After learning about the situation in Mondstadt, the group returned to the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius and entered the Acting Grand Master's office, just in time to overhear a conversation taking place inside.
"Klee, you did well this time."
"Hehe, big brother Albedo, Klee had so much fun blowing things up today! It's rare to get a chance to go all out!"
"Thanks to Klee standing on the city wall and releasing bombs at the monsters, everyone was able to defend Mondstadt so easily."
"Everyone worked really hard too! Klee is so happy to be able to help! But why did big brother Albedo stop me when I took out an even bigger Jumpty Dumpty?"
"Sigh... Klee, that's because the monsters were charging right at the bridge, intending to breach the gates of Mondstadt. That bridge is the only connection between Mondstadt and the outside world. Ordinary Jumpty Dumptys won't cause too much damage to the bridge, but the large-sized ones..."
"Oh, Klee understands! The big Jumpty Dumptys would blow up the bridge along with them!"
Hearing this conversation, it was not hard to guess who the two people in the office were.
One of them was none other than Albedo, who had returned from Dragonspine to take charge of the battle.
And the other, of course, was their dear little darling Klee!
Only... when Jean walked in and heard this conversation, a clear headache came over her.
"Klee, if I recall correctly, you are supposed to be grounded right now?"
Hearing this voice, Klee jumped in fright and cast a timid look at the people who had just entered.
Seeing that everyone was back—especially noticing Jean's headache—Albedo hurriedly offered an explanation:
"Acting Grand Master Jean, it's like this. When the monsters attacked the city, I figured Klee's bombs could play a significant role, so I took it upon myself to let her out. As it turns out, Klee made a huge contribution in the battle to protect Mondstadt. For the sake of her merits, Acting Grand Master Jean, shouldn't you spare Klee from a scolding?"
How could Jean possibly want to scold Klee? After all, she practically raised Klee like her own daughter.
However, Klee's hobby of making bombs was genuinely dangerous. Especially since her mother Alice's bombs were even more... well, Klee inherited that trait entirely from Alice.
Jean had to be responsible for the safety of Mondstadt and everyone else, which was why she usually had to be quite strict when keeping Klee in line.
Noticing that everyone present belonged to the Knights of Favonius and he was the only outsider, Guchen thought to himself: If I don't speak up for Klee right now, who will?
So, Guchen stepped in to smooth things over:
"Acting Grand Master Jean, rewards for merits and punishments for faults—I believe that is the hallmark of a true leader. Besides, little Klee is just an adorable child; there's no need to be too harsh on her. Didn't she make a contribution this time? She deserves praise."
With Guchen putting it that way, Jean didn't know what else to say. Especially when she met Klee's pitiful little puppy-dog eyes, her heart inevitably softened.
She walked over and patted Klee on the head.
"Good job, Klee. But you still need to be careful in the future, understand?"
Klee nodded with a beaming smile.
At that moment, Jean spoke up again:
"If I remember correctly, Klee still has a few days left in confinement, right? As a reward, let's wipe out the rest of your confinement period entirely. Klee, you're free."
Little Klee's eyes widened in overwhelming surprise, and she couldn't help but cheer with joy:
"Yay! Long live Acting Grand Master Jean!"
Overjoyed as she was, Klee didn't forget Guchen, the person who had spoken up for her. She trotted over on her little feet, looking at Guchen with sparkling eyes:
"Hello, big brother! Thank you for helping Klee speak up—you're a good person!"
Looking at the child's innocent and adorable smiling face, Guchen and Paimon couldn't help but smile from the bottom of their hearts.
If anyone else handed Guchen a "good person" card, he might have had some mixed feelings about it. But getting one from Klee was a completely different story!
Klee was pure of heart, and whenever she evaluated someone, she always called them a good person! Once she slapped the "good person" label on you, you were guaranteed to be a good person! And what's more, a good person that Klee liked!
Pay attention! The key point was that Klee liked them! That was what made Guchen so happy!
This "good person" title was well-earned and well worth it!
Right? Isn't that so, a certain strange adult who had been standing off to the side without saying a word?
Ahem.
Let's get back to the point.
Riding on the momentum of little Klee's "good person" remark, Guchen and Paimon smilingly introduced themselves, thus officially getting acquainted with Klee.
Klee took a great liking to this kind-smelling big brother and the flying little Paimon, genuinely regarding the two of them as her new friends.
Having made new friends, little Klee was exceptionally happy and clamored to take her new friends outside to blow things up—no, wait, to go outside and play.
Unfortunately, she was stopped by Jean.
Because afterward, there were still some serious matters to discuss.
Although Klee felt a little regretful, it wasn't a big deal, so she happily skipped out alone to play by herself.
And so, everyone left in the office consisted of adults discussing business.
Oh right, there was also Albedo; Guchen and Paimon formally introduced themselves to him as well.
Once everyone was acquainted, business resumed without a hitch, and they began recounting the series of events that had transpired today.
Albedo hadn't participated in the expedition, so for the first part, he mainly listened to the relevant situation regarding Wolvendom.
As he listened, his usually calm expression showed two distinct ripples of emotion.
The first wave of emotion came when Albedo learned that Venti's true identity was none other than the Anemo Archon!
That's right, Venti's secret identity had been blown once again.
The second wave of emotion occurred when Albedo heard about Guchen's formidable combat prowess and miraculous power, learning that he was even able to cleanse the Abyss.
Hearing this, Albedo looked at Guchen in astonishment, his gaze inevitably carrying a hint of academic curiosity.
To be honest, Guchen didn't resent this kind of gaze at all, because there was no rudeness in it.
Feeling that gaze, Guchen smiled at Albedo at the time.
Albedo returned an apologetic look, and the atmosphere between them remained entirely harmonious.
After Jean finished recounting what had happened in Wolvendom, Albedo took over to brief them on the defense of Mondstadt.
Actually, there wasn't much to tell.
Although the monsters had come in a menacing horde, Mondstadt was easy to defend and hard to attack, the Knights of Favonius were well-trained, everyone acted in an orderly fashion, and coupled with Klee's coordinated bombing runs...
From start to finish, everyone handled the situation swimmingly, resulting in zero casualties.
Zero casualties truly was the best news possible—so wonderful that even Jean felt it was a bit surreal.
Just that morning, she had been wracked with a terrible headache, feeling utterly helpless and at her wits' end in the face of the dragon calamity and the looming threat of a wolf calamity.
And yet, by the afternoon, everything had been effortlessly resolved!
The one who brought about these improvements and this turning point wasn't their Anemo Archon, but rather...
Looking earnestly at Guchen, Jean offered him her heartfelt gratitude and thanks.
Not only Jean, but everyone else—including Venti—shared this exact attitude.
Faced with their gratitude, Guchen simply smiled and accepted it.
However... Paimon suddenly piped up at that moment.
The little miser immediately chimed in to ask: wasn't there any substantive, material expression of gratitude?