“The resentment of an ancient god is not something you should meddle with,” Sandrone said nonchalantly, swaying slightly as she spoke.
“It’s like a broken mechanical part—just toss it aside and forget about it.”
She clearly had no qualms about doing so herself.
“You’re really casual about this, you slacker,” Ren said, casting her a helpless glance.
If it could be dealt with, it was better to take care of it. But…
Holding Keqing in his arms, Ren took an instinctive step back.
It was clear he wasn’t equipped to handle it.
He couldn’t exactly call Ei for a video chat and ask her to come all the way over here, could he?
This little mountain peak wasn’t big enough for her signature slash anyway.
Speaking of which, he wondered if his use of her [Baleful Omen] power in the dream had caught her attention.
Judging by the clear skies, it seemed unlikely.
“My partner, there’s no need to be so cautious,” Sandrone teased, poking Ren’s cheek.
“My power is protecting you.”
“You can resist demon god resentment?” Ren asked, his tone turning serious as he studied the puppet girl.
He had a bold guess forming in his mind.
“Finally curious enough to chat?” Sandrone said, gesturing toward the girl nestled quietly in Ren’s arms.
Her gaze was meaningful. It was time to get rid of this obstacle blocking her alone time with her partner.
“?”
Ren noticed her look and glanced down at Keqing.
The warmth radiating from the girl in his arms seemed to be rising.
Ke Cat, don’t tell me you’ve been pretending to sleep this whole time!
“Keqing?” he asked softly, testing her.
“Time to wake up.”
“Shouldn’t we be working overtime?”
“…”
Keqing buried her face deeper into his chest, offering no response.
She wasn’t even reacting to the idea of work—clearly, she was sound asleep.
“…”
Ren silently laid Keqing in a safe spot before stepping a little farther away.
He looked at her from a distance and asked quietly,
“Now, can we talk?”
“Of course. Columbina must’ve told you already,” Sandrone replied with a smile, making no effort to hide her intentions.
“About the plan to create a god together.”
Ren’s eyes flickered. “A Gnosis?”
The term “Gnosis” wasn’t entirely accurate.
Based on what Columbina had hinted at,
It was more like a synthetic energy core—one deeply intertwined with Khaenri’ahn technology.
“It’s inside this body,” Sandrone said, her tone enticing as she blinked innocently.
She leaned forward slightly, tugging at her collar with a small hand.
In the moonlight, a glimpse of flawless, snowy skin was revealed.
“Want to come closer for a good look?”
Ren froze for a moment before rolling his eyes.
The air grew quiet for a beat.
“My dear partner, how could you not be interested in me!”
Sandrone raised her tiny foot and kicked at Ren’s face.
She was determined to punish him thoroughly.
“You’re overthinking it,” Ren said with exasperation.
“How am I supposed to look? Take you apart?”
Besides, how could he possibly have that kind of interest in a puppet?
Still, he finally understood how such a delicate construct could function so flawlessly.
She carried an energy core—an extraordinary power source.
In other words…
“You currently possess strength comparable to a god?”
Ren carefully held the puppet girl, his expression serious.
“Of course… not,” Sandrone said, deliberately trying to scare him before poking his cheek in dissatisfaction.
“Do you think it’s that easy?”
“This body wasn’t designed for combat,” she explained. “And the energy device still has flaws.”
Sandrone leaned back into Ren’s hands, observing his pensive silence.
“You don’t seem particularly interested in the power of a god,” she said softly.
Ren shook his head slightly.
How could I not care?
But…
He had grown accustomed to the feeling of having Sandrone by his side.
“The device is part of you. Keep it,” Ren murmured, his gaze sincere as he looked at the puppet girl in his palm.
“…”
Sandrone’s delicate lashes trembled, and a glimmer of light seemed to sparkle in her eyes.
They locked gazes in silence for a long moment.
She understood—Ren was serious.
There was something far more precious resting in his hands.
“…I suddenly feel a bit sleepy,” Sandrone murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she gazed at the stars.
It was the first time she had looked away from him.
“Then sleep,” Ren said simply.
I’ll keep watch anyway.
Sandrone blinked slowly, then said,
“By the way, have you noticed the lyre on your waist?”
?
Ren paused, finally noticing the instrument.
“This is…”
He instantly recognized the lyre.
It was the same one Columbina had carried in the dream.
It had silently appeared at his side.
“Columbina seems to favor you,” Sandrone said, her tone unreadable as she studied the lyre.
She shook her head as if dismissing a fleeting thought.
She and Columbina shared a close bond, like true sisters.
There was no way there could be a problem.
“The core… I’ll let you hold onto it for now,” Sandrone said, standing gracefully.
The night breeze lifted the hem of her white dress, her figure elegant and breathtaking.
“Play the lyre. Dispel the ancient god’s resentment.”
She gently placed a hand over her chest.
“With my power, you can do it.”
Ren frowned slightly and shook his head.
“If you lose your energy source, what will you do?”
“Obviously, my main body is waiting for you in Inazuma City. Just return it to me when you come back safely.”
Sandrone gave him a look of exasperated fondness, as if scolding a slow child.
“Such an important item, and you—” Ren began, then stopped abruptly, his eyes widening.
“Why?”
In the cool night breeze, the puppet girl stepped closer.
She cupped his face with her small hands, her sapphire eyes reflecting his image as she leaned in.
Her lips lightly brushed his cheek.
Mwah.
In the silent night, the faint sound echoed.
Ren felt his heart skip a beat.
He drew in a quiet breath, meeting the gaze of the breathtaking girl who had just kissed him.
“To me, you’re more special than any god.”
“Is that reason enough, my partner?”
Sandrone blinked, a mischievous glint in her eyes as if relishing her victory.
She gazed at him, waiting expectantly.
“…It’s enough,” Ren said softly, nodding.
“…Mm!”
The girl in his hands broke into a faint smile.
Under the moonlight, she was radiant.
At that moment, Ren couldn’t deny—
She had truly stolen his heart.
“!”
In the distance, a certain Ke Cat stirred.
Her lips pressed into a tight line as all traces of sleep disappeared.
—
This is a fan translation of 原神：人在提瓦特，贴贴就能变强 by 萌红叶. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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