Chapter 41: Klee: Is the Anemo Archon a Bad Guy?

"What a petty person—no, a petty god," Yun Fan muttered as he took a few steps in mid-air to stabilize himself before adjusting his posture and diving downward.

Directly below Yun Fan was a medium-sized lake. It didn't appear on the in-game map, but its perfectly circular shape and crystal-clear, mirror-like water had earned it the name "Mirrorheart Lake."

"Hey-ho!"

"Bounce up!"

"Boom boom bomb!"

"..."

By the lakeside, a cute little girl in red was happily playing.

The girl wore an adorable red hat, somewhat resembling a beret from Earth, with a four-leaf clover emblem—a symbol of good luck.

Her upper body was clad in a large, one-piece hoodie, also predominantly red, while her lower half was adorned with cute white pumpkin shorts.

This little girl was none other than the Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius—Klee.

"Da-da-da—" Klee diligently picked up the fish she had blasted out of the lake and placed them in a small metal bucket she had brought. She then crouched down and carefully counted the fish.

"One, two, three... Hmm, I'm still four short of seven," Klee counted on her tiny fingers with utmost seriousness.

"Still four more? I need to work harder!" With that, Dodoco Tales materialized in the air, and Klee gently held it with both hands. The Pyro Vision on her backpack began to glow with a red light.

"Everything can be blown up!"

"Does something seem off down there?" Yun Fan, who was still descending, noticed something unusual. Why were there constant splashes in the lake, accompanied by occasional explosions?

Yun Fan extended his senses like radar, scanning the lake and its surroundings.

"It's a boom boom bomb!"

Realizing it was little Klee causing the explosions, Yun Fan immediately enveloped himself in a layer of Electro energy, forming a simple shield, before continuing his dive toward the lake.

If Klee's bomb happened to explode just as he landed, he would undoubtedly be caught in the blast. While he wouldn't be injured, he'd certainly be left in a sorry state, so it was best to take precautions.

Thud!

The sound of a heavy object hitting the water echoed, sending a six- to seven-meter-high splash into the air. At the same time, Electro energy surged through the water, stunning dozens of fish, which floated to the surface.

"Huh? Is Klee's new bomb really that powerful?" The little girl, still unaware of what had happened, looked at the fish on the lake's surface with wide-eyed amazement.

"Ahem, long time no see, little Klee," Yun Fan emerged from the water, paddling a few times before swimming to the shore with a standard breaststroke.

"Wow, it's Brother Yun Fan! Brother Yun Fan, were you catching fish in the water?" Klee jumped with joy upon seeing Yun Fan. She had met him six months ago, and since then, Yun Fan had often taken her out to play, made her delicious grilled fish, and always managed to whisk her away before Acting Grand Master Jean could catch her.

Klee: Brother Yun Fan is a good person!

"I was just thrown out of the sky by the Anemo Archon and happened to land in this lake. And then I ran into you, little Klee," Yun Fan shook the water off his head and smiled at Klee.

"Huh? Why would the Anemo Archon do that?" Klee asked, her face full of curiosity.

"Ah~" Yun Fan sighed, adopting a slightly sorrowful tone. "The Anemo Archon has been cursed by the Dodoking, which has given him Barbatos Syndrome. The Anemo Archon isn't the same god who once protected Mondstadt—he's a big bad guy now!"

"The Anemo Archon is a big bad guy?" Klee's eyes widened in shock.

"That's right. But the Anemo Archon is only being influenced by the Dodoking. Deep down, he's still good. We need to save him. Little Klee, I have a task for you. If you complete it, you can save the Anemo Archon. Are you willing to accept it, Spark Knight Klee?" Yun Fan spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Spark Knight Klee is willing to accept the mission to save the Anemo Archon!" Klee immediately stood at attention, clumsily performing a knight's salute, looking every bit the little adult.

"But Brother Yun Fan, what's the Dodoking? Is it related to Klee's Dodoco?" Klee's eyes were filled with curiosity.

Yun Fan facepalmed. He had forgotten—Alice hadn't introduced the concept of the Dodoking yet.

"The Dodoking is the ruler of the Dodoco tribe. You'll meet it someday, little Klee," Yun Fan explained vaguely, and fortunately, Klee didn't press further.

"Now, Klee, listen carefully. I'll tell you how to save the Anemo Archon..."

"Lady Signora, the Knights of Favonius and that bard have returned to Mondstadt," a Fatui diplomat reported to Signora, who was still bedridden.

"Just them? What about that shop owner?" Signora asked warily. The events of that day were still fresh in her mind, and she had come to truly understand the gap between herself and a god. Even the Tsaritsa, whom she considered invincible, had paid a price to save her.

"The owner of the Good Hunter hasn't returned with them."

Hearing this, Signora breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that the person had already left Mondstadt. If that person stayed in Mondstadt—or near Barbatos—the mission to seize the Gnosis would undoubtedly fail.

Thinking this, Signora gritted her teeth. "Keep a close eye on them. Wait for the right moment. Once I've recovered, we'll make our move."

"Yes."

In the Acting Grand Master's office, Jean was organizing and archiving recent events.

The incident involving Dvalin, the Four Winds' protector, turning into Stormterror has been resolved. Stormterror has regained his senses and will no longer pose a threat to Mondstadt.

The merchant from Liyue, bearing the title of Divine Sovereign, played a crucial role in saving the Four Winds' protector.

The Anemo Archon, Lord Barbatos, has never abandoned us. He has always protected Mondstadt in his own way. I was fortunate enough to meet Lord Barbatos, and though I don't understand why he chooses to protect us this way, he must have his reasons.

The outlander traveler has been granted the title of Honorary Knight by the Knights of Favonius...

After objectively organizing the events of the past few days, Jean archived the records. These would later be reviewed by Grand Master Varka.

Having finished organizing the documents, Jean glanced out the window at the approaching dusk and stretched. It had been a long time since she had completed a day's work so efficiently, but now wasn't the time to rest.

Jean's time as Acting Grand Master was over.

Now, it was time for Jean—the sister.