Finally landing smoothly with Paimon in tow, in the square in front of the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt, Lumine retracted her wings and hadn't even had time to catch her breath and complain about Bai Yu's actions that almost made her fall before Amber ran towards her with a group of people.
“Lumine…Lumine!!”
When she got closer, Amber didn't come forward to care for her like before, but instead stood in place, pacing back and forth with some hesitation.
Lumine sighed silently.
She knew that because of Bai Yu's actions, she probably had become some kind of absolute untouchable monster in the eyes of these people…
“Thank you very much for your help, Traveler.”
Having already learned about the situation from Amber, Acting Grand Master Jean pondered for a moment and walked forward, saying politely:
“Thanks to your generosity, Mondstadt did not suffer much loss during this Stormterror attack. The Knights of Favonius will offer our sincere thanks for your heroic deed.”
Pausing, Jean added: “ …and a generous reward.”
This was also the outcome of Jean's discussion with Lisa and Kaeya before Lumine's return.
Judging from the battle strength Lumine had just displayed, with the Grand Master taking most of the Knights' main forces on an expedition, they had to treat this "powerful" mysterious traveler with caution.
『Heh, look at that, how much they value you now, you have to split the reward with me, right?』
Bai Yu's chuckle echoed in her mind. Lumine opened her mouth, subconsciously wanting to say something to him, but then suddenly remembered that there were other people around and it was really inconvenient to "talk to herself" in front of them.
『No need to say it out loud, I can hear your thoughts.』
（What!? Why didn't you say that earlier… wait! You can hear my thoughts!?）
『You didn't ask.』
（You really can hear my thoughts!）
Lumine suddenly felt strange, as if countless Paimons, shrunk to the size of ants, were crawling all over her.
This feeling of having her inner thoughts seen through was terrible!
Since the strength to defeat Dvalin was not her own, Lumine felt a bit embarrassed in the face of Jean and the others' solemnity and enthusiasm.
The girl's smooth and tender face, full of collagen, flushed with a beautiful blush of shyness. She waved her hand, signaling Paimon not to talk too much, and said: “No need to be so polite, I couldn't just stand by and watch Stormterror wreak havoc in the city.”
Jean narrowed her eyes and exchanged a glance with Lisa and Kaeya.
“ …So, Miss Lumine already knows that Stormterror is actually Dvalin, the Anemo Archon's *眷属*? Please keep this matter confidential from the people of Mondstadt, Miss Lumine.”
Only then did Lumine realize that she had accidentally let slip.
It's all that guy's fault!
『Why are you blaming me again? I kindly provided you with information, and you're putting the blame on me?』
（Don't listen to my thoughts!）
While arguing with Bai Yu through their consciousness, Lumine accepted Jean's invitation and went with her to the Knights of Favonius' Grand Master's office to discuss what to do next.
On the way -
“Lumine, what's going on?”
Paimon couldn't suppress her curiosity, and whispered in Lumine's ear.
“Don't worry, Paimon, I'll tell you later.” Lumine had already established a basic trust with her traveling companion at this point. Besides, compared to Bai Yu, this unknown guy who could control her body, Paimon was more trustworthy in the girl's heart.
Paimon could only nod, temporarily suppressing her desire to explore.
（…So, this guy isn't from this world either?）
『My name is Bai Yu, not "this guy".』
Bai Yu snorted, displeased.
『Simply put, I made a breakthrough in my martial arts training, and for reasons that I don't fully understand myself, my consciousness crossed the barriers of the world and possessed your body.』
（What do we do!? Are we going to be stuck like this forever?）
『What's the rush? If I want to go back, I can go back anytime. Do you think I'm in a hurry?』
Lumine finally relaxed, but then thought - wait, doesn't that mean I have no control over the situation?
（Then why don't you leave? Is possessing a girl fun?）
『It's rare to have this opportunity to see another world, I want to see more. When it's time to go back, I'll go back naturally.』
（Damn, that means I have no way to deal with you?）
Lumine felt like she'd been cheated.
But soon, the girl noticed something was wrong.
（You're lying to me!）
『Hmm?』
（You said you crossed over after making a breakthrough, but you know Stormterror is Dvalin! And you know the Anemo Archon! You're not completely ignorant of this world! You're lying to me! You're a big liar!）
Ah this…
Bai Yu didn't expect to make a mistake here.
（What do you say? Caught you red-handed? Big liar!）
Lumine was like a poor knight princess who had fought against a wicked villain for years, and finally won a victory after countless defeats. She smiled triumphantly in her heart.
『Tsk, there are naturally very complicated reasons…』
Bai Yu's tone was a bit strange.
『I say, you don't seem afraid of me at all? Have you forgotten that I can control your body? Aren't you afraid that I'll suddenly take over your body's control and make you run to the square under the statue of the Anemo Archon in Mondstadt and dance ridiculously?』
（I'm sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me!）
Lumine was so angry that she gnashed her teeth, but she had no choice but to admit defeat for now.
“We're here, this is the office, Miss Lumine, and… Miss Paimon, please have a seat.”
In the office, when she said "have a seat", Jean's gaze subtly swept over Paimon.
From the time she knew her, this little thing has always been able to fly in the sky without the need for wings.
Lumine, of course, was not polite. She walked over and sat down in the clearly designated visitor's seat. Paimon, with a whoosh, squeezed into Lumine's arms and sat on her lap, like a doll, held by the girl.
“Since Miss Lumine already knows the identity of Stormterror, Dvalin, then there's no need to hide things. Lisa, you can tell her…”
“Yes, of course.” Lisa's beautiful eyes were filled with light. She took a deep look at Lumine, walked to the side and leaned against the desk, her long black silk legs crossed, her right hand resting on her high chest, she sighed in a voice that made one's bones tingle, “Although Stormterror has been temporarily defeated, the disturbance in the ley lines has not ended. Several temples around Mondstadt have reported a clear concentration of magical nodes, which is the worst situation for mages. It makes your skin look bad…”