"...Which is what has brought us here to this point in the first place."
The Fatui Diplomat, a woman wearing a mask, stood before Jean and spoke in a voice as cold as ice.
"If you are unable to deal with the Stormterror threat, then leave the defense of Mondstadt to the Fatui." She paused slightly, her gaze beneath the mask seeming to silently sweep over the exhaustion in Jean's eyes. "We can put an end to Mondstadt's dragon issue. All we need to do is bring that monster to—"
"Monster?"
Jean's voice was not loud but it abruptly cut off the other party's words.
"Yes. What's your point?" the woman sounded quite sarcastic as she placed her hands on her waist.
Although she was only a minor diplomat, the reason she dared to speak this way to Jean was due to the organization behind her, the Fatui and even the will of the entire nation of Snezhnaya.
Her powerful backing and the reality of Mondstadt's current depleted combat strength gave her a nearly arrogant confidence.
Jean let out a long breath and said in a severe tone. "I'd expect a more professional attitude from your diplomats. Yet here you are saying that you want to put an end to one of The Four Winds of Mondstadt? I won't have any of this nonsense in front of the Knights of Favonius."
"Heh... hehehe.... It's not as crazy as you make it sound."
"...What are you talking about?"
"That powerful woman." the woman chuckled twice. "Her strength is unfathomable. She nearly suppressed the dragon upon first meeting it and killing it won't be an issue. What then? What kind of relationship will she have with Mondstadt?"
"Enough! Miss Jibril is a guest of Mondstadt!"
Jean's gaze became extremely serious and anyone could tell she was very angry right now.
If Jean was still wary of Jibril yesterday, then after today's brief combat side-by-side, beneath Mondstadt's recovered clear skies.
She could now allow herself to sincerely and unreservedly include Jibril within the scope illuminated by the word friend.
Precisely because of this, she felt anger towards the woman's words.
This was a malicious instigation.
"That's enough negotiation for today... I still have work to do, so please understand."
"Very well. The publicly announced result of this meeting will be that 'both sides frankly exchanged constructive opinions, no?"
"After all, the Knights of Favonius have fallen so low as to require help from outsiders. Shouldn't you... keep some dignity for yourselves? Hahahaha—Ugh!?"
Before the Fatui Diplomat's unrestrained sneer could fade, a sudden and unannounced gust of wind swept over her. She stumbled, losing all composure and looked utterly miserable.
However, Jean, who was standing nearby, was almost completely unaffected, only a few strands of hair by her ear were slightly ruffled.
"Are you deaf?" The Flügel appeared from mid-air, looking down at the Fatui and said coldly.
"Didn't you hear the Grand Master say I am a guest of Mondstadt? Does it matter if a guest does what they can for their host?"
"Even if I genuinely acted on a whim." The Flügel leaned slightly forward. and the surrounding air seemed to solidify. "...who are you to tell me what to do?"
"Are you worthy?"
The woman who had been so arrogant just seconds ago was now continuously backing away, her forehead slick with cold sweat. Jibril pressed closer, her golden crossed eyes held a hint of anger while radiating a cold light.
"Y-you... I..."
"I what?"
The Fatui who had been timid moments before, suddenly gritted her teeth and took a fierce step forward, then—
Ran toward Goth's Grand Hotel.
"Heh... such a coward."
Jibril watched the Fatui member flee in panic and sneered. She fiercely raised her middle finger towards the hotel, causing Jean behind her to feel a wave of embarrassment.
"Acting Grand Master Jean!"
"Traveler?" A familiar voice came from behind. Jean turned around and immediately saw Lumine and Paimon running from a distance.
They seemed to have just rushed over from quite a distance, both breathless, especially Paimon who was flying unsteadily.
"Thank you all for your hard work." Jean said with a relieved smile. "The element flow is finally stabilized and the aftermath of Stormterror's last attack is finally settled for the moment."
"Phew... Acting Grand Master Jean, you're too kind." Lumine slowly calmed her breathing and quietly moved closer to Jibril.
"However... just as Miss Jibril saw earlier. The pressure from the delegation has become too great to be ignored..."
"Delegation? From Liyue Harbor or Inazuma City?"
"I believe they might hail from Snezhnaya, I think they're called the Fatui?" Jibril nodded to herself.
"Huh?" Paimon squeaked, looking at Jibril. "You... you didn't even know who she was but you flew so quickly!"
"Tsk, how about I take you with me next time?"
Paimon shook her head wildly as she hid behind Lumine, only poking out half her head. "No way! What if you can't catch Paimon? Does Paimon just float back on her own!?"
Jean watched them bicker and the gloom in her eyes slightly dissipated.
"Paimon, Acting Grand Master Jean is laughing at you."
"Wuu..."
"Eh? What!? I wasn't." Jean hastily waved her hands in explanation but she caught sight of Jibril secretly hiding the corner of her upturned mouth.
So her personality is this terrible... Really... Jean looked at the innocent-looking Flügel and sighed helplessly. "I am grateful to Miss Jibril, but please stop teasing me..."
"But just as Miss Jibril said; They're called the Fatui and come from Snezhnaya. They're led by the Cryo Archon and claim they want to deal with the Dragon Threat, but I believe they are actually coveting the power of the Anemo Archon's Familiar."
Jibril could only offer a wry smile internally.
Coveting the familiar's power? They are actually coveting the power of the Anemo Archon, right... Not to mention the Abyss Order is lurking behind this.
"Speaking of power..." Lumine said, wanting to bring up something. "There's something I need to show the Knights of Favonius."
"Oh? Then, let us head back to headquarters then."
"We shouldn't discuss important matters... out in the open."
Quickly returning inside the Knights of Favonius, Jean conveniently brought Lisa who was just about to go rest.
Watching Jean's frantic appearance, Lisa gently patted her cheek to make herself more alert. "What is it, Jean?"
"It's about Stormterror. Lumine said she has something important to show us."
Lumine and Jean exchanged glances and nodded. Lumine then took out the red crystal left behind by Dvalin from her backpack.
"It's a crystal embedded with some kind of power... Lisa, are you able to analyze it?"
"Let me take a look..."
She observed it carefully for a moment, then tentatively reached her hand toward the red crystal—
"Ah... that hurts!" Lisa quickly pulled her hand back and rubbed it.
"Are you alright, Lisa?"
Jean, Lumine, and the others looked at Lisa worriedly. Lisa lowered her head to look at the light radiating from her Vision, then looked at the crystal floating in front of her.
"I see... It appears to react to Visions." Lisa stated affirmatively.
"The impurities and the elemental energy we embody repel each other. We certainly cannot keep it here and it would be best to just entrust it to our little darling... over here to look after it~"
"Mhm, okay." Lumine nodded obediently.
Lisa glanced at the eagerly waiting Jibril but ultimately didn't dare give her a nickname too.
Seeing Lisa still looking uncomfortable while rubbing her hand, Jean also gave up the idea of touching the crystal herself.
"Well then, both of you. The Knights of Favonius have another favor to ask both of you." Jean said seriously while looking into the eyes of Lumine and Jibril.
"Please accept the title of Honorary Knight... and the gratitude of the Acting Grand Master."