Without the Abyss Mage's interference, Venti and Lumine purified Dvalin together. He finally awakened from the poison and curse.
"Barbatos…"
The friend from long ago stood before him. Whether it was the beautiful lyre or the voice, or that forever youthful, pure face—Dvalin fell silent.
Memories spanning ages returned as clarity embraced his mind.
"I should thank the gentleman with the Grand Prophecy."
After catching up with Dvalin, Venti voiced his wish to Jean.
Resolving the Dvalin incident so quickly, sparing him much suffering—this was largely Ken's achievement. Venti was grateful.
Of course—
If he could also visit that so-called Blue Star, and sample the brews there, that wouldn't be bad either.
"Master Venti, we've decided to go to Blue Star tomorrow morning to thank him. If you're willing, you're welcome to join us."
"But before that… we need to inform the citizens that the dragon crisis is over."
Jean spoke with deep respect.
Venti patted Dvalin's head and smiled. "See you tomorrow then. But there's no need to reveal my identity to the public."
Jean nodded slightly, watching Venti and Dvalin depart.
Lumine, however, stared at the cliffside and suddenly said, "Paimon, if my brother finds out I'm getting married, he'd bless me, right?"
Paimon: "???"
Other Abyss Mages skulking in the shadows along the cliff: "?"
Even Jean and Diluc looked astonished: "?"
Uh…
What's going on?
Lumine's getting married? Who's the groom? The sudden news left everyone stunned.
"Well, even if my brother doesn't bless me, it's fine. I've decided. I hope he stays safe—I'm going to start a happy journey."
Lumine spoke to herself while giving meaningful looks to Jean and Diluc.
She'd worked so hard to find her brother, only to learn he was a prince of the Abyss.
Though he must have his reasons, that's no excuse for letting her slog through wind and rain without a word.
They're siblings, after all—shouldn't he at least have told her he was in the Abyss?
So she'd teach him a little lesson.
That's also why Lumine hadn't let the Knights take down that other sneaky Abyss Mage—she wanted him to carry the message.
After hearing Lumine's idea, Jean, for once, showed a helpless smile. On this matter… well, she was inclined to support Lumine.
But this was between Lumine and Aether. After expressing her support, Jean had the Knights announce to the public that Dvalin was saved.
This time, however, Jean did not appear in person; she let the Knights spread the word.
She felt… Ken had a point.
A good leader may not need to do everything personally.
Even if it's hard to change ingrained habits right away, if it's the right thing, it's worth serious consideration.
…
Goth Grand Hotel.
Splash!
Crack, crack!
While bathing, Signora let icy aura spill out, freezing the tub in an instant.
Under the extreme cold, the ornate bathtub shattered into pieces.
Signora bent to pick up her robe and draped it over herself, anger on her beautiful face.
Today was truly unlucky—two annoyances just while taking a bath.
"The Stormterror incident… the Knights have already resolved it?"
She sat and crossed her long, fair legs. That faintly revealed, breathtaking view was destined for no one's eyes.
Kneeling, Anastasia trembled.
Half an hour earlier, upon discovering the stolen Holy Lyre was fake, Signora had flown into a rage and ordered them to continue sabotaging the Knights in secret.
Anastasia thought she'd dodged a bullet.
Yet in just half an hour—before she could even deploy the sabotage plan—news spread through the city that the Stormterror incident had been perfectly resolved.
Truly a cursed day…
Looking at the shattered tub, cold sweat poured down Anastasia's back. She feared she'd end up like the bathtub at any moment.
"M-My Lady… It's said there's a man named Ken who used Grand Prophecy to foresee Mondstadt's crisis and provided them with a solution."
"And there's also a traveler from another world named Lumine."
Anastasia hurried to relay the information she had, hoping to redirect Signora's anger.
Though she was a Fatui Diplomat, before Signora she had to tread carefully; life and death hung on Signora's whim.
In truth—
This intel wasn't exactly clandestine. By now, all of Mondstadt likely knew the two heroes' names.
Since Barbatos didn't want his identity revealed, Jean hadn't mentioned him publicly.
But Ken, as their great benefactor, and Lumine, as a key contributor—Jean had to let the citizens know. The Knights could no longer breed discontent by concealing their heroes.
The last lesson had been painful enough.
That's how Anastasia learned the news.
"Grand Prophecy?"
Signora frowned slightly and unconsciously recrossed her legs.
Compared to the outworld traveler "Lumine," the one with "Grand Prophecy" was clearly stranger.
If not for him…
Even with the traveler's help, Signora was confident she could have muddied the waters and taken the Gnosis.
And if he truly had Grand Prophecy… did he also foresee their mission?
A chill rose in Signora's heart.
"Go investigate this Ken."
Signora said thoughtfully.
Anyone who obstructs the Tsaritsa's will must be eliminated.
The Tsaritsa's will is above all.
Of course… if he can't be eliminated, then learn everything about him and bring him under control. Don't let him spoil things again.
"Understood!"
Anastasia exhaled in relief. Today she'd learned another small lesson about surviving under Signora.
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