“Done!” Stelle casually tossed her bat behind her.
In front of her, the massive Frostarm Lawachurl had already turned into a corpse on the verge of disappearing.
“But…
what’s this?” Stelle lowered her head and bent down, picking up something that had just dropped from the Frostarm Lawachurl.
It looked like a horn.
She had seen similar ones on ordinary Hilichurls before, but this one was completely different.
Especially since it was embedded with a black crystal that emitted an ominous glow.
“A Black Crystal Horn.” Rosaria walked over, glanced at the item in Stelle’s hand, and answered her question.
“Scholars speculate that it’s a ritual item used by Hilichurls for sacrifices.
Occasionally, Mitachurls carry them as well.” “Then…
is it worth a lot?” Stelle wasn’t interested in Hilichurl culture.
She only wanted to know if it could be exchanged for money.
“Mhm.
It’s worth more than all the junk you picked up earlier combined.” Rosaria nodded faintly.
“Albedo has been researching Hilichurls recently.
If you sell it to him, he’ll probably offer you a high price.” “Really?
That’s great—an unexpected bonus…
heh.” Stelle carefully stored the Black Crystal Horn away.
The reward for this mission was already considerable.
If she sold these spoils as well, she might even become rich.
Decision made—once she got the money, she was going to spend lavishly at the Cat’s Tail.
Petting cats until nightfall!
“You’re quite strong.
I underestimated you before.” Rosaria crossed her arms, watching Stelle’s satisfied smile, and found her own mood lifting for no reason.
“Well, of course…
Oh right, why are you here, Rosaria?” Stelle puffed out her chest proudly before suddenly remembering an important question.
Why was Rosaria here?
“I…
had a mission in Dragonspine.” Rosaria faltered slightly when asked.
She definitely couldn’t admit that she had been tailing Stelle the whole way here.
“A mission?” Stelle looked puzzled.
What kind of mission would require a nun to come to Dragonspine?
“Mhm.
The details are confidential.” Rosaria nodded and stiffly changed the subject.
“It’s already late.
You should head back.” “Okay~” She had planned to leave anyway.
After all, the mission was complete.
Although Dragonspine’s scenery was beautiful and seemed to hold many secrets worth exploring, she didn’t have the time to investigate everything slowly.
“Oh, right.
Have you finished your mission, Rosaria?” Just as she was about to leave, Stelle turned back and asked.
“It’s done…” “Then what are you planning to do?” “Me?
Of course I’m heading back too.” Rosaria answered instinctively.
“In that case, want to go together?
Having company makes the trip less boring.” Stelle’s eyes lit up as she stepped forward eagerly.
Rosaria was one of the rare people not affected by her constitution.
At least so far, she hadn’t shown the same shy reactions as others.
“What!?” Rosaria took a step back.
“W-what’s wrong?” “Nothing, I…” Rosaria originally intended to say she had other matters and couldn’t travel together.
After all, it was too dangerous.
If she lost control while traveling with Stelle, everything would be over.
But the words got stuck in her throat.
“…Alright.” “Yay!” Stelle beamed.
Although Rosaria felt a bit uneasy about her decision, the thought of traveling alongside Stelle for a while also made her happy.
Of course, if she had known what would happen later, she might have regretted this choice.
…
“You—you actually defeated the Frostarm Lawachurl?!” Iris stared at Stelle in disbelief.
The small camp was still brightly lit.
They had been prepared for a rescue at any moment—in other words, none of them believed Stelle would succeed.
Not to mention, Dragonspine at night alone was deadly, let alone a monster like the Frostarm Lawachurl.
So when they saw Stelle return from the mountain and show them the Black Crystal Horn, every face was filled with shock.
“Could it be…” Stevens snapped back to his senses and glanced at Rosaria beside Stelle.
“Don’t look at me.
I just happened to run into her.
She killed the Frostarm Lawachurl herself.” Rosaria replied coolly.
She was somewhat familiar with this group, as she often came to Dragonspine to monitor Albedo.
But seeing their expressions, she felt a strange sense of pride—like watching one’s own child amaze others.
“Truly incredible.” Harris couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Hehe, it was nothing~” Stelle scratched her head shyly.
So far, the Hilichurls hadn’t presented any real threat to her.
A Frostarm Lawachurl was probably among the strongest of their kind.
If even an elite monster like a Frostarm Lawachurl was regarded as a deadly threat to ordinary Vision holders— Then by that logic, her strength in this world shouldn’t be considered weak.
“Alright, alright, don’t just stand around.
Miss Stelle, you haven’t eaten yet, right?
Come rest for a bit—I’ll start cooking.” Harris said cheerfully.
With the Frostarm Lawachurl defeated, he was naturally in a great mood.
Their team wouldn’t have to worry so much when heading up the mountain in the future.
“N-no need to trouble yourself.
We’re heading back to Mondstadt soon.” Stelle waved her hand in refusal.
“Heading back now?” Iris looked up at the sky.
It was already late at night.
“Why not stay here for the night and leave at dawn?” “Yeah, miss, you must’ve traveled all day to get here.
Mondstadt is quite far—it’s better to rest first.” Stevens added.
“Mm…” Stelle hesitated.
She didn’t feel particularly tired.
If they left now, they would likely arrive just as the city gates opened at dawn.
However, she still had plenty of time before her appointment with Amber in three days.
There was no need to rush.
“What do you think?” Stelle looked at Rosaria.
“Resting here is fine.” Rosaria nodded.
Even though Stelle still seemed energetic, she was ultimately just a young girl who likely wasn’t used to staying up late.
Resting here would be better.
“Then we’ll take you up on that.” Stelle nodded.
“Haha, it’s no trouble at all.
We still have one spare tent—it’s enough for the two of you.” Harris said with a smile.
“You only have one tent left?!” Rosaria suddenly looked up at Harris.
“Y-yes…
Some were damaged during our last expedition.” Harris was startled by her reaction.
“Um, if it’s inconvenient, Miss Rosaria, I can ask Iris to share a tent with Miss Stelle instead.” “No!
I—I’m fine…
no need to trouble her.” Rosaria pressed her lips together.