The sky was still dim as a new day arrived.

On the yard's enclosing wall, the morning breeze carried dandelion seeds drifting atop it, spinning lightly on their own.

Nolan glanced at the clock, half past five in the morning.

He had his Adventurer's Hunting Bow and a quiver full of arrows on his back. At his waist was still the dull blade.

After confirming nothing was missed, Nolan stepped out towards the city gates. Around six, he arrived to see Fischl and Oz appear together.

Bennett also came over, yawning and rubbing his drowsy eyes.

"Behold, your indolent mien!" Fischl inspected her nails, one hand in an asymmetrical black silk glove. She spoke haughtily, "As those who attend my side, how can you be so remiss of my dignity amidst the inky journey!"

"The princess says she has waited for you quite a while." Oz the princess's familiar relayed.

"Haha."

Bennett rubbed the back of his head, baring his pearly whites in a grin: "Got too excited last night and chatted some more with my dads."

"Your Highness, please pardon us." Nolan also said with a smile, "Speaking of, aren't there a bit too many people?"

Nolan cast his gaze around them.

Fully-geared adventurers continuously headed out the city gates. He had only seen such a sight at the Mondstadt Marketplace.

"Some larger expedition crews. They're rich in adventure experience, indispensable main forces for ruin digging."

Bennett shared what he knew.

Nolan nodded at his words. Come to think of it, he did seem to encounter expedition crews recruiting before.

With so many novice adventurers, going alone without experience was still somewhat inappropriate. They would usually have seniors bring them along.

Joining those, or gathering some buddies to form a crew were good choices.

Bennett was the latter probably.

Unfortunately, his terrible luck as captain caused accepted commissions to fail bizarrely. His members had no choice but to take leave, for various reasons.

Actually, they had long defected already.

Still, Kindhearted Katherine didn't tell him. Otherwise, the Benny's Adventure Team of just one captain would have long been deregistered.

While Nolan's thoughts wandered, Fischl placed both hands on her waist, facing the city gates, and declared:

"I hear it, the forgotten realm's fate calls to me! Sing, my servants!"

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Oz's dark wings fluttered. "The princess says it's time we set off."

"Well, Fischl already said so. Let's be on our way then." Nolan said softly.

Outside the gates were rows of carriages. Aside from those the Adventurers' Guild used for transporting supplies, some large expedition crews also had their own.

Unlike small teams like them, the crews could relax and ride to their destination.

Fischl stood before them the entire time, maintaining a leader's dignity.

After waiting a while, Guildmaster Cyrus gave everyone some pointers on exploring secret ruins, then led the expedition forth.

The reminders were mundane. Like treating each other amiably in the secret ruins, mutual assistance, reporting any conflicts to the guild for mediation, and such.

Next, led by the guild's carriages, the grand procession thundered off like a dragon.

Nolan's team of three plus one raven followed inconspicuously amidst the crowd. After some time, they arrived at Thousand Winds Temple and began setting up the temporary supply camp.

Since this camp served all adventurers, Nolan and the others also needed to help out.

With so many people, the temporary camp was quickly built, and wall lamps were also installed in the dark passage of the ruins for everyone's convenience.

Next, the secret ruin exploration officially began.

Thousand Winds Temple, Secret Realm of Ruins.

Nolan felt a little dizzy as he just stepped through the secret realm portal. He shook his head and quickly recovered.

Standing in front of him was Fischl, who had come over first. The split swallowtail black-faced purple skirt hid the asymmetric black semi-transparent stockings slightly from the back.

On her feet were a pair of gorgeous black low-heeled short boots.

As his eyes swept over the princess, Nolan noticed that the secret realm seemed to be the same architectural style as the ruins outside.

The sky was a high stone slab dome, making it feel as if they had come to some kind of underground structure.

"Ouch, ouch ouch!"

Bennett's voice came from behind.

Nolan turned his head to look at Bennett, who had just come out of the portal. Seeing him rubbing his head and asking in confusion:

"What's wrong?"

"Don't know where it came from, a stone hit my head," Bennett said with a bit of a grumble.

"..."

Nolan moved his eyes upwards. With his excellent eyesight, he noticed that there were still fine gravel swaying in a crack in the high dome that had not yet fallen down.

If he wasn't wrong, it should be Bennett's "misfortune" physique should have started activating.

He quickly pulled Bennett away, lest he gets hit by the few pebbles that would fall afterwards.

The two of them came to Fischl's side, Nolan looked around and asked:

"Where's Oz?"

"He is scouting the enemy for us."

Princess Fischl had her left hand over her eye patch, seeming to be sharing the vision of the night raven Oz.

"Any discoveries?" Bennett asked next to her.

Fischl flung her left hand down coolly: "The fork in the road ahead is the choice of fate."

"Huh?" Bennett was confused.

"She probably means there's a fork in the road up ahead." Nolan thought about it and roughly guessed Fischl's meaning.

"Correct. As expected of my favorite attendant!"

Fischl looked at him approvingly.

[Fischl Likes You More, Obtained 45 Affection Points, Current Affection Level Lv.2 (95/200)]

Looking at the affection prompt, Nolan had to admit the power of the character specialty [Maiden Savior], which made it much easier for him to gain affection.

"Then let's go, and walk down whichever path has treasure!"

Nolan let Fischl walk in front, with him and Bennett following beside her.

The secret realm was huge, with every direction forward explorable. What Fischl called "ahead" was actually a bit to the left.

On their way there they met a Ruin Guard that had been knocked down, presumably by other adventurers, after all, the Chaos Device had been taken from it.

When they arrived at the "fork in the road of fate" Fischl mentioned, the night raven Oz was already waiting there.

"Miss, you two, which direction do you want me to explore first?" Flapping his night-colored blue wings, Oz asked.

Nolan looked at the different directions ahead, stroking his chin in thought.

Straight ahead was a road that went straight, the same as the one they came in on, not knowing what lay beyond. To the left was a slightly downward path, looking very gloomy.

To the right was also a wide road, with traces of the Ruin Guard's footsteps.

How to choose? Nolan inadvertently glanced at Bennett, seeming to recall something...

(End of Chapter)

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