Genshin Impact, I, a mere mortal, cannot accompany you to the very end.

"I don't believe you."

The wind stirred the pale blue curtains, scattering tiny specks of light across the windowpanes.

You should go and see for yourself.

After saying that, Renli fell silent, and the room became quiet, with only the howling wind remaining.

Ying got out of bed, her bare feet thumping on the wooden board. Her hair clip was undone, and her short, bright golden hair was loose. She pushed open the bedroom door, and Paimon was fast asleep on the dining table.

She put on her coat, slipped her slender feet into her boots, picked up the one-handed sword hanging by the door, and went out.

Outside the door, the sun shone brightly.

"Grilled fish, please!"

"Fresh, large apples, fifty moles a pound."

"Candied hawthorn berries, candied hawthorn berries from Liyue!"

The hotel they rented faced the market in Mondstadt, and it was market day, with people coming and going, shoulder to shoulder. Ying hurriedly made his way through the crowd.

The vendors shouted at the top of their lungs, "It's New Year's Day today!" The festive atmosphere of the New Year had already permeated the entire city of Mondstadt. Firecrackers exploded, scattering red frost across the sky. Scattered red petals covered the ground, giving Mondstadt a ten-mile-long red bridal gown.

Ying didn't know where to go.

Ying searched everywhere, including the pub that Qingye Fengyin liked to go to, the fruit shop she frequented, and that abandoned square... She searched everywhere.

The throbbing in her heart grew stronger. Ying gently pursed her lips. Her mind was still hazy and confused. The heavy nightmare from last night had not yet faded and still lingered deep in her brain.

Why did he leave so suddenly?

What does he want to do?

Where is he?

"Yes, it doesn't matter where the wind comes from or where it goes, as long as it feels comfortable."

Ying suddenly remembered Kiyono Fuue's words. Back then, they had climbed the treacherous Cape Omote-no-Kami, the last rays of the setting sun lost in the graveyard of the mountains, and Kiyono Fuue, with the wind blowing, had smiled and said to her:

"Ying, may you always be happy and joyful. Don't worry about where Feng went in the end."

That smile seemed very sad.

At that time, she didn't understand. She just thought it was an ordinary and obvious statement. Being happy and joyful was the most important thing. He even tried to explain to her what mountain winds and valley winds were. Who knew about those things... Mountain winds and valley winds? She replied, "As long as I'm happy blowing, I don't care where the wind comes from."

At the time, it was only common.

Who feels the chill of the west wind alone, as rustling yellow leaves close the sparse window? Lost in thought of the past, I stand in the setting sun, not startled by my deep spring slumber after drinking wine. We wagered on books, enjoying the fragrance of spilled tea; at the time, it all seemed so ordinary.

Who feels the chill of the west wind alone? At the time, it seemed so ordinary.

What exactly was the west wind trying to convey to me back then?

What exactly is Kiyono Kazein trying to say?

Ying didn't know that at the time.

At the time, it seemed like nothing special.

-

The morning light spread across the long steps.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, and the shadows of sycamore leaves swayed in the magnificent dome. The Knights' Hall was quiet.

Qin paused, her pale blue eyes revealing a depth of unease. She slowly exhaled before addressing the bard before her:

"I see. Dvalin has quieted down."

　Dragon disaster.

This is the worst disaster in Mondstadt's history, and it even concerns the survival of the city-state.

The last time Mondstadt suffered a dragon plague was five hundred years ago, when the demonic dragon Durin was the cause.

The Dragon Disaster was a sword hanging over Vice Commander Qin's heart, and now that the sword had been removed, while she felt a great sense of relief, she couldn't help but start asking other questions:

"Is that Kiyono Fune...? Where is Kiyono Fune? He's a hero of Mondstadt... He deserves to be rewarded!"

The bard seemed not to have heard Qin's words. The girl stood on tiptoe, gazing intently at the portrait on the wall. After a while, she seemed to come back to her senses, turned to the side, and her emerald eyes seemed to be smiling.

Wendy smiled and said, "He's safe. After he finished dealing with the Mondstadt matter, he went on a trip."

