Yes, Lady Funina!

Ever since Richard said that the presence of the bodyguards only made Funina feel protected, rather than actually protecting her safety, she lost trust in the bodyguards.

So when she was alone in Mondstadt, even with guards by her side, she didn't dare go to places without 'security', and she didn't even step out of the city gates.

Furna began to miss her chief private secretary, Clarinde. Clarinde, who had been recognized by Richard for her competence, could clearly give Furna a sense of security when she was 'out of town'.

For Funina now, the division of security is quite clear: having a bodyguard by her side means she's at the 'city insider' level, while Clarind is at the 'outside the city' level, and Richard is probably at the 'free to go anywhere' level.

"Because of the unique geographical environment of Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain, I have prepared some cold-resistant medicine. Please take it and distribute it among yourselves," Abedo said to everyone present, carrying a medicine box.

"An anti-cold potion?" Fryna looked at Abedo. Through Richard's introduction, she realized that this was the very problematic person who had taught Klee about 'lizards'.

So when she saw the cold-resistant potion made by Abedo, Funina had an instinctive resistance. She was worried that the potion might contain some strange ingredients, such as lizard tails with different patterns.

"Yes, Longji Snow Mountain is covered with snow all year round and is affected by various external factors, making the extreme cold on the mountain unbearable for ordinary people."

“Every year, unprepared adventurers freeze to death in the snow. One of the reasons the Adventurers’ Guild sets up a camp at the foot of Dragonspine is to remind people to face the extreme cold on Dragonspine and avoid unnecessary casualties.”

"Therefore, although I believe that the Water God's divine body can withstand the severe cold, I still sincerely suggest that you carry a few bottles of cold-resistant potions with you in case of emergency. After all, even if you don't use them, you can give them to those who need them."

Richard's words easily persuaded Funina, who was resistant to the cold-resistant medicine. Clearly, she cared more about her own safety than the suspicious ingredients in the medicine.

Freezing to death in the snow... that's a bit scary.

Funina knew her own situation best. She didn't have any divine body; she was just an ordinary human being. If Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain was really as cold as Richard said, she probably wouldn't be able to withstand it without cold-resistant medicine.

As an alchemist, Abedo was used to customers' resistance to alchemical potions, so he explained, "The main ingredient for making the potion is the stamen of the Flame Flower, with a small amount of Crimson Stone powder and some purified slime liquid added. All of these are digestible doses, and the harm to the human body is negligible."

After Abedo provided the complete analysis sheet, Funina's resistance to the cold-resistant potion lessened. When picking up the potion, she even took a few extra just in case, and also helped Klee take a few extra.

However, Klee doesn't seem to need the cold-weather potion and suggests leaving it for those who do.

Fryna cast a questioning look at Richard, who explained, "Klee, being an elf, is naturally much stronger than ordinary adventurers. In addition, the clothes she wears are specially made by Alice, which makes Klee impervious to severe cold and scorching heat. Furthermore, Klee has the fire-attribute God's Eye, so even the severe cold on Dragonspine Mountain cannot harm her."

Richard had something else he didn't say: he himself had also given Klee some protection, so that not only the extreme cold of Dragonspine Mountain, but even the remains left behind by Durin could not threaten Klee's life.

This doesn't even include the backup plan that Abedo prepared for Klee. The defensive mechanisms that Richard and Iris set up for Klee alone are enough to allow her to play around in Mondstadt without any worries.

Let's put it this way: among the group, only Funina might need this potion. Both Richard and Abedo could completely ignore the extreme cold of the Dragon Ridge Mountains.

In fact, the reason why Abedo made these potions was because of the members of the Lonehearts Salon that Klee mentioned. After all, how could the water god who solved the Mondstadt Dragon Plague be afraid of the severe cold on Dragonspine Mountain?

According to Klee, they are all special water elemental shapeshifters and may not be able to withstand the extreme cold of Dragonspine Mountain, which is why Abedor prepared so many cold-resistant potions.

However, even if Abedo didn't prepare the potion, Richard had other preparations. After all, no one knew better than him just how weak his Water God was, and the gift he prepared for Funina this time was to make up for that.

