Tiamat looked at Paimon dotingly, stroking her white hair as if to say, ‘Of course, my baby.’ Lumine and Amber watched with great envy.
While waiting, Paimon looked out the window and suddenly said, “Why does it feel like everyone outside is so listless?” The girls followed Paimon’s gaze out the window.
They saw that the pedestrians outside all had poor complexions and looked dejected.
“It can’t be helped.
The recent Dragon Disaster has left everyone physically and mentally exhausted.” Just then, a staggering blue figure walked out of a nearby tavern, catching the girls’ attention.
He was holding two bottles of what looked like alcohol; he was clearly a drunkard.
The man hadn’t gone more than a few steps when the alcohol seemed to hit him, and he suddenly began to howl at the sky.
“Hahaha!
A mere demon dragon is nothing before my love for wine!
If the heavens had not birthed me, God Kaeya, the Mondstadt wine industry would be like an eternal night!
Hahahaha!
*Hic*~” Amber’s mouth twitched as she began to introduce the man to Lumine and the others.
“Uh, he’s our Knights’ Cavalry Captain, Kaeya.
Well…
it is after work hours, so having a drink is normal.” “Don’t let this fool you; he’s actually very well-loved by the people of Mondstadt.
His actions might seem nonsensical, but he’s actually encouraging the citizens.
Look, aren’t the surrounding citizens looking more spirited?” Sure enough, the pedestrians who had been dejected just now suddenly perked up after seeing Kaeya—or more accurately, the alcohol in Kaeya’s hands.
“It does seem that way.” “And, let me tell you a secret: it’s said that the richest man in Mondstadt is his older brother.” Lumine’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she quickly followed up with questions.
“So does that mean he has a very wide network of connections?” “Yes, indeed.
In terms of connections, he is the undisputed number one in Mondstadt.” “If something happens in Mondstadt, would many people listen to what he says?” “Well, he is the Cavalry Captain after all.
Even in terms of rank, there are very few above him.” Lumine was about to ask more, but she was interrupted by Paimon’s panicked voice.
“Look quickly, what are those people going to do?” A large crowd had already surrounded Kaeya, and some people were enthusiastically supporting him.
But everyone’s eyes were following the two bottles of wine in his hands.
Wherever Kaeya held the wine, the crowd’s gaze followed.
An old drunkard pointed at the label on the bottle and said, “I recognize this!
This is Fire-Water from Snezhnaya.
One bottle of this can be diluted into a whole barrel of wine!” Hearing this, the people around became extremely excited.
The scene gradually began to spiral out of control.
With a shout of “Oh, Big Brother Kaeya, you dropped your wine, let me help you pick it up!” This voice was like a starting gun.
As soon as it sounded, everyone immediately began a ‘group activity’.
Fists and feet have no eyes.
Before anyone knew it, Kaeya was lying on the ground, being trampled by a bunch of large men.
Yet he seemed oblivious to the pain, only shouting: “Don’t grab it!
It’s mine!
I’m taking it home to dilute with water and drink slowly!
Ptu!
You bastards, don’t step on my face!” Amber couldn’t bear to watch any longer.
Just as she was about to go out, she saw that Lumine’s seat was already empty.
Looking out the window, she saw Lumine walk to the edge of the crowd and observe for a moment.
Then, she quickly reached out a hand and pulled it back just as fast.
As she pulled back, she brought with her an arm wearing a black glove and a black-and-blue sleeve.
With a surge of strength from Lumine, Kaeya was pulled entirely out of the crowd.
…
Kaeya was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously thanked her.
“Eh?
Th-thank you.” However, when Kaeya saw Lumine’s beautiful but unfamiliar face, his eyes cleared a bit.
“Hmm?
You’re not from Mondstadt, are you?
To be able to easily pull me out from so many people…
are you our guest, or a new storm?” Lumine’s expression turned serious, and she asked with slightly narrowed eyes: “What if I am the new storm?” Lying on the ground with a bruised and swollen face, Kaeya also narrowed his one eye that was half-covered by a swelling.
Kaeya’s expression became solemn.
Although he looked quite hilarious with his drunkenly flushed face covered in shoeprints, he maintained that serious air.
“Heh, then naturally, we cannot remain stagnant any longer.” The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
The people nearby who were fighting over the wine also gradually quieted down in this atmosphere.