Looking at Venti's retreating green silhouette, everyone at the dining table exchanged uneasy glances.
"Isn't that Bard a staff member of the Restaurant?"
"He's just someone freeloading food and drink."
"Mr. Arkz's friend?"
"..."
After a brief silence, a heated debate broke out in the private room.
Some suggested locking Venti in solitary confinement, while others suggested letting him off this time.
In the end, Jean made the final decision: they would let the green Bard go this once, but they absolutely had to inform Arkz that he was freeloading under the guise of being Arkz's friend.
Barbara's lips curved into a sweet arc, her voice soft yet carrying a hint of killing intent.
"This time, we'll let him off for the sake of my sister and Mr. Arkz."
"If he really is Mr. Arkz's friend, then fine, but if he doesn't know Mr. Arkz at all..."
"Then I will make him kneel and repent before Lord Barbatos's statue!!!"
Seeing Barbara radiating a low pressure aura, Klee quickly hid in Acting Grand Master Jean's arms and whispered:
"Sister Barbara is so scary, Klee is afraid."
Jean soothed Klee while simultaneously trying to calm her sister, Barbara.
If Barbara hadn't quickly returned to her usual demeanor, Jean would have suspected that Barbara was once again controlled by Abyssal Power.
Watching Barbara resume her usual sweet idol appearance and chat happily with Noelle and Fischl, everyone else present was stunned, feeling as if they were dreaming in a fantasy.
Fortunately, at that moment, Sara walked over carrying food trays.
"Delicious honey glazed carrot fried meat, coming right up!"
Sara's face held a bright smile; the curve of her lips and the crinkles around her eyes were impossible to hide.
Business at The Good Hunter Restaurant was exceptionally brisk today. If it weren't for the Knights of Favonius's major inspection today, many people would still be waiting at home for the check, otherwise, there would have been even more customers tonight.
"Indeed, reaching a cooperation agreement with Mr. Arkz was the best decision I ever made!" Sara thought contentedly while looking at the endless stream of customers inside the restaurant.
Sara and the waiter behind her brought a large platter full of honey glazed carrot fried meat to the group's dining table, urging everyone to enjoy the delicacy to their hearts' content.
"Oh! Where did that guest in the green clothes go?"
"Did he leave in a hurry for something urgent?"
Because of the Bard Venti's brilliant performance before the food arrived, Sara had a deep impression of him, but she didn't know why he was gone now.
Smelling the enticing aroma wafting from the platter, everyone else fell silent instead.
Where did Venti go?
Were they supposed to tell Sara that the guy was just freeloading, and that so many members of the Knights of Favonius hadn't even noticed?
The lively and cute little bunny Amber quickly smoothed things over, saying to Sara:
"Yes, that guy suddenly had something very important to attend to, so he left ahead of time."
"Sara, you've been busy for so long, why don't you sit down and eat something with us!"
Sara covered her mouth and smiled, shaking her head.
"Business at The Good Hunter is very good today. Everyone in the restaurant is busy, I can't slack off here."
"Friends, please enjoy your meal."
With that, Sara turned and left the private room.
The delicious honey glazed carrot fried meat emitted an alluring fragrance, tantalizing everyone's nerves. The moment the wooden door of the private room closed, the dignity of a Knight, the restraint of nobility, and the elegance of a Princess were all cast aside by the group.
At this moment, only delicious food must not be let down.
...
...
The next day.
Springvale Farm.
Ellin, Barbara, Fischl, Noelle, and Klee stood in a line on the open ground within the farm, their expressions serious.
After enjoying the magnificent meal at The Good Hunter Restaurant last night, Klee, through a barrage of coquettish pleas, finally convinced Acting Grand Master Jean to allow her to go to Springvale Farm to play with Arkz.
However, the condition was that Klee had to go with Barbara and the others.
Recently, Acting Grand Master Jean had been leading the Knights of Favonius in a large-scale inspection across all of Mondstadt, keeping the entire organization extremely busy. Jean herself, always on the front lines, was constantly on the move.
No one in the Knights of Favonius had time to look after Klee.
"Instead of letting Klee stay alone in solitary confinement and worrying about her running around everywhere, it's better to hand her over to Barbara and the others to take care of. That way, I can be more at ease," Acting Grand Master Jean thought.
Although Barbara and the other two were still underage, they were already more reliable and sensible than most adults.
Coupled with Arkz looking after her, Jean felt relatively at ease.
Therefore, early this morning, Klee excitedly shouldered her small backpack and followed the three older sisters, Barbara, Fischl, and Noelle, to Springvale Farm.
When the group arrived, Ellin had already put on her weighted armor and was warming up her body for the upcoming training session.
Yesterday, Lu Mings Clone, who was Ellin's training Instructor, had already informed her that today's training content would change; they would be entering a practical combat phase and would have several companions joining them.
The girls were all friendly people, and Ellin and the others quickly bonded with the four newcomers.
Klee naturally needed no introduction; even Aqiu felt a deep affection for the cute little sprite.
Amu and Siegfrieda pulled Aqiu aside to watch from the sidelines, preparing to see how Arkz would train them.
The five stood in a line under the sunlight: the purple-clad Fischl, the white-clad Barbara, the red-clad Klee, the yellow-clad Noelle, and Ellin in her black armor—the Five-Color Squad was beginning to take shape.
Seeing that no one was lacking seriousness in their posture, Arkz nodded with satisfaction.
"Good morning, everyone!"
"Good morning, Instructor!!!" x 5
The five shouted in unison, creating an unexpected aura that momentarily surprised Arkz.
Seeing Fischl secretly winking at him, Arkz shook his head helplessly.
"Very good!"
"Very spirited!"
Arkz placed his hands behind his back and paced back and forth around the five.
Originally, Arkz planned to equip everyone with a set of weighted armor first to build synergy through basic training, and then take them to the Underground Mine to fight monsters.
However, looking at the spirited Spark Knight Klee, who was short in stature but full of spirit in the group, Arkz reluctantly changed his plan.
Arkz didn't believe he was so insane as to make little Klee undergo devilish training wearing 20 kilograms of weighted armor.
"Clap, clap!"
Arkz clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Everyone, next, I will use teleportation magic to take you all to a mysterious place for an adventure. There are many monsters and treasures there—it's a great place for honing skills."
"Don't worry about safety; I will be adventuring with you."
Hearing Arkz say this, the girls plus the little loli became excited.
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