Lumine knew the Abyss Order.
Because back in Windwail Highland, they'd run into an Abyss Mage—and Kaito and Diluc had dealt with it.
"So the dragon crisis… really is their doing?" Lumine asked, sheathing her sword. "What are they?"
Venti shook his head. "I'm not sure."
"All I know is… those inhuman things hate the human world."
"And they can even command hilichurls in the wilderness."
He shrugged, then added casually, "Before I came here, I was like Dvalin—corroded by their curse."
"Huh?!" Lumine and Paimon both stiffened, hands reflexively tightening around their weapons.
Was he about to lose control and attack?
Venti grinned. "Relax."
"This place is the symbol of Mondstadt's heroism—and its origin."
"The wind in these trees is good. It carries a scent I like."
"Standing under this shade with you… it's just like earlier when you purified the dragon's tears."
"It drove the poison out of me. I feel much better now."
Lumine slowly lowered her guard and put her sword away again.
Paimon blinked. "Then how did you get poisoned in the first place?"
Venti's expression turned… complicated.
"It's because I tried to communicate with Dvalin."
"But I got interrupted."
"So not only did I fail to cleanse him… I ended up infected by the abyssal toxin instead."
"…?"
Paimon froze.
She looked at Lumine.
Were they talking about the time in Whispering Woods?
Venti crossed his arms like he was reading their minds. "Yes. That time."
Lumine's eyes widened, her expression blankly adorable for a second—like her brain stalled.
"So," Venti said brightly, switching tones like nothing happened, "as compensation—Honorary Knight—come with me to the Cathedral."
"To do what?" Paimon asked warily.
"To borrow something called… the Holy Lyre."
"Hm." Lumine frowned. "Pretty name. What's it for?"
"The Holy Lyre is Mondstadt's treasure," Venti explained. "It's the lyre Barbatos once played."
"If we have it, I can wake Dvalin from his nightmare—call his true self back."
"Will that really work?"
"Of course!" Venti puffed his chest. "I'm the best bard in all Teyvat."
"Past, future, present—there's no song I don't know."
Then he leaned in, eyes wide and innocent. "Look into my eyes—don't you think I'm trustworthy?"
"…Suspicious," Lumine said flatly.
"Hehe." Venti didn't mind. "The Holy Lyre is kept deep inside the Cathedral."
"I'll go scout the situation first. If you're interested, you can come take a look too."
And with that, he headed back toward Mondstadt.
Paimon hovered beside Lumine. "Are we following him?"
Lumine shook her head. "Back to the restaurant."
She wanted Kaito's opinion. This bard felt off in a way she couldn't ignore.
"I've heard that when people lie… they mix nine truths with one lie," Lumine said, thinking aloud. "And the lie is always placed where it matters most."
Paimon gasped. "Whoa… that's deep."
"Then what do we do?"
"We ask Kaito," Lumine said, giving her a look like it was obvious.
"Oh! Good idea!" Paimon immediately brightened.
They returned to Mondstadt around midday.
They'd only just come back from training yesterday, and now they'd run back and forth again without any real rest.
Lumine's focus was slipping.
The bright sunlight overhead made her sway slightly.
Even Paimon was yawning nonstop.
Lumine shook her head and forced herself forward.
Back at Good Hunter—
Kaito had just come down from the loft, stretching like someone who'd actually slept.
"Lumine," he greeted, a hint of sleep still in his voice.
Lumine hurried over.
But her foot caught on something she didn't even see—
And she pitched forward.
Kaito's sleepy haze vanished instantly. He moved in a blur and caught her.
He glanced at her and muttered, exasperated, "Why didn't you rest under the oak tree for a bit? Or nearby?"
"Windrise has Barbatos's blessing. Even a short break would've helped you recover."
"I heard something important," Lumine said softly, face warming in his arms.
Then she told him everything Venti had said.
But the moment she spoke near him—safe, steady—
The exhaustion she'd been holding back surged up like a tide.
Her eyelids fluttered.
Kaito saw it immediately.
He scooped her up in a princess carry without hesitation and said, matter-of-factly,
"The Holy Lyre really is in the Cathedral."
"But borrowing it legally would require layers of approval from the Knights and the Church—paperwork that takes time."
"So if Venti wants it…"
"He can only steal it."
"And that's something you do at night."
He carried her upstairs and set her gently on the bed, then bent to remove her brown boots.
He tucked her white-socked feet under the blanket with an almost practiced ease.
"Just sleep," he said. "Leave the rest to me."
"…Mm." Lumine's cheeks were warm, her voice small and obedient.
This trip…
Wasn't a waste after all.
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