"I'm not sure why, but these past few days our patrols keep spotting Abyss Mages around Mondstadt's outskirts. No idea what they're up to."
After the others dispersed, everyone seated at the bar listened as Jean explained the Knights' latest troubles.
"Abyss Mages? Again? They showed up during the Stormterror incident too! They're definitely plotting something shady," Paimon said, puffing up in indignation.
"Didn't the Knights manage to catch any?" Lumine asked. "It'd be faster to drag one in and interrogate."
Jean shook her head. "We thought of that already. But they're extremely cautious. The slightest disturbance and they teleport away—even when we're short on numbers, they flee immediately. Capturing one is… difficult."
"Since they're that cautious, that means they don't want the Knights to learn what they're doing," Su Mo concluded calmly. "Which means if the Knights do know, they won't be able to act freely."
"Su Mo has a point," Diluc agreed as he refilled Wendi's empty glass. "The Abyss Order must be hiding something. But guessing won't help—we need to capture one."
"Ooh! Another operation like last time? Paimon loves these kinds of thrilling missions!"
(Though if it gets too dangerous, she would prefer to not be involved.)
"Any plans, Diluc?" Jean asked. "Everyone, feel free to offer ideas."
"It's simple," Su Mo said after sipping his tea. "We ambush them. Since they keep appearing near Mondstadt, we hide somewhere with good cover and wait."
"That could work," Jean nodded. "We've already prepared for that, but the Knights are stretched thin. And catching an Abyss Mage still requires a few strong fighters…"
She looked at Lumine and Su Mo—both Honorary Knights. Perfect candidates, if not for the fact that she felt guilty asking for their help again after everything they'd already done.
"My idea is basically the same," Diluc added. "We don't know their base, so the only option is to strike when they show themselves."
"If the Knights are shorthanded, I can help," Su Mo said. "As an Honorary Knight, it's my duty."
"Heroes… their poems once more… Let me… send you off with a song…"
Wendi raised his cup dramatically—completely drunk.
"Oh no… the bard—uh, the Anemo Archon—he's like this again," Paimon muttered.
"I'll help too," Lumine said immediately.
Jean exhaled in relief. "Thank you both. I'll mark the locations where they most often appear."
The Next Night — Mondstadt Outskirts
It should've reached Lumine by now.
Hidden in tall grass, Su Mo—transformed into the Herrscher of Knowledge—waited. He had already planted mental commands into a fire Abyss Mage, sending it toward Lumine's section of the forest.
Two people together would be too noticeable, so they split up, hiding not far apart but far enough to act without exposing each other.
"Don't—run—!"
Paimon's shout echoed from the distance.
Finally, My turn.
Su Mo cancelled the Herrscher form, grabbed his weapon, and dashed out.
"Krrrraaa—!"
The Abyss Mage was "attempting" to teleport away, while Lumine sprinted after it.
Of course, Su Mo wasn't worried. The Mage was just acting under his control; it wouldn't actually escape.
Super Headshot—
Thud!
A perfectly aimed rock slammed straight into the fire Abyss Mage's face, "interrupting" its teleport and knocking it out cold.
"Su Mo, that was amazing! Just one more moment and it would've escaped!" Paimon cheered.
"Nice throw," Lumine said, relaxing as she sheathed her sword.
She glanced at Su Mo. Sharp mind, accurate analysis, decisive action… even this throw. A man who's got brains and strength… Those are rare.
"Let's get it back before its friends notice," Su Mo said, scanning the dark woods cautiously.
"Mm!"
They hoisted the unconscious Abyss Mage and hurried toward Mondstadt.
Knights of Favonius — Interrogation Room
"So, why have you been lurking around Mondstadt lately?"
Kaeya's icy blade glided along the Abyss Mage's body—threatening but not yet lethal.
"…"
No answer.
"Heh~ still pretending to be tough?"
Kaeya gathered more Cryo energy and pressed the cold against the Mage's mask.
"A—aaaah! I'll talk! I'll talk!"
The Mage finally broke.
"We… We're searching for a cube. A cube containing the girl's power!"
"The girl? You mean the one pretending to be the Anemo Archon?"
"Yes! There remains a cube with purple patterns, still holding her power! We intend to study it. That power was terrifying—far beyond the Abyss. We must obtain it."
Kaeya narrowed his eyes.
So that's it, huh…? These bastards…
He stepped out of the interrogation room, expression completely serious.
This… had just gotten much worse.
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