Chapter: 135 Convincing Alice
Alice,
She is a witch renowned throughout all of Mondstadt—no, the entire continent of Teyvat.
The legendary woman who turned the Fenglong Ruins into... well, the Fenglong Ruins.
Her mind is full of countless peculiar ideas, and those ideas are often incredibly dangerous.
For Alice, art is synonymous with explosions.
Even Albedo, known for his rational analysis, bluntly stated that the damage caused by Klee was only a fraction of the chaos Alice could unleash.
Little Lolita often causes small troubles, and Big Lolita often causes big troubles.
They are, without a doubt, mother and daughter.
But, speaking of timelines, in this current one, Klee has not yet been born.
(Translator's note: Don't tell me you're the father!?!? The Shogun will kill you, buddy!!)
Alice has yet to become a mother; at most, she could be considered a mature and intellectual older sister.
Adjusting his monocle, Amon introduced himself, "Ms. Alice, my name is Amon."
"The little girl beside me is called Qiqi, and the other guy with the lyre, who looks utterly unreliable, is called Venti."
Alice, with her excellent memory, quickly memorized the names of the three people.
She then smiled and asked, "Excuse me, are you here to blow up the snow mountain too?"
"On this point, our ideas truly align!"
As she spoke, Alice's beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she had found a kindred spirit.
"The mountains here are snow-covered year-round and of no use to Mondstadt," she explained.
"But if we blow this place up, Mondstadt would have far more land for development."
"We could grow crops here or even build factories!"
Alice, envisioning the possibilities after blowing up the snow mountain, grew more excited as she spoke.
Venti, standing beside her, felt as though he might cry but couldn't.
"You can't just blow up a snow mountain," he thought.
There are far too many implications.
An explosion could easily lead to catastrophic problems.
Seeing Venti's conflicted expression, Amon couldn't help but chuckle.
As they say, there's always someone who can outdo another. At last, someone could handle Venti, the ancient bard.
However, Amon also understood the importance of the snow mountain to Mondstadt.
Blowing it up rashly could bring unforeseen harm.
With that thought, Amon looked at Alice and said gently, "Ms. Alice, may I share my thoughts?"
Alice's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Mr. Amon, do you have a brilliant idea for the explosion?"
"Should we blow the snow mountain all at once or in stages? Personally, I prefer the former!"
Alice had seen Amon's earlier display of breaking an ice block.
She admired his bomb-making skills, sensing a shared appreciation for the art of explosives.
Alice regarded the bomb in Amon's hand with great interest, convinced they might share many common topics due to their mutual fascination with explosives.
Looking at Alice's eager expression, Amon smiled wryly and said, "Actually, I think the snow mountain should remain intact."
Alice blinked in surprise. "Huh? You mean not to blow up the snow mountain?"
"But this mountain is of no use to Mondstadt. It would be better to flatten it."
Amon, uncertain whether to laugh or cry, realized how committed Alice was to her destructive plan.
He explained, "Back in the day, the wind god Barbatos blew away all the snow in Mondstadt, leaving only this snowy mountain."
"I believe Barbatos must have had a reason for doing so."
Venti quickly nodded. "Yeah, yeah, that's right!"
Alice pondered this for a moment. "I hadn't considered that. Now that you mention it, it does make sense."
Sensing that Alice's determination was wavering, Amon pressed his point.
"To destroy the entire snow mountain, you'd need a lot of bombs, which would be time-consuming and labor-intensive. The explosion's aftermath would also affect the surrounding areas."
"Blowing up the snow mountain might even counteract your original intentions, Ms. Alice."
Venti nodded again. "Yes, exactly! That's what I wanted to say, too!"
After a brief silence, Alice sighed and put away the bomb she had been holding.
"Alright, Mr. Amon, you've convinced me."
Amon blinked, slightly stunned. "What?"
Alice's innocent face looked puzzled. "You've convinced me. Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing at all," Amon said with a smile, shaking his head.
At this moment, Alice seemed more like an innocent big sister—far removed from her later legendary reputation.
Her mind was still pure, untainted like a blank sheet of paper.
Amon couldn't bring himself to lead her astray.
Though she felt something was odd, Alice decided not to blow up the snow mountain.
She paused and looked at Amon.
"Mr. Amon, you seem like an interesting person. Would you consider joining my bomb group?"