"Oh, so this guy said that—"

Wendy coughed, mimicking Qingye Fengyin's tone, placed her left hand on her chest, stood on tiptoe, and opened her right hand to embrace the sunlight, looking like an ambitious young person letting their dreams take flight. She exaggeratedly spoke in an aria-like tone:

“‘The wind whispers through the fields, I come and go like the wind, I leave after my task is done, leaving no trace of merit or fame, wahahaha, I’m off.’”

"Then this guy, all cocky and arrogant, dashed off like a west wind, and just like that, he was gone."

The girl's eyes were sincere and pure, without a trace of impurity. She was very serious, as if Qingye Fengyin was really alright. He didn't stay in Mondstadt because he didn't want fame and fortune. He really went on a trip in a very cool and arrogant way.

The bard gazed at the zither with a smile.

That smile was also very earnest.

She has always had a talent for deceiving people.

Clearly, she succeeded.

The ensemble leader sighed helplessly, "Really."

She smiled, seemingly amused by Wendy's exaggerated tone.

"Little poet, if you see him again, please tell him that the Knights of Favonius will always remember your deeds."

"Your place will always remain; Mondstadt will always welcome you."

Wendy nodded. "Okay."

Wendy has always been good at deceiving people, convincing them to believe what she says, to believe that Kiyono Fuin is not dead... and even convincing herself that Kiyono Fuin is still alive.

The story of Mondstadt should be perfect, as perfect as an opera: the young knight appeases the dragon and eventually retires to the world, flawless.

Kiyono would definitely like a story like this.

Whether it's Kiyono Kazeka, Kiyono Raimei, Rustan, or that girl, they all surely love this story.

He didn't want to be remembered after his death; he wanted to leave quietly and perfectly.

Wendy is a bard, and in the future, she will tell this beautiful and romantic story to more people.

For the rest of her long life.

Writing a preface for your life is the only thing I can do.

Wendy doesn't want Mondl to forget that boy.

I don't want Mondstadt to forget that brief but brilliant wind.

She glanced one last time at the portrait on the wall.

The wolf cub Rustan sat quietly in the picture frame, its bright golden eyes like the most dazzling sunlight.

Goodbye.

Wendy waved goodbye to the band leader.

Goodbye.

She continued to smile, because she had to smile, because one cannot cry while telling a comedy. A bard must always smile, for only by smiling can the audience be moved and believe in the romantic heroic comedy.

You mustn't cry.

Stepping out of the Knights' main hall, the sky was bright and the breeze was gentle.

The sky was as clear as if it had been washed, crystal clear.

Mondstadt is so beautiful.

—"Excuse me...excuse me..."

The panting sound suggested they had run a very, very long way.

Wendy gazed at the girl in front of her.

She was slightly hunched over, fine beads of sweat sliding down her delicate profile. The girl raised her head, her loose golden hair flying in the air—she seemed very tired, having run a long way, her chest heaving violently.

Wendy recognized her; the girl's name was 'Firefly'.

"Excuse me..." She finally caught her breath, her bright golden eyes fixed on Wendy's, "Have you seen Kiyono Kazein?"

"...ah."

"As it happens, I happened to witness that fight."

Wendy smiled again, placed her left hand on her chest, and coughed a few times: 'The wind whispers in the clear field, the zither falls, the demonic music enters the ears, the wind demon dragon cannot withstand it and retreats step by step....'

"'The wind whispers through the fields, coming and going like the wind, the matter is settled...'"

Her smile remained as pure, earnest, and infectious as ever, and the stories she told were vivid and interesting. The warm sunlight shone on the bard's profile, her smile as radiant as a flower, and her days seemed to sparkle with light.

The girl watched Wendy quietly.

—"You are crying."

she said.

what.

Wendy paused, then asked, "Why?"

"You're crying...that's just how I sense it."

Ying's bright golden eyes reflected Wendy's face, her gaze trembling slightly.

She swayed slightly, lowered her head, and her lips moved slightly: "Why?"

"Why?" Wendy asked as well. "I was clearly smiling."

"I don't know, I'm not sure, I just feel this way. There's no origin of it."

Ying lowered her eyes, her heart pounding slowly.

"You're telling a wonderful story, but you're so sad. I...I was listening to a really, really good story too. That guy, Kiyono Fuuin, arrogantly did a great job, Dvalin was appeased, everyone's happy, it's such a good story...but why, but why, why..."

She clutched her chest, tightly, and raised her head, her bright golden eyes sparkling...