At Dragonspine, the Imps and their newest recruit, Anna, were searching for Crimson Agates.

« So why exactly are we searching for Crimson Agates? » Anna asked.

« Well mostly to sacrifice them to frozen trees for awesome rewards or to upgrade our equipment. That or selling them. Trust me, these things are worth 100 times more than your kidneys…» Blitzo replied.

« Well, it's just….this is Dragonspine, you know? One of the most dangerous areas of Mondstadt? » Anna reasoned.

« Oh, we'll be fine! We've been in this shithole plenty of times already! » Blitzo shot back, as he grabbed a Crimson Agate, before noticing something in the distance. « Uh, guys? I think I've spotted a refugee camp! »

« It's either that or an Adventurer camp. it's easy to confuse the two. » Loona joked.

« Well I guess we could ask for some information about the whereabouts of more Crimson Agates…» Moxxie reasoned

« Oh, all right, let's get this over with. » Blitzo replied, as the group headed towards the camp.

In said camp, there was none other than Sucrose. « Oh hi Sucrose! »

« Aah! Y—You scared me... Please, don't scare me like that! I was giving my research report some much-needed consideration. » Sucrose yelped.

« Honey, you were just staring blankly into the air…» Millie replied.

« Are you sure you don't have PTSD? » Moxxie asked concerned.

« From what? » Blitzo asked annoyed.

« ….Herr Mengler's experiments? » Moxxie replied, obviously referring to Albedo.

« …Fair enough….»

« N—Not at all! I was just thinking of a name for a new subspecies of Sweet Flower I propagated. It has seeds that are four times as large as normal. » Sucrose replied.

« Have you tried something tits related? » Blitzo asked.

« No I haven't! Pervert! » Sucrose replied angrily.

« Hey, just sayin'…» Blitzo shrugged.

« But seriously, what the hell are you doing up here? » Loona asked.

« Timaeus and I were helping Albedo organize research data. Timaeus just left in fact. You didn't run into him? » Sucrose asked.

« Nope. »

« He said that he wasn't as sharp as Albedo when it came to data — by quite a long shot, in fact. The significance of some things Albedo is able to grasp almost immediately, but we on the other hand take considerable time. I fear that this must be the difference in our knowledge and experience showing...» Sucrose explained. « Timaeus seemed rather depressed about the matter. He said he was going to take a walk, so I'm currently settling the leftover affairs myself. I was originally going to take a look around myself after finishing up here, but unexpectedly, I gleaned some interesting data from these reports! »

« Let me guess, something was 1% different from another thing, wasn't it? » Blitzo asked annoyed.

« Guess my search for secrets will have to wait...» Sucrose sighed.

« What secrets? » Blitzo asked curiously.

« Hmm... Actually, do you lot have time right now? » Sucrose asked back.

« Well, we were searching for Crimson Agates, but hey! We could still help ya out! » Blitzo replied.

« In truth, I feel like Albedo is... concealing something from myself and Timaeus. » Sucrose explained.

« His massive dick? »

« N O. »

« I'm just sayin'….»

« It is my personal guess that it is some great secret of alchemy! » Sucrose replied.

« Heh. My theory was better…» Blitzo shrugged.

« Timaeus and I are both passionate researchers of alchemy. If it was anything else, Albedo wouldn't have a reason to hide it from us. » Sucrose explained.

« Well I'm sure we can convince him to talk. So, where's the fucker? » Blitzo asked.

« He's not far from here, I'm sure you'll find his camp rather quickly. » Sucrose replied.

« Well, anyway, off we go! » Blitzo exclaimed, before turning towards Anna. « Anna, you stay here and protect Sucrose or whatever. I think it's a bit too dangerous for a newbie like you to head out this deep in Dragonspine, especially with Albedo and his vaginal leaking abilities…»

« I mean you're not wrong…» Anna shyly replied.

« What? »

« What? »

« What? »

« Anyway, you girls have fun! » Blitzo exclaimed, as the Imps headed out in their search for Albedo.

The two girls just stared at each other in response.

« I LOVE ALBEDO MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER DO, LAB RAT! »

« I SAW HIM FIRST, IMP COCKSUCKER! »

What followed was a catfight for the ages.

Xxxxxxx

After a while the Imps reached Albedo's camp, the latter inspecting a sword.

Blitzo simply slide towards the man. « I heard you are a man of….secrets….»

« That depends… » Albedo replied.

« I need to know your alchemical secret so that Sucrose can nerdgasm all over it… »

« That might require your assistance…»

« Assistance is the one thing we bring…that and explosions! »

« As you can see, I'm working with a sword. » Albedo explained.

« Holy shit, you forged this shit?! » Moxxie exclaimed.

