Warehouse No. 16 stood as a testament to the recent expansion of the Knights of Favonius' logistics division. It was a massive, newly constructed stone structure intended to house the vast quantities of ore gathered from across the Whispering Woods and Starfell Valley. The long-term plan was for this site to become the primary hub for blacksmithing materials, ensuring every knight in the order was equipped with weapons forged from the finest Mondstadt steel.
However, since the grand expedition had taken so many able-bodied men away, the building had remained largely vacant. It sat at the edge of the city's industrial district, quiet and ignored, which was exactly the information Acting Grand Master Jean held in her mind as she approached the heavy wooden doors.
Jean found herself feeling increasingly puzzled as she walked. Why would Ye Ruo ask to meet her here of all places? There shouldn't be anything inside but dust and empty crates. Because it was currently designated as a low-priority site, there weren't even any guards stationed at the perimeter.
As she drew closer to the warehouse, her knightly instincts suddenly flared. Her gaze sharpened, and she scanned the area with the focused intensity of a seasoned field commander. Before her promotion to the highest levels of leadership, she had spent years leading scouting parties through monster-infested territories. Her experience told her that something was different about the air here.
She noticed the unmistakable sounds of heavy breathing and shifting weight coming from within the stone walls. It sounded like large beasts, far bulkier than the wild boars that roamed Brightcrown Canyon. A massive presence was definitely hiding inside the warehouse. Jean felt a surge of genuine confusion. How could so many large creatures be gathered in the heart of the city without any of the gate guards noticing?
Unless every knight on duty had suddenly gone blind, such a feat seemed impossible. What was even stranger was the lack of any hostile intent. There was no scent of blood or the brutal, aggressive aura typically associated with wild monsters. Instead, she felt a calm, peaceful energy radiating from the building.
Just as she was about to draw her sword to investigate, a familiar voice drifted through the gap in the double doors. Jean, come on in. Don't just stand there looking confused. Everything will make sense once you see it for yourself. Hearing Ye Ruo's relaxed tone, Jean immediately lowered her guard. She let out a soft breath of relief and offered a warm reply. Okay, Senior, I'm coming in. She pushed the heavy doors open and stepped into the dim light of Warehouse No. 16. The sight that greeted her left her completely breathless.
She blinked several times, trying to process the scene. What on earth are these? Scattered throughout the warehouse were twenty massive animals. At first glance, they looked like jagged boulders, but as they shifted, she realized they were powerful, bull-like creatures covered in thick layers of shaggy brown fur.
They possessed impressive black horns that curved upward, and their faces had a remarkably gentle, honest expression. Even as Jean, a stranger, walked into their midst, the beasts didn't startle or growl. Most remained lying on the cool stone floor, chewing lazily as if they didn't have a care in the world. They occupied nearly the entire floor space of the warehouse.
Ye Ruo stood near the center of the room, watching her reaction with an amused glint in his eyes. Jean turned to him, her voice filled with wonder. Senior, what are these? Why are there so many animals here? And how did you even get them inside without anyone noticing? I couldn't detect your presence at all until you spoke.
Ye Ruo gave her a knowing smile. Well, I've had to get very good at hiding my presence over the years. If I hadn't mastered the art of being invisible when I wanted to be, I probably wouldn't have survived half of my encounters with the Fatui. As for these guys, if Lisa were here, she'd recognize them instantly.
These are Sumeru Sumpter Beasts, the primary pack animals used for heavy transport in the rainforest and desert regions. Whether it's a merchant caravan or a Gilded Brigade unit, everyone over there relies on these yaks to move their goods across the continent. Jean's eyes widened as she looked at the shaggy creatures again. Senior, I thought you'd been busy writing your novels lately. When did you have time to travel all the way to Sumeru? And more importantly, how did you manage to transport twenty fully grown yaks back to Mondstadt? She looked at him with a mix of awe and utter bewilderment.
In the hierarchy of the Knights, Jean might be the one holding the title of Acting Grand Master, and she certainly projected a mature, commanding aura when she was buried in paperwork or addressing the troops. However, she was actually quite young, having only recently turned nineteen.
