In the projected scene, Alice sat on the grassy slope of Starsnatch Cliff, gazing up at the star-filled night sky.
Her eyes seemed distant and unfocused.
It appeared...
She was reminiscing about the warm, weekly family tradition of coming to Starsnatch Cliff to admire the night sky together, all three of them.
Beside her, Klee watched her mother's entranced expression.
Unable to hold back, Klee tilted her little head again and asked, " Mommy, Mommy, when is Daddy coming back~? "
Alice's thoughts gradually returned to the present.
She turned her face, gently stroking Klee's cheek with a soft smile. " Did Daddy tell Klee where he was going on his trip?
"
" Klee doesn't know~"
Klee shook her little head. " Daddy just said he was going to a very, very faraway place~"
Alice didn't answer Klee's question directly, instead saying with a smile, " Klee... we elves have long lifespans. One day, we will definitely wait until the day he returns.
"
" But... "
Little Klee lowered her head, speaking in a pitiful voice. " But Klee wants to see Daddy soon.
This is already the third day Klee hasn't seen Daddy. Klee has never been away from Daddy for so long~"
" Isn't Mommy here with Klee~? "
Alice said dotingly.
At the same time, she pulled Klee into her embrace, speaking gently. " As long as Klee is good, we will definitely wait until he comes back.
"
" Mhm~ Klee will definitely be good! "
...
This heartwarming scene.
It made Lin Mo's nose sting slightly with emotion.
If only he could have been there with them at that time, how wonderful that would have been.
The night grew deep, the wind turned cool.
Alice took Klee's hand and left Starsnatch Cliff.
As their figures disappeared from the projection.
Lin Mo also felt a hollow emptiness in his heart.
In this lifetime, although he had reunited and recognized Klee.
Lin Mo still felt deep regret in his heart.
Why?
Because throughout his hundred cycles of reincarnation, Lin Mo had managed to see Klee in quite a few lifetimes.
However, it was always while bearing a different identity, secretly watching over Klee.
But his wife, Alice...
Lin Mo had never seen her again after their separation.
In the projection, as the red-clad maiden vanished from the scene.
The longing that Lin Mo had suppressed for hundreds, even thousands of years surged into his heart.
So, Lin Mo quickly raised his hand and switched the projection scene.
What made Lin Mo increasingly anxious was.
As he switched scene after scene.
Switching over a hundred scenes.
Although he saw a young Diluc, Kaeya, and Jean.
He still did not see any trace of Alice or Klee among them.
Finally, upon switching to the three-hundredth scene.
Lin Mo got his wish and saw Alice's figure.
The location in the scene was displayed as the Thousand Winds Temple.
In the scene, black smoke still curled as before.
Only Varka, leading the Knights of Favonius, surrounded the area on all sides. It seemed they had just dealt with the remnants of the Abyss Order at the Thousand Winds Temple.
" Fortunately, we discovered it early. "
Varka said with a furrowed brow. " If this creature had wandered aimlessly into Mondstadt, it might have caused significant casualties among the citizens.
"
" Mhm, since it's resolved, I'll head back first. "
Alice said indifferently.
As soon as the words fell.
She turned and walked toward the direction of Mondstadt city on her own.
As Alice's figure gradually faded from the scene.
Lin Mo was just about to eagerly switch scenes again to search for Alice's figure.
But the next moment.
The discussion between Varka and the Knights caught Lin Mo's attention.
A Knight, looking in the direction Alice had left, said puzzledly, " Grand Master, don't you think... Miss Alice... seems different from before?
" " Mhm...
Ever since that man left Mondstadt, she... changed. "
Varka slowly nodded, his gaze tinged with worry.
" Sigh... who knows if it's a good thing or a bad thing. "
The Knight sighed quietly and continued, " Although during this time... Miss Alice hasn't caused any more trouble, but her current state gives people a feeling of an impending storm.
"
Other Knights also chimed in agreement:
" Yeah, I remember the last time Miss Alice flew into a rage was at the Stormterror's Lair, right? "
" Exactly, exactly! Because of Miss Alice, that place is now called the Stormterror's Lair Ruins!
" " Also, last time she argued with Mr.
Lin Mo, she blew up the steel gates of Mondstadt city! " "
Steel gates!? Mondstadt's gates used to have actual doors? "
" What did you think? "
...
Alice's current state had many Knights deeply worried.
Because everyone knew the fiery temperament of this maiden...
They'd almost prefer if Alice were still her former, lively self.
Although she often caused some trouble.
It was always minor mischief.
But if Alice were to have an emotional outburst...
No one knew what terrifying thing might happen.
They couldn't help but imagine one day, if Alice suddenly became distraught, she might vent like she did back at the Stormterror's Lair, suddenly blowing the entire Mondstadt city into ruins.
Sensing the Knights' worries, Varka couldn't help but shake his head helplessly, saying:
" In this matter, I'm afraid I can do nothing. "
" In the whole world, the only one who can steady her is Lin Mo. "
" Even Klee probably couldn't. "
" Then what should we do~"
" Yeah, seeing Miss Alice like this, I can't even sleep soundly at night. "
" Where exactly did Mr. Lin Mo go?
Grand Master Varka, can't you bring him back? "
The Knights' worries were written all over their faces.
After all...
Alice's past "achievements" were far too terrifying to hear about.
Grand Master Varka fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he looked up at the Knights and said solemnly, " In the near future, I will lead the Knights' elite on an expedition to the Sea of Ash. "
" Since she might vent her inner troubles through destruction and devastation. "
" I will try to invite her to join the expeditionary force. "
" Having Alice become our combat strength on the expedition should kill two birds with one stone. "
" She can both serve as the expeditionary force's top combatant and vent her negative emotions. "
Upon hearing this.
Expressions of pleasant surprise appeared on everyone's faces.
" That's wonderful! "
" Although I don't dislike Lady Alice, this is definitely an excellent proposal. "
" Finally, we can sleep peacefully... "
At this point.
Lin Mo finally understood the real reason why Alice was invited by Varka to join the expeditionary force.
" Alice, you... what exactly happened? "
Lin Mo felt incredibly anxious.
He urgently wanted to know why Alice's personality had become so withdrawn.
Could it be...
Simply because of his departure?
--------
T/N:
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