The next day… Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
Kai was, as usual, lounging on the sofa, holding a biography novel from Liyue and reading it quite idly.
Meanwhile… Diluc and Venti had already arrived.
Facing the aloof Diluc, Venti clearly felt some pressure, unable to help but scratch his head and flash an extremely awkward smile.
"This scene is a bit… different from what I imagined, isn't it?"
Yes, this scene was indeed a bit beyond imagination.
According to Venti's original idea, after revealing his identity as Barbatos, everyone except Kai, who was truly unfathomable, should treat him with considerable respect.
After all, no matter what, he was the God who ruled Mondstadt.
As residents of Mondstadt, while they might not speak to him with the extreme piety of the Cathedral's nuns, they certainly wouldn't be rude.
But the reality… He glanced at Jean, who was busy processing documents in her office, taking advantage of the opportune moment.
And Diluc, who stood by the window, maintaining an aloof posture as he gazed at the scenery.
Plus Kai, who was leisurely lying on the sofa, slowly reading a book.
Barbatos felt… "I guess I'm being ignored?"
"Sigh…"
He let out a sigh filled with disappointment.
This feeling of being ignored made Barbatos seriously question his life.
Is this really Mondstadt? I'm the God of Anemo, after all, why do I feel like they truly see me as just a Bard?
Though, that's not really a problem… "Sorry, we're late."
Just as Barbatos was full of doubts, Paimon's voice suddenly rang out.
As the office door opened, two figures appeared one after another before everyone, signifying that all personnel had arrived.
At this moment… even Jean couldn't help but put down her work and greet them with a familiar smile.
"Good morning, Lumine and little Paimon."
"Good morning, Jean."
Little Paimon floated happily in the air, looking at Diluc by the window, her tone a little surprised.
"When we received the notification to meet at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, Lumine and I were both startled."
"As expected of Master Diluc."
"In just one night, he's already found a clue."
When they parted yesterday, they heard Diluc confidently state that he could find a clue in just one night.
Lumine and Paimon hadn't really taken it to heart.
After all, the Abyss Order was a rather mysterious entity across the entire continent of Teyvat.
Under such circumstances… even finding their traces couldn't possibly be that quick.
But they never expected to actually hear about a clue this morning.
Especially glancing at his energetic face, he didn't even seem to have stayed up all night, truly finding the Abyss Mage's location with such ease.
This was truly astonishing.
"Hmph, if I said one night, then it's one night."
Hearing Paimon's surprise, Diluc responded coldly, clearly not caring much.
Kai, however, seemed to have thought of something.
He glanced over the top of his book and casually asked, "The Abyss Mage you found, could it be the one near your winery?"
"Yes."
Diluc was brief and to the point.
"What do we do now that we've used it?"
"We'll find another."
"That's true."
Kai nodded, no longer responding.
"Eh… what does that mean?"
This kind of thing made Paimon rub her head.
Although I understand every word you're saying.
Why, when mixed together, does it sound like the language of Hilichurl?
"Kai, this is…"
And just at this moment, Jean had walked over.
Facing the two's seemingly encrypted conversation.
Even she couldn't help but feel confused for a moment.
She clearly didn't understand what it meant either.
"Simply put, it's about how I previously found traces of an Abyss Mage near Diluc's Winery."
If it were Paimon and Lumine,
Given Kai's personality, he would obviously be too lazy to say much.
But if the person asking was his own wife,
Then it was clearly a little different.
Hearing her confusion,
Kai put down his book and casually explained.
"Originally, after discovering the traces of that Abyss Mage, Diluc and I intended to eliminate it directly. But we were curious about its purpose for appearing at Dawn Winery."
"So, after discussing, we pretended not to notice, and merely kept it under surveillance."
"But we didn't expect it to come in handy today."
Regarding the existence of the Abyss Order,
Even Kai didn't understand it particularly thoroughly.
Not only were there few relevant clues in his memory,
Just from his interactions with them while staying in Mondstadt,
He could sense their mysterious nature.
Their reason for existing was unknown… their goals were unknown… their stronghold was also unknown.
In such a situation with no clues whatsoever,
It was a rare opportunity to find an Abyss Mage and put it under counter-surveillance.
Attempting to monitor the Abyss Order in reverse.
In a sense, it was clearly an extremely correct approach.
"So there were clues about an Abyss Mage all along, no wonder Master Diluc sounded so confident yesterday."
After hearing Kai's explanation,
Little Paimon's adorable face immediately showed an expression of understanding.
She finally understood why they could find traces of the Abyss Mage so quickly.
"So, shall we depart now?"
Hearing there were relevant clues,
After understanding, Jean's eyes immediately sparkled.
Completely revealing the Knights of Favonius Acting Grand Master's dedication to her mission.
Somewhat helpless about his wife's excitement, Kai sighed.
He quietly said, "I don't think we need to."
"Diluc came with Barbatos this morning, I imagine that Abyss Mage was already dealt with by the two of you before you arrived, right?"
"Mm."
Similarly concise and to the point.
Diluc rarely spoke unnecessarily, and quickly assented.
"Ma… Kai understands Master Diluc very well."
This understanding was too obvious.
Discovering that Kai had guessed everything about Diluc,
Little Paimon's tone couldn't help but become even more surprised.
Even the look in her eyes towards the two of them subtly changed.
Why do I always get a sense of déjà vu, like 'why are you so skilled'?
Kai instinctively complained inwardly, then casually replied, "When you've worked together for a long time, you naturally develop a rapport."
"Then, Lord Venti, did you obtain any clues from that Abyss Mage?"
He didn't expect Diluc's actions to be so decisive.
