When Skirk struggled to open her eyes from Amber’s bed, which smelled of sunlight and fresh grass, the bright sunlight outside the window had already spilled across half the room, casting warm spots of light on the floor.
She sat up groggily, her long silver hair a bit messy from sleep, with a few strands poking up playfully.
The immense fatigue receded like a tide, replaced by a long-lost sense of satisfaction from waking up naturally.
A note was weighted down on the nightstand.
Skirk picked it up; it was written in Amber’s spirited yet earnest handwriting:
[Skirk:
I’m heading out to patrol the outskirts!
Lately, there have been strange dragon shadows circling over Mondstadt, and the monsters in the countryside have been acting up.
I can’t let them threaten everyone’s safety!
You were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t wake you.
There’s bread and jam in the kitchen—eat if you’re hungry!
The keys are on the table; remember to lock the door when you leave.
If you’re bored, you can wander around the city, but don’t go too far!
Wait for me to come back!
—Amber]
In the bottom right corner, there was even a chibi Baron Bunny making a peace sign.
“Strange dragon shadows…
active monsters…”
Skirk murmured to herself as the storyline of the Stormterror Dvalin from the game flashed through her mind.
“It looks like the main plot is about to begin.”
However, for now, Amber’s thoughtfulness warmed her heart.
Thinking back to being woken up by the system in the early hours of yesterday, walking for half the day, fighting a Ruin Guard, and then experiencing that incident with Eula…
She was indeed exhausted.
This sleep had been deep and long, taking her straight to noon.
[Ding!
Detected that the host’s mental state has recovered to 100%!
Suggestion: Explore more possibilities in Mondstadt!
(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧] The system came online at the right time.
“I know, I know.”
Skirk gave a big stretch, feeling her whole body filled with vitality.
As expected, Amber had left a set of clothes for her—
A soft cream-white cotton shirt, with simple brown micro-checks accenting the cuffs and collar;
A pair of dark brown corduroy trousers with slightly loose cuffs;
And a matching canvas belt.
It was typical Mondstadt casual style, simple and comfortable.
The clothes were placed directly on her quilt so she could see and put them on as soon as she got up.
Skirk couldn’t help but recall her childhood in her previous life, when her mother would prepare her clothes just like this.
But Amber isn’t my mom!
After changing, Skirk checked herself in the mirror.
The shirt was slightly form-fitting on her, tracing a slender waistline;
The length of the corduroy pants was just right, comfortable and neat.
Compared to Amber’s ill-fitting nightgown, this outfit made her feel much more at ease and gave her a greater sense of belonging to this world.
She casually gathered her silver hair into a simple low Horsetail (a simple method Amber had taught her), picked up the keys, and headed out.
It was midday in Mondstadt; the sun was just right, and the breeze was mild.
There were many more pedestrians on the streets than in the early morning, and the city was full of the atmosphere of daily life.
Skirk took a deep breath, sensing the sweet aroma of baking bread drifting through the air, the faint scent of ale from the taverns, and the elegant fragrance of Cecilia flowers from the florist’s entrance.
She walked leisurely along the main boulevard, curiously observing everything around her.
The familiar buildings from the game were now magnified several times and filled with detail.
The ‘clang-clang’ of Master Wagner’s hammer hitting the anvil at the blacksmith shop was crisp and powerful, with sparks flying everywhere;
A small queue had already formed at the Good Hunter Restaurant, and Sara’s busy voice could be clearly heard;
In the window of the With Wind Comes Glory souvenir shop, exquisite Wind Glider models and ornaments sparkled in the sunlight;
In front of the Cat’s Tail Tavern, several lazy cats were sunbathing, letting out satisfied purrs…
“Now this is what you call a city…”
Skirk, having just dodged an oncoming carriage, marveled internally.
The Mondstadt in the game was exquisite but hollow, whereas everything before her—from the vendors’ cries and children’s laughter to the clip-clop of hooves on the cobblestones and the various scents mixed in the air—constituted an incredibly vivid world full of life.
The main road facing the city gates was also very wide, visually appearing large enough for more than ten carriages to drive side-by-side.
Amidst the pedestrians coming and going, there were also newsboys hawking their papers.
