30: The Operation Begins

Lin Yi's shout startled a flock of pigeons into the sky. Not only the people at the table, but even Blanche at the general store across the street and Margaret, the owner of the Cat's Tail tavern next door, came out to see what the ruckus was about. Both wore expressions that screamed, "What's wrong with this lunatic shouting first thing in the morning?"

Saphir immediately covered her face in embarrassment, as if pretending she didn't know Lin Yi. "What the hell is this idiot yelling for at this hour?"

Just as Lin Yi finished yelling, a silver-haired figure appeared in a blur of motion.

Silver-white hair, emerald-green eyes, silver chestplate, pauldrons, and leg armor—all complemented by a pristine maid's dress and a rose hairpin symbolizing "love" and "keeping secrets." Who else could it be but Noelle?

"You called for me, Mr. Lin Yi?" The little maid's face was tinged pink, and she was slightly out of breath—clearly, she had sprinted over the moment she heard him.

"She appeared!" Paimon gasped, eyes wide. This was her first time seeing someone respond to a call so literally.

Lumine and Saphir shared the same look—half astonishment, half awkward disbelief. Only Barbara and Sara looked unbothered. Evidently, this wasn't Lin Yi's first time pulling something like this.

"Noelle," Lin Yi introduced casually, "maid of the Knights of Favonius. In Mondstadt, you can always trust her—because she'll show up the moment you need her."

He said it so casually, it sounded like he was describing a summonable pet.

Saphir frowned slightly. "Lin Yi, you do know that employing underage labor without pay is illegal, right?"

That one hit home.

Lin Yi really had been using Noelle for all sorts of chores… and never paid her a mora.

"No, it's really okay! I'm happy just being able to help!" Noelle nervously clutched her hands over her chest, doing her best to explain herself.

Saphir could only look at her with pity. Poor kid. You're being used and still counting the money for him. That's not a good habit…

"Noelle, we're heading out for a hunt. I'd like you to help us prepare some field supplies and join the team," Lin Yi instructed while handing her a pouch of mora.

As expected, Noelle moved quickly. She accepted the money and dashed off to complete her errands before she could even properly greet the others.

With that, Lin Yi also picked up his lunchbox and headed out. "Gotta deliver lunch to Jean before we leave."

Saphir watched him leave with an unamused look. "Aren't you worried Diluc might chop you up for cozying up to Jean like this?"

"Eh, he can't beat me anyway," Lin Yi said without a trace of shame as he walked off toward the Knights' headquarters.

Barbara quietly murmured as she watched him go, "Brother Lin Yi seems to treat Sister Jean really well…"

Sara nodded knowingly beside her—she was very familiar with her boss's intentions.

"I think someone also likes Brother Lin Yi a lot," Lumine added, taking the chance to nudge Barbara with a teasing jab.

Barbara turned bright red, waving her hands in panic. She wanted to deny it, but couldn't bring herself to say the words.

Saphir, meanwhile, dropped a casual bombshell: "So what if she does? Love isn't about who was first. And besides, Mondstadt doesn't exactly enforce monogamy, does it?"

That shut everyone up.

She had already seen through Lin Yi's nature—capable, yes, but a total flirt. Saphir didn't care, though. Let him start a harem for all she cared; none of that had anything to do with her. As far as she was concerned, romance wasn't in her vocabulary.

Once all the teasing and chatter died down, the preparations were finally complete, and the real mission began.

This was what Lin Yi had called "grinding for EXP."

Their first target: the Anemo Hypostasis.

They'd be departing from Mondstadt, traveling past Starfell Lake and Whispering Woods, then heading into Windrise to find the domain where the elemental boss resided and take it down.

"Wow, it's been a long time since I've gone out this far… Not much has changed," Barbara said with a hint of wonder as they walked.

Her usual days were filled with church duties and tending to the injured. Occasionally, she performed in the city plaza—after all, she dreamed of becoming an idol. But after the Dragonspine incident and the outbreak of the Wind Dragon Crisis, she'd rarely stepped outside the city.

"The Knights have been maintaining regular sweeps of nearby monsters and hilichurl camps," Lin Yi explained as they moved. "The Adventurers' Guild also posted lots of cleanup quests recently, so the outskirts are relatively peaceful."

They walked without stopping, eventually reaching the area near Starfell Lake.

"Time to leave the main road and head north into Windrise," Noelle said, consulting a map. She had marked their destination using Lin Yi's indicators, and now she was double-checking their route.

"Confirmed. Let's go north." She tucked the map away, and Lin Yi led the way into the grasslands.

Lumine turned to glance at Starfell Lake. Just yesterday, she had awakened her Anemo powers at the nearby Statue of The Seven. Today, they were already circling back.

Saphir saw the distant look in her eyes and slung an arm around her neck with a grin. "What's the matter? Want to go 'touch the statue' again for good luck?"

Lumine shook her head and tried to wriggle free but eventually gave up. After a few steps, she murmured softly, "Saphir… I really wish you were truly my friend."

Saphir was stunned.

"We are friends. Why would you say that?" she asked, brows furrowing slightly.

"Because you're hiding things from me." Lumine met her eyes directly.

Those red eyes—like polished rubies—were beautiful, but there was a shadow in them. A flicker of madness she couldn't quite explain. Lumine preferred the gentler version of Saphir, the one she'd only seen once.

Saphir blinked, then chuckled softly. "You're feeling insecure, aren't you?"

Lumine nodded seriously.

That moment made Saphir pause. For the first time, she began to reflect on her own actions. If she were in Lumine's shoes—lost in a strange world, manipulated from all sides—how would she feel?

The realization hit her hard.

Lumine didn't trust her. She didn't fully trust Lin Yi, either. After learning the truth about Dvalin, she couldn't even trust the Knights of Favonius. And because of what she had overheard between Saphir and the Abyss Prince… she had no choice but to go along.

She was a lone traveler, caught in a world of schemes, utterly alone.

And Saphir? She was both the lifeline Lumine clung to—and the final weight that might break her.

Saphir let go of her arm. She saw the shimmer of tears in Lumine's eyes.

That was when she understood: Even the smartest pawns live in despair—because pawns never know when they'll be sacrificed.

Lumine was no ordinary pawn. She was aware. She resisted. But that only made her burden heavier.

Saphir stepped forward and extended her hand. "Come on, let's go."

As they walked, Saphir's body began to glow faintly. With a soft shimmer of light, she shifted back into her Cleric Form.

"Lumine," she said suddenly, looking back with a brilliant smile, "you said you don't feel safe, right?"

"Then—get strong. Break out of the game board. Become the player."

"And then…" she grinned wider, "flip the whole board over!"

She had made up her mind. Whatever came next in Liyue, she would face it later. Right now, she had to give this girl hope.

The others up ahead were startled when they saw Saphir dragging Lumine straight toward a hilichurl camp at full speed.

"Fear no challenge," Saphir shouted. "No pain, no obstacle shall stand in your way—for I will be your spear, your shield! I'll cut down everything before you!"

As her voice rang out, she released two brilliant auras:

Blessing of Courage: Increases nearby allies' physical attack, elemental damage, skill damage, strength, accuracy, and also enhances the caster's own damage and accuracy.

Blessing of Protection: Increases allies' max HP, energy recharge rate, physical defense, elemental resistance, stamina, and spirit. Partially redirects damage from allies to the caster.

A dazzling light enveloped Lumine.

Saphir turned back once more, her voice solemn and steady.

"Lumine, whether you believe it or not… the Fatui will never be your enemy."

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