“Blazing Fang!”
Diluc roared as more Pyro energy surged from his hand into the greatsword’s blade.
The flames already wreathing the weapon blazed even brighter.
It became a pure blade of fire.
The Cryo Abyss Mage spun around, raising its staff in a desperate attempt to block the descending strike.
But it had no defense against the flames—they consumed it in an instant.
And in terms of raw power, the gap between them was immeasurable.
The mage’s entire body was slammed into a stone pillar, knocking it unconscious.
Its robe was scorched and smoldering.
“Tch.”
“At least I held back enough.”
Diluc walked over and hoisted the Abyss Mage by its collar.
He intended to take it back for interrogation.
“Didn’t expect you to be among those who came to rescue me.”
Kaeya leaned against another pillar, offering a bitter smile.
“I only came for the Abyss Mage.”
Diluc wasn’t interested in playing along.
“Jiang Chen fits the role of rescuer better.”
“If he hadn’t insisted we hurry, you might have been a corpse by the time I got here,” Diluc said flatly.
“I was just being cautious.”
Jiang Chen shrugged lightly.
“Didn’t expect you to be unlucky enough to run into an Abyss Mage of the same element.”
“Yeah.
It ambushed me.”
Kaeya spoke with a note of relief.
“Still, I owe you one, Boss Jiang Chen.”
He pointed toward an offering altar at the far end of the hall.
The Dragon’s Breath crystal node was still intact.
“After the ambush, I made sure to protect that crystal.
That way, if you saw the storm over Mondstadt hadn’t lifted, you’d know I was in trouble and come to help.”
“Though it seems I worried for nothing.”
Kaeya fired several icicles at the crystal, shattering it.
That meant the Temple of the Wolf of the North was cleared.
“You’re still as calm as ever.”
Diluc glanced at him.
Even in a crisis, Kaeya found ways to save himself.
He had to admit—Kaeya was sharp.
Should I take that as a compliment?”
Kaeya chuckled wryly.
“Take it however you like.”
Diluc’s tone was cold.
“Since you’re here, lend me a hand.”
Kaeya gestured toward him.
“I told you, I came for the Abyss Mage.”
Diluc said that, but he still walked over and let Kaeya lean on him.
Jiang Chen moved to the other side.
Together, they supported Kaeya.
Diluc also kept a firm grip on the unconscious Abyss Mage.
They left the Temple of the Wolf of the North.
“I wonder how Lisa’s doing.”
Kaeya gazed southward.
“Lisa?
Don’t worry about her.”
Jiang Chen shook his head.
According to the system, Kaeya was Lv10.
Lisa was Lv18.
What did that mean?
Jean was Lv15, for reference.
Diluc was currently at the same level as Lisa.
She was hiding her strength deep.
And Electro was an overwhelmingly dominant element right now.
Diluc rarely agreed with anyone.
“That woman, if she wanted to, could become the Knights’ most reliable asset.”
“Lisa earned that much respect from you?”
Kaeya was surprised.
Jiang Chen wasn’t familiar enough to judge, but earning Diluc’s recognition through strength alone was no small feat.
Take Jean, for example—in Diluc’s eyes, she was the kind who held others back.
He kept as much distance as possible.
Jiang Chen, on the other hand, seemed fond of Jean.
But Kaeya suspected Jiang Chen was just after her looks—and it looked like he might actually succeed.
“A wounded man shouldn’t worry about others.”
Diluc was starting to get annoyed with him.
When the three reached the outskirts of Mondstadt, the chaotic elemental energy from earlier in the day had already subsided.
Looks like Lisa finished her work at the Temple of the Lion of the South.”
Kaeya realized his earlier worry had been unnecessary.
“Jiang Chen, he’s your problem now.”
Diluc shoved Kaeya aside without ceremony, then disappeared into the darkness with the Abyss Mage in tow.
Carrying a target like that.
There was no way he could walk through Mondstadt’s front gate.
He’d face endless questioning from the Knights of Favonius.
They’d probably want to take over the interrogation too.
“That guy.”
Kaeya smiled wryly.
“Sorry for the trouble, Boss Jiang Chen.”
“We’re already here.
What trouble?”
Jiang Chen said.
Kaeya was about to feel touched.
Then Jiang Chen waved toward the city gate.
One of the Knights standing guard ran over.
“Captain Kaeya.”
“Boss Jiang Chen.”
The Knight, Lawrence, recognized them and saluted crisply.
“You two—”
“Here.
Your Cavalry Captain, returned to you.”
Jiang Chen cut him off and unceremoniously shoved Kaeya into the Knight’s arms.
“Take him back to the Knights’ headquarters to recover.”
With that, he walked into the city.
“Well…”
Kaeya was speechless.
“So that’s what ‘we’re already here’ meant?”
He felt thoroughly abandoned.
Jiang Chen entered the city gates.
By now, lamps were lit throughout Mondstadt.
Knights of Favonius were maintaining order, and citizens were tidying up their doorsteps.
When Jiang Chen returned to the front of Good Hunter, he spotted a furtive figure peeking around—a wide witch’s hat bobbing back and forth.
Happy reading!