When Jiang Chen turned around—
Lumine had already rushed over.
She suddenly hugged him.
Caught completely off guard—
He was knocked straight onto the ground.
The soft body of the girl pressed against him.
Her hair carried a faint fragrance.
"Uh…"
Jiang Chen froze for a moment.
Then he smiled gently.
"What's wrong, Lumine?"
"Mmm."
Still in his arms, she shook her head.
Her arms wrapped tighter around his back.
Jiang Chen forced himself to stay calm.
Too many people are watching…
Nearby, Paimon clapped excitedly.
"Wow! Lumine is so enthusiastic!"
"Hmph."
But Barbara suddenly felt jealous.
It felt like something precious of hers had been stolen.
She hurried over and hugged Jiang Chen's arm while kneeling beside him.
Barbara might be small—
But she was certainly not lacking in other areas.
"Big Brother Jiang Chen looked amazing just now."
She said with sparkling admiration.
"Only just now?"
Jiang Chen teased.
Barbara blushed immediately.
"N-No… you're always amazing."
Jiang Chen reached over with his free hand and pinched her cheek.
At the corner of his eye, he noticed Noelle hesitating nearby.
She looked like she was debating whether to join the hug too.
This is getting troublesome…
Meanwhile, Diluc quietly watched.
He chuckled internally.
Looks like Jiang Chen won't remember the artifacts now.
Without a word, Diluc removed the Berserker Mask and Timepiece Jiang Chen had lent him.
He carefully stored them away.
Then slipped off quietly.
Their mission was complete.
And his winery and business in Mondstadt were surely piling up with work.
Paimon's New Obsession
Paimon's attention quickly shifted to the loot.
"Jiang Chen!"
"What are the things that dropped from the Ley Line Flower?"
Her eyes sparkled.
Rewards from a Ley Line Blossom had to be valuable.
Jiang Chen explained casually.
"They're materials from the Anemo Hypostasis."
"Like Vayuda Turquoise Fragment and Hurricane Seed."
"They're useful for Anemo users."
"And there are a few artifacts too."
He had mainly been checking the artifact stats earlier.
His luck was decent.
One 4-star Instructor Crit Hat was particularly valuable.
Paimon stared at the Hurricane Seed, which looked like a small jade butterfly.
"Can this be eaten?"
"If I eat it… will I fly faster?"
Jiang Chen blinked.
He had never considered that possibility.
"…Why don't you try?"
CRUNCH.
Paimon bit into the butterfly wing.
"AAAAAAHHHH!"
She immediately spat it out and flew around wildly, clutching her cheek.
Jiang Chen sighed.
This little creature will poison herself one day.
Lumine's Embarrassment
Jiang Chen sat for a moment.
He felt Lumine had probably calmed down.
He gently removed his arm from Barbara's embrace.
Then he leaned toward Lumine and whispered something in her ear.
Her body froze.
Her face turned bright red.
She instantly snapped out of her emotional state.
Full of embarrassment.
The words Jiang Chen whispered were simple:
"If you don't get up soon… I might lose control."
For some reason—
A strange feeling of anticipation flashed through her mind.
But Barbara and Noelle were watching.
Lumine quickly released him.
At the same moment—
Her eyes met Barbara's.
Both girls immediately looked away.
Their cheeks became even redder.
Jiang Chen stood up and pulled both of them to their feet.
Diluc's "Borrowing"
Only then did Jiang Chen realize something.
Two artifacts were missing.
"…Diluc."
He sighed.
But it didn't matter much.
Their main objective had already been completed.
Lumine had reached Level 20.
And the trip back to Mondstadt would be safe.
Training Continues
"Let's return to the previous camp first."
Jiang Chen decided.
Current levels:
Noelle — Lv14Barbara — Lv12
He planned to raise both to Lv15 before returning.
Next time, if someone like Amber needed training—
He wouldn't even have to personally lead the trip.
Noelle could handle it.
And Kaeya could supervise them while leveling himself.
Over the next few days, the group continued clearing:
Hilichurl campsSlime clusters
Across Stormbearer Mountains.
Back in Mondstadt
Meanwhile, in the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
Inside the Grand Master's office.
Jean rubbed her temples with a headache while reading reports.
Her coffee cup sat nearby—
Only a few cold black drops remained.
"The Fatui are getting more and more arrogant."
"This is the eleventh dispute with Mondstadt citizens in just half a month."
Jean said worriedly.
Across the room, Lisa leaned casually against the bookshelves.
Her long legs extended beneath her skirt.
Since only the two of them were present, she didn't bother hiding it.
Her mature face showed curiosity.
"It's strange."
"We already drove away Stormterror."
"Yet they've become even more aggressive."
She continued thoughtfully.
"Their earlier plan was to impersonate the 'hero who defeated Stormterror.'"
"But we publicly revealed Lumine's identity."
"So their plan collapsed."
"After suffering such setbacks…"
"They still dare provoke trouble everywhere."
Lisa smirked slightly.
"Are they simply fools?"
"Or plotting something bigger?"
Jean nodded slowly.
She instinctively reached for her coffee—
Only to realize it was empty.
The exhaustion on her face became more obvious.
Lisa watched her friend for a moment.
Then her tone changed from official to teasing.
"Jean."
"Hm?"
Jean looked up.
Lisa smiled knowingly.
"I heard you had a disagreement with the Archbishop recently."
Jean's hand froze slightly while turning the documents.
"Yes."
"Our opinions differed."
"Really?"
Lisa's smile widened.
"Because I heard…"
"You were fighting to obtain a weapon for someone."
Jean brushed her hair aside awkwardly.
"It was official business."
But a faint blush appeared on her pale, tired face.