Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
That magnificent building, almost touching the sky, stood at the highest point of Mondstadt City.
It was grander than the palace of the Goa Kingdom, a thousand times livelier than Makino's tavern, and a world apart from Dadan's mountain bandit hideout…
"Waaahhhh—!"
Luffy's exclamations once again echoed through the sky.
He spread his arms and sprinted up the long staircase at a hundred-meter dash speed!
"So high! So big! What is this place?!"
His unworldly demeanor made Ace's fists clench again.
"I told you it's the Knights' Headquarters! Is your brain stuffed with donkey hair, you idiot?!"
Ace pulled him back, holding him tightly.
Paimon, who followed behind, also put her hands on her hips and introduced with a proud expression.
"Hmph hmph! This is the center of power in Mondstadt City! Everyone from the Knights of Favonius works here, you know!"
She then quietly leaned into Traveler's ear.
"Jean is very dignified! When we go in later, absolutely do not mention the emergency food!"
Sabo said nothing.
He just looked up, gazing at the huge wall engraved with the Knights of Favonius emblem.
At the entrance stood two fully armed, serious-faced Knights.
Their eyes were sharp, their posture straight, and they exuded the aura of battle-hardened elites.
This place… was completely different from that corrupt Goa Kingdom, which only knew how to oppress commoners!
"Alright! Everyone, cheer up!"
Amber finally emerged from the shadow of "bankruptcy." She patted her face, transforming back into the energetic Scout Knight.
"Jean is inside! She's the most reliable person in Mondstadt!"
Saying that, she puffed out her chest and led the way in… The interior of the Knights' Headquarters was more spacious than it looked from the outside.
High ceilings, massive bookshelves, and Knights of Favonius members bustling about, hurrying to and fro.
Everyone was performing their duties, and the entire space was filled with a tense yet orderly atmosphere.
Amber led them through the hall and directly to the Acting Grand Master's office on the second floor.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
"Report! Scout Knight Amber, I have an urgent matter to report!"
"Please come in."
A steady, slightly weary, yet powerful female voice came from behind the door.
Amber pushed the door open.
In the office, a tall, blonde woman in a white Knight uniform sat behind a desk.
Her sapphire blue eyes were sharp enough to pierce one's heart.
Her gaze swept over Amber, then over Traveler and Paimon, and finally landed on the three unfamiliar faces of Ace, Luffy, and Sabo.
Especially when her gaze touched the teal vision on Sabo's waist, a subtle ripple, hard to detect, flashed in her calm eyes.
She was the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, the Dandelion Knight, Jean.
"Jean!"
Amber stood at attention and performed a standard Knight salute.
"I'm back!"
Jean looked up.
Her gaze, like clear lake water, carried an undeniable authority.
Her gaze swept over Amber, then over Traveler and Paimon, and finally settled on the three unfamiliar faces of Ace, Luffy, and Sabo.
When she saw the brand new Anemo vision on Sabo's waist, still emitting a faint elemental aura, her azure eyes narrowed slightly.
"Amber, you've worked hard."
Jean put down her quill and leaned forward slightly.
"Who are these people?"
"Reporting, Grand Master!" Amber answered loudly, "I found them outside the city! They were ambushed by Hilichurls! And…"
She paused, pointing at Sabo.
"This child, just now, awakened a vision!"
The office instantly fell silent.
Ace felt the pressure of scrutiny, his body unconsciously tensed, and his eyes sharpened.
Jean's gaze, gentle yet penetrating, fell on Sabo.
"Child, what is your name? Where are you from?"
Sabo met her gaze, his heart involuntarily skipped a beat.
He took a deep breath, calming himself.
"My name is Sabo… We… come from a very, very distant island."
"Hmph." Ace grunted in displeasure, his voice coming from his nose, "Why are you asking that? Are you checking our household registration?"
"Ace!" Sabo whispered, stopping him.
"I mean no harm." Jean's voice was calm and gentle, yet carried a convincing power, "It's just that the appearance of a new vision wielder is a big deal for Mondstadt."
She stood up and walked in front of Sabo.
She was very tall; Sabo had to look up to see her face clearly.
"Do you know what this is?" Jean pointed at the ornament on Sabo's waist.
Sabo nodded, then shook his head.
"Amber said… it's a vision."
"That's right." Jean's eyes became distant, "This is a vision. It is a gift bestowed by the gods above when a mortal's 'wish' is so strong that it is recognized by them."
Wish!
That word again!
Sabo's heart trembled violently.
He couldn't help but grasp the teal vision.
My wish… is freedom!
Could it be that there really are gods who recognized my yearning for freedom?
"Gods?"
Ace scoffed, his rebellious face filled with disbelief and mockery.
"What a joke! Entrusting one's fate to something so ethereal? Only the weak would do that!"
"What are gods? Are they tasty?" Luffy asked Jean curiously.
Jean looked at the three brothers with their distinct personalities, a helpless yet understanding expression on her face.
"I know it's hard for you to accept this immediately."
She slowly spread her palm.
Buzz!
A vision, also teal but more exquisitely designed, lay quietly on her gloved hand.
"But on this continent called Teyvat, elemental power truly exists."
She thought, and with a flick of her wrist.
Whoosh!
A gentle whirlwind appeared out of thin air in her palm, stirring her golden hair.
"And a vision is an external organ that we mortals use to channel elemental power."
Sabo's eyes were fixed on the wind in Jean's palm.
That power, and the power within him, came from the same source!
"Your wish is 'freedom,' isn't it?" Jean looked at Sabo, stating it directly.
Sabo's body trembled violently!
"Therefore, the one who responded to you is Mondstadt's protector, the Anemo God who symbolizes freedom, Lord Barbatos."
"What you have obtained is an Anemo vision, symbolizing 'freedom'."
Anemo God!
Freedom!
These two words struck Sabo's heart heavily!
The god of this city was actually the God of Freedom!
At this moment, he felt an indescribable resonance between himself and this city!
"Alright, I understand the situation." Jean withdrew her power and sat back behind her desk, regaining the dignity of the Acting Grand Master.
"Your origins are unknown, and your powers are special… especially you."
Her gaze turned to Luffy.
That strange boy whose head could stretch like rubber.
"By rights, I should temporarily detain you until your backgrounds are thoroughly investigated."
Ace's face instantly darkened, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"However…"
Jean's tone shifted.
"Mondstadt is a city of freedom."
"We will not deprive anyone of their freedom because of 'unknowns' and 'differences'."
Her words stunned both Ace and Sabo.
They remembered the high-walled Goa Kingdom, and the nobles who regarded commoners as ants.
Freedom?
For the first time, they heard the most sincere interpretation of these two words from a person in authority.
"Amber." Jean gave the order.
"Yes! Grand Master!"
"Until you complete today's patrol mission, you will temporarily serve as their guide and guardian."
"Show them around Mondstadt, but remember, absolutely do not let them cause any trouble!"
Jean's tone deepened slightly, her eyes meaningfully glancing at Luffy.
"Under… understood!" Amber's face fell.
Taking care of these three little rascals, especially the glutton who had eaten up two months of her salary…
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