Chapter 42 — Jean's Bodyguard
"...You're here," Diluc said, glancing briefly at Barbara before shifting his gaze to Kael. His voice was calm and steady, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed exhaustion.
Kael pulled out a chair and sat opposite him, his eyes scanning the faint cuts and burns across Diluc's arms. "It looks like you were ambushed," he said simply.
Diluc didn't deny it. "Yes. The Abyss Order was ready for me this time." His fists tightened slightly on the table. "Their coordination was… abnormal. They're not acting like the scattered cultists they used to be."
He paused, his gaze turning distant for a moment. "If it had been me, Jean, Eula, and Kaeya together, we could've handled it. But alone…"
At the mention of Kaeya, Diluc's jaw tightened. Disdain flickered in his eyes, followed by something more complicated—worry, perhaps.
Kael caught it instantly.
Kaeya… descendant of Khaenri'ah.
Even Diluc, who prided himself on his clarity and resolve, couldn't completely ignore the unease that thought brought.
"When the time comes," Diluc muttered under his breath, "what side will he choose?"
---
A Growing Threat
"Well," Kael said lightly, "at least you survived this time. That's something."
Diluc shot him a look, but Kael continued, resting his chin on his hand. "Still, don't expect the Abyss to stop here. If they've already started organizing, next time they'll come with stronger forces—and a purpose."
That truth settled heavily in the room.
For a moment, even Barbara's soft humming stopped as she focused her energy.
A gentle blue light flared around her palms as Hydro energy began to weave over Diluc's wounds. Water droplets shimmered like starlight as they danced across his skin, knitting torn flesh with soothing precision.
Kael leaned back, watching quietly.
Her healing was… pure. Not just in technique, but in spirit.
Barbara's heart resonated with her Vision perfectly—each pulse of Hydro energy echoing her faith, her devotion, and her kindness.
So this is what true elemental alignment feels like, Kael thought.
Even with all his mastery of internal energy, even after harmonizing his spirit with the flow of Teyvat's ley lines, he couldn't replicate that same divine resonance.
---
The Difference Between Power and Divinity
Kael's eyes half-closed as he observed Barbara's technique.
Elemental energy and internal force—two completely different systems.
The former was a gift, a shard of divinity granted by Celestia.
The latter was cultivated, wrested from within through willpower and balance.
He had spent months refining his own system of "internal energy," drawing from ancient meditation, elemental theory, and ley line resonance.
But compared to the elemental flow of a Vision… his method still felt incomplete.
Visions were borrowed power, fragments of the Heavenly Principles scattered among mortals.
In the end, every loan had to be repaid.
When a Vision wielder died, their element returned to the world—back into the great balance of Teyvat.
It was a cycle of life, death, and rebirth… a system designed not by mercy, but by control.
Still, Kael smirked faintly. If I become strong enough, maybe I can rewrite that system.
He didn't need to borrow Celestia's strength.
He would replace it.
---
Barbara's Diagnosis
Moments later, Barbara's healing light dimmed. She exhaled softly, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
"It's much better now, Mr. Diluc," she said gently. "But you should rest for a few days. At least two or three—no fighting until then."
Diluc nodded, rising slowly from his seat. "Understood. Thank you."
Then, turning to Kael, he said, "I won't be seeing you out. If you want a drink, order whatever you like. I'll cover the cost."
Kael smiled. "Still the generous nobleman, I see."
But he knew the truth—this wasn't pride or arrogance.
It was Diluc's quiet way of maintaining dignity.
Even wounded, the man refused to appear weak before others.
Kael rose as well. "Alright then. Let's go, Barbara."
She nodded quickly and followed, her energy bright and lively once more.
---
A Stroll Through the City
They stepped out of Angel's Share into the crisp morning air.
The wind brushed through Barbara's hair as they walked past flower stalls and bakeries. The scent of freshly baked apple pie and dandelion wine filled the air.
"Let's eat at Good Hunter!" Barbara suggested, eyes sparkling. "Their steak sandwiches are the best in all of Mondstadt!"
Kael chuckled softly. "Lead the way."
Mondstadt might have been small compared to Liyue Harbor, but it had something Liyue lacked—soul.
A living rhythm, a harmony of laughter and song that flowed through every street.
And at the center of it all… Barbara's smile.
For a moment, Kael wondered what it would feel like to simply live here—without the burden of power, without the shadow of Celestia or the Abyss.
Just… a peaceful life.
He quickly dismissed the thought. That kind of peace doesn't last.
---
Jean's Next Move
Halfway through their walk, Kael stopped suddenly. His eyes flickered faintly with light.
He could feel it.
A familiar pulse of Anemo energy radiated from beyond the city walls.
Jean.
She had taken the field herself.
Kael smirked slightly. "She's moving faster than I expected."
Barbara blinked. "Jean?"
Kael nodded. "She's dealing with the monsters outside the city."
He didn't add what he was really thinking—and she's not alone.
Because he could sense another aura there.
Soft. Playful. Ancient.
Venti.
Or rather—Barbatos.
---
The Acting Grand Master and the Bard
Outside Mondstadt's northern gate, Jean stood amidst a swirl of Anemo energy. Her blade glimmered with green light as she struck down two Whopperflowers in one precise motion.
As their petals dissolved into dust, she exhaled slowly.
Then she sensed it.
A faint breeze carrying the scent of wine and… laughter.
Her grip on her sword tightened. "You."
Perched lazily on a nearby boulder, Venti strummed his lyre with a grin. "Good morning, Acting Grand Master! Need a hand?"
Jean frowned, lowering her weapon slightly. "You're helping clear monsters now?"
"Hey, I'm just a humble citizen of Mondstadt!" Venti said innocently, spreading his hands. "Protecting my city is everyone's duty. Besides…"—his smile turned sly—"…I heard it's a good way to earn points in the chat group."
Jean stared at him, expression unreadable.
But inside, her mind raced.
His speech. His mannerisms. That ever-present "hey."
And above all—the pure Anemo aura surrounding him, vibrant and ancient, as if the wind itself bent to his will.
There was only one being in Teyvat with that kind of power.
Barbatos.
---
Jean's thoughts flickered briefly to Kael.
He, too, possessed an unexplainable Anemo energy—far purer than any Vision holder's.
Could it be… the two were connected?
She didn't know yet. But one thing was clear—something was happening in Mondstadt. Something beyond mortal understanding.
As Venti began to hum a familiar tune, the winds around them shifted, responding to his melody.
Jean watched quietly, her mind heavy with unspoken questions.
And for the first time, she wondered—
If Barbatos and Kael both stood here in Mondstadt…
What exactly was she protecting her city from?