Indeed, the excited little adorable rushing towards her was Durandal's most doted-on younger sister—Klee.
But... someone who should be in Mondstadt, constantly cycling through bombing fish—confinement—bombing fish every day, why would she appear in Liyue?
Without giving Durandal much time to think, the excited Klee had already reached her, throwing herself into Durandal's embrace and happily rubbing against her.
"Big Sister Durandal, Big Sister Durandal. Long time no see, Klee missed you so much."
"...It hasn't been that long, not as exaggerated as you say."
While that was true, she was also quite fond of this little elf. It was all because of her that she had reached her current position.
Only when facing her could Durandal not be serious, like an older sister to her younger sister, she gently stroked Klee's cheek, making Klee giggle adorably.
Wait a minute, since Klee is here, that means someone else must be with her.
There's no way she came to Liyue by herself; Jean would surely worry herself to death, and Klee would be severely confined when she returned.
"Your Excellency Durandal!"
As expected, Jean quickly appeared in Durandal's line of sight. Seeing Klee in Durandal's arms, Jean breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems Klee came to find her without informing Jean. It appears that in terms of causing worry, she still hasn't changed.
"It's been a while, Jean. You... don't seem to have followed my advice to rest on time."
With just one glance, Durandal understood that Jean had reverted to her old habits in the time since Durandal left Mondstadt, staying up late every night to handle affairs.
"Ugh!"
Although she thought she had hidden it well, she still couldn't escape Durandal's gaze.
Durandal couldn't help but lecture Jean, who stood obediently, listening to Durandal's teachings.
Klee, nestled in Durandal's arms, watched the scene and suddenly burst out laughing, interrupting Durandal's lecture.
"What's wrong? Why are you suddenly laughing?"
"This is the first time Klee has seen Acting Grand Master Jean being lectured! Acting Grand Master Jean looks like Klee when she makes mistakes, hehehe~"
Klee's laughter was not malicious, but her words made Jean blush.
It made sense; seeing herself being lectured by the Children she had always looked after, anyone would find it unbearable.
"Klee!"
Klee immediately hid behind Durandal, playfully peeking out her little head and giving Jean an adorable smile.
"Hehehe~ Acting Grand Master Jean, Klee knows she was wrong."
"You, you..."
Jean knew Klee meant no harm, and with Durandal protecting her now, no matter how angry she was, she could only hold this grudge for now and deal with her when they returned to Mondstadt.
Durandal took Klee and Jean to Wanmin Restaurant. Xiangling wasn't there today; she must have gone to culinary training.
After Chef Mao prepared several fish-related dishes for them, Durandal and Jean began to chat.
"Why did you suddenly bring Klee to Liyue Harbor this time?"
"Miss Ganyu told me to meet Miss Ningguang in the evening to discuss some business matters. It seems she's been too busy lately and only has time in the evening."
That's true, there have indeed been many things happening in Liyue Harbor recently. It's already quite good that she can spare some time.
But... why would Ningguang think of discussing business with Mondstadt during such a busy time? Could that person... be trying to win me over through this method?
With this doubt, Durandal led the two to the villa entrance.
Looking at the mansion, which was no less grand than the Gunnhildr family's residence, Jean was momentarily speechless.
Durandal and her companions hadn't been in Liyue Harbor for long, had they? And they weren't the type with vast savings. How did they manage to buy such a large villa in Liyue Harbor?
"Lady Durandal, you're back."
"Yes, they will be staying here for a while. Please prepare rooms for them."
"Yes, I will prepare them immediately."
White Oriole gave Jean a deep look, then turned to prepare the rooms for her and Klee for the night.
"Hey, Your Excellency Durandal. Is she the housekeeper here? Why do I feel like she respects you so much?"
It wasn't just the respect one would show to an employer, but... it was similar to the respect she herself felt for a God. Could it be that she, like her, also knew Durandal's identity?
"Hmm, you're not wrong. Although she hasn't fully guessed it, she's probably figured out my true identity."
After all, ordinary people can't grant others the ability to use elemental power. This kind of ability, no matter how you think about it, should only belong to the Seven Gods or a God.
"Eh? She figured it out? Is that really okay? If your identity is exposed..."
"As long as it's not exposed, it's fine, isn't it? Why do you think I'd let her know?"
"...You're right."
Durandal wasn't the type of person to act irrationally. Since she chose White Oriole, it meant she could be trusted... right?
Or was it that those chosen by Durandal couldn't betray her? That possibility wasn't non-existent, but the first option was better.
At least Jean didn't believe Durandal was the kind of person who would force brainwashing. If she really did such things, Mondstadt would probably have been hers long ago.
"Speaking of which, how did you get this villa? Although an honorary knight works hard to help people, he shouldn't be able to afford a house like this. Could it be, Your Excellency Durandal..."
"No, I didn't pay for it. When we first arrived in Liyue Harbor, we happened to save someone from a prominent family. They gave me this house to thank me."
Is... that so? She just happened to save someone from a prominent family and conveniently solved the accommodation problem. How... how amazing.
Considering Durandal's abilities, such a thing was indeed not difficult to happen. She had saved many people in Mondstadt, and her reputation had spread to Liyue Harbor, so it was reasonable for people to specifically seek her out.
Jean and Klee settled in just like that. As soon as White Oriole had prepared dinner, Lumine and Paimon returned.
From their exhausted faces, it was clear that today's activities must have been particularly arduous.
Indeed, the Adepti lived in different places, and they had to travel to several different locations in one day. It was truly hard on them.
Fortunately, with the help of the Wind Glider, they saved a lot of travel time, otherwise one day wouldn't be enough for them to find all the Adepti... they should have found them all by now, right?
"honorary knight sister! You're back!"
"Eh? That voice is... Little Klee!"
Lumine, who had been looking tired, heard Klee's voice and instantly perked up. She looked up and saw Klee running towards her, greeting her with a wide smile.
It wasn't just Little Klee! Even Acting Grand Master Jean was here. What... what was going on? Was she too tired, so tired that she was hallucinating? She had to admit... this hallucination was really nice.
"What are you thinking about? Hurry up and come eat, everyone is waiting for you."
Durandal's slightly displeased voice interrupted Lumine's fantasy. Lumine looked at the people sitting properly in their chairs and tilted her head in thought.
Could it be... the scene in front of her wasn't a halluc? Little Klee and Acting Grand Master Jean really came to Liyue?
Ah~ Is this a God rewarding her for all her hard work during this time?
Wait... wait a minute? A God? A guy like Venti? Never mind, a reward from such a God always felt a bit strange.
However... this feeling was really nice. The scene of someone waiting for her to come home and eat together was truly wonderful.
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