Barbara's eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling with anticipation as she looked at Orion.
Orion glanced sideways at Venti, then squatted down and took the damaged sky harp from Barbara's arms.
"I can only restore it. I can preserve the Anemo Archon's divine power still contained within, but I can't do anything about what has already dissipated."
"Restoration is enough!" Barbara leaned forward abruptly, then realized it was improper and retreated.
Then, under everyone's expectant gaze, he ran behind a giant rock.
Everyone:???
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances, then Lumine said, "Let's go take a look!" and followed after him.
Behind the rock, as Lumine and Paimon arrived, they saw Orion split open down the middle.
Paimon was startled, but before she could scream, Lumine covered her mouth.
Having traveled through the universe for so long, Lumine had seen many things and wasn't overly surprised by Orion's appearance: "Is that necessary? You were able to take things out while maintaining your human form by the sea before, weren't you?"
Orion extended his right hand, and the horizontal lines on his palm split open. An eye opened, and its vertical pupil then split open to both sides, revealing teeth and a tongue.
The vertical pupils opened and closed, one on the left and one on the right, emitting a voice: "Simply restoring it doesn't require too many steps, but I thought since there's so much empty space inside that can't hold Anemo power, I might as well seal some of my own power into it.
This is a tiny bit of Anemo clearance I got from another world. This way, when we're not around, this sacred artifact can ensure Mondstadt won't suffer too great a disaster.
Since you two are here, help me keep an eye on them and don't let them come over."
Paimon looked at the two of them and also felt that the main task was important right now, so she consciously helped Lumine keep watch.
However, there was no need to be too nervous. Orion put the sky harp into his body, and after about half a minute, he spat it out again.
From the perspective of onlookers, it was even simpler: Lumine and Paimon chased after him, and then a brilliant green light suddenly erupted from behind the rock!
Then the three of them walked out together, Orion still holding the perfectly intact sky harp.
Seeing this, Barbara immediately stood up and rushed over. She gradually slowed her pace about two or three meters from Orion, then slowly walked closer and took the sky harp.
She held the sky harp and looked at Orion, unsure what to say.
Ultimately, her recent estrangement from Orion was only because he had deceived her with a curse, making her constantly wonder if Orion truly only approached her because he coveted her body.
Looking back now, she would realize that most of the time, Orion was like he was now, accommodating both her and Amber.
Originally, at a time like this, she only needed to say "thank you," but for some reason, Barbara didn't say it. Instead—
She took a step forward, hugged the sky harp tightly to her chest, then pressed her whole body forcefully against Orion's chest, and quickly ran away.
Orion stood frozen, unable to understand the Damselette's twisted way of expressing herself. Is this willingness to get close to me, or unwillingness?
Before he could figure it out, Lumine and Jean's piercing gazes were already directed at him.
Lumine's gaze clearly conveyed the attitude of "If you don't turn into a shota and serve me well tonight, I'll mess with you," while Jean's gaze carried a hint of displeasure that even she hadn't noticed.
At this moment, it was up to Venti, the Mondstadt expert, to walk over and whisper in his ear: "Holding the sky harp tightly to her chest, between the two of you, indicates she still has some reservations. But throwing herself into your arms shows she's not averse to physical contact with you. Understand? Although she appears very open as an idol in Mondstadt, deep down she is still a pure, uncorrupted child. Work harder; you two are just missing a catalyst."
After speaking, the Anemo Archon even gave a wink.
Orion nodded. "You speak well, but where are all these catalysts coming from?"
After all, the Genshin Impact game itself is a 12+ game. Aside from a few NPCs and a few ML-oriented characters, almost all of them have no romantic experience. Or rather, they either prioritize their careers and people, or they simply don't think in that direction, maintaining pure friendships. This point will not change, no matter how much the community argues.
Perhaps it's this fundamental character trait that causes Barbara, and even Jean and Eula, and even Sister Lisa, who has met Orion fewer times than the others, to be quite obtuse when it comes to romance. Sometimes, in their interactions, they've already developed a mutual attraction with Orion, but they generally don't think in terms of romance.
One holds grudges, one is a supervisor, and one is full of 'little cuties.' Not like Lumine, who enjoys washing her shota master's face every day.
So if we're talking about catalysts, everyone lacks a catalyst.
That's why Orion would say, "Where are all these catalysts coming from?"
...Putting aside romantic matters, with the sky harp now repaired, everyone resumed discussing Dvalin's problem.
