Shao Yun's question hung in the air as he stood before the Favonius Cathedral. Why would the system send me here? It's not like I'm desperate enough to steal Mora from the Church's donation box…
Suddenly, it hit him.
He slapped his forehead. Damn—between changing clothes and dozing off, I completely forgot about the story progression. This is when they try to borrow the Holy Lyre der Himmel, isn't it?
He vaguely remembered Jean eventually being framed after the lyre got stolen by the Fatui, and Lumine getting blamed in the process. If she got arrested…
Even if she escaped, she'd be wanted. If he went to back her up, maybe the escape would be easier—and he might earn some affection points in the process.
He had to hurry to the Favonius Cathedral. But—Amber...
"I'm gonna head out and look for Lumine," he said, fabricating a worry in his tone. "It's getting late, and I'm a little concerned about her."
Amber perked up immediately. She offered to go with him—after all, she'd grown up in Mondstadt and knew the city like the back of her hand.
"Alright! I'll come with you."
That definitely couldn't happen. What if they ran into Lumine mid-heist? That'd be a disaster.
"No need. What if she comes back while we're both gone? Not everyone's lucky enough to find your spare key under a flowerpot."
His reasoning made sense. If they were both out and Lumine returned, who'd let her in?
Amber paused and nodded. True, she thought. Mondstadt was safe—chances of something happening were low.
"Okay, but if you can't find her soon, come back and we'll get help from the Knights."
Shao Yun flashed her a confident wave.
"Sure thing. Might be back real soon. Need me to pick anything up?"
She shook her head. "Nah, the house has everything. Just get back safe."
Leaving Amber's place, the residential district of Mondstadt was quiet, unlike the lively taverns downtown.
Besides the occasional patrolling knight, the streets were deserted.
When he arrived at the Favonius Cathedral Plaza, it was even quieter—most of the clergy were off duty for the night.
But Shao Yun spotted movement in the bushes near the Anemo Archon statue. Three sneaky silhouettes rustling about.
Who else could it be? Lumine, Paimon, and Venti. If anyone else had seen them, they'd probably already be reported.
Shao Yun crouched, crept up, and slowly parted the bushes—peering in.
Lumine and Venti were drawing something in the dirt with sticks like they were playing tic-tac-toe. Paimon looked like she was about to explode from frustration, scratching her head.
What in the world are you guys doing? Planning strategy or teasing bugs?
At this point, Shao Yun felt like a parent catching their kids sneaking out late at night.
The rustling leaves gave him away. Paimon turned first, slowly, only to see Shao Yun glaring at her with arms crossed.
"You three. What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?!"
"AAAHHHH!" Paimon shrieked, launching herself into Lumine's arms. "A ghost!!"
The whole trio panicked. Venti looked startled but managed to stay calm. Lumine—caught off guard—toppled backward onto her butt.
Paimon clung to Lumine like her life depended on it, squealing nonstop.
Shao Yun winced and covered his ears. "It's me! Shao Yun!"
The moment she recognized his voice, Paimon peeked out from behind Lumine and sighed in relief.
"Oh, it's just you. You scared me half to death!"
Shao Yun pushed through the bushes, helped Lumine up, and dusted her off.
With his new gunslinger outfit and signature hat, he looked so different Lumine nearly didn't recognize him under the moonlight—if not for the familiar gentleness in his eyes.
"You found us?" she asked, surprised.
He gave her a quick once-over, spun her gently to dust her off completely, then hooked his finger under her nose playfully.
"It's late. I was worried about you."
"Huh?" Lumine blushed faintly. "Thanks. If everything had gone smoothly, we'd be at Amber's by now."
"Wait—what were you guys even doing here?"
Venti explained: how they'd gone to Windrise, decided to use the Holy Lyre der Himmel to heal Dvalin, and came to the Favonius Cathedral to borrow it. How he declared himself Barbatos to the nuns, only to be dismissed as a drunken bard. How Lumine, despite her new title of Honorary Knight, was also refused due to protocol.
So, they decided to… steal it.
Shao Yun was dumbfounded. This "plan" was about as brilliant as Bill Williamson's scheme to rob a train station with a saloon gang.
He stared at Venti like he was about to explode. If this weren't the Archon, and you weren't standing next to Lumine and Paimon…
"So let me get this straight. Your 'plan' was to walk into the Favonius Cathedral and hope the nuns just hand you the most sacred relic in Mondstadt because you said you were the wind god?"
Venti laughed sheepishly, giving a "tee-hee" kind of grin. "Yup! I even told them I was Barbatos!"
Unbelievable. Shao Yun sighed, turned to Lumine, and softened.
She looked a bit guilty. He had a lot to say—but in the end, he just sighed and tapped her forehead.
"Lumine… forget it. You're not hurt, that's what matters. But don't pull stunts like this again."
"It's not that bad… nothing went wrong…" she mumbled, rubbing her forehead.
Shao Yun grabbed her arm and began tugging her gently away. "Now that we know how to get the lyre—go through Jean. Official process. No need to risk anything."
"You fought a dragon, fixed the ley lines, went halfway across the region… You need rest. Come home. Amber and I already prepped your room."
It was smarter. Safer. No one needed to get caught and dragged into an international mess. One scandal could taint the Knights, Jean, and Lumine.
"But it's not that simple," Lumine protested. "You need Jean, the bishop, and even a citizens' rep to sign off. By the time we get approval, it might be too late."
She pouted and lightly pounded his arm with her soft fists.
Shao Yun stopped, looked back, and let go. "You're serious?"
Lumine's eyes didn't waver. Her face was calm but firm, eyes lit with a quiet fire.
"For Dvalin—and because I don't want to see people parting in pain again. I've made up my mind."
Shao Yun stared at her. That look in her eyes… He hesitated.
But this was his travel companion. If she decided to rob the Northland Bank in Snezhnaya, he'd help. And the next day, the entire continent would be buzzing about how it got looted clean.
He sighed.
"Alright. Count me in."
"Huh? You're coming too?" Lumine blinked, surprised.
He looked her in the eye and gently tapped her chest.
"For me, nothing is more important than your business."
Then, gesturing to Paimon as well:
"You two knew I'm a wanted man. But you chose to travel with me anyway. That's not something just anyone would do."
He put on a fierce but heartfelt expression, resting a hand on Lumine's shoulder.
"You, me, and Paimon—we're more than just companions. Our bond means more to me than anything. For you two, I'd kill. I'd die."
His words struck Lumine deep. They rang with raw truth—like precious stones falling into her heart.
Aside from her brother, no one had ever said something like that to her before.