Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

As the Fools' Enforcers drew closer, the traveler was finally able to move his fingers, and the pain in his body subsided considerably.

Looking back on past battles, I have only been injured a handful of times, and this time it's only the third time.

Perhaps it was luck, and also because it was too well protected.

So much so that travelers don't feel that Teyvat is more dangerous than reality.

In Liyue, you are protected by the Geo Archon, pampered by the Master, can go to Xiangling for food, and go to Bubulu when you are sick. When you travel over mountains and valleys, there are also immortals to take care of you.

In Mondstadt, Anemo plays along, Diluc spends money, and the Knights of Favonius assist.

Perhaps in the next few countries, the gods or rulers there will also take care of him.

One day, I will be wandering alone somewhere.

Like the first time traveler, that unseen compatriot, he faced the danger ahead alone.

Aside from practicing elemental power during combat, I don't specifically train in melee combat either.

I don't use the bow and arrows or the two-handed sword in my backpack much.

In terms of combat experience, judgment, agility, evasion, finding opportunities, etc., it is not worth mentioning.

Fortunately, the person in front of me only enjoys challenging strong opponents and has no intention of taking my life.

At his age, he's at the stage where force is paramount, and using violence to achieve his goals is the easiest thing for him.

And isn't Teyvat, a world created based on reality, also a world where force reigns supreme?

The weak are easily manipulated and obey others without question.

Doesn't the sky nail at the highest point of the snow mountain perfectly illustrate all of this?

Emotions may sway someone’s choices, but force can compel someone to act according to your will.

Do not be weak, do not admit defeat, do not lose yourself, and do not give up your own strength.

Strength is the foundation of one's existence.

Only by having a means of livelihood can one have choices; otherwise, one is nothing more than a small boat on the sea, at the mercy of the waves.

Words may have power; when the situation is in the best interest of others, words alone cannot persuade them to voluntarily relinquish their benefits.

The only way is to suppress it with greater power, and to fight for it.

If in such a subaltern world, power should be supreme, then even a more vicious reality could not possibly have a place.

Can't lose.

In the not-too-distant future, I will go to Zhidong, a place I have walked step by step on my own.

Thinking this, the traveler braced himself against the stone slab with his arms.

I only fell once, but my opponent fell more than once. I can't lose in terms of endurance and resilience.

Others can protect me, but I have the ability to protect myself.

There were moments when the traveler would have wild thoughts, realizing that he wasn't angry at Zhongli, but more likely at himself.

The self that couldn't protect itself, the self that relinquished the right to choose, the self that couldn't stop him, the self that couldn't make him change his mind.

Thus began this journey, where I glimpsed a corner of the truth in Mondstadt.

Now, can the traveler say those words to him without any sense of bravado?

"The Rock Demon God, I am not weak."

In the future, will travelers be able to confidently utter another sentence?

"I'm strong."

Whether or not I leave this world is my choice, and no one here has the right or the power to make that choice for me.

Elemental power has reached its limit under the debuff that threatens to freeze blood.

From a rational point of view, I can no longer use any elemental power.

So let faith, impulse, and desire create a miracle.

The traveler finally stood up, albeit shakily.

“I’d forgotten, Miss Traveler was originally a very principled person. Sure enough, after so long, my memory has become hazy.” D'Artagnan had already strolled leisurely to her side.

"How was it? The pain wasn't bad, was it? Only by feeling pain can you get closer to becoming stronger." He looked at her face and noticed a faint tear stain. "Oh, why are you crying? Did I go too far?"

His face changed from relaxed and smug to worried and self-reproachful.

"Sorry, sorry, where does it hurt? Let me see. I'll take you to see a doctor as soon as we get down the mountain. On the way back, I'll buy you anything you want, okay?"

"Are you angry? You're ignoring me... I want to be gentle with you, but you're a formidable opponent. If I don't use my full strength, I won't be able to bring you back to Winter."

“Since you’re going to travel anyway, why don’t you come with me to Zhidong first? Stay in Zhidong for a while, and then go somewhere else, how about that? Besides… my younger brothers really want to see you, and if I disappoint them, I’ll be such a failure as an older brother.”

"Look, you've beaten me up all over, I'll probably be stuck in the hospital for burns for days, and my Demon King Armor is almost broken. Can't we call it even?"

"Are you still ignoring me? As long as you go to Zhidong, I'll do whatever you say, okay..." His voice grew softer and softer, and he could hardly think of anything to coax her.

"If all else fails, I'll let you hit me a few more times, and I promise I won't fight back."

“It’s so cold, let’s not stand here. Your friends should be back at camp by now. Are you hungry? If you’re too tired, I’ll carry you back to camp.”

"I've said so much, shouldn't you say something? It's no fun if I'm the only one talking."

When everything was ready, the traveler finally spoke: "You... can be quite annoying sometimes."

He didn't hear a word the traveler said except for the word "disgusting": "Huh? Disgusting... uh!"

Several rock pillars rushed towards him from all directions. He dodged them but was struck by rock spikes that grew out from below.

A dazzling rock element shimmered on the traveler.

Several meteorites fell from the sky, leveling the surrounding area.

Smoke and dust mixed with snowflakes obscured the scenery on the ground.

"Can you still fight? This level of combat is less than half of what you've fought on the Demon God battlefield." Even without seeing the opponent's condition, judging from the results returned by the rock element used to detect elemental power on the ground, the opponent's elemental power was already very weak.

Simply put, he's not far from death.

No wonder he was injured twice out of the three times we met.

Because he's just so incredibly annoying!

When you focus your attention on the battle, you don't feel the cold anymore.

The sunken plaza was in a terrible state; its original appearance was gone, and the exquisitely carved floor had been reduced to a pile of rubble.

The dust has settled.

Tartaglia, once again clad in the Demon King's armor, knelt on one knee.

Blood flowed from beneath the mask, dripping onto the rubble beneath him.

If you want to make a woman cry, be prepared to bleed.

I will never be merciful to you again, my lord.

"Cough cough cough..." With a series of coughs, blood and foam spurted out. His right arm seemed to be broken, hanging lifelessly.

Even so, he propped himself up and stood up, leaning against the pile of rubble.

He seemed to want to say something, but another cough made him swallow his words.

"I'm late!" A burst of fire elemental light struck the young master, who had just stood up, and landed beside the traveler.

"Are you alright, Miss Traveler?" It was Bennett. He also had several wounds on his body, and it seemed that he had just been in battle.

"I'm fine..." The traveler glanced at the young master lying on the ground; Bennett's blow just now was quite severe.

"Traveler!" Xiangling and Guoba rushed over in a hurry. "Thank goodness, we made it in time. Hey? Where's my regular customer?" She looked around but didn't see Tartaglia, nor did she mistake the person lying on the ground wearing the Demon King's armor for Tartaglia.

"He... he's probably dead..." the traveler replied, his lips twitching slightly.