"It's about the surveillance!"
Amber spoke quickly, her expression serious.
"That guy is really dangerous! From a distance, I watched him attack Hilichurls—he was laughing while swinging that huge axe!"
"And his attacks were terrifying! He doesn't even have a Vision, but he cleared Hilichurl camps way faster than I could!"
"Oh?"
The uncovered eye of Kaeya lit up with interest.
"No Vision, yet that strong?"
"…Now that is intriguing."
"What are you smiling about?!" Amber protested.
"I'm going to report this to Jean right now. If he really is a bad guy, this could be a huge problem!"
With that, Amber hurried deeper into the Knights' headquarters.
Kaeya, meanwhile, rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
"No Vision… and yet strong enough to shock Amber with pure physical combat."
"Looks like I'll need to gather a bit more information myself."
By the time the sky was nearly pitch-black, Jia Changjiang finally made it back to Mondstadt.
Thankfully, the Adventurers' Guild operated around the clock. Even at this hour, Katheryne was still on duty.
After somewhat clumsily turning in his commission, Jia Changjiang received his first legitimate income in this world—earned without robbing Hilichurls.
"Yes! Money!"
He tucked the pouch of Mora into his backpack, then recalled what Lynn had mentioned outside the city.
Taverns.
So Jia Changjiang decided to take a stroll through Mondstadt's taverns.
One of Mondstadt's defining traits was simple:
Plenty of taverns—and plenty of drinkers.
And drunkards, more often than not, tended to let valuable information slip.
He wasn't sure where he'd heard that, but visiting a tavern sounded like a good idea regardless.
Walking along a street lined with taverns, Jia Changjiang was suddenly called out to.
"Hey there, traveler in foreign clothes! How about a drink?"
The voice belonged to Barton, who stood outside the doors of Angel's Share, enthusiastically greeting passersby.
"Angel's Share is running a special today! Best tavern in all of Mondstadt!"
"Oh? Really?"
Jia Changjiang stopped, intrigued.
"Got any recommendations?"
"Then you'll want to ask Charles," Barton said cheerfully.
"He's our bartender—one of the best in Mondstadt."
"So, how about coming in for a drink?"
"Sure."
Jia Changjiang nodded and stepped into Angel's Share.
The moment he entered, lively music filled his ears.
Following the sound, he looked up—and saw a green-clad figure standing inside the tavern, fingers dancing across a lyre, playing a cheerful tune.
Even Jia Changjiang found himself drawn in by the light, joyful melody.
Then it clicked.
"…Isn't that… a Genshin character?"
Vivid memories surfaced.
Venti.
A bard.
And also… the Anemo Archon.
Jia Changjiang's eyes lit up. His hand almost instinctively moved toward his backpack—toward his axe—
But then he remembered where he was.
A tavern.
He restrained himself.
Venti seemed to notice Jia Changjiang's gaze but continued playing without missing a beat.
Taking a seat at the bar, Jia Changjiang looked at the bartender and asked,
"Got anything you'd recommend?"
"You're new to Mondstadt, aren't you?"
Charles wiped a glass as he spoke.
"If you want to try a local specialty, I'd recommend our signature—Apple Cider."
"Apple Cider? Sounds good. Two cups. How much?"
Jia Changjiang glanced again at Venti as he asked.
"Two cups will be two thousand Mora."
"Deal."
He paid without hesitation, then casually asked,
"By the way, do you know the guy playing music over there?"
"Oh, him?" Charles smiled.
"He's a bard who arrived in Mondstadt not long ago. His performances are excellent—he's drawn in quite a crowd."
"Here you go. Two Apple Ciders."
Jia Changjiang took the drinks, found a suitable seat, and listened to the music.
Venti's fingers moved lightly across the strings, weaving bright, lively notes into the air. Jia Changjiang didn't understand the composition—but music needed no explanation. He found himself enjoying it effortlessly.
When the performance ended, several patrons generously tossed Mora into Venti's hat.
Jia Changjiang, eyes gleaming, called out,
"Care to have a drink together? My treat!"
"Of course. Thank you for the invitation."
As Venti stepped down from the stage, another bard quickly took his place.
Venti sat across from Jia Changjiang, smiling.
"O warrior," he said lightly,
"Did you seek me out because there's something you wish to ask of Mondstadt's greatest bard?"
"Warrior?"
Jia Changjiang paused.
All along, people had called him a traveler—but this title…
Strangely enough, he liked it.
"Nothing I want to ask," Jia Changjiang said honestly, eyes shining.
"I'm just interested in you. So I'm buying you a drink."
"A bard never drinks a listener's wine for free."
Venti lifted his lyre, a mysterious smile playing at his lips.
"O warrior—how about I trade you a song for this cup?"
"No need."
Jia Changjiang gestured toward the other bard performing nearby.
"It's their time right now. If you play again, you'd steal their spotlight. That'd be awkward."
"Hehe~ I didn't expect you to be so considerate."
Venti laughed softly, setting his lyre aside and picking up the glass.
"Then… what should we do with this drink?"
"Drink it, of course."
Jia Changjiang downed half the apple cider in one go, like a thirsty ox.
Smacking his lips, he grinned.
"Good stuff."
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