Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence. [225]

Lisa’s gaze settled on Jiang Bai, and she smiled gently, eyes curving into crescents. “You came to help out too, hmm?”

“I didn’t actually help much,” Jiang Bai replied, shrugging lightly.

Even if he hadn’t arrived, Kaeya would’ve handled the Abyss Mages quickly enough by himself.

Lisa shook her head slowly, her large, pointed hat swaying gracefully with the motion.

“Oh, you mustn’t underestimate yourself. Anyone who willingly lends a hand during Mondstadt’s time of need is a hero in my book. Once this is all settled, I’ll have Jean throw a feast in our hero’s honor.”

Kaeya nodded along with enthusiasm, adding, “I’ll definitely toast you properly then!”

“Of course! I’ll look forward to it,” Jiang Bai grinned.

Kaeya placed an arm around Jiang Bai’s shoulder, steering him out of the headquarters. “With Lisa here, there’s no need to worry about the Knights’ headquarters. Let’s go check elsewhere.”

Jiang Bai raised an eyebrow curiously. “Is Miss Lisa really that strong?”

A librarian didn’t exactly seem like a combat expert.

“Lisa is one of the Knights’ best mages, you know! Anyone foolish enough to bother her doesn’t end up well,” Kaeya explained with a mischievous air.

“The Knights really have a lot of hidden talent,” Jiang Bai sighed, genuinely impressed.

They had Lisa, a top mage; Albedo, a brilliant alchemist; Jean, the renowned Dandelion Knight; Klee, whose destructive capabilities were terrifying; and Kaeya, a capable Cavalry Captain himself. And these were just a handful—the majority had followed the Grand Master on an expedition.

He wondered what formidable talents Liyue’s Millelith might possess…

“Should we go back to the city gates or keep checking inside?” Jiang Bai asked.

“Let’s continue our patrol around the city. You never know who else might’ve sneaked in.”

—

Rosaria opened her sleepy eyes, dark circles heavy beneath them. She yawned widely, barely alert, and stared down at the dozen suspicious masked figures trying to sneak into the church.

Groggily, she lifted a small ice dagger, intending to toss it down as a stern lesson for these intruders.

But before she could act, a blazing phoenix of flames suddenly swept in, effortlessly scattering the intruders, knocking them unconscious without even a chance to react.

The battle ended before it could truly begin.

Rosaria yawned once more, withdrawing her hand and allowing her heavy eyelids to close again.

Looks like I won’t need to work overtime…

—

Seeing the flaming phoenix illuminate the sky above the cathedral, Kaeya whistled appreciatively. “Oh, looks like someone else ran into trouble.”

Jiang Bai instantly recognized Diluc’s signature fiery bird. “Seems like Abyss Mages aren’t the only intruders.”

“Let’s go check it out, my dear friend.”

On an empty space north of the cathedral, Treasure Hoarders lay scattered across the ground, unconscious and foaming at the mouth, their clothing scorched black.

Clearly, Diluc hadn’t held back.

Kaeya leaned over to inspect the fallen Hoarders, clicking his tongue. “You went a bit heavy-handed here, didn’t you?”

“For vermin daring to intrude on Mondstadt at a time like this, sparing their lives is already generous.”

Diluc casually rolled his wrist, sheathing his claymore. “The Knights’ prison cells should have plenty of room. Since the Cavalry Captain seems so idle, you can carry these criminals yourself.”

“You’re heartless, expecting me to carry all these unconscious people myself.” Kaeya sighed melodramatically, feigning distress.

Diluc ignored Kaeya’s exaggerated complaints and turned to leave.

Kaeya rested one hand on his hip, brushing the hair from his face with the other, and casually called out, “In such a hurry to leave? You know, I just encountered some Abyss Mages—and learned some rather important information.”

Diluc paused, glancing back silently with obvious expectation.

Kaeya didn’t prolong the suspense. “The Abyss Order’s leader is referred to as ‘Her Highness the Princess.’ Apparently, they were planning to turn Dvalin into a weapon.”

—

At the same time, Venti led Aether and the others into Stormterror’s Lair.

Stormterror’s Lair hadn’t always been known by that name.

Long ago, when the Anemo Archon was still just a wind spirit, this land was ruled by Decarabian, the God of Storms.

Decarabian constructed a capital enveloped by endless winds, isolating his people from the barren world beyond, providing them with shelter yet neglecting their innate longing for freedom.

Attempting to dictate the lives of his subjects, the tyrannical god had their submission through fear, only to eventually become hated by those he sought to protect.

Guided by Barbatos, the freedom-seeking people of Mondstadt rose up, overthrowing the tyrant and reducing the ancient city to ruins.

The terrain of the lair was distinctly unusual, as if the entire land had sunk into itself. Perhaps due to lingering influence from the storm god, walls of wind still surrounded the ruins of old Mondstadt.

From the entrance, one could clearly see the tallest spire, Dvalin’s current abode.

Venti played the Holy Lyre der Himmel, dispersing the wind barrier surrounding Stormterror’s Lair, allowing the group to enter.

Standing at the base of the abandoned tower, Klee gasped in wonder, her eyes sparkling brightly. “Wow, it’s so huge here!”

Jean quickly reminded her, slightly anxious. “Klee, it’s very dangerous here. Don’t run off.”

“What do we do now?” Paimon turned toward Venti.

Venti gazed upward at the tower’s summit. “Dvalin is at the very top. To reach him, we’ll need to activate all the barriers guarding the tower. I can sense several mechanisms scattered throughout these ruins.”

“Then let’s not waste time!” Jean urged.

Each member moved swiftly, heading to a separate mechanism.

—

On a cliff overlooking Stormterror’s Lair, a young woman with flowing golden hair stood quietly, gazing down at Aether, who was engaged in battle with monsters below.

“Brother…” she murmured softly, her voice heavy with longing as she stared intently at his figure.

It had been too long since they’d parted—too long since she’d last seen him.

Yet, after watching for a moment, she finally looked away.

She couldn’t forget the crimson skies—the kingdom toppled by the gods.

She had her own mission, unfinished and demanding her attention.

Until the throne of Celestia was engulfed by the Abyss, there could never be peace between her and the Heavenly Principles.

They would meet again, surely—but not here, not now.

An Abyss Mage appeared quietly beside her, clutching an oddly-shaped staff. “Your Highness, your blood relative is here. Are we abandoning our plan?”

Lumine sat gracefully atop a dormant Ruin Guard’s palm, gazing into the distant horizon with an air of melancholy. “The Anemo Archon has no intention of reclaiming his throne. With my brother here, we can no longer corrupt that dragon. This plan has failed.”

The Abyss Mage hesitated. “Then…?”

“Let’s go. There are other matters we must attend to.”

—

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!