CHAPTER V

The city is situated on an island in the middle of a giant lake with a long bridge connecting it to the mainland. The road to the city is bustling with carriages all over carrying goods from local area and faraway.

"Ah, did you hear that before, it's like thunder just struck that area."

"It does make me panic, but maybe someone is just fighting some monsters or mages practicing their craft, there's no need to worry."

"You're right, how silly of me, hahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

The old man coincidentally heard the exchanges between the merchant and slightly peered his eyes to the side. Something to this degree is probably a daily occurrence for them.

"Nee Mister, now you think of it, what's your name? You know Klee's name but Klee doesn't know your name. It's weird." Klee said as she sat atop his shoulder. It seems she has taken a liking to her new spot.

Name… huh. Should he use his old name here… he had a new identity to familiarize himself with. Then again, a new name symbolizes a fresh start and new beginning. He didn't expect he was having so much fun getting lost in the wild for days and meeting a destruction L*li along the way.

"… It's Rin."

"Yes?"

"My name is Rin."

"What a simple name, Lin!"

"It's Rin, hard R."

"L-L-Rin. Surprisingly hard to says…"

It's the name he used inside the game of Azur Lane. For what purpose, he wears the clothing of someone from an Imperial Japanese Forces, as such he deduced, he'd taken the appearance of the character that supposedly non-existent or formless.

He just has to accept. At least he wasn't transformed as a woman and that's a good enough reconciliation for him. He was never a man that asked too much, partly due to his utilitarian values as an ex-soldier or miserable growing environment.

Not soon after with Klee mumbling on his head, the line shortens, and finally they'd arrived at the gate.

"Halt!"

"Ah, Klee-sama! What are you doing on a stranger's shoulders?"

Looks like Klee is highly respected amongst the guard. Maybe this Jean personage is someone of power.

"He'd helped me catch a thief so Rin is no stranger."

"I- I see. But we had never seen his face before…"

"I'm new to this city. We coincidentally bumped on the streets and here we are. It would help if we could enter soon." Rin said calmly and recounted a shortened version of his meeting with Klee.

"So, a traveler it is. I understand and since Klee-sama is holding you in high regard, there should be no problem letting you in."

"Oh, before that, please take this." The guard handed him a card, "That's an identification card, as long as you're in this city, you need to have that in hand in case something happens."

"If you need some rest there's an Inn in the second district, I recommend the angel's share if you want something strong to drink and delicious food."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

The guard smiles then lets him pass inside the city.

"Welcome to Mondstadt, Rin. Jean said this is the city of freedom, but Klee doesn't understand what freedom means, probably something with wings!"

"What do you think Klee, should we head straight to meeting this Jean you highly talk about or we hit some place to eat first."

"As expected, Klee's stomach had gone empty after all of that exercise. A lunch should suffice but do you have money?"

"If money I have some." Rin said as he tucked the bag to his waist, a handful of coins he pilfered from the lowly monsters he encountered and strange chests lying with plentiful numbers in the wild. "Though I'm not sure how much."

"Oh, that's enough to eat lavishly! Let's go, Rin! There's a good place on the way to Jean's office."

"Haha sounds like a good idea."

Rin laughed as they made their way across the bustling street. Vendors enthusiastically called out to them before met with a polite refusal, but he still occasionally stopped halfway to check a few trinkets had caught his eye, but Klee's tapping on his head forced him to stop.

His figure is fairly tall and with Klee on his shoulder it's no wonder he's one who stood out amongst the masses of people. He tried to pay them no mind but he caught a few housewives stealing glances and hushed in whisper as waving at their way.

It made him realize how out of touch he is after isolating himself for who knows many times inside that room. And how glad he is.

The city was apparently built on a hill and in every corner, he sees there will always be stairs in one form of another. The lowest district is where everyone's be it a local citizen or outside conducting business and the homes of many residents, while the upper you ascend the stairs the more opulent the building starts to sprawl out.

However, that does not mean everyone was poor, no, in fact with how clean overall the city's hygiene despite being accompanied with medieval theme, it's a very opulent city. In a way it reflected the condition and healthiness of Mondstadt.

At the top stood the largest building in the entire city, if seen from afar it's akin to castle but in fact Klee told him it's a cathedral but it was once indeed a palace. Something about rebellion and freedom. Perhaps they've gone a revolution once then it makes sense. Besides that, towering windmills dotted the landscape of the city.

The one who managed it all must be a competent person. And busy on that one.

He shifted his attention when Klee jumped out and ran in front of him before waving away, "In here!"

It was a fairly moderate restaurant, just located right at the city's plaza. It seems to be a popular gathering spot as he can make a lot of people sit across of many tables provided.

"Ah, welcome to Good Hunter! Isn't it Klee, anything you want to order?"

"Fisherman's toast double order with extra onion! Also, I want a cold milk orange." She said while jumping cheerfully.

"Ahaha the usual then. How about this person besides you? I hope Klee didn't trick you into doing anything right?" The vendor asked Rin.

