Just as Shao Yun and Noelle helped the last of Mondstadt's storm-stricken citizens and finally sat down to rest, a cool, composed, and faintly aloof male voice echoed from behind.
"Cavalry Captain!"
Noelle instantly straightened up, startled, and turned around, clutching the sides of her skirt as she performed a maid's curtsy.
That voice... and with Noelle calling him 'Cavalry Captain'—no doubt, it's Kaeya.
Shao Yun stood up and turned to look. Standing there was a man with striking blue hair, an elegant outfit, and a black eyepatch over his right eye. He smiled as he observed Shao Yun with amusement.
"I saw you helping the citizens, Noelle. Still so enthusiastic and selfless—excellent, excellent." Kaeya clapped softly.
"You flatter me, Captain. I was only doing what I should." Noelle flushed slightly and quickly added, "In fact, it was Mr. Shao Yun here who helped me a lot. We worked together to assist the townspeople, cleaned the alchemy stand, and cleared debris from the streets."
"Oh? So, you're the famous Shao Yun?" Kaeya feigned surprise, then praised, "Your companions, Lumine and Paimon, spoke of you. Truly a gallant and charming man."
Looks like the main storyline's already advanced to the point where Lumine arrived at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. But since I'm here, things got a little stuck—so Kaeya came to find me.
Shao Yun crossed his arms and gave a subtle nod, saying nothing. Kaeya cleared his throat, flashing a polished smile.
"I'm Kaeya, Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius." He stepped forward, hand outstretched.
The two shook hands. Shao Yun responded calmly, "Nice to meet you. You may call me Shao Yun. I'm... something of a traveler myself."
"'Something of a traveler…" Kaeya repeated quietly, his voice barely audible—but Shao Yun caught it.
"Who knows, maybe one day I'll settle down somewhere. I've been wandering since birth, but the idea of a stable life... is deeply tempting." Shao Yun withdrew his hand, speaking with a reflective tone.
"Haha. If you're weary, Mondstadt always welcomes a tired traveler to stay." Kaeya gestured broadly, as if to embrace the whole city—but his eyes never left Shao Yun. "Of course, Mondstadt only welcomes 'friendly' people."
He emphasized the word friendly.
Kaeya was testing him—but Shao Yun, who wore the template of a Red Dead Redemption gunslinger, was hardly someone to back down.
Shao Yun raised an eyebrow and leaned forward slightly, replying with equal force, "I am friendly. Though, admittedly, my friendliness is reserved for friends."
Their auras clashed subtly, neither side yielding. Finally, Kaeya burst out laughing, brushing it off as he moved on.
"Hahaha! Mr. Shao Yun, you're delightfully straightforward. I like that kind of personality." He then made a sweeping gesture of invitation. "Your companions are waiting for you at the Knight of Favonius Headquarters. Come with me."
He turned to Noelle, waving lightly. "Noelle, you too—I've got a few urgent tasks where we'll need your help."
"Yes, Captain," Noelle answered stiffly.
"No need for formalities—just call me Kaeya," he said casually.
"Alright... Kaeya sir," she replied, still attaching the honorific.
At that moment, a new system prompt appeared.
[Current Quest: Follow Kaeya.]
Shao Yun followed behind Kaeya, mentally reviewing what had happened since he parted ways with Lumine.
Let's see... met Noelle, got to know Mondstadt's layout better, made a few contacts... Not bad overall.
But wasn't this whole quest originally about finding lodging? Where's my wardrobe reward?
They climbed a few flights of stairs, passed the Adventurers' Guild, and arrived at the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius.
It was an imposing structure of stone and elegant design—its grand presence embodying both strength and honor. The insignia of the Knights adorned the gate, flanked by two vigilant guards standing rigidly.
"Welcome to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters," one guard said with a salute. Upon seeing Kaeya, he relaxed slightly. "Ah, Captain Kaeya and Miss Noelle. And... this gentleman?"
"This is Mr. Shao Yun, a guest invited by the Knights," Kaeya replied smoothly.
With that, the guard stepped aside. "Anyone brought by Captain Kaeya is surely trustworthy. Please proceed—Acting Grand Master Jean is expecting you."
Inside, they were greeted by a vast hall, its polished stone floors gleaming. Shields bearing the Knights' insignia adorned the walls. Various rooms branched off the hall: the Grand Master's office, the library, a detention room...
