"Alright, alright—Acting Grand Master Jean, please be gentle…"
Venti's legs wobbled pitifully in the air as Jean carried both him and Farmas out of Angel's Share like two misbehaving chicks.
"Amber lives in the Knights' dormitory on the second floor.
Think carefully about what you're going to say to her."
Jean first set Venti down—
then plopped Farmas directly into Venti's arms.
Just as Venti's feet touched the ground, a strong gust swept through Mondstadt.
Dark clouds surged overhead, and the already-dusk sky dimmed further.
"Hm? Rain incoming?"
Jean frowned upward.
Mondstadt's weather had only grown stranger as Dvalin's condition worsened.
"You did this, didn't you? Barbatos?"
Farmas hopped from Venti's arms onto his head and whispered.
"Ehehe~ If a heavy rain starts, we won't have to apologize tonight."
Venti whispered back.
Jean slowly lowered her gaze from the sky…
and stared directly at the smiling bard.
"You're going even if it pours!"
"Coming! Coming! It's so late—did something important happen?"
Ten minutes later, night had fully fallen.
Jean and Venti stood dripping like drowned kitties at the door of Amber's dormitory.
Only Farmas, safely tucked inside Venti's hat, was perfectly dry.
Even though it was deep into the night, there wasn't a hint of irritation or fatigue in Amber's voice.
The moment she heard knocking—
and with thunder and wind making sleep impossible—
the ever-alert Outrider reacted instantly and opened the door in under ten seconds.
Amber was always full of energy and quick to sense anything amiss.
But judging from the dried tear marks on her cheeks, she had clearly been blaming herself for losing her Vision.
"Huh!? Acting Grand Master Jean and… a bard?
Why are you both soaked? Hurry, come inside!"
The moment Amber saw who was at the door, her tense expression relaxed—
only to tighten again as she worried over the situation.
"Acting Grand Master, did you find clues about my Vision?
I'm all recovered now—
even without the Vision, I can continue working, I—"
"It's right here."
Jean flicked her hair, casually drawing Amber's Vision from her pocket.
Her tight-fitting uniform, soaked through by rain, clung to her figure and outlined every curve—
enough to make even another woman like Amber blush.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, you're so… big…"
Staring too hard at Jean's figure, Amber completely failed to notice what Jean was holding.
"Your priorities are very concerning, Amber."
Jean sighed, shaking the Vision in front of her.
"My Vision!"
The familiar red flame-wings sparkled in the light.
A sense of reunion—almost like blood returning to the heart—hit Amber all at once.
She cried out in joy, snatched the Vision, and held it tightly.
"Thank you, Acting Grand Master!
Where did you find it?"
Amber checked it from every angle—
and once she confirmed it really was hers, she carefully hooked it onto her belt.
Then, not reassured enough, she touched it again to be sure it was secure.
"These two will explain.
Amber, may I borrow your bathroom?"
Jean accepted the towel and borrowed sleepwear Amber handed her, then disappeared into the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Farmas sat on top of Venti's head, quietly releasing Pyro energy to evaporate the water from Venti's clothes.
Venti obediently squeezed his hands between his legs as white steam rose off him.
His rain-soaked braids and bangs gradually fluffed back up.
"Ahem… Miss Amber… you see…"
Feeling the warmth returning to his clothes, Venti relaxed and began explaining why he had "borrowed" her Vision.
"…so, to restore Farmas, we still need more Visions, but…"
Venti finished with a bow.
"We truly apologize for all the trouble we caused you!"
Farmas hopped up with a tiny salute, waving his little hands.
After listening quietly, Amber smiled gently.
She activated her Vision with practiced ease and lit the fireplace in one smooth motion.
Then she headed to the table and began preparing warm drinks.
"It's alright. I understand."
She said softly as she took out four cups.
"Amber, you're honestly the most angelic girl I've ever met!"
Venti flailed enthusiastically.
Just then, Jean emerged from the bathroom in Amber's borrowed sleepwear.
"Looks like you've already been forgiven."
She sat on the sofa, casually tossing her damp hair over one shoulder.
Amber brought over a tray with four warm glasses of milk, handing them out one by one.
"Yes."
Venti replied cheerfully, accepting his drink.
"Hm… is that someone from the portrait? A relative of yours?"
Farmas asked after taking a sip.
On the wall hung a portrait of a bearded middle-aged man with soft, doting eyes—
and a little Amber in his lap.
"Yes, that's my grandfather—the most reliable person I've ever known.
If you want, I can tell you about him…"
The crackling of burning wood filled the room.
On this stormy sleepless night, the four gathered around the sofa
as Amber began telling the story she took pride in.
Her grandfather had once been the captain of a mercenary escort team from Liyue Harbor, tasked with protecting a caravan that traveled across the continent.
During one mission, the caravan was attacked by monsters.
He alone survived—rescued by a physician from the Knights of Favonius.
Unable to return home in shame, he joined the Knights to repay that life-saving grace.
He single-handedly established the Outrider squad, personally trained them, and led them on countless missions.
He even found love in Mondstadt and built a home here.
But one day—
without warning—
he left behind his badge and sword and vanished without a word.
Without its pillar, the Outrider squad fell apart.
Its members, once relying heavily on his leadership, lost direction.
Eventually, they were so understaffed they couldn't even perform routine patrols.
Some transferred away; others retired.
The squad became a hollow shell of what it once was.
Worse, some people believed Amber's grandfather had deserted his duty—
further staining the squad's reputation.
"Until the appearance of the Outrider Amber—
and she singlehandedly revived the squad's honor."
Venti hugged the still-drying Farmas and praised her sincerely.
"No no, little bard… I only did my job."
Amber giggled shyly in her pink sleepwear, rocking happily in her seat.
"We'll keep an eye out for your grandfather."
Venti promised.
The flames in the hearth dimmed lower and lower.
The four of them talked late into the night.
~---------------------------
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