"As expected, with your strength, you can sense my presence~"
A handsome young man in green clothes and pigtails was sitting on the roof of the house, looking up at the sky in a daze. He didn't seem to react much to his sudden appearance and just spoke casually.
"Are you Barbatos, the god of wind?"
Si Luo saw through the other person's true form at a glance, and then sat down beside him.
"No, my name now is Wendy, and I am just a bard traveling around the continent."
A faint smile appeared on Wendy's face, then she turned sideways and looked at Si Luo's handsome face that could attract people of all ages even across species.
"Yeah."
Si Luo didn't care much about it. After all, from Mond's history and the freedom it most admired, he could infer what kind of personality this wind god had. So when facing Venti's performance, it was like verifying his speculations.
"When the East Wind Dragon appeared before, you hid in the dark but did not take any action... It seems that you are powerless to stop its pollution."
"No way, after all, I'm just an ordinary bard~"
Wendy shrugged somewhat casually and continued.
"Moreover... Tevarin was not simply contaminated. According to its abilities, Durin's poison would at most cause it to sleep for a while before it could fully recover... However, during the time I was away from Mondstadt, the members of the Abyss Cult found it. While its mind was disturbed by the poison, they not only bewitched its mind, but also added a new curse to it."
"..."
Si Luo did not ask what the Abyss Cult was. After all, when he was negotiating with the Knights and Qin and the others, he had devoted some of his energy to using the equipment given to him by the Black Tower to record all the information recorded in the library, which naturally included some more secret information.
"The Abyss Cult is best at corrupting the mind. The new curse combined with the toxin has brought about mental torture, which is why Tevarin has lost his mind now."
"However, I didn't expect you to accept this commission from the Knights. Do you have a way to remove the curse and poison from it?"
Wendy looked at Si Luo with curious eyes.
Although he behaves a little unreliable, he is one of the seven rulers of the mortal world who survived the Demon War, and therefore knows a lot about the secrets of the world. So when Wendy saw them for the first time, she confirmed that Si Luo and Ying did not belong to this world and were true strangers.
Ying's words were still within his acceptable range for the time being, but as for Si Luo, even now, sitting face to face with him, Wendy could not detect any dangerous aura in him. If he had not seen with his own eyes that he had seriously injured Tevarin with a sword, he would probably not have believed that Si Luo actually had such a hidden level of combat power.
"What would you do if you did?"
Si Luo asked with interest. Wendy's personality was pretty good, so he didn't mind establishing a friendly relationship with her.
It was just like his attitude towards Jing Yuan and the others. After all, one more friend means one more way. This was also a habit he developed when he was in the small garden.
"Of course I'm asking for your help~"
Wendy smiled faintly, then took out a harp from behind her back, and gently plucked the strings under Si Luo's gaze.
"It's just that I, a little bard, don't even have money to drink on weekdays, so I can't give you a satisfactory reward."
"In that case, you can pay the fee as a bard."
Si Luo ignored Wendy's pretended pitiful look, lay down on his back casually, and looked at the clouds in the sky with a rather comfortable expression.
When he was just starting out and undergoing trials, he would often lie on the ground like this with the Great Saint Sister, looking up at the sky and talking about their ambitions.
Fortunately, he and the Great Saint Sister finally fulfilled their dreams and had the most perfect ending.
"The poets sing the eternal stories. The gods live in the mortal world, and the human world has been here for a long time."
Noticing that Si Luo's mood was gradually relaxing, Wendy beside him also restrained her expression, raised her head and looked into the distance, while playing pleasant music.
...
"Eh? Si Luo, why are you back from outside?"
Ying, who had prepared breakfast, had just woken up Qin and Paimeng. When she was about to go upstairs to look for the missing person, she saw Si Luo who just pushed the door in, and immediately showed a puzzled look.
"I just heard a bard reciting an interesting story outside, and I couldn't help but go out and listen for a while."
Si Luo responded with a chuckle.
All he could say was that he was worthy of being the God of Wind. His gentle tone coupled with the accompaniment of the harp really sounded very pleasant, and he couldn't help but think of going back and preparing an orchestra for himself.
If I remember correctly, Shiluva and Cocolia had formed a band before.
"travelling poet?"
Ying's expression became even more confused, but she soon shifted her attention away from Si Luo, and looked helplessly at Paimeng who was eating happily.
"Eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you!"
Si Luo also took the opportunity to come to the sofa and sat down next to Qin.
"Sorry, Si Luo, I accidentally fell asleep just now."
