34 Night Raid on the Traveler

Aether walked in front with a sullen, cat-like expression, his aura dampened and his eyes devoid of any spark. His mind was still entirely preoccupied with the events of the previous night.

He had spent the whole night pondering, yet he simply could not fathom what she had been trying to achieve.

Behind him, Peinana walked alongside Paimon. She appeared graceful, quiet, and gentle, much like a young bride newly wed in ancient times. She responded to Paimon’s enthusiastic chatter with soft, patient words. However, she would occasionally steal a glance at Aether’s back, her conflicted expression revealing that her attention was not entirely on Paimon.

(Damn it... why hasn't he asked yet!)
(Has he not noticed?)
(Impossible! He’s so powerful, how could he not have noticed?!)
(Is he mute? Or is he playing it cool, trying to lure me in? I hate schemers!)

Peinana was so frustrated she could have cursed. She felt an urge to grab Aether by the collar and force a confrontation, just to see what was going on in that head of his.

Peinana had always been popular, and as someone constantly bothered by others, she usually found them annoying. She held nothing but disdain for the elaborate romantic maneuvers often found in fiction; the mere thought of being the unfortunate target of such relentless pursuit made her feel deeply irritated.

But as the saying goes, the tides turn. Last night, she had attempted to play a game for the first time, only to be met with minimal success—or rather, a total Waterloo.

Waking up in a start last night, she had only calmed down upon seeing Paimon floating nearby in her sleep.

(Aether really did come back. It wasn't a dream.)

Then, a sudden whim struck her. She decided to do what the heroines in romance novels do: build some rapport. She would pull off a grand gesture—a midnight raid on the male lead!

Had the Traveler seemed like a typical adult, she wouldn't have dared. But a beautiful, harmless "useless" person visiting in the middle of the night? Wouldn't that be the perfect remedy for loneliness?

Yet, the Traveler was a "younger brother" figure. Peinana decided to stage the raid, calculating that given the disparity in their strength and the vigilance of someone who spent his life in the wild, he would surely discover her with ease.

Who wouldn't be on guard if an uninvited guest showed up in the middle of the night? A thief? An assassin? A murderer?

Perhaps the agile Traveler would use a grappling technique to pin her to the ground, or suddenly hold a blade to her throat in the darkness, coldly demanding to know her intentions.

At that moment, she could clutch her pained spots, weeping softly and acting aggrieved, telling him that she was simply terrified he would leave again and couldn't sleep, so she had come to check on him...

Once a kind-hearted soul like the Traveler realized his mistake, wouldn't he immediately feel guilty? After all, one only had to think for a second to realize she lacked the capability to commit an assassination.

The mere thought of that scenario left Peinana feeling strangely exhilarated.

It was just a midnight stroll to his door; she could not only harvest some favorability but also cement impressions like "she needs me," "she is deeply dependent on me," "she is fragile," "she needs protection," and "she trusts no one but me." She might even be able to push the boundaries of Aether’s tolerance a little further.

After all, a timid, pretty girl who couldn't sleep and wanted a sense of security—even if he didn't offer comfort, who would seriously blame her for it?

See? The boundary had already been lowered.

Peinana thought it over and decided that, aside from making herself seem even more useless in Aether’s eyes (which was a good thing, right?!), there was no downside. So, she went for it.

But to her utter shock, Aether hadn't reacted at all! She had even entered the room and stood there striking a pose for several minutes, yet he hadn't opened his eyes!

*Are you actually asleep? Or are you dead?!*

She had been so afraid of him having some kind of "I kill in my sleep" reflex or other stress response that she hadn't even dared to get too close.

But some suspicious behaviors required immediate explanation, or they might spiral out of control. Peinana walked with him for a long while, distracted, before finally taking a deep breath. Gathering her courage and swallowing her shame, she mentioned it casually, as if it were a joke: "Come to think of it, I had a nightmare last night."

Paimon asked curiously, "Oh? What was it?"

The Traveler turned his head to listen as well.

Peinana smiled sheepishly and said, "I dreamt that I couldn't find you two again. My heart was pounding so hard, but when I went to check and saw you were both still there, I finally felt at ease."

