NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Chapter 19
With lingering doubts, Lumine and Paimon began their long wait, while Famas used the divine power he had reclaimed from Amber's Vision to sense the presence of other Visions.
"At the steepest turning point of life, if a mortal's 'desire' reaches its peak, the gaze of the gods will descend, forming a Vision."
As a god, Famas had once sensed the wishes of the people and, together with the great alchemist Rhinedottir, bestowed thousands of Visions.
Now, times had changed. Only a handful of Visions had been activated and inherited, and Famas even sensed divine power that didn't belong to him. It seemed that the fire spirit who had dethroned him had gained the recognition of Celestia and become the new ruler of Natlan.
"There are three nearby."
Famas deduced that the three Visions he sensed likely belonged to Bennett, the unlucky adventurer; Klee, the Spark Knight; and Master Diluc, the nobleman.
"Who should be the next target? How about Klee? Kids are easy to fool."
At this thought, a sense of guilt rose in Famas's heart. Tricking Klee out of her Vision felt… despicable, no matter how he looked at it.
"For the sake of becoming human!"
Famas kept reassuring himself until nightfall.
The trio sneaked out of the inn, bypassing the front desk and climbing out through a back window. Paimon could fly, and Famas wasn't afraid of falling, so the two landed easily. Lumine, however, had to slowly climb down along the edge of the wall.
"Truly the girl who can scale 90-degree cliffs with her bare hands!"
Lumine landed lightly on the ground and made her way to the spot where Famas and Venti had secretly discussed their plans the previous night. Then, following the shadows of the city walls, she quietly moved toward the back door of the Angel's Share tavern.
"We're not criminals, so why are we sneaking around?"
Paimon, who had been silent the entire way, finally spoke up as they approached the tavern's back door.
"We're about to discuss saving Mondstadt. Doesn't this add to the atmosphere?"
Famas casually replied.
Lumine paused for a moment, realizing that made sense.
"Then who suggested taking the window route?"
Turning around, Lumine found both Paimon and Famas staring at her.
"It was you, Lumine!"
---
"You're here."
Famas hopped through the front door of the tavern for the first time, followed by an embarrassed Lumine and a resigned Paimon. The tavern patrons were baffled, but the carefree Venti greeted them.
"Good evening, bard, Master Diluc."
Paimon quickly greeted everyone, while Famas habitually jumped onto the bar counter. Lumine nodded in acknowledgment.
Diluc handed a glass to Lumine, who was sitting at the bar.
"I don't drink, Master Diluc."
Lumine politely declined the strange purple beverage Diluc offered.
"It's unfermented Wolfhook Juice, not alcohol."
Diluc pushed the glass back toward her and handed Paimon a specially designed small cup.
"Paimon wants a big cup too!"
Despite her words, Paimon took the small cup Diluc handed her and downed it in one go.
"Mmm, sweet, with a bit of a spicy kick."
"So, Master Diluc, where's the person you said could help us?"
After watching the two finish their drinks, Venti, sitting on a barstool, swung his legs clad in white socks back and forth, seemingly anticipating something.
An elegant figure slowly descended from the tavern's second floor. Her golden hair was tied into a ponytail, casually draped over her back. Her clear blue eyes revealed deep exhaustion, yet they couldn't hide the unique charm of her delicate features.
"Ah, Acting Grand Master Jean?"
Paimon exclaimed, then covered her mouth.
"Good evening, everyone."
Jean, though visibly tired, perked up and greeted everyone with a cheerful demeanor.
"Why is Acting Grand Master Jean here?"
Lumine looked at Diluc in confusion.
"First, I contacted more than one person. Second, this is Jean, not the Acting Grand Master Jean."
Diluc nodded toward Jean, who sat at the bar.
"What a surprise. I've heard about the Holy Lyre, but I didn't expect it to be you… So, can the purification of the lyre really restore Stormterror to normal?"
Jean rested her chin on her hand, looking at Venti, who was busy trying to coax Diluc into giving him more wine.
"Exactly! Lumine has been actively working on the front lines to resolve the Stormterror crisis. She truly lives up to her reputation as the rising star of the Knights of Favonius."
Venti grinned.
"Though it feels like we've already crossed the line into illegality…"
Paimon added, delivering a sharp jab.
"Hmph, such a mythical explanation is hard to believe, but that's fine. We can have this guy, Venti, play that song again to convince… the stubborn Acting Grand Master…"
"I believe you."
Jean's gentle gaze swept over the tavern's occupants, and Diluc, who hadn't finished speaking, looked at her in surprise.
"The Dragon of the East, Dvalin, one of the Four Winds… I could never understand why it would betray us. But if it was corrupted by poisonous blood during the war to protect Mondstadt years ago… and then further tainted by Abyss Mages after awakening… it would indeed lose control…"
Jean tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Ah, just like the bard said."
Paimon nodded.
"But as the Acting Grand Master, I can never say such things publicly. Due to diplomatic pressure from the Fatui, the Knights of Favonius can't openly show goodwill toward Stormterror. That would be seen as indulgence and inaction. So, I can only act privately."
Jean took a sip of the coffee Diluc handed her and continued.
"Anyway, now that I know you've taken the Holy Lyre, that's enough. What else do we need to communicate with Dvalin?"
With a wave of his hand, Venti summoned the Holy Lyre from Lumine's arms.
"Hey!"
Lumine quickly covered her chest, her face turning red as she glared at Venti.
For the first time, the usually carefree Anemo Archon looked serious, his eyes filled with nostalgia. "Rosewood with flowing wind patterns, cool star-iron strings… such a nostalgic feeling…"
"So, Venti, can you use it to call Dvalin now?"
Diluc refilled Jean's coffee cup.
"Hmm… Although it's the genuine treasure of the Anemo Archon, it's not quite ready yet."
"As you can see, after a thousand years, the power of the wind has long since dried up. In this state, it might be enough for a performance at Diluc's tavern…"
Venti stroked the dim Holy Lyre.
"Hey, bard! We risked our lives to steal… I mean, borrow the Holy Lyre, and you're saying it's only good for entertaining drunkards?"
Paimon angrily confronted Venti.
"Ehe."
"What does 'ehe' mean?!"
Paimon clenched her tiny fists, staring at Venti in confusion.
"In short, communicating with Dvalin is still a long way off. But it's not the lyre's fault—it's the strings…"
Venti explained to the group, then turned to Lumine, who had been listening intently.
"It's your turn, Lumine!"