Cider Lake — Evening
"Alright, everyone. Good work today—let's head back."
Bathed in the orange glow of sunset, the "Jean" standing before the tired Knights dismissed them with a reassuring tone.
Of course, it wasn't Jean—Venti was still maintaining her disguise.
They had combed the entire lakeside, questioned every resident around the area, and even retraced possible escape routes.
But nothing—no clues, no footprints, no traces of elemental energy—nothing that could tell them where Jean had gone.
As the group trudged along the path back to Mondstadt, Diluc—walking at the very front—suddenly stopped.
His gaze fixed on the shimmering surface of Cider Lake.
The others halted too. They knew exactly what he was thinking.
"Don't dwell on it."
Still wearing Jean's face, Venti patted his shoulder. "We will find her."
The group continued onward, heading back through the city gates as dusk settled.
The Deer Hunter — Night
"Rita! Over here!"
On her way to the Knights' dormitory, Rita heard a familiar voice.
She turned to see Lumine, Paimon, and Amber at a table inside the restaurant, half-collapsed over their meals.
"Looks like you all just finished a long round of commissions."
Approaching them, Rita noticed Lumine's clothes had collected dirt and dust, her forehead damp with sweat.
"That obvious…?"
Paimon flopped onto the table, utterly defeated.
"Since Jean has 'other matters' to handle, we had to take over the commissions. I'm exhausted! How does Jean do this every day?"
Amber laughed apologetically. Rita smiled.
"Rita, want to join us?" Amber asked.
"Thank you, but I still have something I must take care of."
Rita declined gently.
She already knew what she needed to do later—a subtle hint, delivered at the perfect time.
And night was, after all, the best hour for serpents to move.
She stepped back into the shadows of Mondstadt's streets.
Outside Mondstadt's North Gate — Late Night
"Why… why does it always sink…?"
By the lakeside, poor Ulf stared mournfully at the latest failure of his boatmaking ambitions.
No matter how he built them, his creations simply refused to float.
"Come help me for a moment~"
A cold whisper brushed the back of his neck.
"G—GHOST!!!"
Ulf screamed and bolted forward, sprinting like a man being chased by death itself.
"Oh? A ghost?"
The eerie, lilting voice chuckled.
"What a pity… I'm far more frightened than that."
A pool of greenish liquid suddenly spread out across the ground directly ahead of him.
Sssss… drip…
From that bubbling mass, a girl slowly rose—an elegant silhouette formed from slime and shadow.
At the same time, more of the viscous fluid curled up around Ulf's feet, pinning him in place.
"Gh—gh—gh—gh—gh—!!!!"
His lips trembled violently; he nearly fainted on the spot.
"Alright, little lab mouse—no, actually, you don't even deserve that title."
Seated atop a metal toolbox, Mebius carelessly tossed him an envelope.
"Deliver this letter to the Acting Grand Master. Understood?"
Ulf stared blankly as his mind left his body.
"…Tch. Looks like I'll have to dispose of you after all."
Mebius sighed, bored, sliding a finger through her hair.
"I'LL DELIVER IT! I'LL DELIVER IT RIGHT NOW! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!"
"Good."
She smiled, satisfied.
"But if it doesn't reach the right hands… don't blame me for turning you into research material. It is what I'm best at~"
With that, she dissolved back into the green liquid, vanishing completely.
Panting, half-crying, Ulf clutched the envelope and ran full-speed back toward Mondstadt.
Knights of Favonius Headquarters
"…So Jean handles this much every day…?"
Venti—still wearing Jean's appearance—stared in despair at the mountain of paperwork on the Acting Grand Master's desk.
Lisa worked beside him, quietly stamping forms.
"Without Jean, this city really would collapse," Lisa sighed softly.
"She always hides how much she overworks herself… When she gets back, I'll definitely help her more."
Venti slumped over the desk, dead-eyed.
A knock came from outside.
"Acting Grand Master, a citizen is requesting to deliver a letter to you."
"A letter…?" Venti straightened instantly.
Lisa's expression sharpened.
"The earlier note," she murmured. "It might be related. Come—we should check."
Venti practically stumbled after her.
Entrance Hall
"Acting Grand Master! A strange girl told me to give this to you!"
Ulf nearly shoved the letter into "Jean's" hands before backing away like a terrified rabbit.
"I'll take it," Venti said, tearing open the envelope.
Inside was a small, neatly folded note.
**'Your dear Acting Grand Master is resting—so don't think of bothering her~
Also, my thanks to Barbatos for contributing to my experiment.
I'll make very good use of that sea slug.'**
Venti froze.
"B… Barbatos?"
"Sea slug?"
His pupils shrank.
"T–Tewarin…? Oh no."
Only one person would call Dvalin a sea slug.
Only one person would abduct Jean like it was a fun experiment.
The Serpent—
Mebius.
Jean was in her hands.
And that meant trouble far beyond Mondstadt's imagination.
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