"Hmm? Why?"
Jean looked at Lin Mo's slightly agitated expression, completely puzzled.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, think about it. I didn't exactly make some outstanding, singular contribution during the Stormterror incident, did I?"
"When it comes to fighting, everyone fought."
"I really think everyone contributed. Giving the title of Honorary Knight to just me feels… unfair."
Lin Mo spoke with righteous conviction, leaving Jean momentarily stunned.
But in her eyes, Lin Mo truly deserved first credit.
It was he who discovered that Lumine could purify Dragon Tears.
He was the one who introduced Lumine to the Knights of Favonius, which led to retrieving the Holy Lyre der Himmelreich from the Church of Favonius.
On the road to Stormterror's Lair, he had awakened Noelle's latent potential, wiping out a terrifying Abyss force.
And amid Dvalin's raging tempests, it was Lin Mo who protected everyone with the wind barrier he created.
Just then, Lin Mo continued, "Acting Grand Master Jean, look—most of the people here are Knights of Favonius. Resolving the dragon crisis is part of our duty."
"Don't you think the title of Honorary Knight should go to someone who isn't part of the Knights, yet still stepped forward to help Mondstadt?"
…
Those words immediately drew everyone's gaze toward a few individuals.
"I'm not interested~"
Venti smiled and declined without hesitation.
Jean could only smile wryly and nod.
During their journey to Starsnatch Cliff to meet Dvalin, everyone had already learned that Venti was none other than Barbatos, the Anemo Archon worshipped by Mondstadt.
How could Jean possibly dare to bestow the title of Honorary Knight upon a god?
Her eyes turned instead to the other two.
One was the red-haired Diluc.
The other was the blonde Lumine.
Among those present, only these two were not members of the Knights.
Of course, Lisa technically wasn't an active Knight either.
But Jean knew Lisa's laid-back, lazy nature well enough—she would have zero interest in such a title and would refuse without a second thought.
At that moment, Diluc spoke first.
"Don't look at me. Ever since I left the Knights, I've had no intention of accepting any knightly title."
"…I thought as much."
Jean nodded slowly.
Though she hoped this capable former Cavalry Captain might one day return, it was clear he had no such intention.
She then turned to Lumine with a gentle smile.
"Mr. Ganqing mentioned this to me before."
"Yesterday, you drove back the rampaging Dvalin above Mondstadt."
"You more than deserve the title of Honorary Knight."
"Not to mention that, as a traveler, you selflessly helped Mondstadt and took part in this entire operation."
"Now that the dragon crisis has come to an end—"
"May I ask, Traveler, are you willing to become an Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius?"
…
"Honorary Knight… I think Ganqing did mention that yesterday~"
Paimon suddenly remembered.
Back when they first met beneath the Statue of The Seven the previous night, Lin Mo had already brought this up.
She looked at Lumine curiously.
"Traveler, do you want to accept it?"
"But I didn't really do that much…"
Lumine answered humbly.
"Other than purifying the Dragon Tears, the resolution of the dragon crisis was everyone's collective effort."
Seeing Lumine hesitate, a trace of difficulty appeared in Jean's eyes.
She hadn't expected the title of Honorary Knight to be something no one wanted.
But Lin Mo had already anticipated this possibility.
He stepped forward and stopped in front of Lumine.
"I heard your reason for traveling… is to find your brother, right?"
"Yes."
Lumine nodded.
"Then I suggest you accept this title."
Lin Mo smiled as he explained,
"This identity will allow Mondstadt to praise your contributions."
"And it will let more people know why an outsider like you came to Mondstadt."
"As your deeds spread across Teyvat—"
"It's like sending out a missing-person notice to the entire continent."
"Maybe you'll find your brother much sooner than you think."
…
"That's right~ Our diplomatic envoy isn't just strong, he's smart too~ Thinking that far ahead~"
Paimon nodded vigorously in agreement.
She turned to Lumine and urged her,
"Traveler, let's accept the honor~"
"…Okay."
Lumine nodded firmly, looking at Jean with solemn resolve.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, I'm willing to accept the title of Honorary Knight."
…..
After everything was settled, everyone left Jean's office and exited the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
The bright moon hung high in the sky.
After a long, exhausting day, night had finally fallen.
Diluc decided to return to Dawn Winery.
The brewing techniques he had learned in his dream still needed to be tested one by one in reality.
"Everyone~ how about we go to the tavern to celebrate?"
Lisa suggested with a smile.
"I agree."
Eula nodded.
"Yay yay~ Klee wants to eat lots of yummy snacks~"
"Everyone's worked hard today. We should relax a bit."
Jean nodded in agreement.
Noelle smiled brightly.
"Don't worry, everyone—drink as much as you like. I'll take care of you all~"
"Then let's go to Angel's Share!"
Venti immediately raised his hand.
Free drinks paid with the Knights' funds?
How could he possibly miss out?
"Hey~ bard~ didn't you promise to go return the Holy Lyre with us?"
Paimon protested unhappily.
"Ah… well… I guess that works too."
Venti looked troubled as he turned to Lumine.
"Let's hurry, then. We'll return the Holy Lyre and rush back—should still make it in time."
"Don't worry. Everyone's alcohol tolerance is good enough to last until you're back."
Lin Mo laughed.
"Alright then. You go ahead and save us some seats. I'll take the Traveler to return the Holy Lyre."
With that, Venti hurried off, dragging Lumine toward the Church of Favonius.
"Then let's go too. If we're late, there won't be any seats left."
Even Eula sounded a little anxious.
Only she truly knew how packed the tavern got at night.
But Lin Mo said, "You all go ahead. I want to head back to the dorms for a shower. I'll be there soon."
Seeing Lin Mo's rather battered appearance, everyone finally remembered—
During the battle, Dvalin had blasted him head-on with dragon breath.
Though he wasn't injured, his knight's uniform had been shredded by wind blades.
He really did need a shower and a change of clothes.
"Brother Ganqing~ we'll be waiting for you at the tavern!"
…
…..
After bidding everyone farewell, Lin Mo indeed returned to his dormitory, took a shower, and changed into a fresh knight's uniform.
But he didn't head straight to Angel's Share afterward.
Because he had another purpose for returning.
He stood on the dormitory balcony, gazing toward the direction of the Church of Favonius.
If nothing went wrong…
Soon, Lumine and Venti would exit the church—and run straight into La Signora, who had come to seize the Anemo Archon's Gnosis.
That infamous heart-snatching scene…
How could Lin Mo possibly miss it?
And just then—
The doors of the Church of Favonius were pushed open.
Venti and Lumine stepped out together.
--------
T/N:
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