"I'll make a massive bomb, and you can design a compressed one. Together, we can make them bigger and stronger! What do you think?"
Amused by her eager expression, Amon chuckled and nodded. "Sure, let's collaborate."
Overjoyed, Alice smiled, her eyes sparkling.
"Great! Next time I find a target for a bomb, I'll let you know in advance."
"For now, I'm off to prepare the explosive formulas!"
Waving goodbye, Alice vanished into the snowy road, leaving silently like the witch she was.
Amon considered telling Alice where he lived but figured it unnecessary.
As a witch, Alice could find him anytime she wanted.
Watching her retreating figure, Venti heaved a long sigh of relief.
Alice's plans to blow up the snow mountain had terrified him.
"Mr. Amon, thank you for convincing her to stop," Venti said, still a bit shaken.
"As thanks, I'll treat you to cider later."
Amon wasn't particularly interested in drinking. Instead, he asked, "Barbatos, I've always wondered: why did you leave this snow mountain untouched after blowing away the rest?"
Venti, now comfortable with Amon knowing her true identity, scratched her head awkwardly.
"If I said it's because I wanted a spot for snowball fights, would you believe me?"
Unimpressed, Amon replied, "Do I look like a gullible child, like Qiqi?"
Qiqi, standing nearby, pouted indignantly.
"Amon... Qiqi is not a three-year-old!"
"Alright, alright. You're not three; you're four," Amon teased, placating her.
Satisfied, Qiqi mumbled, "That's... better."
Finally, Venti relented. "Alright, I'll tell you a little. Beneath this snow mountain lies a great door. I once slept behind it for decades."
At that, Venti fell silent, unable to reveal more.
Amon, understanding the limits of what Venti could share, let the topic drop.
Soon, using a treasure-hunting compass, Amon found the Spirit Wind Luminous Essence in a cave—an ancient remedy made from long-extinct insects preserved in the snow.
After collecting the essence, Amon looked to Venti.
"When we came, Dvalin brought us up. How do we get down now?"
Venti, embarrassed, admitted, "Dvalin was angry earlier and won't come back, even if I play my song again."
"So, what's the plan?"
"Well, Mr. Amon, this snow mountain isn't that high. Let's just fly down~"
Chapter 136: Kamisato Ayato – where Is My Sister?
The morning sun quietly bathed the entire land of Liyue Harbor.
Accompanied by the clear crowing of roosters, the people of Liyue woke from their sleep to greet a new day. Various shops opened along the bustling streets, and the sound of hawkers filled the air.
This nation of majesty and order brimmed with life during the day.
In addition to the restaurants that were busy at this time, the dock workers were equally preoccupied. With trade ships arriving from various nations early in the morning, workers needed to unload goods within the specified timeframe to avoid congestion.
Today, however, was different.
Black ships appeared on the horizon, slowly sailing towards Liyue Harbor. They resembled massive steel beasts, imposing and unyielding upon the sea. By comparison, the ordinary merchant ships seemed insignificant.
The sunlight reflecting off their iron hulls was cold and unwelcoming.
On the decks stood burly soldiers clad in purple armor, their long swords sheathed at their sides. Despite the swords being hidden, an oppressive aura emanated from them. Nearby vessels instinctively steered clear of the black ships, the flag bearing the emblem of thunder and lightning fluttering ominously in the wind.
These were ships from Inazuma.
Anyone familiar with Inazuma would immediately recognize the emblem of the Kamisato family, prominently displayed on both sides of the black ships.
---
The Kamisato family had taken extra precautions, sending an escort fleet to ensure the safe passage of their eldest daughter, Kamisato Ayaka, to Liyue.
Initially, the plan was to closely monitor Ayaka for the entire three-day journey, ensuring her safety.
However, when little Ayaka heard of this plan, her head shook vigorously, her cheeks puffed in protest, and her expression radiated displeasure.
In her words, having someone follow her everywhere during the trip would strip away all the fun.
More importantly, to Ayaka, Liyue felt like a second home—a home given to her by Amon.
Here, she wasn't the esteemed princess of the Kamisato family but simply an ordinary little girl. She didn't want the Kamisato family's presence to disrupt that sense of normalcy.
