In Mondstadt City, a nun wearing fishnet stockings was running at an extremely fast speed.
Despite moving quickly, she didn't make much noise with her footsteps and carefully avoided the people around her, not letting them see her figure.
This rapidly moving figure was Rosaria. Upon hearing that Durandal had returned to Mondstadt City, and learning that Durandal was at Angel's Share, she rushed over as fast as she could.
But when she arrived at Angel's Share, quite a few people had already gathered there. Apart from a few scattered guests who were drinking, Durandal and her companions were sitting at the bar, chatting with Diluc, who was the bartender.
At the counter, besides Durandal, Rosaria also saw Lumine and an unfamiliar girl sitting beside Durandal.
Although she only saw the person's back, she could tell from her figure and demeanor that this person must be very beautiful, the kind who would get a lot of stares on the street.
Durandal, who was listening to Durandal and Lumine's conversation, sensed the seal on Rosaria and turned around to look at her standing at the entrance.
"You're here. Don't you need to work? At this time, the Knights of Favonius should still have things to do, right?"
"Other nuns will handle those tasks. Since they'll finish the work, why shouldn't I, someone who would only cause trouble there, go out and find something to do?"
The real reason was that she still had to patrol Mondstadt City and occasionally go out to investigate the traces of the Fatui, so she didn't have time to stay at the Church of Favonius.
Durandal understood this, nodded, and pointed to a nearby spot, a corner of the bar where there was still a seat.
Rosaria sat down without ceremony. Since she was already here, she might as well have a glass of dandelion wine before leaving, and perhaps find an opportunity to report to Durandal about the recent situation with the Fatui.
"I've already heard about what happened in Liyue. I didn't expect so many things to occur; your journey was even more exciting than I imagined."
Diluc brought drinks for everyone. Some were pure fruit juice, and some were alcoholic, like for Rosaria. If he gave her fruit juice, she would complain endlessly.
"We also didn't expect this year's Rite of Descension to turn out this way, with even the God Osial being revived in the end. Thinking about it, the scene back then was really perilous."
Paimon held a glass of fruit juice, took a big gulp, and told Diluc some details that Diluc didn't know.
Lumine, meanwhile, was slowly chewing on the snacks Durandal brought, with no intention of stopping Paimon. After all, this wasn't a secret, as long as she didn't mention Durandal turning into the black plague.
"What is this? Wine?"
Durandal looked at the milky white liquid in the cup, puzzled. This was different from the Milk Diluc gave her; this should be considered wine.
"Hmm, you once said that wine tasted strange. To change your impression, I did a little research and made this kind of wine that you might like. Give it a try."
"...Strange obsession."
This person, she had clearly told him she wasn't interested in wine, yet he specifically researched a wine she might like. Was that necessary?
Just because of a single sentence from her? If so, his obsession was truly unusually strange.
Durandal also gave Diluc face and prepared to try it. If it didn't suit her taste, she could just leave it on the table.
"Hmm? This taste... a bit sweet."
This wine was completely different from the one Diluc had offered her before. This time, the wine was sweet, which suited Durandal's preferences well.
Could this liquid really be called wine? She felt it was very different from real wine.
"This is brewed from rice bought from Liyue Harbor. In Liyue Harbor, it's called rice wine or sweet wine. I made a slight improvement, and the effect seems good."
Diluc nodded in satisfaction. The brewing of rice wine was quite different from previous wines, but the process was not difficult. With the addition of water from Wine Lake, the rice wine became much more delicious.
This wine was much lighter than other wines at Angel's Share. Regular customers weren't very interested in it, but it was unexpectedly popular among some female customers who didn't usually drink alcohol.
The appearance of rice wine brought some female customers to Angel's Share, which was an unexpected surprise.
Durandal nodded in agreement, took another sip, and, feeling the unique taste of the rice wine, nodded in satisfaction.
Durandal's actions piqued Shenhe's curiosity. Was it really that delicious? Even Durandal gave it such high praise.
Noticing Shenhe's gaze, Durandal handed over the cup: "Try it?"
Looking at the wine glass in front of her, Shenhe didn't hesitate too long. She took the cup, took a sip, and tasted it.
"It's a feeling I haven't had before, but... it's not bad, not unpleasant."
Shenhe hadn't tried many things, and wine was one of them. This sweet taste was quite special to her, but she didn't dislike it.
