Chapter 29: Retrieving the Skyward Harp
The Second Night
Angel's Share
"Why is Acting Grand Master Jean here?!" Paimon exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Jean among the arriving group, glancing at Diluc as if to say, "Did you betray us?"
"Don't misunderstand. Jean is here as a helper I invited," Diluc said with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Honorary Knight and Paimon, I am here today as Jean, not in my capacity as the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius," Jean patiently explained, seemingly sensing Paimon's unease.
"However, I am quite surprised that Mr. Yun Fan is also here." Everyone present, except for Lumine and Paimon, knew Yun Fan's identity, which is why his arrival was met with astonishment.
"Huh? What's up with Yun Fan?" Paimon curiously flew over to Yun Fan, looking him up and down.
"Nothing special, huh?" Not noticing anything unusual, Paimon flew back to Lumine's side.
Yun Fan's mouth twitched. He couldn't understand the point of Paimon's action. What exactly were you trying to see by looking at me like that?
As for today's lineup, Yun Fan had anticipated it, as it was mostly the same as in the story. However, there was one unexpected addition.
"Miss Barbara, why are you here?" Yun Fan rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. In the original story, she wasn't part of this.
If the later events unfolded as they did in the game, with Dvalin exposing Venti's identity, this devout girl would surely be devastated to learn that the god she worshipped was actually a bard who sang for wine.
"I'm sorry, but I requested to come," Barbara said, clenching her fists. Earlier, when she went to the Knights of Favonius headquarters, she happened to overhear Jean and Diluc's conversation and stepped forward, expressing her desire to contribute to Mondstadt's cause.
"I've already heard from my sister... I mean, Acting Grand Master Jean, about Stormterror being one of the Four Winds. As a devout follower of Lord Barbatos, I cannot stand idly by while one of his blessed ones suffers such a fate!" Barbara's eyes shone with determination.
Yun Fan cast a meaningful glance at Venti, who awkwardly turned his head away, avoiding eye contact.
"Alright, since everyone is here, let's set off. My people have already located the hiding place of the Skyward Harp."
"Mr. Yun Fan, what do you think?" Diluc didn't make the decision unilaterally but instead handed the choice to Yun Fan. After all, among everyone present, Yun Fan was the strongest and held the most unique position.
"Luguo... I mean, Diluc, you can make the call. You're the organizer, after all," Yun Fan shook his head. He was only here to provide backup, not to take over.
"Alright," Diluc nodded, not one to stand on ceremony.
"Hehe, then I..." Venti chuckled, preparing to slip away from the mission and go off on his own.
"Where do you think you're going?" Venti felt a strong hand grip his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Yun Fan's kind smile.
"Ehe!"
In the end, Venti couldn't escape Yun Fan's grasp and was forced to join the group as they headed to the Fatui's hideout.
Three hours later...
The group arrived at the Fatui's outpost outside the city. However, contrary to expectations, it was eerily quiet, with no guards in sight at the entrance.
"Be careful. This might be a trap set by the Fatui," Diluc warned, drawing his Favonius Greatsword and gripping it tightly.
Everyone exchanged glances and readied their weapons, assuming a defensive stance.
Ten minutes later...
"Senior Diluc, are you sure we're in the right place?" Jean asked, sheathing her Favonius Sword as she surveyed the empty hideout, her tone tinged with doubt.
"It should be the right place," Diluc replied, looking somewhat embarrassed. His intelligence network had never failed him before.
"Let's keep moving," Yun Fan said, having a rough idea of what was going on. It was likely because of his presence that the Fatui had decided to lay low for now.
After some time...
The group fell into a long silence as they watched Lumine effortlessly retrieve the Skyward Harp.
"Ahem, since we've retrieved the Skyward Harp, let's proceed to the next step," Diluc said awkwardly. At least his intelligence hadn't been wrong.
"Mm," Venti took the Skyward Harp from Lumine's hands, closed his eyes, and gently stroked its six strings, as if sensing something. Soon, he stopped and shook his head helplessly.
"The Skyward Harp is too ancient. By now, most of its power has dissipated. It's impossible to use it to call Dvalin."
"Is that so?" Jean rested her chin on her hand, pondering how to solve this issue. After a moment, she came up with an idea.
"Mr. Yun Fan, could you please infuse some of your power into the Skyward Harp?"
Jean bowed slightly as she made the request, while Barbara, seeing Jean's gesture, also looked at Yun Fan with pleading eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I wield Electro energy, which cannot recharge an Anemo artifact," Yun Fan shook his head, feigning helplessness.
No way was he going to recharge the Skyward Harp and let that slacker Venti off the hook again. Yun Fan absolutely wouldn't allow it!
"I apologize, Mr. Yun Fan. I didn't think it through. Thank you for your help nonetheless," Jean said. No one doubted Yun Fan's explanation, as it was common knowledge in Teyvat that elemental energies of different types couldn't be converted.
Venti, hearing Yun Fan's words, pursed his lips.
He didn't believe Yun Fan for a second. While it was true that Electro and Anemo energies couldn't be converted, he had given Yun Fan his Gnosis, which contained a portion of Anemo power. Though not much, it was more than enough to recharge the Skyward Harp.
"Sigh," Venti sighed. This guy was really trying to get something for nothing, and he had fallen right into his trap.
"I have an idea. Traveler, take out that tear," Venti said to Lumine.
"Mm," Lumine took out Dvalin's tear. Unlike its initial crimson color, the tear crystal had now turned a pale blue, filled with pure Anemo energy.
"Is this... purified?" Jean looked at the tear crystal, which was vastly different from when she first saw it, and was amazed. Just who was this new Honorary Knight?
"As expected, you are special," Venti mused.
"Place the tear crystal on the Skyward Harp."
Lumine followed Venti's instructions and placed the tear crystal on the Skyward Harp. The blue strings of the harp began to glow with a brilliant light, making it look more like a divine artifact than the dull object it had been moments before.
"Can we set off now?" Lumine asked.
"Not yet."