"I understand."
Jean nodded solemnly.
"Once again, thank you for your help, Mr. Jacks. Next time, I will do everything in my power to repay this favor."
"Haha…"
Jia Changjiang laughed lightly. He knew Jean well enough—saying more would be pointless.
"Then I'll look forward to it."
At that moment, the door opened.
Kaeya and Amber entered with Lumine and Paimon.
"Acting Grand Master, I've brought them," Kaeya said cheerfully, his gaze landing on Jia Changjiang.
"Ah! It's that weird guy from the sky!" Paimon pointed at him.
"You're not dead?!"
"That's a very rude way to put it. We were fighting side by side just earlier."
Seeing Lumine and Paimon, Jia Changjiang's mood visibly improved.
"I was seriously injured, sure—but I was lucky enough to be saved."
He hadn't forgotten the voice he heard before hitting the ground.
If Venti hadn't slowed his fall, things would have ended very differently.
Kaeya relayed the details Amber had gathered.
Jean turned to Lumine.
"Mondstadt welcomes you—travelers borne upon the wind. I am Jean, Acting Grand Master. This is Lisa, the Knights' librarian."
"Thank you both, and Mr. Jacks as well, for your help."
Jean continued,
"However… without the current interference, the Knights have more effective means than simple missing-person notices to help you find your relative."
Lisa also explained Mondstadt's current situation—the leylines were already in chaos due to the Wind Dragon, and the Knights were stretched thin maintaining the city's safety.
"So, Traveler," Jean said,
"Please stay in Mondstadt for now, and wait until the Knights resolve this issue."
"Okay! I'll leave everything to you. So—where's the nearest inn?"
Lumine answered instantly.
Jia Changjiang froze.
Was it just his imagination… or was this little sister kind of scummy?
"Hey! Don't slack off—we should help too!" Paimon protested.
"Our objective is three of the Four Winds' temples," Jean continued.
"As for why only three… I believe you all understand."
After finalizing the plan, the Knights immediately began preparing to depart and cleanse the temples of the Wind Dragon's lingering influence.
Jia Changjiang, due to his injuries, was left behind.
Jean stayed as well, to oversee matters.
"Mr. Jacks," Jean said after everyone else had left,
"You're a foreigner, so the reason only three temples are being cleared is—"
"I know. Eastern Wind Dragon, Dvalin," Jia Changjiang answered directly.
Jean nodded.
"Yes… this is Mondstadt's own issue, yet you were dragged into it."
"When I fought the Eastern Wind Dragon, I could clearly feel its rage and hatred," Jia Changjiang said plainly.
"At this point, Dvalin does hate Mondstadt—there's no denying that."
Jean's expression grew heavy.
"But don't blame yourselves too much. There's something else mixed into that hatred."
Seeing Jean's reaction, Jia Changjiang explained further.
"No matter what, Mondstadt and the Eastern Wind Dragon need a resolution. What that outcome will be—that's up to you."
"…Mm."
Jean nodded.
"Thank you for your guidance."
Just then, a knight rushed in.
"Acting Grand Master! A Fatui diplomat wishes to see you!"
"The Fatui? Now?"
Jean glanced at Jia Changjiang.
"Don't worry about me," Jia Changjiang said, standing up.
"I'll go back to the church later for treatment. I should recover fairly quickly."
"And I've got someone I want to find anyway."
"All right."
Jean hurried off to handle her duties.
Jia Changjiang retrieved his battle axe from storage, stored it away, and left the Knights' headquarters.
As for the Tome of the Four Winds—it had already vanished without a trace.
Leaving the headquarters, Jia Changjiang headed straight for the places where Venti was most likely to appear.
Finding Venti was never hard.
Lazy though he was, and fond of taverns as he might be—when it came to being a bard, Venti truly deserved his fame.
Just like today.
In Mondstadt's streets, Jia Changjiang found the bard once more surrounded by listeners. He stood quietly in the crowd, waiting.
Venti sang of Mondstadt's legends—of Vennessa.
His music drew applause, and Mora clinked into his hat.
When the song ended and the crowd dispersed, Jia Changjiang stepped forward.
"Venti, looks like you did pretty well today."
He smiled.
"Want to grab something to eat at Good Hunter?"
"You came specifically to find me?" Venti asked, gathering the Mora from his hat.
"Sure—but you look seriously injured. Shouldn't you go to the church first?"
"I just came from there. Don't really want to make a second trip."
Jia Changjiang waved his hand.
"That's why we're going to Good Hunter. I won't drink for now—once I'm healed, we'll drink properly."
Then he added,
"Also… thank you, Venti."
"Eh~ what are you thanking me for? I didn't do anything worth thanks."
Venti grinned mischievously.
"Shall we go? Your treat?"
"Of course!" Jia Changjiang said.
"Expensive hot cheese pie or cheap apples—pick one."
"Ehh~ cheese pie's too heavy. I'll take apples."
"Hmph. Calories and sugar are one of humanity's greatest sources of happiness."
"But~ crunchy, sweet apples are a gift from the gods, you know?"
With lighthearted banter, the warrior and the poet headed toward Good Hunter together.
And the city of Mondstadt—just struck by disaster—slowly began to breathe again.
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