"Master Diluc… that white-haired girl didn't harm any of Mondstadt's citizens, did she?"
For some reason, Jean suddenly asked the question.
"As far as I know—
you could say no. Aside from a few citizens who were slightly injured in the panic caused by the two dragons, she never directly harmed anyone."
Diluc had been buried in thoughts over the map issue and didn't expect Jean to bring this up.
But after a moment's thought, he answered honestly.
"And I think her true target is Lord Barbatos.
Everything she did… was likely for the purpose of forcing him to appear."
"If that's the case, then she…
No. No, I can't think like this."
Jean pressed a hand to her forehead, shaking her head helplessly, a weary sigh slipping out.
When she first heard Diluc's answer, she'd actually felt relieved—
If the girl had no interest in harming innocents, then handing over the map wouldn't lead to disaster for Liyue… right?
But the moment she continued thinking, she realized what she was doing.
This was shifting danger onto an ally.
Plain and simple.
She was comforting herself with excuses to justify an act that went against every knightly principle she upheld.
Helping a threat travel to Liyue—whether forced or not—still made Mondstadt complicit.
Even if the girl truly didn't harm civilians…
Even if they were doing it to save Mondstadt…
Sending a powerful, unpredictable danger into another nation's borders—
was unforgivable.
And even if they didn't care about Liyue's safety…
If Liyue later discovered that Mondstadt sent this person toward them…
Liyue would undoubtedly retaliate.
No matter the angle, it was a trap with no good ending.
Jean didn't know what to do.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, I know this is a difficult position for you…
But if we don't bring her the map quickly, it won't just be Kaeya's life at risk.
Mondstadt itself may be destroyed."
Diluc spoke with a rare heaviness.
He understood Jean's dilemma—but he had no better answer either.
Jean didn't respond.
Silent, she continued walking toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
The road felt endless—yet she wished it were longer.
Just so she'd have more time to think.
But the familiar fountain and stairs soon appeared before her.
They were already here.
"…Sigh."
Another helpless breath escaped her lips.
She quickened her steps, knowing Kaeya might not be able to stall for long—
but every step closer also made her instinctively slow down again.
Her heart was a battlefield of conflicting thoughts.
Don't think about it. One step at a time.
I can't let Mondstadt drown in blood.
"Acting Grand Master Jean…
I believe we can do this instead."
Diluc suddenly stopped and spoke.
"What? Diluc, do you have a solution?"
Jean froze for a moment, then turned sharply—eyes filled with hope.
"Welcome, welcome—
to Mondstadt's finest tavern, beautiful young lady!
Angel's Share proudly opens its doors only for you—cough cough—
What would you like to drink? I'd be happy to mix anything—"
Kaiya opened the door to Angel's Share with a flourish, performed a perfect knight's salute, and gestured for the girl to enter.
His mouth kept running nonstop—until he caught Su Mo's icy stare.
He shut up instantly.
Boring man. Boring place.
Su Mo didn't sit.
She merely looked around the tavern—then, with a wave of her hand, sent the entire bar counter—
along with all its beverages—
and Kaeya himself—
straight into the void space.
"Give me a glass of dandelion wine."
She reclined upon her conjured throne, one hand propping her cheek, gazing down coldly at Kaeya.
"Of… of course…"
Kaeya's mouth twitched.
The gloomy void, the towering throne, the silent pressure of the girl above—
He had no idea how he even got here.
Devil. No—devils aren't this terrifying…
He glanced up at her again and shivered.
And then a thought struck him—
Sigh… Diluc's bar is gone.
That man is going to lose his mind…
The image almost made him laugh.
"May I ask a question?"
Kaeya finally found a pause while mixing the drink and asked cautiously.
"Speak."
The girl didn't even look at him.
"If we're stuck in here… what if they can't find us?"
Sure, stalling was good—
but if she blamed them for disappearing when Jean arrived, they were dead.
"You doubt my ability?"
Her tone dropped several degrees.
"No, never. Then I'm relieved."
He shut his mouth immediately.
"Here they come."
As Su Mo finished speaking, two more figures appeared inside the void—
Jean and Diluc.
"Where is this…?"
Both instantly grew tense, scanning the strange surroundings.
"Up there. She's above you."
Kaeya hurriedly pointed upward.
Jean and Diluc turned—
And there, atop a long staircase, the white-haired girl sat upon her throne, cold and aloof, looking down at them.
"I've brought you the map.
But—I can offer you a better idea."
"Oh?"
"We can escort you to Liyue directly.
Take you to meet the Geo Archon himself.
Much less trouble than doing things the Mondstadt way."
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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