Jiang Bai stood with Klee at the edge of the cathedral square. Nearby, Venti lounged atop the fence by the church’s entrance, swinging his legs idly as he waited for Aether and Paimon to come out.
They waited. And waited. Venti was about to flop down from boredom when, at last, Aether and Paimon burst through the doors.
They looked panicked, with pursuers right on their heels—clearly, they’d been discovered.
“We’ve been spotted! Run!”
“This way, quick!” Venti seemed unsurprised by the turn of events and darted off along a planned escape route, quickly leading Aether and Paimon out of sight.
The knights chasing them skidded to a halt at the intersection, unsure which way their targets had gone. Spotting Klee—a familiar face—they called out to her.
“Klee, did you see a blond guy and someone in green just now? Which way did they go?”
Klee, knowing she’d have to lie, grew visibly nervous.
Jiang Bai reached over to pat her on the head, then pointed them in the opposite direction. “They ran that way.”
“Thanks!” The pursuers didn’t hesitate for a moment, dashing off in the direction Jiang Bai indicated.
“Let’s go.” After misdirecting the knights, Jiang Bai led Klee toward Angel’s Share.
He wasn’t exactly sure where Angel’s Share was, but figured if they followed the general direction, they’d find it sooner or later.
Meanwhile, Venti and a breathless Aether rushed into the tavern. “Boss, we need a spot that’s a little more private.”
Diluc gave Venti a glance, then looked past him at Aether.
A group out of breath, immediately asking for a private place—something about this didn’t seem right.
“If you want privacy, the second floor’s usually quiet. But aren’t you a bard? Wouldn’t you rather be somewhere lively?”
“Maybe next time, when I’m performing for a fee. We’ll just head upstairs for now. See you in a bit.”
With that, Venti pulled Aether up to the second floor.
Diluc watched the group rush upstairs, eyes narrowing slightly.
“Keep an eye on them—they’re suspicious. I’m going to find out what’s going on.” He gave the bartender a quick order and stepped outside to investigate.
Right outside, he ran into Jiang Bai, who had just arrived with Klee.
Diluc frowned slightly when he saw them. “What are you two doing here?”
“Perfect timing, Diluc. We actually wanted to talk to you.”
“Oh? I’m listening.”
“Well, here’s the situation…” Jiang Bai gave a quick rundown of what had happened—from Venti’s song to the plan to save Dvalin, all the way to stealing the Holy Lyre.
“Come in, let’s talk inside.”
Upstairs, in a corner of the tavern, Venti sheepishly set down the wine he’d filched.
Diluc’s gaze swept past the unreliable bard and landed on Jiang Bai.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised. For an outsider, you’re willing to help Mondstadt in its hour of need. You realize if the Knights of Favonius find out about this, it’ll be a lot harder for you to move around here.”
Even if Jiang Bai wasn’t the ringleader, being an accomplice in stealing Mondstadt’s treasure was no small matter—the consequences could be severe.
Still, Diluc’s judgment of Jiang Bai’s character had been right; at least when it came to principles, he was solid.
“It’s hardly heroic. I didn’t do much—the real work was all our Honorary Knight’s doing.” Jiang Bai gestured toward Aether. He himself was basically just a bystander. All the actual action was on the Honorary Knight.
Diluc looked Aether over, a hint of regret in his expression. “So you’re the new star of the Knights? It’s a shame for someone like you to end up there.”
“How’s that?” Jiang Bai couldn’t help noticing Diluc’s clear disdain for the Knights.
“The Knights of Favonius have been dragging their feet with the Stormterror problem, and their diplomacy with the Fatui is weak and overly cautious.”
Diluc took a deep breath, tamping down his emotions.
“Anyway, I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
Jiang Bai thought he was starting to get it. Diluc’s attitude was probably just frustration at the Knights’ failings.
He didn’t really know much about the Knights or how they worked. As for their diplomacy, all he’d seen was Jean talking with that diplomat once.
With little idea of the real situation, he kept his opinions to himself.
Venti let out a sigh. “Seems like Master Diluc really isn’t fond of the Knights of Favonius.”
“We just walk different paths. I have my own hopes for this city.” Diluc turned to Aether. “Did you manage to get the Holy Lyre?”
“No.” Both Aether and Paimon shook their heads.
Paimon put her hands on her hips and stomped in the air in frustration.
“We almost had it! But then some weirdo in a mask suddenly showed up, grabbed the Lyre, and ran off! And that’s how we got caught!”
“A weirdo?”
“Someone in a mask, dressed like the Fatui!”
Diluc frowned. “The Fatui? Why would they steal the Holy Lyre?”
Paimon, still fuming, said, “They’ve always been after the Anemo Archon’s power—stealing the Lyre is definitely part of some scheme!”
“I’ll look into it.” Diluc’s brow finally eased a little as he looked at Aether. “I’d bet the Knights are already preparing wanted posters for you and the bard. Best not to leave the tavern for now.”
He turned to Klee and Jiang Bai. “You two, come with me.”
Jiang Bai blinked in confusion but followed Diluc outside.
At the door, Diluc looked down at Klee, then at Jiang Bai, his tone heavy. “Stealing isn’t something you should be dragging a child into.”
At being called a child, Klee puffed out her cheeks angrily. “Klee’s a Spark Knight, not a little kid!”
Jiang Bai gave a sheepish smile—yeah, bringing a child along for something like this probably wasn’t the best idea, even if their intentions were good.
“That one’s on me.”
“In any case, leave the rest to us adults. Go home and get some rest.”
Mondstadt wasn’t in such dire straits that it needed children to save it.
Watching Diluc walk away, Klee fumed, hands on her hips. “Klee doesn’t like being looked down on!”
No one’s looking down on you, Klee. But it’s getting late—no more missions tonight. Let’s head back and rest, okay?
“What about Mr. Bard, Mr. Honorary Knight, and little Paimon?”
They’ll be staying at the tavern tonight.
“Then I’ll come find them again tomorrow.”
After dropping Klee off for the night, Jiang Bai stood by the third-floor window, gazing out over Mondstadt as night fell, lost in thought.
A corrupted dragon, the Abyss Order lurking in the shadows, the Fatui delegation applying pressure, the stolen Holy Lyre, and the Anemo Archon unwilling to show his true face—
This is definitely more complicated than it seems.
Compared to all this, Liyue really was much more peaceful.
Sigh, I kind of miss the director. Wonder if she’s feeling any better these days…
Elsewhere, Hu Tao sprawled lazily on a rooftop, sneezing as she lay starfish-style beneath the sky.
“Achoo~! Jiang Bai must be talking about me again…”
“That annoying guy—if he has any guts, he won’t come back tonight. Hmph, looks like he really isn’t coming back…”
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This is a fan translation of 胡桃拿我冲业绩 by 余溯. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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