Chapter 91

As Dvalin accepted the Traveler's purification, the crimson in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by clarity.

When he recalled what he had done, a flash of guilt crossed Dvalin's eyes.

"Barbatos, did I do many terrible things?"

"It was all because of the Abyss, Lord Dvalin. You needn't concern yourself," Jean said. "Besides, thanks to everyone's efforts, we managed to minimize the damage."

"But still, I was deceived by the Abyss at that time."

"That was because of Durin's poisoned blood," Venti said with a smile.

Dvalin fell silent for a moment before asking, "You still don't plan to wear the crown again?"

Venti laughed carelessly, "Mondstadt needs freedom, not a god wearing a crown."

"But if I may be frank, Mondstadt has become a bit too free," Diluc approached with his arms crossed, looking at Venti. His words carried undisguised criticism, even bordering on harshness.

"All the responsibilities of the Knights of Favonius fall on the shoulders of a young lady, while what about those senior knights? They're just occupying positions and selling their seniority."

"Mondstadt is overrun with monsters and treasure hoarders. There was even that incident with the Fatui trafficking Mondstadt's children."

Diluc listed one incident after another.

"And finally... the corruption and darkness in the Knights' upper ranks. Hmph." Diluc's tone carried a hint of resentment.

Jean's gaze became evasive. "Master Diluc, I..."

"No need for apologies. You weren't the Acting Grand Master then," Diluc interrupted Jean's words.

Even Venti's expression darkened. Dvalin sighed:

"Do something productive for once, Barbatos..."

Venti scratched his head: "I know, I know. I'm really tired. After I get back and rest well, I'll do something productive."

As for how long that rest would be, well, that was his business.

"Lord Venti..." Jean's eyes lit up, as if seeing hope.

But Diluc shook his head quietly.

Jean was still young, and with the filter of being a believer in the gods, she couldn't see through Barbatos's perfunctory attitude.

"...Can the Traveler hold on? She seems to be sweating profusely."

A somewhat weak voice spoke up. Everyone looked over, and their expressions became rather strange.

Jiang Ning was being carried princess-style by Shenhe.

And given their heights, it actually looked quite harmonious.

Jiang Ning felt somewhat embarrassed, but his senior disciple simply wouldn't let go, insisting on carrying him despite her own exhaustion.

"Senior, you're tired too. Just put me down."

Jiang Ning was practically pleading.

"No..." Shenhe shook her head.

Jiang Ning silently covered his face.

"Actually, there's nothing wrong with this... pfft." Jean couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry... pfft."

"Does really no one care about the Traveler?" Paimon stomped her feet in mid-air, somewhat indignant.

"Sorry, sorry... but right now we can only rely on the Traveler. Jiang Ning has been injured by the explosion," Jean said.

The Traveler responded, "It's fine, I can still hold on."

Jiang Ning looked apologetic: "Sorry, in the urgency of the moment, I used too much Geo energy to block the explosion, so I really have no strength now."

[Host, just absorb it! You're supposed to absorb and purify it, so absorb!] The System said.

"Shut up. If I don't act this weak, how am I supposed to negotiate later?" Jiang Ning mentally scorned.

"Learn from this."

Finally, the Traveler couldn't hold on anymore and started to collapse toward the ground.

Jean quickly reached out to support her.

Jiang Ning made a show of coughing twice, then said:

"Senior, let me help. Put me next to Dvalin."

"But..." Shenhe was completely unwilling.

"It's fine, trust me."

Jiang Ning secretly squeezed Shenhe's hand. Shenhe was startled at first, then seemed to realize something.

Little junior brother, though weakened, definitely wasn't as dramatic as he was acting... so, she should just listen and not spoil his plans.

So, Shenhe silently carried Jiang Ning to Dvalin's side.

Jiang Ning began to absorb.

The Abyssal power was automatically purified, then transformed into pure energy.

Though he couldn't acquire the properties of the Abyss, he could at least absorb some energy to strengthen himself.

"Your absorption conversion efficiency isn't great. You absorbed so much but only got a tiny bit stronger," Jiang Ning complained.

[How would I know?] the System responded.

"Well, better than nothing."

Diluc and the others stood guard nearby while resting.

Though the battle hadn't lasted long, containing a Dvalin at full power required such intense bursts of energy that everyone was exhausted.

Just as everyone felt things were wrapping up, a contemptuous and arrogant voice rang out.

"Who's there?" Jean immediately became alert.

"Signora of the Fatui Harbingers, bringing greetings from the Tsaritsa, Barbatos."

