"For today's matters, I'll trouble you for now, Lisa."
"Hehe~ Leave it to me, and you be careful too. Even if she saved you, it doesn't guarantee she has good feelings for you. After all, you're not as lovable as little Klee."
"Stop talking."
Today, Jean wasn't planning to stay in her office as usual. She intended to go find Durandal again and meet with her.
She had originally planned to meet Durandal with Klee, but considering whether Durandal might misunderstand that she was using Klee to approach her, to avoid such a misunderstanding, she decided to go alone.
Although she didn't have to face numerous documents, Jean felt that this matter was no easier than handling paperwork, as she was facing a God, one who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Anemo God.
Despite her apprehension, as the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt, she had a responsibility to meet Durandal, inquire about recent events, and also understand what was happening with Dvalin, who had been causing trouble recently but without the usual destruction.
Jean didn't know that as she left Mondstadt, several groups of people were secretly observing her.
As she headed towards Cape Oath, a Fatui Agent secretly followed her, wanting to see where Jean was going and if there was an opportunity to do something.
It was supposed to be a foolproof operation, but as he followed, he suddenly found his aura becoming erratic, to the point where he couldn't even maintain his best stealth.
The Agent initially thought it was due to diarrhea from a while ago, but he quickly sensed danger nearby. He suddenly turned around and saw a terrifying monster watching him from not far away.
He wanted to scream in terror, but the monster was already in front of him, opening its massive mouth and swallowing him whole.
"Hmm? What was that sound?"
Jean, walking ahead, turned around in confusion. She thought she heard something from behind her, but in the time it took to turn, the sound was gone.
Was it a passing Hilichurl? Or was she overthinking, and the sound was just her imagination?
Shaking her head, now wasn't the time to think about these things. It was better to focus on how to face Durandal.
In a shadowy spot, a dark figure slowly emerged from the shadows. Its crimson eyes watched Jean's position, then melted back into the shadows and disappeared.
By the time Jean arrived at her destination, it was already afternoon.
Looking at the secluded path, Jean took a deep breath and bravely walked in.
The place was as beautiful as when she had left it before. The area where she had fought the Abyss Mage was now covered in green grass, and flowers had already bloomed.
Then, a deer appeared not far from Jean. Because it kept staring at her, Jean easily noticed it.
Like a guide, after Jean noticed it, the deer turned and walked deeper into the area, looking back occasionally to make sure Jean was following her.
Understanding that the deer was guiding her, Jean immediately followed, and before long, she met her target—Durandal.
She was leaning against a tree, eyes closed, resting. Many small animals lay around her, snuggled against Durandal, enjoying the peaceful moment.
So harmonious, Jean was a little dazed. This made her a bit unsure; she even doubted whether Durandal was truly a God.
The guiding deer came before Durandal, gently tugging at Durandal's clothes with its mouth.
Durandal slowly opened her eyes, her crimson pupils fixed on the deer in front of her. She smiled faintly and reached out to stroke the deer's head.
The deer thoroughly enjoyed Durandal's touch, actively nudging Durandal's small hand, hoping Durandal would touch and stroke her more.
The small animals sleeping around Durandal gradually woke up. They made cute sounds at Durandal. Durandal looked around, gently stroked their heads, and after whispering something, they ran off.
Jean had been standing there obediently the whole time, afraid that a small movement might interrupt Durandal's interaction with the little animals.
Only after the animals left did Jean sigh in relief, preparing to step forward and say something to Durandal.
"You came all this way to find me, is there something you need, human?"
"Yes, I apologize for disturbing you. But there are some things I must clarify. Please forgive me."
Jean politely bowed to Durandal. Durandal scrutinized Jean, not showing anger, and gestured for Jean to state her question.
She couldn't possibly be here for Klee's matter, so her purpose for coming was likely related to Mondstadt, as she was the administrator of Mondstadt, and it was unlikely she had any private matters to discuss with her.
"Speak."
"May I ask… the recent incidents involving the Fatui, were they your doing?" Jean asked very cautiously.
Although she already had a guess, she had to clarify this question. If it wasn't Durandal's doing, then she would have to investigate the mastermind to prevent this from happening to other residents of Mondstadt.
"Don't you already have the answer? Why come all this way to ask me such a question?"
Strange fellow, she already knew the answer, yet she specifically came here to confirm. What was she worried about? What did she want to confirm?
