"Pasty Eye?"
Kaeya's expression froze.
The wine glass in his hand involuntarily stopped in mid-air.
For a moment, he clearly hadn't reacted.
"This is…"
"I said I would definitely give you an ugly nickname!"
Little Paimon stomped her feet in mid-air.
Staring at Kaeya in front of her, she suddenly remembered what had happened not long ago.
Her adorably naive face was puffed up with anger, which instead gave Kai a sense of a silly, cute déjà vu.
"Did something happen?"
It seemed Acting Grand Master Jean also hadn't expected Kaeya to be here.
She was slightly stunned for a moment, then saw Paimon's angry expression.
She couldn't help but ask.
It was also a way to change the subject and ease the current awkwardness between herself and Barbara.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, you don't know how hateful this Kaeya is!"
Hearing Acting Grand Master Jean's question, Paimon finally reacted.
At this moment, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius was present, so she quickly turned around and began to complain to Acting Grand Master Jean.
"Not long ago, this Kaeya tricked Lumine and me into believing there was treasure left by his grandfather, making us go through countless hardships to solve various puzzles. In the end, it turned out he was just using us to lure out the Treasure Hoarders!"
"There was no treasure at that place at all!"
Little Paimon felt so angry.
You know, during the decryption process at that time,
Little Paimon had trusted Kaeya immensely.
She had even imagined the happy life she would have after unearthing the treasure.
Whether it was getting a portion of the treasure,
Or turning in the treasure and receiving a reward,
For a long time in the future, she wouldn't have to worry about survival, right?
She and Lumine wouldn't have to rough it anymore, nor would they have to only come to Good Hunter for a treat every now and then.
They wouldn't even have to worry about how to find food outdoors when it rained.
Lying on a soft bed, eating fragrant food.
This was probably Paimon's biggest dream.
However, all of it was ultimately shattered mercilessly.
Thinking back to when she was told it was merely an act to be used as bait,
And that treasure didn't exist at all,
Paimon's teeth still ached from anger when she thought about it now.
If it weren't for the huge difference in physique, she would have long since pounced on Kaeya to properly teach that hateful scoundrel a lesson!
"This…"
"Actually, I didn't give nothing in the end, didn't I give a certain amount of reward?"
"And I also gave a pretty good sword, didn't I?"
Although it was quite satisfying to use Paimon,
Being exposed in front of Acting Grand Master Jean, Kaeya still felt inevitably a bit awkward.
She almost instinctively started to explain.
"Hmph!"
"They only gave me and Lumine a thousand Mora!"
"And that favonius sword was completely useless; it wasn't even as good as the one Lumine carried herself!"
Mora is the basic currency in this world.
The value of one Mora is roughly enough to buy a piece of candy.
As for a thousand Mora... well, it's just enough to buy a Fisherman's Toast, perhaps?
"So that's how the Treasure Hoarders were wiped out last time..."
"I understand. Thank you for your assistance, Honorary Knight and Paimon. On behalf of the Knights of Favonius, I express our sincerest gratitude!"
Acting Grand Master Jean nodded thoughtfully. Of course, she knew Kaeya's personality.
She trusted Paimon with almost no doubt.
"The Knights of Favonius might not have treasure, but as for weapons..."
"As a newly joined Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius, I haven't had a chance to prepare a welcoming gift for Lumine."
"Let's take care of it together then."
Acting Grand Master Jean smiled gently, clearly holding great goodwill towards this Traveler who constantly helped Mondstadt.
"Traveler, your next stop should be the Liyue region, right?"
"Yes, I heard Venti say that there will be a Rite of Descension in Liyue soon."
"At that time, the God of Geo, Morax, will appear."
Lumine nodded affirmatively.
The Rite of Descension is an annual grand event in the Liyue region.
As a nation that walks with its gods, completely opposite to free Mondstadt,
Liyue... is personally overseen by the God of Geo.
Every year, at a fixed time, the Liyue Qixing, representing the highest governing body of Liyue, take turns performing this ritual.
They invite the God of Geo, who is usually never seen, to Liyue Harbor.
Then, the God of Geo, Morax, sets and announces the commercial direction for all of Liyue for the coming year.
It can be said that this ceremony not only stirs the hearts of merchants across the entire continent of Teyvat,
but it is also the best opportunity for Lumine to meet Morax.
After all, even in a nation that walks with its gods, one cannot simply meet a god.
At least, besides the Rite of Descension... even the Liyue Qixing, who represent the highest echelons of Liyue,
have no way to actively contact the God of Geo.
"Indeed, the Rite of Descension is an annual grand event in the Liyue region."
"If you wish to seek the God of Geo, that time is the best opportunity."
Acting Grand Master Jean replied quietly, being very clear about matters concerning the neighboring nation of Liyue.
"Then, before you depart..."
"Traveler, remember to visit the Knights of Favonius. I will present you with a gift on behalf of Mondstadt."
"I believe that gift will definitely be useful when you go to the Liyue region."
"Eh, a gift!"
Upon hearing those two words,
Paimon, who had been secretly disgruntled with Kaeya,
was immediately energized, as if some power had been activated, and she cheered up.
Her eyes instantly lit up.
"What is it? Mora?"
"I said it's a weapon, but of course, Mora might also be included."
Acting Grand Master Jean pinched Paimon's face.
She usually had to maintain the dignity of Acting Grand Master Jean, but now, finally, in a private gathering,
Acting Grand Master Jean couldn't hold back anymore.
"Hehe~ Acting Grand Master Jean is the best!"
"Unlike a certain calico-faced person, hmph~"
Little Paimon cast a disdainful glance at Kaeya.
"This..."
Sighing, Kaeya felt a bit of a headache.
He clearly hadn't expected to have such a day.
"A weapon... is Acting Grand Master Jean planning to give Lumine a favonius sword?"
Kai nodded slightly, understanding what Acting Grand Master Jean was thinking.
However, he wondered if it was just his imagination... he felt that when the word 'gift' was mentioned, his wife,
seemed to glance at him intentionally or unintentionally.
"She wouldn't give me as a gift to Lumine, would she?"
Hmm... probably not.
But why did he still feel a bit uneasy?
"Anyway, just remember to come to the Knights of Favonius before you leave."
"And now..."
Taking a deep breath, he cast aside these jumbled thoughts.
Kai spoke directly, "The party can begin~"