Soon, their footsteps finally stopped in front of Mondstadt's main gate.
Two stone towers stood firmly flanking the city entrance. From behind the gates, the sounds of bustling life could be heard—the conversations of the townspeople, the clatter of footsteps, the clanking of metal from the blacksmith's workshop, and light laughter mixed with the strains of music coming from somewhere.
Amber took a step forward, then turned to face Kaito with her characteristic bright smile.
"All right, Kaito," she said in a light and enthusiastic tone. "Welcome to Mondstadt!"
Kaito paused before entering, looking around the city. The neat stone streets stretched wide, filled with people passing by with relaxed, carefree expressions. A flower vendor stood by the roadside, arranging bouquets of dandelions and small, bright flowers. Not far away, a blacksmith's workshop reflected the light of the fire from his furnace, the steady, rhythmic sound of hammers. On the other side, the sign for the Adventurers' Guild stood prominently, a gathering place for travelers from all over.
The scene felt alive—not a stifling bustle, but a warm, bustling bustle.
"So," Amber turned to him with a curious expression, "what do you think of this city?"
Kaito turned his gaze back to Amber, then answered casually but honestly, "It's a bustling city, but it feels comfortable. I quite like the atmosphere."
At that, Amber smiled in relief. "Thank goodness. Many foreigners say Mondstadt feels too free, but I think that's its charm."
He then scratched his cheek lightly, his expression turning slightly awkward. "Unfortunately, we must part ways here. I have a report to make to Grand Master Jean. I'm sorry I can't show you around the city."
"No problem," Kaito replied quickly. His tone was calm, without a hint of disappointment. "I should actually thank you for taking the trouble to see me all the way here. Next time, I'll treat you."
He said it with a genuine smile.
The smile made Amber pause for a split second. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and without another word, she turned away.
"S-see you later, Kaito!" she exclaimed, jogging away. "I'll collect on your promise later!"
Her steps were quick, almost like running away, and she didn't even look back.
Kaito stared at Amber's retreating back and chuckled softly. "That girl," he muttered.
With that, he stepped fully into the city. The air of Mondstadt felt warmer within the city walls, mixed with the aroma of baked bread and a gentle breeze carrying the scent of wine from afar. Unhurriedly, Kaito walked down the main street until he finally stopped in front of a building that was quite familiar to him—the Adventurer's Guild.
As soon as he stepped inside, a friendly female voice greeted him.
"Ad astra abyssosque. Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, traveler. My name is Katheryne. How may I help you?"
Kaito looked up. Behind the reception desk stood a woman with short black hair, neatly dressed like a maid. Her face was calm, her smile polite, and her posture almost too perfect—almost flawless.
"Hello, Katheryne," Kaito greeted in a friendly tone. "I'd like to register as an adventurer."
"Okay," Katheryne replied without hesitation. She took a form from under the table and handed it to Kaito. "Please fill out this registration form first."
"Thank you."
Kaito accepted the paper and began filling it out. His hand moved calmly as he wrote down his name, gender, age, and a few other basic details. As he wrote, his thoughts briefly wandered.
Katheryne.
In his previous life, this woman's identity had been a surprising plot twist—a mechanical doll scattered throughout Teyvat, managed by the Fatui and connected to the seventh Harbinger, Marionette. The fact that the same Katheryne could be found in every region now made much more sense to him.
After he finished, Kaito handed the form back.
Katheryne quickly scanned it, then gave a small nod. "Very well. Welcome aboard, Mr. Kaito. You are now officially registered as an adventurer. You can take commissions at any time, and rewards will be based on the difficulty of the task."
"I think I'll start taking commissions tomorrow," Kaito said. "I just arrived in Mondstadt, so I'm still getting used to it."
"That's a wise decision," Katheryne replied.
"Oh yeah," Kaito added, "do you have any good lodging recommendations?"
Katheryne tilted her head slightly, as if searching through a mental list of information. "The most popular lodging in Mondstadt right now is the Goth Grand Hotel. However, all the rooms are booked by the Fatui delegation. If you're looking for an alternative, you could try asking at Angel's Share. Although it's a tavern,
they sometimes have recommendations for places to stay."
"Angel's Share, huh," Kaito murmured.
Fatui.
The name made him think for a moment. A large organization with far-reaching influence, full of intrigue and ambition. In his mind, several plans slowly began to form—a quick way to acquire Mora, information, and perhaps… other opportunities.
Unconsciously, a slight grin almost appeared on his face.
But before Katheryne could register the change in expression, Kaito had already returned to his usual relaxed smile.
"Thank you for the advice, Katheryne," he said. "See you later."
"See you later, Mr. Kaito. May the stars guide your journey."
Kaito turned and stepped out of the Adventurer's Guild, then turned his steps towards Angel's Share. Along the way, the wind of Mondstadt greeted him again, as if welcoming a new traveler who would soon carve his own story in this land of freedom.