Chapter 111: The Passing Bard (2-in-1 Chapter)

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At Windwatch, Windmill Chrysanthemum Garden.

An Eye of the Storm, encased in a tough shell, materialized before Nolan and his companions, its power level of forty-three slightly below that of the Abyss Hydro Mage they had encountered earlier.

Yet, underestimating this foe would not be the mark of a seasoned adventurer.

"Everyone, be cautious. Ellin, you move back first!"

Nolan, while keeping an eye on the Eye of the Storm swirling above, seriously advised Ellin.

"Alright, you all be careful too!"

Ellin understood that facing such a formidable enemy, she would only be a burden here, so retreating to avoid causing trouble was the best option.

"Oz, go!" Fischl summoned her Stringless Bow, twirling it gently in her hand.

"Understood, Miss!"

Flapping his wings interwoven with the colors of the night, Oz flew like lightning to a high altitude opposite the Eye of the Storm, and then launched a thunderbolt attack.

At the same time,

Fischl, her legs clad in asymmetrical black stockings slightly apart, raised her right arm to pull back the bowstring.

Arrows stored within the Vision first appeared on the bow as points of light before materializing into ordinary arrows, with lightning beginning to gather at their tips.

The next second, the Electro-imbued shaft arced through a violet trail towards the hovering Eye of the Storm.

Perhaps due to Fischl's power not quite matching up to the Eye of the Storm, the arrow's lightning was dissipated by the whirlwind surrounding it before even making contact with its body.

The now-ordinary arrow was likewise casually flicked away like a leaf in the wind.

"Tch, looks like I'll need to condense a more refined Electro charge,"

Surprise flashed across Fischl's fair face, as she prepared for another powered attack.

Oz, the raven in the sky, continuously bombarded the Storm Core with Thunder Bullets. Although the damage was minimal, it succeeded in drawing its attention, buying Fischl time to prepare her attack.

Nolan's Dull Blade definitely couldn't attack the target in the sky, so he could only use the Adventurer's Hunting Bow and Armor Piercing Arrow to try something.

Under the extraordinary characteristic of "Advanced Stability", his arrows ignored the frenzy.

His arrows, ignoring the whirlwind wrapped around the Storm Core, struck a bright spot on its dark green shell, creating a crack.

This was because, in Nolan's Eyes of Judgment, there already existed a flaw in that spot, making it a weak point in the shell, easily breached by the Armor-Piercing Arrow.

However, his weapon was but a two-star Adventurer's Bow. Though his extraordinary archery skills somewhat bridged the gap, Nolan's own power fell significantly short of the Storm Core's, making it difficult to inflict substantial damage.

Fischl watched Nolan hit the Storm Core with a non-elemental arrow without much surprise. After all, his archery skills had indeed reached a level difficult for others to match.

She released another Thunder Element arrow she had been charging for a while.

This time, she aimed for the gap in the deep green shell of the Eye of the Storm, seeking to strike directly at its heart for greater damage.

Despite some instability, the thunder element arrow, breaking through the hurricane, finally hit its target.

It inflicted some damage on the Eye of the Storm.

"Hmph~ As expected of a mere core of the wind, a few more arrows should do the trick." Fischl raised her fair chin with a touch of arrogance, but before she could finish, Nolan interrupted her.

He chuckled and suggested, "Princess, based on the damage from that last arrow, it seems it won't be resolved with just a few more shots. How about you handle the element infusion, and I take the shots?"

"Oh? Are you saying that you'll let this princess to imbue the elements for you, and use my bow?"

Fischl raised her elegant eyebrows, her green eyes locking onto Nolan.

She understood well enough; he wasn't talking about simply infusing his arrows with thunder elements as they had done against the water mage. No, this audacious fellow wanted to use her weapon too!

"Hmph~ Attendant, you wish too much. Weapons of three stars and above, once ascended to a certain level, will develop their own spirit. It's not as simple as just picking them up and using them!"

Fischl's purple-black skirt fluttered with the buffeting winds, its ruffled hem dancing to reveal teasing glimpses of stockinged thighs peeking from beneath the leather garter straps.

Spirit?

Indeed, in the game, weapons enhanced to level fifty became significantly more beautiful, perhaps due to the emergence of this so-called spirit.

Now that Nolan recalled, the "Mystic Enhancement Ores" used in weapon enhancement as an ingot condensed from the memories of battles on the land.