Though she spoke of greetings, Signora's expression was disdainful, her tone mocking, like a cat toying with mice.

"What brings a Fatui Harbinger here?" Jean and Diluc discreetly moved to shield Jiang Ning and Venti, as Jean asked vigilantly.

"Nothing much, just want to borrow something from Barbatos."

Signora said.

At this point, she was completely confident. Behind her were several Mirror Maidens, and around them were Electro Hammer Vanguards, Anemoboxer Vanguards, and other Fatui elites. The remaining Fatui had retreated to a distance, ready to provide support.

Moreover, they were all in the border area. The only ones in Mondstadt City were official diplomats from Snezhnaya.

Therefore, Signora didn't plan to pretend anymore. She would simply take the Gnosis right in front of the Knights of Favonius, then leave.

As for starting a war, honestly, after these days of reconnaissance, Signora didn't believe this Acting Grand Master had such resolve.

"Borrow what?" Jean narrowed her eyes.

"Barbatos's Gnosis," Signora said.

"What?!" Jean was shocked and angry.

"Grand Master Jean seems quite agitated. This is between Barbatos and me, let's just talk between ourselves."

Signora snapped her fingers, and the Electro Hammer Vanguards and other Fatui behind her began to engage Diluc and Jean.

Though they couldn't match Diluc and Jean in strength, they had numbers on their side, and after the previous battle, the two were somewhat exhausted. For the moment, they couldn't break free.

"Paimon, hide! I'm going in too!"

Though the Traveler felt completely drained, she still gritted her teeth and charged in with the Dull Blade.

Paimon worriedly shrunk behind Shenhe, shouting:

"Be careful!"

Meanwhile, Signora gracefully cat-walked to Venti's side.

She grabbed Venti's chin with disgust:

"The mighty Anemo Archon, in Mondstadt you do nothing but scurry around like a little mouse, stealing wine?"

A flash of guilt crossed Venti's eyes as he whispered: "Rosalyne..."

"Don't call me by that name!"

Signora, as if an old wound had been reopened, became enraged and slapped Venti across the face.

"Lord Barbatos! You wretch!" Jean was furious.

Nearby, Shenhe's expression turned hostile. Venti was her junior brother's friend, which made him her friend as well...

Just as she gripped the Calamity Queller tightly, Signora took several deep breaths to calm herself, then said:

"Are you sure you want to fight? I can spare you all, but if you intervene, who knows if that little boy behind you might get caught up in it."

Shenhe's face was like ice, and after struggling for a moment, she chose to remain a cold observer.

"Y-you bad woman!" Paimon gathered her courage to peek out from behind Shenhe and shout angrily.

"Oh? A tiny thing like you dares to speak to me that way?" Dangerous light flickered in Signora's eyes.

Venti said: "Wait, I'll give you the Gnosis, but you can't harm them."

Signora narrowed her eyes, suddenly lunged at Venti, and as she passed by him, thrust her hand into his chest and pulled out a chess piece glowing with cyan light.

"Ugh!" Venti showed a pained expression, falling to his knees and gasping for breath.

"Barbatos!" Dvalin was extremely anxious but could do nothing.

"Lord Barbatos!" Jean was enraged.

Diluc's face darkened, his greatsword swinging even faster.

The Traveler's expression also changed: "Venti!"

"So this is a Gnosis? It's not even as magnificent as my collectibles."

Signora examined the Gnosis in her hand.

"That might be because... your taste is really quite poor."

Venti was covered in cold sweat. It really hurt.

"Hmph, silver-tongued as ever."

After giving Venti another resentful kick, Signora turned to Shenhe and said with satisfaction:

"Not bad. Since you didn't interfere, as promised, I'll spare your lives."

Shenhe frowned, and Paimon quietly said: "Waaah, this woman is so arrogant."

However, just as Signora finished speaking, an electro attack from the side accidentally leaked through, heading straight for Jiang Ning.

Signora turned back with displeasure to see a panicked Mirror Maiden.

But Signora didn't plan to stop it. In her view, he was just an adeptus's disciple. If he died, he died. What could Liyue do to Snezhnaya anyway?

It must be said that when dealing with Venti, Signora's emotions had run high, even affecting her judgment.

Shenhe had been vigilant, watching the attack approach, and was about to intercept it.

But in its trajectory, a lotus made of cryo element quietly bloomed, directly nullifying the attack.

Beside Jiang Ning, a horned young woman slowly appeared, surrounded by freezing air, with Amos' Bow drawn and aimed at Signora.

"Was it you who wanted to harm my junior brother?"

In an instant, Signora's sense of danger shot to maximum.

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