Like a newborn baby, she greedily soaked in this reality.
Unknowingly, she reached the highest point of Mondstadt—
The Statue of the Seven Plaza.
The giant statue of the Anemo Archon Barbatos stood in the center of the plaza.
In the midday sun, it seemed draped in a layer of holy radiance, its spread wings looking as if they might take flight on the wind at any moment.
Quite a few people had gathered at the base of the statue.
Several bards held Lyres or organs, some sitting and some standing, as melodious tunes flowed from their fingertips and ancient Mondstadt legends were sung from their lips—
About the Wolf Knight, about the Decarabian, about how the Anemo Archon Barbatos brought freedom…
The songs drifted with the wind, drawing passersby to stop and listen.
A few missionaries in simple robes were gently explaining the teachings of the Anemo Archon to interested people, preaching the spirit of freedom, courage, and protection.
Their voices were peaceful yet full of strength.
In the distance, from within the grand Gothic architecture of the Favonius Cathedral, the ethereal and holy sound of a choir could be faintly heard.
Was that the children of the choir practicing?
The pure voices of the children were like heavenly music, adding a sense of divinity and tranquility to the plaza.
Skirk stood beneath the statue, looking up at the giant figure that gazed down upon all living beings, feeling the flow of music, poetry, faith, and freedom around her.
A breeze brushed her cheek, bringing with it the sound of pigeons in the plaza flapping their wings.
An indescribable sense of emotion and belonging spread through her heart.
No matter where she traveled in her previous life, she probably would never have experienced the beauty of this place.
If Genshin Impact had a brain-computer interface for immersive gaming, it would probably look like this.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the air, which carried the scent of wind and poetry.
It’s wonderful.
The confusion and unease brought by her transmigration seemed to be smoothed over at this moment by this warm and vibrant city.
She even had a momentary impulse to climb onto the giant statue’s palm and sit there to catch the breeze while overlooking all of Mondstadt, just like in the game.
But seeing so many people in the plaza, as well as those devout missionaries and bards…
Better not.
She didn’t want to be caught as a blasphemer or a suspicious person.
After walking around the base, Skirk noticed the special script on the pedestal.
Having gained Teyvat language proficiency, she actually recognized it.
[The gateway to Celestia unfolds here.]
It’s a little Easter egg from the game; she wondered if she would pass through here when ascending to Celestia.
After lingering in the plaza for quite a while and soaking in the atmosphere, Skirk finally turned and walked toward the grand Favonius Cathedral.
The interior of the cathedral was even more solemn and holy than it appeared from the outside.
The high vaulted ceiling was painted with exquisite religious murals depicting the deeds of the Anemo Archon.
The giant stained-glass windows filtered the sunlight into multicolored beams, projecting them onto the polished marble floor.
The air was filled with the faint scent of incense and Burning candles.
The singing seemed to have ended, and the cathedral felt exceptionally spacious and quiet.
Only a few sisters in habits were quietly cleaning or praying in low voices on the corner benches.
Skirk lightened her steps and sat on a bench for a while, feeling the solemnity and tranquility.
The lighting and shadow effects of this small cathedral had left a deep impression on her back then; those multicolored shadows were now hitting her clothes, tracing a faint glow along the edges.
Comfortable.
Just as she was preparing to leave quietly, she heard two sisters wiping candlesticks talking in low voices:
“…Miss Barbara has been practicing very hard lately.”
“Yes, for the upcoming concert under the Statue of the Seven, she hopes to offer her best singing to Lord Barbatos and to everyone in Mondstadt.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.
Miss Barbara’s singing always heals people’s hearts…”
Barbara!
Skirk’s ears immediately perked up.
In the game, she could only hear the voice lines, but a real-life Barbara concert?
She absolutely had to go!
She silently noted down this important information, her heart full of anticipation.
With this little bit of excitement, Skirk left the cathedral with light steps.
The afternoon sun made the stone slabs of the plaza slightly hot, and flocks of pigeons rose and landed by the fountain.
She stretched, a relaxed smile appearing on her face.
Are you kidding?
Have you ever transmigrated?
This is called another world!
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”