"That's right, Papa! The game is so much fun!" Klee said brightly. "Klee even has a Klee card! But… but…" Her expression drooped as she remembered. "I always keep losing to Big Brother Albedo…"
Elios's gaze sharpened.
For a brief, dangerous second, he genuinely considered marching straight to Dragonspine, dragging Albedo down by the collar, and "explaining" why bullying Klee was unacceptable—even if Albedo can be considered his stepson and occasionally called him Father.
To Elios, no one mattered more than little Klee.
He gently rubbed Klee's head, expression serious.
"Don't worry, little Klee. Papa will learn this game," he promised. "And then I'll take revenge for you. I'll beat that kid Albedo fair and square."
Klee immediately brightened, making happy little sounds. She dug into her backpack, pulled out a deck, and proudly held it up.
"Here~! This is Klee's deck! I have sooo many cards!"
Then, as if remembering something important, she pulled out one specific card and offered it to him with both hands.
"Papa! Here's Klee's card! It's a gift from Klee, so treasure it, okay~? It's suuuuper strong!"
Elios accepted it like it was the most valuable treasure in the world. His expression softened, and he pulled her into a tight hug.
"Thank you, little Klee," he said warmly. "You really know how to make Papa happy. Don't worry—I'll use your card and win against everyone. I'll prove Klee is invincible."
"Hehe~! I know Papa's the strongest!"
Jean and Eula watched the exchange with fond smiles. Then, as if it were a contest, both women produced their own decks with a quiet competitive glint—ready to show Elios what real collections looked like.
Elios turned to Sara, who was still waiting for his decision.
"Then, young Sara," he said, "I'll trouble you for a deck. And I'll trouble young Jean and Eula to teach me the rules."
Sara nodded briskly. "Understood."
And so, they spent time together playing—a warm, harmonious scene that would make anyone hesitate to interrupt.
When the food arrived, the table naturally shifted into conversation.
They talked about daily life: Klee's "adventures" (and fish-blasting escapades), Eula's training routine in Dragonspine, Jean's growing headache about her strained relationship with Barbara, and finally Elios's travels.
Eula tilted her head, curiosity rising.
"By the way, Teacher… you said you'll stay for a few days. Where are you going after that?" She hesitated, then asked more quietly, "Will it be long before you return?"
Elios paused.
"Hmm. My next destination is Natlan," he said. "There's something there I have to handle. And…" His eyes narrowed slightly as if remembering a promise. "I made an agreement with someone in Inazuma a few months ago. It's nearly time to fulfill it."
He exhaled.
"In short… the next few years will be busy."
Klee's pointed little elf ears visibly drooped.
Elios noticed instantly.
"But," he added quickly, voice gentler, "don't worry. Papa will still make time to visit his adorable daughter."
He lightly tapped her nose.
"And besides—soon, Alice will finally be free from her duties and come back. She'll take you on a new adventure, just the two of you—then Nicole and I will join as well. We'll have a proper family trip again."
Klee blinked, then puffed her cheeks stubbornly.
"Hmph! Klee isn't sad at all, even if Papa is away!" she declared. "Mama said Klee is a strong girl who can take care of herself!"
She started counting, determined to prove it.
"Besides, Klee has Big Brother Albedo, Sister Sucrose, Sister Jean, Sister Eula, and all the big brothers and sisters in the Knights! Klee can still have adventures with everyone! Everyone is amazing and super kind to me!"
Then she hugged her backpack.
"And… and I also have Dodoco with me!"
Elios's eyes softened.
Klee was trying so hard not to make him feel guilty—pretending his absence wouldn't matter.
As if he couldn't see through it.
He pulled her into another hug, holding her with quiet warmth.
"Yes," he murmured. "I know. Klee will always be Papa and Mama's strong Klee. And don't forget… we're always watching over you."
"Yep!" Klee chirped, bright again. "Klee's Papa and Mamas are the best in the world~!"
Jean and Eula exchanged a look—then nodded, as if agreeing on something unspoken.
Jean stood first. "Now if you'll excuse me, Sir Elios, Klee, I need to return to work. I'll see you later."
Eula rose as well, her posture elegant. "I have my mission report to submit. Teacher, Klee… have a good day. I'll see you later."
They left thoughtfully, giving father and daughter space to enjoy their rare time together.
