Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Ren's face was illuminated by a faint glow.

He cupped the green leaf in his hands, his expression full of awe.

A warm energy flowed steadily into his body, washing away his exhaustion in an instant.

Such pure, potent vitality…

Ren gently closed his fingers around the verdant leaf.

An instinct told him this leaf was like a seed, carrying the power and wisdom of the white-robed woman.

If he could find the right way to nurture it, this "seed" could be awakened and restored to its true form.

With this thought, Ren looked up at the white-robed woman in the distance, his expression serious.

"Do you want me to plant it?"

The forest was silent, the quiet murmur of his question echoing through the air.

"… …"

The woman nodded softly, a hint of weariness crossing her flawless features.

She seemed exhausted, as though she could no longer sustain this world.

Yet her gaze remained clear and gentle as it rested on Ren.

"Wait! Who are you…?"

Ren instinctively raised a hand, stepping forward as if to stop her.

The sensation she exuded—her deep attachment to the forest—lingered in the air.

If he was experiencing someone else's dream or memory, shouldn't he at least know who they were?

The woman's expression remained tender as she shook her head slightly.

"Are you… Nahida's mother?" Ren suddenly blurted, a spark of realization flickering in his mind.

Since he had reached this place through Nahida's communication, the woman must have some connection to her.

And if they were so closely connected…

Mother and daughter seemed like the most logical guess.

"… …"

The white-robed woman blinked, as though catching on to his thought process.

A mysterious smile curved her lips.

In that instant, flowers bloomed around her in brilliant, vibrant hues.

"… …"

Ren was momentarily stunned. Was I right or not?

But clearly, there wasn't enough time to get an answer.

The woman grew weaker, and the dreamscape began to crumble.

Only her faint, ethereal voice lingered in the air.

"The world… has forgotten me…"

Consciousness snapped back to reality.

Ren's eyes flew open as he gasped for breath.

"Again with this…"

Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady himself.

The cool sea breeze brushed against his face, clearing his head.

"Right, Nahida!"

Ren immediately looked down at the communication device in his hand.

Though he wasn't entirely sure of Nahida's intentions, he knew from their earlier mental resonance that she didn't harbor malice.

However, the device's glow had dimmed.

The connection had been severed at some point.

"Damn it!"

He cursed under his breath, frustration bubbling inside him.

He still vividly remembered Nahida's words—how she had always been alone, never having met her family.

When he saw that woman in the dream, he'd thought he could bring Nahida some good news.

But now… it seemed impossible to reconnect.

After all, this was just a one-way communication device designed to reach Sandrone.

As Ren stood there, lost in regret, he felt a faint warmth in his other hand.

"…What's this?"

Raising his hand, he slowly opened his palm, his gaze widening in surprise.

In the darkness, a glimmer of vibrant green shone, brimming with life.

It was the same leaf—the "seed" the white-robed woman had entrusted to him, carrying her power and wisdom.

"Who was she really…" Ren murmured, his mind swirling with questions.

Perhaps only by finding Nahida again could he hope to uncover the truth.

He gazed out at the vast sea, listening to the rhythmic crash of the waves as silence enveloped him.

The memory of the woman's lingering attachment to the forest tugged at his heart.

That sense of farewell… It's unbearable.

Why couldn't there just be a happy reunion?

Your child is so lonely she's resorting to surfing the internet. If you don't go back soon, she'll become a shut-in too.

…Wait. Why did I say "too"?

Ren sighed softly, tucking the seed away carefully.

Just wait. I'll help this seed grow again.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that it wouldn't simply turn into an ordinary tree.

"Gluu…"

The small Seelie returned to his shoulder, spinning in place excitedly.

It seemed to have made a discovery.

"Ah, sorry. I almost forgot about you," Ren said with a smile, gently reaching out to poke the Seelie.

After spending so much time around Sandrone, he'd picked up her habit of poking things for no reason.

"Gluu?"

As the Seelie twirled in the air, Ren felt his heavy heart lighten just a little.

"Ren! What are you standing there for?"

Keqing's voice rang out from behind him.

Turning around, Ren saw her standing with her hands on her hips, staring at him suspiciously.

"What are you hiding? You're not up to something shady, are you?"

"Of course not," Ren replied, his expression calm and sincere.

I just ran into a little loli. Nothing sketchy about that, right?

"The tide's coming in soon," Keqing said, waving him over.

Her tone was firm but carried a sense of reliability.

"With you around, everything feels so much safer," Ren said with a smile as he walked over.

"You're saying weird things again…"

Keqing huffed and turned her head away, though her cheeks turned faintly pink. She quickly adopted a stern expression and stretched out her hand.

"Hand it over. Whatever it is you're hiding."

"You caught me," Ren said with a playful smile.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out… a seashell.

"Take a look—what's this?"

"…A seashell," Keqing said flatly.

"Here. It's yours now," Ren said, suddenly pressing the shell into her palm.

And in the same motion, he lightly grasped her small hand.

---

"..."

- Gardevoir

(End of Chapter—Support the translator at [patreon.com/WiseTL]!)