"There's nothing to worry about. We coincidentally meet on the street and this is the first time I entered the city so she's taking me on a trip around."

"Ah to think our little Klee would help someone in need. Then what do you want to order?"

He turned his head to the menu displayed on the side, there's a few lists he was familiar with. "How about Mondstadt hash brown and cold cut platter, please add ketchup if you please. Just cold water for the drink. We'll eat at the house."

"I understand, please wait on one of the tables, we'll deliver the food soon."

Rin followed Klee who hums happily as she takes the table in the corner beside the railing that overlooks the street below. Thankfully, they didn't have to wait so long to satisfy their appetites.

The food is similar, if not the same, he has back then. He'd a worry if there's a cultural shock he needs to go through. The hash brown is particularly large and fluffier than the one he used to eat, as for the cut platter it's a large serving of bacon, ham, and sausage with salad as dressing. The usual stuff and he couldn't help but hold back his saliva.

He promptly ignored the sweet-smelling jam that he thought was ketchup on his Hash brown.

It's harsh relying on some half-heartedly made food he ate these past days. Klee seemed very blissful when she ate her Toast. Though he can see her taking glances at his platter.

"I don't mind, Klee."

"Really! Then I won't hold back!"

He just sported a wry smile at her. As long as the other party enjoys it. He always had a soft spot for children, though he never had the fortune to have one. Maybe because he's particularly childish inside and circumstances force him to do otherwise.

If adults were to be free of their burdens, they would instantly revert back or yearn for what they were once.

He took his first bite. Oh. Eyes in wonder and relish. Since this world is still in its middle-age, he is slightly expectant that quality is something everyone can't afford to. On the contrary, the ingredients feel very fresh and satisfying for his hungry stomach.

If before he still had doubt, now he's assured he won't be able to come back to his old world after months on awful daily sustenance of Wendy's takeout. There shan't no regret.

Rin can see himself to be a regular customer if he stays in the city for the foreseeable future.

"Not bad, Klee."

"Right!"

She looks proud. He smiles back as they finish their lunch. After paying the check, Rin followed Klee back to the main street. They take a stroll around the plaza before ascending again upward to the Knight office.

According to her, the city and the surrounding territory is managed by the knight. The reign of noble was a long-distance past for the citizens of Mondstadt. Though it isn't necessarily militaristic, he could make a few guards slovenly patrolling with beer guts, perhaps a byproduct of prolonged peace.

He wonders whether it's a good thing or not.

Once taking a few necessary stairs, Klee stopped at the front of a building indicating they'd arrived at their destination. There are a few guards standing on either side of the door.

"Klee-sama? And what business do you have with this stranger."

"Make way, we've got something to report to Jean!"

"Is that so? I understand, and you there, may you show your identification first. This is for recording purposes."

"I understand."

Rin gave him the card the guard at the gate gave him. It has his face already branded along a few necessary identities he filed, though he was not sure how they can take the picture of his face, possibly a hidden device or similar.

The guard handed him back the card. They entered the building.

Immediately they were greeted with a large spacious hall, something he didn't expect out of a military headquarters. A few potted plants, paintings, and a large red carpet is surely something that can be counted as simplistic if not sparse.

Klee headed to the first westernmost door but he stopped himself when the knob turned and Klee bumped someone headfirst.

"Aw!"

"O-oi! Are you alright!?"

"Y-yes… uuu."

"Be careful, Klee." Rin said as he helps Klee to stand. She's in a daze. "You too, miss."

"Uhm, I'm sorry."

"Mister you won't take us to jail, right! What's with that scary outfit…"

People seems to not mind his attire though. This is the first time it has created the impression of him being a warden or MP, maybe a cape and the hat helps.

Now he takes a look better, isn't she too small to be human?

Rin squinted too closely to the floating fairy-like creature, "O Mister, Paimon is sorry to bump your daughter!" The creature said in disheveled nervousness and turned to its companion with a hush, "Lumine says something too!"

"I apologize but please only take Paimon! She's delicious I swear!" The girl bowed with troubled expression.

"No, she's not my daughter. I'm not part of law enforcement either. Rest assured."

"Is that so? I'm glad - that's not it, Lumine oi!"

"You guys are sure lively." He smiled wryly.

"Uhm, are you really that Honorary Knight everyone talks about! Ah, I'm sorry about that… Klee is fine." Klee half-shouted once she regained her mind, almost jumping to the blonde-haired girl. The fairy named Paimon called her Lumine if he heard correctly earlier.

"Oh, do you hear that, hmhm, it looks like we've become famous after all. Can't be helped." Paimon smugly spoke as though the recognition directed to her.

It looks like they got big after saving the city from a dragon attack. Must be a rare occurrence. The door on their side was opened.

"Please don't make noises right in front of the office! Oh… Klee, what did you do this time?"

A woman with blonde hair came out and half-shouted. Klee just peered her eyes to the side under her gaze as though someone were being caught by their trouble. I see, so this is the Jean person she always talks about.