After much pleading from Ayaka, the Kamisato family revised their plan. The soldiers would escort Ayaka to Liyue and then leave, returning only three days later to pick her up.
In exchange, Ayaka was required to spend the three days in Liyue with her elder brother, Kamisato Ayato.
Ayaka readily agreed without hesitation.
But in her clever mind, she had already concocted a plan.
All she needed to do was arrange a place for her "stinky" brother Ayato to stay, and she wouldn't need to worry about him any further.
"I'm so smart!" she thought proudly.
Proudly akimbo pose activated.
As Liyue Harbor came into view, Ayaka's innocent smile widened.
After only a day away, she was returning home!
If only the ship could move faster—she couldn't wait to see Brother Amon.
---
As soon as the ship docked, Ayaka, with her short legs, was the first to leap off.
The little girl carried an assortment of gift boxes in her arms, their weight seemingly no hindrance as she dashed forward.
Each gift box contained specialty products from Inazuma.
On her previous trip to Liyue, Ayaka had come empty-handed due to the unexpected and rushed nature of her visit. But this time, she brought carefully selected gifts to show her gratitude to Amon and his family for their kindness.
In Ayaka's simple view, Amon deserved only the best.
Thinking of him, Ayaka quickened her pace.
If she were heading back to the Kamisato estate to meet her brother Ayato, she would do so gracefully and elegantly.
But to see Amon? She would run, driven by excitement to see him as soon as possible.
---
Trailing behind Ayaka, Kamisato Ayato carried his own set of gift boxes, these intended as tokens of appreciation from the Kamisato family to Amon.
Amon had not only cared for Ayaka during her stay but had also provided life-saving medicine for Lady Kamisato.
Within the Kamisato family, Amon now held an exalted status. Though few had seen him in person, all knew of his significance.
For Ayato, however, Amon's name invoked a twinge of jealousy.
Who was this "big brother" that Ayaka so frequently mentioned?
As Ayato scanned the bustling streets of Liyue, the unfamiliar terrain felt disorienting. With the streets teeming with people and the layout complex, it would be easy to get lost.
Concerned, Ayato lowered his head to caution Ayaka.
"With so many people here, you'd better stick close to me. If we get separated, you'll probably start crying again."
But as Ayato finished speaking, he suddenly froze in place.
Ayaka was gone.
No trace of her remained before him.
Kamisato Ayato: ???
His mind went blank.
"Where is my sister? How did she vanish in the blink of an eye?"
---
Chapter 137: His Little Friend Came Back to See Him
Now, let's turn our attention to Amon.
He had returned to his residence with Qiqi after their outing.
Venti didn't accompany them; he had left earlier with two bottles of cider, fully content. Most likely, he was already drunk by now, lying somewhere fast asleep.
By the time Amon got home, dawn was breaking.
It wouldn't be long before Ganyu and the little ones woke up, so he needed to prepare breakfast and a nourishing soup before they got up.
Making breakfast had become relatively easy for Amon, as his cooking skills had improved significantly over time.
While preparing breakfast, he also added the specific ingredients suggested by Qiqi to make the nourishing soup.
Before long, the delicious aroma filled the kitchen, wafted into the hall, and drifted all the way up to the second floor.
Amon brought the nourishing soup out of the kitchen, with little Qiqi trailing behind him.
Qiqi, with her silly expression, carefully carried the breakfast, standing on tiptoes to place it neatly on the dining table.
Just then, Ganyu's door opened.
Dressed in Amon's white shirt, she emerged, rubbing her eyes and looking slightly drowsy.
It seemed that Yuehai Pavilion had recently lightened Ganyu's workload, whether intentionally or not.
She was no longer allowed to work overtime, as staying up late could harm her health and potentially affect her future.
Over time, Ganyu had stopped working late into the night.
Each evening, she would come to Amon's residence.
Sometimes, she helped him cook; other times, she assisted in caring for the children.
Her life had taken on a fresh, new rhythm.
The only downside was that, late at night, when everyone else was fast asleep, Ganyu remained wide awake.
Years of working overnight had stabilized her biological clock, making it difficult for her to fall asleep at bedtime.
Eventually, she discovered that she could only drift off when she was enveloped in Amon's scent.
As a result, Ganyu began wearing Amon's shirt to sleep.
These days, Amon's shirt had effectively become her pajamas.