Absorbing those lingering impressions would naturally imbue weapons with a kind of soul or something!

Nolan thought thoughtfully.

And weapons with spirits, having grown accustomed to their owners, might not perform as well in others' hands, which made some sense.

Speaking of which, if Fischl's four-star bow had been enhanced to level fifty, coupled with her own considerable strength, it seemed unlikely that it would only slightly damage a level forty-something Storm Core.

Some hidden factor must have empowered the monster beyond its apparent level for even her to struggle so. The reason eluded Nolan for now.

"Well if that's the case, then I don't need to use your weapon, do I?" he offered after briefly pondering.

"Not use a weapon, how could—" Fischl's curiosity sparked in her uncovered right eye, then a moment of realization crossed her face. "You mean, together? Hmm... that could work."

She drew her bow once more, infusing her arrow with thunder elements and aiming at the Storm Core entangled with Oz, nodding, "Let's do this, my attendant!"

"Alright!"

Nolan positioned himself behind Fischl, his right hand sliding under her fair armpit to slightly lift the black silk sleeve of her arm, grasping the pale fingers that held the bowstring.

The soft touch and warm temperature passed through their skins.

His left hand layered over Fischl's hand, his chest pressed against her snow-white back, and her golden hair brushed against Nolan's face with the wind, making them appear as if embracing.

In this manner, it was Fischl who remained in contact with the weapon, yet it was Nolan, overlapping in stance with her, who truly exhibited masterful archery.

After all, she was merely responsible for drawing the bow and infusing the arrow with elements.

Nolan, with his golden eyes, focused on the Storm Core distracted by Oz in the sky, the bright spot indicating its weak point appearing.

He felt that using the bow in this manner, his "Monster Slayer" specialty and the extraordinary properties of his archery could still be fully effective.

Nolan gently held Fishel's soft hand up and slightly adjusted the angle.

Due to the closeness, his face brushed against Fischl's for a moment, conveying a soft warmth from her golden strands. The moment her cheeks flushed with a hint of red and her gaze darted away,

He coaxed Fischl's fingers to release the bowstring. The arrow, charged with Electro, vanished from sight instantaneously.

Under its silent and shadowless extraordinary properties, it ignored the distances and the raging winds, piercing through the tough shell of the Eye of the Storm and embedding precisely into a vulnerability within its green spherical heart.

Suddenly, Electro erupted within the core, causing the Storm Core's nucleus to stutter in mid-air as if glitching.

It seemed on the verge of falling.

"Again!"

Nolan turned his head for a moment, and Fischl's snow-white ear buried in her golden hair accidentally touched his lips lightly.

"Hey! You there!"

Fischl looked slightly annoyed, enduring the ticklish sensation in her ear without further complaint with a huff.

The Electro arrow was ready by the time she finished speaking.

Nolan's lips curved into a slight smile.

Letting go of Fischl's soft, fair hand, the same spot on the Storm Core's body was struck by another arrow instantaneously.

This time, it plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the grassy ground with a thud.

[Defeated A Powerful Enemy, Obatined 2053 Adventure EXP.]

Oh? Obviously its level was a bit lower than a Hydro Abyss Mage, yet it yielded more Adventure EXP. If not unexpected, its strength might actually surpass that of the Hydro Mage.

But due to its lower intellect, it couldn't fully manifest its capabilities.

As a high-quality form produced by the accumulation of elemental ley-lines, the Eye of the Storm would disperse back into light wind elements upon defeat.

There should have been nothing left behind.

Yet, at the spot where the Eye of the Storm's core dissipated, a red droplet-shaped crystal, glowing with a gloomy light, unexpectedly appeared.

"What is that?"

With the enemy defeated and no danger present, Eileen approached curiously.

"This princess seems to have sensed some kind of unsettling power!"

Fischl swatted the hand still on hers away, sheathed her weapon, and stepped forward with Nolan and Ellin towards the red droplet crystal, her black heeled boots crunching on the grass.

No need to feel it; its appearance alone spelled trouble.

Nolan commented inwardly.

If he remembered correctly, this was a tear of the Wind Dragon, containing the power of the dragon Durin's toxic blood. Those with the Vision would feel pain upon touching it due to elemental rejection in their bodies.

For ordinary people, the game's lore didn't specify.

Perhaps they would be corrupted by its ominous power. In any case, Nolan had no intention of finding out.

