Takashi was just about to act with Xerneas when Barbara suddenly appeared behind him, her hands covering her cheeks, her eyes wide open.
"How is this possible?" Barbara's voice trembled.
It seemed this young lady was pretty shaken up.
Takashi turned around and made a "shh" gesture, signaling Barbara not to make a sound.
Barbara nervously swallowed, "Sister Jirena is actually with the Treasure Hoarders."
In her memory, Jirena had always been a faithful follower. Even after getting married, she would still come to the church every day for morning prayers, praying for the Wind God's blessings for Mondstadt.
Now, seeing Jirena entangled with the Treasure Hoarders, this pure-hearted girl suddenly felt a sense of her world collapsing.
From what Barbara knew from the Knights of Favonius, the Treasure Hoarders were a vast organization, comprised mostly of greedy vagabonds, lacking discipline, spread all across the continent, even infiltrating unknown domains. Though not very powerful, they were numerous and often hid in the mountains and forests, robbing passing merchants and travelers.
As a member of the Knights, she had an obligation to protect every citizen of Mondstadt from harm.
"You two!" Barbara stepped out of the bushes, her eyes wide with anger. She tightly grasped the blue and gold book at her waist, its cover adorned with a sapphire gemstone symbolizing the Hydro element.
Takashi had been planning to discuss the next steps with Barbara, but before he could, this young lady just charged up on her own?
Classic Barbara.
Lying on the grass, Jirena slowly raised her head to see Barbara making a shining entrance. Her pupils quivered, and she was at a loss for words.
She knew that her identity had been exposed, and saying anything now would be pointless.
"Let go of Sister Jirena." Barbara took off the blue and gold book from her waist, preparing to fight.
Wu Lao Qi looked at Barbara with disdain, "Who the heck are you?"
Wu Lao Liu glanced at the Vision on Barbara's book, "Knights of Favonius, mind your own business."
Xerneas tilted its head towards Takashi, "Aren't you going to help her?"
"I never like stealing anyone's thunder." Takashi shrugged.
"Ah!" With a sudden scream from Barbara, Wu Lao Qi charged forward with an elbow strike, knocking Barbara to the ground.
Barbara picked up her book, wiping the dirt off its cover. The book radiated a sky-blue energy, rippling out like waves.
A cluster of water elements surrounded Barbara, and she bravely stood up.
Wu Lao Liu frowned, "Healing magic?"
Wu Lao Qi kicked towards Barbara again, but she blocked it with her book.
"You…" Wu Lao Qi's foot was repelled by the water elements surrounding the book, causing him to stagger back several steps.
Seeing that things weren't going well, Wu Lao Liu drew a short knife and lunged towards Barbara for a surprise attack.
"Xerneas!"
"Yes."
In that split second, Xerneas released a burst of psychic energy. Just as Wu Lao Liu's short knife was an inch away from Barbara's chest, it came to a halt.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move.
"What's happening?" Wu Lao Liu, driven by the psychic power, was thrown heavily towards Wu Lao Qi.
The two crashed into each other and were knocked out instantly.
Barbara was too stunned to speak. She was always well taken care of by everyone in the Knights, and nothing like this had ever happened before.
She had been diligently healing and praying for the citizens of Mondstadt, but now, in just the blink of an eye, a short knife had almost pierced her chest.
Jirena, half-kneeling on the ground, clutched the dirt with her nails, her eyes nearly bulging out. If anything had happened to Barbara, she would never be at peace.
Thankfully, the Wind God Barbatos had shown favor.
The gods were protecting Mondstadt.
Barbara, overwhelmed, plopped down on the grass.
"Miss Barbara, are you okay?" Jirena hurriedly ran over, her voice full of concern.
"I'm fine." Barbara steadied herself, taking a moment to catch her breath. "Jirena, why are you mixed up with the Treasure Hoarders? Don't you know they are evil people?"
Jirena lowered her head, her face flushed. Just as she was about to confess, Barbara interrupted her with a sweet smile, "No need to explain, Jirena. Let's go back to Mondstadt. The Wind God is with you."
"Miss Barbara…" Hearing those words, Jirena leaned her head on Barbara's shoulder, tears streaming down her face.
Barbara gently patted her back, quietly comforting her.
"Should we go out now?" Xerneas tilted its head and asked Takashi.
"Let's wait and keep an eye on Jirena. Don't let her do anything suspicious." Takashi scanned the area. It was still uncertain whether Jirena could be trusted. If she was a double agent, Barbara could be in danger.
After Barbara comforted Jirena and watched her leave, disappearing down the road leading to Mondstadt, Takashi and Xerneas finally revealed themselves.
Barbara hung her book back at her waist and walked up gracefully, bowing, "Thank you so much. I know it wasn't the Wind God earlier, it was you, wasn't it?"
Takashi shook his head, gently stroking Xerneas's colorful antlers, "It wasn't me; it was my good friend Xerneas."
"Thank you, Xerneas." Barbara bowed to Xerneas.
"You're welcome." Xerneas, seeing Barbara's politeness, became shy like a young girl, hiding behind Takashi.
Barbara folded her hands in front of her abdomen, her face showing a confident smile, "So, this is a Pokémon. It seems interesting. I was hesitant at first, but seeing Xerneas, I'm no longer lost."
"So, does that mean Miss Barbara plans to come to my shop to buy a Pokémon?" Takashi asked.
Barbara was silent for a moment, her eyes sparkling, "How about you give Xerneas to me?"
"What?" Takashi looked at her dumbfounded. This young lady looked so honest, yet she had such an idea?
Xerneas looked nervously at Takashi, afraid he might agree. After all, the other party was such a sweet girl.
"Well?" Barbara fiddled with her fingers shyly, her face slightly red.
Why are you blushing like that?
Takashi rolled his eyes and politely refused, "No way. Xerneas is my partner. Even if you sold me, I wouldn't give it away."
Xerneas: o(>﹏<)o
Barbara giggled, then blinked, "Sorry, I was just kidding."
If she could get a Pokémon as powerful as Xerneas, she could help the Knights more and ease her sister's burdens.
She would no longer have to worry about her lack of combat skills and being only a field medic.
Barbara, charge ahead!