Chapter 27

After Jean and the others caught up, Famas, who had been arguing with the city guards, smoothly made his way to the front of the Good Hunter restaurant.

"Welcome to the Good Hunter. What would you like to…"

Sara, the owner, habitually greeted them.

"Huh? New faces."

Sara looked curiously at Famas and the tearful little Timmie.

"And Acting Grand Master Jean, Lumine… Master Diluc."

"Oh my, it looks like business will be especially good today."

Sara smiled as she watched the Knights of Favonius members.

"One plate of Crispy Shrimp Chips and one Golden Fried Chicken, plus a Minty Brew."

Famas casually ordered two dishes and a drink, then turned to the group behind him.

"What about you guys?"

Jean glanced at the glaring sunlight. It was already noon, and after the battle at Starsnatch Cliff earlier, even though Dvalin's issue hadn't been resolved, it was time to eat and replenish their energy.

"One Invigorating Pizza."

Jean yawned and named her signature dish.

This dish was a perfectly crafted thin-crust pizza. Eating a slice could greatly invigorate the spirit. To ensure she could enjoy it regularly, Jean had already taught Sara how to make it.

"I'll have the usual."

Diluc said coldly, but as the restaurant owner, Sara already knew what Master Diluc wanted and called out to the kitchen, "One Pile 'Em Up."

"Oh, so Master Diluc likes meat dishes."

Paimon loudly remarked, drawing the attention of other diners.

"Can I cook myself, Miss Sara~?"

Venti, holding the fowl he had picked up on the bridge, had somehow found a black bag to store all the meat.

"Of course, little bard."

Sara, seeing Venti clasp his hands together and pout cutely, inexplicably agreed and let him into the restaurant's kitchen.

"So, what would Lumine and Paimon like to eat?"

Venti smiled, looking at Paimon, who was hovering in front of the restaurant's menu, looking conflicted.

Hearing Venti's question, Paimon turned to Lumine, and the two spoke in unison, "Mondstadt Hash Browns!"

The group found seats, and a few minutes later, the dishes were served one by one.

"Wow, this is Pile 'Em Up? A hearty meat dish with ingredients stacked in a visually pleasing shape. The perfect proportions make each layer delicious without being overwhelming. No wonder Master Diluc loves it!"

Paimon took a bite of Jean's Invigorating Pizza, followed by a mouthful of Mondstadt Hash Browns, then scooped up a large spoonful of Diluc's Pile 'Em Up, sighing contentedly.

"Here we go! The bard's signature dish, Barbatos Ratatouille, and specially prepared Big Golden Fried Chicken and Crispy Shrimp Chips for little Timmie!"

Venti, wearing a red apron borrowed from Sara, carried two trays with several dishes.

"A dish made with onions, potatoes, and carrots?"

Famas looked at the cheerful Venti. Back in Natlan, he had eaten this dish before. Due to the distance and dangers between Natlan and Mondstadt, Famas hadn't decided whether to send troops to liberate Old Mondstadt.

When Venti had just taken human form, he used onions, potatoes, and carrots from Natlan to create Barbatos Ratatouille. Aside from the Cecilias used as garnish, the dish looked ordinary, but upon tasting it, one could sense the "subtle turning point and the wind of hope."

This was the final reason Famas decided to send troops to Old Mondstadt to rebel against the God of Storms, Decarabian.

"The thousand-year friendship between wind and fire began here…"

Famas took a sip of the Barbatos Ratatouille. The mild flavors of onion and carrot filled his mouth, accompanied by a refreshing sensation that flowed into his stomach.

The three vegetables blended perfectly, making it no wonder why some had called this dish "the most delicious thing I've ever eaten."

"The taste of the wind has never faded."

Famas looked up at the expectant Venti and said, "That subtle turning point and the wind of hope are still in this dish."

"Then I'm relieved."

Venti nodded and handed the other dish to Timmie, who had just wiped away his tears.

"Try this, Timmie. It's my secret recipe."

Despite sensing the mischief in Venti's eyes, Timmie couldn't resist the enticing aroma and golden crispiness of the Golden Fried Chicken. The crunchy skin made a satisfying sound with every bite.

Timmie took the chicken from Venti and took a big bite.

"It's so good!"

Seeing Timmie's greasy mouth, Venti nodded and turned to Famas and the others, who had almost finished eating.

"We should discuss what to do next."

Paimon lifted her face from her plate, not even bothering to wipe the food crumbs from her mouth, and clenched her tiny fists, nodding vigorously.

"Yes, and those pesky Abyss Mages! We can't just let them get away!"

"Exactly. If we don't defeat the source of the corruption, we can't ease Dvalin's suffering."

Diluc looked at his clean plate and spoke calmly.

"Then I'll gather the Outriders to track them down…"

Jean slowly nodded as she finished the last slice of pizza.

"No need."

"Huh?"

"Not long ago, I personally killed one of their kind at the Temple of the Four Winds."

Diluc stood up, as if about to make an announcement.

"If you want to track those monsters, you can use my intelligence network and methods… The Knights of Favonius are just too slow."

Jean lowered her head in shame, and Paimon quickly changed the subject, "Master Diluc may dislike the Knights, but he still protects Mondstadt in his own way."

"Paimon's tone suddenly became so affectionate…" Venti smiled as he ate the Barbatos Ratatouille he had just made.

"Hmph."

Diluc snorted like a tsundere.

"Anyway, wait for my news. I'll make them understand that no matter how lawless the Abyss Order is… there are some things you just can't do in Mondstadt!"

Venti nodded, looking at Timmie, who had finished the fried chicken and shrimp chips.

Timmie was rubbing his full belly, staring at the distant scenery. He didn't understand what the adults were talking about and wanted to ask for more food, but his stomach was too full.

At that moment, Venti deliberately lowered his voice but kept it loud enough for everyone to hear, whispering into Timmie's ear, "Little Timmie, the fried chicken you just ate was made from pigeon meat."

"Are you really Lord Barbatos, and not a devil?"

Jean propped her delicate face with her hands, watching the horrified Timmie, and sighed helplessly.

A/n - Read chapters ahead on my patreon.com/nneol