« I did not make this sword. However, I did add some alchemical touches to it. » Albedo explained. « Would you like to try it out? »

« All right, what's the fucking catch? » Blitzo asked annoyed.

« Very astute of you. This sword has indeed had a curse laid upon it. » Albedo admitted. « An ordinary person would be unable to wield it at all. However, you are an exception. »

« Yeah…for once, I think this is a tad bit too much for us…» Blitzo replied, as the sword whispered evil things to the demon, things too evil even for Blitzo to comprehend. Something to do with horses, apparently.

« I see. A shame, really…» Albedo shrugged.

« Well, I think we have someone that could help ya out….» Blitzo replied, as he whipped out his phone and made a call.

Xxxxxxx

Five seconds later, a limousine arrived at mock speed, jumping over a nearby hill whilst blasting "Grease" by Frankie Valli at full volume, before slamming the side of said limousine to a nearby rock and crushing a Hilichurl.

Coming out of the driving position was Angel, and coming out of the passenger seat was a terrified Charlie.

« Angel…maybe next time, try to drive a little slower? » Charlie requested terrified.

« Oh, but where's the fun in that? » Angel smirked.

« Angel? Since when were you Her Highness's personal driver? » Moxxie asked confused.

« Razzle and Dazzle were sick with tuberculosis. » Angel replied casually.

« What Angel meant was they caught a cold after Shenhe accidentally froze them. She was aiming at some Chilli Churros but hit them instead…» Charlie replied.

« Wouldn't Vaggie had been a better choice? » Millie asked.

« Do you trust any one of us in handling the Hotel whilst Charlie's gone? » Angel replied.

« …Fair enough….»

« So, where's this cursed sword you speak of? » Charlie asked.

« It is here. Apparently, only you are immune to the curse. » Albedo pointed at the blade.

« I can definitely see what you guys meant….I don't think either of you are powerful enough for this…. » Charlie replied, before turning towards Angel. « Okay Angel. Head to Mondstadt and wait me there. Also don't cause any troubles. »

« No promises! » Angel replied, before driving the limousine at top speed and launching himself out of Dragonspine.

« Mondstadt is gonna be on fire, isn't it? » Charlie dreaded.

« Meh, it's used about it by now…» Blitzo shrugged.

« Well, here goes nothing…» Charlie shrugged, as she grabbed the sword. « Okay…so far so good….»

« Still, better playing it safe. » she added, as she turned to her demon form to better control the sword.

« A most impressive feat, your highness. » Albedo commented. « Now, if you wouldn't mind, could you go find some monsters nearby? After all, some things are best discovered through practice. »

« Something tells me we won't have to look that far…» Blitzo noted, as he pointed at a small herd of Slimes charging at them.

« I'll handle it! » Charlie exclaimed, as she dashed forward, slicing and dicing the slimes with the sword.

However, after she had done, a ferocious looking man and his companions walked forward.

« Over here! It's with this brat! » the man exclaimed angrily. « Give it back, you thief! »

« Calm down, sir. What's going on- » Charlie tried to reason with the man, before he and his companions were torn to shreds by Blitzo and Moxxie.

« Damn it, guys! I was trying to reason with him! » Charlie pouted angrily.

« They're Treasure Hoarders! They probably stole that shit! » Moxxie shot back.

« I mean, I guess they stole it first, so now it's theirs? » Blitzo reasoned.

« Not long ago, the Knights caught a band of Treasure Hoarders outside the city. The goods they were smuggling were also impounded. » Albedo explained. « This sword was one of those items. We believed it to be stolen plunder, but no one came to claim it, nor could we find out where it came from, so it languished in our stores. »

« So what now, this is now your sword or whatever? » Loona asked.

« Indeed, and I initially intended to perform some experiments on it, but I unexpectedly discovered its true origins in the process. » Albedo continued. « This ancient-looking weapon once passed through the hands of a now-deceased blacksmith. It is a legendary magical sword. »

« This better be the fucking truth. I still haven't forgotten that black anime cyclops in charge of the horses around here. » Blitzo replied angrily.

« It is said that the smith vanished not long after creating this weapon, with the weapon subsequently becoming lost to time. » Albedo continued. « Working backwards from its eventual fate as plunder, one can correctly guess that it was then stolen by the Treasure Hoarders, where it remained in obscurity till recently. »

« Funny, amongst the voices in this blade I don't hear a single blacksmith…» Charlie noted.