"Mr. Amon, Qiqi, good morning," Ganyu greeted lazily, her soft, sticky voice carrying a trace of warmth.
"Good morning, Miss Ganyu," Amon replied with a chuckle. "Breakfast is ready. You can eat once you've freshened up."
At the mention of breakfast, Ganyu perked up, her little tuft of hair bouncing in excitement.
Waking up to a table full of delicious food was a source of great joy for her.
"Okay! I'll go wash up right away," she chirped, dashing off to get ready.
---
Soon after, Ningguang, Beidou, and Shenhe also emerged from their rooms.
"It smells so good! I knew it was Brother Amon's cooking the moment I smelled it. Brother Amon is the best~" Ningguang exclaimed.
"Thank you, Brother Amon! I wasn't even hungry earlier, but the moment I smelled this, my stomach started growling," Beidou added cheerfully.
"He'er doesn't want Brother Amon to overwork himself," Shenhe chimed in. "Please, let me take over breakfast duties in the future."
Despite their happiness, the three expressed concern for Amon, not wanting him to tire himself out.
Amon smiled faintly and said, "Making breakfast can be tiring, but seeing your smiles makes it all worth it."
"Now, go wash up and get ready to eat," he added before pausing. "You've been practicing hard lately, so I asked Qiqi to help prepare a nourishing soup to keep you all healthy."
The children's curiosity was piqued as they eyed the soup on the table.
The golden broth, filled with fresh vegetables and medicinal herbs, looked both nutritious and delicious.
---
Before long, Ganyu and the others finished washing up and eagerly sat down to eat.
As they enjoyed the meal, particularly the nourishing soup, Amon watched their satisfied expressions and felt a deep sense of relief.
His thoughts wandered briefly.
He remembered how much Ayaka loved the soups he made.
Every time he prepared one, Ayaka would drink several bowls, filling herself up before touching any other food.
Most of the time, she'd end up too full from the soup to eat anything else, leaving her to watch the others eat with a pitiful look on her face—a cute mixture of longing and regret.
If she were here now, she'd probably already downed several bowls, he mused.
"Brother Amon, I want another bowl of soup~"
"Brother Amon, is it okay if Ayaka has another bowl?"
"Brother Amon..."
Her sweet, baby-like voice echoed in his mind.
He wondered how the little girl was faring in Inazuma.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Excuse me, is this Amon's home?"
"His little friend is back to see him~"
The familiar baby voice overlapped with the one in his memory.
Amon froze for a moment before standing abruptly and opening the door.
Standing before him was a little girl with white hair, her hands tucked behind her back.
She looked up at him with a radiant smile, her expression as warm as a spring breeze, filling his heart with an indescribable warmth.
---
Chapter 138: Amon: I Remember, I Always Remember
Looking at the lively and adorable little white-haired girl standing before him, Amon was completely stunned.
What was going on?
Wasn't this little turtle supposed to be in Inazuma, having just returned home yesterday?
How had she appeared in Liyue again today?
Could she have run away from home again?
Probably not.
After all, Ayaka had already run away from home once not long ago. It was unlikely she would do so again so soon. Besides, her family must have taken extra precautions to prevent it.
Amon guessed that the little girl must have negotiated with her family to allow her a short visit to Liyue.
That would explain how she had come here so quickly.
It was also very much in line with Ayaka's personality.
When she was in Liyue before, little Ayaka had been like Amon's shadow, always sticking close to him.
If Amon disappeared from her sight for even a moment, she would become anxious, pouting in frustration and sadness.
Conversely, if Amon spent time with her, Ayaka's eyes would light up with joy, and she'd happily swing her little feet.
At that moment, Ayaka looked up at Amon with her big, clear, and sparkling eyes.
In a soft, sweet voice, she said, "Brother Amon, I'm home~."
Seeing the clingy little girl before him, Amon's face lit up with a smile.
He already regarded Ayaka as a part of his family.
Now that the little turtle had returned, how could he not feel happy?
But as he looked at the cute and lovely little one in front of him, Amon suddenly felt an inexplicable urge to tease her.
Perhaps it was Yae Miko's influence.
Amon had come to find that amusing children could be quite entertaining.
Feigning confusion, he asked, "Little girl, what are you talking about?"
"Excuse me, do we know each other?"