Qin, who was holding a piece of bread and eating in small bites, noticed Si Luo's gaze. She swallowed the food in her mouth with a slightly red face, and then spoke in a low voice.
"Nothing, it's still early anyway."
"However, Captain Qin, have you considered how we are going to get there? After all, according to the location on the map, if we rely on walking, I am afraid we may not be able to get there within a few days."
As one of the seven countries in the continent of Teyvat, Mondstadt is already very vast in area. In addition, its interior is mainly composed of mountains and plains, so the travel time will at least increase by half.
"About this... I have already prepared a carriage at the gate of Mondstadt."
When talking about business, Qin's expression suddenly became serious.
"If we add the blessing of the wind element and go straight, it will only take us half a day to reach the Wind Dragon Ruins."
Chapter 14: Wind Dragon Ruins, Advanced Routine
Although elemental power exists on the continent of Teyvat and is widely used, the only people who can actually use this power are some lucky people who get responses from the gods of wishes and obtain the [Eye of God].
Most ordinary people use minerals and plants with elemental power, or capture slimes with pure elemental power as power.
In addition, Mondstadt's terrain is rugged, and most merchant groups even use hot air balloons to transport goods, while horse-drawn carriages are considered the most luxurious means of transportation.
However, in order to conceal her whereabouts and prevent the delegation from the Kingdom of Winter from discovering the fact that she had left Mondstadt, when Qin led them to the city gate, she deliberately chose the side door of Mondstadt which was basically closed on weekdays.
After all, Mondstadt is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Apart from the main gate which is the only entrance and exit from land, there is only a side gate corresponding to the dock on the sea side, which is used to receive goods brought by merchant groups and fleets at sea. However, this dock is only used a few times a year, so it has been closed on weekdays and few people come here.
"You go in first, I will be in charge of driving the carriage."
Qin brought them to a carriage parked at the city gate and greeted the brown-skinned man who was waiting there. After he returned to the city and closed the city gate, she withdrew her gaze and motioned Si Luo and the others to get on the carriage.
"Ah."
Knowing that she knew nothing about this, Ying nodded and got on the carriage first. Paimon, who was also very interested in the carriage, floated up from Si Luo's shoulder and followed Ying into the carriage.
"Mr. Si Luo?"
Qin saw that Si Luo had no intention of getting in the car, and a look of confusion appeared on her face.
"Let me drive. I've memorized the map of Mond. We won't go wrong as long as we follow the road."
Si Luo chuckled and spoke.
"Also, just call me Si Luo. Correspondingly, I will also call you Qin directly."
"But…"
Qin still found it hard to accept. After all, Si Luo was a customer who came to help. If she had to trouble him with even such a thing, she would really feel ashamed.
"It's nothing to worry about. After all, I can't let a beautiful lady drive a car. It's such a waste of resources that I can't do that."
Si Luo sat directly in the driving seat of the carriage and put his legs in front of him with a comfortable expression. Combined with his outstanding appearance, he gave people an extremely chic feeling.
"..."
"Then... I'll leave it to you, Si Luo..."
Qin was obviously not used to being suddenly praised for her beauty by the opposite sex. Her cheeks turned slightly red and she had no idea how to respond to him. In the end, she could only pretend to be calm and enter the carriage under Si Luo's gaze.
After all, she had shown a talent for swordsmanship since she was a child, and as the next patriarch of the ancient Gunhild family, she was strictly taught by her mother. The praises she heard on a daily basis were basically for her talent and chivalry. After joining the Knights of Favonius, she shined even more. Not only was she valued by Grand Master Falga, she also won the honor of Dandelion Knight at the age of only fifteen.
From then on, all the compliments she heard turned into recognition of her strength and praise of her character. The only friend she interacted with on a daily basis was Lisa, a same-sex person. The other knights all respected her very much. Therefore, strictly speaking, after she gained the consciousness of gender, it was the first time that she was simply praised for her beauty.
"Hold on tight, ladies~"
After Si Luo turned sideways to give a reminder, he drove the carriage out of Mondstadt, went around the city wall and came to the bridge at the main gate. After entering the plain, he drove along the central road straight towards the Wind Dragon Ruins.
...
With the help of the wind elemental power deployed by Qin, the carriage traveled at an exaggerated speed through the plains and mountains of Mond. Most of the monsters encountered along the way were dealt with by Si Luo in advance. Only occasionally would some monsters of similar strength be left behind for Ying or Qin to practice with and to kill time.
