The clock struck nine in the evening across Teyvat, the continent's denizens settling into their nightly routines under a starlit sky. In Mondstadt, the city's lamps cast a warm glow over the cobblestone streets, where citizens lingered in taverns and homes, their laughter a soft counterpoint to the night's breeze. In Liyue Harbor, merchants tallied their day's earnings by the glow of lanterns, the scent of grilled fish wafting through the air. Inazuma's streets were quieter, the tension of the Vision Hunt Decree keeping most indoors, though the faint sound of shamisen music drifted from teahouses. Across Teyvat, people engaged in various entertainments—some played cards, others shared stories, and many turned their attention to a now-familiar phenomenon: the Teyvat Second Creation broadcast.
The virtual broadcast room flickered to life, its ethereal glow reaching every corner of the continent. "The live broadcast room of Teyvat Second Creation is open! Dear viewers and friends, have you eaten your late-night snacks?" the system announced, its cheerful tone a beacon of anticipation. The timing was perfect—based on the broadcast's recent pattern, viewers had expected a new video tonight, and the system did not disappoint.
The chat exploded with activity as familiar names flooded the room. Jean: "Oh no, why does it have to start now…" she typed, her tone laced with dread. She was still at the Knights of Favonius headquarters, overseeing the interrogation of the captured Abyss Mages.
Kaeya: "Haha, no worries, Captain—it's fine to take a break and watch the second creation video," he teased, his playful demeanor a stark contrast to Jean's stress.
Hu Tao: "Me, me, tonight it has to be me—I need to advertise the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!" she declared, her enthusiasm undimmed by past disappointments.
Zhongli: "Hall Master, even if you're chosen, it might not be an advertisement for the parlor," he cautioned, his calm voice a grounding presence.
Hu Tao: "@Zhongli, then you'd better come up with a way to make the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor famous!" she shot back, her determination unwavering.
Xander: "Boss Hu Tao is still so eager to promote her business," he noted, a hint of amusement in his words.
Kamisato Ayaka: "That kind of business is a taboo for the living—it's not an easy task," she observed, her tone gentle but pragmatic.
Tianquan Ningguang: "Indeed, young Hu Tao is too impatient. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't a typical business—standard sales tactics won't suffice," she agreed, her wisdom born of years in commerce.
Arataki Itto: "I want to be on camera again—this time, I need to look cool and wise, not like a fool who gets scammed!" he demanded. "@Kuki Shinobu, by the way, Shinobu, why haven't you bailed me out yet?"
Kuki Shinobu: "Boss, I'd love to help, but do you even have the Mora for bail?" she replied, her tone exasperated.
Arataki Itto: "Uh… well, I spent it all on Miss Hina's limited autograph card a few days ago," he admitted sheepishly.
Kuki Shinobu: "Spending recklessly again? Then you can stay in prison for a while," she snapped, her patience worn thin.
The chat buzzed with laughter and banter, the audience settling in for the night's entertainment. After a few moments of lively exchange, the big screen flickered, revealing the title of the new second creation video: "The Trouble of the Piano Leader."
The protagonist was none other than Jean, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, known for her steadfast leadership—and, as the chat often teased, her long hips.
Kaeya: "@Jean, Captain, it's your turn this time!" he typed, his grin practically audible.
Eula: "Hmm, this is quite unexpected—I'm rather looking forward to it," she admitted, a rare hint of curiosity in her tone.
Amber: "Thank goodness it's not me, thank goodness it's not me," she sighed, her relief palpable.
Lisa: "Oh my, this is going to be fun," she purred, her playful nature shining through.
Noelle: "Captain Jean has been chosen—I wonder if I'll be next someday," she mused, her voice tinged with both hope and nervousness.
Jean: "This… why me, all of a sudden? I'm getting a headache," she groaned, her stress mounting.
Keqing: "It seems Captain Jean couldn't escape the spotlight after all," she noted, a hint of sympathy in her words.
