"Knights of Favonius—fall back to the walls! Defensive formation!"
Seeing the collapsing hilichurl lines, Jean did not order a pursuit.
Her command was to tighten the perimeter, clear the remaining monsters, and hold formation.
Mondstadt had faced hordes of monsters before—
but this attack was far too strange, far too sudden.
And hilichurls—normally just smelly and noisy—were carrlumine heavy Abyssal aura.
Nothing about this made sense.
Nothing felt safe.
Meanwhile, Farmas's armor was in tatters, and the five flame generals formed of pure Pyro were already flickering like dlumine embers.
After skewering the last hilichurl, Farmas turned to the axe-wielding general.
"Good work."
He patted the general's shoulder.
"For the Flame Sovereign… I die gladly!"
Even as his body dispersed into embers, the broad-browed general forced out a proud roar.
"You already died ages ago…"
Farmas muttered as the fire dispersed into the leylines.
His legs finally gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Senior!"
Just before he hit the floor completely, he heard a panicked cry—
and fell into a firm yet warm embrace…
When Farmas next opened his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling.
He tried to sit up immediately—
but the moment he moved, a wave of weakness washed through his entire body.
He collapsed back onto the bed.
Hearing the noise, a girl hurried over—
wearing the white robes of the Church, pale-blonde hair tied into twin-tails.
Barbara.
Seeing him awake, she smiled with relief.
"Mr. Farmas, you're awake!
I didn't expect you to be that strong…
But please don't try to get up yet. You still need time to recover."
After llumine still for a few minutes, Farmas managed to lift himself slightly.
"How's the situation? Lumine? Venti? Captain Jean? Are they alright?"
Barbara nodded gently.
"It's all resolved now. Everyone is fine.
It's just that… the flames from your attacks set a lot of the nearby grass on fire.
Everyone's busy putting it out…"
Farmas exhaled in relief and lay back down.
Just as he was preparing to rest again, Barbara's voice trembled slightly:
"Thank you so much, Mr. Farmas… If not for you, Mondstadt would have…"
"That's an exaggeration…"
Farmas glanced at her exhausted but still-working expression and muttered quietly.
Such a good cleric—how did she end up believing every word of that salted-fish archon Venti?
"Barbatos is watching from above. Mondstadt wouldn't fall."
Farmas pointed upward, only then realizing—
he was on the second floor of the Knights headquarters, in Vanessa's old room.
"Yes… Blessed be Lord Barbatos…"
At the mention of Venti's divine name, Barbara straightened up, crossed her hands over her chest, and whispered a short prayer.
Then she added softly:
"But still, it was because of your help that Mondstadt survived.
You may even be the savior sent down by Lord Barbatos…
I really shouldn't have doubted your actions earlier…"
Farmas blinked, lost.
He had no idea what she was talking about.
Only Barbara knew—
She was regretting scolding Farmas for setting the Knights' hall on fire.
"I'm honored, truly—
to be praised by Mondstadt's beloved angel, Barbara."
Realizing the crisis was over, Farmas's tone finally regained its usual mischief.
Barbara's face turned red instantly.
"A-Angel? No way, I—I'm not…"
Farmas suddenly put on a serious expression.
"No, if everyone says so, it must be true.
And now that I've seen you in person, you really do look like a kind, gentle little angel."
Barbara's ears practically glowed red.
"M-Mr. Farmas… please don't tease me like that…"
Seeing her expression, Farmas finally broke into laughter.
Barbara puffed her cheeks and put her hands on her hips.
"Hmph! Mr. Farmas, you're awful—teasing people like that!"
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry.
I was teasing a bit, but the part about you being angelic is true.
And you really are a healer who saves lives, after all."
Barbara's face flushed even deeper.
At that moment, Venti walked into the room.
Seeing Farmas awake, he let out a sigh of relief—
then paused, noticing Farmas's very cheerful expression.
Barbara quickly straightened up and told Venti:
"Bard, since you're here, please watch over Mr. Farmas.
I need to return to the cathedral—there are more wounded waiting."
Venti nodded without hesitation.
"Leave it to me."
With that, Barbara hurried off.
After watching her leave, Venti sauntered over to Farmas's bedside, grinning slyly.
"So~ Farmas.
What were you talking about with Miss Barbara that made you so happy?"
Farmas grinned right back.
"Oh, I just told Miss Barbara she was beautiful and looked like a little angel.
She got shy. And then you walked in."
"So I ruined your romantic moment?"
Venti raised an eyebrow.
"Funny… you didn't fight half this hard when liberating Mondstadt back then.
And now you're collapsing from exhaustion."
"I used to be the ever-growing Flame General of Munata.
Now I'm just a salted fish."
Farmas sighed heavily.
Venti's expression turned serious.
"Do what your strength allows.
I still have the divine power Sky Island entrusted to me.
I am Mondstadt's Archon.
In times of crisis, I should be the one charging first."
Farmas stared at him.
"And yet you were chatting with Jean earlier."
Venti froze.
"And if you can use your full power, use it early!
Sleep for a thousand years! I'll see you then!"
"Cough—well, you see, I had you, didn't I?"
Once he confirmed Venti would always slack off unless absolutely forced otherwise, Farmas flopped onto the bed and closed his eyes.
"Go away, go away. Grandpa here wants to sleep."
"Hehe."
Satisfied that Farmas was fine, Venti relaxed completely.
He took a swig from his little flask and floated off—
He needed to restore his divine power as well.
The great tree in Windrise was calling him.
~---------------------------
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