Kaeya had long since wanted an opportunity to be able to test against Jibril. However, considering Acting Grand Master Jean's attitude towards her and not to mention her strength, he never bothered to set up a scheme.
Therefore, when Diluc was the first to attack, a flicker of dark pleasure indeed crossed the man's heart!
Bang—!!
However, as happy as he was then, he was now just as despairing.
Jibril effortlessly swung the giant hammer in her hand. Its weight, several times her own, carried a wind pressure that sent Diluc flying away.
Bu-gah—!!
Diluc rolled several times on the ground before barely managing to steady himself. His expensive clothing was covered in dust and when he stood up, his stray hair clung messily to his face. For the first time, a look of bewilderment appeared on his usually cold face.
"Oops?" The Flügel tilted her head, looking at the smoking scorch marks on the hammer. "I guess I didn't hold back."
The giant hammer was casually dropped onto the ground, making a loud Duang sound and kicking up dust.
Jibril lightly landed on the hammerhead, leaning back slightly and pointed at Diluc with one hand.
"Amazing! How amazing! What a good opponent you'll make... I even feel my heart surging!"
"???"
"You truly are amazing." The Flügel covered half her mouth, feigning astonishment, yet a cunning glint shone in her eyes. "Even when pretending to be weak... you're such a gentleman! It's my honor to cross swords with you~"
Diluc's hand, gripping his claymore, trembled slightly.
He understood completely now, this person was far from as innocent as she seemed. Her heart was wicked!
No, her hands were wicked too. That really did hurt... "Was it last night... cough did I offend Miss Jibril somehow? Or was one of the drinks not to your taste?"
"I just didn't want to waste a precious duel. After all... I probably won't get another chance in the future, right?"
In other words, having lost so badly this time and being targeted, she wouldn't have this kind of opportunity to openly beat him up again!
Seeing the Flügel's nonchalant demeanor, Diluc could only sigh helplessly and casually swung the claymore in his hand while also glaring at Kaeya who was still watching from the side.
"For someone like you to work for the Knights of Favonius is truly pitiful."
"Hey! That's harsh! I was just about to help you back!"
Diluc frowned slightly, looking somewhat displeased.
"I am not interested in that dragon, the problems the Knights of Favonius face or the relationship between you two." The Flügel's gaze held no concern. "Your story... I'm not interested in any of it."
"I'm only helping just because someone wanted to help."
Diluc clearly didn't understand Jibril's meaning. He looked confusedly at Kaeya, who was walking up to help him but Kaeya just shook his head without speaking.
"You got the chance to experience her strength now, haven't you? Regardless, she's helping us right now!"
After speaking, Kaeya looked up and smiled at Jibril —a very "punchable" smile.
Jibril didn't consider herself a violent person, but her hands, having just finished their workout, started itching again. She could tell that this man had definitely cooked up some crooked idea.
He never smiled unless he was up to no good but he kept smiling... "Jibril... Diluc and I will head back first. Things here wrapped up... too quickly. I'll leave you a map," Kaeya said with a grin as he handed over a piece of paper.
"I've marked Lisa's location. I still need to go back and check the situation inside the city and see if I can help Jean."
Cut the act, this dude just wants to slack off!
Although Jibril could guess this guy's intentions, she didn't plan to call him out immediately. She couldn't exactly force him to guide her, could she?
Next time they go to Inazuma, she'll just make him pave the way while she watches from the sky.
"Then it's settled. Lisa is over here. As for Lumine, you don't need to worry, Amber should already be taking her there. We'll be going now~"
Diluc looked at Kaeya, his face full of helplessness. "He's always like this, never serious.... Sorry for the trouble."
"It's fine. At least his conversation is interesting and he has a relatively dignified appearance."
Kaeya: What's with the 'dignified appearance'?
"Good luck. But with your strength... I doubt anything will happen to you. Feel free to frequent the tavern, mention my name to Charles for a discount."
After the two left, the Flügel leaned against the hammer as she quietly looked at the map in her hand.
Kaeya... that guy must have planned to ditch her long ago, right?
Next time they meet, she must suggest to Diluc that he charge Kaeya double the amount at Angel's Share!
Make him sit at the same table as Venti!
