On the bridge, a small boy scattered feed from his hands.
A cluster of gray pigeons pecked happily at the ground, some even hopping around the boy's feet without the slightest fear.
"Those pigeons look super close to that kid! They're not scared at all,"
Paimon observed, finally finding something to talk about.
She had also noticed Farmas staring.
These pigeons weren't like the skittish ones elsewhere—
at least, not around that boy.
"He's Timmy," Venti quickly explained, seizing the chance to steer the topic away from his own… 'slacking.'
"He feeds the pigeons here every day. They're used to him."
"Ah, right! Whatever you do, don't hurt those pigeons!"
Jean warned nervously, seeing the look in Farmas's eyes.
"After Timmy's father left, those pigeons became his companions.
If anything happened to them, Timmy would be devastated."
Jean's concern was well-founded.
During the journey, she'd already noticed something terrifying:
Farmas would try to fight anything that moved.
Wild boars, birds, random monsters, even an unfortunate shrub that rustled too loudly.
If Venti hadn't insisted on flying the whole way, Starsnatch Cliff probably wouldn't be the only scorched wasteland today.
"Lord Farmas, I know you enjoy hunting, but please don't—
HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Jean hadn't even finished.
Farmas had already pulled a crimson spear out of the ley lines.
Fire surged around him.
"Wait—Farmas!!"
Too late.
In the next instant, Farmas launched himself forward like a blazing meteor.
Fire roared, engulfing the entire flock of pigeons before anyone could react.
In a blink, the pigeons became… beautifully roasted poultry.
"Wh— What the—?!"
Timmy's hand froze mid-throw, seeds falling uselessly from his fingers.
Just a moment ago, the pigeons were cooing around his legs.
Now they were…
…steaming.
"Waaaaaaahhhhhhh!!"
The sight of his longtime companions turned into sizzling food right before his eyes shattered the boy's young heart.
He burst into tears.
"Farmas… you— sigh.
You really are a battle maniac.
You were way cuter as a slime,"
Venti muttered, patting him on the shoulder.
Then he paused.
Because Farmas's clothes had suddenly turned green.
The red coat, gold patterns—all gone.
What remained was… a matching outfit identical to Venti's colors.
"What the * kidney* happened here?"
Farmas blinked innocently, expression soft and clueless.
If they hadn't just witnessed him annihilate a flock of birds with raging fire,
no one would have believed this leafy green man was the culprit.
"Hey! Farmas!
Didn't we roast enough birds out in the wild?!
Why'd you BBQ these pigeons?!
They were Timmy's friends!"
Paimon shouted, hands on hips.
Now that she knew the pigeons meant something to the boy, she was actually feeling sympathetic…
Right until Farmas AOE'd them.
The sudden explosion of fire energy had even scared her, making her hide behind Lumine.
"Waaah!! Big meanie!
Why did you kill my pigeons?!"
Timmy sobbed—
but curiously, he wasn't yelling at the green stranger.
Instead…
The only red-clothed person nearby.
"Kid… it wasn't me,"
Diluc said stiffly, staring at the boy hopping angrily toward him.
And suddenly, he understood.
He finally understood why Farmas had changed outfits.
Among the group, only Diluc was wearing red and black.
Timmy, who hadn't seen the attacker clearly through the fire, had naturally blamed the "red blur."
"You!
Give back my pigeons, you mean red uncle!"
Farmas walked over, calm as anything.
"Indeed, Diluc. You should apologize.
If Sister Grace hears about this, she'll come after you personally,"
he said, face entirely serious despite the laughter trembling beneath it.
"IT WASN'T EVEN ME—!"
Diluc, usually all cold dignity, cracked instantly.
But he couldn't exactly point at Farmas and say
"The green man did it!"
Not with a crying kid involved.
"Are all gods this unreliable…?"
Jean sighed, massaging her temples.
Hearing her, Farmas finally turned to the sniffling Timmy.
He crouched down.
"Little one, how about this—
I'll take you to Good Hunter for a huge feast.
Would you forgive this awful red-haired uncle then?"
He patted Timmy's head, letting a soothing warmth flow through his hand.
"No—
…m-maybe…"
Timmy sniffled, wavering.
His resolve collapsed instantly.
Farmas took his small hand and casually walked straight into Mondstadt city.
Leaving the others behind.
"Wait, Farmas!
You haven't registered your residency in Mondstadt yet!"
Jean shouted, chasing after him.
Lumine and Diluc followed.
Venti lagged behind everyone else, discreetly picking up the freshly roasted pigeon meat.
"Ahem… can't waste food."
He nodded solemnly…
…then suddenly grinned and hurried after the others.
~---------------------------
Visit my P@treon for advance chapters:
patreon.com/DevilWarden