This also serves as some means of self-defense for Funina, so that she wouldn't be completely powerless to fight back if she encountered danger.

After hearing this, Furina fell silent. It turned out that she was the one who was dragging the group down in this hastily formed tour group. Even Klee was better than her!

Fortunately, this information should only be known to him; no, Richard may have guessed some of it as well.

Funina wasn't stupid; she knew that her recent behavior couldn't be hidden from Richard, who was by her side. Richard probably already had a feeling, but he just didn't say it outright.

However, Furna did not expect that Richard had once doubted her identity as a water goddess. But Wendy later refuted this conjecture, and her identity as a water goddess was preserved in Richard's mind.

Otherwise, Furness would be begging Richard to keep it a secret right now, while she's still losing her pearls...

Soon, the group arrived at the foot of Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain by means of transportation. Passing by the adventurer camp, the lively atmosphere of the camp attracted the curious gaze of Funina.

Looking at the bustling adventurers' camp, she tugged at Richard's sleeve and asked, "Are there many people going to Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain? There seem to be so many people here."

“These people make a living off the abundant resources of Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain. The renewable resources in the outer areas alone are enough to earn them a considerable income. As for the depths of Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain… it is too dangerous, so very few people venture there,” Richard explained.

"The Alchemy Guild of Mondstadt often issues commissions to procure supplies from Dragonspine Mountain, and over time this has led to the situation we see today," Abedo explained.

"Klee often comes to Dragonspine Mountain to play. Although Dragonspine Mountain is icy cold, the lakes inside are surprisingly full of fish. You just need to throw a bomb, and the fish inside the ice will fly out! If you're lucky, you can even see a rainbow. It's a lot of fun!" Klee shook her backpack.

If nothing unexpected happens, it should be full of bouncy bombs. We finally got to come out with Richard and the others, so we're going to blow it up to our hearts' content!

Klee even prepared a portion for Frynn, and all the members of Lonely Hearts Salon also received some, because she wanted everyone to experience the charm of fried fish!

"So... are we just going to wander around the outskirts this time?" Funina asked.

"No, Abedo's laboratory is deep in the Dragon Ridge Mountains, and the gift prepared for you is also in his laboratory, so our destination is the heart of the Dragon Ridge Mountains."

"I see..." Fryna understood, but wasn't too worried. After all, she had the cold-resistant potion provided by Mondstadt's chief alchemist, and Richard was by her side, so she felt very safe.

However, Richard's next words made Funina's heart jump.

"The only thing to worry about is that we might encounter some bizarre things on this trip into the mountains."

“Unbelievable?!” Funina repeated, a bad feeling creeping into her heart.

“For example, monsters that turn into acquaintances and infiltrate the party, teammates who inexplicably get lost, or strangers who have already died and greet you by chance… G, Frynn, where are you going?” Richard finished speaking and found that Frynn was already preparing to take Klee’s hand and head back home.

“I don’t think Dragonspine is as fun as I imagined. I want to take Klee back to Windrise; at least the scenery there is nice,” Fryna said expressionlessly.

Richard said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Alright, I'll just tell you a few interesting stories about Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain to add some mystery to this trip and give you more to explore."

“There’s no need for that!” Funina said irritably. She wasn’t very brave to begin with, and the only reason she was able to go to such a dangerous place as Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain was because she trusted Richard.

And this guy is still trying to scare her, he's not acting like a proper subject at all!

With Richard's witty banter, the group quickly entered the Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain.

As they ventured deeper into the snow-capped mountains, Funina was captivated by the magnificent scenery before her, a sight she had never seen before in Fontainebleau.

Previously, her impression of Mount Longji in Mondstadt was limited to some written records and accompanying photos in the Fontainebleau Library. But now that she has come to Mount Longji in person, she realizes that written records and photos cannot fully capture its charm. Only by being there in person can one truly appreciate the majestic beauty of Mount Longji.

While being awestruck by the beauty of the Longji Snow Mountain, Funina couldn't help but glance at Richard, who was walking in front of her and shielding her from the wind and snow. A genuine smile appeared on her pretty face.

