Ever since that day, little Barbara seemed to very much welcome Cid's arrival.
Before the performance began, she would always look around for Cid's figure.
When she found him, she would be very happy. If she didn't find him, she would be disappointed for thirty seconds before quickly recovering.
And Cid also really liked coming over.
Who could refuse a little Barbara who, after finishing her performance, comes over to let you pinch her small cheeks?
At first, Cid came once every three days.
But as time passed, the places Cid went for adventures gradually became farther away.
Once every four days… once every five days… once every six days…
"Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. How may I assist you?"
"Accepting a commission to clear Slimes."
"Adventurer rank permits it. Set forth—Ad Astra Abyssosque."
Cid accepted the commission.
Now he could already wield the Iron-Point Spear with great ease.
It was time for real combat.
The first enemies couldn't be too strong.
Cid chose to be cautious.
Starting right away with clearing Hilichurls… that leap felt too big.
And so…
Cid the Slime Piercer! One thrust per Slime!
These small Slimes are so weak…
One spear thrust and they're gone…
It seems I was too cautious?
No, no, no—the ones I'm fighting now are all small Hydro Slimes!
These are the weakest Slimes!
Stay steady! Don't get reckless!
A large Hydro Slime might just finish me off!
The small Slime across from him unleashed Divine Punishment from above!
Cid was easily hit on the shoulder!
The Hydro Slime dealt massive damage!
Cid countered and instantly killed the Hydro Slime!
Today's commission complete!
Cid was not satisfied with his performance.
Why could this small Slime so easily hit me?
Why couldn't I pierce it mid-air?
My movements are too clumsy!
If that had been even a Geo Slime, my shoulder would definitely be crippled!
I am now the cautious and brave Cid Kagerou!
Extra training! I must train more!
Cid pulled out his map.
He hadn't accepted just one Slime commission!
…
In the end, Cid entered the cathedral to receive treatment.
Moderate burns.
"Did you run into a group of Pyro Slimes?" The nun in white began healing Cid's injuries.
"No, it was a group of Dendro Slimes." Cid watched his burns heal rapidly, feeling slightly incredulous.
"Large Dendro Slimes?" How did you get burned running into Dendro Slimes?
"I was ambushed by Dendro Slimes on the road. So I set fire to burn the Dendro Slimes."
"Then the burning Dendro Slimes attacked you frantically?" The nun in white showed an expression of understanding.
"That was part of it, but the Dendro Slimes were quickly gone." Cid sighed. "I noticed that the flames burned much more fiercely where the Dendro Slimes fell. Worried it would start a forest fire, I just went straight up and smothered the fire."
"Mr. Cid really acts recklessly."
"No, that was me being stupid. I forgot I had Hydro elemental bottles in my bag."
"Be smarter next time, Mr. Cid."
"I won't make such a stupid mistake again."
Cid watched the burns on his body heal completely, stood up, and planned to go see little Barbara.
But when he turned around, he saw little Barbara timidly standing at the door, not daring to come closer.
"Hey~ Little Barbara, come over quick and let uncle touch your cute little cheeks!"
At this moment, Cid looked exactly like a suspicious uncle with ill intentions toward a little girl.
The nun in white looked at Cid and sighed helplessly.
Getting injured like this on his very first adventure, yet still so optimistic—it felt like she would have to treat him often in the future.
Little Barbara came over and let Cid pat her head.
Little Barbara looked a bit shy, as if she had something she wanted to say.
"Does Barbara have something she wants to tell me?"
"Uncle… can you not go adventuring anymore?" Little Barbara looked very upset as she gazed at the spot where Cid had been burned earlier.
Little Barbara is worried about me! Uncle Cid's heart instantly filled with joy!
"Maybe one day I'll stop adventuring, but definitely not now." Cid's words were the complete truth.
"Is it because of living expenses?" Little Barbara looked at Cid. "If Uncle Cid is short on money… I can support you! I have lots of Mora!"
What the heck!? Is Mondstadt's culture this open? How old is little Barbara to already know what "supporting" means!?
Cid Kagerou looked at the nun in white with shocked eyes.
The nun in white glared angrily at a certain group of men outside the room.
The group of men showed ignorance in their eyes.
Our hearts hold only Lord Barbatos. How could we know such filthy gossip as rich women supporting men?
Ah! Rich—Lord Barbatos! Your devout believers request your protection!
Cid looked at little Barbara. The little Barbara before him seemed a bit nervous; it appeared she realized there was an issue.
Though the current Barbara, as the daughter of Seamus Pegg, the Archbishop of the Church of Favonius, could indeed afford to support someone.
Who could refuse being supported by a rich loli? Especially one cultivated from childhood.
Cid patted little Barbara's head, soothing her nervous emotions.
"I don't adventure just for living expenses, Barbara."
Cid could refuse.
"People always want to do certain things."
If he only wanted to become stronger, he could directly join the Knights of Favonius—they have complete training programs.
But Cid still chose to be an adventurer now.
Because it's freer, without constraints.
"Barbara, do you still want to become an idol?"
Little Barbara nodded.
"I want to become an adventurer. In the future, I'll travel farther and farther, and the chances to come watch your performances might become fewer and fewer."
"But your performances will also become bigger and bigger, and the number of people who like you and are healed by your singing will grow more and more, right?"
Little Barbara looked a bit shy.
Clearly, as a small child, she hadn't thought that far yet.
Cid smiled and thought of something interesting.
"How about we make a promise? When you become an official idol and I become a famous great adventurer, you'll hold a grand concert just for me—how about that?"