25: Strategy Meeting

The storm came fast and went even faster. With Barbatos secretly watching over the city, Mondstadt's skies returned swiftly to their clear, peaceful blue.

Supporting each other, Saphir and Lumine slowly made their way back into the city. At the bridge near Mondstadt's gates, Jean stood waiting with a group of Knights.

When the two figures emerged—battered, but safe—cheers erupted from the crowd.

"How does it feel?" Saphir said to Lumine with a faint smile. "They're welcoming us like heroes."

Still some distance from the others, Lumine took the opportunity to ask the question that had been nagging at her. "Saphir… what exactly is the Fatui?"

Saphir blinked, clearly not expecting the question. After a moment, she replied, "Strictly speaking, the 'Fatui' refers to the diplomatic envoys of Snezhnaya. The people assigned to complete missions in foreign lands—those are the Fatui."

"My brother said you're one of their Harbingers," Lumine said, her golden eyes meeting the brilliant crimson of Saphir's, like two gems—ruby and topaz—locked in silent inquiry.

Saphir nodded calmly. "That's correct. My real name is Saphir—Saphir Afurola. Maybe it's a bit early to tell you that, but eventually you would have found out. As for the Fatui, you can ask Lin Yi. Or Amber, or Jean. They all know bits and pieces. There are things I can't say openly."

Lumine nodded. She understood. Saphir wasn't dodging the question—she wanted her to find the answers herself, to learn about the world through her own eyes.

Saphir gave her a sidelong glance but said no more. She had no intention of guiding Lumine's choices. The Traveler had her own mind and her own path to walk.

They reached the others.

Jean stepped forward, hands folded at her waist, and gave them a courteous bow. "Thank you for your help, travelers who came on the wind."

Before Jean could continue, a woman in a deep violet dress and a matching hat adorned with a purple rose stepped closer, her tone playful. "Ah, what kind-hearted little darlings, here to help because we're short on manpower? How adorable."

Saphir had already steeled herself against Lisa's exuberant personality, but Lumine still wasn't used to this kind of affectionate teasing.

"She's the librarian of Mondstadt—Lisa," Jean added with a soft smile.

"Hello," both Lumine and Saphir nodded in greeting.

On Jean's other side stood a man with dark skin and an easy smile. "Greetings, travelers from another world. I'm Kaeya, Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius."

After the brief introductions and some small talk, Lumine recounted the events of Stormterror's attack. She left out Saphir's real identity and her brother's sudden appearance.

"Speaking of which... where's Paimon?" Lumine asked, finally remembering her little companion. The wind had blown her away during the chaos, and she hadn't seen her since.

"She's with Lin Yi," Jean reassured her. "He took her to the Good Hunter. He said he had something to discuss with you both once things were settled."

As Kaeya prepared to arrange lodging for the two of them, Saphir interrupted. "I'll be staying at the Good Hunter for now. No need to trouble yourselves."

Lumine nodded quickly, indicating she'd stay with Saphir.

Together, they headed to the restaurant. Along the way, they touched on the topic of the missing-person posters. Given the Dragon Crisis, the Knights were limited in what they could do. Lumine said she understood. In truth, after seeing her brother again—even if only briefly—her focus had shifted. She had her destination now: to walk the same road he did, and meet again at the journey's end.

Second Floor of Good Hunter – Strategy Meeting

The group gathered around the table.

Kaeya opened the meeting with a rundown of the current state of affairs: "The dragon crisis has been going on for some time. In recent days, monsters around Mondstadt have become more aggressive. We've had to divert forces to keep them at bay. But with Grand Master Varka taking most of our elites on an expedition, the Knights' strength is... lacking. Currently, only Jean, Lisa, and I can be considered combat-ready."

Jean nodded and added, "The reconnaissance squad led by Eula is still stationed in Dragonspine. Should we recall them? Eula's support would help tip the scales."

Saphir, of course, knew the Knights had more than just those three. But she said nothing, merely casting a glance at Lin Yi.

Sensing her gaze, Lin Yi stroked his chin. "Eula can wait. Dragonspine's important too. I can lend some support on my end, and the Adventurers' Guild might be willing to spare a few as well. Fischl and Bennett aren't bad—they could be brought in."

"I'll help in any way I can," Lumine said firmly.

"Paimon too!" the little one chimed in with enthusiasm.

Lisa, who had been watching silently, now spoke. "During the dragon's attack, I activated a tracking spell. The source of the storm surrounding Mondstadt comes from the ruins of the Four Winds Temples. It's through those residual energies that Stormterror gains power."

Jean nodded again. "Then our target is clear: the remaining three temples."

Paimon tilted her head. "Why only three? Aren't there four?"

Lin Yi reached out and ruffled her hair. "The Four Winds are: the South Wind Lion—symbol of the Dandelion Knights, the West Wind Eagle—representing the Knights of Favonius, the North Wind Wolf—legacy of the Wolf Knight... and the East Wind Dragon."

He didn't say the last part, but everyone understood.

"Stormterror, once the East Wind Dragon and the Wind God's companion, is now the very disaster we face," Jean said quietly, her expression heavy.

Saphir furrowed her brows. She had made a pact with Aether: not to intervene again. If she broke that, he would return—and she couldn't let that happen. With a serious tone, she finally spoke.

"I saw who's behind this. The one manipulating Stormterror."

Everyone turned toward her.

"It's a high-ranking member of the Abyss Order," she said calmly.

Kaeya's face twisted into a frown. "The Abyss..."

As a descendant of Khaenri'ah, he knew all too well how dangerous they were.

Jean and Lisa also stiffened. This was far worse than they'd imagined.

Saphir continued, "They're trying to turn Stormterror into a weapon. If they succeed, the Order will become even stronger. But... their leader doesn't seem fully committed to the plan. He made a deal with me: I stay out of it, and so will he. If I intervene... he'll wipe us out."

Kaeya swallowed hard. "How strong is he?"

"Comparable to a god," Saphir replied bluntly.

The room fell silent.

Lin Yi leaned back, still wearing that faint smirk. "Then it's settled—Saphir won't be joining the fight. But that leaves our side dangerously short-handed." He turned to Jean. "We'll need Diluc. And if it comes to it... Klee and Noelle."

Jean agreed at first—until she heard one name. "Absolutely not. Klee and Noelle are still children. They can't be part of this."

Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. "I understand your concerns. But you know as well as I do—Klee's power is among the best in Mondstadt. Unless, of course, you can convince Albedo to step in."

Everyone knew Albedo's strength, but he rarely involved himself in conflict.

Seeing that the conversation was getting stuck, Saphir intervened. "Let's first allocate our forces. Jean, Lin Yi, and Lumine all wield Anemo. That won't help much against Abyss Mages, who usually have elemental shields. If this operation really involves the Abyss, then we'll likely be facing Abyss Mages—each with a specific elemental shield: Cryo, Electro, Hydro, or Pyro. You'll need counter-elements to break them."

Kaeya nodded. "Hydro and Electro are best countered with Cryo. Cryo needs Pyro. And Pyro... needs Hydro. But we don't have any Hydro Vision users, do we?"

Jean hesitated for a moment before saying, "…Actually, we do."

Lin Yi had already guessed who she meant. The relationship was complicated, and Jean clearly had to steel herself to say it aloud.

Paimon asked without thinking, "Who is it?"

Jean closed her eyes for a brief moment, then opened them.

"My sister—Barbara."

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