Indeed, this trip to Mondstadt was wonderful.

PS: I should have updated earlier, but I got dragged off to play Mahjong Soul by other authors... Mondstadt's story is almost over.

Volume 1: Chapter 63 Autographed Photograph and Two Richards

Abedo's laboratory is located in a cave deep within the Dragon Ridge Mountains, accessible only by crossing a wooden suspension bridge.

Due to the harsh natural environment of the Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain, the laboratory had no anti-theft measures. After all, there was nothing valuable inside, only some experimental data that even alchemy experts couldn't understand.

After a campfire was lit in the semi-open laboratory, the temperature inside the cave rose somewhat, but it was still very cold.

Fortunately, Funina had already used a cold-resistance potion. One potion could support her movement in this frigid place for at least several hours, which was quite miraculous.

So far, even if she puts her hand into the snowdrift, Funina only feels slightly cold, not the biting cold she had imagined.

Pulling my hands out of the snowdrift, I found no signs of frostbite; they were white with a pinkish tinge, soft and elastic—a rare work of art.

Of course, ordinary potions could not achieve this level of effect, even if the person who made the potion was Abedo. The reason why Funina was able to play in the snow so recklessly was entirely because Richard had placed a protective layer on her.

In short, it means "a buff has been applied".

While Klee was wandering around the lab with Frynn, Richard noticed that Abedo was staring blankly at his bookshelf.

"What's wrong?" Richard asked.

Abedo snapped out of his reverie, shook his head, and replied, "My alchemy notes that I put on the bookshelf are gone."

“In this desolate wilderness, no thief would bother to steal an incomprehensible alchemy notebook.” Richard’s meaning was clear: the other party was definitely after Abedo.

“Looks like you were right, there really is a troublesome fellow in Dragonspine Snow Mountain,” Abedo said, shaking his head.

"Let's deal with this as soon as possible, or the trouble will only keep piling up," Richard advised, glancing at the two figures outside, one large and one small, building a snowman.

"If trouble comes knocking, I won't hold back."

“Of course,” Abedo nodded.

Richard approached Abedo's easel and found that the painting was, as always, a mixture of exquisite detail and hasty work. He couldn't help but complain, "Can't you at least finish your painting each time? Even if the background is a bit rough, at least put on some color, right?"

“That would take too much time, and these are just practice pieces, there’s no need to be so serious,” Abedo replied, looking at his paintings as he approached Richard.

"But to be fair, your drawing is indeed getting better and better," Richard commented, stroking his chin.

Seeing Richard's interest in the painting, Aberdo asked, "Would you like to paint one? I remember you can paint too, right?"

Richard shook his head, then pulled out the phonograph camera he had prepared beforehand and replied, "No, this thing is much better than hand-drawing."

"Claire, Frynn, look here!" Richard called out to the two women in the distance.

Richard's shouts drew their attention, and as they looked at the camera at the same time, the camera clicked, capturing the image of the two smiling people, one big and one small, along with the snowman that was just beginning to take shape.

Abedo looked closely at the photographs produced by the phonograph and remarked, "Indeed, this is much more convenient than drawing them myself."

“Right, I’ve taken the photos. This phonograph is for you. It was originally a gift for you. When I get back to Fontainebleau, remember to take a few more photos of Klee and send them with your letters.” Richard carefully instructed as he handed the phonograph to Abedo.

Abedo felt that what he held in his hand was not a phonograph, but another extra task process.

The two main characters in the photo also came running from a distance, leaving two sets of footprints, one large and one small, on the white snow.

"Oh, you took pictures of us without our permission! Show them to me, or I'll get angry!" Funina also came over, her white ahoge almost poking Richard's nose, her pretty face almost touching Richard's chest.

"Get angry, get angry! Klee wants to see too." Little Klee, who was standing next to Frynn, also imitated Frynn and kept standing on tiptoe, trying to see the scene in the photo.

Fryna snatched the newly printed photo from Richard's hand, then squatted down, at a height that would allow Klee to see the photo without having to stand on tiptoe.

