The hall of the Knights of Favonius headquarters had rooms on both sides and no windows to let in the sunlight. Upon learning that Noelle was away looking after little Klee, Li Qiuzhi could only leave for now.
He wandered around the headquarters a few more times and even checked the Anemo Archon Statue Plaza, but still failed to find Noelle.
Finding someone in a city as large as Mondstadt was no easy task. It seemed Li Qiuzhi would have to think of another way.
After mulling it over, he decided his only option was to check how things were going with Bennett first.
The ornamental shrubs beside the street were neatly trimmed and pleasing to the eye. After walking for a while, Li Qiuzhi arrived at the most famous tavern in Mondstadt City, the Angel's Share.
He wondered whether he might get a chance to meet the legendary Darknight Hero-Master Diluc.
In Mondstadt, people loved their wine.
Most of Mondstadt's wine industry was connected to the Dawn Winery. Even the Angel's Share's biggest competitor, the Cat's Tail Tavern, did business with Master Diluc.
After a hard day's work, adventurers would always come to a tavern for a drink.
So Bennett wasn't wrong to look for teammates at a tavern.
Since it was daytime, there weren't many people drinking outside the Angel's Share. Li Qiuzhi pushed open the door and found only two or three scattered customers inside. Master Diluc wasn't there either.
How was Bennett supposed to find anyone willing to team up at this hour?
With that question in mind, Li Qiuzhi politely declined the bartender Charles's recommendation of a new drink and looked around for Bennett.
"Really?! You're really willing to team up with me?"
A familiar voice came from one side. Li Qiuzhi looked toward it and spotted Bennett seated at a table inside the tavern.
Across from him sat a girl with her arms folded and a night raven flying beside her-Fischl.
"Why would this Prinzessin need to deceive her own retainer?" Fischl raised her head proudly and turned it aside.
Oz gently flapped his midnight-colored wings and said:
"Mein Fräulein, he hasn't agreed to become your retainer yet."
"Oz, enough chatter!"
Fischl glared at the night raven with her right eye, the one not covered by her black eyepatch.
"Hehe, that's fine, as long as you're willing to team up with me."
Bennett rubbed the back of his head, an earnest, slightly bashful smile appearing on his face.
Oh? Li Qiuzhi hadn't expected Bennett to run into Her Highness the Prinzessin. From the sound of their conversation, they seemed to have already reached an agreement.
That really was a little surprising.
Li Qiuzhi walked over to them.
Oz was very perceptive. Realizing at a glance that Li Qiuzhi was approaching them, he said:
"Sir Bennett, is this the other teammate you mentioned?"
"Huh? Li Qiuzhi, what brings you here? Did your friend agree?" Bennett turned at those words, a hint of confusion in his emerald-green eyes.
"She seems to be busy. I couldn't find her."
Li Qiuzhi shook his head as he answered.
"I see. But that's all right. I've already found a teammate, so we can go register with Miss Katheryne."
Bennett spoke excitedly.
"I am Fischl, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung. Stranger, do you too wish to become my retainer?"
Fischl turned her fair face toward Li Qiuzhi. An eyepatch covered her left eye, and a few strands of golden hair partially covered the black patch.
Before Li Qiuzhi could answer, Oz the night raven smoothly interpreted her words:
"Mein Fräulein says she's pleased to meet you."
Li Qiuzhi nodded. Knowing Fischl's personality, he wasn't surprised at all, and could even play along for a line or two:
"I have come in answer to your summons, Your Highness!"
"Oh? Impressive."
A flicker of surprise appeared in Oz's raven eyes. Few people could keep up with his mistress's way of speaking.
"Hmph. You understand too... ahem, this Prinzessin accepts your loyalty!"
Fischl's eyes brightened slightly. Sounding rather like someone who had unexpectedly found a kindred spirit, she nearly broke character, but fortunately corrected herself in time.
He's surprisingly nice.
[Fischl has taken a liking to you. Gained 150 friendship points. Current friendship level: Lv. 2 (50/200)]
That earned me so many friendship points right away? Li Qiuzhi marveled inwardly.
Still, it wasn't entirely unexpected. After all, most people found Fischl's way of speaking a little strange.
Even with Oz the night raven by her side, she would feel a little lonely. It was only natural for her to feel happy when someone appeared who was willing to talk on her wavelength.
"...Uh, haha, thank you for agreeing to team up with us, Miss Fischl and Mr. Night Raven. My name is Li Qiuzhi. I'm from Liyue, and I'm a novice adventurer."
Li Qiuzhi introduced himself to his new friends.
He didn't fully adopt Fischl's way of speaking. After all, they had only just met, and showing such a thorough understanding of her would be suspicious. Oz was no fool.
Playing along for a line or two could still be passed off as joining in on a joke.
If he overdid it, Oz might start wondering whether he had some strange ulterior motive.
"Hmph."
Fischl gave a somewhat disappointed huff, responding with the proud dignity of a princess.
"Hello. I am Oz the night raven, mein Fräulein's familiar. It is a pleasure to meet you, adventurer from a foreign land."
Oz, still flapping his wings, spoke quite earnestly.
"Now we meet the minimum requirement of three people. Let's hurry over to Miss Katheryne and register!"
Bennett stood up excitedly. He was deeply enthusiastic about adventuring.
"Very well."
Fischl pushed her chair aside and stood. She raised her left hand to her eyepatch and swept her right hand out, striking a dashing pose as she declared:
"The hour is upon us!
"The forgotten realm has already revealed itself, and causality has crossed the torrent of time to seek us once more.
"The sovereign of Immernachtreich, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, shall lead her warriors to extinguish the lingering embers of conspiracy!"
Bennett scratched his head in bewilderment, while Oz calmly interpreted:
"Mein Fräulein says she will surely lead everyone to the ruins' treasure."
The three of them, along with one night raven, successfully registered with Katheryne this time. She also mentioned that Fischl was one of the investigators sent to examine the domain.
This left Bennett rather impressed, while Li Qiuzhi felt it was only to be expected.
Fischl was an outstanding investigator in the Adventurers' Guild, mainly because she could share Oz's vision. Whatever Oz saw, she could see as well.
It was rather like being able to survey the world by sending Oz out without ever leaving home.
Next, Katheryne explained the things the three of them needed to keep in mind.
First, the expedition was scheduled for six tomorrow morning. They would gather at the city gate, where Guild Master Cyrus would personally lead the party out.
Then, once they reached the Temple of the Thousand Winds, they would set up a temporary supply camp.
Exploring a domain wasn't something that could be done in a few hours. Fully exploring a large domain could take ten days or half a month, so they had to ensure adequate supplies and, most importantly, a medical team.
Adventurers were there to find treasure. They couldn't be allowed to lose their lives on top of coming back empty-handed.
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