Jean's gaze instantly fell upon Barbatos beside her.
"Of course."
Barbatos nodded confidently.
From the scene, he knew it was his turn to speak.
"Through that Abyss Mage, I've already pinpointed Dvalin's location, oh."
"You found Dvalin's location so quickly?"
The new information appearing one after another,
Made Paimon's little head clearly not enough to process it all.
Even Jean couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
She clearly hadn't expected everything to go so smoothly.
"The Abyss Mage released a strange energy when it died."
"This energy can block my perception of Dvalin, but it was precisely by using this… that I pinpointed his location, oh."
"So, stop explaining so much, bard! Where exactly is Dvalin?!"
Hearing Barbatos still explaining the deciphering process,
Paimon clearly became a little anxious, stomping her feet repeatedly.
Signaling the other party not to elaborate on these details.
"Hmm…"
"In a place every Mondstadter knows, perhaps."
Unfolding the map Diluc provided,
Barbatos raised his hand and pointed to an area in the northwest direction.
"This is… Stormterror's Lair?"
Jean murmured to herself.
Staring at the location shown on the map, all the clues almost completely connected.
Forming an extremely complete picture.
"That's right, if Dvalin successfully revived,"
"Then the most likely place for him to be is where he once slept."
"This also explains why Lord Venti couldn't sense Dvalin's presence."
"Eh… so we who aren't Mondstadters really don't understand what you're talking about."
Paimon felt very confused.
A conflicted expression appeared on her adorable face.
Seeing everyone chatting animatedly, with only herself and Lumine standing foolishly in the back, spaced out.
They completely didn't understand what the others were talking about.
"Stormterror's Lair, that probably involves things from a very, very long time ago."
Fortunately, Barbatos, as a witness to this history, understood it very well.
Noticing the confusion on Paimon's face,
He immediately waved his hand and then explained.
"Actually, before the current Mondstadt City was established, there was a place called Old Mondstadt, ruled by a tyrant."
"Later, due to dissatisfaction with the oppression, that tyrant was overthrown by the united people, and then the New Mondstadt here was established. As for the so-called Stormterror's Lair, it was the city built by the former tyrant."
"Dvalin had been sleeping there all along before he awakened, oh."
"So that's how it is, could Dvalin be related to that tyrant?"
Hearing Barbatos's explanation,
Paimon finally understood something, and immediately sensed something amiss.
"No, absolutely no relation."
However, regarding this question, Barbatos didn't hesitate at all.
He decisively shook his head.
"Barbatos chose to sleep there simply because the environment was secluded and no one would disturb him…"
"There's a barrier left by that tyrant around Stormterror's Lair, and from the information I've gathered, the Abyss Mages also seem to have reinforced the barrier with special power."
"This also makes it easy to explain why I couldn't sense Dvalin's location."
"To explain it in Kai's words, it's what you call 'right under your nose'."
Diluc said with a cold expression, "Hiding in a place we all thought impossible, this is the Abyss Order… or rather, Dvalin's idea."
"Indeed, as a place where he once slept, theoretically it should be the easiest to think of. But it's precisely because we know this that we subconsciously overlook this place."
Jean took a deep breath, looking at Stormterror's Lair on the map.
Her eyes were filled with resolute light.
"Since we've found the location,"
"Without further delay, we shall now…"
"Depart, but Jean, you stay in Mondstadt City to handle your work."
Kai took over the conversation with a relaxed expression, stood up, and stretched his body, which had grown a bit numb from lying down for so long, directly interrupting Jean before she could finish speaking.
"Kai..."
It seemed Jean hadn't expected Kai to make this decision.
She immediately looked at him, her eyes filled with surprise.
"After all, you are the Dandelion Knight."
Kai walked up to her, his gaze gentle as he said, "It would be too cruel to make you fight Dvalin."
"It's just a fight, nothing more. After all, you said it yourself, it's to wake Dvalin up, in the name of a companion."
Jean clearly remembered everything Kai had said on Starsnatch Cliff and used his own words against him now, attempting to refute him.
"But what if it comes to a point where Dvalin absolutely *must* be killed?"
This woman, she's actually learned to use my words to shut me up?
He lightly flicked her forehead with his finger.
Kai glanced at his wife, saying exasperatedly, "Could you bring yourself to do it?"
"I..."
Looking at Kai, who was so close, the words echoing in her mind made her pause for a moment.
Jean took a deep breath and quickly composed herself.
A very serious expression appeared on her face.
"Yes."
"I absolutely will not let Kai be in danger for the honor of the Four Winds."
"So, I'm willing to make you unhappy?"
Kai said with a smile.
An extremely confident aura spread from his body, as if it was filled with an inexplicable infectiousness, allowing people to feel an indescribable sense of security.
"If, for my safety, Jean has to go against her beliefs and do something that would make her unhappy, then I wouldn't be happy either."
Kai said seriously, noticing that there were still others in the room.
He sighed helplessly.
Then, using a mouth shape that Jean could understand, he quietly whispered.
"After all."
"I love Jean the most."
"I can't bear to make Jean unhappy."
"Mm..."
Seeing his wife's face gradually flush.
Kai couldn't help but smile, squeezing her hand slightly.
"In any case, I won't let anything happen to me. I'll definitely be home on time to cook for you. So, just like when we went to Dadaupa Gorge to find dragon tears before..."
"This time too, Jean, please trust me completely."
"I... I understand."
Looking at Kai's incredibly serious gaze.
Jean finally nodded.
"Then you... you must come back safely."
If he said "next time for sure" now, he would definitely get scolded, right?
Suddenly thinking of this, Kai couldn't help but scratch his head.
He made a solemn promise.
"Absolutely!"