"Hmm, the composition is flawless, the colors and lighting are just right, and the focus is sharp... Richard, I didn't expect you to have this skill," Funina said with some surprise.

"You flatter me, it's just average," Richard said modestly. You know, he was the one who took that picture of the water god having afternoon tea in the newspaper back then (Chapter 1). You can't do that without some skill!

"This is no ordinary level. Many reporters are not as good at taking pictures as you. Those reporters have taken pictures of me that made me look terrible several times. When I saw them in the newspaper, I was so angry. I really wanted to grab those reporters and throw them into a photography academy for retraining... Does Fontainebleau have a photography academy?"

Fu Ningna was furious when she mentioned those reporters. Some of the photos published in the newspapers were taken from angles that were hard to judge. If it weren't for her natural beauty, which makes her look good from every angle, she probably would have had ugly photos all over the place long ago.

“There isn’t a photography academy, but the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences has a phonograph research society, and the newspaper regularly pays them to organize training for photojournalists,” Richard said after thinking for a moment.

"Looks like they definitely weren't paying attention in class," Funina remarked.

"Do you have a pen?" Funina asked.

Richard took a charcoal pencil from beside Abedo's drawing board and handed it to Funina.

Then I saw that Funina had carefully left a beautiful artistic signature on the back. Judging from her skillful movements, she must have signed quite a few.

After Funina signed it, she taught Keli to sign it as well, and she even designed an artistic signature for Keli.

After they both signed their names, Furnessa whispered a few words to Keli, then Keli ran up to Richard with the photo and said:

"Sister Furina said that because Brother Richard works in Fontainebleau and often doesn't see Claire, she asked Claire to give you the photo so you can look at it when you miss her." Claire looked at Richard expectantly.

Richard also squatted down, smiled and accepted the gift from little Claire, saying that he would frame it and put it on his office desk when he got back.

"You should cherish this photo. You know, my autographed photos are very rare and precious!" the superstar Funina reminded her.

But what she was really thinking was, if Richard missed Claire, would he see her too? After all, they were in the same album; it would be hard not to see her…

Klee didn't know what the autograph meant, but she chimed in, "Klee's autograph is very precious too!"

Richard was unaware of what Fryna was thinking. After hearing Fryna's words, he smiled and replied, "I know. Thank you, Klee, and thank you, Lady Fryna."

"This is private time, just call me Funina."

"Yes, Lady Funina."

Funina: #

Forget it, I won't argue with this guy. Furness turned around and pulled Klee to continue building the unfinished snowman.

After teasing the adorable water god for a bit, Richard noticed that Abedo was looking at him.

"What? You want autographed photos of Frynn and Claire too?"

"No, I just feel that you and Lady Funina seem to get along very well, and she doesn't seem like a god at all..."

"She's very approachable, isn't she? She gives off a girl-next-door vibe," Richard said.

“You should understand what I mean.” Abedo looked at Richard.

Richard, however, did not answer directly: "I know, but she is indeed the water goddess, Barbatos himself admitted it. Although I hate to say it, the seven gods I have encountered so far are all less and less like gods."

"Is that so?" Abedo replied noncommittally.

"By the way, don't you really want Klee's autographed photo?" Richard waved the precious photo in his hand.

“…” Abedo looked at Richard speechlessly. If he wanted it, would you just give it to him?

"Haha." Richard laughed as he carefully tucked the photo into the inner lining of his clothes, picked up the Corrupted Sword, and prepared to add some nourishment to it.

“I remember there should be a Hilichurl camp nearby, right?” Richard muttered to himself.

"Yes, it's not far away. Besides that, there's also a Frost Armored King nearby. If you want a better effect, you can take care of it as well."

“No problem, keep an eye on them for me, I’ll be right back.” Richard weighed the sword in his hand and walked into the depths of the snow mountain.

The only downside to the Corruption Sword is that you have to kill the monsters with your own hands to draw power from their bodies. This means Richard has to freeze the monsters first and then finish them off with a single sword strike.

The process was incredibly slow, but fortunately Richard wasn't in a rush.