This feeling...
It was too eerie!
Lumine took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"Okay, I'll wait here."
Although her tone was calm, she constantly scanned her surroundings, maintaining high vigilance.
Although she still had doubts about Kael's ability.
But the most important task right now was waiting for Kael to infiltrate and bring back that crucial treasure—the Holy Lyre der Himmel.
While Lumine was thinking this...
Kael, already invisible under the blessing of Seele's Path Skill [Phantom]...
Moved silently like air through the underground hall of the Mondstadt Cathedral.
Candlelight flickered around him.
Dim light cast scattered shadows between the towering stone pillars, like traces deposited by ancient years.
In the hall, patrolling guards occasionally whispered.
Their gazes patrolled the empty hall but could never detect him.
Right under their noses, a figure was swaggering closer to the target.
The air was filled with the faint scent of old books.
Intertwined with the vaguely residual holy aura, carrying a trace of solemnity.
The marble floor was carved with exquisite Anemo patterns. The shimmer spilling through the skylight made these patterns loom, as if whispering hymns from a thousand years ago.
Kael moved quietly through it, like a breeze in the night, silent and soundless.
"Everyone be careful recently. Mondstadt City just had a Stormterror disaster today. The Fatui might make a move."
"Last time, a Fatui sneak in here, so the defense was strengthened. Everyone must pay attention."
"The Fatui definitely have moves, but I think they shouldn't dare to come again."
The discussions of the surrounding patrolling people constantly entered Kael's ears, making him raise an eyebrow.
Unexpectedly, the Fatui also came to the Cathedral to steal the Holy Lyre.
Soon, Kael arrived at the deepest part of the underground hall.
In front was a sacred place surrounded by a high platform.
In the center, an elegantly shaped lyre was placed on an exquisitely carved stone base.
It stood there quietly, like a piece of art treasured for a thousand years, emitting a faint glow.
The body of the lyre was carved from exquisite dark wood, the edges embellished with silver-inlaid patterns. The Anemo crest in the center glowed with soft green light, as if the breath of the Anemo Archon still lingered here.
"It really is beautiful."
Looking at the Holy Lyre, Kael revealed his figure slightly. His gaze fell on the slender and tough strings.
Then his fingertip touched it lightly. A trace of imperceptible Anemo fluctuation rippled along the strings, as if the entire space trembled slightly.
Then he unhesitatingly stuffed the Holy Lyre into his embrace and cast [Phantom] on himself again.
As if he had never existed, disappearing into the silent night.
However, just then.
A black-purple figure suddenly appeared beside the lyre stand.
The air was filled with subtle fluctuations of Electro elements.
A cold purple light flashed.
A figure looked up slightly. Under the hood, a sharp gaze stared straight at—the empty base!
"Dis... appeared?!"
"Which damned thing did this?"
The Fatui Cicin Mage's pupils contracted sharply, her face instantly becoming extremely gloomy.
Her gaze scanned the room quickly, trying to find clues.
But she saw nothing. Even the traces of Anemo residue were gone.
Someone... snatched the Holy Lyre before me?!
The Cicin Mage's face turned green and white, her heart beating wildly, fingernails digging into her palms.
She was almost certain.
The Holy Lyre was here just now. It couldn't vanish into thin air. Someone must have hidden in the dark and taken it!
However, just as she was caught in uncertainty, without warning—
SMACK!
A merciless slap landed abruptly on the back of the Cicin Mage's head!
The Cicin Mage's head was knocked to the side by this slap. She staggered, nearly falling to the ground.
"Who!?"
The Cicin Mage was astonished, eyes wide.
She turned around abruptly.
But there was not a single shadow of an enemy in the surrounding air!
The Cicin Mage turned her head sharply, but wherever her line of sight reached, there was only an empty hall.
Except for herself, there was no one.
At this moment, a bone-chilling cold shot up her spine.
"Damn it... which ghost is playing tricks?"
She cursed in a low voice, her face extremely ugly.
However, before she could react further, the patrolling knights outside had noticed the abnormal movement here.
The light of torches approached rapidly.
"Who goes there!?"
Accompanied by a stern shout, several soldiers in Knights of Favonius armor drew their swords and rushed over.
When they saw the Cicin Mage standing in the center of the room clearly, their pupils contracted sharply, faces showing shock and anger.
"Bold! Daring to infiltrate the Cathedral and steal the Holy Relic?"
