21: Amber

A flash of red darted out from the trees. The figure landed nimbly with a roll to shed momentum, and then stood up straight in front of the group of two people and one floating mascot.

"May the Anemo Archon guide you, strangers. I'm Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius. You don't look like locals—state your identities," the girl declared with a serious face, fulfilling her duties with official flair.

Paimon quickly jumped in. "We're not suspicious people or anything!"

Saphir couldn't help but laugh. "Paimon, saying that just makes us sound even more suspicious."

Lumine nodded in agreement. She knew well that bad guys always say they're not bad guys. So she stepped forward with a calm and open demeanor. "My name is Lumine, this is Paimon, and this is Sharp."

Amber looked them over, muttering, "Definitely not locals…" Her gaze lingered on Paimon. "And is that… a mascot?"

"She's emergency food," Lumine corrected seriously.

"Pffft! Lumine, don't let Sharp corrupt you! Paimon is Paimon—the best guide in all of Teyvat! Not a mascot, and definitely not emergency food!" Paimon protested, stomping her tiny feet in the air.

Seeing their cheerful banter, Amber relaxed a bit. "So, you're travelers, huh? There's a dragon flying around near Mondstadt lately—dangerous out here. I suggest you head to the city soon. And since it's not far from here, I, as a knight, will escort you safely."

"Eh? Are you sure that's okay? Wouldn't it delay your mission?" Paimon, ever dutiful in her role as Lumine's external voice box, asked.

Amber put her hands on her hips proudly. "Don't worry! I can ensure your safety even while on a mission. Besides, I can't just ignore suspicious individuals, can I?"

Lumine frowned slightly and glanced toward Saphir.

Saphir smirked. "You're being awfully rude, little miss. Just from that one sentence, I can tell—you're a rookie."

"Eh?" Amber's face flushed red. She was a new recruit, but didn't know how Saphir had seen through her so easily.

"Because no excellent knight would say something so tactless."

Amber immediately thought of Grand Master Jean—always polite and composed. Then… she remembered a certain cavalry captain who spent more time drunk at the tavern than on duty. Yeah, he didn't count.

After a brief inner debate, Amber conceded.

"Cough! Then, I apologize—for my earlier tone, dear… uh… travelers," she corrected stiffly.

"That sounded way too forced," Paimon muttered under her breath.

Amber puffed up. "What, are you questioning the formal language in the Knights of Favonius Standard Conduct Manual?"

Lumine giggled behind her hand.

"Alright, alright. Enough chatter. You said it yourself—the wilds are dangerous. Let's get moving," Saphir cut in.

"Yes! Let's go!" Amber nodded quickly and took the lead. "So, what brings you all to Mondstadt?"

Paimon floated along, cheerfully answering, "Lumine got separated from her brother on a super long journey, and I'm helping her find him. As for Sharp…" She paused. She actually didn't know much about Saphir.

"Me? Mmm… let's say I'm here on a friend's behalf, to take care of a few things. Once that's done, I'll be on my way," Saphir replied, thinking that helping Venti with Dvalin counted well enough.

Amber nodded in understanding. "Family and friends, huh? If you're looking for someone, once I'm done with my task, I can help post notices around Mondstadt. More eyes, more results! Oh, and by the way—there's actually another traveler in Mondstadt right now! He doesn't look anything like you, but we could ask him for help too! As for your task, Sharp, if it's something difficult, the Knights can help with that as well."

"There's another traveler?" That caught Saphir's attention.

"Yup! I'll take you to meet him once we get to the city," Amber said.

Paimon tilted her head. "By the way, Amber, what exactly is your task?"

Amber's bunny-like headpiece bobbed with her steps. "Oh, nothing too complicated. You'll see in a moment."

Soon, they reached a small Hilichurl camp.

"Ah! Hilichurls!" Paimon yelped, clearly still traumatized from earlier run-ins.

Amber pulled out her bow. "Lately, monsters in the wild have been creeping closer to the city. My mission is to clear their camps."

Saphir glanced at the camp. Only a few basic Hilichurl fighters—no shamans or brutes. Nothing serious, so she stayed back.

Lumine and Amber charged forward. Lumine drew her dull sword and blocked an incoming club. Amber fired a quick shot, hitting the Hilichurl in the head. It wasn't fatal, but it took the pressure off Lumine.

"Wind Blade!" Lumine channeled Anemo energy into her palm and launched a small horizontal whirlwind, blasting the Hilichurl into the air.

"You can use elements too?" Amber asked, surprised but impressed. Still, her hands kept moving, loosing more arrows to cover Lumine.

"Amber, use a charged shot. Lumine, prep your Elemental Burst," Saphir called from the back. She wouldn't step in—but she could still guide.

The girls didn't question her instructions.

Amber aimed and loosed a flaming charged arrow, striking another Hilichurl dead-on and applying Pyro. Lumine flipped forward.

"Go with the wind!" She released a green tornado that picked up the Pyro-affected enemy—triggering a swirl reaction. The tornado turned into a blazing firestorm, sweeping up the rest of the camp.

Screams echoed briefly—then silence.

When the fire cyclone dissipated, the Hilichurls were gone, leaving only a few discarded masks.

Lumine picked up a mask and returned to Amber and Saphir to show her spoils.

Saphir waved it off. "I didn't do anything. They're yours."

Amber shook her head. "Even though we have a points exchange system in the Knights, the real work was done by your Elemental Burst. I can't take credit."

With both of them declining, Lumine just pocketed the loot.

Paimon looked around the charred camp, puzzled. "Why would Hilichurls be this close to the city? Don't they usually roam farther out?"

Amber nodded seriously. "I'm not sure either. They should stay in the wilds. But ever since Stormterror showed up, orchards have been destroyed, trade routes disrupted, and people keep getting hurt during storms. The Knights are stretched thin."

"So, because there aren't enough knights to keep the perimeter clear, these pests are getting bolder?" Paimon concluded.

"Exactly. That's why I'm hurrying to clear out the camps. Every bit helps."

As they talked, Saphir remained silent, frowning. Lumine noticed and fell back to walk beside her.

"Stormterror... That was the dragon I saw the other day, right?" she whispered.

Saphir nodded. "That's Dvalin."

Lumine thought of what she'd seen, what she'd felt. "You seem… sad. Is it that obvious?"

Saphir gave her a weary smile. "Yeah. Dvalin was… is a hero of Mondstadt. Or used to be."

"What?" Lumine was surprised. "You mean—?"

Saphir nodded again. "Amber is a formal knight. Even if she's a rookie, she knows more than most. But even she calls Dvalin 'Stormterror.' That means either Mondstadt has forgotten its past, or… she truly doesn't know. If it's the latter, it just shows how little this city cares for its history. They've already forgotten the hero who once protected them. If I were Dvalin... I wonder how I'd feel."

Lumine fell silent. She tried to put herself in Dvalin's place—but didn't dare draw a conclusion.

Soon, the group reached the gates of Mondstadt.

Amber stood proudly, spreading her arms as she addressed them. "Allow me to officially introduce—The City of Wind and Song, the Land of Freedom!"

"Travelers under the protection of the Knights of Favonius—welcome to Mondstadt!"

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