"…"
Jean understood what he meant and immediately felt a little guilty.
"You just got back from outside, didn't you?" Jiang Yan asked. "And you skipped lunch again?"
"How did you know?"
"Because I know you." Jiang Yan spread his hands. "If you'd been at the Knights' headquarters all day, there's no way you'd make a special trip here. You were just passing by, weren't you?"
"Am I really that easy to read now?"
Jean fell into thought, briefly wondering if that made it easier for the Fatui or the Abyss Order to set traps.
Then again, with her strength, she could simply crush them head-on and thwart their plans.
"What do you feel like eating?"
Jiang Yan gestured for her to sit.
"Let me treat you properly for once."
"You've already taken such good care of me—"
"Don't say things like that. It makes it sound distant."
"Then… thank you."
Jean brushed aside a strand of hair by her cheek and said,
"Pizza."
"Same rule as always—don't let Margaret know."
Jiang Yan replied.
"I know." A faint smile appeared on Jean's face.
Margaret was the owner of the Cat's Tail Tavern next door, famous for its pizza. If she found out the Good Hunter was also serving pizza, it would probably spark a business dispute.
"Then we'll use eel instead. I saved it especially for you."
As he spoke, Jiang Yan reached into a water barrel in the corner and pulled out a long-bodied fish.
"Eel?"
Jean had never seen this kind of fish before.
"A few days ago, one of Diluc's household staff caught it in the lake beneath Dawn Winery. They didn't know if it was edible, so they didn't dare cook it. I bought it off them."
As he spoke, Anemo energy gathered in Jiang Yan's hand. In the blink of an eye, the eel went still, and he began preparing it with practiced movements.
Jean hesitated.
"Eel pizza?"
"Correct." Jiang Yan smiled. "As a traveler from another world, it's normal to know a few things Teyvat doesn't."
Meanwhile, at the gates of Mondstadt.
"The City of Wind and Dandelions, the City of Freedom. Travelers protected by the Knights of Favonius—welcome to Mondstadt."
A girl dressed in red, with chestnut-colored long hair and a red bunny-eared bow tied atop her head, enthusiastically introduced the city to a blonde girl and her floating companion who had arrived during this unusual time.
Her undisguised pride made the two newcomers feel a surge of anticipation.
"Wow, finally no more sleeping out in the wild."
The floating companion spun excitedly in midair, then quickly noticed something off.
"Amber, why do the people in the city look so down?"
"Everyone's been worried about Stormterror lately."
Amber put her hands on her hips and said confidently,
"But as long as Jean is here, everything will be fine."
"Jean?"
"Our Acting Grand Master—Jean. Mondstadt's protector."
Amber spoke with certainty.
"With Jean leading us, even a disaster on the level of Stormterror can be overcome."
The floating companion looked impressed.
"You really admire Jean a lot, Amber!"
"Of course. But before we go to the Knights of Favonius, there's somewhere else we should stop by first."
"Where?"
"The Good Hunter Restaurant."
"A restaurant? Does that mean food?!"
The companion's eyes lit up instantly.
"Paimon gets excited the moment food comes up—and it's not even dinnertime yet!"
Amber laughed.
"It's because the owner of the Good Hunter is also a traveler from another world, just like you, Lumine. We might be able to get some help from him."
"Another traveler from another world?"
The blonde girl named Lumine grew a little tense.
"Yeah, but he's definitely not your brother." Amber waved her hand.
"Boss Jiang Yan has black hair and black eyes—and he's pretty good-looking."
She'd already heard Lumine describe her brother back outside the city.
"Come on."
"I've got a gift for you too, as thanks for helping me clear out that hilichurl camp."
"Oh! Then what about me?" Paimon hurriedly asked.
"It's not something Little Paimon can use," Amber said cheerfully,
"but tonight I'll treat you to Mondstadt's specialty—Honey-Glazed Carrot Roast!"
"Waaah—!"
Paimon was practically drooling.
"We're here."
Amber pointed at the Good Hunter's signboard. Just then, a second-floor window opened.
"Boss Jiang Yan!" Amber called out loudly.
"There are two travelers from another world here—want to meet them?"
"Oh?"
Jiang Yan looked outside, his gaze meeting Lumine's brown eyes. He froze for just a moment.
Then he smiled gently and nodded in greeting.
Before calling down to Amber,
"Come on up. Your timing's perfect—you'll get to enjoy something special."
"What does that mean? Does it mean there's good food?"
Paimon asked eagerly as she floated up behind Amber and Lumine.
"Acting Grand Master Jean is here too?!"
Amber jumped in surprise.
"Amber, don't be rude."
Jean said calmly, placing one hand over her chest. She then addressed Lumine and Paimon:
"Mondstadt welcomes you—travelers borne upon the wind."
"Hello."
The Acting Grand Master whom Amber admired so deeply turned out to be such a beauty.
Lumine then looked toward the Good Hunter's owner—the one who had caught her attention moments ago.
"Hello. My name is Lumine."
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