When Jiang Chen and the others entered the Knights of Favonius headquarters, they couldn't help quietly observing the surroundings with curious eyes.
The place felt solemn—
austere, orderly, and filled with the presence of authority.
Amber led the group through a long corridor and finally stopped before an office door.
Knock, knock, knock.
A moment later, a pleasant voice from inside answered:
"Please come in."
Amber pushed the door open immediately.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, I've brought them."
Inside the spacious office sat two women—
Jean, and beside her, Lisa.
Only the two of them occupied the large room.
Jiang Chen and Lumine saw their faces clearly.
Jean—beautiful, composed, gentle yet strong.
Lisa—gorgeous, elegant, enchanting like a blooming rose…
A rose with electricity. Touch carelessly and you'd get shocked numb~
Jean stood up to greet them.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you.
I am Jean Gunnhildr, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius."
"I'm Jiang Chen."
"Lumine."
"And I'm Paimon!"
Each introduced themselves one after another.
Lisa followed with a graceful smile.
"Hello, darlings~
I'm Lisa Minci, librarian of the Knights of Favonius.
Please take care of me."
Jiang Chen's gaze calmly drifted along Lisa's alluring figure—
and he silently gave a thumbs-up in his heart.
Meanwhile, Lisa, while smiling sweetly, was secretly evaluating him.
Just one look, and her instincts jolted—
This man… is extremely dangerous.
A dangerous that belonged to the realm of overwhelming power.
Which meant—Amber's story was probably true.
He really did defeat the Stormterror.
Lisa exchanged a subtle nod with Jean.
As best friends, Jean understood that nod instantly.
Confirmed.
Jean returned her attention to the group.
"Thank you for helping Mondstadt.
I invited you today to express our gratitude and also to hear the details.
Please, have a seat. Let's talk slowly."
She gestured toward a meeting table.
Lisa gracefully prepared tea for everyone.
A moment later, three cups of warm black tea appeared before them.
Paimon took a sip—
and immediately put it down with an exaggerated grimace.
She hated tea.
Jiang Chen and Lumine, on the other hand, found it quite pleasant.
Lisa blinked in surprise but said nothing; instead she fetched fruit juice from a nearby shelf and handed it to Paimon.
"This might suit you better, little one."
It was Klee's juice, always stocked in the office.
"Hehe, thank you, Miss Lisa!"
Paimon scratched her cheek shyly before happily gulping the juice.
Then Jiang Chen and Lumine recounted the entire incident from the day before.
Jean's expression softened with relief.
"So Lord Barbatos truly appeared…
Do you know where he went afterwards?"
Her eyes shone with hope.
Paimon was ignored entirely.
Jiang Chen shrugged.
"No idea."
He had promised Venti; he wouldn't betray that promise.
He genuinely didn't know where Barbatos went—
but he absolutely knew where Venti went.
Hearing his answer, Jean looked disappointed but not surprised.
The Anemo Archon was always elusive.
"I see… Then let's move on.
What are your plans from here on?"
That was the main reason she wanted this meeting.
Lumine immediately raised her request:
"I want to continue searching for my brother.
If possible, could you help publish a missing person notice?"
Jean answered without hesitation:
"Of course. I will arrange it."
Then she turned to Jiang Chen.
"And you, Mister Jiang Chen?
Do you require anything?"
Barbatos had instructed them to assist these two as much as possible—
so Jean intended to give generously.
Jiang Chen didn't bother being polite.
"If possible, we'd like some Mora.
Both of us are from other worlds and have no local currency."
Jean blinked.
Then smiled.
"No problem. I'll prepare it shortly.
Additionally, I have arranged a house for the two of you to stay in while in Mondstadt."
A house.
She was pulling no punches—
someone capable of defeating Stormterror was worth befriending at all costs.
Jiang Chen immediately saw through it.
A recruitment attempt.
But he had no plans to settle in Mond.
Too free-spirited.
Too many adult-babies.
Not his style.
Liyue suited him better.
"We don't need a house."
Jiang Chen waved his hand lightly.
"Perhaps convert it into Mora instead.
Lumine won't be staying long—she'll be traveling to other nations to look for her brother.
I'll accompany her for a while."
By 'a while,' he meant: until Liyue.
Jean visibly deflated.
"…I understand. In that case, I'll prepare more Mora for you."
They weren't staying.
What a shame.
At that moment, Lisa suddenly leaned forward with a meaningful smile.
"In that case, would the two of you be willing to join the Knights as Honorary Knights?
Just in name. Nothing complicated."
Ah—so this was her plan.
With their names under the Knight banner, Mond would gain political deterrence.
A symbol of newfound power.
Anyone planning trouble would think twice.
Hearing this, Lumine quietly looked at Jiang Chen.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/ZoroTL442