Chapter 23

"Famas? Famas!"

Just as the three of them decided to chat all night, Venti noticed that Famas in his arms was slowly closing his eyes. Was he getting sleepy?

Venti patted Famas' face, unsure if the slime in his arms was genuinely tired or just pretending to sleep so he could stay at Amber's place.

"Don't pretend to sleep, Famas."

With that, Venti lifted Famas and shook him vigorously.

No reaction.

Completely still.

"Um, Venti, where do you usually sleep?"

Amber looked at the green figure shaking Famas and asked curiously.

"Huh? Me? I usually go to Master Diluc's tavern, order a strong drink, get drunk, and wake up when it's morning."

Venti scratched his head sheepishly.

"I guess that's just the Venti way of sleeping, huh?"

Jean looked at Venti helplessly. Thankfully, the Angel's Share was the only tavern in Mondstadt that stayed open all night, and it also took in quite a few drunkards, saving the Knights of Favonius from extra work every night.

"Well, it is a city known for its wine, after all."

Venti nodded. "Famas seems to have been staying with Lumine and Paimon. Though, for Famas, sleeping outdoors would be easy, right?"

Jean and Amber knew Venti was referring to Famas' slime form.

"Ah…"

Jean, who had been busy with work, let out a yawn. She placed the blanket Amber had brought under her, tucked it around her legs, and leaned her head back on the sofa, closing her eyes.

Having gone too long without coffee, exhaustion seemed to have caught up with her.

"Well, I guess it's about time to rest. We've talked so much tonight, and there's still a lot of work to do tomorrow. We can't afford to not rest properly."

Amber glanced at the half-asleep Jean, while Venti stood up, holding Famas.

"Thanks for having us, but we should get going now."

Venti said to Amber, then walked to the door of her dorm.

"Alright, Venti, take care. If anything happens, come find me at the Knights' headquarters!"

Amber waved vigorously, bidding farewell to Venti.

Thud.

Since he was holding Famas, Venti carefully closed the door with his foot, leaving only Jean and Amber in the dorm.

"So, Acting Grand Master Jean, are you staying here tonight?"

Amber gently nudged Jean, only to realize that the Acting Grand Master she deeply respected had already fallen into a deep sleep due to exhaustion.

Looking around the room, Amber noticed there wasn't any suitable furniture to replace a bed. The two sofas were both single-seaters, and while the table was large, it would be too strange to sleep on.

"If you don't mind, let's sleep together."

Amber whispered to Jean.

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes."

Of course, the sleeping Jean didn't respond.

Amber picked up Jean, who was wrapped in the blanket, and placed her on her own bed.

"Acting Grand Master Jean has such a nice figure, so why doesn't she have a boyfriend yet?"

Amber lay down on the bed, unable to clearly see Jean's sleeping face in the dim light, but she could sense a refreshing, dandelion-like aura emanating from her.

"Goodnight."

Amber closed her eyes.

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"Woo! Let's fly!"

The heavy rain had stopped, but a light drizzle remained. After leaving the Knights' headquarters, Venti found a secluded spot and suddenly threw Famas into the air, using Anemo energy to blow him even higher.

Boom!

Just as Famas was blown to a height where he was barely visible, a burst of intense Pyro energy descended from the sky. A figure wielding a crimson spear plummeted from above, heading straight for the grinning Venti.

"Are you trying to die, Barbatos?"

It was Famas, who had been sound asleep. He suddenly felt a sense of weightlessness, followed by a strong Anemo presence. When he opened his eyes, he found himself high above the ground, which startled him so much that he immediately transformed into his human form and flew back up.

"Ehe, wasn't that exciting? Was it? Was it?"

Before Famas' descending attack could reach him, Venti spread his arms, tilted his head back, and trustingly closed his eyes.

Just as Famas' spear was about to strike Venti, he redirected it, stabbing the ground beside Venti's feet.

"What's going on?"

Famas smoothed his hair, which had been tousled by the wind, and leaned on his spear.

"Even though we've fixed the Holy Lyre der Himmel, I'm still worried about Dvalin's current state."

Venti lowered his arms and faced Famas, who was clad in armor.

A thousand years ago, to protect the war-torn Natlan from invading gods, Famas often donned his armor and fought alongside other gods. Over time, he grew accustomed to wearing armguards, a cape, chest armor, and greaves. The statues the people of Natlan carved of him also depicted him in full armor.

"It's been two thousand years since I last governed Mondstadt. The Seven need to govern their people to accumulate divine power. I'm afraid that now, I might even be weaker than you."

Venti said with concern.

"If the Holy Lyre der Himmel fails to calm Dvalin, he might become enraged or even leave."

"If Dvalin loses control due to anger…"

Venti stepped closer to Famas.

"I need your help to protect everyone."

Famas put away his spear, and the armor he wore disappeared, replaced by casual clothing. Venti, who was a full head shorter than Famas, looked particularly small standing in front of him.

"Alright."

Famas casually patted Venti's head, then, as if feeling playful, ruffled it vigorously.

"Wait… I'm talking about something serious here…"

Feeling the warmth on his head, Venti widened his eyes and tried to dodge Famas' hand.

"Since you've agreed, then… let's head back. I should get going too!"

Venti took a step back, straightened his messy hair and braid, adjusted the Cecelia flower on his hat, and restored his usual appearance. He hurriedly bid farewell to Famas and headed toward the Angel's Share.

"See you tomorrow!"

A gust of wind carried Venti's voice to Famas' ears.

"See you tomorrow."

Famas replied, then returned to the inn where Lumine and Paimon were staying.

Quietly slipping through the window, Famas gently pushed it open.

Inside, he saw Lumine and Paimon fast asleep.

Lumine's upper body was completely uncovered, with only her legs under the blanket, one foot sticking out. Paimon was lying on Lumine's chest, looking as if she had fallen asleep while chatting with her.

Famas tiptoed to the bed, pulled the blanket over Lumine, and then slowly shrank back into his adorable Pyro Slime form.

"Goodnight."

Famas hopped into the crook of Lumine's arm and fell asleep.