Behind Favonius Cathedral lay a cemetery, its landscaping remarkably well-maintained. Rola and her companions bypassed the cemetery and settled on a stone bench, where they unpacked their homemade "Pile 'Em Up" and spicy Stir-Fried Filet.
"Rola, it's been ages since you last visited! What have you been up to lately?"
"Mondstadt hasn't been very peaceful lately. So many monsters have been appearing outside the city. I've been busy with important matters."
Barbara took a bite of the Pile 'Em Up Rola offered and sighed.
"Everyone's spirits have been low. Acting Grand Master Jean is working herself ragged, and Stormterror's impact on us all has been devastating."
"Don't worry," Rola reassured her. "This is Mondstadt, protected by Lord Barbatos. Acting Grand Master Jean and the Knights of Favonius are doing their best, and we've even received help from a Traveler from another land. It won't be long before Mondstadt returns to peace."
"Mhm! Barbara will always believe in Lord Barbatos!"
Rola stayed with Barbara for a long time, listening to her recount recent events.
Lately, many Mondstadters had been attacked by monsters outside the city, and the severely wounded were being brought to her for treatment.
Barbara, kind-hearted as ever, felt deeply for the injured people.
Rola comforted Barbara, assuring her that she would stay and help all day.
After more than two hours, with the sun nearly setting, the group Rola had been waiting for finally returned.
Jean, Venti, Lumine, and Paimon entered the cathedral to return the Holy Lyre der Himmel.
Diluc had likely already left.
Makes sense, Rola thought. He didn't appear in this part of the story anyway.
Barbara accepted the Holy Lyre from Venti, carefully inspected it for any damage, and then cradled it in her arms.
Just as Rola was about to speak, Venti, anticipating her question, used Anemo to transmit his voice to her:
"Little Rola, you must keep my secret about my true identity!"
Forcing a calm expression, Rola smiled and called out to Venti.
"Barbara, I'm going out with Lumine and Paimon for a bit. I'll be back later!"
"Okay! I'll be waiting!"
Sensing that Jean had something private to discuss with Barbara, Rola decided not to interrupt.
"Ehe~ Time for a drink!"
Venti suddenly dashed toward the cathedral entrance, Paimon trailing behind him, yelling, "Hey, bard!"
Lumine followed Paimon, with Rola bringing up the rear.
Is it coming? Is it finally happening?
La Signora is going to beat Venti!
For some inexplicable reason, Rola felt a surge of excitement, even though it was her own God about to be beaten!
A faint pang of guilt pricked her conscience.
Just a little bit...
Rola was the last to emerge from the cathedral. As soon as she ran out, she saw Paimon staring in terror to the left.
Rola remembered this scene clearly: Paimon would soon be frozen into a small block of ice.
In Genshin Impact, Paimon's surprisingly durable! Like a little tank!
But Rola adored Paimon. If the little sprite ever became a playable character, she might actually spend money on the gacha for the first time!
Determined to protect their beloved Paimon from harm, Rola immediately lunged forward and wrapped her arms around the tiny creature as the frigid gale struck. The Pyro Vision at her waist glowed crimson.
Yet the freezing wind was too overwhelming. Before Rola could even activate her Vision's Elemental Power, she and Paimon were frozen solid, encased in ice.
In the instant Rola and Paimon were frozen into solid blocks of ice, they were first enveloped by a gentle breeze before being frozen.
This breeze was extremely subtle, but Rola still managed to detect it.
Rola also confirmed that Venti was indeed putting on an act, which meant she could safely feign unconsciousness.
Before losing consciousness, Rola heard Lumine's worried cries:
"Paimon! Rola!"
Lumine was desperate, but she was restrained by two Debt Collectors and unable to break free.
Meanwhile, Venti began his performance. First, he was brutally beaten by La Signora, who then extracted his Gnosis.
Feeling utterly powerless, Lumine clenched her fists, torn between worrying about Paimon and Rola and worrying about Venti.
Finally, a Fatui Debt Collector knocked Lumine unconscious with a single punch, and her vision went black as she joined the ranks of the unconscious.
With the Gnosis secured, La Signora tucked it away and approached Rola's ice block. She knelt to examine it, confirming Rola's safety before saying:
"Before the guards arrive, we must leave quickly—"
-
On the player's side:
[Hiss~ She's huge! And ... woah!]
[The eighth Fatui Harbinger? That means there are still seven more ahead...]
[Rola and Paimon are frozen solid! Anemo Archon, save them!]
[Wait, isn't Venti the Anemo Archon? Why is he so weak?!]
Little Fruit watched in panic as Rola and Paimon were frozen. Seeing Lumine controlled despite Venti's presence only amplified her anxiety.
Soon enough, La Signora beat Venti to a pulp, leaving Little Fruit dumbfounded.
Barbatos, you're holding back, aren't you?! How can the Anemo Archon lose to some Harbinger?!
Poor emergency food and little angel... Frozen in ice! Who knows what state they're in?!
Quick, quick, let me handle this! I'll take on La Signora myself!
Then she saw Venti's Gnosis extracted and Lumine knocked unconscious, and she felt a wave of frustration.
After Lumine passed out, La Signora approached Rola and Paimon.
Seeing Rola protectively shielding Paimon in her arms even while frozen, the players were deeply moved.
[Hey, hey! What does La Signora want with our Rola?!]
[Poor little Paimon! Poor Rola!]
[Someone save them! Where's Acting Grand Master Jean? And Diluc, your sister's about to be gone!]
[I actually liked La Signora earlier, but after she attacked us, I'm switching from fan to hater—fan to hater!]
-
Rola drifted in and out of consciousness, feeling as though she had enjoyed the most restful sleep she'd ever had, far more comfortable than usual.
She had no idea how long she'd been asleep, only that her entire body felt incomparably refreshed.
"The Knights of Favonius are becoming increasingly incompetent! Letting the Fatui attack right at the entrance of Favonius Cathedral? This is a sacred place, not some wilderness! If the Knight Order continues down this path, they might as well disband entirely!"
That sounds like my brother's voice?
Before Diluc stood Jean, her expression stern but tinged with shame. "I deeply apologize, Diluc. This incident has exposed deep-seated problems within the Knight Order. I will immediately draft new regulations upon my return!"
Kaeya chimed in from the side, "It's not Jean's fault. It was my oversight."
Jean countered firmly, "No. As Acting Grand Master, I bear ultimate responsibility. The Knight Order has indeed grown complacent and requires immediate reform!"
"Let's hope so," Diluc replied gravely, his tone so stern that Rola rarely saw her brother so solemn.
Noticing Rola had awakened, Diluc quickly sat by her bedside. "Rola, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?"
Rola shook her head. "I'm fine, Brother. What about Paimon? And Lumine and Venti?"
"Rest assured, Lumine and Paimon are safe. Venti refused treatment and went to the statue of the Anemo Archon in Windrise. Lumine and Paimon have gone to find him."
Barbara, as the team's healer, answered Rola's questions, having been monitoring their conditions closely.