Jean was a workaholic.
Staying late until dawn was practically routine for her.
And tonight, with the Holy Lyre stolen, there was even less chance she'd go home.
She'd been stationed in the Acting Grand Master's office the entire time, directing operations.
So the moment Lumine stepped in, she found Jean immediately.
"Kaito wants me to go over?" Jean asked.
"It's the ha—" Paimon started, only for Lumine to clamp a hand over her mouth.
There were still Knights coming in and out, delivering reports.
Jean thought for a moment. Before Lumine could even explain, she nodded.
"I'll make arrangements."
For some reason, the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Jean had just carefully replayed it all in her head—
Every single time Kaito sought her out, it was always for business.
Always.
No exceptions.
"…Maybe that's exactly why…"
With that heavy thought sitting in her chest, Jean left with Lumine for Good Hunter.
And by the time they arrived, Diluc was already there.
He was leaning against the second-floor railing, arms relaxed, expression cool.
Jean blinked. "Senior Diluc is here too?"
"Don't call me that." Diluc clicked his tongue, clearly displeased. "The reason Kaito called me is probably the same as yours."
Jean nodded.
So it really was no exception this time either.
But in a moment like this—if Kaito had dragged her here just to eat a late-night snack—
she'd probably be angry.
And yet…
the fact he wouldn't do that, the fact he only called her when it mattered—
it carried its own strange, almost intimate kind of understanding.
"Alright," Diluc said, glancing at Kaito. "Now you can tell us."
Kaito didn't answer.
Instead, he simply took the Holy Lyre out again.
"…Huh?" Diluc's eyes sharpened in surprise. "The Holy Lyre that's got the entire city unable to sleep—Knights and Fatui tearing Mondstadt apart looking for it—is in your hands?"
Jean stepped closer too, a small, instinctive joy rising in her chest at the sight of a sacred relic returned.
Arms folded, she asked, "Kaito… what are you borrowing the Holy Lyre for?"
Diluc shot her a sideways look.
Borrowing.
She just… labeled it as "borrowing" without hesitation?
This was stolen property.
If you take without asking, it's theft.
And this wasn't some book off a shelf—this was something you couldn't borrow even if you asked.
His gaze lingered between Jean and Kaito for a heartbeat, something faintly odd flickering in his eyes.
"…Seriously," Diluc said flatly. "This thing is only good for one thing—letting bards pluck strings. What else could it possibly do?"
It was basically: if you're going to steal, at least steal something worth stealing.
"Funny you say that." Kaito smiled. "We happen to have a bard."
Venti immediately chimed in, chest puffed. "The best bard under the heavens!"
Diluc glanced at him. "If you plan on playing that Lyre next time, don't do it in my tavern. I don't need extra trouble."
Paimon snorted. "I think Master Diluc is completely right."
Venti gave an awkward little laugh, then looked at the two new arrivals.
"Since we're talking about why we 'borrowed' it…" He lifted the Lyre slightly. "If I play you a true story… will you believe me?"
"Yes."
"Go on."
Diluc and Jean both answered.
They glanced, almost unconsciously, toward the figure walking over to the stove area.
If Kaito had called them here—
he'd already made his judgment.
A clear, gentle Lyre melody filled the restaurant.
"Long ago, in an age beyond memory… a dragon of the skies… a battle with an evil dragon… swallowing poisoned blood… falling into slumber… corruption… a curse…"
It was the same piece Lumine and Paimon had heard at the Anemo Archon statue plaza.
When the story-song ended, Kaito placed six steaming bowls on the table—perfect timing.
Creamy stew with vegetables and tender meat, made from carefully selected game from Good Hunter, simmered in cream and spices with Snapdragon.
"…Worth it." Diluc took one bite and nodded.
Even if this had been a wasted trip, that alone would've made it worth coming.
And it hadn't been a wasted trip.
"If that ballad was true…" Diluc's eyes narrowed at Venti. "Then that secret is far too important to be coming from some random bard."
This was something even he hadn't known.
So who, exactly, was Venti?
"I could never understand why Dvalin would 'betray' Mondstadt," Jean said softly, realization settling into place. "But if he was harmed long ago by poisoned blood… and then after waking, was further corroded by the Abyss Order's curse…"
"…Then it makes sense."
She looked up. "So, according to the ballad—this Lyre is the bridge. It can reach Dvalin, yes?"
Venti clapped enthusiastically. "As expected of Acting Grand Master Jean! You deduced the purpose immediately!"
Paimon scooped up a spoonful of the thick broth, getting it all over the corners of her mouth, then bragged like she'd cracked the case herself.
"Jean also got one thing wrong! The bard isn't trying to 'talk' to Dvalin—he wants to use the Lyre to call Dvalin's true nature back!"
"…!"
The way Diluc and Jean looked at Venti changed instantly.
Jean even grew subtly stiff, like she'd suddenly become more careful with her words.
Lumine felt the atmosphere shift, but she assumed this was Mondstadt locals being… Mondstadt locals.
She lowered her head and continued eating.
"So… that's why I'm here?" Jean asked.
"The Anemo energy on the Lyre strings has faded too much. It can't reach Dvalin yet." Kaito explained. "We need to find Dvalin's tear crystals—purify them, then let the strings absorb them."
"They're red crystals. We should be able to find them at one of Dvalin's resting places."
"I see."
Jean stood, one hand placed to her chest, eyes steady and serious.
"This isn't something one person can handle. I'll mobilize the Knights of Favonius immediately."
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