"In the end, I still came in. That Barbatos, I clearly told him I didn't want to come here."
In a corner of Mondstadt City, Durandal stood, watching the bustling street, unsure of what to do for a moment.
At Durandal's recommendation, Venti began to observe Lumine's daily actions and found that she fit the role of the "hero" he desired.
Venti was very satisfied with the candidate Durandal had given him. To express his gratitude, he wanted to treat Durandal to a drink, asking her to wait for him at the Angel's Share in the evening.
Durandal initially refused. She didn't want to go to such a crowded place, but Venti saw through Durandal's thoughts. She said Durandal didn't have to go, but she would wait there.
She would wait until Durandal went to the appointment before leaving. Before that, she would stay at the Angel's Share, even if she told stories for free there.
That fellow... completely grasped her personality. She knew Durandal would definitely soften, which is why she said that.
How infuriating! It seems the last lesson was too light. The next time they meet, she must properly teach her a lesson.
This should be Durandal's first time inside Mondstadt City. After so many years of development, it has become so prosperous.
In the past, whenever she came to such a prosperous place, the outcome would always be its destruction, but not anymore.
No one here knew her true identity, no one would look at her with fear, and she would not let this prosperous city become a dead city.
Thinking of this, Durandal's mood was both happy and complex.
There was still plenty of time before the appointed hour. Since she was here, she might as well observe a bit.
Just like an ordinary girl, Durandal walked out from a corner, observing her surroundings.
Durandal's appearance attracted many gazes. Due to her unique temperament and luxurious clothing, many people thought she was the Children of some wealthy family.
She didn't pay much attention to these people's gazes. She found that their eyes looked at her strangely; some were curious, others disgusted.
She didn't understand what was wrong with those who looked at her with disgust. She had just arrived in Mondstadt City, so why was she being stared at like that?
However, these were only a few people; the vast majority looked at her with kindness.
"Traveler! Traveler! Hurry, hurry! The commission is almost complete. After it's done, let's go to Nordic Hunt to eat!"
A familiar voice. Durandal hid, looking in the direction of the voice, and saw Lumine and Paimon walking towards the city gate, chatting and laughing.
It seems they have almost integrated into Mondstadt's environment. Cherish this period of leisure, for soon you will be busy.
"Hmm?"
Lumine, who had just arrived at the city gate, felt something and turned to look, seemingly searching for something.
"What's wrong, Traveler? Is there something?" Paimon asked curiously.
"Nothing, maybe I'm overthinking it." Lumine shook her head.
How strange. She clearly felt someone watching them just now. That gaze felt a bit familiar. Who could it be?
Durandal, no longer interested in wandering, arrived at the address Venti had given her. Looking at the Angel's Share before her, a smell wafted out from inside.
"Is this... the smell of wine? A trace of Virus."
She sensed that there seemed to be a trace of Virus hidden within the wine. It was a very small Virus, small enough to be alleviated by the body's own functions.
But if too much of this Virus was ingested at once, it would cause minor DMG to the body. No problems would be apparent in the short term, but over time, various internal issues would arise.
She didn't understand why those people would drink something so harmful to the body. Venti was a god, so that was one thing, but what was the reason for these people to do so? She truly couldn't understand.
Durandal entered the tavern. Although it was still broad daylight, there were already many people drinking inside. Several drinkers were sitting at the bar.
Durandal came and sat at the bar. Due to her height, her legs dangled in the air, swinging back and forth occasionally.
Charles, the bartender standing at the bar mixing drinks, was momentarily flustered when he saw Durandal.
It was his first time seeing such a graceful little girl, but grace aside, this was a tavern, not a place for children.
"Excuse me, are you here to find your parents, little Demoiselle?"
"...I'm waiting for someone. She told me to wait for her at the Angel's Share."
Little Demoiselle? It was her first time being called that. Although she was indeed in the form of a human Children, the address felt quite new to her.
Waiting for someone? Charles scratched his head. Who would set an appointment at a tavern? Was the other person perhaps playing a prank on her?
The possibility wasn't low. Durandal looked a bit like a Demoiselle naive to the ways of the world, so it wasn't impossible for her to be deceived.
"Are you sure you haven't been tricked?"
"She wouldn't dare."
Venti knew very well what would happen if she deceived Durandal. Even if she didn't die, it would make her experience some novel things.
