Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon all clapped in unison, perfectly in sync with the moment.
"You don't have to be so supportive, these are just words from the Knights of Favonius's instruction manual," Amber said, blushing slightly, a bit shy.
"We can feel the pride in your words, and you've genuinely put a lot of effort into introducing everything to us. This is our heartfelt applause," Shao Yun said, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
Next, as they walked, Amber continued to introduce the most bustling street in Mondstadt.
"On the left is the blacksmith's. Wagner's craftsmanship is excellent; the weapons he forges are among the best in Mondstadt," Amber introduced Mondstadt's finest blacksmith, but didn't forget to add, "Of course, I think this is the only one in Mondstadt..."
"Ah, so does that mean anything he makes counts as top-grade in Mondstadt?" Shao Yun stroked his chin, examining the blacksmith's shop.
Amber shook her head and spread her hands, saying, "It's not that bad. Wagner isn't the type to cut corners."
After walking a bit further, Amber enthusiastically began introducing a storefront beside them.
"This is the Adventurers' Guild," she said, then introduced the female receptionist who always stood there, seemingly never resting, "This is Katheryne of the Adventurers' Guild."
Katheryne waved her hand, "Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Amber waved her hand, "No, Miss Katheryne, I'm just showing these three Travelers around Mondstadt."
"Alright. If you need anything, or wish to join the Adventurers' Guild, I'll be waiting at any time," Katheryne's lips curved slightly into a faint smile.
"To our right is With Wind Comes Glory, Mondstadt's luxury goods store," Amber said, pointing to the shop on their right. Miss Marjorie at the entrance saw Amber and greeted her warmly.
"Isn't that Amber? Want to come in and sit for a bit?"
"No, Miss Marjorie, I have things to do. Maybe next time."
"Amber, you're quite popular in the city. It feels like three or four stories high," Shao Yun remarked.
Amber lightly scratched her head, her earlobes turning a faint red, a mix of shyness and joy welling up inside her.
"Not at all, I just help everyone normally. It's not that exaggerated."
Although Katheryne and Marjorie wore smiles, the other residents' faces showed varying degrees of worry.
"Why does everyone seem to be in low spirits?" Paimon noticed some residents sighing.
A faint, bitter smile hung on Amber's lips. "There's nothing we can do. The Dragon Scourge has been rampant recently, and everyone is troubled by Stormterror."
"It seems Stormterror has caused everyone a lot of trouble."
Lumine quietly observed the worried residents, a feeling of sympathy rising within her.
"Yes, Mondstadt's commercial activities used to be quite prosperous, sigh..." Amber sighed helplessly at the end, looking at the once bustling commercial street, now deserted. It truly left a sour taste.
They walked another dozen steps when suddenly, sounds of clinking cups and boisterous chatter erupted from a nearby shop. Amber frowned, saying with a tone of disappointment, "However, the tavern next door, and the one around the corner, haven't been affected at all. In fact, their business has gotten even better."
He looked at the sign: Cat's Tail Tavern. He wondered if he could meet Diona if he went in now.
"Oh, is this what they mean by 'drowning sorrows in wine'?" Paimon recalled the idiom and spoke it aloud, looking at the nearby tavern, seeing the idiom personified.
After listening, he thoughtfully expressed his own idea.
"Drowning sorrows in wine, indeed. Getting completely drunk and ignoring unpleasant matters isn't a solution at all."
"However, I still feel that some drunkards just want to use this as an excuse to drink their fill."
Amber felt like she had brought down everyone's mood, so she quickly cheered up, saying with great confidence, "However, I believe with Acting Grand Master Jean here, everything will be fine."
"Jean?"
"Yes, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius—Jean." As soon as Amber mentioned Acting Grand Master Jean, she instantly exuded an aura of confidence, praising her in every word.
"Acting Grand Master Jean is incredibly powerful. As long as she's here, whether it's Stormterror or any other crisis threatening Mondstadt, we will overcome it."
Lumine pondered internally, still confused, but she felt that Acting Grand Master Jean was no ordinary person.
Shao Yun was much more direct, as they were all old acquaintances from the game. He already knew everything about her surname, family situation, friends, and so on.
The group of four walked towards the Knights of Favonius Headquarters to report their mission. As they walked, Amber suddenly remembered something, stopped, and turned around, saying, "Oh, didn't I say I had gifts for everyone? Just a moment..."