Of course, it was impossible for her to fall in love with drinking. She wouldn't get drunk like other drunkards, and Cloud Retainer wouldn't allow such a thing to happen either.
The reason she was willing to try it was because this wine had Durandal's approval, and also because Durandal had drunk it, so she wanted to try it.
Shenhe's action caught Lumine's attention. Looking at the wine glass that had returned to Durandal's hand, Lumine took it without Durandal's permission and tasted it from the spot where Durandal had just drunk.
How to put it? Lumine had also drunk alcohol before at Venti's urging, and she had gotten drunk. The next day when she sobered up, Venti cried and ran over to apologize to her.
Although he sounded very sincere, she felt that Venti was forced to come to her under someone's pressure. As for who it was, when Venti apologized, the person hiding nearby and peeking was the culprit.
However, Lumine wasn't unable to drink. The reason she got drunk was because Venti drank too aggressively, and she couldn't handle it at the moment, which led to that situation.
The rice wine Diluc prepared for Venti was sweet, probably a wine specially made because he knew Durandal's preferences.
Through the conversation just now, Lumine understood Diluc's reason for doing this. He really was unyielding, that old man Diluc, with a strange obsession in some aspects.
"Yo-ho~ I think I haven't come too late, have I? Ladies."
The tavern door opened again. This time, before Durandal could turn around, she was hugged from behind. The other person's head rested on Durandal's shoulder, looking at the wine glass in Durandal's hand.
"You're actually drinking? You actually tried it? I'm seeing something incredible! Have you finally joined me, Durandal? I'm so happy."
"No, I won't become a drunkard like you. And let go of me quickly, you're hugging too tight."
Durandal pushed Venti's face away with a hint of disdain, but Venti held on tight, with no intention of letting go.
Because of this pushing and pulling, a slightly large Slime on Venti's body kept bumping against Durandal's back.
How to put it? Lumine watched from the side with envy, but Durandal felt nothing, even wanting to dig up a few Slimes from the ground and throw them at this guy's head.
Seeing that this guy wouldn't let go no matter what, Durandal suddenly uncharacteristically stopped her movements, making Venti look at her strangely.
"Hey, do you know, Venti? During my time in Liyue Harbor, I wasn't completely idle. Recently, I developed a very special Virus. This Virus has no lethality; it only affects a person's perception of a certain thing."
"Oh? A Virus with absolutely no lethality? What is it?"
Durandal's description successfully piqued Venti's curiosity. This was the first time she had heard that Durandal could unleash a Virus with absolutely no lethality. How did she do it? And what did "affect perception" mean?
"For example, wine. Those who love wine can't live without it. If I inject this Virus into their body, then this Virus will change their body's reaction to wine."
"Before being infected, wine is a delicacy to you. After being infected, wine will be like rotten, foul-smelling food to you. No matter how hard you try, it will only cause discomfort and make you vomit continuously."
"This is called having no lethality?! This is practically deadly!"
Venti looked at Durandal in horror. Not only Venti, but even Diluc and Rosaria, the two onlookers, looked at Durandal with surprise.
Although this Virus wouldn't cause death, for those who loved wine, it was definitely more unbearable than death.
Venti couldn't imagine a daily life without wine. If there was wine in front of him and he couldn't drink it, how sad would that be?
"Is it very scary?" Durandal asked.
Venti nodded vigorously. Wasn't that obvious? How could it not be terrifying?
"Since it's so scary, why don't you let go of me quickly? Believe it or not, if you don't let go, I'll inject this Virus into your body."
Durandal's expression darkened, and she threatened, "You can try it and see if I'm lying. You can also try to see if your physique can resist this Virus."
No, no, such a thing shouldn't be attempted. Venti wouldn't dare to court such a disaster; it was better to be honest.
Durandal nodded to Diluc. Understanding her meaning, Diluc served Venti a glass of dandelion wine. This was Durandal treating him.
Seeing the dandelion wine, Venti's face regained its smile, and he eagerly began to drink.
Seeing that this Anemo God, who had no dignity at all, was still the same as before, Durandal felt relieved.
Although Mondstadt had changed a bit due to its cooperation with Liyue Harbor, the people living there hadn't changed at all.
That was good. This was the city that attracted her, the one that made her gradually accept humans.
Mondstadt, I'm back.
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