Believe her, Venti wouldn't want to experience those novel things. She would rather be beaten black and blue than experience what Durandal was talking about.
Alright, Charles didn't know what else to say and could only wait and see who had arranged to meet her here.
Durandal looked around and suddenly noticed a familiar figure at the edge of the bar. She was hunched over, trying her best to appear inconspicuous.
But her attire was too conspicuous among so many people. Even if Durandal's memory was poor, she could still recognize her.
"Rosaria."
Rosaria, hiding in the corner, trembled violently. Seeing that she couldn't hide, she awkwardly nodded and greeted Durandal.
Bartender Charles had never seen Rosaria make such an expression before. Rosaria was a regular at the tavern. She was the kind of person who always had the same expression, no matter what happened, whether facing people from the Knights of Favonius or Master Diluc; her expression was always the same.
What was this girl's identity? Could she be from the Church of Favonius? Or a new member of the Knights of Favonius?
Rosaria came to Durandal's side, leaned down, and asked in her ear, "Lady Durandal, why are you here?"
"Someone told me to wait for her here. I didn't expect to find you here."
Durandal asked, "How have you been doing lately? Are you drinking here?"
"Yes, I occasionally come here to drink and relax. I'm still the same as before, always having endless things to do."
Durandal nodded, pointed to her eyes, and asked, "What about this? I should have removed it for you, right?"
"...Yes, the dark circles are indeed gone. I drew these on myself as a disguise."
"Disguise?"
"Mm, disguise. To prevent others from looking at me, and to maintain a low presence like before, this is necessary."
Wearing two dark circles can lower one's presence? Durandal tilted her head, somewhat perplexed.
She thought that compared to the dark circles, Rosaria's clothes were more likely to attract attention. After all, Rosaria had such a good figure, and her clothes didn't cover much, so some people would easily find their eyes glued to her. Could this really be inconspicuous?
Durandal noticed the cup in front of Rosaria. Judging by the smell, the contents should be wine.
"Can I try some?" Durandal asked, pointing at the wine glass.
"Eh? You... you want to try?"
Rosaria knew Durandal's true situation, so she didn't find it inappropriate for Durandal to drink wine.
It's just, her drinking in her current state... and with so many people watching, if she agreed, would rumors spread that a nun from the Church of Favonius was giving a little girl wine?
Don't doubt it; in Mondstadt, the city of wind, news travels as fast as the wind, spreading throughout the entire Mondstadt City in an instant.
Bartender Charles heard Durandal's words and also looked over, his gaze on Rosaria.
As a bartender, he wouldn't stop a customer's actions, but no matter what, Rosaria's behavior was incorrect and needed to be stopped.
Facing the gazes of all the customers on the first floor, Rosaria couldn't quite bear it and said softly.
"Lady Durandal, regarding drinking, could we wait until next time? Next time I'll bring you some wine to drink. Today, could you perhaps settle for some juice or Milk?"
"Can't drink?"
"Yes. The tavern rule is that minors cannot drink alcohol. Lady Durandal's appearance is too deceptive, so..."
"How troublesome."
Durandal frowned, somewhat displeased. She didn't throw a fit; she was just curious to taste what Venti, who liked it so much, tasted like.
Since she couldn't drink it this time, she would just wait for Rosaria to bring it to her next time. She would get to drink it eventually.
Rosaria breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked Charles to serve Durandal a glass of Milk.
Although it was a place for drinking, Charles skillfully poured a glass of Milk and placed it in front of Durandal.
Durandal picked up the cup and took a tentative sip. The soft texture made her eyes light up. She... liked this feeling.
She didn't know if it was an illusion, but the onlookers seemed to see small flowers appearing around Durandal. Although her expression remained unchanged, her mood seemed good.
Rosaria breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Durandal was very satisfied with the taste of the Milk. Now, she wouldn't be troubled, right?
"Click."
At this moment, the tavern door opened, and the tavern's regular—a certain Bard—walked in.
"Yo, I knew you wouldn't stand me up. You arrived even faster than me, Durandal."
Venti hugged Durandal from behind with a grin. She knew Durandal would be on time for the appointment. Despite her firm refusal, she was actually very soft-hearted.
Hmm? Venti suddenly noticed the unusual gazes around her. Why did the tavern customers look at her with such hostility today? Had she done something to offend them?
At this moment, on the second floor of the tavern, a person with arms crossed quietly watched Durandal.