“Well, looks like my timing is just right.
You’ve already sorted out the trouble.”
Kaeya’s voice suddenly drifted in from behind Lumine.
“Kaeya?”
Everyone immediately spun around.
Not far away, Kaeya was waving at them, his clothes somewhat disheveled and several bloody wounds visible across his body.
He looked rather worse for wear.
“Kaeya, what happened to you?” Amber immediately asked.
“Him?
He just got ambushed by a few ‘little cuties’ on his way back.”
At that moment, Lisa strolled over from the side.
“Lisa, are you alright?” Paimon asked.
“I’m fine, just a bit drained from using too much power,” Lisa replied.
“Hey, hey!
Can you really call those bastards ‘little cuties’?” Kaeya said in disbelief.
“Those three Abyss Mages gave me quite a headache.”
“So, is this the kind of proficiency you display after joining the Knights?” A man with fiery red hair and black attire walked over from nearby.
“Master Diluc!” Amber blurted out in utter astonishment.
“Could it be…
Did Master Diluc go as well?” Amber asked.
“Indeed.
This fellow suddenly showed up without a word,” Kaeya glanced sideways at Diluc.
“Even without this guy around, I still would have solved the problem.”
“Next time you boast, make sure you measure your own weight first,” Diluc retorted before turning on his heel and walking away.
“Kaeya…
are you two alright?” Paimon asked cautiously.
“It’s fine.
Things are the same as they’ve always been between us,” Kaeya replied with a smile.
“My, you two keep chatting.
I’m heading back to headquarters,” Lisa said lazily.
“There’s still plenty of work to be done!”
Although the fierce storms battering Mondstadt had temporarily subsided, the structural damage around the region and the opportunistic monsters pouring in meant the Knights of Favonius were going to have a massive headache.
“Say, little cutie Eve, would you be interested in coming back with me?” Lisa lowered her head, teasing Eve, who was resting in Lumine’s arms.
Eve gave a firm shake of her head.
“Very well!
Sister Lisa’s door is always open for you, oh~” Lisa’s tone carried a hint of seductive amusement.
“Ah, wait up, I’m coming back with you too,” Kaeya called out as he watched Lisa walk away, hurrying to catch up.
“What should we do now?” Lumine stood in place, watching the two figures depart. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Lumine, since things have calmed down for now, let’s go take a stroll around the city!” Eve suggested.
“After all, ever since we arrived in Mondstadt, we’ve been constantly caught up in one mess after another.
We haven’t even had a proper look around.”
“That’s right, that’s right!” Paimon chimed in eagerly.
“Mm…
alright, let’s go!” Lumine figured she had a point.
The trio strolled leisurely through the streets of Mondstadt.
Unlike when they had first entered the city, the gazes of the citizens upon Lumine and her companions had changed entirely.
The previous wariness and xenophobia were gone, replaced by a warm, welcoming affection.
This was undoubtedly the lingering impact of Lumine driving away the dragon, and even Eve managed to escape the strange, sidelong glances of passersby.
Soon enough, Lumine and her friends arrived at Mondstadt’s most famous restaurant: Good Hunter.
Paimon zipped ahead excitedly.
To be frank, the only reason Eve and the others managed to find the place was entirely thanks to Paimon’s nose.
The little sprite had caught the scent from far away and tracked it right to the source.
At that moment, the outdoor seating area of Good Hunter was packed with customers, bustling with a lively atmosphere that seemed entirely unaffected by the recent dragon crisis.
Lumine, carrying Eve, walked up to the counter alongside Paimon.
“Welcome!
What would you like to—Oh!
It’s you guys!” Sara, the restaurant’s manager, gasped in surprise the moment she recognized them.
“Eh…
do you know us?” Lumine asked in bewilderment.
“Blonde hair, a white Dendro slime, and a flying emergency food—yep, that’s definitely you!” Sara observed them closely.
“You’re the heroes who saved Mondstadt from Stormterror!”
“Hey!
Who are you calling ’emergency food’!” Paimon stomped her little feet in fury.
“See?
Everyone agrees,” Eve teased, glancing at Paimon.
“Eve, you…” Paimon was once again driven up the wall by Eve.
“So, little heroes of Mondstadt, what can I get for you today?” Sara asked with a continued smile.
“I’ll order!
I’ll order!” The moment food was mentioned, Paimon instantly threw her grievance to the wind.
“Hmm…
let’s see.
Give us a plate of Northern Smoked Chicken, a Sweet Madame, a serving of Creamy Meat Sauce Spaghetti, and three batches of Wild Mushroom Skewers,” Paimon rattled off while pointing enthusiastically at the menu.
“Paimon, can you even finish all of that?” Lumine asked, eyeing the sheer volume of food.
“Don’t you worry!
“I want to order too.” Eve wriggled out of Lumine’s arms and hopped up onto the counter.
“I’ll take a Fisherman’s Toast, a Steamed Meat, and a Pile ‘Em Up!” Eve’s eyes practically sparkled as she scanned the menu.
Mm, she had never tried any of these.
Along the entire journey from Sumeru to Mondstadt, she had lived off monster drops and rations; her taste buds were practically giving up on her.
“My, Eve as well,” Lumine sighed helplessly.
“Hehe, don’t worry!
I definitely won’t waste any food,” Eve promised with a grin.
“You got it!
Please take a seat and wait for a moment, everyone.
Your dishes will be served right away!” Sara beamed.
Ordering this much food all at once made them a VIP customer in her eyes.
“Oh right, Eve, Paimon, how come neither of you ordered any Honey-Glazed Carrot Stew?” Lumine asked, pointing to a name on the menu.
Right there in the “Special Recommendations” section, “Honey-Glazed Carrot Stew” stood out prominently.
“That’s because…” Paimon started to say.
“Someone else promised to treat us!” Eve immediately cut in, finishing Paimon’s thought.
“That’s right, that’s right!
That’s why we’re saving it for later, hehe,” Paimon giggled.
When it came to the sacred art of eating, Paimon and Eve had finally reached absolute consensus.
“Sigh, you two…” Lumine smiled helplessly at the two little gluttons.
Before long, the dishes were brought out one after another.
“Enjoy your meal!” Sara placed the final dish on the table and hurried off to tend to other customers.
“Wait a second, Miss Sara,” Lumine called out after scanning the table.
“What is it?” Sara turned back to ask.
“We didn’t seem to order these.” Lumine pointed to three plates of fried eggs sitting on the table.
“Oh, those are on the house!
A small token of appreciation for Mondstadt’s little heroes,” Sara said warmly.
“Please, don’t call me a hero…” Lumine flushed slightly with embarrassment.
“Haha, regardless, enjoy your meal!” Sara smiled and walked away.
At the table, the trio wasted no time digging in.
After finishing just a single fried egg, a mushroom chicken skewer, and a small portion of the meat sauce spaghetti, Lumine was already feeling comfortably full.
For someone with a smaller appetite like Lumine, that was more than enough.
She sat quietly at the table, watching Eve and Paimon gorge themselves with undisguised enthusiasm.
*Ah, what a peaceful sight…* Lumine reflected fondly on the warmth of the moment.
Then, out of nowhere, a terrifying realization struck her.
“Mora…
I think my wallet has a problem…”