Kujou Sara: "First Liyue, now Mondstadt—perhaps Inazuma will be next…" she speculated, her tone wary.
Kamisato Ayaka: "Yes, it's almost certain they'll come for us eventually," she agreed, her voice soft but resigned.
The title faded, and the video began, transporting the audience to a sunlit day in Mondstadt City. The scene opened in the Knights of Favonius headquarters, a grand building of stone and stained glass that stood at the heart of the city. Its halls were adorned with banners bearing the Anemo Archon's symbol, their blue and green hues fluttering in the breeze that slipped through open windows. The scent of old books and polished wood filled the air, a testament to the headquarters' dual role as both a military stronghold and a place of knowledge.
Inside the Acting Grand Master's office, Jean sat behind a large oak desk, its surface cluttered with reports, maps, and a half-empty cup of tea. The sunlight streaming through the window caught her blonde hair, turning it into a halo of gold. Her blue cape draped over her shoulders, the emblem of the Knights pinned at her chest, a symbol of her unyielding duty. Her expression was stern, her brow furrowed as she looked at the small figure standing before her.
Klee, the Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius, stood on a small stool to reach the desk's height. Her red hat, adorned with a four-leaf clover, sat slightly askew on her head, and her matching red outfit was smudged with dirt—a sign of her latest adventure. Her large, innocent eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and mischief, her tiny hands clasped behind her back as she rocked on her heels. Jumpty Dumpty, her beloved stuffed toy, dangled from her backpack, its googly eyes bouncing with each movement.
The chat lit up as the audience recognized the duo. Klee: "Yay! Klee's on camera again!" she cheered, her excitement infectious.
Ying: "Congratulations, little Klee!" the Traveler typed, a smile in her words.
Paimon: "Wow, both Xiao Klee and Dada Duck are back for a second time!" she exclaimed, her tone bubbly.
Tartaglia: "It's Tartaglia, not Dada Duck—stop calling me that!" he protested, his frustration clear.
The audience laughed, Klee's joy a bright spot in the broadcast. But those familiar with her second creation appearances knew that her videos often revolved around destruction and mischief—a pattern that promised chaos for Jean.
The video played on, the scene unfolding with a mix of humor and tension. Jean's voice was firm, her tone that of a exasperated parent. "Klee, you need to explain this matter to me clearly today," she said, her hands resting on the desk as she leaned forward.
Klee tilted her head, her expression one of genuine confusion. "Explain what?" she asked, her voice small but curious.
Jean's eyes narrowed, her patience already wearing thin. "You know exactly what you did—don't play innocent with me," she replied, her tone sharp.
Klee blinked, her tiny brow furrowing as she thought. "Um… I just didn't go to class yesterday," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jean's stern facade cracked, her eyes widening in shock. "That's not what I—wait, what? You skipped class?" she exclaimed, her voice rising with disbelief.
Klee nodded, her hat bobbing with the motion. "Class is so boring, Klee doesn't like sitting still all the time," she explained, her tone matter-of-fact. She paused, then tilted her head again. "Huh? That's not what you meant? Then… oh! I just put a lizard with a funny pattern in Sister Diona's drink."
Jean's jaw dropped, her composure shattering entirely. "That's not what I meant either—what?! You put a lizard in someone else's drink?" she sputtered, her hands gripping the edge of the desk.
Klee nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with pride. "But that lizard really liked the drink! Isn't that the same thing?" she asked, her innocence almost comical in the face of Jean's growing horror.
The chat erupted in laughter, the audience delighting in Klee's antics and Jean's mounting frustration. But the video was only the beginning of the night's events. As the broadcast continued, a real crisis was brewing in Mondstadt, one that would test Jean's leadership and Klee's chaotic energy in ways the second creation could never predict.