"Ah, don't touch it; it'll hurt!"

The voice that had traveled with the wind earlier rang out again. A green figure appeared above and to the left of Nolan and the others, drawing everyone's gaze.

"And who might you be?"

Fischl, hands on her hips under the tight black outfit, asked with a hint of wariness

Regardless of how one looks at it, someone appearing out of the blue right after they've defeated an enemy, especially in the wilderness, is bound to raise suspicions.

'Holy crap, Venti?!'

Nolan's heart skipped a beat in surprise, never expecting to encounter the Anemo Archon here. Unless...he was tracking the trail of the Stormterror?

After all, in the game, Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, Barbatos, wanders around disguised as a beautiful young man named Venti, presumably visiting wherever the wind takes him.

Now that his kin has awakened, it wouldn't be surprising if he came looking for them.

"Just a passing bard, you see. After all, to excel in this profession, one must master the art of appearing just at the right moment where a story unfolds, don't you think?"

The young man with a hat, dressed in green and twin braided tresses, said with a light chuckle.

"That does make some sense."

Nolan, knowing the nature of the Anemo Archon to be free-spirited and amiable, didn't show fear or excessive reverence upon realizing he was in the presence of a god.

"Right, right!"

The green-clad, braided youth was visibly pleased to have his view acknowledged.

"Hmph~ So, do you have business with us?" Fischl said, somewhat impolitely. Her purple-black dress fluttered in the breeze as she lightly touched her black-stockinged legs.

"Ah, well, as a bard, I might not know much, but I do have some insight. I came to warn you about this crimson droplet crystal. It's quite dangerous, so it's best to handle it with care," the braided youth cheerfully explained.

"Ah, so we've been busy for nothing!" Ellin expressed a slight disappointment, having thought they might find treasure here.

"How about I trade something for it? I'll trade it for the big treasure chest that was originally here. After all, it's of no use to you, but I can take care of it," Venti suggested, patting the green Vision at his waist, then placing a lavish-looking large treasure chest on the grass before them.

"Luxurious Treasure Chest!" Eileen exclaimed, slightly surprised. According to her father, who had been an adventurer, luxurious treasure chests were extremely rare finds.

"So, what do you say? Want to trade?" Venti asked with a smile.

"I always feel like there's something fishy about you," Fischl remarked, shifting her stance. Her hands, covered in black sheer sleeves, crossed over her lower abdomen, gently emphasizing her soft chest.

"How could that be? I'm so adorable, hehe!" Venti playfully stuck out his tongue.

"..."

For a moment, the three, along with the night raven Oz, were rendered speechless.

Eventually, after discussing it among themselves, Nolan and the others decided to trade with Venti. After all, the purpose of the crimson droplet crystal remained a mystery to them.

"Thank you! Should the chance arise, I'll definitely turn your adventures into poetry and spread it throughout all of Mondstadt. By then, you'll be known as 'outstanding adventurers' in everyone's eyes!"

With those words, Venti harnessed the wind element, drawing the crimson droplet crystal into his hand. Leaving behind the luxurious treasure chest with a smile, he waved goodbye and departed.

Nolan and the others paid no attention to this fellow, but instead cast all their eyes on the magnificent treasure chest.

Although there were many twists and turns, the treasure of the "Windmill Chrysanthemum Garden" had finally arrived.

The only regret was that there was not a single windmill chrysanthemum in the promised windmill chrysanthemum garden.

"This luxurious treasure chest, such a rare item. Who knows when we'll encounter another? Let's open it together!"

Nolan said with slight anticipation.

"Uh-huh!"

Ellin kept nodding her head.

Fischl and Night Raven Oz, of course, both had no opinion, and then each of them placed a hand on the lid of the magnificent treasure chest.

With a slight push, it was slowly pushed open,

Only to slam it shut again in unison, exchanging bewildered looks.

"Are we seeing things?"

Ellin said with dazed eyes and some uncertainty.

"I think not." Nolan was sure of it; apart from a single piece of paper, the chest was empty!

"That green-clad rascal, to think he'd deceive a princess!" Fischl's fair face showed a flash of anger.

Night Raven Oz, retracting his night wings, perched atop the chest lid, sighed, "He seemed so friendly, yet he pulled such a stunt. Let's see what his note says."

(End of Chapter)

Word Count: 2381

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