At this moment, the Cicin Mage's heart tightened.
Her gaze sharpened. She knew it would be too late if she didn't leave.
She gritted her teeth and cursed in a low voice.
Then she quickly mobilized Electro, turning into a swift lightning afterimage, fleeing rapidly toward the gate.
At this moment, Kael, in the invisible state, held the Holy Lyre and watched this scene with interest, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smile.
"This is interesting."
He shook his head, not panicking at all. Instead, he walked leisurely through the chaos, quietly leaving this chaotic area.
Let this Cicin Mage take the blame.
Speaking of which, he also just wanted to test a strike in the invisible state.
Although hitting once would reveal him, he could turn invisible instantly the next second.
And the strength was great. A casual slap almost made this unprepared Cicin Mage kneel on the ground.
This Path Skill was truly awesome.
"Bad, discovered!"
At this moment, Lumine, who was waiting, heard the commotion, and her heart jumped to her throat.
Just the hurried footsteps of the Knights in the distance filled the air.
The harsh horn sounded from the tower of the church, piercing the night curtain, echoing for a long time in the silent Mondstadt City.
Lumine held her breath almost instinctively, her heart beating violently.
Was Kael discovered too?
But in this instant, a calm whisper came from her ear.
"Go."
The whisper close to her ear made Lumine tremble.
Warm breath brushed past her ear, making Lumine's pretty face flush red instantly.
Before she could react, Kael added calmly:
"The Fatui came. Item secured."
Lumine was stunned, then ecstatic in her heart. She hurriedly followed Kael quietly to evacuate the church quickly.
Her steps were swift and light, but out of the corner of her eye, she could still see the distant Knights acting urgently.
The church door was pushed open by several knights in armor. Firelight illuminated their serious faces in the dark night.
A nun ran to one of the knights in panic, reporting breathlessly: "Someone broke into the Cathedral and stole the Holy Lyre! Quick, notify Grand Master Jean!"
"What?!"
Inside the church, the horn completely alarmed everyone.
Nuns walked out of rooms one by one, looking surprised and uncertain.
The Knights of Favonius looked gloomy, drew their weapons, and quickly arranged a search.
"Quick! Everyone seal the interior of the church immediately! No suspicious persons are allowed to pass!"
A Knight ordered in a low voice, his tone carrying obvious anger.
Someone dared to steal things in the Cathedral?!
Meanwhile, Lumine and Kael had successfully shuttled through the shadows, unnoticed.
When they successfully reached the street outside the church and were about to retreat quickly along the alley, Paimon suddenly poked her head out from the corner.
Seeing them, she was stunned first.
Then she pounced, face full of nervousness: "Are you okay?! Why is it suddenly so chaotic inside?"
"Talk on the way."
Kael chuckled, waved his hand gently, and applied Seele's Hunt Path Skill [Ripple].
Paimon nodded immediately upon hearing this.
Too late to say more, he pulled Paimon and left quickly.
The three were very fast.
Walking almost silently, ensuring no one discovered their tracks.
The three crossed the alleys of Mondstadt at the fastest speed, galloping toward the hotel.
Behind them, the Knights' action became more intense.
The patrol team inside the entire church began a large-scale search. Some knights even mounted horses, patrolling everywhere in Mondstadt.
The night of Mondstadt plunged into a storm again.
"Another power."
Top of the Mondstadt Cathedral.
Venti was sitting on the roof, looking at this scene, his face full of amazement.
He originally thought Kael was mysterious enough.
Only two powers. He didn't expect another one to appear.
How many powers does this guy have?
Too incredible.
That kind of invisibility... even the wind couldn't record the aura.
He had originally prepared to receive them.
Unexpectedly, they succeeded.
That invisibility simply performed a great service.
"However, having such an Otherworlder in Mondstadt is also beneficial."
"If only he stayed in Mondstadt."
In the next second, Venti chuckled. His figure instantly turned into a gust of wind and dissipated on the spot.
On the other side.
Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
The night was deep. Starlight spilled on the towering Knights building.
In the usually quiet office, hurried footsteps were heard at this moment.
"Grand Master Jean! Something big happened!"
The office door was pushed open hurriedly.
A Knight in silver armor rushed in with an anxious face. Standing in front of the desk, without even catching his breath, he immediately saluted and reported:
"The Cathedral... suffered an intrusion!"
