Covered in dust and carrying a hint of the lingering chill from the Abyss, Skirk set off on the road back to the city.
The setting sun cast her shadow long, forming a stark contrast against the desolate backdrop of Dadaupa Gorge.
Not all Hilichurls are mixed-blood remnants of Khaenri’ah; most of those widely distributed and active in Teyvat today are born from the Ley Lines.
Therefore, when the Hilichurls of this stronghold lost consciousness, their bodies simply dissipated and returned to the Ley Lines.
After a few masks and such dropped, Skirk waved her hand and collected them into her Abyss Space.
By the time the familiar silhouette of Mondstadt appeared in her sight, the sky had already turned dark.
The city gate guards seemed to have grown accustomed to this ‘mysterious silver-haired girl.’ They only performed a routine inspection (mainly to see if she had brought back any Hilichurl specialties; she had been carrying a few in her hands earlier, making them think she had some strange hobby) before letting her pass.
After entering the city, Skirk originally intended to head straight for Good Hunter to reward her stomach after the battle.
However, as she passed the fountain square, an ethereal, pure singing voice—one that felt as if it could wash the soul—brushed gently past her ears like a tender night breeze.
it also soothed her heart, which had been slightly restless due to the battle and the Abyssal Power.
The singing came from the Favonius Cathedral.
Skirk’s footsteps stopped involuntarily.
That voice…
it’s Barbara!
Having heard the voice lines and character songs countless times in the game, hearing them in reality now felt completely different!
It was clearer, more powerful, and carried a healing quality that could soothe all anxiety.
Following the singing as if pulled by an invisible thread, she gently pushed open the heavy doors of the cathedral.
The doors were well-maintained and didn’t make a single creak.
The interior of the cathedral had an even more dreamlike quality than it did during the day.
The massive dome was hidden in the soft shadows of candlelight, with only a few beams of moonlight filtering through the high stained-glass windows, casting ethereal spots of light on the floor.
The choir stalls were empty, with only a small figure standing before the Statue of the Seven.
It was indeed Barbara.
Her back was to the door, and she was wearing her iconic white sister’s uniform adorned with stars and moons.
Her soft blonde hair shimmered with a warm luster under the candlelight.
She tilted her head slightly, hands clasped over her chest, singing with her whole heart.
The singing echoed and resonated within the empty cathedral, pure and untainted by a single speck of dust, filled with piety for the Anemo Archon and love and blessings for Mondstadt.
Skirk held her breath and quietly sat down on the last row of pews, afraid of disturbing this sacred atmosphere.
She listened silently.
The fatigue from battle and the cold restlessness of the Abyssal Power truly seemed to be smoothed over and purified bit by bit by this heavenly singing.
She could even feel the Abyssal Power flowing within her body becoming somewhat more docile and gentle.
This had nothing to do with the nature of the power; it was purely the soul being soothed along with the energy.
[Ding!
Detected that the host is under the strong influence of ‘Healing Hymn’!
Soul synchronization has slightly increased!
Friendly tip: This state is beneficial to the host, please continue listening.
(◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*.]
The system’s notification tone even carried a bit of a soothing melody.
“So singing…
really can heal people’s hearts.”
Skirk sighed inwardly, looking at Barbara’s small back with admiration and…
A little bit of envy.
Is this the power of an idol?
The song ended, and the lingering notes echoed endlessly in the cathedral.
Barbara slowly lowered her hands and turned around, seemingly wanting to see if anyone was there.
Her gaze immediately captured Skirk sitting in the shadows of the back row.
“Ah!”
Barbara gave a small cry of surprise, clearly not expecting anyone to be in the cathedral so late.
Her small face instantly flushed red, carrying the shyness of being caught practicing.
“T-This lady…
Good evening.
Sorry, did I disturb your prayers?”
Her voice was as sweet and gentle as her singing, tinged with a bit of nervousness.
Skirk hurriedly stood up and waved her hands:
“No, no!
I’m the one who disturbed your practice!”
Her voice sounded exceptionally clear in the empty cathedral, with a trace of imperceptible fluster,
“Your singing…
was too beautiful!
I was passing by the cathedral and was drawn in…
It was really…
very, very wonderful!”
She racked her brain for words of praise, her cheeks also flushing slightly from excitement and a bit of nervousness.
Upon hearing the praise, Barbara’s eyes instantly lit up, as if filled with stars.
Shyness was replaced by joy, and she walked over with quick, small steps, a sweet smile with maximum healing power appearing on her face:
“Really?
Thank you!
I’m Barbara, a Deaconess of the Church of Favonius.
I’m so glad you liked my singing!”
She gave a slight bow, her movements elegant and cute.
“I’m Skirk!
I haven’t been in Mondstadt for very long!”
Skirk also hurried to introduce herself.
Looking at Barbara’s vibrant smile so close at hand, she felt as if her heart was about to melt from the cuteness.
Is this what it feels like to meet an idol up close?
The impact was a hundred times stronger than in the game!
She tried her best to restrain the urge to spin around in place.
“Miss Skirk…”
Barbara repeated her name, tilting her head with a thoughtful expression.
“That name…
feels a bit special.
Is it a name from another country?”
