The barracks' gates opened before me. Not with ceremony, nor with fanfare. Only with the silent acknowledgment that certain names provoke when crossing borders.
The knights did not stop me. Some lowered their heads. Others looked at me with a mix of respect and wariness.
The Acting Grand Master, Jean Gunnhildr, stood on the other side of the hall, reviewing documents. She lifted her gaze the moment I crossed the threshold.
"Adeptus Dan Heng," she said, setting the paper down on the table. "Welcome to Mondstadt. It's an honor to have you in our land once again."
"I am here as an envoy sent by the Tianquan." I remained standing. "The current situation with the creature roaming this region's skies has caused concern among our merchants. Some have suffered losses. Others fear for their safety. I come to ensure that Liyue's interests are not compromised… and that its citizens remain protected."
Jean nodded quickly, though I noticed the slight tightening of her jaw.
"I regret that the merchants have been affected. You must understand that this situation with Stormterror… has not been easy to manage. However, to my knowledge, there have been no direct attacks."
"For now." I walked toward the window overlooking the city. "But storms do not wait for reports to be drafted."
It was not a threat. It was a fact. One she understood.
"I see," Jean said after a brief silence. "And what is your formal request?"
"None. I only came to inform you of my presence. I will not interfere in local affairs, but I request free passage through commercial and trading zones. I will stay where the Liyue merchants lodge. If the situation escalates… I will act."
She nodded, making no attempt to dissuade me.
"Your status and role will be respected. I will ensure the Knights are informed."
The tension eased slightly. She understood. So did I.
"Thank you for your cooperation," I said, turning toward the exit. "I hope this matter can be resolved without requiring my intervention."
"And I hope your stay in Mondstadt will be peaceful, Dan Heng."
*****
The merchants' hotel was nearby. Upon arrival, the receptionist immediately recognized me by the jade emblem engraved on my belt.
The murmur of conversation ceased when I opened the door.
Four merchants were gathered in the lounge, surrounded by scattered papers, route maps, and cups of tea left untouched as they cooled. The air carried the subtle fragrance of incense imported from Liyue Harbor, but it couldn't mask the weariness etched on their faces.
One of them stood immediately. I knew his name before he spoke.
"Adeptus Dan Heng... This is an honor," said Qian, leader of the small merchant group that had come to expand their network in Mondstadt.
"I'm not here for honors. I'm here for you," I replied, entering without waiting for invitation. "Reports in Liyue mention losses, canceled routes, and destroyed shipments. I want details. Everything that wasn't written in the official reports."
An uncomfortable silence followed. Not from distrust, but from the weight of my words. The youngest among them, a woman, was first to break the silence.
"Three of our convoys were intercepted near the Cold Eternal Fields... apparently by the storms. It wasn't an attack. It was the winds... and something else. A shadow passed overhead. We didn't get a clear look, but... it wasn't human."
Another merchant nodded in agreement.
"We tried alternate routes, but even those skies aren't safe anymore. The people of Mondstadt are terrified to speak of it. They call it Stormterror. Some believe it's Barbatos' punishment. Others... don't even dare look at it."
Qian added quietly:
"Our most valuable cargo remains at Dragonspine. No one has been willing to risk retrieving it."
I crossed my arms, studying the route map spread across the table. Most paths were marked in red ink.
"Have you received any assistance from the Knights of Favonius?"
"They offered protection within the city walls... but beyond them, their resources are stretched thin. The political situation is... complicated."
"I know."
I leaned forward, pointing to a route near Dawn Winery.
"What about this one? It hasn't been marked yet."
"A merchant named Feiyan left that way three days ago. She hasn't returned."
Silence. One of them swallowed hard.
"It was her first solo trip..."
I straightened up.
"Full name?"
"Feiyan Lin. Daughter of Master Lin from the Golden Pavilion."
I nodded.
"I'll file her description with the Favonius records. I'll search for her myself if necessary."
The merchants bowed deeply—not out of protocol, but relief. One whispered:
"I never thought an Adeptus would come personally to protect us so far from home..."
I turned toward the door but paused briefly before leaving.
"Stay within the city. Avoid unnecessary movement. If anyone tries to pressure you... report to me first."
With that, I left, knowing my words were enough.
*****
After checking on the merchants and ensuring their lodging and security were adequate, I decided to survey the outskirts. The sky was clear, but something in the wind told me not to let my guard down. There was still no sign of the dragon, but the air felt charged.
I walked along the edge of a tranquil lake not far from the city. The water shimmered under the golden sunset light—then I heard an unmistakable sound: BOOM!
Reacting on instinct, I crouched and turned toward the explosion. A small figure darted along the shoreline, hurling what looked like plushie-shaped bombs into the water. Fish went flying as plumes of steam rose with each detonation.
