“Hehehe…
It’s not nearly as crazy as you make it sound!” The woman clearly didn’t take Jean’s warning to heart at all.
“Very well, today’s consultation concludes here,” the Fatui diplomat declared smoothly.
“The official narrative for this meeting will be that ‘both parties engaged in a candid exchange of constructive views.’ No objections, I presume?”
“After all, the Knights of Favonius still need to maintain some semblance of face and dignity, hahahahaha.”
The woman laughed lightly and turned away, strutting off.
Jean slowly clenched her fists.
Seeing the woman leave, Lumine walked over toward Jean.
“Acting Grand Master Jean!” Paimon greeted brightly.
“Oh, it’s you guys!” Jean turned around.
The moment she saw Lumine and Eve, the hostility and stern tension instantly melted away from her face, replaced by a welcoming warmth.
“Thank you so much for your assistance.
The elemental currents around the city have finally stabilized,” Jean expressed her sincere gratitude to Lumine.
“The aftershocks of Stormterror’s last assault can finally be considered temporarily put to rest.”
“However, the political pressure being exerted by the diplomatic delegation has reached a point where it’s becoming nearly impossible to ignore…”
“Delegation?
You mean the diplomatic envoys?
Are they from Liyue Harbor, or perhaps Inazuma?” Paimon asked, tilting her head in confusion.
“Judging by their attire, they should be the Fatui from Snezhnaya,” Eve noted.
“Little Eve is correct.
They are emissaries of the Fatui, from the nation that worships the Cryo Archon,” Jean nodded and explained.
“Ah, the Fatui!
We’ve heard of them before, and none of it sounded good!” Paimon continued.
“As for their approach, I do not believe we should kill Stormterror.”
“Besides, the Fatui, commanded by the Cryo Archon, are clearly coveting the power of the Anemo Archon’s familiar,” Jean added grimly.
Internally, Eve let out a cold snort.
*Coveting the familiar’s power?
More like the power of the Anemo Archon itself!*
“This whole matter is suspicious enough on its own.”
“Oh, speaking of power,” Lumine spoke up, “there’s something I’d like the Knights to take a look at.”
“Hm?
Very well, let’s head back to the headquarters then.”
“This isn’t an appropriate place to talk,” Jean said.
Along the way, Jean continued speaking.
“Mondstadt and Snezhnaya are equals, both being among the Seven Nations of this world.”
“Mondstadt is an independent city-state, not subject to any other nation.
I trust you already know that much.” This story is hosted at g.com.
“Snezhnaya simply operates under a different political structure from its founding, which is why its designation differs.”
“However, when it comes to international diplomacy, the Fatui are easily the most aggressive and domineering faction on the continent.”
“Indeed!
That woman we just saw had a thoroughly detestable tone,” Paimon chimed in indignantly.
Before long, they arrived back at the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius, stepping directly into Acting Grand Master Jean’s office.
Jean pushed the door open and entered first.
“Jean, you’re back!” Lisa’s voice drifted over from inside.
“My, you even brought our little cuties back with you!”
“Lisa, Lumine and the others mentioned they have something important to show us,” Jean said, turning to the librarian.
“Ah, yes.
That’s right.” Lumine reached into her pouch and pulled out the crimson crystal shard left behind by Dvalin.
Jean leaned in, studying the object closely.
“It’s a crystal imbued with some kind of anomalous power…
Tell me, Lisa, can you analyze its composition?” Jean asked the librarian.
“Let me have a look.”
Lisa stepped forward and carefully examined the crystal.
“Initial impressions: there is some kind of foul, corrupt impurity nested deep within the crystal structure.
However, conducting a more thorough study would require—”
Lisa trailed off thoughtfully.
“My apologies, I can’t draw any definitive conclusions just yet.
Give me some time; I’ll need to consult some texts from the Sumeru Akademiya,” Lisa said apologetically to Jean.
“It’s quite alright, Lisa.
I’ll leave the subsequent investigation and research in your capable hands,” Jean replied.
“Mm.
If there are any developments, I’ll be sure to notify everyone,” Lisa said before taking her leave.
At that moment, Eve—who had remained quietly silent in Lumine’s arms up until now—suddenly spoke up.
“The Akademiya?”
“Hm?
Oh, Eve, are you familiar with the Akademiya as well?” Jean asked with a curious look.
“Er…
not really, not really!
I’ve just heard of it in passing,” Eve hurriedly shook her head to deny it.
“Very well!” Jean nodded.
What she didn’t know, of course, was that the very “slime” standing before her was actually the founder of the Akademiya itself.
“Lisa actually studied abroad at the Akademiya in her youth, and she was even hailed as a once-in-a-century genius,” Jean explained.
*Ah, that’s right!
Lisa really was a student at the Akademiya; I completely forgot about that.*
*The Akademiya, huh…
Hmph.
I’ll be going back there sooner or later.*
***
“Miss Lisa used to be that incredible?” Lumine asked in genuine astonishment.
“Oh, absolutely.
She usually looks quite laid-back—even a bit lazy—but when it counts, she is exceptionally reliable,” Jean gave Lisa high praise.
“Jean, what are you whispering about?” Without warning, Lisa seemed to materialize right behind Jean.
“L-Lisa?
Weren’t you supposed to be looking into the reference materials?” Jean asked, startled.
“Oh, I was!
But I just came back to grab the crystal.
I was in a bit of a rush earlier and completely forgot it.”
“My, imagine my surprise walking back in only to hear someone calling me lazy,” Lisa said with a mock-pitying sigh.
“Ah, my apologies, Lisa,” Jean flushed slightly.
“You really haven’t changed a bit,” Lisa chuckled helplessly.
As she spoke, she reached out toward the red crystal resting on the desk.
“Ah…
ouch!” Lisa abruptly jerked her hand back, wincing.
“What is it, Lisa?” Jean asked with immediate concern.
“Tch, that foul impurity inside the crystal…
The moment I got even slightly close, it sent a sharp, stinging pain right through me…”
“How can that be?” Lumine asked in confusion.
Lisa pondered for a moment.
“Ah, I see…
It’s mutual repulsion with a Vision!” Lisa stated with certainty.
“This corrupted energy naturally repels and violently clashes with the elemental power dwelling within our bodies.”
“Still, that is rather strange!
Why is it that Lumine can wield elemental power just fine, yet she remains completely unaffected?” Lisa cast a quizzical look toward Lumine.
“Because Lumine doesn’t have a Vision,” Eve piped up from the side.
“What?
She doesn’t have a Vision?” Jean and Lisa exclaimed in unison.
“Mm,” Lumine nodded.