Koji asked, "Captain Jean-danchō, you're not only giving Koji mora, right?"
Lumine held out her hand and teased.
"Same for you."
Jean smiled wearily. That sum was pocket change to her. She was the eldest of the old Gunnhildr knight family.
"Would you two be interested in honorary knighthood? Honorary Knights of Favonius?"
Mondstadt was a mess. The Archon hadn't fully revealed herself. Elite knights were thin. Having Koji and Lumine on the roster could help in critical moments.
"Is there pay?" Koji asked bluntly. No shame in asking. Money feeds people.
"Five hundred thousand mora a month. If we need you in the field, extra pay then." Jean calculated.
In Inazuma, Sayu earned about two hundred thousand mora a month. Most people made thirty to forty thousand mora per month, with little rest.
"Deal."
Koji and Lumine were satisfied. They did not have to work every day. Even if nothing happened all month, rent and food were covered. Jean and Lisa exchanged looks. They had not seen such blunt honesty in a long time. Ask for mora, get mora. No beating around the bush.
"By the way, Captain Jean, this is the red crystal we found in Whispering Forest. It was left by that dragon."
Lumine produced the teardrop-shaped red crystal. Jean and the others frowned. They felt a dangerous, repulsive odor from it.
"This tainted matter is likely what poisoned Dvalin into becoming Stormterror."
Unlike most Mondstadt residents, Jean and her circle knew Stormterror's origins. Publicizing it now would cause panic and chaos.
"The dragon Dvalin's poisoned blood came from Abyssal power. Stormterror was affected by it."
Koji's words shocked the room. Lisa's green eyes fixed on him. This was not common knowledge.
"How do you know, little one?" Lisa asked.
"You guess." Koji shrugged. Lisa clenched a tiny fist, intrigued despite herself. He was maddeningly evasive.
"You teasing us is hardly gentlemanly." Lisa teased.
"I was never a gentleman. Doesn't matter." Koji grinned.
Lisa fell silent, amused and drawn in. This kid was stubborn and interesting. There would be time to pry more later.
Lumine went with Amber to the Temple of the Four Winds. Koji walked Mondstadt's streets to sort out lodging.
"Venti, come out. Your booze smell gives you away." Koji reached out and plucked a strand of wind. It carried a faint divine trace.
"Eheh."
"Which of us is the Archon, you or me?" Koji teased.
Venti slipped into view, surprised. Even Jean, a Vision holder of Anemo, could not easily sense wind woven so thinly into the air.
Koji had a Blessing of Wind that let him manipulate Anemo with fine control. That made him practically favored by wind itself. Calling him a god would be excessive.
"Venti, why are you following me? Not drinking today, sun rising from the west?" Koji mocked.
"Heh, you're all busy. I didn't want to be rude and drink." Venti scratched his head and smiled.
Koji didn't buy it. Venti hid where he could watch the show. Koji planned to drop by Jean's office someday and open him up. The Knights needed Venti to do real work.
"Venti, quick question. Where is Istaru, the Time Regulator?" Koji leaned in. The name stiffened Venti.
"Ahaha… I don't know~" Venti blinked upward, expression blank. He truly pretended ignorance. Few knew that name; only the Seven might. Koji was a strange variable indeed.
Venti deflected. "Please deal with Dvalin. I don't have much strength now."
"Keep spinning your tales. May the wind fool you," Koji said dryly. Faith bolstered gods as much as raw power. Even the streets' stray dogs said "may the wind bless you."
"Help us, but pay us." Koji bargained.
"…I'm broke. Can we credit it?" Venti scratched his head. His pockets were emptier than his face. Even his drinking money came from busking.
Koji scowled. For a Primordial Archon's avatar, Venti was a poor steward. Zhongli managed coffers better.
"No freeloading." Koji continued house hunting. He remembered Venti hid Windbrew in Windrise. That wine was priceless—Diluc would pay dearly for it. Even Venti hoarded it.
If Venti wanted help to clear Dvalin, Koji proposed trading for Windbrew. Fair.
Venti shivered with a sudden chill. A sense of unease crawled up his spine. Probably just nerves. Better go drink.
"How about this place: three rooms, furnished, new bedding."
Old man Goethe showed Koji a westside house. Koji vaguely recalled Mona might rent the place later.
"Looks good. This is the one."
He signed a contract and paid a month's rent. He wouldn't settle in Mondstadt permanently; his real home would be the Serenitea Pot. The interior was minimalist with a faint lavender scent. Good.
Koji lay on the soft bed and closed his eyes. After long days surviving outdoors, this bed felt like a blessed seal. Sleep came easily.
"Lumine, I'll find you after I wake."
Lumine was busy helping Amber. She was earning pay. She would not do unpaid labor. She refused to be used.
(End of Chapter)
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]