Springvale.
Rola knew perfectly well that the monster outbreak had been maliciously orchestrated. She and Noelle had deliberately patrolled this area earlier, ensuring they could protect the residents when the chaos erupted.
The monsters attacking Springvale were mostly common varieties. Besides Rola and Noelle, several Knights of Favonius were also present.
Otherwise, the two alone could never have defended the vast village.
"Captain Dak, is everyone accounted for?"
"Yes, all the villagers are here. Even the hunters who were out have just returned."
"Good. We'll escort them to Mondstadt immediately!"
Rola stood tall and resolute, her spear slung over her shoulder, radiating martial prowess.
Behind her, Captain Dak watched her young, resolute figure, nodding approvingly. Rola has truly become a capable Knight now.
The Flame-Plunderer Spear in her hands had annihilated countless monsters just moments ago.
Spotting Noelle nearby, Rola called out loudly, "Noelle, let's go! We're heading back to Mondstadt!"
"Mm-hmm!" Noelle replied.
-
As mentioned earlier, Jiang Mumu wasn't inherently malicious. She would only sacrifice others if absolutely necessary, and only the truly wicked.
This time, her audacity stemmed entirely from having Venti's backing.
Venti, who could hear the wind's voice, was incredibly busy. One moment he was shooting arrows this way, and the next he was unleashing fierce gusts of wind in the opposite direction.
This God who had abandoned his dominion over Mondstadt now stood as the people's strongest shield in their hour of crisis.
The phrase "May the Anemo Archon protect you" was never just an empty platitude.
"Ah, finally some downtime," Venti sighed, taking a long swig of wine. "Whose mess is this, anyway~?"
Beside him, the massive Dragon of the East Wind lay sprawled.
"Barbatos, this situation is more complex than it seems."
"You feel it too?" Venti asked.
Dvalin nodded his massive head.
"Ugh, I just wanted to relax and fish a little. Why is it so difficult?"
Venti drained the wine from his bottle in one gulp. "If that's the case, let's just clear this up once and for all."
-
Outside Mondstadt.
Rola, who was escorting residents of Springvale to Mondstadt, had only stopped to pick a Sunsettia when she stumbled upon an astonishing discovery.
I found Little Klee!
The tiny girl was crouched behind a Sunsettia tree, trying to hide herself with a few leaves.
"Klee, what are you doing here? How did you get out?!"
Rola was genuinely curious. Shouldn't Mondstadt be under lockdown?
"Sister Rola, are you here to play with Klee?"
Among all the members of the Knight Order, only Sister Rola would occasionally accompany Klee on her fish-blasting expeditions. In Klee's eyes, Sister Rola was a good person.
"Sure... no, wait, Klee, first tell me, why are you here?"
"Hmm, Klee's confinement ended, so Klee ran out! It's been ages since Klee blasted fish, and I wants to eat fish...(,,>﹏<,,)"
"And how did you get out, Klee?"
"Klee just walked out!"
"Uh... didn't you see any monsters on your way out?"
"I did! Klee saw lots of Hilichurls and slimes! Big Sister said they're bad guys, so Klee blew them all up!"
Rola: "..."
No wonder there were so few monsters around.
Meanwhile, Noelle, noticing Rola's prolonged absence, came looking for her and also spotted Klee.
"Klee?!"
After Rola explained the situation to Noelle, they unanimously decided to take Klee back to the Knight Order.
Klee's fish-blasting plan ended before it even began.
Mondstadt.
Kaeya had searched nearly every place Klee usually frequented, but the little figure remained elusive.
Panic began to set in. Could Little Klee have wandered outside the city?
Considering the complex situation outside the city walls, Kaeya couldn't help but frown.
"No, I need to bring her back quickly."
Kaeya jogged to the city gate and asked the Knights guarding the entrance, but they said they hadn't seen Klee.
Just as Kaeya was about to venture outside, he noticed a group approaching in the distance.
Leading the way was none other than Rola, with Little Klee perched on her shoulders.
The weight in Kaeya's heart lifted immediately.
"Big Brother Kaeya !"
Klee's sharp eyes spotted him immediately, and she waved enthusiastically.
"Big Brother Kaeya, what are you doing here?"
Kaeya lifted the little girl off Rola's shoulders.
"I came to find this little rascal... Klee, where have you been? You've had Jean worried sick."
Seeing Kaeya's uncharacteristically serious expression, Klee immediately lowered her head, poking her fingers together in front of her.
"Umm... Klee's confinement time ended. Klee just wanted to go out and play. Klee wanted to catch fish...(ó﹏ò｡) "
Seeing Little Klee's crestfallen face, Rola's heart nearly melted. She adored all things cute.
Rola rushed forward and scooped Little Klee into her arms.
"Brother Kaeya, don't scold Klee. It's normal for children to be playful. But Klee, the situation outside is very complicated and dangerous right now. There are many monsters, so you can't go out to play. After this is resolved, Sister Rola will take you fish blasting, okay?"
"Okay, Klee understands! Thank you, Sister Rola!"
Little Klee was quite sensible. She had just been unaware of the situation. Now that she understood, she would naturally listen.
Kaeya's lips twitched beside them. Did I even scold her?
And why are you discussing fish blasting right in front of me?
Should I intervene?
Ah, forget it. Let them be. As long as they're happy.
"Rola, take Klee to report her safety to Acting Grand Master Jean. She should be at Mona's place right now. If not, she's most likely at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters."
"Got it, Brother Kaeya! Oh, by the way, have you seen my Brother?"
"He's likely rescuing merchants outside the city. By now, he should be almost back. Probably returning in a while."
Rola, holding Little Klee's hand, bid farewell to Noelle, who was heading into the city to help, and set off for Mona's residence.
Come to think of it, Mona had helped Rola out several times when she first arrived.
...
"The stars shift, all things are impermanent. The compass indicates that the source of this disaster lies where starlight points..."
Mona clasped her hands in a mystic gesture, the Hydro Astrolabe floating before her.
"The source lies in—Dragonspine of Mondstadt."
"Dragonspine?"
Jean frowned slightly. What could be happening there to incite such a massive monster surge?
"Thank you, Miss Mona. The Knight Order will remember this assistance. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."
Rola arrived just then.
"Commander Jean!"
"Rola, and... Klee?!"
Jean's expression turned serious. She nodded to Rola and led Little Klee away.
Seeing Klee's pleading gaze, Rola could only shrug helplessly. "Commander Jean isn't as easygoing as Kaeya-bro," she thought. "I don't dare."
After completing her divination, Mona plopped down in a chair.
"Rola, you're here."
"Mona!"
"Did you observe anything?"
"Very little. Just that the source seems to be Dragonspine. Jean has already dispatched reinforcements."
"Oh, okay. You rest here, Mona. I'll go check it out!"
Rola dashed off in a flurry.
"Huh? Wait a minute..."
Mona reluctantly lowered her hand, giving up on stopping her.
"Strange... Rola's complexion has been off lately. Could I be mistaken? She seemed perfectly fine when I checked her earlier."