"Thank you, Mr. Chen Luo, for your contributions to Mondstadt. Not only did you retrieve the Holy Lyre stolen by the Fatui, but you also made such a great sacrifice to save Dvalin. On behalf of the Knights of Favonius, I extend my gratitude to you." Seeing Chen Luo's selfless act, Jean was visibly moved.
"So, do I get a discount when shopping?" Chen Luo couldn't help but ask the crucial question.
"Huh?" Jean was taken aback.
Jean didn't understand what Chen Luo was talking about.
"It's like this, we heard that the Knights of Favonius' Honorary Knight gets a little discount when buying things." Paimon jumped in to explain.
"Is that so? Well, with the merits you've accrued, Mr. Chen Luo, obtaining the title of Honorary Knight from the Knights of Favonius would be quite simple once the Dvalin incident is truly resolved." Jean thought for a moment and immediately replied.
In fact, even without ultimately saving Dvalin, just the merit of retrieving the Holy Lyre would give Chen Luo a fifty percent chance of becoming an Honorary Knight.
After all, an Honorary Knight isn't a real knight.
"That's not necessary, I was just joking. If you really want to compensate, then attribute this merit to Eula instead. Having one tool man like Lumine is enough." Chen Luo quickly shook his head.
The title of Honorary Knight is completely useless to Chen Luo.
Although having the title might make it easier to receive commissions from Mondstadt's citizens, rather than running around taking care of these overgrown infants of Mondstadt, Chen Luo would prefer to find ways to improve his puppeteer skills.
An ordinary commission from a Mondstadt citizen only gives 10 Primogems. While 10 Primogems are indeed valuable, if possible, Chen Luo would rather take on more meaningful commissions.
Like helping Bronya save Seele, for instance.
"Attributing this merit to Eula... Alright, I understand." Acting Grand Master Jean looked at Chen Luo, then glanced at Eula, who seemed to be avoiding eye contact, smiled, and nodded.
Although Eula's family background means her personal reputation in Mondstadt isn't high—in fact, it's quite poor—among the higher-ups within the Knights, Eula gets along quite well with others, such as Jean.
Of course, aside from Amber, who is overly enthusiastic about helping others, this is also due to Acting Grand Master Jean's own exceptionally good character.
"However, since you are willing to give all the credit to Eula, you must naturally understand the difficulties Eula currently faces. So, actually, the best outcome for Eula isn't to be the main protagonist of this save-the-Stormterror mission, but an important supporting character." After pausing for a moment, Jean continued.
"Alright, alright. Don't talk to me about these things. I'll leave it all to you."
To be honest, Chen Luo doesn't really understand these intricacies of the workplace and officialdom. His intelligence and knowledge can only ensure he isn't scammed and doesn't cause major trouble, but it can't guarantee he'll thrive in such environments.
Under the collective gaze of everyone present, Chen Luo placed the Mora blessed by the Anemo Archon onto the Holy Lyre.
The Mora personally blessed by the Anemo Archon naturally contains far denser Anemo energy than Dvalin's teardrops. Consequently, the Holy Lyre's charge level instantly reached maximum.
While outsiders might only perceive it as slightly brighter, Chen Luo, holding the Holy Lyre and possessing proficiency in its use, could naturally discern the Holy Lyre's specific condition clearly.
However, as the charge on the Holy Lyre's strings reached the overflowing level, the Mora in Chen Luo's hand became utterly ordinary.
This is what happens to a Mora after the Anemo Archon's blessing is completely exhausted.
"Once again, thank you, Traveler, for your contribution to Mondstadt." Looking at the Mora that appeared completely ordinary after losing the Anemo Archon's blessing, Jean couldn't help but speak up.
For such a sacred relic, causing it to completely lose its radiance is a grievous act, though given the exigent circumstances, it was indeed a necessary evil.
"This was truly an eye-opener. Blessings bestowed by Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, aren't so rare as to be nonexistent. But a blessing bestowed upon a Mora is currently the only known instance. This is indeed sufficient to cover the debt for booking the place. And, I wonder if you would be interested in selling this Mora to me? Name your price." Diluc, standing nearby, paused before speaking.
