The five people walked along the main street.
She had long since changed out of her swimsuit into her everyday clothes, and had also brushed the sand out of her hair.
On the stone bridge at the city gate, a little boy squatted down to feed pigeons. Flocks of white pigeons landed around him and cooed.
Bai You walked over quietly, but still startled a few birds into flight.
Columbina's eyes shone as she watched the pigeons fluttering into the air.
After entering the city gate.
"It smells so good!" Bai You's stomach growled first.
Varesa smiled and took her hand, leading her towards the place where the fragrance was strongest.
Good Hunter Restaurant.
The best restaurant in City of Mondstadt, with outdoor tables and chairs set up next to the fountain, and the proprietress Sara standing behind the counter, warmly greeting customers.
"Please come in, everyone! What would you like for breakfast?"
Five people sat down at a large table.
The menu was written on a small blackboard.
Honey-glazed carrot and pork stir-fry, roasted pork chops, Sweet Madame, a side of white sauce vegetable and pork stew, and five glasses of apple juice.
Odette didn't even glance at the menu, ordered everything in one go, and then added, "Five servings of fried meat."
Sara smiled and agreed, then turned and went into the kitchen.
"How do you know everything?" Columbina looked at her, resting her chin on her hand.
"I looked up Mondstadt's information on the ship," Odette said casually.
"To have a good experience, you need to thoroughly understand a city before you even arrive."
Soon, breakfast dishes were served one after another.
Steaming hot is the pan-fried pork with carrots and honey sauce. The pork chops are pan-fried until golden brown, and the carrots are stewed until soft and tender. A layer of honey sauce is poured over them, and the aroma is irresistible.
Bai You held the juice, her eyes wide with amazement.
"... I'm starting to eat."
She cut a piece of meat and put it in her mouth, her eyes suddenly lighting up.
The honey sauce was sweet, the meat was tender, and it warmed me up completely.
"Delicious!"
She ate too quickly, and some sauce got on the corner of her mouth again.
Varesa glanced at the little bit of sauce, leaned over, and kissed her on the corner of the mouth.
"Here we go again...!" Bai You froze, quickly glancing around. " Varesa, we're outside!"
"Yes, I know." Varesa sat back down, completely unconcerned. "The sauce is still sweet."
Bai You buried her face in the plate, her ears turning bright red.
On the other side of the table, Columbina pushed her own kebab towards Sandrone.
"Here, I can't finish it."
Sandrone looked at her warily. "... What are you planning to do now?"
"I'll treat you to some meat."
"Offering unsolicited favors."
"Let me put it another way—" Columbina smiled and forked a piece of meat, holding it to her lips, "Ah—"
Sandrone glanced around, then quickly bit off the meat, his movements as swift as a thief.
"... The taste is so-so," she chewed the meat.
"But you still ate it."
"..."
Sweet Madame was also served.
The whole chicken was roasted until it was glistening with oil and coated with a layer of sugar syrup made from Sweet Flower. As soon as it was torn open, steam carrying a sweet aroma wafted out.
Bai You tore off a chicken leg and bit into it until her cheeks were bulging.
"... This is delicious too," she mumbled, "How come everything tastes so good?"
"Because it's sweet." Varesa looked at her, propping her head up with her hand, "You're sweet too."
"... I'm eating." Bai You's ears turned red again.
Sandrone glanced disdainfully at the two couples huddled together, picked up her juice, took a sip, and pretended not to know them.
But the plate of steak that Columbina had pushed towards her had already been completely devoured by her.
Odette sat on the outermost edge, slowly and methodically cutting the meat, as if she hadn't seen the two sticky lumps.
She simply pushed the apple juice towards the center—so anyone who was thirsty could take some.
A morning breeze blows through the fountain, splashing water droplets that land on the stone slabs, sparkling and shimmering.
The five of them enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.
By the time we finished breakfast, the sun had already risen.
"Let's go," Columbina stood up, stretched, and said, "Let's explore the city together."
Five people walked slowly along the street.
City of Mondstadt on the shore of a lake, with streets spiraling upwards, windmills and terraces everywhere, and the air carrying the scent of dandelions.
Bai You, walking in the very center, found everything fascinating.
After all, I had only ever seen them on screen before.
There are flower shops along the roadside.
The wooden tub was filled with Windwheel Aster, Cecilia flowers, and small lamp wicks, and the proprietress Flora was squatting at the door watering them.
"... Will this flower light up at night?" Varesa crouched down and pointed to the small lamp grass.
"Yes," Flora laughed, "Like little lamps in the night."
Bai You watched with Varesa for a long time, Varesa gently ruffled her hair.
Further ahead is the blacksmith's shop.
The furnace glowed red-hot, and the blacksmith's hammer struck the molten iron, sparks flying everywhere, the clanging and clattering echoing far and wide.
Startled by the Bai You, Bai You shrank behind Varesa.
Sandrone stopped in front of the blacksmith's shop.
She seemed somewhat interested in this, staring at the bellows for a couple of seconds before leisurely following behind.
Passing by the Adventurers' Guild, Katheryne behind the counter was smiling mechanically, saying the same thing to everyone who passed by.
Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild!
Columbina waved to her and smiled.
"She's a robot just like you, Sandrone," Columbina whispered.
Sandrone paused, not replying. These Katheryne were all created by himself...
They then browsed the souvenir shops and looked at the market under the windmill, where vendors sold apples, Dandelion Wine, and trinkets, their shouts rising and falling.
Bai You had a string of candied hawthorns in her hand; it was a gift from Varesa.
She ate a candied hawthorn and mumbled, "... Mondstadt is so nice."
Do you like it?
I like it.
"Yes, you like me."
They passed a small square where water was gushing from a fountain in the center.
Bai You leaned over, mimicking the person next to her, closed her eyes, and tossed a Mora.
"What did you wish for?" Varesa asked.
"It won't work if you say it out loud." Bai You opened her eyes and smiled, pursing her lips.
Further down the path was a tavern with its wooden door tightly shut and a wooden sign hanging above the door that read " Angel's Share."
Even before the store opened in the early morning, the aroma of aged wine wafted through the crack in the door.
Below, you can see the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius, their flags fluttering in the wind.
"There's the largest library in all of Teyvat there," Odette remarked casually.
"A book?" Varesa blinked.
"Hmm," Odette laughed.
The streets spiral upwards, and the higher you go, the fewer people there are.
At the highest point is the Cathedral of Favonius.
In front of the church is a wide square, and in the center of the square stands a tall statue of the wind god.
The statue has slightly lowered eyes, its cloak is lifted by the wind, and one hand is stretched forward with the palm facing upward, as if receiving something.
The five of them were just taking a casual stroll.
They stopped at the same time as they reached the edge of the square.
Something's not right in the square.
Several advance team members dressed in Fatui' uniforms had somehow blocked several exits from the square.
They neither shouted nor moved; they simply stood there in silence.
There were several people in the center of the square.
A boy wearing a green hat and carrying a violin.
It's Venti.
A woman stood in front of him.
Her blonde hair was styled in an updo, she wore a long red and black dress, and a half-mask. She exuded a faint, chilling aura.
Rosalyne.