On Shamena's side, the night was filled with restless dreams of passion.
On Ren Kai's side, however, he spent the entire night cultivating.
Unfortunately, the improvement he gained from cultivation was becoming smaller and smaller.
His chakra reserves were now comparable to ten thousand Kakashis. After a whole night of training, he had only gained about half a Kakashi's worth of chakra.
Ren Kai almost didn't want to continue cultivating anymore.
But after thinking about it again—
Half a Kakashi is still a Kakashi.
So he sighed and continued.
The most pitiful one was Venti.
He sat on top of a mountain, quietly playing his lyre while staring into the distance, lost in thought.
Because he had also received a message from the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
The war of Khaenri'ah was coming.
Before dawn, Venti had already returned to the tavern.
He sat there waiting for Shamena to wake up so she could prepare breakfast for Ren Kai.
Sure enough, just as he had expected—
Before his seat even had time to warm up, Shamena woke up.
"You really have no shame."
Shamena said softly, careful not to wake Ren Kai upstairs.
"Ehe~ Good morning, boss!"
"I even showed up early for work today."
Venti said cheerfully.
"You might as well work here for a lifetime to repay your debt."
"Those two bottles of spirit wine equal a thousand years of your salary."
Shamena smiled meaningfully.
"I only said I'd reserve a private room."
"I didn't order the dishes or the wine."
Venti had prepared this excuse the entire night just to dodge the bill.
"You—"
"We'll settle this after my lord leaves."
"This isn't over."
Shamena's hair almost stood straight from anger.
She turned around and stormed toward the kitchen.
Breakfast had to be ready before Lord Rexasis woke up.
"Hehe… I'm the clever one after all."
Seeing this, Venti knew he had gained the upper hand.
He happily sat there waiting for breakfast.
When the sun rose over Teyvat, the streets began to fill with lively voices.
Many adults led their children toward the Cathedral, preparing for their morning prayers.
Sunlight streamed into Ren Kai's room.
"May the Anemo Archon fool you."
Standing on the balcony, Ren Kai listened to the church bells and couldn't help recalling that familiar phrase.
When Ren Kai opened the door, two elf maidens were already waiting outside.
"My lord, your breakfast has been prepared."
"Please follow us."
The two girls bowed slightly.
The glimpse of snowy white beneath their outfits was quite distracting.
"The elves truly are remarkable."
Ren Kai's spirit felt completely charmed.
The elf race really did live up to the fantasies of many men.
"Thank you for your praise, my lord."
The two elf girls looked overjoyed.
Their chests trembled slightly as they spoke.
Being praised by someone whom Lady Shamena herself worshipped meant their internship had been a complete success.
The elf girls working in the tavern were all outstanding members of the Elven Forest.
If they wished to enter the human world and engage in trade, they had to pass an internship first.
It was the elves' way of protecting their younger generation from being easily deceived.
Meanwhile, Shamena had been watching Ren Kai's room the entire time.
Seeing the two girls performing so well, she silently praised them.
As expected of the ones I personally selected.
Their assets are truly first-class.
When Ren Kai arrived downstairs, he immediately saw Venti.
And Venti, eager to continue freeloading, began playing his lyre the moment Ren Kai appeared.
"My lord, this way please."
Shamena said respectfully.
As she passed Venti, she shot him a glance.
Truly cunning…
The wind spirit would do anything to keep eating and drinking for free.
"You've put a lot of thought into this."
"How has the Elven Forest been all these years?"
Ren Kai asked gently.
According to the memories of the War Demon God Rexasis, he had once slain a corrupt bone dragon and saved the Elven Forest.
After that, he had never returned.
"Thank you for your concern, my lord."
"Everything has been peaceful."
"Though recently the beastmen have become somewhat restless… all because a certain someone refuses to do his job."
Shamena said sweetly while throwing a jab at Venti.
"Beastmen?"
"Well, they certainly seemed bold enough to show off inside Mondstadt."
Ren Kai glanced at Venti.
He had no intention of interfering in Mondstadt's affairs.
But Venti truly seemed to avoid responsibility.
"Ahem."
While continuing to play his lyre, Venti shamelessly sat down at the table.
"How about this…"
"Today I'll go pay the beastmen a visit."
Ren Kai smiled with interest.
"I support my lord!"
"I'll accompany you!"
Shamena said happily.
"Cough—cough—cough!"
Venti suddenly choked.
The young lion beastman from last night had been rescued by his tribe.
If Rexasis visited the beastmen now—
Something big would definitely happen.
"What's wrong?"
"Did you not sleep well?"
Ren Kai asked knowingly.
"The wind was strong last night…"
"I might have caught a chill."
Venti replied awkwardly.
"Then eat more."
"You'll need the strength."
"After breakfast, accompany me to take a walk among the beastmen."
Ren Kai smiled.
He wasn't trying to expose Venti.
But if something truly happened later, Venti could handle it instead.
After all, it would be beneath Ren Kai to solve every small problem personally.
"Yes, my lord…"
Venti sighed helplessly and began devouring the food.
Ren Kai, meanwhile, was being fed by Shamena.
One elf girl massaged his shoulders.
Another gently pressed his legs.
The view from every angle was… extremely pleasant.
While eating, Venti's eyes kept darting around.
He was desperately trying to figure out how to prevent the beastmen from provoking Ren Kai again.
"My lord, do the dishes suit your taste?"
Shamena bent down politely to ask.
"Yes, very good."
Ren Kai quickly lowered his gaze to the table.
Seeing that snow-white view so early in the morning was almost too much.
Venti, however, was completely used to it.
In Mondstadt's free and open culture, most races dressed however they pleased.
"My lord," Venti said suddenly.
"If you plan to visit a tribe today…"
"Perhaps you should visit the Foxfolk Tribe."
A thought had suddenly occurred to him.
The foxfolk and the elves were both famous for their beauty.
If Ren Kai visited the foxfolk tribe—
He might forget entirely about the lion beastmen.
"Hmph."
Shamena snorted angrily.
"Since Venti recommends it so strongly…"
"It might be worth a look."
Ren Kai said calmly.
After all—
There was plenty of time.
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