Seeing Eula looking puzzled, Collei explained:
"When Mr. Arkz took me in, I promised to repay him, so I agreed to help him find six types of high-quality plants in Mondstadt."
"I didn't expect to find one so easily; I'm really lucky."
Looking at Collei's delighted expression, Eula understood.
She thought: "A life-saving debt is not something that can be repaid with common plants found by the roadside."
"Given Collei's nature, Mr. Arkz probably proposed this condition back then just to let her accept treatment with peace of mind."
"Even if those six plants are useful to Arkz, does he not have the ability to find them himself?"
"Mr. Arkz is truly admirable."
Xing carefully put away the highest quality Cecilia flower.
Others might not know, but how could Xing not know the importance of this flower?
This was a sacrificial item, an important prop in the system's main quest.
Completing the sacrifice quest would surely yield generous rewards; Xing couldn't help but look forward to it.
After this small interlude, the group took out the food they had prepared earlier and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and delicious food atop Starsnatch Cliff, having a wonderful time.
For today's picnic, Amber and Eula had been 'plotting' for a long time.
After receiving Jean's notification that morning, the two of them started preparing.
For this picnic, both of them prepared their signature dishes.
Amber's Outrider Grilled Meat.
As an Outrider who often operates outdoors, Amber frequently needs to solve her dining problems in the wilderness.
Therefore, making simple and convenient grilled meat was Amber's best choice.
Select a piece of fresh and plump beast meat, roast it on the stove, and during the roasting process, brush it with Amber's special Outrider Sauce.
A delicious and tasty Amber specialty—Outrider Grilled Meat—was complete.
Although sometimes, due to time constraints, the grilled meat Amber made would have one side still showing blood and the other emitting a subtle charred aroma.
The others still gave face by eating it heartily and continuously praising how delicious the grilled meat was.
This made Amber very happy.
"Wuwuwu, Amber, the grilled meat you made is truly too delicious!"
Xing said emotionally while eating the grilled meat.
What she was eating now wasn't just grilled meat; she was eating memories, the feelings she had for Amber during her time as a Traveler?
Which Traveler could refuse grilled meat personally made by Amber?
Fortunately, even though it looked a bit undercooked, it posed absolutely no problem for Xing's constitution.
For Collei, being able to fill her stomach while wandering was already bliss, let alone this delicious food personally made by Amber; Collei naturally wouldn't find fault with it.
"Alright, next up is tasting the Moon Pies I made."
Eula took out an exquisitely packaged food box from the space within her Vision. Before the lid was even opened, the fragrance drifted out, making everyone involuntarily swallow.
Eula had undergone rigorous noble training since childhood, and culinary skills were naturally part of that training. Her cooking was top-tier, comparable to Mondstadt's Xiangling in terms of skill.
The Moon Pies she made possessed both a crisp, golden-brown exterior and retained the rich, savory, smoked flavor inside. Most importantly, the long baking time increased the food's shelf life.
It was even praised by members of Eula's exploration team as—the Knights of Favonius's best military ration.
However, only friends approved by Eula could taste the snacks she personally made.
Therefore, even throughout all of Mondstadt, not many people knew that Eula possessed such excellent culinary skills.
Holding her own portion of Moon Pie, Xing eagerly put it into her mouth.
"Mmm~~"
"This is too delicious!!!"
Seeing Xing's exaggerated reaction, Eula was left speechless and amused.
"Xing, aren't you being a bit too dramatic!"
"Are you trying to curry favor with me using these tactics?"
"Fine, I'll remember this offense!"
Eula tilted her head back, put her hands on her hips, using her unique way to hide her inner shyness.
In reality, she hadn't even noticed that the curve of her lips hadn't lessened at all.
"Mmm, I lost, huh."
During her time wandering, Collei often had to cook for herself, but her skills were...
Collei took large bites of the delicious Moon Pie.
While savoring the taste, she made up her mind to learn how to cook too, to make delicious food for her friends to taste.
Just as Eula was 'proudly' masking her shyness, Xing and the other two shamelessly reached out their 'claws' toward the Moon Pies.
Sensing something was wrong, Eula looked down and immediately exclaimed:
"Wait!"
"At least leave some for me!"
Seeing that the Moon Pies she brought were about to be completely divided among her friends in the blink of an eye, Eula gave up her reserve and joined the group sharing the food.
For a time, joyous laughter echoed above Starsnatch Cliff.
The four stayed on Starsnatch Cliff until the sun set. Only after enjoying the beautiful sunset did they reluctantly say goodbye and leave.
...
...
After Xing and Collei returned to the farm, they went straight to find Arkz.
Arkz, who was carrying a fishing rod, had just returned as well.
"Mr. Arkz, we found it!"
"The Cecilia flower!"
Seeing the Cecilia flower emitting a faint, pure glow in Xing's hand, Arkz was overjoyed.
"Good, good."
"That's wonderful."
"Thank you for helping me find this Cecilia flower!"
"Coincidentally, I caught a big fish; let's celebrate properly tonight!"
Hearing Arkz say this, Xing and Collei instantly swallowed.
Last time, because Collei was leaving the farm, Arkz held a bonfire party to see her off, making a lot of barbecue using seafood from the coast.
Thinking of the deliciousness of that grilled fish now, the two whose stomachs were already full of grilled meat and Moon Pies suddenly felt hungry again.
"Help me up, I can still eat!"
Both Xing and Collei could see this thought in their eyes.
"No, no!"
Collei quickly shook her head, almost forgetting the important matter!
She looked at Arkz:
"Mr. Arkz, I want to become stronger!"
"I want to train with Barbara and the others!"
Arkz stopped in his tracks and asked curiously:
"Why?"
"Why do you have this thought?"
"Training is very hard, you know?"
Collei's gaze was firm: "I'm not afraid!"
"I want to avenge my parents and avenge my friends who died in the laboratory!"
"Although that Missionary guy is dead, the mastermind, the real culprit, the Doctor, is still at large!"
"I need strength, I must defeat that hateful Doctor."
Arkz's lips curved into a smile:
"Good!"
"Coincidentally, I also have some issues with that Doctor guy!"
"Back then, that guy actually..."
Arkz waved the fishing rod dismissively.
"I will talk to Barbara and the others."
"You can go train with them tomorrow."
Collei exclaimed excitedly: "Yes!!!"
"Thank you, Mr. Arkz!"
-------------------------
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