As Elios and his group made their way toward Good Hunter, he scanned the streets and remarked, almost idly:
"Mondstadt doesn't feel as lively as usual. Fear of the dragon?"
Jean's face warmed with shame. She lowered her gaze slightly.
"I have no excuses," she said quietly. "It's our powerlessness. The Knights' failure to protect the city has made the citizens doubt our ability to keep them safe."
Her words left Elios momentarily speechless.
"…Young Jean." His tone softened, but there was an edge to it. "You need to understand something. There are problems in this world that can't be solved by human strength alone."
Jean looked up.
"That's why the seven nations have Archons. When matters reach that scale, you rely on your god. Barbatos may be lazy most of the time," he added bluntly, "but when it truly matters, he won't hesitate to protect his land."
Jean frowned slightly at his casual disrespect toward the Anemo Archon, but she held her tongue and listened.
"Dvalin may still be young," Elios continued, "but a dragon like that can only be defeated by a god… a Vision bearer who has surpassed their limits… special beings like Adepti, or—"
He turned his head toward her, finishing the thought with quiet emphasis.
"—a mortal who has the support of a god."
Jean blinked, caught off guard by the weight behind the words.
Elios went on, voice calmer again.
"And among the Knights, only Varka fits that category right now. Since he's away, it's natural for Barbatos to step in. So don't blame yourself for what was never yours to carry alone."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Humans aren't alone in this world. If they were… with all the calamities in the past, humanity would've been wiped out long ago."
Elios didn't say what followed out loud.
That's exactly why this world needs a change.
So it never reaches that point again.
He vowed silently but resolutely.
______________
They were passing the Goth Grand Hotel, nearing the plaza, when a voice cut through the air—cold and hostile.
"So you were here, Acting Grand Master Jean."
The tone was laced with open contempt.
"Isn't it rude to reject our requests for an audience—claiming you're 'too busy'—only to stroll around the city? Do you take us for fools?"
The group turned.
A Fatui diplomat stood a short distance away, posture rigid with condescension. Her expression was displeased, her lips curled in scorn.
"We were kind enough to offer a meeting and assistance with the Stormterror crisis," she continued, voice rising. "And you repay our kindness with insincerity. Do you truly believe you can solve this without us—when your Archon is nowhere to be seen?"
Elios exhaled slowly.
What is it with today? Can't we take a single lunch break without an interruption?
Jean's brows knitted together, but she remained composed.
"I already answered your 'offer'," she said firmly. "This is Mondstadt's issue, and we refuse outside interference. If you have other matters, follow official procedure and request a meeting properly."
She glanced toward Good Hunter, then returned her gaze to the diplomat.
"Now, if you'll excuse us—it's lunchtime. Postponing meals isn't healthy."
The diplomat's expression twisted with offense.
"You're seriously claiming you can handle it with your meager strength?" she sneered. "How comforting it must be to live in ignorance. I'll wait for the moment you fail and come begging—"
"That's enough."
Elios spoke quietly.
Yet somehow, every person nearby heard him clearly—as if his voice simply decided to be obeyed.
The diplomat faltered for half a second.
Elios stepped forward, expression calm, almost polite.
"Lady diplomat," he said, "Acting Grand Master Jean has made her stance clear. Continuing to press the matter is… inconvenient."
He paused—then added, coolly:
"You may report to your superior that the adventurer known as Solinvictus has declared he will take care of Stormterror."
(A/N: Guess who gave him this adventurer title, Alice, Nicole or .. himself?)
The diplomat stiffened.
Elios's voice lowered, and something invisible settled into it—pressure.
"And remind your superior that I'll be staying in this city for a while."
He smiled faintly.
"So keep your schemes to yourselves during that time… lest you get hurt—again."
He emphasized the last word.
The diplomat swallowed, shaken—but pride surged back into her face.
"And who do you think you are to—"
"Hey! Stop!"
Another Fatui agent rushed out of the hotel, clearly alarmed by the commotion.
"Wha—don't interru—"
"Do you want to get yourself killed?!"
His voice was sharp enough to cut her off completely. He turned to Elios's group at once and bowed deeply, forcing a calmer tone.
"Please forgive us," he said quickly. "My colleague is… agitated by the constant chaos caused by Stormterror. We apologize for the inconvenience."
He kept his head lowered as he continued.
"And Sir Elios—your message will be relayed to our superior immediately. Excuse us."