Elios watched them go, understanding perfectly their intentions. He nodded gratefully, then scooped Klee up onto his shoulders again.
"Alright, little Klee," he said. "How do you want to play today? You have Papa all to yourself the whole day."
"Yay~! Hehe~ Let's go to Starfell Lake!" Klee announced. "Klee wants to show Papa my new Jumpy Dumpties! And then, and then~ let's hide the treasure so Mama can't find it when she comes back!"
And with that, the two set off to enjoy the day.
______________
Goth Grand Hotel — Top Floor
"Damn it! Damn it!"
A hysterical voice echoed through a room steeped in luxury. A woman stood amidst shattered porcelain—breathing hard, eyes burning—having just smashed a vase against the wall.
"Why now, of all times?!" she hissed. "I prepared everything so meticulously! We finally have the perfect window to act—I can't have him ruin everything now!"
She spun toward the figure trembling near the door, her fury snapping like a whip.
"And you—!" she snarled. "It's because of you that he started suspecting. If you had kept quiet, he might've left again without interfering. Now we don't know how he'll respond!"
She bit her finger, mind racing.
Yes—this woman, currently stripped of dignity by anger, was Fatui's Eighth Harbinger: La Signora, codenamed "The Fair Lady." Her true name—Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter—was usually spoken with reverence and fear. She was normally composed, elegant, and mercilessly controlled.
But the news she'd received today had shaken her.
All because of one man.
Elios Luxveritas—the adventurer known publicly as Solinvictus—was one of the few existences every Harbinger had been warned about. Not only because of his strength—rumored to rival an Archon—but because of his decisiveness. He didn't care about the Fatui's influence, titles, or reputation.
Years ago, he had defeated one of Il Dottore's powerful Segments with humiliating ease. Attempts to investigate him had failed repeatedly. The few reliable informations they had abou him were these:
He was the husband of the famed witch Alice.
The father of Mondstadt's Spark Knight, Klee.
And he possessed an authority related to fire and heat that the Fatui could not properly classify.
Some even suspected he was a sealed demon-god from the Archon War—unsealed for unknown reasons.
If Natlan's current Pyro Archon hadn't been confirmed as a woman, some would have dared to suspect something even worse.
Signora still remembered Dottore's "advice" after the Ursa incident years ago—spoken with rare sincerity.
"Although I'm curious about that man's origins and authority but I don't want to die yet. If you encounter him alone, there is only one correct action: run. Even I have to admit that we don't yet possess the power and capabilities to defeat him right now."
Rosalyne was arrogant, prideful, and stubborn by nature—but she wasn't stupid.
There were existences in this world better left unprovoked.
Even she understood the gap between herself and the top Harbingers… and that understanding only made this man more terrifying.
Only that fool Tartaglia would try to fight him head-on, she thought bitterly.
Still—she couldn't simply retreat.
Not when her mission came directly from the Tsaritsa.
She forced herself to inhale slowly, gathering the pieces of her composure back into place.
"I need to calm down," she murmured. "It isn't confirmed that he'll act against us."
She stared out the window, jaw tightening.
"And Barbatos is still nowhere to be seen."
Rosalyne's eyes narrowed with resolve.
"For now, we lay low. We wait until he leaves Mondstadt. The Gnosis can always be recovered after."
What made Elios dangerous wasn't only his strength—it was his elusiveness. The Fatui had no clear information about his goals, and tracking him was nearly impossible. He always slipped past their nets, no matter the nation.
After a moment, she turned to the Fatui diplomat, still kneeling.
"Relay my orders," Rosalyne said, voice returning to its usual cool command. "All active operations in the city are suspended until we confirm that man has left."
The diplomat swallowed. "Y-yes, my lady."
"However," Signora continued, eyes sharp, "you will continue to gather information on Barbatos. Keep a special watch on Stormterror. Even if Solinvictus defeats the dragon, Barbatos may still appear."
Her gaze hardened.
"But do not engage. Not under any circumstances. If you confirm his current disguise, we can locate him later."
She flicked her hand. "Now go."
"U-understood!"
The diplomat scrambled out, relieved to escape the room.
Signora remained still for a long moment.
"I hope he doesn't become an obstacle," Rosalyne murmured, a rare melancholy slipping into her voice. "I won't disappoint Her Majesty…"