The next day, Yi Chen woke from his coma.
He rubbed his temples and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above him.
After a brief moment of confusion, his memories came flooding back like a tidal wave.
"Damn it…
My luxury villa worth over ten million Mora—
I didn't even get to live in it for one day!"
"The Abyss Order… this grudge—I'll remember it!"
At that moment, the ward door opened softly.
Barbara entered, carrying a cup of warm water. When she saw that Yi Chen was awake, her face immediately lit up with joy.
"Mr. Yi Chen! You're awake! How are you feeling? Is anything uncomfortable?"
Yi Chen suppressed the ferocious expression on his face and forced a relatively gentle smile toward her.
"I'm awake. Thank you, Miss Barbara. I feel much better now."
He took the cup, drank a sip, then lifted the blanket and got out of bed.
"I still have important matters to handle. I need to go to the Knights' headquarters first, so I won't trouble you any longer."
"Eh? You just woke up—you should rest a bit more—"
Before Barbara could finish, Yi Chen had already put on his coat, waved energetically at her, and strode out of the room with brisk steps.
Stepping out of Mondstadt Cathedral, the cool morning breeze cleared his mind instantly.
Instead of heading straight to the Knights of Favonius headquarters, Yi Chen deliberately slowed his pace, walking along the familiar streets.
His gaze was no longer filled with pure curiosity and playfulness.
Instead, it was sharp and focused.
He carefully observed Mondstadt in the aftermath of Dvalin's attack.
He saw craftsmen repairing damaged homes, merchants forcing themselves to continue business despite worry etched on their faces, Knights tirelessly maintaining order and helping civilians…
Many of these scenes aligned uncannily well with the post-disaster recovery and community-support models he had once outlined in a research paper he'd given to Lisa.
That realization brought him a trace of relief.
Looks like my work wasn't useless after all.
But more than that, he saw the scars left behind by disaster.
Fear lingering on people's faces.
Children afraid to play in open areas.
Thinned crowds in the markets.
An air of tension and unease hanging over the city.
Yi Chen committed everything to memory.
Which districts were hit hardest.
Which industries needed policy support.
How civilian morale should be stabilized.
He observed with extreme seriousness, brows slightly furrowed as he thought through solutions.
This calm, grounded, city-minded figure was completely different from the "young qilin" in Liyue who spent his days thinking about making money, confessing to girls, and causing chaos among powerful women.
To Yi Chen, however, the change was only natural.
When you stand in a position, you shoulder its responsibilities.
In Liyue, he had been a guest.
A student.
Someone protected and cared for.
With Cloud Retainer, Shenhe, Ganyu, and Ningguang around, he could afford to be playful—to act like a true "cub," exploring freely and making mistakes.
But in Mondstadt—
He was the Acting Grand Master's aide of the Knights of Favonius.
This was the place where he first arrived in this world.
Where he had been accepted when he had nothing.
Where he was given belonging—and a sense of "home."
Jean trusted him.
His friends relied on him.
Every inch of this land was tied to him.
Protecting Mondstadt wasn't about heroism or saving the world.
It was simply repayment.
Repayment for shelter.
For warmth.
For peace.
So when Mondstadt faced danger, he had to set aside the looseness he showed in Liyue and shoulder his responsibility.
This was the position he chose.
And the duty he must fulfill.
Yi Chen entered the Knights of Favonius headquarters and knocked directly on the door of the research office beside the library.
As expected, Lisa was inside.
Ancient tomes lay open before her, elemental instruments humming softly, with a pile of documents clearly meant to help Jean stacked nearby.
"Miss Lisa," Yi Chen said directly.
"Any results from tracking that crystal?"
Lisa looked up from the paperwork, a lazy smile appearing as she tapped a faintly glowing purple-black crystal ball on her desk.
"Of course~
That 'little stone' you brought back was extremely helpful."
Inside the crystal ball, a distinct dark energy stream pointed toward a specific direction.
"I've roughly pinpointed the source of that disgusting Abyssal aura—deep within a hidden section of Stormterror's Lair.
Those rats certainly chose a nest that suits them."
She sighed and gestured to another pile of paperwork.
"However, as you can see, the damage from Dvalin hasn't been fully dealt with.
City order must be maintained, the injured treated… most Knights are tied up."
"Organizing a full expedition will likely need to wait a few days."
"No need to wait."
Yi Chen answered instantly, without hesitation.
"Tell me the location. I'll handle it myself."
Lisa's relaxed expression vanished, replaced with genuine concern.
She stood, walked over, and studied his still-pale face.
"Little cutie, I know you're strong—stronger than most people realize."
"But the Abyss Order isn't like normal monsters.
They're cunning, unpredictable, and extremely dangerous."
Her tone turned serious.
"You just returned from Liyue yesterday, fought a major battle, and even fainted from emotional shock."
"Going now is far too risky."
"Be good. Wait a few days. Let the Knights—"
Yi Chen shook his head.
He clenched his fist, feeling the power surging within him.
Immortal regeneration.
Qilin bloodline.
Training gained in Liyue.
And above all—the resolve to fight for his home.
He met Lisa's worried gaze and smiled.
Confident.
Almost arrogant.
"It's fine, Miss Lisa."
"Because—"
"I'm strong."
This wasn't boasting.
It was calm recognition of his capability—and a decision to bear responsibility.
Lisa studied his unwavering eyes and sighed.
"…I can't stop you, can I?"
She marked a location on a map and handed it to him.
"Be careful. Don't push yourself. If things go south, retreat immediately. Understood?"
Yi Chen memorized the map and smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. Wait for good news."
He turned and left without hesitation.
Lisa stared at the empty doorway and rubbed her forehead.
"…Honestly. None of you ever make things easy.
I'll need to find ways to lighten Jean's burden too…"