku.]
[**Ding!** Kazuma Satou has sent a specified gift to Riku...]
The chat notifications kept coming as everyone contributed in whatever way they could to help Riku.
Even though they hadn't known each other for long, through the fate quest, everyone had grown familiar. They were all willing to extend a helping hand during moments of crisis. Although it may be insignificant individually, together their efforts could achieve something great.
**Hiroshi**: @Riku, are you ready now? You, who will make the gods abide by human rules!
**Riku**: Mm, this time, I will definitely create a better future!
**Klee**: Ah, Big brother hiroshi sounds just like Sister Fischl all of a sudden.
**Hiroshi**: No way, I don't!"