You found who now?

Burning the letter with a candle nearby, Daleth sighed.

Although she doesn't understand why Isaac would suddenly want to release a novel, she didn't complain.

She thought for a moment as she cleaned her face with a handkerchief. 'Are there other reasons behind this...?'

For some reason, she believes that Isaac would not make a move as simple as this. As someone that does not fall behind in terms of elemental control to the Cryo Archon, she doubts that someone like Isaac would not make unnecessary moves like these.

After cleaning the remaining juice on her face, Daleth looked at Alec who was also cleaning his red vest.

"Are there... Any publishing bookstores here in Mondstadt?" She whispered quietly

Alec, who was in the middle of cleaning himself, perked up and got interested in her question. "I know someone. Why?"

"Nothing of importance. Please give me their location." Daleth requested as she slid a pouch containing a few thousand Mora.

Alec, who did not mind selling such information, took the pouch swiftly like an expert and hid it in his pocket. "I'll give you the info in a few days. He's still on Liyue and will return with a caravan."

"Alright." Daleth nodded as she picked up the cocktail once more.

Seeing that she was about to drink again, with a smile, Alec slightly moved away from Daleth's "Area of Effect" in case she starts spitting the cocktail again.

Seeing his reaction, Daleth got slightly ashamed but did not show it outside and changed the subject. "Other than this "Wine", what more are there?"

"Not that much, really." Alec chuckled as he shrugged. "You've taken all the "Wines" this month that even some hunters have none left."

"Which brings the question..." Alec's eye landed on Daleth. "Why are you hoarding all the "Wines"? I know that some people have their reason, but let's admit it, there's more to your story, right?"

"..." Daleth stayed silent and did not answer his question as she quietly drank her cocktail.

Seeing her reaction, Alec shrugged and decided to not pursue the matter anymore.

Ding~

Just then, the tavern's doorbell chimed, and a tall person walked in.

In contrast to Alec's crimson-red hair, the person has aquatic-blue wavy hair.

As for his clothing, he was wearing a standard-issue metal breastplate from one of the Knights of House Lawrence. Beneath it, he was wearing mercenary-like clothing.

Seeing the person coming in, Alec, who was wiping a glass cup clean, had his eyes perked up.

The person that entered had a stern face that did not change one bit as he arrived at the counter and sat down two seats away from Daleth.

Daleth, who was enjoying her drink, also stopped and inspected the man that just arrived.

Her lips departed from the cocktail glass as her mood turned serious. 'A smell of human blood is on him...'

In just a short amount of time, the atmosphere became tense around the three.

The handful of drunkards who were present not far away also sensed the tense atmosphere among the three and did not dare to approach them. Thus, giving them the privacy needed to talk.

Alec, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth. "Since you're here..."

"Yes." A cold but firm voice answered Alec. It was none other than the man that just entered.

Hearing his answer, Alec sighed as he facepalmed. He then looked at the silent Daleth and a small groan escaped his mouth. "You tell her then."

"Alright." The man nodded.

Daleth, who heard their conversation clearly, stood up and immediately got her guard up. "What's the meaning of this?" She eyed Alec

Alec shrugged and just pointed at the man with blue hair. The latter stood up and approached Daleth without any other ulterior motives. "I have something to discuss with you."

"And why would I oblige?" Daleth replied with coldness in her tone.

"Because it's a mission." The man replied with indifference

"What do you—" Just as Daleth was about to ask further, the man picked something from his pocket and showed it to her.

'That is?!' Daleth recognized the insignia.

It was the insignia of the small but powerful secret organization that she joined in. And it was just no ordinary insignia— it was the same insignia that is always shown when the head of the organization is gonna anonymously issue a mission. 'How does he have that...?!'

'Perhaps an impostor?' Daleth got suspicious.

Without waiting for Daleth's response, the man handed his hand out with all seriousness and introduced himself. "An honor to officially meet you, Frostine. Might I introduce myself... You can call me..."

"Kreuzlied."

* * *

Sal Vindagnyr, nighttime.

Isaac, who was writing his favorite novel from his past life just a few hours ago, is currently inspecting the sculpture he just made from pure ice.

It was a sculpture of Isaac, Moccus, and Daleth.

The sculpture was depicting Isaac fainting and the other two supporting him from falling.

Yes, it was the same imitation as those pictures he saw online of doing weird poses like this to a Greek statue.

He figured, why not imitate it? Not like someone's gonna take it down. And so he did.

He looked at the sculpture once more and nodded with pride. 'It looks like shit.'

'But it's the effort that I put in it that matters.' Isaac nodded.

Yes, the sculpture was a complete mess. The only defining depiction of them was their body figures. Everything else either looked like it crumbled away or a clean slice of butter.

"I should improve my sculpting..." Isaac sighed with a small laugh. "After all, time is not something I lack."

And yes, he also figured out that he wasn't aging. The proof? His nails, hair, and height weren't growing. It had been months since he awakened in this world and he noticed that his body was not changing whatsoever.

Thus, he theorized that he has longevity.

It wasn't that hard to figure out. The fact that he doesn't even need to eat also helped in this theory. He doesn't fully believe that he has longevity, thus, it's just a theory for now.

Just then, the massive ice door opened, giving way for the wind to enter the gigantic ice palace.

Moccus, who was shivering, glared at Isaac. "I could never get used to that blizzard..."

"Haha, didn't I already give you a route to go when entering the blizzard?" Isaac put down his sculpting tools made of unbreakable ice and replied to Moccus in a joking manner.

With his command, the snow that was covering Moccus disappeared. "Anyways, how was your hunt today, Moccus?"

Hearing Isaac's answer, Moccus chuckled. "A good hunt! I can't believe at how weak the elemental creatures have gotten in the course of my brethren's sleep!"

Sensing his proudness, Isaac smirked. "So you're bullying the... Erm... Geovishaps, huh?"

"I prefer to call it "Teaching them a lesson" when they're not behaving well during the expeditions. Of course, I need to teach the newcomers a lesson too." Moccus answered as he went to walked past by Isaac to enter the passageway leading to where the other Snow Boars live.

"That's called Hazing." Isaac looked at his departing figure with a deadpan expression.

"Anyways, how was your expedition today?" Isaac changed the subject.

"Pretty good." Moccus stopped walking and found a spot to lay down his body. "I get to explore more and beat up some annoying creatures."

"Now you're sounding like a battle junky and a brute." Isaac laughed as he crossed his arms.

"..." Moccus got silent at Isaac's reply.

He coughed and continued speaking. "Anyways, I finally found a lead."

"Oh? You found an Adeptus?" Isaac immediately got interested. 'Finally! If I can find an Adeptus and make them give me information regarding the Geo Archon, then it's a win!'

"Yes, although... There's a problem." Moccus' words started getting quiet.

"Hm? How so?" Isaac curiously asked.

"Well..." Moccus had trouble how to express it. "The Adeptus we found was..."

"...A Yaksha." Moccus coughed as he remembered the Yakshas that killed Gods alongside the Geo Archon in the past before being frozen in the mountain.

'Yaksha? Oh right, Daleth told me that they're like the Adepti, but more specialized in bloodshed.' Isaac remembered Daleth's info.

(Author's Notes here)

"Then, who is it? Is it someone strong?" Isaac questioned.

"Yes." Moccus sighed. "He was a Yaksha that was infamous for his brutality on the battlefield and loyalty to the Geo Archon."

"It was... The Vigilant Yaksha: The Conqueror of Demons."