Early the next morning.
Waking from the warm, fragrant embrace beside him, Luo Li gently moved the slender hand resting across his chest. He slid out of bed, bare-chested, stretched under the early sunlight, and pressed a hand to his waist—feeling extremely refreshed.
"Fortunately, I can still handle it."
Finding his body completely fine, Luo Li was very satisfied with himself.
Even if she was a god, he wasn't any weaker—perhaps even a bit stronger.
As usual, the thoroughly exhausted Raiden Makoto was still fast asleep. This was their everyday routine. And because a god's physiology differed from mortals, she didn't even have those inconvenient "once-a-month" days. Truly perfect.
Pulling her hand back under the blanket, Luo Li leaned down and placed a small kiss at the corner of her lips before leaving the bedroom.
Downstairs, he noticed Fischl was already gone—likely having gone off with Venti and Lumine to begin their search for Stormterror.
"I wonder if they'll run into the Abyss Order today."
If not today, then eventually.
After all, the "Prince" of the Abyss would not pass up such a valuable specimen as Dvalin.
Their experiments and power were similar to the Fatui's—no surprise, considering Pierro, the Fatui's First Harbinger, was once a high-ranking figure of Khaenri'ah's court.
Believing himself abandoned by his beloved monarch and led astray by forbidden knowledge, he blamed the fall of his homeland on the "favoring of the sages." After the cataclysm, he ultimately pledged loyalty to the Tsaritsa.
It would not be strange if he brought Khaenri'ahn techniques with him—otherwise Snezhnaya would never have surpassed the other nations in military strength within a few centuries.
Thinking over these matters, Luo Li crossed Windrise and entered the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
His status was that of a contracted external advisor to the Knights—no formal rank, but able to involve himself in practically anything.
And after centuries of governing entire nations, he was more than qualified.
Everyone he passed greeted him with respect.
Before entering, he casually asked a guard:
"Is Jean here?"
"Yes, Sir Luo Li. Acting Grand Master Jean is reviewing reports about the dragon crisis in her office. You'll find her inside."
Following the directions, Luo Li pushed the door open—without knocking.
Inside were not only Jean, but also Lisa, wearing her signature witch's hat and reading with a teasing smile.
"Oh? Lisa's here too."
The two women looked up, initially frowning at the sudden intrusion—but the moment they saw who it was, their expressions softened.
Jean's face brightened instantly.
"Mr. Luo Li, we were just talking about you. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."
At first Jean had kept her distance—his mysterious background was concerning.
But after witnessing his capability, wisdom, and the indescribable calm one gained only after living far longer than a human lifespan, even Jean, who prided herself on self-discipline, had come to rely on his guidance.
Jean bore the burden of an entire city. No matter how exhausted she was, she never voiced a complaint.
Before, when overwhelmed, she would go to Windrise to listen for Barbatos' guidance.
Now she had someone even more reliable.
Lisa watched this with amusement—it was good that Jean finally had someone to lean on.
Luo Li blinked. "Talking about me?"
Lisa smiled slyly.
"That's right~ Jean here has never once invited you to dinner. I suggested she pick a night and go on a—oh my!—date with you."
Jean instantly panicked.
"Lisa! Don't say such things! Mr. Luo Li already has a wife! People will misunderstand!"
As she said it, she sneaked a glance at Luo Li's expression.
"Oh come now," Lisa waved lazily. "Even old Mondstadt nobles had multiple spouses. Besides, some people hide their feelings too deeply~ which makes them miss good opportunities."
Who she was hinting at was obvious.
Jean blushed all the way to her ears.
Seeing that Lisa was about to push her into an early grave from embarrassment, Luo Li tapped the desk lightly to interrupt.
"Alright, stop teasing Jean. What's the issue today?"
Jean exhaled in relief, regained composure, and began outlining the recent situation.
"Recently, the Stormterror crisis has worsened. The upper council demands a swift resolution, or the public unrest will become difficult to manage."
Luo Li waved a hand.
"No need to worry about Stormterror. Someone has already gone to resolve it."
Jean didn't question him. She trusted him more than he knew.
She continued:
"Another issue—Snezhnayan Fatui agents have been meeting frequently with the old aristocracy, especially the Lawrence clan. They seem to be planning something."
At that, Jean's brows tightened.
The Knights couldn't act freely—diplomatic pressure and internal constraints bound them.
The Fatui were envoys from another nation. Without evidence, she couldn't touch them.
And the Lawrence clan… clinging desperately to the glory of their ancestors, dreaming of restoring aristocratic tyranny.
If left unchecked, even a failed revolt would harm Mondstadt.
"Lawrence, hmm."
Luo Li muttered thoughtfully.
A clan once second only to Gunnhildr, now rotting from within.
Had it not been for one righteous Lawrence youth who despised his family's cruelty, joining the revolution and earning the forgiveness of the people… the clan would have been wiped out entirely.
Time had twisted many fates.