Venti was the first to state that he couldn't win: "Having been away from Mondstadt for so long, my power has almost completely drained. Asking me to directly confront a dragon is definitely out of the question. I might be a strong contender for the weakest Archon among the Seven now, wouldn't you say?"
In the distant city of Fontaine, Madam Furina de Fontaine, who had shivered in fear from the shadow of a tree branch while walking at night and dared not show it in front of the public and guards, sneezed.
Hearing Venti's words, Jean, the Acting Grand Master, bowed to him: "'You shall establish a city of freedom where none shall be king' — Lord Barbatos's ideal, we always keep it in mind."
Paimon put her hands behind her back, her expression teasing: "So devout, Acting Grand Master Jean. Haven't you considered that a certain someone is just used to being carefree and doesn't want to manage things?"
Venti was choked by this remark.
Finally, Diluc brought the topic back on track: "Regardless of whether having such an Archon is good or bad, what should we do about Dvalin next?"
Hearing this, Venti's expression also became serious: "I'm afraid this time, we really have to prepare for the worst. Lumine, Orion, you mentioned Stormterrors Lair before, right?
In fact, that was originally the ruins of Old Mondstadt. Dvalin made his nest there, and later a great Adventurer blew it to smithereens, which is why it was renamed Stormterrors Lair.
In other words, Stormterror is there now."
Lumine nodded, indicating she understood, then concisely asked, "So? Are we going to fight our way in?"
Venti also nodded, but then shook his head: "We are going, but not just to fight. Lumine, you are the key to this operation. The rest of us will be responsible for suppressing Dvalin, and you need to purify the poisoned blood on him!"
Lumine pointed at Orion: "Can't he do it too? And with both of us, master and disciple, working together, we can surely absorb it faster."
Rosaria, who had been observing most carefully from behind the group, opened her mouth and replied: "He probably can't. I just observed that Stormterror probably fled because he felt fear towards Orion. If he goes along, Stormterror might not even appear."
Orion actually wanted to say that he could instantly suppress Stormterror, but considering that the system required the plot to progress, and the plot could be advanced as long as Lumine was there, he simply didn't bother to go along. In fact, he had something he had been planning for a long time that he wanted to deal with in the afternoon.
Jean also interjected at this point: "That's right. Also, I have another favor to ask of you: please take Barbara back to Mondstadt. It would be too dangerous for her to go along."
"I can fight too, Sis... Acting Grand Master Jean!" Barbara stepped forward, clutching her chest and arguing: "I can provide healing for everyone and apply Hydro element to Stormterror! It would be helpful for Mr. Diluc and Sister Rosaria's combat."
Jean's eyes narrowed: "No, you have almost no combat experience, especially when facing dangerous creatures like dragons! To protect you at that time might make the situation passive."
Rosaria also stepped forward and patted Barbara's shoulder: "Acting Grand Master Jean is right. Different people have different strengths and responsibilities. Your main battlefield is in the church, and ours is on the front lines.
Doing what each of us should do is the best choice for the current situation."
Barbara wasn't a sentimental person. She looked around at everyone, then pursed her lips and nodded: "I understand. Then I will pray for your triumphant return in the cathedral!"
Venti chuckled upon hearing this: "Alright, then I'll accept this prayer in advance!"
Everyone was startled at first, then burst out laughing. Indeed, this was the Anemo Archon himself.
Finally, Jean walked up to Orion and said seriously: "Then, Honorary Priest, I entrust you with escorting Barbara back to Mondstadt."
Afterwards, for some reason, she suddenly recalled Barbara throwing herself into Orion's arms earlier. For a moment, she didn't know who she was jealous of, but a sour feeling welled up in her heart. So, at an angle where no one could see, she reached out and pinched the soft flesh on Orion's waist, twisting it.
Orion's expression was serious, unmoving: "Don't worry, I guarantee the mission will be completed."
Jean nodded, then announced loudly: "Alright, then, the Stormterror Purification Operation, tactical change to Stormterrors Lair Raid Operation! If the operation fails, I will bear all the consequences!"
Orion also smiled and looked at everyone: "You all should just go directly to Stormterrors Lair. Without my blessing, it would probably be close to evening just to get there, wouldn't it?
Once you arrive, fight as you need to. The reinforcements I'm calling won't be too late. As for Clara, you can go with Lumine. There's strength in numbers."
Clara nodded and stood beside Lumine.
The rest of them exchanged glances, then looked at Orion: "What kind of reinforcements are you talking about?"
Orion's lips curved into a broad Cheshire Cat smile: "Has everyone forgotten that I still have a high-combat-power individual at home who is very interested in Abyssal Power?"
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