The Knight of the Waves, Eula!
The Ice Imperial Relic Essence of the Demon!
Originally, Luo Li planned to find a way to keep Eula distracted for a few days so she wouldn't notice Lumine's involvement with the Lawrence family incident.
But clearly, something went wrong with that plan.
Because the next morning—at dawn—Eula herself came knocking on the door of his private manor.
When Luo Li opened it
A beautiful girl with short, icy-blue hair appeared before him.
Her delicate, oval-shaped face carried the sharp confidence of raised willow-leaf brows. Pale golden eyes gleamed with constant vigilance, while the slight curl of her cherry-red lips added a touch of proud elegance.
Her tight-fitting bodysuit of deep blue and silver hugged every contour of her alabaster skin.
Long legs outlined by black thigh-high boots and straps—soft flesh faintly marked by pressure—made her figure seem even more impossibly tall and striking.
Like a snow lotus blooming atop an icy peak
This was the eldest daughter of the once-prestigious Lawrence Clan, one of Mondstadt's three historic noble houses:
Eula Lawrence — The Knight of the Waves.
Seen as the final hope of the old aristocrats to restore their fallen glory, the most talented Lawrence of the past millennium instead severed all ties with her family the moment she came of age and joined the Knights of Favonius.
Branded as a sinner's descendant, she was rejected by merchants and citizens alike.
Unable to buy even food, Eula survived by hunting outside the city.
But even in such bleak conditions, the girl never once bowed her head.
She bloomed proudly—unshaken, unyielding.
Seeing the familiar figure on his doorstep, Luo Li yawned, leaning lazily against the doorframe.
"Oh, it's you, Eula. What brings you here?"
"What, I can't visit unless I have business?"
One hand on her hip, Eula's tone was light. She shifted her posture, hips swaying subtly—showcasing her slim waist and stunning curves without the slightest self-awareness.
Luo Li glanced at the sky, where a few faint stars still lingered.
Of course. Big chest, big confidence.
Then again, this was the time she was usually awake—two hours before sunrise, when the night watch was at its most exhausted.
"Come in."
As he led her inside, Luo Li marveled inwardly that he hadn't even begun his plan—and the biggest variable had already walked straight to his door.
While Luo Li stretched out on the sofa, Eula took her time surveying the interior.
"Hm. Looks the same as last time.
Oh—this decoration must be Lady Makoto's handiwork. It's beautiful.
And that one… I don't remember seeing it before."
"You done clearing out monsters?" Luo Li asked, hugging a half-sized pillow, eyes half-lidded.
"More or less. Things are stable for now, so I get a short break."
Instead of choosing any of the many empty seats nearby, Eula casually sat beside him—as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Given her abilities, it was no surprise she rose to Captain of the Reconnaissance Company through sheer merit. She had swept away hordes of monsters, hilichurls, even Treasure Hoarders with frightening efficiency.
"That's good."
Eula turned her head toward him. After circling around the topic twice, she finally hinted at her actual reason for coming.
"Yesterday, when I returned, I heard you've been teaching Noelle swordsmanship. And that you gave her a few gifts. And let her live here."
Her tone sounded casual, but her sideways glances gave away the real emotion beneath the surface.
Luo Li knew perfectly well why she was here
but pretended not to.
"Well, she considers herself my student. She's also taken up the role of personal maid, so giving her a few tools and favors is only natural."
"Then why don't I have anything?"
Eula leaned forward, staring straight into his eyes.
"This unfair treatment— I'll remember this grievance."
"Since when do I owe you revenge logs?"
Luo Li sighed helplessly.
"You were the one who refused to acknowledge me as your teacher. I even taught you several techniques anyway. You can't show up now demanding compensation."
He had even taught her how to make a bone whistle—a technique she later mastered to mimic the sound of waves, earning her the title of Knight of the Waves.
Eula huffed softly.
"Regardless, as your junior in the Knights, I should at least receive some encouragement. Someone as exceptional as me deserves a reward."
Her proud, princess-like tone didn't irritate—
instead, it made her sound like a girl pouting for attention.
As for why she refused to call him "teacher"…
That was tied to the secret buried deep in her heart. After all How could she boldly express her feelings if he were officially her mentor?
For someone capable of severing ties with her entire family
who survived alone in the wilderness
Eula's courage was never lacking.
Even knowing Luo Li had a wife, she did not hide her feelings.
Not after the day she accidentally confessed while drunk in front of Raiden Makoto…
and Makoto simply smiled and said nothing.
From then on, Eula grew bolder.
Far too bold.
Even if she sometimes felt guilty, overflowing emotions rarely obey reason.
"I really didn't prepare a gift," Luo Li admitted.
Eula's golden eyes brightened.
"In that case, you owe me a request.
Also I want to learn the sword style you taught Noelle."
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu isn't suitable for you."
Luo Li rejected that instantly
but then remembered something he once received as a reward.
"How about this: act as Noelle's sparring partner for a few days.
When you're done, I'll give you this."
As he spoke, he raised his right hand.
A floating, ornate jar decorated with the image of the Yaksha Demon God shimmered into existence.
Eula leaned closer to examine it.
"What is this?"
"Demon Manifestation — Essence of the Demon.
Drink even a small amount, and you'll gain the ability to freely create and control ice."
"…Isn't that the same as a Cryo Vision?"
Still not understanding, Eula was puzzled.
She already had a Cryo Vision—and the Lawrence clan's Ice Sigil on top of that.
Wasn't this overkill?
Luo Li twitched the corner of his mouth.
"Don't think you'll be able to handle all of it. Surviving even a sip would be impressive."
The Ice Imperial Relic was nothing like a Vision.
After all It contained the absolute power of freezing space-time itself. The ability to stop time with ice…
was practically a guaranteed instant kill.