----
"So... was Stormterror really once one of The Four Winds...?"
"The Dragon of the East."
Lisa shook her head as she crosses her arms while looking at Paimon.
"Oh... hehe..."
"Amber told you that, didn't she?"
Lumine nodded, moving her gaze back from the distance. "Yes, Amber told us that Stormterror is one of The Four Winds of Mondstadt and... it seems to have abandoned its temple?"
"Hmm, it looks like that child Amber has been studying seriously~ even though I hardly ever see her come to the library."
Amber: A librarian's knowledge reserve is naturally more comprehensive than that of an Outrider!
"But... my little darling probably doesn't know Stormterror's real name, right?" Lisa blinked and soft electric arcs seemed to flash in her rose-like pupils.
Recalling the scene in bed last night, Lumine shuddered and quickly nodded.
"Stormterror... Its real name is Dvalin. As for why it keeps attacking Mondstadt... I believe it's probably because of hatred. "
Paimon, who was constantly floating back and forth in the air, curiously tapped her chin and looked at Lisa in confusion.
"But then why would one of The Four Winds... hate the city it was supposed to protect...?"
Lisa looked troubled. "As a child of Mondstadt, it's something that's really hard to say aloud. Here, why don't you take this. It's a very old story from more than a century ago."
Lumine took the book that was handed to her. It wasn't very thick and she casually tossed it into her inventory.
Lisa looked up at the sky. Although it was still mostly covered by dark clouds, at least now she could locate the position of the sun.
"Whether it's Jean's side or Kaeya and your little girlfriend's side, someone must have succeeded already. Let's get started too~"
"Oh... wait, m-my what!?"
Lumine's face flushed red as she stared blankly at Lisa's back as she opened the door. Paimon was so startled that she dropped the Apple in her hand.
"Hmm? Then why do you keep secretly looking at her? And... she seems to really care about you too, doesn't she?"
"We've only known each other for one day!"
Lisa narrowed her eyes, her lips curving into a wide smile. "One day? What's one day? I'm an older sister who's been around you know~"
She suddenly lowered her voice, "Back at Sumeru's Akademiya, I saw..."
Her finger then tapped her right earlobe three times, leaving an ambiguous pause.
"Even if not now... what about later? That kind of beauty might be irresistible even to a god, right?"
"I... I-I...."
Lumine felt like she had fallen back into that soft, warm bed, feeling dizzy and weak all over. It was as if something was stuck in her throat, making her unable to speak.
"Little darling, just be honest with your heart. I also—"
"I never thought someone as seemingly upright as you would also be such a perverted woman!"
The sudden voice descended from above, startling everyone.
Lisa quickly looked up and realized that Jibril was sitting atop the Temple gate, playing casually with a strand of her hair, her legs crossed and swinging back and forth.
"J-Jibril..!? When did you get here? Are you... alright?" Lumine stammered, looking at the Flügel who had teleported in front of her.
The Flügel seemed somewhat flustered but still instinctively stepped forward to gently check if Lumine was injured.
Jibril immediately grabbed one of Lumine's arms.
"Sister Lisa, you sure do seem to look like you know a lot about this~"
Lisa awkwardly scratched her cheek: "Haha... I was just joking with the little darling, after all, she looks so... adorable." She tried to change the subject. "You think so too, right?"
"Lumine is certainly very adorable~"
"!!!"
Ignoring the burning gazes beside her, Jibril casually looped her arm around the blonde and led the way toward the open entrance of the Temple.
The Flügel's action, of course, had no other meaning. She just felt that Lisa's teasing was a bit excessive and she wanted to maintain her own image in the process.
At least, that's what she thought.
"What, you don't think so? Could it be that Sister Lisa prefers other types? Like for example... Acting Grand Master Jean?"
[T/L: Is that JeanLisa that I'm seeing.]
Lisa shuddered and quickly followed Jibril's pace. "Uh, no... I mean, I like both of you very much! How about I treat you both to dinner once the mission is over?"
"Really!?"
Before Jibril or the still-frozen Lumine could answer, Paimon excitedly rushed up and floated back and forth around them.
"Alright, let's go! Hurry, hurry! The food at Good Hunter last night was super delicious!"