“But Mr. Jax,” Jean began, her tone heavy with concern, “this plan would place you squarely at the center of the tension between Mondstadt and the Fatui. You’ll become an easy target for them.”
“Hmph… Heh heh… Hahaha…”
Jean was taken aback as Jia Changjiang suddenly burst into laughter.
Her confusion grew when she noticed the look of excitement on his face.
“That just means… I’ll have more fights to enjoy, right?” Jia’s grin widened.
Unable to contain his emotions, he let out another hearty laugh. “Such a good opportunity!”
“I haven’t had a proper fight in so long—my hands are itching for action!”
“Hahaha…”
His booming laughter echoed through the room, and Jean couldn’t help but realize something.
The words Jia had just spoken had almost made her forget one critical fact: the man before her, Mr. Jax, was undeniably passionate about battle.
If she tried to dissuade him by pointing out the Fatui’s strength and danger…
Wouldn’t that just excite him even more?
—
While Jean and Jia Changjiang discussed their plans, elsewhere, Venti and Lumine managed to escape the pursuing Knights of Favonius, gliding away on a wind current before ducking into the Angel’s Share tavern.
Diluc, who was at the tavern to go over the books as usual, glanced up from his ledger when the door opened and saw them enter.
“Hmm? You’re that bard who’s often drinking with Jia Changjiang, aren’t you?” His sharp gaze shifted to Lumine behind him. “And Mondstadt’s honorary knight?”
“Hehe~ Boss, could you offer us a more discreet place to hide?” Venti asked with a cheeky grin.
Diluc eyed them both, then gave a curt nod. “The second floor. It’s quiet. Go ahead.”
Once they’d hidden upstairs, two knights burst into the tavern in pursuit.
“Master Diluc?!” The knights stopped abruptly, startled to find him there. “Have you seen two thieves come through here?”
“What’s the matter?”
“The Holy Lyre der Himmel has reportedly been stolen by the Fatui! Even Mr. Jax, the honorary knight who fought Stormterror, was injured by them!”
The knight who spoke pieced together a hurried account of the theft, adding, “Those two must be Fatui agents! That lyre—it’s a treasure personally played by Lord Barbatos himself, and now the city is in an uproar!”
“Oh?” Diluc cast a casual glance toward the second floor before responding calmly.
“A treasure that can’t even be displayed publicly, and yet someone was foolish enough to steal it? Stealing from my wine cellar would be far more sensible.”
The knights, trusting Diluc implicitly, followed his suggestion.
“Thank you, Master Diluc!” they exclaimed before rushing off.
“You can come down now,” Diluc said coolly, addressing the second floor.
Lumine wasted no time leaping gracefully over the railing, landing directly in front of Diluc.
Venti, meanwhile, descended via the stairs like a normal person.
“Two honorary knights, the Fatui, and you, a bard often seen with Jia Changjiang,” Diluc said, folding his arms as he eyed Venti, who was about to sneak a drink. “Put that wine back and explain. What’s going on here?”
“Ahaha…” Venti set the bottle down awkwardly. “Would you believe me if I said this was all a misunderstanding?”
“You know Jia Changjiang?” Lumine asked, her gaze scrutinizing Diluc.
He definitely looked like a wealthy aristocrat.
Venti chimed in, “Allow me to introduce him! This is Master Diluc, Mondstadt’s premier wine tycoon and the owner of Angel’s Share. I’m a huge fan of his dandelion wine!”
“A fool who conspires with the Fatui and two honorary knights to steal the Holy Lyre der Himmel? Now that’s rare.” Diluc’s tone was sharp as he glanced between the two and Paimon. “Answer my question—what are you and Jia Changjiang planning to do with the lyre?”
“We didn’t steal it! It really was the Fatui!” Paimon shouted.
Venti, still smiling, added, “Master Diluc, you’re a sharp man. But knowing the truth could entangle you in trouble with the Knights of Favonius. Do you trust the tune I’m about to play?”
“I’m not afraid of trouble,” Diluc replied, his arms still crossed. “In fact, I’m usually the Knights’ greatest headache. Play your tune, and I’ll decide.”
“As for my fee… I’ll accept anything from five Mora to the Holy Lyre itself,” Venti quipped with a wink.
Without further delay, Venti performed the Song of the Sky Dragon for Diluc.
Through the melody, Diluc learned of Jia Changjiang, Lumine, Venti, and their plan to help Dvalin.
After a long pause, Diluc spoke. “Those are serious secrets. Why tell me?”
“Hmm… Why, indeed?” Venti tapped his lips with a finger, grinning mischievously. “Maybe… for five Mora?”
“Interesting,” Diluc mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Jia Changjiang didn’t escape with you but stayed behind to redirect suspicion onto the Fatui. A bold move.”
“Using his status as an honorary knight as a shield to openly counter the Fatui… That’s very much like him.”
Turning to Lumine, he added, “You’re also an honorary knight. Within Mondstadt, you won’t face much suspicion.”
“I’ll help coordinate things for you. You’ll need time to clear your names, won’t you?”
“Come back here tomorrow night after closing. We’ll meet again then.”
“As for Jia Changjiang, I’ll find a way to get word to him.”
—
The next day, news of the Fatui stealing the Holy Lyre spread throughout Mondstadt.
The Knights of Favonius, abandoning their usual caution, issued a firm demand for the lyre’s return.
Rumors swirled, with many claiming the Fatui had injured guards during their theft, and speculation mounted that recent troubles all tied back to them.
Discussions about Stormterror’s subjugation and the Fatui’s involvement in city defenses were conveniently sidelined.
“Clang!”
A finely crafted teacup shattered in the hand of a Fatui Harbinger.
After hearing a full report from the Electro Cicin Mage, the Harbinger seethed, grinding the name of the one responsible through clenched teeth.
“Jia Changjiang—Lancelot!!!!”
—
T/N: L-L-Lancelot!!!? WOAH perhaps it’s his nickname now 😀
This is a fan translation of 武器大师在原神绝不死于徒手 by 徐人双. 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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