Chapter 9: First Arrival in Mondstadt
"Decided. I shall call you Su Skinflint from now on." Paimon huffed, clearly annoyed.
"Pfft… that's terrible…"
Su Han poked Paimon's tiny face. The little creature huffed back and turned away, refusing to look at him. After a moment, she peeked at him sideways, checking if he was angry.
Lumine was slightly speechless but didn't make a fuss. She took the dark green tail feather and simply tucked it into her waist.
But in the next second, her delicate face showed a flicker of surprise.
This seemingly ordinary feather… could actually enhance her power. The boost was slight, almost negligible, but it was undeniably there.
Seeing her expression, Su Han assumed she was about to lash out at him again. With a wince, he fished three 100-Mora coins from his pouch.
"Here, in the spirit of our being good partners, I'll give you 300 Mora."
"Uh…" Lumine accepted the Mora silently, a small curve tugging at the corner of her lips. Three hundred Mora wasn't a huge sum, yet a strange, inexplicable sense of satisfaction bubbled in her chest.
"Hey, Mr. Su Han, what about me?" Amber pouted, crossing her arms.
"That Wind Sigil holds all my heart. For you, it's the best gift I can give."
…
Mondstadt City was just as magnificent as they had imagined. The city gate was a massive iron portcullis, capable of dropping to defend against intruders, giving the Knights of Favonius precious time to respond.
Above the gate was a lifelike stone carving of a lion, flanked by small windows. Beside each window hung a crimson flag, distinctively Mondstadt in style.
Two knights in standard armor, swords at their sides, stood rigidly on either side of the gate. Their eyes avoided direct contact, performing their guard duties while also providing assistance to traveling merchants.
Amber strode ahead, greeting the knights. "Hi, Swann, Lawrence, I'm back."
Swann nodded. "Amber, these two…"
Paimon interjected indignantly, "Make that three!"
Swann paused, speechless.
Amber waved it off. "These three are travelers from afar. I'm taking them to Jean to register—just a formality."
The two knights inclined their heads. "Travelers from afar, may the gentle wind of Barbatos bless you."
Lawrence added a caution. "The Knights recently received word: the Windrider Dragon has been spotted roaming near Mondstadt. You should enter the city quickly."
Swann nodded. "Indeed. The Windrider Dragon is violent. It would be dangerous if it harmed you."
Su Han furrowed his brow. He exchanged a glance with Lumine but remained silent.
It seemed Lumine shared his concern. What could have caused the once-protective Windrider Dragon to turn so hostile and oppose humans?
Mondstadt was clearly more complex than they had assumed.
Inside the city, it wasn't as bustling as one might expect. Travelers were sparse, though merchants selling goods were everywhere. Yet each face carried weariness, lacking much vigor.
The city felt under a kind of quiet alert; every few steps, they would pass patrolling knights.
Amber smiled faintly. "Allow me a proper introduction: the City of the Anemo and Dandelion, the Free City—"
"Travelers under the protection of the Knights of Favonius, welcome to Mondstadt!"
Paimon stomped her feet excitedly. "Finally, no more sleeping out in the wild!"
Lumine frowned. "But… they all look so… drained?"
Su Han added, "The atmosphere in the city feels tense…"
Amber sighed. "It's usually lively here… but recently, because of the Windrider Dragon, merchants and travelers rarely come by. The whole city is troubled over it. Business has suffered everywhere… except for the tavern around the corner, which actually seems busier than ever."
"But it's fine. With Jean here, nothing will be a problem!"
Paimon tilted her head. "Jean?"
Amber nodded. "Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius—she's also Mondstadt's protector. With her around, even a disaster like the Windrider Dragon can be overcome."
Lumine silently nodded, hoping this important figure might know something about the Anemo Archon.
Amber continued, "Oh, before we head to the Knights' headquarters, I have gifts for the travelers… and for Mr. Su Han here."
"They're a token of thanks for helping me clear the Hilichurl camp earlier."
The little money-grubber Paimon immediately panicked. "Wait, everyone gets gifts! Why don't I get a gift? I'm not just emergency rations, I deserve a gift too!"
Amber laughed. "Hmm… that's because it's something little Paimon can't use. But tonight, I'll treat you to Mondstadt's specialty: honey-glazed carrot steak."
The mention of food made Paimon's eyes sparkle. "Hehe, honey-glazed carrot steak! (drooling soybeans!)"
Amber said, "You all wait for me at the plaza in front of Mondstadt Cathedral. I'll go prepare the gifts."
Once Amber left, Lumine asked, "Su Han, what do you think Amber will give us?"
Su Han thought for a moment, then grinned confidently. "I don't know!"
Lumine rolled her eyes. Don't be so smug about not knowing anything…
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