When Takashi returned, Barbara's healing magic had already allowed Albert to stand up.
Barbara, a professional healer, indeed had exceptional talent in healing.
Albert pressed his hand against his shoulder, frowning. "Where did you just run off to? Don't tell me you went to inform the Treasure Hoarders?"
Takashi: ???
Xerneas: ???
Barbara: ...
Is this guy out of his mind?
"I'm telling you, Barbara is the idol of Mondstadt. If you dare lay a hand on her, all the residents and the Knights of Favonius won't let you off." Albert displayed the fanaticism and irrationality of an overzealous fan.
Takashi shrugged. "Mr. Albert, I suggest that when you return to Mondstadt, you go to the Knights and ask Miss Lisa to prescribe you some potions. You're not acting normal right now."
"I'm perfectly normal," Albert became even more agitated. Earlier, he had been too immersed in Barbara's healing and had lowered his guard against Takashi. Who knows, Takashi might be colluding with the Treasure Hoarders. "I thought you looked unfamiliar. I've never seen you at Barbara's fan club gatherings. You must be an impostor."
"Me, an impostor? Ah, yes, yes, you're right."
Barbara stepped forward to mediate. "Mr. Albert, please don't casually suspect the residents of Mondstadt. They are all followers of the Anemo Archon Barbatos. Thinking like this is disrespectful to the Archon."
"Alright, Barbara, whatever you say, I believe you." Albert turned his face and greeted Barbara with a smile, looking exactly like a sycophant.
"Sorry, Mr. Shopkeeper. Mr. Albert is just overly frightened and is speaking nonsense. Please don't mind him." Barbara bowed slightly, full of apology.
As expected of a popular idol—both sweet and considerate.
"Well, let's head back. There are Treasure Hoarders in this area; it's better not to linger here." Takashi nodded slightly.
"Mr. Albert, can you walk?" Barbara asked with concern.
"Yes, I can." Hearing this, Albert flashed a smile as bright as a chewing gum advertisement.
Barbara supported Albert as they walked forward slowly.
Takashi wanted to step forward to help, but Barbara smiled and politely declined. "This is what I should do as an idol."
Takashi secretly thought to himself, *Wow, it's the golden age for admirers.*
This guy Albert often gets himself injured for no reason, returns to Mondstadt, and then goes to the Church of Favonius to find Barbara for healing—using it as an excuse to get close to her. He's utterly shameless.
Truly, when someone is shameless, they're invincible.
Xerneas looked at Takashi. "Need me to use Teleport?"
Takashi shook his head. "Doesn't seem necessary; we seem redundant."
Since they had already escorted them this far, they might as well see it through. After all, Barbara was a big customer to him; he couldn't afford to lose her.
Just as well, he could take this opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
Afraid of the Treasure Hoarders? Not a chance. With Xerneas here, even if Stormterror attacked, they'd still beat him down like a rookie; they could even break steel with ease.
Along the way, Albert entered chatterbox mode, talking endlessly with Barbara about the concert—how great her songs were, how excellent her dancing was, how sweet her smile was—simply the gift of the Anemo Archon...
Barbara always kept a sweet smile on her face, sweetness enough to cause illness.
A refreshing breeze blew from the nearby Dragonspine Mountain. The mountain was covered in snow, yet outside it was like spring all year round.
Near the Statue of The Seven, dandelions and windwheel asters danced in the wind, pleasing to the eye.
Ahead was Springvale, south of Mondstadt City. After passing Springvale, they wouldn't be far from Mondstadt.
The residents here mostly lived by hunting. The leisurely small-town atmosphere and rural charm attracted many tourists.
The abundant meat products had become an important source of supplies for Mondstadt.
As they walked, Xerneas's ears twitched slightly, and he stopped.
"What's wrong, Xerneas?" Takashi asked, puzzled.
"There's someone in the small grove to the right." Xerneas's eyes became alert.
Takashi looked over. Behind an inconspicuous cedar tree, he saw the fluttering shadow of a skirt.
"You two stay here and don't move." Takashi turned back to instruct Barbara and Albert, then he and Xerneas slowly approached the small grove on the right.
From the forest came the voices of three people talking. He vaguely heard two men and a woman; they seemed to be arguing.
Takashi and Xerneas leaned against a pine tree and peeked over.
Two unfamiliar men were wearing black cloaks, with water pouches hanging at their waists and masks covering their faces.
In front of them was a short and plump nun. Judging from her attire, she wore the same white nun's habit of the Church of Favonius as Barbara.
"Old Six, this woman is too tight-lipped. What should we do?"
"Old Seven," Wu Laoliu snorted lightly, "We have plenty of ways. Anyway, at this time and place, no one will come. We can do whatever we want."
"What do you want to do? I'm already married. My husband and child are in Mondstadt. Please, let me go," the nun pleaded.
"Let you go?" Wu Laoliu said angrily. "Sister Jilliana, look at you now. You've been in Mondstadt for just a few days and have become this fat. Have you also become stupid?"
"Now, when laid horizontally you look like a cartwheel; when stood vertically you look like an oil barrel." Wu Laoqi laughed loudly.
Hearing this, Wu Laoliu also laughed.
"What are you laughing at?"
"We're not laughing." Wu Laoliu covered his mouth, his tone suddenly turning cold. "I'll tell you, we know who you were in the past. You don't want your past identity to be known to all of Mondstadt, do you? So you'd better cooperate with us obediently."
Jilliana waved her hands. "No, I promised Sister Victoria to devote myself to goodness, swear loyalty to the Anemo Archon Barbatos, and never do those things again."
Wu Laoliu took out a dagger from a pocket inside his cloak and threw it in front of her. "Once a Treasure Hoarder, always a Treasure Hoarder. You know how traitors are dealt with. Either cooperate or take your own life."
Jilliana bent down, trembling, and picked up the dagger from the ground. The sharp blade gleamed coldly, causing a dull pain in her heart.
She still had a husband and child in Mondstadt. If her past identity were exposed, not only would she be scorned by all of Mondstadt, but her husband and child would also become targets of public criticism.
But she had already sworn in the church.
After hesitating for a long time, Jilliana decided to take a chance. She gripped the dagger tightly, mustered her heavy body, and lunged toward Wu Laoliu's chest.
Takashi was shocked. Despite her plump figure, the nun's movements were quite agile—clearly someone with training.
With a "clang," Wu Laoliu swung his right fist, heavily striking Jilliana's wrist holding the dagger, then reversed his hand to grab her.
Jilliana was flipped over his shoulder and slammed heavily onto the ground.
"Dare to attack Old Six?" Wu Laoqi seized the chance to mock. "I think you have a death wish."
"Jilliana, you, who used to be Old Five, have regressed to this extent. Is Mondstadt really that good?" Wu Laoliu picked up the dagger and pressed it against her neck.
Jilliana gasped heavily. "I cannot betray my family."