It was not until late at night that Si Luo finally arrived near Mingguan Gorge, and was stopped by Qin.
"From here, we can go straight to the Wind Dragon Ruins... But it's too late today. Let's rest and go there tomorrow during the day."
Although night is the time when most creatures are most relaxed, Qin had been using elemental power to drive the carriage all the way, which had already consumed a lot of her physical strength. In addition, Si Luo had not rested for a long time, so she suppressed her anxiety and prepared to rest for a night before entering the Wind Dragon Ruins.
Besides, the Wind Dragon Ruins are surrounded by hurricanes all year round, and even she doesn't know what the specific situation is inside. Not to mention whether the night has any effect on the Wind Dragon, but at least for her, her vision will be greatly affected in the dark.
If I had known earlier, I would have brought Amber here as well. With the Eye of the God of Fire, she can at least act as a fire fairy at night.
"May I?"
Si Luo didn't care. After all, his purpose this time was to come here and take some time to fish and win Qin's favor. He could locate the Wind Dragon at any time and didn't care when to deal with this matter.
"Well... compared to solving the dragon disaster, the top priority is to ensure our safety."
Qin responded without hesitation. This was the philosophy she had always adhered to, even the duties of acting leader came after those of a knight.
Just like a qualified superior like Jing Yuan, he will sacrifice part of his life for the smallest cost, which is also the most correct approach... If Qin faces this situation, she will only choose to use her body to block in front and die in front of everyone. This kind of character may be a little naive, but it is also because of this that she will be loved by everyone and become an irreplaceable flower in Mondstadt.
"In this case, let's find a place to rest first."
Si Luo nodded, slowed down the speed of the carriage slightly, and began to look for a location on the nearby mountains that could block the airflow and was suitable for setting up camp.
"Are you here already?"
At this time, Paimeng, who had been sleeping soundly in the carriage all the way, staggered out, fell on Si Luo's shoulder with sleepy eyes, turned his head to touch his face lightly, and then rubbed against him in a clinging manner.
"Not yet. Let's find a place nearby to rest for today, and then continue our journey when it gets light."
Si Luo caressed Paimon's body affectionately, then found a camp set up by the Adventurer's Association and drove the carriage to a stop in front of a tree near the camp.
"Oh…"
Paimon yawned in response, then let his hands hang naturally and grabbed the corner of Si Luo's clothes. Then, while Qin was going to the camp to confirm safety, he seemed to fall down unintentionally, slid directly into his clothes, and sat on the gun of Longinus just right.
Paimon hadn't been able to enjoy her favorite milk the whole day, and she couldn't help herself just by smelling Si Luo's scent.
"Silo, where is this place?"
Ying also got off the carriage at this time, looked at the rather gloomy and desolate environment around her, and asked curiously.
"Mingguan Gorge, go straight along this road for a distance and you will reach the Wind Dragon Ruins."
Si Luo tied the horse to the tree trunk next to him and responded casually.
"The visibility is too poor at night, so let's take a rest today and go deal with the Wind Demon Dragon when it's daybreak."
"Um…"
The girl nodded and took out her backpack.
"Then I'm going to go prepare dinner. Do you want anything to eat?"
After obtaining supplies in Mondstadt, Ying now has a full set of adventurer equipment. Apart from the additional weight, she is very satisfied with all other aspects.
After all, cooking utensils used outdoors are still not very reassuring, so it is better to use your own.
"I like whatever you do."
Si Luo reached out and touched the girl's head, responding with a chuckle.
Anyway, no matter what food he eats, it will be directly converted into pure energy, so he has no dietary restrictions, even some unconventional dark dishes are no exception.
In a sense, Ying, who were already an old couple, were not particularly shy. After enjoying his head pat for a while, she entered the camp with a happy face and began to prepare dinner.
...
Because of the presence of Jean, the highly alert Knight Commander, Si Luo did not do anything too outrageous at night. He just let Paimon crawl into his clothes to squeeze out the milk, while he held Ying who was leaning on him, and waited until dawn.
"Get ready to go."
Qin, who also had not slept all night, was about to come over to wake him up, but before she could open her mouth, Si Luo suddenly turned his head to look at her, chuckled and spoke.
"Ah."
Fortunately, Qin had a strong psychological endurance. After calming down, she nodded slightly.
"However, the Wind Dragon Ruins are covered by hurricanes all year round. The wind field there is difficult for even the owner of the Eye of God to approach, so we still need to find a way to break the wind field there."
"Let's take a look first and then talk."
