[Public Chat]
Lawrence: M-My goodness! Is this the true power of Acting Grand Master Jean?!
Harry: For a moment, I swear I saw light descend!
Stanley: A dawn that cuts through the darkness… bringing hope back to Mondstadt!
Goth: With Jean and Barbara here—Mondstadt is truly blessed!
Wagner: So… is the dragon calamity solved?
Helen: Half solved, maybe? Looks like it's almost over!
…
Goethe Hotel
"Sword of Promised Victory…"
The Fatui Harbinger—The Lady—stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the place where the golden pillar had vanished.
Compared to Barbara's enhanced Sky AK-47, the thing that truly shook her was the holy sword in Jean's hands.
Even though Stormterror had already been weakened…
To defeat him in a single strike…
No one could underestimate such power.
Her instincts told her Jean had held back during that attack.
If she unleashed it fully…
The Lady's expression darkened.
"This… complicates things."
She pressed a hand to her forehead.
A rare sign of irritation.
Liyue – Jade Chamber
"To defeat a servant of the Anemo Archon so decisively… Jean and Barbara really did gain incredible rewards."
Keqing withdrew her gaze from the light curtain, speaking with genuine admiration.
If Liyue had obtained weapons like those,
even if Rex Lapis ever became unable to act,
Liyue could still face the resurrected Osial and his spouse.
Ganyu seemed to read Keqing's thoughts and smiled.
"As long as someone from Liyue gets evaluated, we have a chance."
"Speaking of evaluations…"
Ningguang tapped her pipe lightly. "I am truly curious how the light curtain would evaluate me."
"You're not afraid of the 'improper evaluations'?"
Keqing raised a brow.
"Of course not."
Ningguang's tone was calm, but her confidence was unmistakable.
"I have no dark history."
Understandable.
Born a commoner, yet now the Tianquan of the Qixing—
and Liyue's wealthiest businesswoman.
Her achievements spoke for themselves.
"I'm not afraid either!"
Keqing lifted her chin slightly.
"I actually look forward to seeing what it says about me!"
She thought about her flaws…
and found only one—
her love for Rex Lapis dolls.
But that was basically the same as Jean liking romance novels.
Perfectly normal for anyone in Liyue!
Who didn't revere the Archon?
As for the possibility of fictional "improper segments"…
Keqing thought it over.
The past "improper evaluations" all had logical connections—
Barbara's healing role created "Medicine Can't Save Mondstadt,"
and her attribute as a deacon led to "Flesh-Body Curse Lifting."
But she, Keqing?
Nothing like that applied.
So Miss Keqing was brimming with confidence!
Even though Ningguang and Keqing didn't always get along,
they exchanged a knowing smile at this moment.
Then both of them turned toward Ganyu.
Seeing the two powerful women looking at her, Ganyu swallowed nervously.
"Ningguang-sama and Keqing-sama are exceptional figures of Liyue.
I'm sure you'll receive excellent evaluations."
"As for me…"
"I'm just an ordinary secretary of the Qixing. I… I don't think there's anything worth evaluating."
Ordinary?
Ningguang and Keqing nearly choked.
An "ordinary secretary" who lived thousands of years?
Who has watched generations of Qixing come and go?
Sure.
Very "ordinary."
But looking at Ganyu's flustered reaction,
both women had the same thought:
She definitely has something that will show up in an improper evaluation.
A woman's intuition never lies.
No need to pry.
When the light curtain evaluates her, everything will come out.
Liyue – Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"With this, Stormterror has been saved."
"Old friends would be relieved."
Zhongli sighed deeply.
Watching the battle in Mondstadt reminded him of Azhdaha.
Both guardians had, at one point, harmed the nations they once protected.
If Stormterror could be saved…
Maybe Azhdaha still had hope.
Fontaine – Palais Mermonia
"To defeat an Anemo Archon's familiar with that enhanced Sky AK-47…
If Fontaine could research such a weapon, it would be of immense help."
Neuvillette spoke with a mix of awe and contemplation.
He had originally offered Barbara help,
but she had already acquired something greater than Fontaine's best prototypes.
Furina, lounging on the sofa, shook her head firmly.
"Don't even think about it.
Infinite bullets with elemental effects?
Impossible.
Completely impossible!
Even with all our scientists combined!"
Neuvillette nodded.
"Then our only hope lies in being evaluated.
Perhaps we too might receive great rewards."
"…Y-Yes. Right."
Furina's expression stiffened.
She had realized something terrifying.
The evaluations seemed to target members of the Supernal Chat Group.
Which meant—
She would inevitably be evaluated.
When that day came…
Everything about her façade—
everything she hid—
would be exposed.
"Traveler, hurry up and come to Fontaine…"
"And why does judging me save Fontaine anyway? I need to figure that out fast!"
Time suddenly felt extremely tight.
She quickly stood up.
"Neuvillette, I'm going first."
As she hurried off, Neuvillette sighed.
"Lady Furina…"
Throughout Teyvat
Natlan, Snezhnaya, Sumeru, the Abyss—all forces were holding emergency meetings again.
Unlike the Foodie Picnic Blanket,
these two new weapons truly affected global power balance.
Strength ruled Teyvat.
The entire continent now anticipated the next evaluation.
Mondstadt – Under the Windrise Tree
A bard and an unconscious dragon rested quietly—
Venti and Stormterror.
"Whew…"
"That strike from Jean was truly magnificent."
"I didn't even need the Sky Lyre this time~"
Venti still looked amazed remembering the holy beam.
Stormterror was injured—
but only lightly.
It was worth it.
All that remained was to wait for Jean and the Traveler.
He closed his eyes and sent a breeze carrying a message toward Jean.
Inside Mondstadt
Jean, Lisa, Amber, and Kaeya gathered together.
"Jean! Barbara! You two were incredible!"
Amber flashed her trademark thumbs-up.
"Where Jean's blade points, our hearts follow!"
"And the Sky AK-47 brings salvation to all!"
Kaeya exaggeratedly performed a knight's salute.
Everyone laughed.
After the tense battle,
their emotions finally relaxed.
Jean accepted the praise calmly.
Barbara… did not.
"N-No, I… I was just lucky…"
Afraid someone might tease her further,
she quickly changed the subject.
"T-That… Stormterror! Is he okay now?"
"Did I hit him too hard?"
Amber and Kaeya exchanged strange looks.
When Barbara was shooting—
she looked absolutely thrilled, eyes shining with murderous excitement.
That expression alone stunned everyone watching.
But now she was…
a meek, shy, polite little deacon-girl again.
Yes.
This was the Barbara they knew.
But that contrast…
Suddenly made the old meme "Medicine can't save Mondstadt" feel a lot less like a joke.
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