Early the next morning, that familiar noise once again rang out like a perfectly timed alarm clock outside the window.
Yi Chen irritably buried his head in his pillow, trying to resist the racket—somehow even more ear-splitting than a hilichurl's howl—before finally admitting defeat.
Resigned, he climbed out of bed and yanked open the curtains.
Sure enough, downstairs was the same scene as always: a group of overly enthusiastic fans surrounding Barbara as she prepared to head to the church.
Barbara, trapped in the center, still wore a polite but exhausted smile. Her eyes, however, subconsciously drifted upward toward Yi Chen's window—those watery blue eyes filled with helplessness.
Their gazes met.
Yi Chen instantly woke up completely.
He gave her a reassuring look that clearly said: Leave it to me.
The next moment, several invisible currents of wind swept quietly through the grass and bushes, precisely lifting a few still-sleepy beetles and flying ants.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Perfectly accurate "air drops" straight into the collars of the loudest fans.
"Ah! What's that?!"
"Ugh—so itchy! There are bugs!"
"Help! Get them out!"
The scene immediately descended into mild chaos.
Barbara seized the chance, quickly apologizing with a "Sorry, I have church duties," lifting her skirt as she hurried into the cathedral and disappeared inside.
With the star gone, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Yi Chen's eyes, however, locked onto one particular figure.
The man who shouted the loudest, stood the closest, and looked the most fanatical—
Albert.
This couldn't go on. It was ruining sleep, and it was even worse for Barbara.
But asking gentle, kind Barbara to scold her own fans?
She'd never be able to do that.
Yi Chen rubbed his chin, a sly glint flashing in his eyes.
Then let a "hero" manage a "hero."
He strolled downstairs and stopped outside the cathedral—without entering.
A thin thread of wind moved at his fingertips, slipping through the door like an invisible messenger, carrying his whispered words directly to Barbara, who was calming herself inside.
Soon, a small side door opened a crack. Barbara peeked out, blinking in surprise when she saw Yi Chen.
"Mr. Yi Chen? It really is you? I thought I was hearing things from exhaustion…"
"It's fine, Barbara. I'm here to solve this problem once and for all."
Yi Chen smiled reassuringly.
Barbara immediately looked apologetic.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Yi Chen… Did they disturb your rest?"
"It's nothing, really."
He waved it off, leaning closer and lowering his voice.
"Barbara, listen carefully. We'll do this…"
Meanwhile, Albert was walking home, still savoring the angelic smile Barbara had given earlier.
"Ah… Barbara smiled at me… so beautiful… Tomorrow I'll come even earlier…"
He was completely lost in his own world.
Suddenly, a whirlwind wrapped around him without warning!
"W-What's happening?!"
Albert panicked, struggling—but the wind, though gentle, was impossible to escape.
Then, a distant, ethereal, and majestic voice echoed directly in his mind:
"O lost child…"
Albert froze.
"I am Barbatos."
"L-Lord Barbatos?!"
Albert's eyes widened in shock, his body trembling with awe and excitement.
The Wind God—had descended?!
The voice continued, as if seeing straight through his heart.
"Your devotion is known to me. However, noise and obsession are not true reverence. They become burdens instead."
Albert's heart clenched.
"From this day forth, you shall oversee the conduct of other believers. No more noisy gatherings before the church. No more obstructing the deaconess in her duties. This is my decree—and the true meaning of protection."
Albert felt a twinge of disappointment… but reverence outweighed everything.
Then the voice softened, coaxing.
"If you carry out this task well—maintaining order and guiding others properly—I shall grant you a reward."
"I will allow Barbara to entrust her autographs and unused merchandise to you for safekeeping and distribution."
"Will you accept?"
Autographs?!
Barbara's autographs?!
Even her merchandise?!
A wave of bliss slammed into Albert's brain.
This was his ultimate dream—direct involvement with Barbara, becoming a manager among fans!
"I will! I will!" he shouted.
"I swear it, Lord Barbatos! I'll make sure no one ever disturbs Lady Barbara again!"
The wind withdrew, the divine presence fading.
Albert stood there, face flushed with excitement, clenching his fists as if entrusted with the most sacred mission in the world.
He immediately ran off toward the homes of other fans.
He had a divine decree to spread.
From a nearby alley's shadow, Yi Chen and Barbara slowly stepped out.
Barbara watched Albert's energized, almost holy-looking retreat, nervously twisting her fingers.
"Mr… Mr. Yi Chen… Is this really okay? Pretending to be Lord Barbatos… isn't that wrong…?"
"Relax, Barbara."
Yi Chen grinned confidently, hands on his hips.
"For special fans, you need special management methods. Look at his motivation—he'll guard order better than the Knights."
He paused, eyes flashing dangerously as he clenched his fist.
"If this doesn't work… then I'll just elbow—"
"Please don't!"
Barbara hurriedly grabbed his arm.
"Please! This is already perfect! Thank you so much!"
Seeing her like that, Yi Chen immediately surrendered.
"Alright, alright—just kidding."
"Come on, I'll escort you through the side door. No interruptions."
With one major worry resolved, the sunlight felt especially bright that day.