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Chapter 31: Mondstadt Awaits the Storm
If it weren't so obvious that Aiden's primary interest lay in Keqing rather than her, Ningguang might have already made her move.
Ningguang had always been meticulous in choosing a partner—never before had she encountered someone who met her high standards. But Aiden? He was undoubtedly qualified.
Heh, if even Keqing could sense it, how could Ningguang possibly be oblivious?
Of course, she wouldn't say it outright.
Since these two were content with dancing around the truth, she wouldn't expose it. Watching from the sidelines had its own charm.
Aiden's enigmatic nature intrigued her more with each passing day. He was a puzzle, one that she had neither the time nor the patience to solve alone. Instead, she placed her hopes in Keqing.
This wasn't about manipulation; she truly wanted Keqing to act on her feelings.
Proud, stubborn Keqing—she probably didn't even realize she was falling in love.
But this was good for Keqing, and good for Liyue.
Keqing stared at Ningguang for a long moment, lost in thought. Did she like Aiden?
She certainly enjoyed his company. He made her feel at ease in a way no one else did. Looking back on everything that had happened between them, the idea of being with him didn't seem so far-fetched.
Still… if she had to take that step, it wouldn't be because she liked him. No, it was because she wanted him to take responsibility.
A Journey to Mondstadt
Unaware of the conversation between Ningguang and Keqing, Aiden continued his journey.
Truth be told, if he wished, he could monitor everything said by those he invited into his chat group. Their private discussions, their secrets—nothing was beyond his reach.
But he chose not to.
He wasn't the kind of person who pried into people's lives. Besides, beings as powerful as Morax would likely notice if he tried.
Thanks to Venti's assistance, Aiden's journey to Mondstadt was significantly faster.
In just five days, he arrived.
However, Mondstadt was not the carefree city he had envisioned.
Throughout his travels, he had seen surprisingly few Knights of Favonius, but the number of monsters had far exceeded his expectations.
The continent's ley lines were in turmoil, and Mondstadt was suffering more than most, further destabilized by the influence of the Wind Dragon.
With the Knights' expedition leaving them short-staffed, they could no longer protect the entire region. Many villages had been abandoned, with citizens fleeing toward Mondstadt's city walls in search of safety.
If there was one place still standing strong, it was the City of Freedom itself.
Along the way, Aiden had taken down numerous monsters, but he quickly realized that simply eliminating them was a temporary fix. The corruption in Mondstadt's ley lines remained unchecked, allowing monsters to continuously respawn.
Until that was dealt with, nothing would change.
No wonder Barbatos hadn't simply wiped out the monsters himself. Even with his waning power, he had more than enough strength to do so.
But that wouldn't solve the real problem.
With that understanding, Aiden focused only on immediate threats before finally arriving at the city gates.
A City on Edge
Unlike the wilderness outside, Mondstadt City was still bustling with life. However, the tension in the air was palpable. Even within these walls, people felt unsafe.
As Aiden approached, one of the guards, a Knight named Lawrence, stepped forward and saluted.
"May the Anemo Archon watch over you. Apologies, traveler, but in these times, we must ask for identification."
Aiden smiled and retrieved a letter bearing Ningguang's official seal.
"I am Aiden, from Liyue. Tianquan Ningguang has sent me to meet with Acting Grand Master Jean of the Knights of Favonius. This letter serves as proof."
Lawrence's demeanor shifted upon recognizing the seal.
"A messenger from Liyue? I see. The Acting Grand Master is currently at the Knights' headquarters. Please, follow me."
"Much appreciated," Aiden replied, stepping through the gates and into the city.
Mondstadt was more populated than he had expected, but the city's unease was evident. Conversations were hushed, eyes were wary, and hope seemed fragile.
Lawrence, noticing Aiden's expression, offered a wry smile.
"I apologize for the state of things. Mondstadt is facing an unprecedented crisis, but we have faith in Acting Grand Master Jean. She will see us through this."
Aiden nodded.
"The timing of everything is almost too coincidental. If the full force of the Knights were here, I doubt Mondstadt would be in such dire straits."
Lawrence sighed. "Indeed… but the expedition was necessary. Protecting Mondstadt extends beyond its borders."
Aiden understood, though it didn't make things any less frustrating.
As they walked, he observed his surroundings, silently contemplating how Jean had handled things before his arrival—or before the Traveler's arrival, for that matter.
Jean's true strength remained somewhat of a mystery.
There were always exaggerated tales. Some people claimed Diluc could single-handedly take down eleven of the Fatui's Harbingers and walk away unscathed.
If that were true, he might as well be the Pyro Archon.
After all, the Harbingers weren't mere mortals. The top three were rumored to possess power rivaling the gods themselves. If Diluc truly stood against them alone, then he was far more than just Mondstadt's Darknight Hero.
As for Jean, Aiden estimated that she, Diluc, and Eula were roughly on equal footing. Stronger than Keqing had been before her recent power boost, but not to an absurd degree.
Still, Mondstadt wasn't defenseless.
Lisa, despite her laid-back demeanor, was a prodigy of Sumeru's Academia. Klee—if let loose—was a walking disaster for any enemy unfortunate enough to cross her path.
Then there was Albedo, an often-overlooked force of immense potential.
Mondstadt was vulnerable, yet filled with promise.
Under Lawrence's guidance, Aiden finally reached the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
After a brief exchange at the entrance, he was led inside.
And there, standing at the heart of the Order, was the woman who carried the weight of Mondstadt's future.
Jean.
The Dandelion Knight.
And from the first glance, Aiden had to admit—she certainly lived up to her reputation.