The last thought Shen Qin had before losing consciousness was: Next time, I have to make some kind of defensive alchemy product.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on a soft bed. Warm sunlight streamed through the windows into a spacious, bright room.
He tried to sit up, but his body felt entirely powerless.
Turning his head slightly, he saw a twin-tailed blonde girl sitting on a chair by the bed, engrossed in a book. The sunlight illuminated her profile, painting her delicate facial fuzz with a golden glow.
Barbara seemed to sense his gaze. She looked up and, seeing him staring blankly at her, said with delight, "You're awake! How do you feel? Any discomfort?"
"No strength," Shen Qin replied weakly.
"That's normal. You've been unconscious for an entire day, probably because you haven't eaten. I'll go get Master Jean and the others, then bring you something to eat."
Barbara hurried out of the room, her twin tails bouncing behind her.
Before long, Jean, Kaeya, Lisa, Diluc, Sucrose, and Klee arrived.
"Brother Shen!" Klee jumped to the bedside and hugged his neck tightly. "It's all Klee's fault! I didn't protect you well! Waaaah… I thought I'd never see you again!"
"Alright, Klee, let him rest," Jean gently pulled her back.
Klee sat by the bed, holding Shen Qin's hand tightly.
"This was my failure," Diluc said apologetically. "I invited you to Dawn Winery but didn't ensure your safety."
Lisa stepped forward. "Alright, alright. Now's not the time to discuss blame. Little cutie, can you tell us everything you remember? The knights who found you said they spotted an explosion on a nearby hill. When they investigated, they found you two unconscious in the ruins."
"How's Bennett? Is he okay?" Shen Qin asked.
"He's worse off than you but not in danger. He's still unconscious," Lisa reassured him.
Shen Qin recalled how Bennett shielded him from the explosion at the last moment. But remembering Bennett's clumsy stumble that caused the situation, Shen Qin felt torn between gratitude and exasperation.
Once assured of Bennett's safety, Shen Qin recounted everything he experienced, including the conclusions he had drawn from his "bird's-eye" observations.
"It's the Abyss Order again! And the Stormterror Dragon has reappeared?" Jean's face grew solemn. "What could they be plotting?"
Five hundred years ago, during the Archon War, the Dragon of the East, Dvalin, had answered Barbatos' call to defeat a dragon attacking Mondstadt. Afterward, Dvalin went into a deep slumber and was largely forgotten by the people of Mondstadt.
"The key problem now is that we don't know Dvalin's location, so we can't stop the Abyss Order's plans," Lisa said. "Jean, have you sent anyone to investigate the ruins?"
Jean shook her head. "All the passages in the ruins were destroyed. I suspect the Abyss Order sabotaged them after we rescued Shen Qin and Bennett, to prevent us from uncovering their secrets."
"Hmph, they're as meticulous and infuriating as ever," Diluc said disdainfully.
"If you're asking where Dvalin might be, I have a guess," Kaeya interjected. "The Old Mondstadt Ruins. Recently, adventurers reported that the entire area has been sealed off by a massive wind-element barrier. No one can get in or out."
"That makes sense," Diluc nodded. "If there's anywhere in Mondstadt suitable as Dvalin's lair, it would be either an isolated island or the Old Mondstadt Ruins—remote, desolate, and perfect for secrecy."
"I'll prioritize investigating the ruins, but until we can breach the barrier, we can only observe from the perimeter," Jean said. She turned to Kaeya. "Shen Qin mentioned Abyss spies in Mondstadt. Look into it and see if you can root them out."
"Understood."
Diluc looked at Shen Qin. "You said they didn't seem intent on harming you and that the person on the throne simply wanted to meet you before safely releasing you?"
"That's correct," Shen Qin said. "But I suspect they might tamper with me—alter my memory or personality, for example. I can't even be sure I haven't already been influenced by the Abyss."
Sucrose, worried, suggested, "If you're concerned, I'll ask Master Albedo to examine you. He's very knowledgeable about alchemy and has studied the Abyss."
"Alright." Shen Qin smiled and nodded.
Barbara returned with a steaming bowl of millet porridge. "You haven't eaten for a while, so start with something light."
Since Shen Qin lacked strength, Kaeya helped prop him up against the headboard. Seeing Barbara hand him the bowl, Kaeya smiled stiffly. "Am I supposed to feed him now?"
Barbara tilted her head: "Why not?"
Kaeya glanced at Klee, who blinked at him cluelessly. He skipped over Jean and Diluc, while Sucrose stared at the floor. Finally, he looked at Lisa.
"Oh dear, you don't even know how to care for someone?" Lisa sighed, taking the bowl. She sat beside Shen Qin and waved the others off. "Why are you all still here? Do you want to watch me feed him too?"
"I'm off to patrol!" Kaeya winked at Shen Qin before leaving.
Diluc followed silently.
"I'll head back to the alchemy lab. See you later!" Sucrose said and hurried out.
"Shen, stay in the city for now," Jean advised before leaving with Barbara.
Klee stayed by Shen Qin's side, clutching his hand tightly.
Lisa looked at Shen Qin and sighed dramatically. "I've never been fed like this before, and now I have to feed someone else first!"
Shen Qin shivered under her gaze. "Maybe Klee could help instead?"
"Oh? Are you rejecting me?" Lisa teased, using elemental energy to levitate the porridge and spoon-feed him.
Shen Qin marveled at the unconventional use of elemental energy but obediently opened his mouth.
"Ah! It's hot! Hot!"
"Oh dear, I forgot to let it cool down…"
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Bennett lay weakly on his bed, listening to the commotion. "Someone… check on me…please…. I'm starving…"