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Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Its Jean? Run!

After a while, traveler meet them again outside of Mondstadt. From Aether snooping, he got information about story of "The Tyrant's Final Fury" he also got information about the presence of Abyss near the Wolvedom. And Jean was on the case.

As they approaching the entrance of Wolvendom, they encounter the Abyss mages and hilichurls. Dainsleif said, Abyss may target Lupus Boreas, the servant of Anemo Archon. This reminds the trio on Dvalin incident; thus, they fasten their step.

Aether, Paimon, and Sekai approach Wolvendom, their pace quickening with concern over the possible Abyss threat. As they near the entrance, they encounter Jean, who looks just as surprised to see them.

Jean: "Honorary Knight! Paimon! What are you doing here?"

Paimon: "Oh, Master Jean! We're so glad we found you!"

Jean's gaze shifts to Sekai, and she momentarily hesitates, clearly flustered.

Sekai: "H-hi, Jean…"

Jean: "H-hello, Se—Sekai…"

The silence that follows is thick with unspoken words, both of them unsure of where to start. After a moment, they both speak at once.

Jean/Sekai: "Sorry!"

They pause, looking at each other in surprise before beginning again, only to overlap clumsily.

Sekai: "I should say—"

Jean: "No, please, go ahead—"

Aether and Paimon exchange a grin, and their stifled laughter finally breaks the awkwardness. Seeing how ridiculous they must look; Sekai and Jean share an embarrassed smile.

Sekai: "(Clearing his throat) Jean, let me go first. I… I'm sorry. I was the one acting childish, leaving so abruptly without a word. I shouldn't have made things so difficult."

Jean's expression softens, touched by his words. She quickly shakes her head, her voice quiet but resolute.

Jean: "No, it wasn't your fault. We were the ones who overstepped, asking questions we shouldn't have. I got too focused on my duties… and forgot to consider how you felt. I'm sorry, Sekai."

Sekai looks at her, feeling a mix of relief and warmth at her sincerity. He gives her a small, rueful smile.

Sekai: "Well, it's hard to stay mad at Mondstadt's top Knight."

Jean's cheeks color slightly, but she can't help but smile.

Jean: "And it's hard to stay mad at Teyvat's most… unpredictable guest."

They both chuckle. For that moment, it's just the two of them, laughing off their own awkwardness.

Sekai shifts, looking a bit uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he glances sideways at Jean.

Sekai: "Uh… Jean, while I'm here, I just… wanted to ask…"

Jean: "Yes?" (Noticing his hesitation, she raises an eyebrow, slightly amused.)

Sekai: "How's… Lisa? I… left kind of suddenly, and I didn't get the chance to say anything to her either."

Jean's eyes sparkle with amusement, and she chuckles softly.

Jean: "Oh, Lisa's well—though let's just say she had a few words about your abrupt departure."

Sekai's eyes widen, feeling a faint chill at her tone.

Jean: "She mentioned that when you return, she might have a 'special lesson' ready for you…" (She suppresses a smile) "Something about… making sure you remember your 'duties'."

Sekai lets out a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his head.

Sekai: "Right… that sounds… like Lisa, alright."

Paimon giggles, nudging Aether.

Paimon: "Looks like someone's in for a 'lesson'!"

Aether: "Good luck with that, Sekai."

Sekai laughs nervously, but his worry doesn't end there. He glances at Jean, clearing his throat again.

Sekai: "And… what about… Eula?"

Jean's amusement grows as she catches his anxious expression.

Jean: "Oh, Eula?" (Chuckling) "Let's just say that she hasn't forgotten your sudden exit either."

Sekai's face pales slightly, and he braces himself for her response.

Jean: "In fact, she declared she owes you a 'great debt,' and she's eagerly waiting to repay it." (She gives him a knowing look) "You know how Eula is with her… 'vengeance.'"

Sekai: "Ah… right, the 'vengeance' thing."

Paimon, catching on, bursts into laughter.

Paimon: "Looks like you've got a double whammy waiting for you, Sekai!"

Aether: "Lisa's lessons and Eula's vengeance… it sounds like Mondstadt's been missing you."

Sekai lets out a resigned sigh, managing a wry smile.

Sekai: "Yeah… sounds like I'm in for quite the welcome."

Jean chuckles, giving him a look of sympathy and amusement.

Jean: "Well, I'm sure they'll be… 'understanding' in their own ways."

The tension finally breaks as they all share a laugh, with Sekai mentally preparing himself for whatever awaits him back in Mondstadt.

Paimon: "Alright! Enough already! We've got some Abyss creeps to deal with!"

Aether nods, readying his weapon, and Jean quickly composes herself, stepping forward as the dedicated Acting Grand Master.

Jean: "You're right, Paimon. Let's move forward together—and make sure Lupus Boreas is safe."

With a final, quiet nod to each other, Sekai and Jean fall into step with the others, their hearts lighter as they enter Wolvendom.

They then reach the arena, only to see someone familiar and Boreas chained up with purple magic chain.

Paimon: (gasp) look over there, it's Razor! And… the Abyss Herald!

Razor: You… not welcome here!

Abyss Herald: Ahahah… so, the wolf's wretched spirit likes to raise wild pups now? You claim to be a guardian, yet your once-sharp claws have clearly dulled since your days of godly glory. If you serve us, we can restore your divine powers you once held in the past.

Boreas: Lies… Lies…

Paimon: What the heck is this ceremony? He looks like he's in a lot of pain. Oh no… is this the same thing they did to corrupt Dvalin mind?

Razor: Wolves never surrender. But... this can't go on!

Sekai: I didn't expect Abyss was so desperate to gain income just to buy their "enchantment"

Aether: Guess, it was our job to enforce banned on those "enchantment" huh. Any idea of interesting organization name Sekai?