"The Anemo Archon's Holy Relic—the Holy Lyre der Himmel—was stolen!"
This sentence exploded in the room like a thunderclap.
Jean, sitting behind the desk, opened her eyes abruptly, brows locking tight instantly.
She was originally leaning back to rest briefly. Hearing this shocking news, she sat up straight instantly.
"...What?!"
Jean's voice was low and sharp, carrying irrepressible anger and shock.
The Anemo Archon's Holy Relic was stolen?!
Who...
Dared to touch the Wind God's treasure right under the Knights' noses?
"Speak clearly. Who did it?!"
Jean's eyes were sharp as blades. Her aura became sharp abruptly. The entire office seemed to be shrouded in powerful pressure.
The Knight looked solemn, quickly spreading the message in his hand: "Reporting to Grand Master. According to the patrol knight at the Cathedral, no direct evidence was found at the scene. But after being alerted, we captured the figure of a Fatui Mage surrounded by purple Electro power. It should be a Cicin Mage."
"The Fatui..."
Jean's eyelid twitched violently.
Her hands clenched abruptly, knuckles turning white.
If others mentioned this name, they might just think it was a member of the Fatui.
But Jean knew very well just how deep the ambition of that group from Snezhnaya was!
"...They actually have the guts to act."
Jean's face had turned completely cold, anger surging in her heart.
She naturally knew the ability of the Fatui Cicin Mage.
A Fatui maiden mage who controlled Cicin to fight, whose origin and face under the mask were mysteries.
Usually skilled in concealment and surprise attacks, but...
Daring to infiltrate the Cathedral and steal the treasure now?!
This is an open provocation to Mondstadt!
"Seal Mondstadt City immediately!"
Jean ordered without hesitation, her tone decisive: "Mobilize all stationed knights. Strengthen street patrols. Seal all city gates! No one enters or leaves before tonight!"
"Yes!"
The knights took the order immediately, turning and leaving quickly.
Soon, the atmosphere of the entire Mondstadt City began to change.
The horn of the Knights rang through the night sky again.
Patrolling knights on the street put on armor one after another, carrying weapons, galloping toward various blocks.
Clop clop clop—
There was even the steady sound of horses' hooves echoing in the empty streets.
Countless knights holding torches searched the streets and alleys. Solemn orders echoed constantly in the night.
"Knights of Favonius operation! Everyone stay put, do not move at will!"
"Seal the city gate! No one leaves Mondstadt without permission!"
"Start patrol immediately, pay attention to all suspicious personnel!"
In the deep night, the streets of Mondstadt suddenly became panic-stricken.
Residents who were enjoying the night poked their heads out of windows.
Looking at the knight teams speeding past, their faces were full of confusion and shock.
"What's going on? Why the sudden martial law?"
"Did something happen again? Why are so many Knights out?"
"What happened... Did Stormterror attack again?"
"Nonsense. The sky is normal, no Anemo elements. How could it be Stormterror?"
"Must be something big!"
"No kidding!"
Some whispered, some looked nervous.
Every time the Knights launched an operation of this scale, a major event must have occurred.
And soon, more rumors began to spread in the night.
"Did the Fatui do something again?!"
"Something seems to have happened at the Cathedral... Was the Anemo Archon's treasure stolen?!"
"What?! That's a Holy Relic!!"
Some covered their mouths in astonishment, faces full of disbelief.
More people began to discuss, and the atmosphere in Mondstadt gradually became uneasy.
Meanwhile.
Inside the Knights.
Jean was already rushing toward the Cathedral.
Face cold. This matter could not be settled easily!
She had to confirm personally what happened!
At this moment.
On the other side.
A hidden basement in Mondstadt.
Dim firelight flickered in the room. Hideous shadows projected on the walls, making the whole space appear gloomy and eerie.
The air was filled with a scorching smell, as if the air was twisted by the heat of Pyro.
In the middle of the room stood a man in a black and red robe.
He was tall, a faint smile on his face, the corner of his mouth raised, revealing a bit of teasing and calmness of controlling everything.
It was the Fatui Pyro Agent (Debt Collector).
And opposite him.
Three Fatui elites stood straight, eyes cold, like hunting dogs ready to strike.
Their gaze fell on the dark corner in front of them.
There, a figure quietly emerged—
It was the Cicin Mage.
Her black-purple cloak was blown slightly by the night wind. Electro elements jumped slightly on her body, as if not completely calmed down.