Upon receiving the answer, Jean breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it was Durandal's doing, there was no need to worry about other matters.
"Then, why did you do this?"
"I did it, but why I did it, why should I answer you?" Durandal retorted.
"Uh, that…"
Jean was a bit flustered. Everything was fine just a moment ago, why did it suddenly change? Did she say something wrong? Or was her attitude problematic?
"Now, now~ Don't be angry, Durandal. She's just doing her duty, worried that you might inflict this Virus on ordinary residents. She means no harm."
While Jean was at a loss, Barbatos walked out from behind the tree, smiling.
Barbatos's appearance made Jean pause. She hadn't noticed anyone else's presence at all. How did he get here? This was Durandal's territory.
And Durandal didn't seem to mind this person's appearance at all. Although she looked annoyed on the surface, she had no intention of driving him away.
"Excuse me, are you…"
"I am Venti, a Bard. Hello, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Barbatos… Venti smiled kindly at Jean. This friendly smile slightly eased Jean's emotions, allowing her to calm down and think about Venti's identity.
Seeing Venti make his entrance, Durandal had no intention of speaking, leaving the space to him and watching from behind to see what they would talk about.
"Actually, your worries are completely unnecessary, Acting Grand Master Jean. Think about it, Durandal has been in Mondstadt for so many years. Have you seen countless deaths in Mondstadt due to a sudden plague? Not now, not in the past, right?"
"There is indeed no such record."
If Mondstadt had truly experienced a plague before, Lisa would surely have found relevant records, but she hadn't found even a small related description in any book.
"So, Durandal would never do such a thing to the residents of Mondstadt. Your worries are completely unnecessary."
Jean nodded. She had been too worried. She had already deduced that Durandal was a benevolent God, yet she still adopted such a suspicious attitude. It was truly inappropriate.
"I'm very sorry, please forgive me, Lady Durandal."
"…Are you very afraid that I might do something to Mondstadt, human?"
"…Yes."
This was the truth. Jean was indeed worried about such a thing happening, but even worrying was useless, because she couldn't think of any way to stop it.
"Hmph."
Durandal snorted, clearly a bit displeased, which forced Venti to smile and appease her, resulting in Durandal pushing his face away, not allowing him to get close.
Their interaction was like that of friends. Venti's attitude towards Durandal showed no respect that a common person would have for a God.
Jean felt as if she had caught something, and a conjecture gradually formed in her mind.
She carefully observed Venti, noticing that Venti seemed somewhat similar to the statue in the square in front of the Cathedral of Favonius.
And that statue was of the God worshipped in Mondstadt—Barbatos, the Anemo God.
If it was Barbatos, then he certainly had the qualifications to be friends with Durandal and could speak to Durandal so calmly.
Venti and Durandal bickered for a while, stopping just before Durandal was about to lose her temper, and refocusing their attention on Jean.
"Alright, you don't have to worry about what happened to the Fatui happening to ordinary people. Do you have any other questions now? If not, Durandal might just chase you away, you know."
"There's one more thing, a very important matter, related to the recent disaster in Mondstadt."
After a moment of hesitation, Jean, with a respectful attitude, asked, "Recently, Stormterror hasn't been ravaging Mondstadt as frequently as before. Has something happened?"
"Stormterror, ah, ahaha~ He certainly experienced some things. What exactly happened, I can't really tell you."
He couldn't possibly tell Jean that Dvalin had been sulking because Durandal had taught him a lesson, and no matter how much she called him, he wouldn't respond.
She had been to the Stormterror's Lair and found traces of an Abyss Mage battle there. As expected, it should have been a battle between Dvalin and the Abyss Mage.
They attempted to control Dvalin again, but Dvalin, having recovered, would not be easily controlled, so a battle was inevitable.
Dvalin, with his aerial advantage, should have won, but where he went, Venti didn't know.
As he was pondering how to explain to Jean, the sky suddenly darkened.
The three of them looked up and saw Dvalin soaring in the sky, looking down at the three of them.
Jean's eyes widened as she looked at Dvalin. This was her first time facing Dvalin so closely, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do.
Dvalin was about to display his majesty as the Dragon of the East Wind when he heard a light remark from Durandal.
"You're blocking the sun, Dvalin."
It was this seemingly harmless remark that made Dvalin's body stiffen, and then, under Jean's gaze, he obediently moved to a place where there were no plants.
"…"
What… what kind of development is this?