The morning sunlight fell like scattered gold over the steel city that was the Magic City. Ken walked out of his study slowly with two smooth spheres in hand and compared them to Alice's bombs.
Klee's fully maxed-out art of bombing and Alice's each had their own merits.
But inside these two bombs, he had infused both Pyro and Electro. In a sense, the craft was even more special.
Besides that—
They would be much flashier when they exploded; Klee should like them more.
[Ding—]
[Detected that the host's contracted partner Mona is attempting to come to Blue Star. Does the host consent?]
The system's reminder sounded.
"System, from now on, when contracted partners come over, you don't need to specifically ask me. Just approve it automatically."
Considering that there would only be more and more contracted partners, Ken didn't want to keep approving them manually.
He had absolute control anyway; being casual with the invitations wasn't a big deal.
"Boss!"
"Mondstadt's been hit by a nasty windstorm. Lots of trade routes and merchants have been affected. If we sell our goods now, I'm sure they'll fly off the shelves."
Mona stepped adeptly out of the vortex gate, eyes shining at the breakfast on the table even as she quickly stated her purpose to Ken.
Unlike Klee and Barbara—
Although Mona had become Ken's employee, she still didn't feel all that natural around him. The girl was a little shy and didn't really do small talk.
"How bad is the windstorm in Mondstadt?"
By his reckoning, a windstorm around now was about right.
No wonder Barbara and Klee hadn't come today. Ken pondered. At this rate, Lumine or Aether should be there soon.
"It's really bad. The windstorm swept through Mondstadt last night, destroyed a lot of buildings in the city, and even injured people. The Knights were out cleaning up the scene this morning."
Thinking of the mess she'd seen in the morning, Mona sighed.
She hadn't expected Mondstadt to suffer such a disaster.
"Mona, do me a favor—deliver these two bombs to Klee."
By Ken's judgment, the Knights of Favonius should have already dealt with the three Temples of the Four Winds, but Dvalin's power was still not to be underestimated.
To keep little Klee safe, Ken decided to give her these two new-model bombs.
He didn't know their exact power, but at the very least they'd be enough to scare Dvalin off.
"As for our goods, they're all in this treasure chest. Open it when you get back to Mondstadt."
Ken also handed Mona a delicate, palm-sized magic chest.
Once today's shipment from a certain app arrived, Ken had put it straight into the magic chest.
Looking at the tiny box, Mona was curious.
How much could a box this small hold?
But thinking about how Ken could freely invite them from another world, it was only natural he had all sorts of wonders. Mona didn't ask further. She took the bombs and the chest, grabbed the breakfast off the table, and returned to Mondstadt.
Ken headed to the company for a meeting.
The Mondstadt chapter had been more or less ground through. It was time to pin down with the staff how to operate after the game went live.
…
Knights of Favonius.
At just past eight in the morning, the Knights were already assembled outside the headquarters.
Aside from Eula who was out tracking monsters, Kaeya who had gone to handle storm aftermath, and Amber who was scouting, nearly all the key figures were present.
Even Lisa, the witch who normally clocked in at ten, was there.
After Dvalin suddenly left Mondstadt last night, he didn't quiet down. Early this morning, he whipped up a hurricane near Windwail Highland that caused a wind disaster.
Word was, the storm had hit a caravan from Snezhnaya, flinging all their cargo away and causing no small number of injuries.
Jean had decided to give Dvalin a little shock so he'd behave himself for a while.
"Klee!"
Just as the Knights were about to set out, Mona came trotting up.
"Mona? Did you need Klee for something?"
Little Klee bounded over to greet her, big eyes blinking.
After seeing Mona on Blue Star yesterday, Klee felt even closer to her.
"Acting Grand Master Jean."
Mona gave Jean a nod, then took out two bombs and placed them into Klee's small hands.
"The boss heard a windstorm had started and specifically asked me to bring you two bombs for self-defense."
Task complete, Mona finally took out a burger to eat.
The moment she'd seen that breakfast at Ken's place, her stomach had started growling.
A sausage-and-egg burger… really good.
Lisa, however, smiled gracefully and asked, "Little cutie, did you just call Ken… boss?"
"That's right. Mr. Ken has opened a specialty shop in Mondstadt, and I'm the acting store manager. If the Knights need anything, feel free to come by. It's right next to Good Hunter."
Mona ate while slipping in a bit of advertising for the shop.
Lisa's bewitching eyes shimmered, and Ken's handsome face crossed her mind.
Interesting… he actually opened a specialty shop in Mondstadt.
Lisa's interest grew.
Jean smiled. "Once we've handled this matter, we'll definitely come support you."
Mona nodded, said goodbye to Klee, and left.
Jean glanced at the little bombs in Klee's hands, then led the Knights toward Windwail Highland.
…
A massive canyon stretched forward beneath the slopes, and at the top of the tall cliffs on both sides lay Windwail Highland.
At the foot of the highland now stood two simple tents.
Near the tents sat two injured retainers, and, besides them, a pot-bellied middle-aged man—
Dressed like a merchant.
"So you're the Knights of Favonius from Mondstadt? I really don't know what you people even do. It's one thing that you're slow to clear the monsters in the canyon, but now there's even a hurricane."
"As a merchant who travels the seven nations frequently, Mondstadt has really opened my eyes. Don't get me wrong… I mean it's unexpectedly bad!"
The moment he saw the Knights of Favonius insignia, the pot-bellied merchant swaggered over, bearing himself with lofty arrogance.
…
…
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