Chapter 21

Above Mondstadt, the sky was clear today, a blue expanse that looked like a precious gem.

At the Ugu Bone Tribe, it was another peaceful day.

Ugu was the chieftain of this nearly large-scale tribe. Unlike other hilichurls, Ugu had been intelligent since childhood. On the day he became chief, he made a vow—to lead his people so they wouldn't go hungry, so no one would freeze to death during the harsh winters. He began training, working on his body, and training his tribe. They cautiously launched raids on human settlements in Windrise.

After several years of effort, the tribe's population grew from a small band of just over twenty to a group of over eight hundred. They moved into this secluded valley, no longer fearing detection by the ruthless human knights who would exterminate their people. On that day, their tribe officially became known as the Ugu Bone Tribe.

But just a few days ago, the Stormterror appeared again, heading straight for the human city of Mondstadt. Following that, several Abyss Mages visited their tribe. After discussing with some elders of the tribe, Ugu decided to meet these outsiders.

Their request was for the Ugu Bone Tribe to cooperate with their plan to, at the right moment, attack and seize that massive fortress, Mondstadt.

The Abyss Mages possessed powers far beyond what Ugu could resist. They promised him that after the conquest of Mondstadt, they would grant his tribe a vast land to settle on, and Ugu himself would receive the power of the Abyss. Faced with this, Ugu chose to submit.

As instructed by the Abyss Mages, Ugu sent the two smartest scouts in his tribe, his eighteenth and twentieth children, Uye and Uguo.

At the moment, Ugu was in discussion with the elders of the tribe, planning their future course based on the scouts' reports, when suddenly—

"Domain Expand."

The soft, almost whispering voice of a human male echoed in his ears. The next moment, a pure white space enveloped his entire world.

The startled cries of the elders, the chanting of spells from the next room where the Abyss Mages were—none of these sounds pierced his soul like that one gentle whisper.

Light filled his vision. His mask shattered, and his once-powerful body burst into a bloody mist that floated in the air. The red gemstone that symbolized his authority flashed and disappeared. The chanting from the next room ceased, and his spirit quickly fell silent as well.

Above the valley that was once the Ugu Bone Tribe, Hiroshi caught the tear of Stormterror. Gazing down at the valley that was now level and polished like a piece of work smoothed over, he waved a gentle breeze to scatter the lingering blood mist. He then returned to his companions.

Blood scattered in the wind, falling on distant open fields. Surely, when spring came, that place would be covered in beautiful flowers.

"What is this, Hiroshi?" Klee, wide-eyed with curiosity, hugged Hiroshi tightly. "I want one too!"

Patting her head, Hiroshi smiled. "This is a domain. It lets you wrap the world around you into your own space. Within the domain, you are the god."

"Wow!" Klee exclaimed, her eyes bright with awe. "I don't understand, but that's amazing!"

"Haha, thanks, little Klee." He ruffled her hair before handing the Stormterror's tear to the stunned Lumine. Picking Klee up and putting her on his shoulders, he said, "Someday, you'll have a power like this too, and you can use it to make your Jumpy Dumpty bombs as big as cannons."

"Haha!" Klee giggled joyfully, holding onto Hiroshi's head. "Yeah, I'll make a giant Jumpy Dumpty someday!"

Jean finally snapped out of her shock. The previously rugged valley had turned into a massive, smooth, rectangular pit. When Hiroshi said "Domain Expand," a pure white world appeared, countless golden lights formed into blades in the sky, and with just a wave of his hand, a single strike left the huge pit before them.

Looking up at Hiroshi, who was now chasing butterflies with Klee on his shoulders, Jean took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for helping Mondstadt remove this threat."

"Ah!" Hiroshi paused, waving his hands hastily. "No, no, Jean. I'm just Hiroshi, nothing else. Please don't make it awkward for me."

"It was nothing." Hiroshi said as if it was only natural. "I am an honorary knight of Mondstadt, right? Eliminating threats to Mondstadt is part of my duty."

Seeing Hiroshi's unchanged attitude since they first met, Jean felt a sense of relief. Smiling, she looked at Hiroshi with Klee on his shoulders and said, "Even so, I am still grateful."

Sensing Jean's warmth, Hiroshi grinned. "Well, if I need help, I won't hesitate to ask."

"Lumine," Paimon whispered cautiously into her ear, "Could Hiroshi actually be a god from another world?" Though phrased as a question, it was more of a statement.

Lumine frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then shook her head, uncertain.

Since Hiroshi expanded his domain, Venti had been in a daze. Suddenly, he rushed to Hiroshi's side, asking anxiously, "Hiroshi, that domain ability—did you get it from the chat group?"

Seeing Venti's anxious face, Hiroshi nodded. "Yes, why?"

Receiving Hiroshi's affirmative response, Venti's eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and panic. He glanced up at the sky and then turned to Hiroshi with a pleading look. "Hiroshi, please—I need the next invitation to the chat group."

Seeing Venti's sudden change, Hiroshi set Klee down and said sternly, "The next invitation has already been promised to Lumine, and the one after that to Jean. I've given my word, and I won't go back on it."

Venti turned to Lumine, and she met his gaze, her eyes firm as she shook her head. "Sorry, I have my own reasons not to give it up."

Venti managed a strained smile, shaking his head apologetically. "I was asking too much. Sorry."

Jean watched Venti for a moment, then said, "Hiroshi, can I give my invitation to Lord Barbatos?"

Hiroshi looked at her and nodded.

Venti bowed gratefully to Jean. "Thank you, Jean."

Jean smiled at him reassuringly. "If it's that urgent, I'm happy to help. I can wait a month to join." Then she turned to Hiroshi, smiling. "Can I reserve the spot after Lisa's?"

"Sure, no problem." Hiroshi agreed readily, and then Diluc's voice chimed in.

"I'll reserve the spot after Jean." Diluc said calmly. "I'll offer something of equivalent value in return, though it probably won't match the worth of an invitation."

Raising an eyebrow, Hiroshi smiled. "Deal. I'm looking forward to seeing what you bring."

"I'll also compensate accordingly," Venti added, now calmer.

Shaking his head with a smile, Hiroshi turned to Jean and Lumine. "There's no need. I see you as my friends, and as my friends, sharing this with you is the right thing to do. Or... are you implying we aren't friends?"

Lumine thought for a moment and then nodded. "Alright. How about I cook you a meal to make up for it? You'll get to enjoy my cooking."

Jean, seeing Lumine's easy acceptance, nodded decisively. "Thank you."

Venti smiled sheepishly, looking at Hiroshi. "So, you really think of me as a friend too?" He chuckled. "In that case, I won't be too polite."

Rolling his eyes, Hiroshi muttered, "I'll believe it when you actually do something useful. You're not one to be polite anyway. I still remember that time you tried singing to cover your tab at my barbecue stand! And let's be clear, you're no cute girl, so there's really no reason for me to want you around. I just owe you for what you did at the Anemo Archon statue."

"A true performer," Paimon chimed in, floating closer. "Hey, Hiroshi, do I get an invitation too?"

Hiroshi smiled slyly. "Of course, but there's just a little favor I need from you first."

"By the way, Hiroshi, that ability you used earlier," Venti said suddenly, looking up at the sky with a hint of worry. "It's best not to use it unless absolutely necessary… or there may be consequences."

"Huh? What are you mumbling about?" Paimon asked loudly, curious.

Hiroshi followed Venti's gaze upwards, remembering the start of the game. He wasn't entirely sure what Venti meant, but it seemed he still wasn't strong enough yet.

"Got it. I'll be careful," Hiroshi replied.