« Do you know the story of Durin and this mountain? Durin was the black dragon who menaced Mondstadt, before finally being defeated by the combined efforts of Dvalin and the Anemo Archon Barbatos. » Albedo explained. « After a fierce battle, the vanquished Durin crashed to ruin here, falling into the thick snow. Snow gathers atop this mountain and never melts, which is a most curious phenomenon. Which leads one to wonder — was Durin's fall here purely by chance, or was it intent? »

« I dunno….still betting heavily on the chance theory….» Moxxie replied.

« Perhaps this place was chosen as a gravesite precisely so that the snow's power could seal the corrosive toxin coming from Durin's body. » Albedo theorized. « It seems plausible that Barbatos would think of such a method. »

« As if the femboy was smart enough to pull that shit. » Blitzo groaned annoyed.

« Why the fuck do you guys keep calling Barbatos a "femboy?" What the fuck even is a Femboy? » Albedo asked angrily.

« You know the bard that keeps drinking himself to a coma back in the taverns of Mondstadt, right? » Blitzo explained.

« Very funny. » Albedo grumbled angrily.

« Whatever, I'm not in the mood to force you to accept the truth. » Blitzo shrugged.

« Anyway, these are just my postulations. I don't have any evidence. But what's for certain is that this mountain and Durin are deeply intertwined. » Albedo continued. « In fact, I believe that the very sword in your hand has Durin's remains in it. »

« Hey dipshit, this isn't Skyrim. » Blitzo replied annoyed.

« The dragon's eyes, claws, and scales were more than likely ground into dust before being used to coat the blade. In this way, Durin's corruption and venom entered into the sword, and became the source of its power. This is very advanced craftsmanship. I presume that having successfully forged the weapon, the smith must have tried it out themselves in their joy. » Albedo explained. « But using this sword in battle would have allowed the corruption to seep through the blade's handle, and into their bodies. Ordinary mortals cannot withstand such power. The blacksmith must then have fled, driven mad by the curse, before meeting their end in some unknown place. Also, what the fuck is Skyrim? »

« I fear your civilization is not yet advanced enough to learn about Arrows in the Knees and Dragonborns…» Blitzo replied.

« "Arrow in the knee?" As in getting married? » Albedo asked confused.

« Wait, THAT's what they fucking meant?! » Blitzo asked shocked.

« Uh…yeah…it was something humans used to say in the middle ages when they got married….the arrow being their spouse…. » Charlie laughed nervously as she explained this to Blitzo.

« Thanks. I hate this information. » Blitzo groaned annoyed.

« Back to the subject at hand, the sword is still very weak at present. However, it is able to absorb energy, and through that, it is able to constantly become stronger. » Albedo explained to Charlie. « In some sense, you could even say that it is a living thing. »

« Well I guess that explains the whole glowing thing… » Charlie noted.

« Well then, your highness, adventure with it to your heart's content. I need you to help it grow.» Albedo requested. « I believe that we will soon have all the proof we need. »

« And by "adventuring" you mean-» Charlie was about to say, before being interrupted.

« Hilichurl genocide, yes. You demons seems quite capable in that. » Albedo replied.

« I mean, you guys aren't? » Loona raised an eyebrow.

« I fear we lack the sadism. » Albedo shrugged.

«…Fair enough… »

Xxxxxxx

It wasn't long before the group encountered more test subjects, from Hilichurls, to slimes, Treasure Hoarders and even Fatui.

With one mighty explosion, the group landed back to Albedo's camp.

« And his highness has returned with a sword filled with the souls of the poor fucks we've been slaughtering! »

« Hmm. Indeed. » Albedo noted. « It is as I thought — this sword grows stronger as you use it in battle. »

« Well, stranger things have happened in my life… » Charlie noted.

« Also guess what, the fucking Futas are at it. » Moxxie added annoyed.

« Oh, for fuck sake…» even Albedo sighed annoyed. « All things considered, they're very likely interested in the sword. »

« Yeah, yeah, immense power and all that jizz. Fucking Ruskies… » Blitzo groaned annoyed.

« Still, isn't it weird that this sword can absorb power? » Millie asked.

« I have a hypothesis concerning this. » Albedo replied. « Each time this sword absorbs power from the bodies of fallen enemies, it will resonate with Durin's remains, hidden somewhere on this mountain. »

« Interesting…» Blitzo noted.

However, as he said that, a small cloud was darting towards the group.

It was none other than Sucrose and Anna having a catfight, trying to get the upper hand over each other.

That was until they hit Charlie and forced the latter to drop the sword.

As a result of that, a giant Cryo Regisvine revived itself and attacked the group, who screamed in panic.

Xxxxxxx

Five minutes later, the whole area was in shambles, with Albedo stabbing the Cryo Regisvine repeatedly, each tile letting out tired screams of anger.

« S-sir Albedo, I apologize for what happened…» Sucrose apologized.

