Genshin Impact : The Divine Gunsliger of Teyvat

After driving away the troublemakers sent by the Fatui, Jean returned to her office, gazing at Shao Yun with a mix of emotions, unsure of what to say.

"Good news—those Fatui won't be bothering you with the dragon crisis anymore," Shao Yun said, sitting in the chair across from Jean's desk, a faint smile on his lips as he observed her slightly troubled expression.

"Don't look so glum. Smile a little. The problem's been temporarily resolved, after all."

"Ah, thank you..." Jean sighed, grateful for Shao Yun's help, even if his methods had been a bit rough. At least for now, the Fatui wouldn't be pestering her.

"Jean, isn't it ironic? The moment that Fatui agent called the Dragon of the East a 'mad beast,' the storm outside just... vanished," Shao Yun remarked, his tone tinged with amusement. "And we owe a lot to Amber, Kaeya, Lisa, Lumine, and Paimon. Without them, we wouldn't have pulled it off."

As Shao Yun spoke, a soft, alluring voice drifted in from the doorway.

"Oh? What is this tall, handsome gentleman saying about me behind my back?"

Lisa stood at the entrance, her gaze flickering between Shao Yun and Jean, a spark of curiosity in her eyes.

Shao Yun stood up, glancing at Jean and then at Lisa, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Nothing much, just praising you all for untangling the chaos of the ley lines, which were as messy as a ball of yarn after a cat's been at it."

Lisa's eyes crinkled with amusement. "My, my, you certainly know how to charm a lady."

Shao Yun's use of her own words seemed to delight her. Her laughter was like the song of a nightingale—melodic, mysterious, and utterly captivating.

(TL/N : Imagine when she moan 💀)

Shao Yun took a moment to study her. Lisa's posture was elegant, her entire being exuding a magnetic charm. Her eyes held a unique allure, a blend of mature sophistication and a playful, almost mischievous spark.

Lisa walked over to Jean's desk, reporting on the results of their recent actions.

"The ley lines in Mondstadt have stabilized for now. We have some breathing room to address the Stormterror issue."

Then, she turned to Shao Yun, bringing up something she'd noticed earlier.

"I saw a rather disgruntled Fatui agent leaving the Knights of Favonius headquarters earlier. I wonder who could have put those arrogant Fatui in such a state?"

Her question was subtle, probing for details about what had transpired in her absence.

Shao Yun glanced at Jean, signaling for her to explain.

Jean recounted the events—how the Fatui had tried to use the Stormterror crisis to take control of Mondstadt's defenses.

"Ah, I see. I'm sure you handled it admirably, Jean," Lisa said, her tone warm.

"Well, it's a bit complicated..." Jean's gaze shifted to Shao Yun, indicating that he had taken the lead in dealing with the situation.

Shao Yun took over, recounting his actions.

"When that Fatui agent, Anastasia, called the Dragon of the East a 'mad beast,' I stepped in. I threatened to execute half of the Fatui in Mondstadt at the foot of the Anemo Archon's statue and feed the other half to the dragon to 'appease' it. Then I grabbed her by the collar and tossed her out, warning her that if they ever brought up the dragon crisis again, I'd make sure every Fatui in Mondstadt met a similar fate."

He mimed a throat-slitting gesture for emphasis.

Lisa tapped her chin thoughtfully, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"A bit crude, but effective. It's about time those arrogant Fatui got a taste of their own medicine. Now we can focus our energy on dealing with Stormterror."

Shortly after, Amber and Kaeya returned to report. Once they finished, they left, though Amber paused to ask Shao Yun if he had found a place to stay. When he said no, she offered her own home, and the task of finding lodging circled back to staying with Amber.

The system updated, marking the lodging task as complete and rewarding Shao Yun with a change of clothes, which he could switch into at his new residence.

Lisa watched as Amber invited Shao Yun and the others to stay at her place, a soft smile on her lips.

"Amber truly has a kind heart, much like Noelle. Though, Noelle could use a bit more maturity..."

...

"Jean, we're back!" Paimon's voice chimed as she floated into the office, followed closely by Lumine.

Jean stood up, greeting them warmly.

