"The Chasm in Liyue has been sealed for centuries—but something's changed." Jean placed a letter on the table between them, her tone solemn. "Lady Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing has invited Mondstadt to join an exploratory expedition. Lisa, what do you think?"
Lisa tilted her head thoughtfully. "The Chasm, hmm? Ever since five hundred years ago… no, even before that, it's always been an uneasy place. I heard Liyue had been working with Snezhnaya on exploration projects a few years back."
Jean nodded. "They were. But that cooperation ended after last year's Archon-related turmoil."
Lisa sighed softly. "With so much of our military strength currently out on deployment under the Grand Master, Mondstadt doesn't exactly have spare hands for an expedition."
"They don't expect us to make a grand show of it," Jean said, pushing the letter toward her. "It'll be faster if you read it yourself."
Lisa took the envelope, eyes gliding over the elegant Liyue script. "Ah… strange crystalline pillars like those found on Dragonspine… black mud that spreads upward and harms ordinary people… no wonder they want to keep the investigation quiet. Panic would spread quickly if word got out."
Jean didn't interrupt, so Lisa continued reading.
"They even invited a Sumeru scholar—Khedive, yes, I recognize the name. Specializes in geology and biology. Quite the professional… and competent too." She looked up with a teasing smile. "If that's the case, why come to us? Or rather—surely they're not looking for me, are they? Forgive my vanity."
"You're not being vain," Jean said seriously. "Lady Ningguang is seeking both reliable combat strength and a capable scholar. Sending this to Mondstadt likely means she's after you."
Lisa laughed lightly. "Or perhaps she just wanted to repay you—for the warning letter you sent her about the Fatui's suspicious movements?"
"No one sends a plea for help as a 'thank-you,' Lisa."
"Well, think about it. This is an opportunity to study extraordinary phenomena up close. Or maybe—hear me out—they're recruiting nations one by one as a kind of… show of allegiance. They've already brought in Snezhnaya, Sumeru, and now us. Inazuma's only just reopened its borders, so that makes four of the seven nations cooperating on the Chasm. Doesn't that sound a bit too tidy to you?"
Jean exhaled, weary. "You always assume there's some grand conspiracy. Whatever the politics, a Celestial Nail once fell on Dragonspine—it could happen here, too. More research benefits everyone. We should contribute."
"Jean~~, you'd really send a frail librarian like me into such a dangerous place?" Lisa drawled dramatically.
Jean's lips twitched. "…"
"I'll be so lonely without my afternoon tea," Lisa added, clutching her chest theatrically. "Surely you wouldn't risk my well-being~"
Jean sighed. "Then who do you think would be suitable?"
"Hmm… how about Mondstadt's strongest fighter—little Klee?"
"You refuse to go, yet you recommend Klee?"
"You know her strength as well as I do. She's perfect for this sort of thing—and she's been begging to go adventuring. Think of it as… a field trip!"
Jean pressed a hand to her forehead. As much as she wanted to argue, she couldn't deny that Klee's combat ability was… formidable.
Lisa flipped through Ningguang's letter again. "And look—so far, they've got scholars, a cartographer-adventurer, a veteran mining technician… but no demolition specialist. You can't dig without one, right? Klee fits perfectly."
"But…"
"I know what you're worried about," Lisa interrupted. "I never said she'd go alone. Assign her a guardian—someone diplomatic enough to deal with outsiders and clever enough to keep her in check. I nominate… Kaeya."
"With Kaeya watching Klee, I would feel safer. But perhaps it'd be simpler to send Albedo instead?"
"Albedo's busy with his research on the Dragonspine Nail. Besides," Lisa stretched languidly, "as long as I'm not the one going, I'm fine with anything. Maybe ask the three of them what they think?"
…
Jean gathered the trio in the Knights' meeting room. "That's the situation. What are your thoughts?"
Klee's hand shot up. "Klee wants to go! Bombs will be super useful! I can be the best demolitions expert ever!"
Albedo folded his arms, calm as ever. "I'm fine either way. But if Klee goes, someone must make sure she doesn't… overdo it. Other than that, no objections."
Kaeya gave a relaxed shrug. "An official expedition to Liyue, all expenses paid? Sounds like a lovely vacation."
Jean's gaze shifted uncertainly between Albedo and Klee.
"Klee really wants to go! I promise I won't cause trouble this time!!"
Albedo smiled faintly. "If the Dragonspine research continues alongside their study of the Chasm, both efforts could benefit. Efficiency, data completeness—it all improves. I'll remain on the mountain. As for safety, I trust Captain Kaeya will keep Klee out of danger."
Seeing no further objections, Jean finally nodded. "Very well. Klee and Kaeya will represent Mondstadt on this expedition. You have a few days to prepare."
"Yay! I can use my bombs officially now! I'll make the strongest bombs! The newest bombs! So many bombs!"
Jean's stomach dropped. A bad premonition pricked her chest, but she had no grounds to change the decision. "Kaeya, please… keep a close eye on her."
"Don't worry, I'll handle it." Kaeya patted his chest confidently.
…
Predictably, the "unexpected" happened anyway.
"A blast inside Mondstadt? Klee—!"
"It wasn't Klee's fault! No, wait—it really wasn't! It was Kaeya! He mixed up Klee's new bomb design!"
Jean turned a glare toward Kaeya, disbelief and exasperation warring on her face.
Kaeya raised both hands defensively. "This all started with a special bomb that looks like a spoon and explodes on contact with water! The whole thing's a misunderstanding—Sara can vouch for me! It was an accident!"
Jean's smile twitched unnaturally. "Heh… heh-heh… The Good Hunter's entire stove ended up on the roof. Thank the Archons no one was hurt."
She exhaled deeply, fighting to steady her voice. "I can't believe it—this time it wasn't Klee, it was you. Still, those bombs were faulty, so both of you share responsibility."
She drew herself upright. "Mission canceled. Both of you—report to the confinement room."
"What?!" Kaeya blinked. "But our departure for Liyue is in a few days!"
"Even if it means breaching the agreement," Jean said firmly, "I will not send you two into the Chasm."
There was no arguing with her tone. Kaeya, ever the smooth talker, could only lower his head. After a moment's thought, he sighed. "Then… allow me to find replacements. Maybe we can't send a demolitions expert, but at least we can send someone capable—to maintain contact and avoid a total breach of our promise."