Without giving the diplomat a chance to argue, he grabbed her by the elbow and ushered her back into the Goth Grand Hotel.
At last, silence returned.
Elios rubbed his temple and let out a tired sigh.
"Alright," he said, turning back toward the others. "Let's finally get lunch. At this rate, if we don't hurry, something else will interrupt us."
______________
Goth Grand Hotel
Inside the hotel, the diplomat finally snapped.
"What were you doing?! I was about to pressure that arrogant Jean! She could've revealed Barbatos's whereabouts! Do you understand what you just ruined? Lady Signora is waiting for information!"
Her colleague stared at her as if she'd spoken nonsense.
"If you want to die, that's your choice," he said coldly. "But don't drag the rest of us with you."
She recoiled slightly.
"I get that you're new," he continued, "but did you even read the files? The ones labeled Do Not Provoke Under Any Circumstances?"
"T-that man said he's an adventurer," she protested. "How could a mere adventurer dare to offend the Fatui?"
The agent sighed—long and exhausted.
"That's exactly why I keep telling you to study your environment before acting."
He shoved a document into her hands.
"Read."
Reluctantly, she scanned the report.
Then her eyes hit a highlighted section.
Her face drained.
She dropped the paper as if it had burned her.
"How is this possible…?" she whispered, horrified. "Defeated—and nearly killed—the Second Harbinger, Il Dottore…? Destroyed our facilities in Mondstadt and Dragonspine in a single day…? Subjugated Ursa the Drake with one strike…?"
(A/N: Actually he killed that segment of Dottore but not many know that about his segments so..)
She looked up at him, genuinely shaken.
"What is a monster like that doing here?!"
For her, Harbingers are almost Godlike, each one of them possessing absurd levels of strength, and this is the second harbinger!
The saying about top harbingers possessing power on par with Gods isn't merely a rumor, it's a fact accepted by most.
That's why she finds this report unbelievable.
Her colleague's expression didn't change.
"Now you understand."
He folded his arms.
"That was the price we paid for provoking him years ago. After that disaster, we barely had the resources to preserve this single hotel as our base. Every other operation in Mondstadt and Dragonspine was suspended indefinitely."
His eyes narrowed.
"We're only active again because Lady Signora is coming for a critical mission—the Anemo Gnosis."
He pointed toward the door.
"Now go. Report everything to Lady Signora. Don't omit a single detail. This is an unexpected variable… but she'll find a solution."
"O-okay!" The diplomat finally recovered enough to move. She rushed out in a panic.
The agent watched her go, then exhaled.
"…Troublesome," he muttered. "His presence could affect the plan."
A beat later, he added with grim sympathy:
"Thankfully I'm not the one reporting this." He paused, then murmured, "Good luck… and please survive Lady Signora's wrath in my stead."
______________
Good Hunter
Meanwhile, Elios and his group finally reached Good Hunter and sat at a table for four.
Klee bounced with excitement, thrilled to have lunchtime with her father. Jean sat with the natural composure of a leader. Eula held her noble posture flawlessly—while, internally, she was already inscribing the Fatui diplomat's face, name, and sins into her imaginary grudge book.
Elios picked up the menu, then began ordering with the confidence of a man who knew everyone's tastes better than they did.
"Klee's favorite fish dishes," he began, "a Moon Pie for Eula, pizza for Jean…"
He paused, then added, casually:
"And a lot of meat dishes for me."
After deciding, he raised a hand.
"Hey, young Sara. Long time no see. Please take our order."
From inside, Sara's voice answered quickly.
"Sir Elios? You're back? I'll be right there!"
A few moments later, Sara arrived—then blinked as she scanned the table.
"Not just little Klee, but Captain Jean and Eula too?" she exclaimed. "Is this a reunion party?"
Elios chuckled. "Something like that. Here's our order."
He listed the dishes. Sara nodded briskly.
"Alright. It'll take around fifteen minutes. Please wait a moment."
"Sure!" Klee chirped.
"Sister Sara," Klee added, eyes sparkling, "please extra-grill Klee's dishes~! Klee likes them well cooked!"
"I know, I know," Sara replied fondly. "Everything will be ready soon."
Then, as if remembering something, Sara brightened.
"Oh—by the way, Sir Elios. Since you've been away for so long, you might not know about the newest game circulating around the city."
Elios arched a brow. "A game?"
"It's called Genius Invokation TCG," Sara explained. "It was developed by some Sumeru scholars and went viral all across Teyvat. We even started selling decks here for interested customers."