Just as Tartaglia’s subordinates scrambled onto the ring, Columbina quietly stepped back a few paces, giving them space.
She lowered her gaze to look at her fair, delicate fingers, which still retained a subtle trace of fluctuating Lunar Power.
[It’s not much different from expected.
In other words, Shir didn’t lie to me; this body’s strength really is comparable to a Archon.]
[So, should I complete the task of killing Dottore right now?]
The smile on Columbina’s face vanished, and her surging murderous intent almost forced the nearby Fatui soldiers to their knees.
“Lady Damselette…”
One of the Agents managed to snap her out of her hatred toward Dottore despite the overwhelming pressure.
[No, according to current progress, Dottore’s segments haven’t been completely destroyed by Lesser Lord Kusanali yet.
Besides, Dottore himself is no weaker than a Archon.
It would be too risky to confront him directly now.]
[As expected, do I still need to return to Nod-Krai to seek help from others?]
Columbina slowly reined in her turbulent Lunar Power.
Only when the pressure around Columbina dissipated did the Fatui soldiers finally breathe a heavy sigh of relief.
Did Lord Childe make Lady Damselette angry?
Could it be that she thought he was too weak?
“It’s nothing, I lost my composure.
Take Tartaglia back to rest.” There was no emotion in Columbina’s voice.
She tilted her head slightly, looking out at the vast white snowscape in the distance.
“When he wakes up, tell him that this battle…
was very enjoyable, and I look forward to our next duel.”
With that, Columbina didn’t linger any longer, vanishing on the spot like a phantom.
She left behind only the stunned Fatui soldiers, bewildered by her words.
Lady Damselette just said she wants to duel again, right?
They even suspected they had misheard.
Since when did girl become as combative as Childe?
Didn’t she only like to sing?
One of the Cryogunners looked at the still-unconscious Childe with a sympathetic gaze.
Could Childe have offended Lady Damselette at some point?
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have hit him so hard right from the start.
However, the grudges between these Harbingers were not something they could meddle in.
At least for today, thanks to Columbina, training ended early.
Meanwhile, on Columbina’s end.
Looking at the completion of today’s task [First Showing of Skill] in her quest list, a smile finally appeared on her face.
A whole fifty system coins!
Columbina didn’t stop her pace.
Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly as she walked toward the House of the Hearth.
…
“Goodbye, Sister Columbina!”
She waved back as well, then glided lightly toward Sandrone’s laboratory.
Night fell.
Columbina walked alone on the road.
The night breeze brushed against her delicate face from time to time.
[It’s a bit cold.]
Columbina walked over to a window on her own and sat down.
[The moon is very round today.]
[I miss home a little.]
She looked up at the bright moon hanging in the sky and softly hummed a song.
The moonlight bathed her in a hazy glow, as though the singing maiden might shatter like moonlight at a single touch.
“Columbina!”
A familiar voice came over.
Columbina stopped her song and turned her head toward Sandrone, who was walking up to her.
“What’s wrong?
Did I disturb you?”
Before Sandrone could even speak, Columbina’s demeanor wilted.
“No, I’m just curious—what are you doing here?”
“Looking at the moon.”
Columbina swung her bare feet.
Hearing that Sandrone wasn’t here to chase her away, her spirits lifted considerably.
“It’s just a worthless moon.
It’s out every day, what’s there to look at?”
Sandrone followed Columbina’s gaze to the bright, clear moon beneath the firmament and curled her lips.
Nothing special about it.
It wasn’t even as pretty as the maiden in front of her.
“I want to go back to the moon I belong to,” Columbina said, turning her head to look at her.
“The moon?”
Sandrone really couldn’t understand what was going through this maiden’s head.
“Sandrone, did you come looking for me for a reason?” Columbina didn’t press the topic and looked at Sandrone, who was wearing a maid outfit.
“Nothing,” Sandrone said slowly, staring at the maiden before her.
“Tonight…
could you not sing here?”
[Are you here to chase me away?]
Columbina lowered her head.
“Okay then.”
Just as Columbina turned to leave, Sandrone suddenly called out to stop her.
“Wait a minute.”
She grabbed Columbina’s dress.
“Is something wrong, Sandrone?” Columbina looked at her in confusion.
“If you really have nothing to do, you can stay in my laboratory for a while.”
“Huh?”
Columbina tilted her head.
Is she…
actively inviting her?
“If you…
really don’t want to, I won’t force you.” Sandrone stopped paying attention to Columbina and turned back the way she came.
“Wait for me, Sandrone!” After being stunned for a moment, Columbina smiled and chased after her.
“This time, you can’t touch my stuff carelessly again.
Also, you’re not allowed to sing here and disturb my work.
If you really have nothing to do, find a place to sit quietly.”
As soon as they entered the laboratory, Sandrone turned around to give Columbina a stern reminder.
“Mm…
got it.”
Columbina nodded.
She glanced at the neatly arranged mechanical devices and blueprints in the laboratory, lost interest, and found a sofa to sit down.
“If you feel hungry, there are snacks prepared in the sideboard next to the sofa.”
Sandrone gave her one last instruction, then began her work.
Columbina looked at the carefully arranged pastries in the sideboard, then at Sandrone, who was buried in her work.
[Are these…
prepared specifically for me?]
She took a bite of a cake; it was very sweet.
It seemed Sandrone remembered what she had said very well.
Tick-tock—tick-tock—
Time slowly passed.
Columbina sometimes tilted her head to secretly observe Sandrone working intently, and sometimes walked to the window to look at the moon in the sky.
Gradually, drowsiness washed over her limbs.
Columbina let out a yawn and reclined on the sofa.
Who knows how much time had passed.
Sandrone finally emerged from her busy day of experimental tasks.
After standing up, she glanced at the maiden curled up asleep on the sofa.
She frowned slightly.
Then she walked over softly and draped her blanket over her.
“Sandro…
ne.”
In her sleep, Columbina unconsciously murmured the name.
Sandrone sighed and pulled the blanket tighter around her.
What a handful.
Still, good night, Columbina.