"Can this really work? If you fall sick, the Knights will only fall into more chaos."
Amber didn't believe any of that "just endure this period and it'll be fine" talk. Ever since the Grand Master left, Jean had been pushing herself relentlessly just to silence certain people's gossip. It was now normal for her to work until two or three in the morning before resting.
It hadn't even been that long, yet Jean already looked so worn out. If she kept going like this, how could she possibly endure?
Facing Amber's concern, Jean's eyes darted away as she replied, "Mm, I understand. I'll definitely rest early today!"
Amber stared straight at the Acting Grand Master. For some reason, she had the feeling Jean's answer sounded guilty, as if she were trying to hide something.
"Really?" Amber asked softly.
"Why would I lie to you? Do I look like someone who doesn't keep her word? I'll rest on time today, for sure!"
Jean's pretty face stiffened, her expression turning serious again. The dignity befitting the Acting Grand Master returned, though she didn't expect that, as she gestured a bit too forcefully while speaking, her elbow brushed against the corner of a stack of papers.
A pile of books toppled over, and from between the documents, a comic book slipped out.
"!!!"
Amber was dumbstruck, while Jean's face flushed bright red.
She was doomed, her secret had been exposed. Such a mortifying scene made Jean want to find a hole in the ground to crawl into. Who could have imagined that the ever-dutiful Grand Master would stay up all night reading comics?
Amber was stunned. She had thought Jean had been up late handling official work.
But it turned out… it was this.
"So you stayed up all night reading—"
"Shh! I was just.. just under too much pressure, that's all!"
Jean hurriedly cut Amber off, signaling for her to stop talking. If word got out that she stayed up late reading comics, all the authority she'd built up over time would vanish instantly.
"Mm-hmm, don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Amber whispered. "Because… I read them too when I have time."
To prove she wasn't lying, Amber nodded vigorously and even pulled a comic book out of her pocket.
Although it was a Liyue-style story, that didn't affect its popularity. After that little episode, the two of them suddenly felt like comrades on the same front line.
After chatting for a while, Amber remembered what Hu Tao had said and sighed. "If only the comic store owner could come to Mondstadt, not only would it help relieve the Knights' stress, but we could see new comics anytime."
"Hmm? What does the comic store owner have to do with the Knights?" Jean asked.
"It's like this , my new friend Hu Tao said…"
Seeing Jean's confused expression, Amber repeated Hu Tao's words exactly as they were.
"An outdated, rigid noble system."
"The Knights of Favonius can't make use of new blood."
"Too much freedom only leads to chaos, order is the only true form of freedom."
Jean repeated Su Han's words, her expression growing heavier by the moment. If such statements were said publicly, they would surely provoke outrage among Mondstadt's citizens.
But to her, they struck like thunder. Others might not understand, but as the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, no one knew Mondstadt's current state better than she did.
Freedom of speech and faith had gone too far, allowing the Fatui from Snezhnaya to occupy the Cathedral of Favonius. That alone was bad enough, but they even dared to demand control over Mondstadt's city defenses, claiming it was because of the Knights' "inaction" during the Dragon Disaster. If Jean hadn't held her ground firmly, backed by the tireless efforts of the Knights, many citizens would have been incited to revolt by now.
As for the "outdated" part, that angered Jean even more.
Some of the Knights' old members, greedy for power, had spread rumors accusing Amber's grandfather of desertion not long after he left, nearly causing the entire Reconnaissance Squad he trained to be wiped out.
Fortunately, Amber had stepped forward, preventing that disaster.
"Captain Jean, Captain Jean… are you angry? Don't mind it, okay? Hu Tao said he only said those things after drinking, we don't have to take them seriously."
Seeing the Acting Grand Master's face grow darker and darker, Amber hurried to explain. She hadn't realized those words would have such an impact. If she had, she never would've mentioned them.
Jean snapped out of her thoughts and quickly shook her head. "No, that comic store owner wasn't wrong. He's pointed out all of Mondstadt's current problems."
"You mean… Mondstadt really is in that much danger?" Amber asked, eyes wide in disbelief. She was still young and had never witnessed the darker side of human ambition.
"That's right," Jean said quietly. "Internal strife, external threats… and yet I can do nothing. It's dereliction of duty."
Thinking of the troubles plaguing the city, Jean let out a self-deprecating sigh. She, too, wanted reform, but she knew the consequences.
Mondstadt was now at a point where any single change could shake the entire structure. The city simply couldn't withstand such shock.
For now, stability was the only option.
Seeing Jean's sorrowful expression, Amber's heart ached. Then her eyes lit up with an idea. "Right! Captain Jean, what if I travel with Hu Tao to Liyue? Since that store owner could see our problems so clearly, maybe we could ask for his advice! Even if he can't solve them, hearing his perspective could help!"
"Asking advice from an outsider… that's not really appropriate," Jean replied, frowning deeply. Matters of Mondstadt's governance were internal affairs, letting an outsider interfere was risky.
"It's just to ask a few questions! If he doesn't have any good suggestions, we won't lose anything. And with the Dragon Disaster lately, merchants haven't dared to travel, our potion supplies are running low. I could treat it as a supply run, how about that?"
Seeing Amber's determined expression, Jean's resolve wavered.
Given the current situation, threats inside and out, maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask. After all, he was just a merchant.
"All right. But it's dangerous to go alone. I'll have Kaeya and Eula accompany you. Also, Amber, remember this, you only have five days. You must return to Mondstadt by then."
Even a supply trip couldn't take too long. With three strong Knights leaving, the city's defenses would already be stretched thin.
Amber immediately stood at attention and performed a knight's salute.
"The Reconnaissance Knight promises to complete the mission!"
But once business was done, the girl lowered her voice and grinned. "Captain Jean, when I go this time, I'll try to get a signed autograph from Mr. Su Han for you! Hu Tao's on great terms with him, it should be fine!"
"R-really?" Jean wanted to say no, but the temptation of a personally signed comic was simply irresistible.
Amber nodded eagerly. "Yes! Mr. Su Han used to work for Hu Tao's family as a guest consultant, a very talented one. Later, he opened his comic shop. With that connection, getting an autograph shouldn't be a problem."
"Then I'll leave it to you," Jean said. "Oh, and tell Kaeya, he should be flexible and adaptable."
After all, when asking a favor, one couldn't go empty-handed. A price would surely need to be paid.
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