Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
"Before tomorrow's operation, we need to narrow down the places where that power might appear. Running around blindly will be far too inefficient—we don't have that kind of time."
After their meeting at Angel's Share, everyone returned to headquarters. Jean was the first to speak.
"Since that power was left behind by the fake Anemo Archon, the most likely locations are the places she stayed or fought… meaning we must focus on Mondstadt City. Especially the statue plaza."
Diluc added his deduction calmly—rare for him to return to the Knights' HQ.
"Diluc is right," Venti nodded, "but we can't ignore the outskirts. Wendy's power was insanely strong—strong enough to affect the entire continent. So we can't restrict the search to the city alone. But judging from how the Abyss keeps appearing around Mondstadt, most of the residual power should be nearby.
"And since they can describe the cube's appearance in detail, it means they've already found fragments of her power. Probably tiny ones—otherwise they wouldn't still be searching."
His expression tightened. He knew all too well how terrifying Wendy's power was.
"What about the mountain?" Lumine asked. "Remember when Wendy sliced off Dragonspine's peak? Could some of her power have landed there too?"
The moment she mentioned it, the memory returned vividly—the shattering roar, the sky splitting open, the oppressive darkness dissolving into dazzling light… and then the entire mountaintop vanishing like it never existed. The scene had burned itself into her mind.
"That's also possible," Jean admitted with a troubled expression. "But we don't have the manpower to send anyone that far. Dragonspine's environment is harsh—few knights can even climb it, let alone search for something hidden there."
It was a genuine dilemma.
"Leave that to me," Venti said as he hopped to his feet. "Don't forget—I'm the Anemo Archon."
Jean exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Lord—uh, Venti."
"Acting Grand Master, we're here!"
Amber burst through the doors, with a blue-haired woman following behind her.
"Honorary Knight," Jean said, "this is Eula, Captain of the Reconnaissance Company. She'll be joining the operation."
"So, you're the Honorary Knight everyone keeps talking about. But aren't there supposed to be two? Don't tell me the second one is… that little one?"
"That's not—!"
"Emergency food," Lumine answered without hesitation.
"It's partner! I'm a partner!"
Paimon stomped in mid-air, furious.
"The other Honorary Knight had urgent business—he's resting now and heading for Liyue in the morning," Jean explained with a sigh.
"Since we're all here, let's form groups," Kaeya said. "Venti handles Dragonspine. The Honorary Knight teams with Amber. The Acting Grand Master, Eula, Diluc, and I will each take separate districts. Lisa will stay here to oversee headquarters. How's that?"
"That works," Jean nodded. "Let's finalize the search areas."
The Next Morning
"Su Mo, goodbye! Paimon's gonna miss you!"
What you'll miss is my wallet…
Sitting inside the carriage, Su Mo didn't bother turning around. He mentally prepared for the next part of his plan.
The Knights already fully believed the story about "residual power."
So now came the next phase of his operation.
Two sides.
Multiple identities.
Even dragging the Fatui into it if necessary.
Oh yes—this scam was going to be magnificent.
He only needed the carriage driver to think he'd reached his destination. Easy enough to handle once they reached a quiet part of the road.
Windrise
"Paimon, see anything?"
"Nothing! Just grass… slimes… and more grass! No weird purple cubes anywhere!"
Lumine sighed and looked toward Amber, who was scanning from above on her glider.
"Honorary Knight! Abyss Mages incoming—lots of them! Be careful!"
Lumine turned instantly.
Dozens of Abyss Mages of different elements were flying toward them in formation.
"So many…?!"
Just as shock hit her—
Screams burst across the plains.
And then—
A flash of blue and white sliced through the air.
A graceful figure descended, wielding a scythe of the same colors.
Where she passed, Abyss Mages dropped like flies.
Lumine froze.
Who… is she?
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