"We can't leave all the trouble to the Knights."
Hearing Jean's reassuring words, Lumine patted her chest confidently.
"We'll help Mondstadt too."
Paimon spun in the air enthusiastically.
The two completely ignored Farmas, who was still clinging to Lumine's wrist.
I'm literally the protagonist here, hello??
Farmas screamed internally.
The group discussed their plan—cutting off Stormterror's sources of power from the abandoned Four Winds Temples.
"Tomorrow night, Lumine, Paimon, and Farmas will head to the Temple of the Falcon.
Kaeya and Amber will handle the Lion Temple.
Lisa and I will go to the Wolf Temple."
Jean's voice carried its usual determined strength.
Then she opened a drawer and pulled out a heavy pouch of Mora.
"Lumine, you've only just arrived in Mondstadt. Take these as compensation for your trouble."
Lumine peeked inside. A blinding gold glow reflected back.
"So shiny! There must be tens of thousands of Mora in here!"
Paimon covered her eyes dramatically, peeking through her fingers.
"Actually, tens of thousands isn't much," Farmas whispered.
"With Teyvat's horrible inflation, that's just… a few meals."
Paimon froze.
"W-wait, really? I thought we could afford tons of Sticky Honey Roast…"
"Your head is full of food, Paimon!"
Farmas shot back.
"Thank you, Acting Grand Master. We'll head out now."
Lumine smiled helplessly at the bickering pair.
"Ah, wait."
Jean suddenly spoke again.
"Farmas is a fire slime. We will announce his identity to the citizens soon, but before that…"
Her expression stiffened.
"…please, Mr. Slime, try not to wander around. It may cause unnecessary panic."
"…Alright."
Farmas went silent for a moment before agreeing.
In all the thousand years since he appeared in Teyvat,
aside from Morax, no one had EVER dared tell Farmas—
the Flame Demon God—
"Don't wander around."
Fine. I'll wander quietly.
He felt oddly mischievous.
The trio left the Knights' headquarters and began searching for an inn.
Meanwhile, back inside—
"Jean, are you sure we can trust that traveler… and the fire slime?"
Lisa asked, holding several books.
"Did you see how they fought?"
Jean countered calmly.
Lisa blinked, then smiled.
"You're right. Anyone who can stand against Dvalin isn't ordinary."
At an inn near Angel's Share
"Welcome! Dining or lodging?"
A thin young innkeeper called out.
"Both!"
Paimon floated up to him like a tiny manager.
"How many guests?"
The innkeeper eyed Paimon suspiciously—
unsure if she counted as a "person,"
but business was business.
"Got a triple room?" Lumine asked.
"Just one left. Three thousand Mora per night. How long are you staying?"
"Three thousand!?"
Paimon nearly dropped out of the air.
The innkeeper explained patiently:
"You must be outsiders. A bowl of 'Hunter's Meat Sauce Pasta' at Good Hunter is two thousand Mora.
Three thousand for a room with free hot water is a bargain.
If not for Stormterror, it'd be five thousand."
"…Really?"
"If you don't trust me, ask around.
If I overcharge, the Knights will shut me down."
Paimon puffed her cheeks.
"…Fine! Two nights."
She reluctantly handed over six thousand Mora.
"Here's your key. Second floor, first door on the left."
Then the innkeeper looked confused.
"…Um, excuse me, but aren't there only two of you?
Why book a triple room…?"
"None of your business!!"
Paimon snapped instantly—
because she suddenly remembered Farmas.
What if Farmas turned out to be a boy…?!
I should've booked two rooms…
Face crimson, she dragged a clueless Lumine upstairs.
"Paimon, you're my best assistant ever,"
Farmas thought delightedly as he slid off Lumine's wrist.
Once in the room, he returned to his round, bouncy slime form.
"Uh, Lumine… I need to step out for a bit."
He had sensed Venti's location again—
no longer at the Cat's Tail, but at Angel's Share.
Did he get kicked out for not paying his bill?
Farmas sighed.
Even though he wanted to sleep next to Lumine tonight, he needed to recover his power first.
"But Jean said fire slimes—"
"It's fine."
For the first time, Farmas interrupted Lumine.
"I'll keep hidden."
"…Okay."
Lumine's cheeks flushed.
"Just remember to come back.
Paimon and I need to take a bath."
"…Sure, don't worry—
Wait—WHAT!?"
Farmas jumped toward the door, ready to leave—
then froze at Lumine's words.
He slammed the door shut with a loud thunk.
"Farmas? Aren't you going?"
Lumine tilted her head.
"N-no. Not going."
Farmas's oval eyes were stretched wide.
"LUMINE! SNUGGLE TIME!!"