Aether: "..." *Is this your reason for sneaking into my room in the middle of the night?!*
(My vigilant, analytical self feels like an absolute idiot.)

He turned his head away with a darkened face, feeling a suffocating sense of frustration. He could still hear the two of them whispering behind him.

Paimon: "Oh, I told you I wouldn't leave you behind again—"
Peinana replied in a sweet, affected tone: "It's not that easy to get rid of psychological trauma, you know. I didn't do it on purpose."

The Traveler, nursing his annoyance, silently quickened his pace to put some distance between them.
*I don't want to hear you talk!*

...

Morning in Mondstadt was bustling once again. Beneath the warm sun, a gentle breeze carried the aroma of breakfast and fine wine. People hurried about their work, busy and carefree.

The trio met with Charles and walked through the crowded streets. As they walked, Charles remarked, "I had selected a few other places earlier, and the neighbors there are quite warm and reliable. If you, Traveler, go out on an adventure, there would be people to look after Miss Peinana.

"However, when Master Diluc heard about this, he thought it was highly unsuitable. He said that too many people make for more complex social relationships. Miss Peinana prefers solitude and is not fond of socializing, so she would struggle in such an environment. Later, Master Diluc personally helped select this residence.

"It’s right here."

He led the three of them to a detached small villa.

It was located in a quiet alley near the East Gate. It was a standalone house with two floors, flanked by low shrubbery, and featured two small stone-walled gardens at the entrance. In terms of appearance alone, it was exquisite and beautiful, possessing a sense of tranquility amidst the city’s bustle.

However... the price must have been quite "beautiful" too?

Charles took out a key, opened the door, and led them inside for a tour. "This house has two floors, six bedrooms, a kitchen, two utility rooms..."

"Ah, there are only three of us. Isn't this a bit too big?"

Charles replied, "How could it be? When settling down, one must think long-term. There are three of you now, but will it always be just three? Friends? Relatives? Children? A maid to handle the chores? And shouldn't you have a guest room prepared for visitors?"

Paimon: "...Th-that's true too..."
Peinana & Aether: "..."
*You’re too easy to persuade, little Paimon!*

Peinana and Aether exchanged a complicated look and offered a polite smile.

"The house is near the East Gate, and right across the street is the Knights of Favonius logistics transit station. Not only do knights patrol here daily, but there are also guards stationed permanently. If you encounter danger, don't hesitate—scream, and the patrol guards or the city gate guards will come to your rescue immediately.

"The captain of those gate guards is as energetic as a Hilichurl; he always feels his talents are wasted and is practically itching for some action. If it weren't for tempering his temperament, the Knights wouldn't have sent him to guard the gate. Still, despite his restless, impatient nature, he’s quite capable. You don't have to worry about troubling him; to him, a cry for 'help' would be like a gift from the heavens! He’d be the first to rush over.

"The balcony of the second-floor master bedroom has a back door that looks directly onto the tavern. If you ever face danger and cannot call for help, you can find a way to signal the tavern, and we will do our best to assist you.

"And as for you, Traveler. I hear you can use those ancient ruins to travel quickly across the seven nations—that is truly convenient. However, since you intend to make your home here while traveling the world, you'll be teleporting back and forth often. Our Master considered this and selected a location not far from those ancient ruins."

Paimon: "Those are Teleport Waypoints!"

"Yes, yes, Miss Paimon, Teleport Waypoints," Charles laughed. "Just come out of the Teleport Waypoint in the main plaza, head straight toward the East Gate without turning, and after three streets, you'll be home. Oh, and right outside the East Gate is the Cider Lake wharf. It’s a cargo pier with only merchant ships passing through—hardly any loafers there. If Miss Peinana wants to go boating or have a picnic, she can do so right outside the gate. Though, I wouldn't recommend doing it alone."

He clapped his hands firmly to snap the three of them out of their observations. "Well, everyone, how is the house? Are you satisfied?"

The three looked at each other, and Paimon said with a grin, "Wait a moment, let us discuss this."