Sekai: Well, how about National Enchantment Agency. With that we can make rule where the overdose of "enchantment" intake was bannded.

Aether: I like that name, it sounds official enough.

Paimon: But doesn't Abyss already consider criminal around Teyvat. Why do we want to stick another crime on them?

Sekai: Well… you got point there, Paimon… but…

The Silver knight turned towards Aether; Aether nodded.

Aether: But think about this Paimon, if we can make this official, we can shout something like "Freez! Hand up! You all under arrest due to inappropriate intake of enchantment!"

Sekai: Yup, that's right, we can also create law, where whoever broke this will be fine with Mora. Thinks about this Paimon, with this mora, we can fund our travel. Not only that, you can also fill your secret Paimon stash (trying to tempt tone.)

Paimon: Mo-Mora! Lot and lots of Mora… with lot of Mora Paimon can buy many Sweet Madame… eheheh (drooling)

Abyss Herald: You! Argh! How dare you!

The Abys Herald become so mad, that he can't concentrate on the ceremony leading it to failed.

The Abyss Herald then open the portal, running while rambling like child losing his lollipop.

Paimon: NO! Paimon Mora….

Aether and Sekai dumbfounded at Paimon act. As much as they joking around, they didn't know that their action was so effective to the point it managed to chased out Abyss Herald without lifting a finger. Who know Abyss was such easy to tease.

Aether: Well at least we stopped it this time.

Razor: Thank you, you came… just in time.

Boreas: Human Lupical… I am ashamed that you must see me in my present state. But still the Abyss Herald underestimated my strength.

Razor: Boreas never refuse trial. But, scary outsider… not respect trial rules. I, too didn't see… the trap…

Paimon: Wait… so you mean, the Abyss Order had everything prepared to corrupt Lupus Boreas' mind, then lured him out under the pretense of challenging him in trial?

Sekai: It's not your fault, Razor. They just desperate for something.

Aether: (Patting Razor shoulder) Come on cheer up, don't let bunch of addicts low down your spirit. It not worth it.

Razor: Thank you. In future, my claw… must get sharper. Razor have hard talking… Only know fight with claw…

Paimon: Uh… excuse us, Mr. Wolf God, do you know anything about the first field tiller?

Boreas: I pay no heed to the contraptions of humans. I know not what this "Field Tiller" is, though there was indeed one human-made machine that I can never forget. It entered into my proving ground by accident, and mistook it for a challenger.

Boreas: But it could not think, only fight. It was designed as pure killing machine from top to bottom. I eventually damaged it greatly with one of my attacks, before it fell to the ground, it fled the proving ground.

Paimon: Hmmm… by the sound of it, it's possible that could have been the very first Field Tiller, right?

From there, Sekai again got his "light bulb moment" and link the incident with the story of "The Tyrant's Final Fury"

Thanks to Aether memory and Paimon, they know about one suspicious Ruin guard that they meet during their mission when saving Dvalin.

Saying thanks to both Razor and Boreas, the group separate. Jean also asks herself to returned to Mondstadt to take future action for this Abyss Order incident. 

As they ready themselves to continue on, Sekai turns to Jean with a slightly nervous but determined expression. He reaches into his bag, pulling out three small, finely crafted boxes.

Sekai: "Jean, I… wanted to leave something for Lisa and Eula. And, uh… one for you as well."

Jean blinks in surprise, her eyes softening as she glances at the boxes.

Jean: "Sekai, you didn't have to—"

Sekai: "(Shaking his head) I wanted to. I may have left abruptly, but you all… you showed a lot of patience with me. So, I thought maybe these would be a small way to say thanks—and maybe get a lighter 'welcome' next time."

Jean's lips curve into a smile, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gesture.

Sekai opens the first box, revealing a hairpin adorned with a beautiful Cryo symbol in cool blue hues—a straightforward yet elegant design fitting for Eula.

Sekai: "This one's for Eula. The Cryo symbol felt fitting. It's a reminder of her strength and dedication as a Knight."

Jean: (Nodding) "I think she'll appreciate that… even if she doesn't say it out loud."

Sekai smiles, then opens the second box, showing a hairpin decorated with an intricate Electro symbol and purple accents, matching Lisa's elemental affinity.

Sekai: "And this one's for Lisa. Something a bit more decorative, to match her style. Maybe it'll remind her of… our shared 'lessons.'"

Jean chuckles, knowing Lisa will likely enjoy the thoughtful gift.

Jean: "She'll love it. It's perfect."

Sekai then hesitates, his cheeks tinting slightly as he hands her the final box.

Sekai: "And, uh… this one's for you."

Jean's eyes widen in surprise as she opens the box, revealing a beautiful Anemo symbol hairpin crafted with a simple elegance, accentuated by a soft green gemstone to represent her elemental power. The design is understated, matching her composed nature as Mondstadt's Acting Grand Master.

Sekai: "I know you probably don't get much time for yourself, but I wanted you to have something too. This is… a little reminder that your kindness doesn't go unnoticed. Even if you're always putting Mondstadt first, I see how much you care for everyone."

Jean's face softens, clearly moved by the gift. She meets his gaze, gratitude shining in her eyes.

Jean: "Thank you, Sekai. This means a lot."

Paimon and Aether exchange a grin as they see the warmth between them, and Sekai scratches the back of his head, relieved that his gesture was well-received.

Sekai: "Just… let them know these come with my sincerest apologies, alright? And that I'll be back."

Jean: "I'll make sure they know."

With a smile, she tucks the boxes away carefully. They exchange a nod, a silent acknowledgment of respect and understanding, as they turn to continue on their separate paths.

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