Amber rummaged through her belongings, her fingers quickly opening the pouch on her belt. Her eyes lit up as she found what she was looking for.
"Here, these are gifts for Lumine and Shao Yun."
Shao Yun took it and saw that it was a Wind Glider. It felt so miniature in his hand. Could this really lift him?
Lumine put it on and tried it; it fit very well.
"Thank you, Amber."
She looked up at Shao Yun, and immediately her expression turned awkward. It fit her quite well, but compared to Shao Yun, it looked so miniature.
Amber also noticed, her eyes flickering, unsure of what to do.
The two girls were of similar build and stature, so the Wind Glider fit perfectly. Shao Yun, however, had the physique of an adult male, so it indeed looked much smaller on him.
"This, I'll give it back to you. It seems I won't be able to use it." He returned the Wind Glider to Amber. To avoid disappointing Shao Yun, Amber immediately promised to find another one for him from the Knights of Favonius's warehouse later.
"What about me? Paimon wants a gift too!" Now only Paimon's gift remained. Amber looked Paimon up and down, assessing her size.
"Paimon's size... there probably won't be a suitable Wind Glider in the Knights of Favonius's warehouse."
"How about this: I'll treat Paimon to a Mondstadt specialty, Good Hunter's Honey-Glazed Radish Stir-Fry, as a substitute."
Compared to a Wind Glider, food was more appealing to Paimon, who immediately agreed.
...
Just as they were about to leave Mondstadt's commercial area and take the stairs towards the Knights of Favonius, a system prompt appeared.
Quest updated: Find lodging by yourself.
Completion reward: Replaceable clothing.
Ah, why do I have to go alone? Oh, right, Lumine has to follow the storyline.
Let me see what clothes are given: suitable for cold weather, hot weather, normal weather.
Ah... wait, why is there one that's impervious to both hot and cold, and its icon is a question mark?
Oh, it unlocks with the storyline...
Just complete the quest, there's no harm in it.
"I won't be coming with you," Shao Yun suddenly stopped and said.
"Why?" Paimon was stunned after hearing him, thinking they were parting ways, and put on a very sad face.
"Someone has to find a place to stay, otherwise we'll be sleeping on the streets tonight," Shao Yun spread his hands. "Besides, I don't really have anything to do at the Knights of Favonius, do I? It's better if we split up; I'll go find lodging."
That made a lot of sense. Anyway, he had no reason to go to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, and he wasn't looking for his brother.
Paimon, misunderstanding, scratched her cheek. "You're right..."
"Why don't you stay at my place!" Amber suggested. "My house is quite big; there's more than enough room for a few people."
Lumine, however, had some reservations. After all, they had only just met, and staying at someone's house so soon might be inconvenient or cause trouble for Amber's family.
"No, Amber, you've already helped us so much. Staying at your house would be too much trouble for you."
"It's fine," Amber repeatedly assured them it wouldn't be any trouble.
Staying at Amber's house would be great, wouldn't it? That would solve everything directly!
But the system still prompted him to find lodging. How could this offer, right in front of him, not be acceptable? Was there some other hidden reason?
"How about this: if I can't find a place to stay, I'll trouble Amber, and if I do find one, then..." Shao Yun proposed a win-win solution.
"Good idea! Amber, you don't mind us doing this, do you?" Paimon agreed wholeheartedly.
"Of course I don't mind," Amber said, indicating it was no big deal. Seeing Shao Yun about to leave, she quickly called out to him.
"Wait, Shao Yun, do you know how to find a place to stay?"
Shao Yun pondered for a moment, vaguely remembering that there was an old man named Goethe in Mondstadt, who was the city's biggest landlord.
Seeing his pensive expression, Amber was glad she had stopped him.
"If you're looking for a place to stay, I recommend finding Goethe. He rents out many houses in Mondstadt, and the Gothe Grand Hotel is his property."
"Thank you, Amber, you've helped me a lot," Shao Yun nodded in gratitude.
Looking at Lumine and Paimon, he instructed, "Lumine and Paimon, if I find a place, I'll come to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters to find you. If I don't, I'll still come to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters to find you." His gaze then shifted to Amber, "If I really can't find anything, I'll have to trouble you."
Seeing Shao Yun's confident demeanor, Lumine also offered a comforting reminder.
"Do what you can. Don't get discouraged if you really can't find anything."
Shao Yun's arm traced a graceful arc in the air, his fingers gently wiggling: "Alright."