Inside the office—
Gu Chen had fallen into deep contemplation.
What, exactly, had caused Jean to become like this?
Reading novels was perfectly normal. Everyone had their little hobbies.
But why—
Why were all the novels she read starring him as the male lead?
What was she planning?
Knock knock.
The sound at the door pulled him back to reality.
"Come in."
The door opened. Jean entered with a stack of documents.
"These are this year's tax reports. They require your signature."
Gu Chen looked at her, momentarily dazed, before nodding.
"Understood. Leave them here."
Jean placed the documents down. As she turned to leave, she noticed something off about his expression.
"Is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should I call Barbara?"
"…Hm?"
Gu Chen blinked, then shook his head.
"I'm fine. No need to worry."
Jean nodded, though faint confusion lingered.
With his absurd physical constitution, illness was nearly impossible.
Perhaps something was troubling the Grand Master—who rarely troubled himself with much of anything.
She didn't dwell on it.
Back in her office, with little work for the day, Jean glanced around cautiously.
She opened her drawer.
After a quick look toward the door—
She pulled out a novel and began reading with undisguised interest.
Back in the Grand Master's office—
After failing to untangle his thoughts, Gu Chen turned his attention to the tax reports.
All of Mondstadt's tax revenue flowed through the Knights of Favonius.
After all, maintaining the Knights required substantial funding.
After calculating the figures, Gu Chen raised a brow slightly.
Tax revenue had increased by five percent compared to last year.
A seemingly small number—
But when expanded across the whole of Mondstadt's economy, it represented genuine growth.
"This year, we can improve the Knights' meals a little more."
Even a slight improvement mattered.
Better nutrition meant greater benefits when paired with body-refinement training—something the entire Knights acknowledged.
After signing the documents, he leaned back and resumed thinking about Jean's coming-of-age ceremony in half a month.
If Varka were here—
These matters would be effortless.
As the saying went: An elder at home is like a treasure.
Varka would have provided the perfect answer without hesitation.
Instead, Gu Chen had to consider it from every angle.
As he rummaged through the office absentmindedly—
He spotted a long wooden case.
The case for the Favonius Sword.
The sword was more than a weapon.
It was a symbol.
While Gu Chen was skilled with blades, ordinary Favonius swords couldn't withstand his force. The Favonius Sword could—but using it personally was unnecessary.
"…This would suit Jean."
For the past two years, Jean had handled most affairs directly. The Knights respected her deeply.
If the Favonius Sword were entrusted to her—
No one would object.
On the contrary, they would agree she deserved it.
Knock knock—
"Brother! Brother! Let's go out and play!"
Klee's eager voice nearly overflowed through the door.
"Come in."
The door burst open.
Klee ran in with her little backpack, face glowing with excitement.
"Brother, let's go fish-bombing!"
Hands clasped, swaying side to side.
"Let's go."
Gu Chen decided immediately.
After all, he was free.
As they stepped out—
Jean's office door creaked open.
"Where are you going?"
Her calm voice carried an invisible pressure.
Klee immediately hid behind Gu Chen.
Gu Chen pondered for two seconds.
"There have been unusual disturbances at Stormterror's Lair recently. Klee wanted to go out, so I'll take this opportunity to investigate."
Jean narrowed her eyes.
"Matters concerning Mondstadt's safety must be clarified promptly," he added smoothly.
After a moment, she nodded.
"Fine. Be careful. Especially Klee."
"Yes, yes!" Klee nodded vigorously.
Stormterror's Lair
This time—
Gu Chen hadn't used it as an excuse.
Stormterror's Lair had rivers.
And rivers had fish.
Klee happily tested her new bombs near the water.
Gu Chen stood on higher ground, stroking his chin while observing the dense clouds swirling above the tower spire.
The clouds were darkening.
His perception had grown far sharper over the years.
Without comparison, he couldn't measure his current strength.
"…There's something wrong in the air."
He surveyed the basin below.
Nothing obvious.
"Brother~!"
Klee pointed excitedly.
"There's a green person over there!"
Green?
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
Sure enough—
A figure in a green cloak was weaving through the ruins.
"Geh~ What a surprise to meet a friend in such a desolate place!"
Venti waved cheerfully.
"…You."
Gu Chen dropped down from above.
"Came to check on things?"
"A place so steeped in history is perfect inspiration for a bard," Venti replied innocently.
"Brother, is this what you call playing dumb?" Klee asked.
"…Exactly."
After Klee scampered off—
Gu Chen asked quietly,
"Does the wind guide you here?"
Venti blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Gu Chen sighed.
"No need to pretend. Your outfit mimics the Anemo Archon's statue. You sing ancient verses few know. That's suspicious enough. But more importantly—"
He paused.
"The blessings of the Anemo Archon reside in me. Your aura carries the same origin."
"…Barbatos."
Venti scratched his cheek.
"Impressive."
His expression shifted.
"Yes. Dvalin is not well. The wind carries the scent of the Abyss."
"The Abyss Order has targeted him."
"Correct."
"Need help?"
"That would be wonderful!"
"Then I'll move."
Venti looked upward.
"It's high. Want assistance?"
"No need."
"…You can fly?"
"At a certain level, flight is natural."
Gu Chen bent his knees—
And launched skyward.
His body accelerated midair, vanishing into the clouds.
Venti stared.
"Using body-refinement force as wind propulsion… fascinating."
He waved.
"Little one, we're heading up!"
With a sweep of wind, Venti carried Klee skyward.
Atop the Tower
Dark clouds churned.
Abyss Mages circled a six-winged wind dragon, chanting twisted incantations.
Dvalin's emerald scales had begun to darken.
A crimson crystal embedded in his back.
He roared weakly.
Suddenly—
The black cloud wall ruptured.
BOOM.
Gu Chen stepped through empty air.
Each step cracked like shattering glass.
Below him—
Dvalin's condition was dire.
"Yahoo~ Dvalin, I'm late!"
Winds howled.
Sunlight pierced the gloom.
Venti's expression hardened.
"You've overstepped."
He covered Klee's eyes.
Gales like blades swept across the tower.
The Abyss Mages were shredded into ash.
Venti approached Dvalin, guilt in his eyes.
"Dvalin… I'm sorry."
The dragon tried to speak.
Couldn't.
"Too much corrupted blood," Gu Chen assessed. "Abyssal influence has fused deeply. It must be purged."
"Can you do it?"
"Yes. But it'll hurt."
"As long as it works."
Gu Chen landed on Dvalin's back.
He gripped the crimson crystal—
Crack.
He tore it free.
Dark energy writhed beneath the flesh.
Then—
He clenched his fist.
And punched.
A solid, resonant impact.
Fine-tuned force rippled through Dvalin's body, peeling toxins from muscle and blood.
"Pff—!"
Dvalin spat black blood.
"…Two more points of force and I'd be beaten to death…"
Bang!
Another punch.
"Pff—!"
More black blood.
Venti observed.
"The corruption is visibly decreasing! Hang in there!"
Bang!
Another strike.
After more than ten punches—
Dvalin's aura brightened visibly, though he was utterly drained.
"That's enough, that's enough!"
Venti hurried forward, sending a glowing orb of wind into Dvalin's body.
"There's some residue, but he can recover on his own now. Any more and you might actually kill him!"
Gu Chen withdrew his fist with slight regret.
"…Very well. We'll stop here."
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