As soon as he said this, the smile on Ayaka's face vanished.
Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she began crying pitifully.
Through her sobs, she choked out, "Brother Amon is a bad guy..."
"You promised to remember me, but you forgot about Ayaka in the blink of an eye..."
"Brother Amon doesn't remember me. Ayaka has no home in Liyue..."
The little girl cried louder and louder, her voice filled with sorrow.
Amon had only meant to tease her, but he hadn't expected Ayaka to cry so heartbreakingly.
The joke was no longer funny. Panicked, he quickly scooped the little girl into his arms.
"Don't cry, little one. I was only joking," he said softly. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm so sorry."
"How could I forget Ayaka? On the contrary, I remember everything about you very clearly."
Hearing Amon's explanation, Ayaka gradually stopped crying.
Her tear-streaked eyes glimmered as she asked, "Really?"
"Brother Amon, do you really remember everything about Ayaka?"
She pouted adorably, trying her best to hold back her remaining tears.
Amon couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out, gently tapped the tip of her nose, and said, "Of course, it's true."
"Ayaka loves desserts and rice soaked in tea."
"She has a temari named Toruomaru at home. I remember all of that."
Amon listed several more things in one breath, all of which Ayaka had told him before.
Some of them were things she had mentioned casually, yet Amon had remembered every detail.
Why?
Because Amon had long since considered Ayaka family.
But it wasn't just Ayaka whose preferences he remembered.
He also knew the likes and dislikes of Ningguang, Qiqi, Beidou, Shenhe, and Ganyu.
For instance, Ganyu only ate vegetarian food and avoided meat entirely.
So, whenever Amon cooked, he prioritized preparing vegetarian dishes for her.
As for Qiqi, her favorite drink was coconut milk. Amon would often stay up late just to prepare a fresh bottle for her.
Amon silently kept everyone's preferences in mind, using sincerity to foster more sincerity.
After hearing Amon recall so many details about her, little Ayaka finally stopped crying.
She realized that Amon really did remember everything about her.
A warm feeling bloomed in her heart.
She thought to herself, Brother Amon really is the best.
Her stinky brother Ayato wouldn't have remembered so much.
Seeing Ayaka's mood had stabilized, Amon reached out and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Then, with a gentle smile, he asked, "Feeling better now, little one?"
Instead of answering, Ayaka leaned forward and bit Amon's arm lightly.
Although it looked fierce, the little girl was careful not to hurt him, barely applying any pressure.
When she finally let go, there wasn't even a mark on his arm. Amon couldn't help but laugh.
It seemed this was her way of venting her dissatisfaction.
When they parted, Ayaka had warned him that if he ever forgot her, she would bite him.
At the time, Amon thought she was joking.
He hadn't expected her to actually follow through.
Note to self: No more teasing Ayaka like this.
Otherwise, the little girl might bite him again the next time she got upset.
After venting her frustration, Ayaka seemed much happier.
Blinking her big eyes, she asked in her baby voice, "Brother Amon, did you miss me while I was gone?"
Amon smiled faintly at her question.
It had only been a day since they parted.
But judging by her tone, you'd think they had been separated for years.
Who would have thought the Kamisato family's Princess Shiraha could be so clingy?
"I missed Ayaka very much," Amon replied.
Ayaka's eyes sparkled as she pressed further. "Really?"
"How should I put it..." Amon began thoughtfully. "After you left Liyue, it felt like this family was missing a piece—like it was incomplete."
"Now that you're back, it feels whole again."
"In other words, this family is only complete when you're here."
Hearing his heartfelt words, Ayaka's big, watery eyes glimmered with joy and emotion.
Her face broke into a wide smile, utterly devoid of elegance or dignity.
At that moment, she wasn't a princess—just a silly little girl basking in her happiness.
"Brother Amon, Ayaka feels the same way. Home is wherever you are."
---
At that moment, Kamisato Ayato arrived hurriedly, carrying a gift box in his arms.
He had barely caught up after Ayaka had run off, leaving nothing but the sight of her disappearing down the street.
He panted heavily, having rushed all the way here.
But before he could say anything, he overheard Ayaka's declaration:
"Home is wherever you are."
Kamisato Ayato froze in place, his expression blank.
"Excuse me, is there no place for me in this family?" he muttered to himself in disbelief.