Chapter 35

A gentle breeze blew across the uneven ground, carrying with it the scent of the distant sea, rustling the green grass.

Paimon fluttered around the spot where Klee and Hiroshi had just disappeared, occasionally reaching out as if trying to find an invisible door.

Suddenly, a flash of white light illuminated the area, and Hiroshi and Klee reappeared. Paimon, who had been curiously probing the air, ended up bumping into Klee's head.

Carrying a large pile of various items, Klee spotted Jean standing nearby. Excitedly, she put down the heap of gifts and began rummaging through them.

"Not this one... Not this one..." Klee mumbled as her small hands sifted through the pile, which was taller than herself. Soon, she found what she was looking for—a small blue pendant. Klee's eyes lit up, and she shouted, "Found it!"

Holding the pendant, Klee ran over to Jean, her face full of excitement. She handed it to Jean, looking up with anticipation. "Captain Jean, do you like the gift Klee brought for you?"

Jean accepted the pendant and saw the delicate blue gem hanging from a platinum chain, etched with intricate mystical patterns, radiating a gentle magic aura.

Seeing Klee's eager expression, Jean smiled warmly. She knelt down, giving Klee a hug. "Thank you, Klee. I love it very much. But what makes me happiest is that you're back safe and sound."

Wriggling slightly in Jean's arms, Klee confidently said, "Don't worry, Captain Jean. Klee is super strong now! And with Brother hiroshi around, there's no way Klee would let you be sad."

Jean released her embrace and watched as Klee, now puffing out her chest, began hopping around to show how strong she was. Jean playfully patted Klee on the head and said, "Don't be so reckless, or you might fall."

"Hehe..." Klee giggled, waving to Jean before running back to the pile of gifts.

Jean watched as Klee continued to divide the gifts among everyone and then approached Hiroshi. "How did the mission go this time? Was everything smooth? Did anyone get hurt?" she asked.

Seeing Jean's concerned expression, Hiroshi softly recounted their experience. "Overall, everything went well. The mission was completed successfully, and everyone made it back safely." Seeing Jean deep in thought, Hiroshi smiled.

Jean looked out toward Mondstadt in the distance, the faint silhouette visible on the horizon. Her voice held a hint of wistfulness as she said, "Hearing you talk about it, it felt like I was seeing Mondstadt from a thousand years ago—the nobles oppressing the people, hiding in safety when danger arrived, while the heroes fought on the frontlines, only for those same nobles to try to buy them off afterwards."

Turning to Hiroshi, Jean asked with a hopeful look, "You've traveled across many worlds. Do you think there's truly an ideal world out there?"

Seeing Jean's hopeful eyes, Hiroshi scratched his head and looked down at the waves crashing against the cliffs below. "Maybe."

"Hmm?"

Seeing the confusion on Jean's face, Hiroshi waved his hand with a smile. "Don't ask me—ideals are too heavy for someone like me. I'm just a small person who wants to protect the things in my grasp. You'll have to find the answers for yourself when you join the group."

Not far away, Klee had distributed about half of the gifts. Looking at the pile still as tall as herself, Klee, with her small backpack on, put her hands on her hips and smiled proudly.

"Hehe, everyone will be so happy with all these gifts Klee brought for them!"

Lumine, wearing a beautiful, sparkling bracelet on her left hand, walked over to Klee and patted her head. "Little Klee, do you want big sister to help you carry these?"

Klee shook her head firmly, her magical aura enveloping the pile of gifts. She reached out her small hands, and with a grunt, lifted the entire stack.

Paimon, wearing a tiny necklace around her neck, flew around the now barely-visible Klee, who was blocked by the pile. "Klee, aren't you worried you'll trip and fall? It looks heavy. Let Paimon help you carry some."

"No need, Klee can handle it!" Klee said as she confidently led the way, balancing the towering pile of gifts.

Behind her, Paimon and Lumine followed cautiously, both wearing worried expressions.

"This kid..." Hiroshi couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. He looked at Jean, who seemed eager to help, and shook his head. "Let it go. I asked her if she needed help earlier, and she insisted on carrying everything herself. She even patted her chest and promised to carry everyone's gifts back. Besides, you know how strong Klee is."

Glancing over at Diluc, who was standing not too far away wearing a hat, Hiroshi whispered, "Klee's strength is greater than Diluc's now. Don't worry."

Stretching his arms and taking a deep breath, Hiroshi turned to Venti and Dvalin. "Now that Dvalin's been saved, we're heading back to Mondstadt. What about you two?"

Holding a bottle of exquisite wine from another world, Venti looked at Dvalin before answering, "I'll head back to the ruins of the old Wind Dragon with Dvalin first."

"Alright." Hiroshi nodded. Seeing Klee running further away, he waved goodbye to the god and the dragon. With a flash of swordlight, he and the others followed after Klee. A flash of white light took them all toward Mondstadt.

Dvalin watched as the group disappeared into the distance. He looked down at the gift he was holding—a unique gem matching the color of his own scales. Blinking his large eyes, Dvalin spoke to Venti, a hint of joy in his voice. "Old friend, does this mean I've made a new friend?"

Venti smiled at Dvalin, his lyre strings lightly vibrating. "Yes, Dvalin, congratulations."

Gazing into the distance, Venti said cheerfully, "I must say, I prefer the current Mondstadt. The Gunnhildr family has done well to uphold their vow, allowing Mondstadt to become what it is today."

Dvalin watched his friend's happiness and, for the first time, felt that perhaps he was beginning to understand human emotions.

"Let's go, Dvalin." Venti gestured towards the ruins of the Wind Dragon. "We should go tidy up your place and get rid of the unwanted guests."

"Roar!"

A powerful dragon roar echoed from the cliff of Starsnatch, and the Sky Dragon spread its wings. The returning dragon and his old friend had a lot of cleaning up to do.

Meanwhile, Hiroshi and the group returned to Mondstadt's city gate.

"Goodbye, Brother hiroshi!" Klee waved at Hiroshi while carrying her pile of gifts, happily running towards the Knights' headquarters.

As she ran, people heard the familiar pitter-patter of her footsteps. Turning to look, they saw Mondstadt's mascot, Klee, carrying a pile of gifts even taller than herself, running joyfully through the streets, her laughter ringing like bells.

Seeing Jean following closely behind, the townspeople put their worries aside and smiled as the two disappeared from sight, bowing slightly.

"May the Anemo Archon bless Mondstadt's spark and its dandelions."