Kaeya pulled Noelle aside and whispered something into her ear. Noelle's eyes widened in surprise, then she covered her mouth, nodded, and quickly rushed out of the building.
Shao Yun couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth. Noelle really is too trusting... No wonder she hasn't made it into the official ranks yet.
"What task did you give her?" he asked.
Kaeya placed a finger to his lips and smirked, "It's... an urgent mission."
"...You've said absolutely nothing."
Shao Yun didn't press further. It was probably something trivial like a delivery request.
Kaeya then opened the door to the Grand Master's office. "I've brought him."
As soon as Shao Yun stepped inside—
"Shao Yun! You're okay!" Paimon flew at him, zipping around to inspect him for injuries.
"I'm fine, calm down." He caught her mid-spin. "You keep flying around me like that and I will get dizzy."
"Good, good... When Stormterror attacked Mondstadt, I was so scared!" She flew back to Lumine. "Thank goodness Lumine drove it off—or we'd all have been doomed!"
"Nice work, Lumine. If not for you, we'd be in serious trouble," Shao Yun said with a quick wink of his left eye.
"You're too kind," Lumine replied modestly.
As Kaeya began giving a detailed report of the storm's impact, Shao Yun's gaze swept the room. Aside from Kaeya and Amber, two others were present.
One was a stunning woman in a violet mage's hat and matching rose-hued robe—Lisa, the librarian. Her long, stocking-clad legs were crossed gracefully, her expression one of amused intrigue as she studied Shao Yun.
He gave a subtle nod before his attention shifted to Jean.
Golden hair, tied neatly into a ponytail, framed her elegant, refined face. Her eyes were clear and resolute; her features, fair and soft, radiated a dignified grace. She wore a dark blue and white uniform, accented by a sleek cloak and tall white boots—a perfect blend of nobility and strength.
After Kaeya finished his report, the atmosphere in the room remained tense. The storm had only weakened, not passed.
Jean took a moment to gather herself, then stood straight and addressed them.
"Mondstadt welcomes you, travelers who come from the wind."
Shao Yun broke the tension with a quip. "We may have come from the wind—but at least we weren't blown away by it, ha!"
"Haha, what a charming and witty gentleman," Lisa giggled, clearly entertained. She turned to Lumine. "Your companion is quite the entertainer, little cutie."
The light banter eased the tension. Jean's strained expression softened as she introduced herself and Lisa. Then, looking sincerely at the three, she bowed her head slightly.
"I'm truly sorry. Mondstadt is facing a serious crisis. We're unable to properly welcome you right now."
Lisa sighed dramatically, brushing her cheek with a gloved hand.
"The elemental flows and ley lines of this city are a tangled mess... like yarn mauled by a cat. It's doing dreadful things to my mood and skin."
Jean nodded, turning back to Lumine. "Please, stay in Mondstadt for now. You've already helped us immensely by driving away Stormterror. Let us now return the favor—by helping you."
She hesitated; her expression troubled. Then she forced a smile.
"Normally, we'd have better ways to aid your search. But right now, with the Stormterror crisis—"
Shao Yun cut in, finishing the sentence for her.
"—the Knights are stretched too thin to help. That's what you meant, right?"
All eyes turned toward him. Jean looked slightly embarrassed as her unspoken thoughts were voiced. She nodded.
The truth was, Grand Master Falka had taken most of Mondstadt's forces on an expedition, leaving the city understaffed. After weeks of tension from Stormterror's attacks, they were exhausted.
"No need to be so careful with your words. We're not here to twist anyone's arm. Being straightforward gets better results than tiptoeing around the issue."
Shao Yun's bluntness surprised Lisa, who leaned forward with interest.
"My, what a direct and handsome man." She propped her chin on her hand and glanced at Jean. "Jean, no need to tiptoe—he's already said it all. Just ask them plainly."
"Very well," Jean exhaled and turned to Lumine and Paimon, who still looked a little bewildered.
"We need help. Will you assist the Knights of Favonius?"
Shao Yun noticed something odd.
Wait—why is she asking Lumine and Paimon for help? What about me? Just because he didn't fight the dragon didn't mean he didn't contribute. Do they really see me as just a helpful civilian?
"Even if Acting Grand Master Jean told us not to worry, we'd still offer our aid," Lumine said with a hand to her chest.
"We'll help Mondstadt deal with Stormterror."
Jean looked genuinely relieved. "Thank you... I don't even know what to say."