"Dodoco! That one was perfect! That fish flew higher than last time!" shouted a high-pitched, excited voice.
I approached cautiously, though I'd already guessed who it was. The red hat with a feather, the pointed ears, the explosions... there was no doubt.
"Are you fishing with explosives?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I stopped a few steps away.
The little girl spun toward me with a beaming smile.
"Yep! Hi! I'm Klee! And yes, I'm playing 'make the fish fly'! It's super fun!" she replied with utter nonchalance, not a hint of shame in her voice.
"That... isn't fishing." I crossed my arms, eyeing the half-cooked pile of fried fish near her backpack.
Klee tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Then how do you fish if not with bombs?"
"With a rod, patience... and without waging aquatic warfare."
She giggled and did a little flip while retrieving her explosive plushie.
"You talk like Albedo when he tries to teach me stuff!" She looked me up and down. "You're tall! Are you a new knight? Did you come from far away?"
"My name is Dan Heng. I'm an envoy from Liyue. I'm here for my homeland's merchants... and to observe the dragon situation."
"Oh! So you're like Jean? Or more like Kaeya?" She stepped so close she nearly tripped over my feet. "Your clothes look so cool! And I saw you in the sky earlier—can you fly? Tell me you can fly!"
I nodded slowly.
"I can. That's how I arrived here."
Klee's eyes widened to saucers, sparkling with excitement.
"That's so awesome! Can you take me flying someday? I promise I won't throw bombs from the sky!... Well... maybe just tiny Dodoco..."
I let out a faint, almost imperceptible chuckle—but it was genuine.
"Don't make promises you know you won't keep."
She laughed again.
"I like you, Mister Dan Heng! We can be friends!"
I crouched down to her level and offered my hand.
"Very well, Klee. I'll be your friend... but only if you promise not to blow up Mondstadt while I'm here."
She tapped a finger against her cheek thoughtfully, then responded with an even bigger grin:
"Deal! Spark Knight's honor!"
*****
I was walking Klee back to Mondstadt. She trotted beside me, her boots lightly tapping against the damp earth of the path as she hummed a song about fish flying through the air. In her hands was a half-charred fish that she claimed was "Dodoco's dinner." I decided not to ask.
"Y'know, Dan Heng?" she said suddenly, still staring straight ahead. "You're really quiet. You kinda remind me of Albedo! But you have horns. Can I fly with you next time?"
"Perhaps," I replied with a faint smile.
That's when I sensed two figures up ahead. Klee noticed too and quickly hid behind me, only her crimson eyes peeking out.
One was a young woman with reddish-brown hair tied back with a large red bow that resembled rabbit ears. She wore a distinctive uniform in red and brown tones, her face bright with enthusiasm. Beside her walked a girl with shining golden hair, golden eyes, and travel-worn white-and-blue clothing that remained immaculate. A small glowing figure floated animatedly at her side.
"Oh!" Amber exclaimed, raising a hand in greeting. "Hello there! Are you bringing Klee back to Mondstadt?"
"Indeed," Dan Heng replied calmly, his gaze lingering on the blonde companion. "And you are...?"
The blonde girl stepped forward, her expression serene and voice gentle.
"I'm Hotaru. It's my first time in Mondstadt—Amber's been showing me around."
(Hotaru...)
The name echoed in Dan Heng's mind like a distant bell. That moment... that name... it was like choosing between Aether and Lumine at the start of a new game.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
She's Lumine. No doubt about it.
But he chose to say nothing for now. If she was using that name, she must have her reasons.
"A pleasure to meet you, Hotaru," he finally responded in a neutral tone, respecting her choice. "My name is Dan Heng. I'm currently representing Liyue." Turning to Amber with a slight nod, he added, "And you're a Knight of Favonius, correct?"
"That's right! Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius, at your service!" she declared proudly, thumping her chest with a fist.
Paimon floated closer to Dan Heng, examining him with sparkling eyes.
"Wowza! You're that super strong guy from Liyue, right?! Paimon heard you're an Adeptus! Is it true? Can you fly? Shoot lightning? Summon dragons?"
Dan Heng didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted subtly toward Lumine.
"Sufficiently so," he finally replied without arrogance, but with the confidence of someone who needs no exaggeration.
Amber nodded with a smile, turning toward the path.
"Well, we're not far from Mondstadt. Why don't we walk together? The city looks beautiful at sunset."
Dan Heng gave a slight nod. Klee trotted beside him, clutching Dodoco like a war trophy. Lumine walked alongside Amber while Paimon floated above them, firing off questions and commentary to anyone who would listen.