Actually, when Diluc said the latter part, it wasn't just because of the Mora's preciousness; another aspect was his desire to compensate Chen Luo.
After all, regardless of anything else, this Mora is truly precious. The difference in price between a Mora with the Anemo Archon's blessing and aura and one without is like heaven and earth.
It's to a degree that would even make Diluc feel the pinch.
After all, the old Anemo Archon hasn't bestowed many blessings.
[Ding! You have a new commission!]
Chen Luo's eyebrow twitched slightly when he saw this commission.
A single Mora could be sold for 50 Primogems, plus more Mora?
"Eh, can this Mora be sold for a lot of money?" Venti expressed slight surprise.
"Of course. Although it has lost the Anemo Archon's blessing and aura, everyone present has witnessed its true state. Naturally, its collectible value is even higher than its practical value." Diluc nodded.
"Then, then, can I get a share if you sell it?" Venti tilted his head and looked at Chen Luo.
"Forget it, I'm not selling. Although it has lost the Anemo Archon's blessing and aura, it's still the first Mora given to me by my first friend." Chen Luo shook his head and stored the Mora in his inventory.
Hmm, the first friend on his friends list.
Although selling it would complete a commission and earn him a large sum of Mora, to be honest, the commemorative significance of this Mora is higher than 50 Primogems.
It's a precious memento representing Chen Luo's first step as a traveler.
At the same time, it's undeniable that the Vision helped Chen Luo tremendously in the early stages.
And it's still helping now.
"Mmm, A'Luo, hearing you say that is kind of touching." Venti sighed.
"What are you getting touched about? By the way, Master Diluc, consider the booking fee for today paid. But make that guy pay for the dozens of bottles of wine he drank himself." Chen Luo pointed at the carefree Venti.
"Eh?!! A'Luo, you can't do this!" Venti's expression instantly turned horrified.
You used the Mora I gave you to pay off the entire bill, yet you won't cover my tab.
That's just too much.
"Sigh, it's just that while I was making my puppet, I overheard a certain bard say, 'Angel's Share is simply the best tavern!'" Chen Luo shrugged helplessly.
You didn't really think I was deaf while making my puppet, did you?
Actually, saying something like that isn't forbidden, but couldn't you have said it quieter or behind my back?
"Uh, sorry, my mistake." Venti immediately apologized.
Venti hadn't expected Chen Luo to hear his muttered complaint.
But to be fair, although the quality of wine at Angel's Share isn't as high as at the Midnight Bar, it's plentiful and satisfying.
Well, though one has to admit that not having to pay at the Midnight Bar is an undeniable point in its favor.
"Mmm, alright, understood." Diluc nodded.
"Nooo... What proper bard ever saves money?" Venti let out a mournful cry.
"Ahem, alright, alright, just joking. Here, you take the Holy Lyre." Chen Luo handed the Holy Lyre back to Venti.
If Venti really had to pay his wine debt himself, he'd probably be paying it off for a lifetime.
As for the Holy Lyre, while Chen Luo could indeed use it, to be honest, he definitely couldn't play it as well as Venti.
After all, Venti's title as Teyvat's finest bard isn't just for show.
Even if you were a pig, listening to music for thousands of years would teach you how to sing.
Chen Luo's ability to use the Holy Lyre only reaches a Mastery level. And since Chen Luo doesn't know any ballads, he can only improvise.
So, having Furniture Mastery doesn't mean having everything. You might have Mastery-level knowledge, but without sheet music, it's still not enough.
Not just anyone can play the Holy Lyre and expect Dvalin to oblige.
"So, does that mean the only thing left is to summon Dvalin?" Lisa asked, holding a drink she had acquired from somewhere.
Lisa hadn't expected that her, a grand mage, finally willing to move herself to come here, would end up just being an extra.
But that's fine too. If you can lay flat on the ground, then lay flat.
Actually, Lisa's laziness isn't simply because she's lazy; it's because her Constellation is an hourglass. The faster she moves, the faster the sand drains. The best way to keep the sand from running out is to lay flat.
"I don't think that will work." Chen Luo suddenly shook his head.
