===✧✦✧===
["The Anemo Archon visits the leader of the Falcon of the West"]
Jean learned that the leader of the Falcon of the West at that time was none other than the Lionfang Knight, Vennessa. She hadn't expected it to align so perfectly with her hopes right from the start.
["Unfortunately, the Lionfang Knight was not receptive. The fiery-haired girl made shooing noises as if chasing away squirrels."]
["She said she had no time to listen to songs—thanks to the Anemo Archon, her desk was buried in paperwork."]
"…?" Jean fell silent.
It seemed that in some ways, she might have already caught up to Senior Vennessa...
["The Anemo Archon visits the Lord of Wolves"]
["Urging him to behave and restrain his primal nature as a god of old."]
["The Wolf of the North responded with a threatening growl."]
["'Mischievous bard, save those words for yourself!'"]
"..." Barbara fell silent.
She had thought these were profound, scripture-like words of wisdom from the Anemo Archon.
But now, it looked more like... a compilation of embarrassing moments?
No, that couldn't be! The Anemo Archon must have had profound intentions behind his actions!
["The Anemo Archon visits his first familiar"]
["Helping him disperse the snowstorms, protecting the green fields and the free people."]
["But the dragon seemed to believe that 'help' from a god shouldn't involve cheering him on while strumming a lyre."]
["'Do something useful, Barbatos!!' — Dvalin, furious."]
With the conclusion of ["The Four Winds"], all of Mondstadt fell into silence.
After reading the entire book, the portrayal of Mondstadt in these stories was just... too free, wasn't it?
Amber, who couldn't memorize the Knights' code; Kaeya, who seemed like a villain; Lisa, who slacked off.
Sisters who couldn't recognize their own Archon; citizens who forgot about the Four Winds.
Even their own Anemo Archon was... like this?
In that case, Acting Grand Master Jean and Master Diluc were truly the dignified faces of Mondstadt! Maybe they should just focus on Jean's story instead.
But then, Jean's story made the people of Mondstadt break out in cold sweat.
At the start of the story, Sara from ["Good Hunter"] commissioned the Traveler to relay a message to Jean—some requests that needed the Knights' attention.
["Oh, so you're looking for Jean?"] Paimon said in a familiar tone.
["Are you two close with Acting Grand Master Jean?"] Sara asked.
["We're her loyal servants,"] Lumine replied bluntly, either saying nothing or dropping bombshells.
[Sara, shocked: "S-Servants!? Are the Knights of Favonius reverting to the old aristocratic ways!?"]
[Paimon hurriedly apologized: "Sorry, the Traveler's sense of humor can be a little... odd sometimes."]
In reality, Sara now realized it was just a joke—she had taken it seriously at first.
Jean, reading this segment, could only sigh helplessly as she glanced at Lumine beside her. "Traveler..."
Her tone was full of resignation. Why were all the people around her like this? Even the Honorary Knight was no exception?
Lumine scratched her head. She had come to bid farewell after learning about the ["Rite of Descension"] in the third act.
She hadn't read Jean's story yet, but that line did sound like something she'd say.
"Don't blame the Traveler! She didn't mean anything by it," Paimon said, waving her tiny hands worriedly.
"I'm not blaming her, Paimon," Jean reassured. She was just exasperated, not angry.
At least the book had clarified things and wouldn't tarnish the Knights' reputation.
Lisa stood nearby, smiling without a word. She had a feeling this story was probably meant as a surprise for Jean.
Though Jean hadn't collapsed from overwork, they had been planning a thank-you party for her.
But after being spoiled by the author, could it still be called a surprise?
Lucian would say: Yes, but the credit goes to me now. Ehe~
Returning to the story, Sara's commission involved clearing Hilichurls from trade routes—a legitimate task for the Knights.
She also mentioned that Charles the bartender had a request.
Charles's request was for Jean to provide this quarter's tax reports. Since alcohol was vital to Mondstadt, Jean personally reviewed every entry.
["Jean's work is even harder than I imagined,"] Paimon remarked.
[Charles: "But the Acting Grand Master's efforts have made things much easier for us."]
["Still, how should I put it...? Nowadays, everyone takes this good fortune for granted."]
Charles's words made the people of Mondstadt reflect.
Had they really grown too accustomed to Jean's hard work?
In the story, when the Traveler tried to report the commissions to Jean, they ran into Margaret—the owner of the Cat's Tail tavern.
Her cat had gone missing, but she wasn't there to look for it. She was there to find Jean.
[Paimon: "Miss Margaret, aren't you here to look for your cat?"]
[Margaret: "Yes, I'm here to ask Jean to help find my cat."]
["What!? You're bothering her with something this trivial!?"] Paimon was stunned.
Not just Paimon—even the people of Liyue, Inazuma, and Fontaine were shocked.
The earlier tasks were understandable: eliminating monsters, securing trade routes, managing finances—those were leadership responsibilities.
But finding a lost cat? You're seriously asking the Acting Grand Master for that!?
To people from other nations, this was unthinkable.
For example, in Liyue: If you lost a cat, would you go to Ningguang for help? Realistic?
In Inazuma: Lose a cat and ask Yae Miko to find it? She'd probably just toy with you for amusement.
In Fontaine: Lose a cat and ask Neuvillette to search for it? Honestly, you'd have better luck asking Furina.
As for Sumeru? Pfft—the Grand Sage would make you disappear too.
[Margaret: "Huh? Is that really inappropriate?"]
["But Jean is so kind."]
Yes, she was too kind. People from other nations were practically green with envy.
["This feels like 'nice people get taken advantage of,'"] Lumine deadpanned.
"You're right, Jean. Sometimes, you really should put your foot down," Lisa agreed.
But Jean replied, "If the citizens are counting on me, how can I let them down?"
Lisa could only shake her head helplessly. She knew convincing Jean was impossible.
Though gentle and kind, Jean was also stubborn.
"At least reduce your workload a little? Things like finding cats could be left to us adventurers," Paimon suggested.
"I'm the adventurer, not you, Paimon," Lumine retorted.
"Hey! What's wrong with borrowing the title? You've gotten stingy lately! Hmph!" Paimon crossed her arms, turning her head away with a pout.
"Alright, thank you for your concern, Paimon. I'll be more mindful in the future," Jean said, soothing the little guide.
The people of Mondstadt reading the book also sighed. Unintentionally, they had become the "Anemo Archon" who buried Jean under endless paperwork.
Somewhere, an old bard sneezed.
In the story, by the time the Traveler found Jean, she was coughing from exhaustion, her mind clearly drained.
In the end, she even fainted mid-conversation.
Fortunately, in this world, Lucian's spoilers had spared Jean much of that stress, so she wasn't nearly as overworked.
Even the Fatui, whose schemes had been exposed, couldn't pressure Mondstadt—instead, they were forced to compromise.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Over: Barbara — About "The Four Winds"
"It's blasphemous to say this, but... this version of the Anemo Archon is just so adorable!
He's not the grand, divine figure from the stories—this Barbatos feels so much more relatable."