Knights of Favonius Headquarters
"Hmm? Where's Su Mo? I could've sworn he was here just a moment ago."
Jean scanned the room, only to realize Su Mo had vanished. He and Lumine had been here the whole time after delivering the captured Abyss Mage… yet now he was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh—right! I forgot to mention," Lumine quickly added. "He said he received a letter from Liyue urging him to return early. He's heading back to rest because he has to leave first thing tomorrow."
Jean blinked. "So suddenly?"
Lumine nodded. Su Mo had told her he needed to handle some matters back in Liyue. Though disappointed—she really did enjoy teaming up with him—she also wasn't too upset. After all, Liyue was her next destination. They will meet again soon.
"Understood," Jean said. "Then, Lisa, please arrange a carriage for him first thing tomorrow morning. Since he had to leave in a hurry, he might not have had time to book one."
"Leave it to me," Lisa replied, though she did sigh with some regret. "That child's helped us so much; it's only right we help him in return."
Just then, the door opened and Kaeya strolled in.
"Acting Grand Master, the Abyss Mage has talked."
"What did it say?" Jean stepped forward immediately. The days of worrying about the Abyss Order's strange behavior had weighed heavily on her; she was desperate for answers.
"They've been searching the outskirts for a cube," Kaeya reported. "A cube with purple markings."
"A… cube?" Paimon tilted her head. "Why would they want something like that?"
"The Mage said it contains traces of power left behind by the fake Anemo Archon," Kaeya explained. "They want to obtain that residual energy."
Lisa exhaled slowly. "That explains it… That child's power really was frightening. Stronger than the Abyss itself. No wonder they're going after leftover traces. But… does such a cube really exist?"
Jean thought for a moment. "If the Abyss Order is searching so openly, then something must exist—or they want us to believe it does. Either way, we must act. We cannot let them obtain something so dangerous."
"So… why don't we just ask Wendi?" Lumine offered. "As the Anemo Archon, he'd recognize her power instantly."
"Oh right! I totally forgot he's the Wind God," Paimon admitted. "Let's go find him! He's probably still drinking at Diluc's tavern!"
Jean nodded. "Honorary Knight, please go and ask Lord Barbatos for confirmation. I'll prepare for tomorrow's search operation. Kaeya, assist me."
"Yes ma'am. Honorary Knight, let's go."
Su Mo's Room
If only I could create clones…
Su Mo sat alone, rubbing his temples.
He wasn't actually returning to Liyue—he just needed an excuse to slip away from Lumine so he could transform and manipulate events behind the scenes. He couldn't exactly disappear every few minutes claiming he needed the bathroom.
And this time, he needed to play multiple factions at once. It added realism, made the scam believable. After all, that "purple cube" didn't exist at all. The more forces involved, the more authentic the chaos.
Too bad he couldn't actually duplicate himself. One person, many identities—that would have been perfect.
Alright… time for my entrance. Let's use her for this round. Master's calling again, little Miss Tower…
Su Mo vanished.
As for people looking for him? Easy. The system would notify him. Then he'd pop back in like nothing happened.
Mondstadt Outskirts
I wonder how Su Mo and Lumine are doing…
Hidden in the shadows, Diluc—currently in his Darknight Hero persona—narrowed his eyes. He didn't trust the Knights to handle everything. His own experience, and past wounds, wouldn't let him sit still.
A shrill scream suddenly echoed through the forest.
Abyss Mage.
He knew that sound well.
Could it be the Knights?
He moved cautiously toward the noise, prepared for a trap.
When he reached the clearing, he froze.
A single elegant figure in blue and white stood amidst the open field. At her feet lay an Abyss Mage, collapsed and unmoving.
A woman with an aura that didn't belong to Mondstadt.
Then she turned her head—her eyes locking onto the shadows where Diluc hid.
A faint, knowing smile curved her lips.
"Peeking… isn't a very gentlemanly behavior, you know."
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