"What's wrong?" Jean asked.
"It's already dark. If it gets too late, finding Stormterror will become troublesome, won't it? If Jean and Lisa had come a bit earlier, during dusk, it might have been okay. But now it's late, the sun has already set." Chen Luo said after checking the time on his talent panel.
"This..." Jean couldn't help but look at Venti.
"A'Luo is right. The current time isn't suitable for using the Holy Lyre to summon Dvalin. The nature of the wind's essence changes slightly with time and location. The wind is inherently flowing, so to achieve the best effect, we need the right timing, geographical convenience, and right people." Venti nodded.
"'Timing' refers to the time for summoning Dvalin. The best time slots are between 8 and 11 in the morning, or 3 to 6 in the afternoon. 'Geographical convenience' refers to the location; it's best to choose a suitable place. Sea breezes or winds from high places can carry a bard's song farther. If the air is dry, stifling, and oppressive, not only the bard but even the dragon would get angry, right?"
"As for 'right people,' don't worry about it. With me, Teyvat's finest bard, here, the right people problem can be solved." Venti said quite proudly.
"8 to 11 in the morning, and preferably with sea breezes or winds from high places..." Jean fell silent for a moment, contemplating the best location.
"What about Starsnatch Cliff?" Lisa suggested.
Lisa's knowledge is extremely broad; she could even serve as a living map of Teyvat. So, she could naturally make the best judgment in a very short time.
"Starsnatch Cliff? It's both high ground and a cliff, and it's by the sea..." Jean looked at Venti, seeking his opinion.
"Then it's decided. We'll gather at Starsnatch Cliff tomorrow morning at 8 AM to summon Dvalin. How about it? Is anyone opposed?" Venti looked at the group.
"I object." Chen Luo raised his hand.
"Sigh, A'Luo, what is it now?" Venti sighed and looked at Chen Luo helplessly.
"Can't get out of bed." Chen Luo said quite bluntly.
"..." ×n
"No way, Manager? You can't even get up by 8 AM? You're such a lazy pig!" Paimon said.
"Can't you all have some consideration for a student? In the past week, I've hardly had a normal sleep schedule. Can't I just sleep in? Besides, you all might be able to get up, and I could barely manage it if I had to, but can Stormterror get up? Have you considered Stormterror's feelings?"
"Think about it. Dvalin is deeply afflicted by the dragon's poison, so he must have trouble sleeping. If he finally manages to fall asleep in the early hours and then gets woken up, what if Stormterror has a bad temper when waking up? Wouldn't he be even angrier?" Chen Luo expounded his sophistry to everyone present, making the profound simple.
"So..."
"How about 9 AM?" Chen Luo said weakly.
"You need to understand the traveler's difficulties too. The time in this world is completely different from the time in my world, okay? 8 AM in this world is 7 AM in my world. Making someone get up at 7 AM is just too inhumane, isn't it?" Chen Luo said somewhat plaintively.
I've never gotten up at 7 AM even when grinding events; you're all just too much.
Time is different in different worlds. The time in Chen Luo's world and the time in Teyvat aren't too different, only off by an hour. The time in the Honkai Impact 3rd world is also an hour different from Chen Luo's world, but it's an hour later.
Fortunately, Chen Luo hasn't encountered a world that's completely day-night reversed compared to his main world yet. Otherwise, a bar that's only open for 4 hours during the daytime would be very strange.
"Your world?" Lisa paused for a moment upon hearing the key point in Chen Luo's words.
"Yeah, didn't I tell you? I'm a traveler, journeying through different worlds. Since I don't have much Mora, I can't afford a hotel, so I can only go home to sleep." Chen Luo shrugged helplessly.
"Um, my place is actually quite spacious..." Eula, who had been silent until now, raised her hand.
"...I have a pet at home waiting for me to take care of them... wait, two pets... no, three pets." Chen Luo said helplessly.
Little fox, Herrscher of Sentience, and Book of Fuxi.
Which of these three could manage without me?
"Oh." Eula nodded and said no more.
Even so, Eula attracted peculiar looks from the others.
Inviting someone of the opposite sex to your home like that...
One has to admit, it's quite bold.