Hilichurls were indeed not the brightest species. While humans needed to hear "the boy who cried wolf" three times before completely losing trust in their companions, Hilichurls only needed one.
No matter how loudly the watchman Hilichurl shouted its warnings, none of its companions responded.
Seeing Collei approach with a dagger in hand, the Hilichurl looked utterly helpless.
"Nimesila!"
Realizing Collei had no intention of letting it go, the Hilichurl mustered its courage and raised its bone club. As for what it said... well, no translation is needed, right?
Straight to the point!
Hilichurls were slightly stronger than the average human, but Collei was no ordinary person. Even without a Vision, her skills made her a match for some Vision users.
So it came as no surprise when she thoroughly beat the Hilichurl.
However, Collei didn't kill it. Bai Luo had specifically instructed her not to, as he apparently needed these Hilichurls for something.
After placing the upgraded mechanical bird, Collei quietly slipped out of the camp without alerting the other Hilichurls. But before leaving, she didn't forget to give the Hilichurl playing dead on the ground another kick.
She held grudges.
Returning to their temporary campsite, Collei found Bai Luo had already prepared lunch.
"The fish is from Mondstadt, and so is the firewood. Authentic Mondstadt grilled fish. Want to try some?"
Holding up the grilled fish, Bai Luo beckoned her over.
Bai Luo's cooking skills... were decent. While not at the level of making food glow, they were definitely better than a certain shut-in's.
"Hmph."
Taking the food Bai Luo handed her, Collei didn't refuse and began eating in silence.
Over the past two days, she had tried to escape more than once.
But every time, she was either caught by Bai Luo or tripped by the ever-present wires and tied up.
It was as if he was always by her side.
After a few attempts, she simply gave up.
What else could she do? She couldn't beat him, and she couldn't run away. She might as well go along with it for now and look for an opportunity to escape later.
"This is the last one. After this, we'll pack up and head back."
Bai Luo didn't seem to mind her attitude. He stirred the milk in the pot, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
Collei had no idea where he had gotten the milk from. He hadn't brought it with them when they left.
"Do we really have to carry those stones?"
Glancing at the pile of stones in the tent, Collei felt a pang of dread.
According to Bai Luo, she was supposed to carry them back to Mondstadt.
The thought of hauling them all the way from Dadaupa Gorge to Mondstadt filled her with despair.
"You'll thank me later."
Glancing at the stones and crystals, Bai Luo chuckled but didn't explain further.
"Like hell I will."
Though she muttered under her breath, Collei didn't notice that she had gradually let her guard down around Bai Luo and had started to follow his instructions without question.
Having trained so many soldiers over the years, Bai Luo had plenty of ways to subtly change people's attitudes toward him.
Did she think his title of "Instructor" was just for show?
Even Pulcinella had praised his methods.
The milk in the pot was almost ready. Any longer, and the taste would start to change.
Bai Luo ladled a bowl and handed it to Collei.
At first, Collei only took a small sip, but after tasting it, her eyes lit up, and she quickly downed the entire bowl.
However, no matter how delicious the milk was, Bai Luo didn't touch it.
"Where did you get the milk from? I didn't see you bring any with us."
After wiping the milk from her lips, Collei couldn't suppress her curiosity any longer and asked about the milk's origin.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
Bai Luo spat out a fishbone and looked at her with a strange expression.
"Can't... can't I?"
Collei instinctively glanced around, thinking there must be a secret Fatui base nearby. Otherwise... how could he pull out so many things like a magician?
Come to think of it, if she learned these secrets, would he quietly dispose of her?
"It's not that you can't."
Bai Luo didn't think this was a secret worth hiding, so he revealed everything.
"The pot is from the northern Hilichurl tribe, the milk was scooped from a vat in the southern Hilichurl tribe, and the bowl you're holding is from the eastern Hilichurl tribe."
"..."
Hearing Bai Luo's explanation, Collei suddenly felt the rich, creamy taste in her mouth turn sour.
She scrambled to the nearby bushes.
"Ugh—"
The so-called "Meat-Loving Tribe," "Sleep-Loving Tribe," and "Black Sun Tribe" were actually three large Hilichurl tribes.
Who knew what those pots had been used to cook?
And the milk... was it even from a cow?
Most importantly, she finally understood why Bai Luo had only sprinkled seasoning on her grilled meat and fish these past few days.
That stuff definitely had issues.
"Tch, can't handle it?"
Seeing Collei's pale face, Bai Luo revealed his ugly side.
Though he hadn't felt great after being pranked by Kseniya back then, the tables had turned, and this feeling was quite satisfying.
It was truly a delightful experience.
After the meal, under Collei's resentful gaze, Bai Luo packed up their things and set off back to Mondstadt with her.
There wasn't much to pack. The temporary campsite had already been there, likely a resting spot for hunters.
They hadn't brought much with them, and the only troublesome items were the pile of ores.
But all those stones were now strapped to Collei's back.
Originally, Bai Luo had wanted to stay a few more days, as there were still many things Collei hadn't learned.
But the medicine on her bandages was gradually losing its effectiveness, and with the Windblume Festival approaching, they couldn't afford to delay any longer.
At the very least... they had to return to Mondstadt before the festival began.
Before they even reached Mondstadt, they could feel the festive atmosphere.
Not only were there Windblume Festival posters everywhere, but even the occasional travelers and merchants they met along the way were discussing the festival.
"Once we get back, take these ores to Wagner's blacksmith shop."
Under Collei's reluctant gaze, Bai Luo ruffled her slightly messy hair.
"It's so late. The blacksmith shop should be closed by now, right?"
After two days with Bai Luo, Collei had grown used to being ordered around, but she still had to complain.
It was her last bit of resistance.
"If it's closed, knock it open. If the Fatui need his help, even if he's in the middle of making a baby with his wife, he'll have to stop and work for us."
"..."
Bai Luo's words didn't surprise Collei. After all, this was typical Fatui behavior.
But his rather... vivid metaphor made Collei lower her head and tug at the bandages on her face, as if trying to hide the faint blush creeping up her cheeks.
"I'll wait for you at the city gate. After delivering the materials, come find me. Once we change your bandages, I'll take you to meet someone."
"Who?"
"A very big and capable big sister."
"Wait, what?!"