A single day passed in the blink of an eye.
Yet it was enough time for Grand Master Varka to share the exhilarating news of Alice's impending journey with all the Knights of Favonius.
Such wonderful news.
How could the knights possibly contain their urge to share it?
Overnight, word of Alice's travels spread throughout all of Mondstadt.
"Thank goodness! I won't have to worry about being jolted awake by explosions in the middle of the night anymore!"
"The Cider Lake can finally be restocked with fish fry... It's been years, but the payoff is huge."
"We really have to thank that traveler named Lin Mo..."
"I heard from a sister at the church that he's supposedly very tall and handsome~"
"May the Anemo Archon bless Mondstadt, and may Alice and Lin Mo find happiness together..."
"You just want someone to finally keep that troublemaker in check, don't you!"
On this day, the news of Alice's departure had become the hottest topic in Mondstadt.
How could such a widely discussed topic possibly escape Alice's ears?
At that moment, Lin Mo and Alice had just reached the bridge leading out of Mondstadt City.
Alice walked with her eyes downcast, her mood seemingly not quite right.
Although she had caused quite a few troubles over the years,
they were all accidents.
Compared to her mistakes,
her contributions to Mondstadt were far greater.
"What's wrong?"
Lin Mo sensed the shift in Alice's emotions.
After all...
Even a fool could tell this normally sunny and enthusiastic girl was unhappy, walking in such a sullen silence.
"Lin Mo... I... Should I really not stay in Mondstadt...?"
Alice asked the question softly.
Hearing this, Lin Mo roughly understood why she was upset and asked with a wry smile, "Is it... the attitude of the Mondstadt citizens that's disheartening you?"
Just then, Alice stopped walking. She looked up at Lin Mo, her eyes seeming slightly red.
"For over a decade..."
"I personally suppressed and cleared out the restless Hilichurls in Dadupa Gorge countless times."
"I also destroyed many autonomously activated Ruin Guards that wandered near Mondstadt City, which posed a threat to the city's peace."
"I even personally thwarted various schemes by the Abyss Order targeting Mondstadt."
"For example, a few years ago, the Abyss Order tried to corrupt the Stormterror, but I discovered their plan from the very beginning."
"At the time, I directly razed the Abyss Order's main base established near the Stormterror's Lair."
"There were many other similar dangers I never reported to the Knights."
"But that doesn't mean I haven't contributed to Mondstadt!"
"Now that the people of Mondstadt know I'm leaving, some are even crying tears of joy..."
"I... I've given so much for Mondstadt. Even if there's no credit, there's hard work!!"
The more Alice spoke, the more wronged she felt, until tears finally spilled over and traced down her cheeks.
At this point,
Lin Mo couldn't change anything.
He could only slowly step forward, gently embrace her, and say softly, "Alice, do you love Mondstadt?"
"I..."
"I do..."
Alice hesitated slightly,
but still gave a positive answer.
"What do you love about Mondstadt?" Lin Mo asked again.
"It's free here, and accepting..."
"They don't look at me strangely because I'm an elf."
"Even though... I've caused a lot of trouble for everyone in the Knights."
"Everyone is still very warm to me. When I'm in trouble, they all eagerly help."
"I really love Mondstadt... I truly do..."
Alice's voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
Precisely because she loved Mondstadt from the bottom of her heart,
being "joyfully seen off" by its people hurt so deeply.
Lin Mo gently stroked Alice's head and said tenderly, "Actually, sometimes, you have to let others see what you've done for them before they remember your goodness."
"For example, why do people suspect I'm your boyfriend?"
"Because everyone sees you coming to the Favonius Cathedral every day. They realize you're genuinely good to me, which sparked such rumors."
"Since you wish to be recognized, to have everyone see you as part of Mondstadt's family..."
"Then I think it's necessary to let everyone know about your efforts and contributions to Mondstadt."
Alice remained silent for a long time.
Because she felt Lin Mo's words made a lot of sense.
But the next moment,
Alice lifted her head, looking at Lin Mo with a troubled and pitiful expression, saying plaintively:
"But we're about to go on our journey. How can we make the people of Mondstadt feel my dedication and contributions now~?"
"We can't very well turn back and tell everyone I secretly solved many troubles for Mondstadt in the past, right?"
"What's past is past. Bringing it up again holds little meaning."
Lin Mo said with a smile, "We can think about what we can do for Mondstadt during our travels."
"Like what?"
Alice blinked her big eyes, curious.
"For example... I've read your 'Teyvat Travel Guide'..."
Lin Mo began with a smile, then asked, "The contents, so far, are basically travelogues, right?"
"Mhm, that's right."
Alice nodded.
Lin Mo continued with a smile:
"Then try to see it from their perspective."
"Most people in Mondstadt don't have the chance to travel to other nations."
"The reason they don't go is because the continent of Teyvat is full of dangers."
"But that doesn't mean they don't want to."
"If... we could transform the 'Teyvat Travel Guide' from a collection of travelogues into a form of travel journal and guidebook..."
"I believe many people would take the book you wrote, leave Mondstadt, and see the world."
As he spoke, Lin Mo took out a Kamera from his backpack and continued smiling:
"Grand Master Varka gave me this Kamera before we left, saying we should record the beautiful moments of our journey."
"During our travels, we can record the beautiful scenery of various places and include the pictures in the book."
"Lend our eyes to the people of Mondstadt, letting them accompany us to see this beautiful world."
"Lend our eyes to the people of Mondstadt... see this beautiful world together..."
Alice's eyes shimmered.
She could already imagine the look of longing on Mondstadters' faces as they read the 'Teyvat Travel Guide'.
Mondstadters, who pursue freedom, naturally wish to travel the world.
But... the world outside is full of dangers and unknowns.
Lin Mo's suggestion perfectly fulfilled that little wish of Mondstadters to see the world.
The unsatisfied ones would naturally join the Adventurers' Guild, take the 'Travel Guide' she authored, and traverse the continent anew.
"I've decided!"
Alice declared with determined eyes. "I will definitely find the safest path to the whole world for the people of Mondstadt!"
"I'm glad you think that way." Lin Mo smiled slightly.
At the same time, he raised the Kamera overhead and reminded her, "Come on, let's leave a memento for the start of our journey~"
"Ah~ My eyes are still all red~" Alice immediately protested coyly.
But she noticed,
Lin Mo's finger was already pressing down on the shutter button.
"Click~!"
The Kamera made the sound of a picture being taken.
But Lin Mo's hand remained raised in front of them.
Because...
At the very moment the shutter clicked,
Alice closed her eyes and kissed Lin Mo on the cheek.
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T/N:
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