After resolving the issue, the Abyss Mage didn't delay.
He left the base and headed toward Mondstadt.
Before long, he arrived.
Because he was now disguised as a human, no one noticed anything unusual.
"So where should I look for information about His Highness?"
The Abyss Mage began thinking.
He wasn't sure whether the Prince had really been captured by the Knights of Favonius.
Going directly to the Knights' headquarters was definitely impossible.
"His Highness came here for the manga shop… so that Boss Han probably knows something."
With that thought, the Abyss Mage headed toward the manga shop.
He planned to ask around there.
Since he had been there once before, he quickly arrived outside the store.
"…Closed?"
Seeing the tightly shut door, the Abyss Mage froze.
If the shop was closed, how could he ask anything?
After hesitating for a while, he decided to leave for now.
He will come back tomorrow morning.
As for breaking in—
Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare.
In the Abyss Mage's mind, that manga shop was even more terrifying than the Prince.
Absolutely not something to provoke.
"Maybe I should ask around nearby."
Soon he came up with another idea.
If the Prince had come to the manga shop, maybe someone nearby had seen him.
He began wandering around the area.
But he found nothing.
Until—
He arrived at the entrance of a nightclub.
"Huh? When did such a strange building appear here?"
The Abyss Mage looked curious.
At that moment, several customers came out laughing.
"Master Diluc's nightclub is really fun!"
"Haha yeah! Especially that dancing—so exciting! If I didn't have work tomorrow morning, I'd stay all night!"
"Speaking of dancing, did you see that blond guy and blue-haired girl inside? Their dancing was insane!"
"Well, it's just for relaxing anyway. Dance however you want!"
"Hehe, I'm already hooked. I'm coming back tomorrow!"
"Let's go together!"
"A blond guy and a blue-haired girl?"
The Abyss Mage muttered.
The Prince's hair was blond…
Could it be that His Highness had gone to this so-called nightclub?
Thinking of this possibility, he didn't hesitate any longer.
He quickly entered.
Inside, many people were drinking happily.
But the Abyss Mage had no interest in that.
His goal was to find the Prince.
From what he heard, the Prince was in a place called the dance floor.
So he asked a nearby staff member.
"Where… is the dancing place?"
"Oh, the dance hall? Just walk that way. Enjoy your night."
The staff member replied with a friendly smile.
He had already answered this question countless times tonight.
In his heart he sighed.
Master Diluc was amazing.
Creating such a magical nightclub.
He even heard the idea came from a manga shop.
Maybe he should check it out someday.
"Thanks!"
The Abyss Mage hurried toward the dance hall.
The moment he entered, he saw the place was packed with people.
"I wonder if His Highness is here…"
He began searching carefully.
Soon—
He spotted Aether.
"Why does His Highness look like that?"
The Abyss Mage was first delighted, then horrified.
Aether's hairstyle was completely outrageous—his hair spiked up everywhere.
Even though confused, finding the Prince was the most important thing.
Just as he was about to approach—a burst of wild music suddenly filled the hall.
Boom! Boom! Boom boom boom!
As the music played, everyone began dancing again.
Aether started shaking his head and throwing out exaggerated moves.
He looked completely lost in the moment.
"What's going on? Is that really His Highness?!"
The Abyss Mage was stunned.
Wasn't this supposed to be the calm and dignified Prince of the Abyss?
Did someone replace him?!
But the strong Abyss aura around him was unmistakable.
The mage squeezed forward through the crowd.
"Your Highness! I'm here!"
"Oh? It's you."
Aether paused mid-dance, slightly surprised.
He didn't expect the mage to appear here.
Then he quickly understood.
He hadn't returned for a while, so his subordinate must have come looking for him.
With a grin, Aether said:
"Come dance with us!"
He was a very considerate leader.
Since the mage was already here, he might as well relax too.
"Dance…?"
The Abyss Mage looked confused.
He glanced around.
Did His Highness mean this chaotic flailing everyone was doing?
What was even fun about this?
"Like this!"
Aether demonstrated enthusiastically, shaking his head wildly to the rhythm.
He looked completely immersed.
For Aether, dancing was genuinely enjoyable.
He had been tense for years, fighting against the Heavenly Principles.
This was the first time he could truly relax.
And almost no one here knew his identity.
"Your Highness… you've changed!"
The Abyss Mage looked heartbroken.
"If this continues, you'll forget your grand mission!"
The once hardworking Prince who fought for Khaenri'ah—was now indulging in nightlife?!
"It's fine. Relaxing once in a while won't hurt."
Aether waved his hand casually.
"I can't take this! I can't stay here!"
The Abyss Mage said firmly.
"If you can't stay, then leave! I've worked hard for so many years—can't I enjoy myself for once?!"
Perhaps because he had drunk a little alcohol—
Aether's voice became much louder.
The surrounding dancers stopped.
Everyone looked toward them curiously.
Even the music stopped.
"What's going on?"
Diluc removed his headphones and looked over.
Aether coughed awkwardly.
"Uh… nothing! Keep the music going!"
Then he shouted:
"Music! Dancing! Let's go!"
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