Ye Ruo was twenty, and because he had joined the order much earlier and rose through the ranks with legendary speed, he had always been her senior. Jean had looked up to him since her first day as a recruit, admiring his strength and his seemingly effortless ability to handle any crisis. No matter how much responsibility she took on, she still felt like a junior in his presence.
Ye Ruo didn't offer a direct explanation for his mystery. He simply laughed softly and pulled a small, leather-bound notebook from his vest, handing it over to her.
This contains some of the basic training exercises and physical conditioning methods I've been working on. I've summarized everything into a format that should be easy for the instructors to follow. I think it would be a great idea to promote these methods throughout the regiment to help the newer recruits build a stronger foundation. He gestured toward the resting yaks.
As for these animals, I'm handing them over to you. They have incredibly docile temperaments, so you won't have to worry about them causing trouble in the city. You can use them to form a new heavy transport brigade or integrate them into our existing logistics teams. I'll leave the details to you.
Having delivered his gifts, Ye Ruo gave a casual wave and turned to head toward the exit. Jean felt a sudden pang of anxiety at the thought of him leaving again. She bit her lip and spoke before she could stop herself. Senior, are you really going to go off on another one of your adventures? Can't you stay here with me for a while?
She realized as the words left her mouth that they sounded a bit more personal than she intended, and she felt her face heat up. She quickly tried to fix her statement with a more professional excuse. What I mean is, your abilities are so outstanding. If I had you here at the headquarters, I'd feel so much more at ease. The pressure of running the city alone is quite a lot, so I was hoping we could work together more closely.
Ye Ruo stopped and turned back, looking at her with a gentle expression. He stepped toward her and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, his touch grounding her. Jean, I have absolute faith in your abilities. You are one of the most serious, self-disciplined, and powerful leaders I've ever had the honor of knowing.
I know that in your hands, Mondstadt is only going to become warmer and more prosperous. As for me, I'm a knight named after the wind. I was born to follow the breeze and pursue freedom. That's probably the reason the gods gave me an Anemo Vision in the first place.
He tapped the glowing gem hanging at his waist. Both of them shared the same element, though their styles were worlds apart. Despite his lean frame, Ye Ruo stood a full head taller than Jean, and his presence always seemed to fill the room with a sense of calm reliability. Besides, he continued with a hearty smile, the Knights are operating perfectly right now under your guidance.
You don't need me hovering over your shoulder. But remember, if the city ever faces a danger you can't handle or if things get too difficult, I promise I will be right there by your side. I'm not going anywhere.
Jean felt the tension leave her body at his promise, even as she offered a helpless sigh. You really do have the exact same style as Grand Master Varka. You both just do whatever you want and leave the paperwork to me. But I understand. I'll do my best to become an excellent Acting Grand Master and ensure I don't disappoint you.
Ye Ruo laughed, a sound that echoed through the warehouse. Of course you will. Don't forget, I was trained by the Grand Master myself. It's only natural that I'd pick up a few of his habits. With that final laugh, his body seemed to dissolve into a swirl of wind, and he vanished from the room in an instant.
Only the faint, lingering scent of dandelions and a trace of Anemo energy remained where he had stood. Jean was left alone in the warehouse with twenty yaks, staring at the empty space with a determined expression. His words had given her a fresh surge of motivation, providing her with a renewed sense of strength.
However, as she thought back to the way he had pressed his hand against her shoulder, she felt her heart skip a beat. Even though she projected an image of a mature leader, Jean secretly indulged in romance novels during her rare moments of free time. She was vaguely aware of the budding emotions she felt for her senior, but she would never dream of showing them openly.
She stood there for a long moment, clutching the training manual to her chest, her face still a bit flushed from the interaction. It was the quiet, hidden youthfulness of a girl beneath the armor of a knight. But as the yaks behind her let out a collective, bored huff, she suddenly snapped back to reality. Her eyes went wide as she realized she had missed something very important.
Wait a second! she shouted at the empty air. Senior, you still haven't explained how you actually got these yaks here! You can't just leave me with a warehouse full of giant animals and no explanation for the logistics department! Hey! Get back here! But the only answer she received was the gentle whistling of the wind through the rafters.