While Jiang Chen, Lumine, and Paimon enjoyed dinner at Good Hunter, Amber had already rushed back to the Knights of Favonius to file her report.
The moment she finished explaining, Jean's eyes lit up.
"So it really was connected to Lord Barbatos!"
"And the dragon crisis… might already be resolved?!"
Two good news in a row.
Jean could hardly hide her relief.
These issues had been weighing on her shoulders for weeks.
Lisa, lounging beside her, yawned lazily and tilted her head.
"That's wonderful news~
But, little Amber… are you sure those travelers really defeated Stormterror?"
"And Barbatos really said all those things?"
The purple librarian sounded unconvinced—rightfully so.
Amber's report stated:
Jiang Chen beat Stormterror
• Barbatos personally appeared
• Barbatos owed them a huge favor
• And, above all—
"If you ever need money, just ask the Knights."
…To Lisa, that sounded suspiciously like a scam.
"Jiang Chen said so…"
Amber scratched her cheek awkwardly.
She was just repeating what he told her.
"I see."
"Then we can't jump to conclusions yet."
Jean's tone was calm.
"It's already late. Bring them here tomorrow."
"We'll verify everything ourselves."
Lisa stretched, her figure drawing attention even though only women were present.
"Alright, I'm heading home~"
"And Jean? Don't stay up too late."
"You've got guests tomorrow."
"You'll lose your dignity as Acting Grand Master if you show up with dark circles."
She waved cheerfully.
"Amber, Jean—good night~!"
After Lisa left, Jean nodded at Amber.
"You should rest too."
"We'll speak with them tomorrow."
If the travelers were telling the truth, Jean fully intended to reward them generously.
But if they were lying?
Then the Knights wouldn't be polite.
Amber saluted and left.
Jean remained alone in her office, sighed, and returned to the mountain of paperwork.
Meanwhile—
Jiang Chen, Lumine, and Paimon finished dinner and returned to the hotel.
Only Paimon immediately went to sleep.
Lumine knocked on Jiang Chen's door later, wanting to talk about their next move.
"What do you plan to do next?"
"Stay in Mondstadt or keep traveling?"
She intended to spend some time in Mondstadt searching for clues about her brother.
"Me?"
Jiang Chen stretched lazily.
"I think I'll head to Liyue."
"Heard it's similar to my homeland."
"If I like it enough, I might settle down there."
Lumine blinked.
"…Settle down? In Liyue?"
"Yeah.
I'm a homebody.
If Liyue feels good, I'll just buy some land and build a house."
"Gotta have a home, right? Even if it's small."
Of course, he wasn't about to build some shabby hut.
He'd make money in Mondstadt, then go to Liyue and buy a proper piece of land.
Lumine seemed surprised.
"A home…?"
"…That actually sounds nice."
Jiang Chen smirked.
"And speaking of your brother… I've got a suggestion."
Instant interest.
"Say it!"
"If it helps her find her brother, she'll consider anything."
Jiang Chen rubbed his chin.
Time to sabotage a certain someone.
Just a little.
"You ever heard of…
'Marriage reward notices'?"
Lumine froze.
"…Eh?"
Jiang Chen leaned in, voice full of wicked amusement.
"If you just post an ordinary missing persons notice, nobody will care."
"So—why not spice it up?"
"Say your brother vanished, and your family is waiting for him to come home… to inherit a massive fortune."
"And anyone who finds him gets to marry him and inherit riches."
Lumine stared.
"That sounds like… fraud."
"Of course it is," Jiang Chen said proudly.
"But fraud that works."
"And hey—maybe increase the reward."
"Put out a worldwide notice:
'Find my brother, get a mountain of Mora.'"
"You'd have every treasure hunter, merchant, and bounty seeker looking for him."
The more Jiang Chen spoke, the brighter Lumine's eyes became.
"…It actually sounds workable."
"Right?" Jiang Chen grinned.
"And if that doesn't find him—"
"That means your brother is intentionally avoiding you."
"That he doesn't want to be found."
"That he's somewhere living a happy, cushy life without even thinking of his sister."
"And if I were you—if we finally met—
I might stab him a few times."
He spoke casually.
But the seed was planted.
Lumine's thoughts began turning dark.
Why is she doing all the searching?
Why isn't her brother looking for her?
Wasn't that backwards?
Everything is flipped upside down! indeed.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon