"Master Jean, actually, we..." Lumine began.
"Say no more, Lumine. I know you both prefer to do these things quietly, without any recognition. But heroes cannot simply be ignored."
Assuming Lumine was about to be modest, Jean was quick to cut her off.
Regardless of anything else, the Anemo Archon and Lumine had done something enormously beneficial for Mondstadt — they had even tried to ensure that no one would know about it. She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration. That was true knightly spirit, and the Knights of Favonius would strive to uphold that same standard.
"Heroes? Hardly," Wendy said with a small wave of her hand. "We were just wandering around and happened to clear out some nuisances along the way."
Seeing Jean's earnest expression, Wendy knew that any further explanation would be pointless, so she simply went along with whatever Jean wanted to say. Besides, she was the Anemo Archon right now — doing this sort of thing was perfectly natural.
Hm? How was it?
Oh, it was great, Miko...
Just as Wendy was about to say something more to Jean, she quietly answered a question in her mind — not really talking to herself, but responding to Miko, who was sending her thoughts from Liyue. Even if Miko's question hadn't been directed at Wendy's side specifically.
Hm? And how does it compare to my side?
Obviously my side is better, Miko...
After all, no one knows themselves better than they do.
Though really, why are you even comparing...
Wendy thought to herself as another question came in from Miko's end, relayed all the way from Liyue.
You're not actually going to go ask Acheron next, are you?
She had to admit — that question was a little absurd. This wasn't exactly the kind of thing you could objectively compare. But there was nothing to be done about it now that Miko had asked; Kaito's side would need to give her an answer.
Fine...
You're better, I suppose...
After a moment's consideration, Wendy settled on telling Miko she was the best. It was all the same person anyway — there was no reason to fuss over something like this. Might as well just give Miko the answer she wanted.
"But regardless," Jean said, pressing on, completely unaware of the Anemo Archon's momentary distraction, "Miss Wendy, and Lumine — please, you must accept the gratitude of the Knights of Favonius."
She had noticed that the Anemo Archon seemed slightly distant for a moment, but she assumed it must be because Lord Barbatos was thinking about matters concerning Mondstadt. She wouldn't pry. She would simply fulfill her own duties to the best of her ability.
She understood — the Anemo Archon had burdens to bear that she could never be part of.
"In that case," Wendy said after a brief pause, "you can treat us to a meal. As it happens, we're a bit hungry and were just about to grab something to eat."
She knew Jean was the earnest type who wouldn't let this go easily, and she had absolutely no intention of being paraded in front of Mondstadt's citizens as some kind of 'hero of Mondstadt.' Letting Jean pick up the tab was a reasonable compromise. Besides, she and Lumine were genuinely hungry — it would be killing two birds with one stone.
"Of course. Please, follow me."
Jean had half-expected this outcome. She turned without another word and led the way back toward Mondstadt.
"Alright, let's— Hm?!"
Mid-sentence, Wendy suddenly lurched sideways, as though dodging an attack.
"What's wrong, Wendy? Is there an enemy?" Lumine, walking just behind her, instantly snapped to attention.
She scanned the area carefully — and found nothing. Again. That was strange.
"An enemy? Where?" Jean, too, whipped around, her face tense as she swept her gaze across their surroundings.
But like Lumine, she found nothing out of the ordinary.
"Hahaha, I'm just messing with you two!"
As the two of them stood there slightly on edge, Wendy burst out laughing and declared it had been a prank.
Lumine: "..."
Lumine found it a little odd. It was pretty clear that Wendy hadn't actually been joking. She had already been acting strangely for a while now, but since Wendy wasn't saying anything, there wasn't much Lumine could do.
No, I need to ask her later.
Lumine made up her mind. Whenever the opportunity arose, she would ask. Whatever it was, they were practically sworn sisters now — she couldn't just let Wendy carry something on her own.
"Is that so — Miss Wendy really does have quite the sense of humor," Jean said, visibly relaxing after hearing the Anemo Archon's explanation.
If it was Lord Barbatos's joke, then there was nothing to worry about.
With that, the group continued on into Mondstadt.
That Miko...
I should have let Kaito's side give her a proper lesson right then and there!
As she walked alongside Jean and Lumine into the city, Wendy quietly simmered.
Her sudden dodge just now had been no joke, obviously. But she could hardly explain the real reason, so she'd had no choice but to come up with an excuse.
The reason she couldn't explain it was entirely Miko's doing.
Right at that moment, Miko — fresh off her little 'training session in oral technique,' mouth still not wiped — had suddenly leaned in and made to plant a kiss on Kaito's cheek. The reflex on Wendy's side had been instantaneous: she'd flinched, which was exactly what had caused the whole incident just now.
Next time I'm tying Miko up and making her properly train that technique of hers until she gets it right!
She kept walking, half her attention still tethered to the distant events unfolding in Liyue.
Naturally, by now, Kaito's side had already begun giving Miko her 'lesson' — and a thorough one at that.
Mm...
Miko, your voice is way too loud...
That needs to be muffled.
Oh, right.
Didn't we pick up that — what was it called — that ball thing?
Just put it on her.
"We're here — shall we go in? Miss Wendy, Lumine."
While Wendy's mind had been occupied with those thoughts, they had already arrived at the entrance to Angel's Share. Jean had already stepped inside ahead of them.
"Sure." Snapping back to the present, Wendy strolled in as though nothing at all was on her mind.
Mm...
Venti's still up there sleeping...
The moment she stepped inside, Wendy's eyes drifted toward the upper floor. Venti was still sprawled up there, apparently not having moved an inch.
Looks like we really shouldn't let him drink that much next time...
Though this time, it was Kaeya who paid...
Wait.
Actually — did Jean end up paying in the end?
The thought struck Wendy and she hesitated. She wasn't so keen on letting Jean treat her anymore. Even if she wasn't going to go ordering wine by the crate the way she had at noon, there was a decent chance Jean had already, in some sense, footed the bill for her earlier.
I'll just pay for myself this time.
With that decided, Wendy made her way over to the table where Jean was standing and took a seat.
"Miss Wendy, please order whatever you like," Jean said, settling into her own seat once the Anemo Archon had sat down. "That goes for you too, Lumine."
However much Mora this ended up costing, Jean could accept it. The Hilichurl camps and Abyss Mages that the Anemo Archon had cleared out would have cost the Knights a fortune in Mora to deal with on their own.
Without the Anemo Archon's help, they would have spent an enormous sum.
[Picture]
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