"Thank you both for your contributions to Mondstadt. I hope the journey back was uneventful?"

"No major trouble, but we did see some suspicious-looking masked individuals sneaking around the Goth Grand Hotel," Paimon reported, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

Jean explained the presence of the Fatui at the hotel, providing more details about their organization than she had given Shao Yun earlier. She even shared her suspicions about their true motives.

"The Fatui's attempt to take over Mondstadt's defenses wasn't just about commercial interests. They're after the power of the Anemo Archon's familiar. Their aggression suggests they're after something far more sinister."

At the mention of "power," Lumine seemed to recall something. She pulled out a dark red crystal they had encountered in the Whispering Woods.

"This is a crystal we found when we faced Stormterror. We're not sure what it is."

Jean examined the floating crystal, sensing the energy it emitted.

"This crystal contains some kind of power..." She turned to Lisa. "Lisa, could you analyze its composition?"

"Let me take a look," Lisa said, stepping forward to inspect the crystal closely.

"The dark red color suggests it's filled with impurities," she observed after circling it.

"It seems I'll need to consult the restricted section of the library. May I take this for further study?" Lisa asked, her eyes seeking Lumine's permission.

Lumine and Paimon nodded, trusting Lisa's expertise.

With their approval, Jean assigned the research task to Lisa, instructing her to report any findings.

"Understood. But don't expect ancient texts to provide all the answers," Lisa cautioned before attempting to pick up the crystal.

The moment her fingers touched its surface, a sharp pain shot through her hand.

"Ouch!" Lisa yelped, pulling her hand back and blowing on her stinging fingertips. "That hurt!"

"It seems the crystal reacts negatively to elemental energy within us," Lisa said, wincing as she examined her hand.

After some discussion, it was decided that Lumine would keep the crystal, as it didn't seem to affect her.

With the crystal matter settled, Jean turned to Lumine, her gratitude evident.

"Without your help, it would have taken much longer to stabilize the ley lines. You drove off Stormterror and calmed the storm. So, I have a request..."

"Would you accept the title of Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius... along with my deepest thanks?"

Aside from Shao Yun, everyone in the room—Lisa, Lumine, and Paimon—was stunned.

On the surface, this was a reward for Lumine's contributions. But Shao Yun sensed something deeper. He recalled the Fatui agent's words:

"When Stormterror attacked Mondstadt, the Knights of Favonius had to rely on an outsider to resolve the situation. Doesn't that suggest the Knights no longer have the strength to protect Mondstadt?"

With Grand Master Varka having taken most of Mondstadt's forces, Jean's decision to grant Lumine the title of "Honorary Knight" might also be a subtle message to the Fatui: Mondstadt can handle its own problems.

Even if Lumine wasn't a native of Mondstadt, incorporating her into the Knights' system under the title of "Honorary Knight" would, in name, make her part of Mondstadt's strength. The title was flexible—it could mean Lumine was a member of the Knights, or it could simply be an honorary designation with no real authority.

This title wouldn't burden Lumine with the responsibilities of a full-fledged Knight, which could complicate her travels. Being a Knight of Favonius would draw unnecessary attention in other nations, limiting her freedom.

Jean's decision was a masterstroke. It acknowledged Lumine's contributions without binding her to the Knights, all while sending a message to the Fatui that Mondstadt was capable of handling its own crises.

Shao Yun couldn't help but admire Jean's shrewdness. To rise to the position of Acting Grand Master, she clearly had a sharp mind. This reward was perfect for Lumine, offering benefits without entanglements.

"Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius!" Paimon exclaimed, clearly impressed.

Lumine accepted the title without hesitation. In her eyes, it was a win-win situation.

Shao Yun remained silent. The title was harmless, and building a strong network was essential for any traveler.

As the conversation continued, Jean asked Lumine to assist Mondstadt in resolving its ongoing issues. Lumine agreed, already aligned with the Knights.

With everything settled, there was no reason to linger in the office.

Jean expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Shao Yun, who didn't feel slighted or overlooked. He understood that his contributions didn't warrant the title of Honorary Knight. Jean's sincere thanks were more than enough.

After all, what more could he ask for?