« No need….it's good information actually…» Albedo replied. « Apparently the dragon's life force can revive withered plants and empower them to such a degree...That's good to know I guess…»

« Can we take a break before we explain everything to Sucrose? » Blitzo pleaded.

« Yeah…a break sounds nice…smoking's allowed…» Albedo replied, before collapsing on the ground.

Xxxxxxx

After a short break, explaining everything to Sucrose and further purifying the sword, the group seemed to have finished its mission.

« Well, I'd say our job is done here, so I think it's safe to say that I can give your sword back. » Charlie said, before handing the sword to Albedo.

« Before you do, your highness…how do you feel? » Albedo asked.

« Aside for the whole thing with the plant, I feel fine. » Charlie replied.

« Good. There's no side effects, no corruption or poison. » Albedo replied glad. « Looks like... The Imps had been correct all along. »

« I mean, if she couldn't handle it, then who could? » Blitzo shrugged.

« How do you like the sword? » Albedo asked Charlie.

« A nice weapon, but I'm not one for swords…» Charlie replied.

« Is that so? Regardless, it's reached the desired state. » Albedo replied, before holding the sword and extracting something out of it. « Not to worry, gentlemen. I want to extract the purified life force from within it. »

« Good luck with that, I guess…» Blitzo replied.

« What's impossible for some... might be just within my reach. » Albedo replied, before all of the purified energy was sealed in a bottle. « ...All done. »

« Glad you managed without too much complications…» Moxxie replied.

« This sword might not be a divine weapon...» Albedo said, before turning towards Charlie and handing over the sword. « But it'll make a fine memento. I hope it can be of some help during your travels, your highness. »

« Well, as I said, I'm not so good with swords, but I'm sure Vaggie will appreciate it! » Charlie replied.

« Wait, don't you need that thing? » Blitzo asked.

« I needed it for the sake of my research. I've already obtained the results of the experiment. This sword belongs to Her Highness, a person who knows how to use it. » Albedo replied. « Thank you for your assistance with completing this research. »

« Well that was a day and a half…c'mon fellas, let's grab Anna the Catfighter and get back to Mondstadt. » Blitzo casually said.

« Yeah, something tells me we better hurry before Angel causes some problems. » Charlie added.

Xxxxxxx

However, much to her surprise, once the group reached Mondstadt, everything was fine.

Angel himself was at The Cat's Tail, playing Genius Invokation TGC with a customer, before he noticed the group entering the tavern.

« Oh hey fellas! How was the trip in the mountains? » Angel asked casually.

« Surprisingly good, but less surprising than seeing Mondstadt in one piece with you around! » Charlie joked.

« Meh, no need to worry about that bullshit. I'm just having a blast playing Kid Friendly Poker! » Angel casually replied.

« Get ready to become obsessed by that shit. It's more addictive than cocaine….» Blitzo casually replied.

« Yeah, especially with the newer cards, if you catch my meaning….» Angel smirked, before revealing a card portraying none other than Blitzo, with a derpy expression as well.

« WHAT THE FUCK!?» Blitzo shouted shocked and angrily.

«What the hell is this!? » Loona shouted as well, as she saw another card portraying her as a puppy.

« These cards arrived very recently. I think they are part of the newest edition of Genius Invokation TGC…» the man who was playing against Angel replied.

« And what the fuck is written in this ca-» Blitzo said, as he noticed something written, before his eyes glaring hard at the card.

He then exited the building angrily, climbed the tallest building in Mondstadt like an animal and, once on top of said building, yelled at the top of his lungs:

« AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!»

Xxxxxxx

Back in his camp at Dragonspine, Albedo cackled like an evil German/Scottish madman, as he sketched more "cards" for TGC.

« ZE ZECRET VOR VENGEANCE WAS TGC! AND IT HAS SO WELLENGLY COME! » Albedo shouted like a madman.

« S-sir Albedo? » Sucrose, who had noticed the insane laughter and had come to check on Albedo, asked timidly.

« Oh hey Sucrose. Sorry if you had to see that, I guess I got a bit too much into my personal revenge against the Imps for that time they blew up Dragonspine. Also for giving Klee all those bombs. » Albedo returned to his old self. « Anyway, worry not, I'm fine. None the less, can I help you with something? »

« Oh, fuck it. » a lustful Sucrose said, as she headed towards Albedo.

« Sucrose? » a confused Albedo asked, before Sucrose lunged forward and started making out with Albedo.

Xxxxxxx

Many thanks to Inanna for many of the suggestions for this chapter.

I hope you enjoy this new chapter! Please review so I can know your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions for what is going to happen, so stay tuned! Also, remember to like and follow, if you want!

See you to the next update!