"So you really ran into that… that 'strange god' again?"
Wendy had been happy at first when he saw Traveler and Su Mo return with the purified Wind Dragon's Tears—but the moment he heard that name, his expression stiffened.
He couldn't make sense of it. Why would that one appear again, and at this moment? Was it related to the fake 'Wind God's Messenger' that had shown up?
But he immediately denied his own guess—Teyvat's Overseer would never use such mild, roundabout tricks. If that being wanted something, they would not be so "gentle."
"…Maybe it really was a coincidence?"
"Yeah! And that bad woman said a bunch of things Paimon didn't understand and then left—and she even beat up Lumine! Super annoying!"
With her tiny fists punching the air angrily, Paimon looked absolutely furious.
Just thinking about how she'd been grabbed by those weird white arms and dragged into that pitch-black space was enough to make her grind her teeth.
"I'm wondering too… whether that strange god has any connection to this so-called Wind God's Messenger."
Su Mo's voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
"She also said she's 'doing what she must.' And that my brother is 'staying where he wants to stay.' Does that mean… she really doesn't know where he is? Then she said she'll be waiting for me at the end of my journey…"
Lumine's brows were tightly knit.
"I hate it. I hate that feeling of knowing she's hiding something important, but I can't understand it."
It felt like holding a treasure map full of marked chests—only she couldn't read the script.
"Lumine, don't worry. Once we find the Anemo Archon, we can just ask him directly. He should know what those words really meant."
Wendy: "..."
Paimon nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Su Mo's right! That Wind God definitely knows something!"
I don't know anything. Don't look at me. I'm innocent.
Wendy stared into the void, filled with silent despair.
Why was being a god so hard? Why couldn't he just quietly go fishing?
"Mm… but isn't Diluc back yet?"
Just as Lumine spoke, a familiar voice came from the side.
"Lumine? Su Mo? You two are here as well?"
"Captain Jean?"
Paimon squeaked and immediately panicked—would she be arrested for attempting to steal the Holy Lyre der Himmel?
"As honorary knights of Mondstadt, of course we must get involved."
Su Mo stood up straight and saluted perfectly—so righteous it could win awards.
Jean was, of course, deeply moved. An outsider this responsible was rare.
"I've already told Jean everything," Diluc said as he approached, arms crossed. "She'll handle the Church. But before that—Jean has questions for you."
"I really didn't expect this… I'd heard about the lyre being stolen, but I didn't think the culprits would be… you. And the Lyre's purification really can restore Dvalin? And what are your thoughts on that so-called Wind God's Messenger?"
Jean still couldn't quite believe it all.
"It's true," Wendy said, "but the Lyre isn't with us—we need to take it back first. As for the 'messenger'… Jean, have you ever heard of the Anemo Archon having one? No, right?"
Jean shook her head seriously. "Never. If anyone is directly connected to Lord Barbatos, it should only be the Four Winds. A 'messenger' is unheard of."
"Exactly! The Wind God wouldn't send anyone to sneak into the cathedral, and certainly not to steal his own instrument. Clearly fake."
Wendy's tone carried the confidence of a man absolutely slandering himself.
"Feels like you're really bothered by this, bard," Paimon muttered suspiciously.
"Hehe, just doing my duty as a humble storyteller."
"Whether she's real or fake, we'll know soon enough," Su Mo said. "Materials are ready. Captain Jean… you know what to do."
Jean hesitated. "You really want me to let the Church spread the repair method? What if—"
"Don't worry, Captain Jean," Wendy said with a sigh. "As Liyue people say, 'you can't catch a wolf without risking a goat.' The purified tears are overflowing with special Anemo. They're the perfect bait. Anything else would be easy to see through."
"And time is running out."
Jean took a deep breath. "Very well… I'll have the Church release the information immediately. Tonight, we wait in ambush."
"Since Jean is already taking action," Su Mo said calmly, "then we can't sit still either."
He looked toward the north.
"Let's head to Stormterror's Lair."
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