After thoroughly enjoying the melodious singing of Mondstadt's national idol, Shen Qin headed to the Knights of Favonius headquarters in high spirits and found several familiar faces already there.
"Yo, everyone's here! Great, now I don't have to go look for you one by one."
Shen Qin handed out the remaining six smart wristbands to Amber, Kaeya, Jean, Eula, Lisa, and Noelle, who was currently serving tea to everyone.
"Eh! Mr. Qin, I get one too?" Noelle asked in surprise, accepting the wristband.
Shen Qin smiled, "You're a part of the Knights too—how could I leave you out? In my eyes, the help you provide isn't any less than what the knights do."
"So, in Mr. Qin's eyes... I'm also an important member of the Knights..." Hearing his affirmation, Noelle's eyes sparkled. "Please don't worry, I'll work even harder to become a qualified knight!"
With her morale boosted, she returned to her tasks full of enthusiasm.
"Albedo said you made these smart wristbands for us. I was wondering when you'd deliver them!" Kaeya said, casually toying with the wristband. He had just watched Albedo's demonstration.
"If you're so eager, why don't you come pick it up yourself next time? I shouldn't have brought it to you." Shen Qin rolled his eyes and reached to snatch the wristband, but Kaeya dodged easily.
"I'm not gonna be polite about this then!" Amber said happily as she put hers on.
"You dared to give me a gift without asking? What's worse is, I can't even reject it! Hmph, I'll remember this grudge!" Eula turned her head away in a classic tsundere huff.
"Oh my, sweetie~ Why is it that even though I received your lovingly crafted gift, I don't feel happy at all? Sigh! Maybe it's because you used to only give gifts to me (the library system) but now you're giving them to all these other girls too." Lisa teased him, putting on her usual flirtatious act.
Jean looked at him silently. Since he came to Mondstadt, he had done so much for the Knights and the people of the city. She had lost count of how many times she had thanked him.
After some thought, she made a decision and said, "Shen Qin, you've done so much for the Knights and for Mondstadt. Would you be willing to accept a request from me?"
"Hm? Please, go ahead, Acting Grand Master Jean."
"Would you accept the title of Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius? I can't think of a better way to repay you. It's the highest honor we can bestow on someone outside the Knights," she said sincerely.
Everyone was stunned—Jean actually made that request?!
Shen Qin was also taken aback. He never expected to cut in line and receive the title that was originally meant for the Traveler twins. Panic set in—what if this messes up the future storyline?
"Uh... I only did some small, insignificant things. That title should go to someone who truly deserves it in the future," he declined sheepishly.
"I see..." Jean looked a bit disappointed but quickly regained her composure. "If you don't mind, could you stay and help us plan our next steps? We might need your advice."
That, Shen Qin didn't refuse. He sat down next to Kaeya.
"So, where's your usual entourage? Sucrose and Klee?" Kaeya nudged his shoulder.
"They said they were going out of town to take pictures. Sigh." Shen Qin felt like a lonely old man abandoned by his daughters.
"Ahem." Jean interrupted their chit-chat. "Albedo just suggested that we try using the wristband shields to break through the wind barrier around the ruins of Old Mondstadt. Shen Qin, any thoughts?"
Albedo added, "There's a slight chance it might work. The barrier's energy is overwhelmingly strong. A single-layer shield definitely won't hold up. But what if we stack multiple layers to wear it down bit by bit?"
Shen Qin replied honestly, "It's worth a try, but I don't think the chances are high. Can you calculate the energy strength of the barrier?" he asked Albedo.
"No, it's too strong—immeasurable," Albedo shook his head.
"Then let's try a test first and see how much a single-layer shield can weaken it."
Jean nodded. "I'll assign a team to head to the Old Mondstadt ruins. Albedo, you'll go with them."
Albedo agreed.
"I'll report my findings," Lisa spoke up. "From the ruins where our sweetie was captured, we found remnants of a magic potion. After several days of research, I've confirmed its effect. The potion contains a massive amount of Abyss energy. Any creature that consumes it becomes more extreme and aggressive due to its influence."
"And I've been digging through old archives. I found some ancient history about the East Wind Dragon. During the Archon War five hundred years ago, the poison dragon Durin attacked Mondstadt. The East Wind Dragon, Dvalin, responded to Barbatos's call and fought Durin atop Dragonspine, biting through its throat and killing it."
"But in the process, Dvalin swallowed Durin's toxic blood and was cursed with endless pain. Since then, it has vanished."
"If it's been suffering for five centuries... and the Abyss Order uses the potion to further torment it... would it still be the same guardian of the east we once knew?"
Lisa's words left everyone silent. No one could imagine the agony the dragon had endured—centuries of pain, never a moment of peace, screaming in torment every second.
"I suggest we increase the defenses of Mondstadt while investigating the Old Mondstadt ruins—just in case the Abyss Order commands Dvalin... to attack the city!" Shen Qin finally voiced his warning.
"I agree," Jean said firmly, though her eyes reflected a hint of sorrow.
'Dvalin, The Dragon of the East... how can we save you?' As Jean issued command after command, the entire Knights of Favonius went into full operation. Every task was being handled efficiently.
Shen Qin, seeing that Sucrose and Klee were still out, decided to sneak off to Angel's Share to enjoy some of Diluc's wine.
"Help yourself. Put everything on my tab," Diluc said generously.
Shen Qin found a quiet spot on the second floor and slowly savored his drink. Just then, a graceful figure sat across from him.
He looked up in surprise at the sexy nun with short dark-red hair in front of him.
Her holy nun's robe had been modified into a tight-fitting outfit that perfectly outlined her alluring figure. The slits along her thighs reached up to her waist, and her semi-transparent black stockings exuded temptation.
Of course, in her dictionary, the word "sexy" didn't exist—only "ease of movement."
"Respected genius alchemist, may I have a drink? I heard from Master Diluc that your tab is still open," said Rosaria, in a lazy, emotionless voice, her dark-colored lipstick subtly shimmering.
Shen Qin stared at her, speechless: It's just a drink… do you really have to mooch like this?