At Mondstadt Cathedral.
Lumine came out of the cathedral and shook her head at Venti.
"So it failed after all?"
Venti sighed.
"It seems your influence as the Knights' rising star still isn't enough."
"They asked for documents," Lumine replied.
She had already heard from Jiang Chen earlier that borrowing the Holy Lyre der Himmel required signatures from three parties:
The Knights of Favonius
The Church
Representatives of Mondstadt's citizens
She had only tried her luck.
But during the attempt, the nuns had told her something surprising.
"A suspicious bard came earlier asking to borrow the lyre.
He even claimed to be Lord Barbatos himself.
Obviously he had bad intentions."
Those were the nun's exact words.
Lumine turned and stared suspiciously at Venti.
"You said you're Barbatos?"
"Of course," Venti said proudly with his hands on his hips.
Paimon immediately looked unconvinced.
"How is that possible?"
Even Lumine's suspicion faded.
What kind of god would be this irresponsible?
A god who had to borrow—or possibly steal—his own relic?
"See? No one believes me."
Venti rubbed his forehead.
Then suddenly looked indignant.
"I'm extremely disappointed in Mondstadt."
"You're the Knights' rising star, yet they won't even lend you a simple lyre."
"After a hero saves a village, taking the village's finest sword is practically a classic bardic story!"
He spread his hands.
"It seems borrowing openly won't work."
"So we'll have to obtain it… creatively."
He smiled encouragingly.
"Let's respect freedom of will. Tell me—what kind of 'creative acquisition' do you prefer?"
Lumine fell silent.
She already understood.
He meant stealing.
"I actually don't want to steal anything," she said.
Venti laughed.
"You see? You're the one who brought up stealing first."
Lowering his voice, he whispered conspiratorially:
"Honestly… you're better suited for this than me."
After some discussion between the "two and a half" people—
Venti proposed a plan.
"I'll distract the sisters."
"You sneak through the cathedral hall into the underground chamber."
Lumine hesitated but eventually nodded.
They were just about to enter the cathedral—
When sudden shouting erupted inside.
Words like:
"Holy Lyre!"
"Thief!"
"Stolen!"
echoed through the hall.
Mechanisms in the cathedral floor opened.
Guards rushed out through every door and entrance.
Within seconds—
They surrounded the three stunned figures.
At this hour, only these two strangers were near the cathedral.
They were extremely suspicious.
"What are you doing?!"
Venti was stunned.
"I haven't even done anything yet!"
"That's them!"
Sister Gothlinde pointed anxiously.
"They tried to borrow the Holy Lyre earlier!"
"If it's missing, they must be responsible!"
"The Holy Lyre was stolen?!"
Both Venti and Lumine were confused.
"Hand it over!"
The guards aimed their spears.
"This is a misunderstanding!" Venti protested.
"We didn't steal anything!"
"Yeah!" Paimon added angrily.
"We haven't even stolen it yet!"
Lumine quickly covered her mouth.
"Steal?!" the guard captain shouted.
"So it was you!"
He raised his hand to order their arrest.
"Wait."
A calm voice sounded from the stone steps.
"It wasn't them."
Everyone turned.
"Jiang Chen!"
Lumine's eyes lit up with relief.
Jiang Chen walked forward.
"This bard is well known in Mondstadt."
"If you don't trust him, then trust your Honorary Knight."
"Surely an Honorary Knight wouldn't steal the Holy Lyre."
"Unless you have evidence?"
The guard captain hesitated.
"Well… they came earlier to borrow the lyre."
"And after being refused, it went missing."
Sister Gothlinde nodded.
"That's correct."
"I was the one who asked them to borrow it," Jiang Chen said calmly.
"I was just about to get Acting Grand Master Jean's signature when I heard the commotion and came here."
The guard captain hesitated.
But Jiang Chen's reputation carried enormous credibility in Mondstadt.
Without witnesses or evidence—
He couldn't arrest them.
"…Understood."
He waved his hand.
"Spread out and search the city!"
"Yes, sir!"
The guards dispersed.
"Sorry for the disturbance, Boss Jiang Chen," the captain said before leaving.
Sister Gothlinde clasped her hands and prayed.
"Lord Barbatos, forgive your faithful follower for letting confusion lead her heart astray."
"May the Anemo Archon bless you."
After apologizing sincerely, she returned to the cathedral to continue praying.
Jiang Chen's expression turned slightly strange.
You just accused your own god of being a thief.
Do you realize that?
Paimon finally relaxed.
"That scared me!"
She puffed her cheeks angrily.
"We hadn't even stolen anything yet and they were already blaming us!"
Jiang Chen frowned.
"Why were you taking so long?"
"The Honorary Knight arrived a little late," Venti replied awkwardly.
But then his expression became serious.
"The real question is…"
"Who stole the Holy Lyre before we did?"
"You mean this?"
Jiang Chen casually pulled the Holy Lyre der Himmel out of his inventory.
Venti's eyes widened.
He stared at Jiang Chen in complete disbelief.
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