"This Cryo-emitting object must be what's causing the never-ending storm on the mountain."
Eula scanned the cave and immediately spotted the unusual block of ice in the center. Through it, she could see something frozen inside.
"This is freezing. Even my Pyro can't melt this ice."
Hu Tao rubbed her hand, which had been chilled by the Cryo energy, and circled the ice block with curiosity. For the first time in over a decade, she had encountered ice she couldn't melt.
"If I could chip off a piece and bring it back to Wangsheng, I wouldn't need to catch Cryo Slimes to cool down in the summer."
Seeing Hu Tao pull out an axe, chisel, and saw from a small golden pouch, clearly ready to take on the ice head-on, Amber quickly stepped in to stop her. They didn't know if whatever was sealed inside was dangerous. If Hu Tao's brute force triggered some mechanism, they might all end up as customers of Wangsheng.
While Hu Tao was sizing up her tools, Eula noticed Qiqi crouched motionless in a corner. Concerned, she went over to check. Qiqi was examining a red rock.
At first, Eula thought nothing of it—just a child curious about something new. But when Qiqi shattered the rock, Eula sensed the intense Pyro energy within it.
"Perhaps these stones are the key to melting the ice."
Years of knightly experience told Eula these rocks were connected to the ice. And she was right. Sensing the rich Pyro energy in the Scorching Stone, Qiqi immediately brought it to Hu Tao.
Hu Tao wanted to place the stone on the ice and then hug Qiqi—it was the first gift Qiqi had ever given her. But the moment the stone touched the ice, it reacted, melting a portion of it.
"Hey! Give back the gift Qiqi gave me!"
Seeing her gift consumed, Hu Tao was furious. Her Staff of Homa became a chipping tool as she struck the ice again and again.
After Amber pulled Hu Tao away, Eula rubbed her temples. She wasn't sure how to handle this Director Hu. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that—they needed to melt this ice.
As the only greatsword user in their four-person team, Eula naturally took on the mining work. Hu Tao and the others didn't stay idle either. Hu Tao found a straight piece of metal from the Ruin Grader's remains and, recalling the iron plate grilled meat Su Bai had made for her, started cooking a meal for the group.
"I didn't expect this hunk of metal to be so heat-resistant. That Abyss Mage turned to ash, but this thing didn't even flinch."
While grilling, Hu Tao tapped the round metal lump she was sitting on with her Staff of Homa. This thing could withstand her Pyro, so it must be a treasure. She'd take it back to Wangsheng as a keepsake.
"That should be a Ruin Grader's core. The Lawrence clan's ancient texts mention such things."
"Its internal structure is extremely complex. It's said to be a rare treasure. If used properly, it could be crafted into a powerful weapon."
Eula hefted the core in her hand. It was as heavy as a solid iron ball. Just as she was about to return it to Hu Tao, she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Albedo had somehow appeared in the cave.
"Oh, it's you, Albedo. So that feeling of being watched was from you."
"Hmph. You could have helped us with the monsters instead of just watching. I'll remember this grudge."
Seeing it was Albedo, Eula relaxed her guard. She didn't know him well, but she recognized Mondstadt's Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius.
"Eula, come back! It's dangerous!"
Amber's urgent call made Eula pause. Why was Amber acting like she was facing an enemy? Wasn't Albedo a Knight?
Had Albedo betrayed the Knights? That didn't make sense—if he had, she would have received word as the captain of the reconnaissance squad.
Though confused, Eula remained cautious. Amber would never steer her wrong. As the false Albedo drew closer, Eula tensed her muscles, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble.
But the false Albedo stopped at a safe distance.
"Eula, what's going on? Why are you so wary of me?"
The words left Eula unsure how to respond. Behind her, Amber hesitated. Had she been mistaken?
In that moment of distraction, the false Albedo struck. His dagger aimed ruthlessly at Eula's throat—a killing blow.
At that same moment, the thawed Nail fragment shuddered and shot into the sky. The cave trembled, causing the dagger to veer off course. Several strands of Eula's blue hair drifted to the ground.
Seeing the attack fail, the false Albedo quickly switched tactics and snatched the Ruin Grader core from Eula's hand. She stumbled back, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Albedo, what do you think you're doing?"
"Heh. Foolish."
With those words, the false Albedo fled toward the cave entrance. Eula tried to pursue but was blocked by a swarm of Cryo Whopperflowers. By the time she dealt with them, the imposter was long gone.
"I can't believe I was ambushed by a Knight of Favonius!"
"Ahem, everyone, I think we should focus on getting to the mountain's summit."
"Why? Albedo, you... wait, you dare come back?!"
Seeing Albedo before her again, Eula raised her sword. Albedo sidestepped the blow with a resigned expression. Amber quickly stepped in to stop Eula—this Albedo had fox fur on him that Su Bai had left behind. She was certain this was the real one.
"Though I don't know what happened here, next time you activate any mechanisms, please be more aware of your surroundings."
"The mechanism that shot out from here not only startled me while I was surveying the area but also sent Bennett, who was resting nearby, flying to the mountain's summit."
"Never mind that—we can talk on the way. Right now, we need to save Bennett. Even with a Pyro Vision, he won't last long in the freezing temperatures up there."