Chapter 232

Walking out of the tavern and onto the street, news of what had happened inside quickly spread throughout Mondstadt. After all, what people love most are tales of family stories, urban legends, and the like.

Nasida looked at Mondstadt City, which had a completely different atmosphere from Sumeru City. "Mondstadt feels so relaxed, and the people seem very happy."

Hearing his colleague praise Mondstadt, and in front of his superior no less, Venti felt proud. But he still spoke with modesty, "Actually, I didn't interfere too much with the people of Mondstadt. Everything you see now is the result of their own efforts."

Before Venti could bask in his pride for even two seconds, Nasida's next words made his expression stiffen.

"Mondstadt is a nation of freedom. The Great Dendro Archon once said that unrestrained freedom turns into indulgence. Individual freedom cannot be based on the restriction of collective freedom." Nasida wore an innocent expression, genuinely seeking advice. "Barbatos, have the people of Mondstadt ever faced unsolvable problems in their pursuit of freedom?"

A drop of cold sweat rolled down Barbatos' forehead. How should he answer this?

If he said they had faced such problems, then would he seem like an incompetent god?

If he said they hadn't, Nasida might ask question after question, leading to endless complications.

Takumi watched Venti, amused by how the Wind God was sweating under Nasida's questioning.

Nasida was good at many things, but emotional intelligence was not one of them. She might seem socially adept at times, but it was mostly imitation.

After all, she had been imprisoned for five hundred years, and her real-life experiences were limited. It was like a keyboard warrior online who struggled with face-to-face interaction.

Just as Venti was about to change the subject, a figure in red, both large and small, rushed over.

"I knew you would be in Mondstadt these days! I've been waiting here ever since I returned. See, I was right!" Alice, wearing her iconic red witch hat, waved her hands and instantly closed the distance, appearing in front of Takumi.

"I heard there would be rewards for completing tasks! How could I miss something so important!" Her ruby-like eyes sparkled as if Takumi was a treasure chest.

"Daddy!"

Behind Alice, a small figure in leather boots was running over. Without hesitation, she leaped towards Takumi, who quickly caught her.

Klee hugged Takumi's neck tightly.

Nasida looked at Klee in shock. "Daddy?" She quickly understood. As a god, she could see that Klee was just an ordinary holder of the Vision, not divine in nature.

If she truly were a child of the Heavenly Principles, she would possess qualities that were unique to such a being.

In the "courtyard" back in Sky Island, there were also little girls who called Takumi "daddy."

Venti took out a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Oh, what a perfect distraction! If not for this interruption, he wouldn't have known how to handle Nasida's barrage of questions.

Note to self: When encountering the Little Lucky Grass King in the future, keep your distance—you never know what odd question she'll ask next.

Takumi looked down at Klee's face. "My dear daughter, did you get into any trouble while I was away?"

Klee shook her head quickly. "No, no! Klee didn't make any trouble. Klee was very well-behaved while daddy was away. She stayed with Sister Barbara."

Takumi gave Klee a smile. "Good girl. Since you've been so good, Daddy will take you out to play, but you have to listen to me."

Klee cheered happily. "Yay! Klee gets to go out to play!" She couldn't contain her excitement. "Where are we going? Klee wants to go to Starfell Beach and blow up some fish—lots of them!"

Takumi chuckled. "Starfell Beach is nice, but there aren't many fish. Daddy will take you to Inazuma, where the seas are full of fish."

Klee raised her hands high. "Okay! Let's go to Inazuma and blow up some fish!"

"Say thank you to Daddy."

"Thank you, Daddy! Daddy is the best!" Klee was so happy that her smile lit up her entire face.

Though Jean and everyone else took good care of her, they never allowed her to blow up fish or make powerful bombs. She was the happiest when she was with her father.

Speaking of explosions, Alice's eyes sparkled, and her enthusiasm rose. "What's so fun about blowing up fish, dear daughter? Mommy will tell you—it's way more fun to blow up demons!"

"Blowing up the Sea Demon God, for example!"

"It's so big—a mushroom cloud bigger than Mondstadt! Destroying the world with a bang! The demon screams in the mushroom cloud, and if it survives the explosion, you can keep blowing it up."

Alice's face lit up with excitement as she recalled those experiences, her demeanor aligning with that of a true witch.

Venti: "..." I am also a demon god. You know, saying such things about a demon god in my presence is kind of harsh. It feels like you're targeting me, but I have no proof.

Klee's eyes sparkled with wonder. "Mom, is the bomb that made such a big mushroom cloud the same one you gave me last time?"

Alice nodded proudly. "That's right."

"Daddy." Klee's eyes were filled with anticipation.

Takumi sighed. "That bomb is very dangerous, Klee. You can't use it on the Teyvat continent. If you want to use it, you'll have to go out to sea. And even then, you can only use it once. After that, no more."

Klee's happiness overflowed. "Yay! A bomb that big will definitely blow up lots of fish!"

"But not today, Klee. We'll go to Inazuma tomorrow."

"Okay, Daddy!" Klee agreed, and then she turned her attention to Nasida. "Are you an elf too? You look a bit like me."

Nasida shook her head. "I'm not an elf. If we're talking in terms of time, Klee looks like me."

Klee blinked, not understanding fully, but then stretched out her hand. "Do you want to come play with Klee?"

Nasida nodded. "Alright, let's play together." She took Klee's hand.

After making friends with the girls in the courtyard and playing games with them, Nasida felt a great weight lifted from her heart.

Klee joyfully pulled Nasida down the street. "Yay! Klee has a new friend!"

Venti watched as Nasida was pulled away, and he gave a thumbs up in his heart. Well done, Klee. The witch's bloodline has certainly proven effective—even the Little Lucky Grass King was taken along without any trouble.

After Nasida was pulled away by Klee, Alice's eyes sparkled, and she rubbed her hands eagerly. "Now, isn't it time for rewards?"

There were so many things she wanted. It might be unrealistic to ask for a vial of the Heavenly Principle's blood, but perhaps a strand of hair or ten fingernail clippings? Or maybe the knowledge to study the principles governing life? What about asking for the power of a demon god?

Oh, there were so many things she wanted. Maybe she could just make a few wishes?

Takumi sighed and said, "Alice, the desire to treat me like a wishing well is practically spilling from your eyes."