“I…
I forgot.”
“Ah!…
I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”
Barbara’s voice was filled with apology and concern.
She smiled somewhat sheepishly,
“You’re out so late, did you just finish an adventure?
Looking at your clothes…”
She noticed the dust on Skirk’s clothes.
“Ah, yes!”
Skirk looked down at herself, feeling a bit embarrassed,
“I just got back from Dadaupa Gorge.
I’m a bit…
well, travel-worn.”
She didn’t have the heart to say she had just dismantled a Hilichurl stronghold.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
Barbara’s eyes were full of sincere concern,
“Adventurers travel all over to protect the safety of Mondstadt.
It’s truly remarkable!
If you don’t mind…”
She clasped her hands together, and a soft, warm, aqua-blue light rose from her palms.
The light was pure and full of vitality,
“Let me use a little bit of healing power to help dispel some of your fatigue, okay?
It won’t disturb you!”
Healing Arts!
It’s Barbara’s Healing Arts in the flesh!
Skirk’s eyes instantly widened, and her inner self screamed frantically:
“Aaaaah!
Barbara is going to heal me!
No, she’s going to dispel my fatigue!”
She nodded her head like a woodpecker:
“I don’t mind at all!
Thank you for the trouble, Miss Barbara!”
A warm and soft aqua-blue halo enveloped Skirk.
It felt like soaking in a hot spring of perfect temperature, or being wrapped in the mildest spring sunshine.
The muscle aches after the battle and the slight mental tension truly melted away as quickly as snow.
What was even more wonderful was that the Abyssal Power within her, which had been slightly active due to frequent use, became exceptionally docile and peaceful under the soothing of this pure healing power, like a tamed beast.
“So…
so comfortable…”
Skirk couldn’t help but let out a soft moan.
She felt her whole body become much lighter, and her cheeks were flushed from the comfort and the happiness of being cared for by her idol.
Barbara withdrew the light.
Seeing Skirk looking refreshed, she smiled with satisfaction, her smile warmer and brighter than the cathedral’s candlelight:
“Great!
It seems the effect was good!
Miss Skirk looks much more energetic!”
“More than good!
It was simply amazing!”
Skirk praised from the bottom of her heart, her eyes looking at Barbara full of stars,
“Miss Barbara, your singing and Healing Arts are truly as incredible as the legends say!
No, they’re even better than the legends!”
Being praised so directly and sincerely, Barbara’s small face also turned red, like a ripe Apple.
She waved her hands somewhat bashfully:
“Not at all…
I still need more practice.
Oh, right, Miss Skirk,”
She seemed to remember something, her large Amber eyes looking at Skirk expectantly,
“In a few days, it will be the Windblume Festival.
At that time, I will hold a small concert under the Statue of the Seven, hoping to pass on healing songs and the Anemo Archon’s blessings to more people.
If you have time…
you’re welcome to come and listen!”
“Windblume Festival concert?!”
Skirk felt that happiness had come too suddenly!
She had been busy grinding mobs lately and had almost forgotten that Amber had mentioned this to her!
She immediately straightened her back and nodded vigorously, her voice rising an octave due to excitement:
“I have time, I have time!
I’ll definitely come!”
She could already see herself waving a light stick (Teyvat special edition) and cheering in the audience.
“That’s wonderful!”
Barbara clapped her hands happily,
“Then…
we’re friends now, right?”
She held out her fair little hand, her smile pure and flawless.
Looking at that outstretched hand, symbolizing friendship and the recognition of an idol, Skirk felt like her heart was about to jump out.
She carefully and with a bit of reverence, gently shook Barbara’s hand.
The touch was warm and soft.
“Mm!
Friends!”
Skirk nodded vigorously, a brilliant smile blooming on her face.
That smile dispersed the last trace of the ‘Abyss’s’ coldness from her body, leaving only pure joy and a bit of the awkwardness of a fan meeting an idol.
The cathedral’s candlelight fell gently on the two of them, casting their long shadows.
One was the shining healing idol of Mondstadt, the other a mysterious girl possessing Abyssal Power.
On this quiet night, a song, a healing, and an invitation allowed two fate lines that might have had no intersection to gently intertwine.
After saying goodbye to Barbara, who was as warm as a little sun, Skirk walked out of the cathedral, feeling the night breeze of Mondstadt was exceptionally gentle.
Humming an out-of-tune melody of Barbara’s character song, she walked toward Amber’s little home with light steps.
[Ding!
Detected that the host has established a ‘Friendship’ relationship with the key character ‘Barbara’!
achievement obtained:’Shining Idol’s Starlight’!
Reward: Mental resilience slightly increased!
Resistance/Affinity (switchable) to healing effects (especially Hydro element) increased!]
The system’s notification tone was somewhat cheerful.
“Hehe, Barbara’s friend…”
Skirk giggled foolishly, completely ignoring what the system had rewarded her.
She was already starting to plan what clothes to wear to the concert on the day of the Windblume Festival.
As for the final trial of ‘Foul Legacy’?
“We’ll talk about it tomorrow!”
She happily decided and plunged into the gentle night of Mondstadt.
Today was a night for healing, friendship, and idols!
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!”