"Wait up!"
Eula finally couldn't help herself, her long legs striding forward and planting her directly between the two.
Getting close was a bad habit, a synonym for depravity and decay.
In broad daylight, what did you think you were doing!
"?"
Qin Yu was slightly taken aback, his movements pausing.
Wasn't he just teaching the young lady how to operate a firearm and aim for a shot?
Why the sudden strong reaction.
"Sister Eula, are you joining too?"
Barbara turned her head to look at Eula, her innocent big eyes blinking, a hint of surprise in her voice.
She was currently standing on tiptoe, her small hands clasped behind her back, her small head peeking towards Qin Yu.
Pursing her lips as she thought, she looked incredibly cute.
"I, I just...!"
Under their gazes, Eula's breathing hitched, and she was suddenly rendered speechless.
She opened her mouth, and finally, with a hint of unnaturalness, turned her face away.
"...Be safe, Miss Barbara."
Eula said softly.
She pursed her lips, suppressing the complex mix of emotions within her.
Exploring with Qin Yu... she really didn't want to join.
"Mhm! I'll be sure to take safety precautions with Mr. Qin Yu, right?"
Barbara, oblivious to Eula's unusual behavior and mistaking it for concern, said with a sweet smile.
Her words were unintentional, but they landed heavily.
Eula's delicate body trembled, and she slowly clenched her fists.
The unwillingness in her heart intensified.
Why was it like this...
The increasingly awkward feeling kept her silent, her emotions bottled up.
"Miss Eula, is something wrong?"
Qin Yu asked with concern.
"No, you two carry on."
Eula seemed to have regained her composure, and with a light snort, she dismissively replied.
Qin Yu nodded slightly, important matters first.
He led Barbara towards the riverbank.
In the distance, a Ley Line outpost permeated with a dark aura.
A Ruin Mage was dancing by a bonfire.
It was performing a ritual, attempting to corrupt the Ley Lines and open a teleportation anchor.
Around it, there were quite a few Hilichurls.
"Mr. Qin Yu... are you really going to shoot here?"
Barbara pressed closer to Qin Yu, whispering.
Though she had confidently stated before that she could dispel the Abyss curse, she was still a Holy Prayer priestess and felt instinctive nervousness.
Those were Abyss monsters.
In Mondstadt, even the Knights patrolling the wilderness might not be a match for a Ruin Mage.
"It's alright, you have me and Miss Eula here."
Qin Yu smiled at her words, handing her the firearm and offering encouragement.
What was there to fear? Just beat them up.
"Mhm! I'll do my best!"
The encouragement was effective. Barbara took a deep breath and rallied herself.
Shaking off her nervousness, she lifted her pretty face again, her expression serious and resolute.
At the same time, she raised the fully charged laser firearm, ready to fire.
Aiming, she locked onto the Ruin Mage.
The already meticulous girl seemed to have a natural talent for handling firearms.
The entire process was fluid, surprising both Qin Yu and Eula.
Wait, is this your first time holding a gun?
What happened to the gentle little priestess, Mondstadt's most beloved sweet idol!
"Bad guys who harm this beautiful world...!"
Barbara displayed a calmness entirely unlike her usual demeanor and decisively pulled the trigger.
Barbatos will forgive you, but her gun won't!
Zzzzz---Swish---!
In an instant, a scorching blue laser tore through the air, streaking out.
A roar accompanied the Ruin Mage's scream, particularly tragic.
"!"
Qin Yu and Eula quickly looked towards the encampment.
The laser hit its target, leaving a deep gash in the ground, its destructive power astonishing.
Black smoke billowed, but there was no sign of the Ruin Mage.
It had been instantly vaporized before it could even activate its elemental shield!
"This..."
Qin Yu looked at the priestess, her hair fluttering in the breeze, her hands resting on her firearm, his gaze filled with admiration.
A girl who could be sweet or cool, that was a huge plus.
"Mr. Qin Yu, look quickly...!"
Just then, Barbara, equally excited, turned around wanting to celebrate.
The moment she met Qin Yu's eyes, her delicate face flushed.
The maiden's reserve made her instinctively want to look away.
But she seemed captivated by something, unable to move even an inch.
"..."
In the sunlight, Qin Yu stood tall and handsome, like a knight silently guarding a princess.
Undeniably, he held considerable appeal for a girl in her youth, prone to dreaming of love stories.
"Miss Barbara, do I have flowers on my face?"
Qin Yu couldn't help but want to tease this adorable girl.
"N-no, you don't."
Barbara snapped back to reality, quickly shaking her head and turning away.
Her heart pounded like a startled deer.
Subtly, an emotion more complex than mere joy surged within the girl's heart, eventually creating ripples.
It wasn't falling in love, but rather...
She instinctively tightened her grip on the firearm.
Attempting change was never simple.
Just like herself in the past.
Back then, she had wanted to share some of the burden with her sister and had even considered becoming a Knight of Favonius, practicing swordsmanship diligently.
But lacking talent in martial arts, she could only join the Church.
She had felt lost and unsure of herself.
Until...
Singing could also heal others, bringing laughter and warmth.
Much like making strange spicy drinks, at some point, Barbara decided to change.
She wanted to become an idol, to help more people, and bring them happiness.
Change was the girl's choice, a brave step.
Returning to the present...
A priestess should offer devout prayers, not engage in fighting.
But Mr. Qin Yu was different.
He was willing to encourage her to try new things.
It was fun and easy.
She was truly happy.
"Mr. Qin Yu... thank you."
Barbara breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile gracing her pretty face, stunningly beautiful.
She tilted her head, blinking playfully.
Mr. Qin Yu, please keep my secret from my sister.
"You don't need to be so formal."
Qin Yu smiled, blinking back.
A little teenage rebellion? He understood.
"Then... Qin Yu?"
"Barbara."
Just as their relationship was getting closer, Eula interjected.
"Stay away from Barbara."
She shielded the girl behind her and said coldly.
Jean's instructions were to avoid any strange people approaching Barbara, naturally including Qin Yu.
It wasn't because she felt unpleasant seeing them chatting happily...!
"I understand, so Miss Eula, would you like to try the Desert King's technology?"
Qin Yu took out the laser firearm and smiled.
He didn't believe that after witnessing the power just now, this wave rider knight wouldn't be tempted.
"I..."
Eula was clearly wavering.
"Miss Eula, you also hope for deeper cooperation between Inazuma and Mondstadt, don't you?"
"For example, this kind of equipment."
Qin Yu's lips curled into a subtle smile, a devil's whisper.
In any world, arms dealing was a lucrative business.
If Miss Eula "performed well," perhaps...
"Since you put it that way... I'll give it a try."
Eula took the same model of firearm, letting out a soft hum.
If Barbara could use this weapon with ease, then she certainly could too.
The tsundere Miss Eula would absolutely not bow to Qin Yu.
"Alright then, let's try it."
Qin Yu smiled and looked towards the opposite bank of the river.
Yelp!
The laser had alerted the monsters, and they were swarming.
Hilichurls, Lawachurls.
The ground trembled, and a Ruin Golem, massive and savage in aura.
Roar—!
The beast's growls echoed as Black Hounds tore through space, charging.
"It's just a matter of eliminating monsters with firearms."
Eula said calmly, her gaze full of fighting spirit.
Qin Yu, you'll be amazed!