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"Haha, you caught me! I was trying to soothe Dvalin, but didn't expect to be interrupted!" Venti chuckled, showing no sign of resentment towards them.
"Uh..." Paimon scratched her head, feeling slightly embarrassed; it seemed she played a part after all.
Lumine crossed her arms and glared at Paimon, realizing it was her persuasion that led to this...
"So, what can we do now?" Paimon looked at Venti, seeking guidance.
"Well, there might be a way, but it's somewhat dangerous." Venti grinned mysteriously.
"What kind of plan? The Traveler fears danger least of all!" Paimon's eyes narrowed with determination.
Lumine shot an indignant glance at Paimon, contemplating whether to steam or braise her later.
"I've heard that within the church's basement lies the Holy Lyre der Himmel. Legend has it, playing this lyre purifies souls, which could potentially help calm the frenzied Dvalin."
Venti narrated slowly, as if recounting a tale from lore.
"Oh right, almost forgot to mention - I'm quite the renowned bard, hehe!" Venti smiled proudly at them, exuding a sense of innate self-confidence.
"Hmph, who brags about their own fame? Sounds like a clear fraud to me!" Paimon huffed, hands on her hips, scrutinizing Venti with disdain.
"Ha ha, if you don't believe me, then there's little more I can do for you." Instead of getting upset, Venti responded with a teasing laugh.
Lumine glanced at Paimon and shook her head. "Let it go, Paimon. Trust him this once; we don't have any other options right now. Besides, I saw her comforting Dvalin last time."
"Then let's ask the nuns at the church. They might lend it to us!" Nodding, Paimon pulled Lumine towards the church.
"Wait! You won't likely succeed like that," Venti hurriedly called out, explaining, "The Holy Lyre der Himmel was left by the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. The church wouldn't easily part with such a relic."
"What should we do then? This is crucial for dealing with Dvalin. Let's go see Captain Jean; she can definitely borrow it!" Paimon, somewhat puzzled, turned to Lumine for advice.
"Hmm..." Lumine nodded, and together they rushed back towards Mondstadt City.
Venti watched them leave, perching on a branch of the tree, his gaze fixed on Dvalin in the distance...
Upon reaching the gates of Mondstadt, Lumine and Paimon discovered Jean conversing with a masked Fatui diplomat.
"Traveler, let's sneak over and listen to their conversation. Maybe we can help Captain Jean!" Paimon suggested, looking expectantly at Lumine.
Lumine couldn't help but recall how, upon first arriving in Mondstadt, Paimon had similarly urged her to observe Dvalin, which ended up scaring the dragon away.
"Hmm..." Despite her reservations, curiosity got the better of her. She nodded, cautiously hiding behind the city gate.
***
"That's our stance. The deaths of the Fatui will not go unanswered; this demonic dragon has slain many of our agents!" The Fatui diplomat looked down her nose at Jean, directly blaming Dvalin for their losses.
She continued indifferently, "If you cannot immediately eliminate the Stormterror, then perhaps it would be best to entrust Mondstadt's defense to us, the Fatui! This dragon menace can indeed be handled—just allow us to take care of that wild beast..."
Before she could finish, Jean interrupted her.
"A 'wild beast'?"
"Hm? And what exactly does the Acting Grand Master mean by that?" The Fatui diplomat placed her hands on her hips and retorted condescendingly.
"Sigh..." Jean crossed her arms and let out a slow breath. "I hope your esteemed nation's diplomats can adopt a more professional attitude. Are you suggesting we deal with one of Mondstadt's Four Winds Guardians? I certainly wouldn't expect such madness spoken before the Knights of Favonius."
"Chuckle... Not as mad as you make it sound!" The Fatui diplomat covered her mouth, chuckled briefly, and then folded her arms.
"Well then, today's discussions conclude here. To summarize, both parties have openly exchanged constructive opinions, correct?"
"Hmph, I'll document it accordingly!" With these cold words, the Fatui diplomat swiftly departed.
***
"Ahhhhh, I'm so mad! From now on, she's 'Blindfold Hilichurl' to me!" Paimon stomped her feet angrily.
"Traveler, what brings you here?" At that moment, Jean spotted them and asked with a warm smile.
"Captain Jean, we were hoping you could help us..." Before Paimon could finish, Lumine interrupted.
"Paimon!" Lumine called out firmly, looking straight at her companion.
"Huh? Traveler, what's wrong? Why are you shouting at me like that!" Paimon looked hurt as she gazed back at Lumine.
"After overhearing your conversation, Captain Jean, do you need our assistance?" Lumine glared briefly at Paimon before turning to Jean with concern.
"Oh yes, she was incredibly arrogant! Paimon even wanted to fly over there and give her a few punches, hmph!" Paimon quickly chimed in.
Lumine's lips twitched slightly; the idea of tiny Paimon, who a wild boar could send flying several meters, daring to throw punches seemed rather amusing.
"Oh, it's nothing serious, just dealing with Frozen Lands diplomats!" Jean shook her head, but her furrowed brow indicated to Lumine that the situation might be more complex than it appeared.
"Well then, we won't disturb you further!" After bidding farewell to Jean, Lumine led Paimon towards Windrise.
"Traveler, why didn't we ask Captain Jean for help earlier?" Paimon looked puzzled, questioning Lumine.
"Captain Jean must be extremely busy handling diplomatic affairs. If we ask her for help..." Lumine shook her head; she wouldn't dream of imposing on her.
Upon hearing Lumine's explanation, Paimon quickly nodded in agreement. "Mm-hmm, I think so too! Captain Jean has always been so nice to us. Last time when Klee and I accidentally blew up some fish, she didn't even demand compensation—just asked for an apology!"
"Eh, you're back? Did you manage to borrow the Holy Lyre der Himmel?" Venti looked down from his perch in the tree, smiling as he inquired.
"Huh, who's talking?" Paimon glanced around but found no one nearby.
The main reason was that Venti's green attire blended perfectly with the tree's foliage, providing him with natural camouflage.
Venti couldn't resist stifling a chuckle, seeing how Paimon failed to spot him.
"Traveler, have we encountered a ghost...?" Paimon shivered, flying close to Lumine and clutching her shoulder strap tightly...
"Hehe, 'Give me my life back, I'm the Sweet Madame you devoured'..." Venti chuckled, using an eerie voice to spook Paimon below.
"B-but Traveler ate it too! Don't blame just me, w-wahhh..." Terrified, Paimon clung to Lumine's hand, tears welling up in distress.
"Ha ha ha... You sure are easily frightened!" Venti jumped down from the tree, laughing heartily.