Outside the city, in the shadowed depths of Wolvendom, a new threat stirred. The Abyss Order, enraged by the capture of their mages, had summoned a more formidable ally: a Frostarm Lawachurl, a towering beast of Cryo power. The creature's icy breath froze the trees around it, its massive fists capable of shattering stone. The Abyss Mages, though captured, had left behind a contingency plan—a trail of dark magic that led the Lawachurl straight to Mondstadt's walls.
The city's guards, still recovering from the earlier siege, were unprepared for the beast's arrival. It emerged from the forest just as the second creation video reached its climax, its roar shaking the ground. The Lawachurl charged toward the city gates, its icy aura freezing the grass beneath its feet. The guards on duty raised the alarm, their horns blaring through the night as they scrambled to defend the walls.
Jean, still in her office with Klee, heard the horns and sprang to her feet. "Klee, stay here—I need to handle this," she ordered, her voice firm despite the chaos unfolding outside. She grabbed her sword and rushed out, her cape billowing behind her as she descended the headquarters' stairs.
Klee, however, had other ideas. "Klee wants to help!" she declared, hopping off the stool and grabbing her backpack. She rummaged through it, pulling out a handful of her signature bombs, their fuses already sparking. "Jumpty Dumpty will protect Mondstadt!" she cheered, racing after Jean despite the older woman's orders.
Outside, the Lawachurl reached the city gates, its massive fists slamming against the stone. The gates shuddered, cracks spiderwebbing across their surface as the guards fired arrows and spears. The projectiles bounced off the beast's icy armor, doing little to slow its assault. Jean arrived just in time, her Anemo Vision glowing as she summoned a gust of wind to push the Lawachurl back. "Knights, to me!" she shouted, her voice carrying over the chaos.
Eula, Amber, and Kaeya joined her, their weapons drawn as they faced the beast. Eula's claymore glowed with Cryo energy, her strikes aimed at the Lawachurl's legs to slow its movements. Amber's arrows ignited with Pyro, the flames melting patches of the creature's icy armor. Kaeya's sword danced with Cryo, his attacks a strategic counter to the Lawachurl's own element. But the beast was relentless, its roars shaking the air as it swung its fists, sending knights flying with each blow.
Xander, watching the second creation video from his room at the Windblume Inn, heard the commotion outside. He glanced out the window, his eyes narrowing as he saw the Lawachurl's massive form. "Looks like the Abyss Order isn't done yet," he muttered, grabbing the Shadowfang Blade and heading for the gates.
By the time he arrived, the battle was in full swing. Jean and her knights were holding their ground, but the Lawachurl's strength was overwhelming. Klee, who had snuck out despite Jean's orders, stood at the edge of the battlefield, her tiny form dwarfed by the chaos. "Klee can help!" she shouted, tossing one of her bombs at the Lawachurl. The explosive bounced off the beast's armor, detonating in a burst of Pyro energy that singed its fur but did little real damage.
Jean turned, her eyes widening in horror. "Klee, I told you to stay inside!" she shouted, her voice a mix of fear and frustration.
"But Klee wants to protect Mondstadt!" the little girl protested, her eyes shining with determination. She pulled out another bomb, its fuse sparking dangerously close to her hands.
Xander stepped in, his blade drawn as he teleported between Klee and the Lawachurl. "I'll handle this—keep her safe, Jean," he called, his voice steady. He swung the Shadowfang Blade, a dimensional slash cutting through the air. The spatial magic ignored the Lawachurl's armor, slicing into its flesh with a spray of icy blood. The beast roared, turning its attention to Xander as he teleported again, striking from another angle.
Jean scooped Klee into her arms, her heart pounding as she retreated to a safer distance. "Klee, you can't just run into danger like that," she scolded, her voice trembling with worry. "You're brave, but you're still a child—I need you to be safe."
Klee's lip quivered, her eyes filling with tears. "But… Klee just wanted to help Captain Jean," she sniffled, clutching Jumpty Dumpty tightly.
Jean's expression softened, her grip on Klee tightening as she hugged the girl close. "I know, Klee, and I'm proud of your courage. But you're my responsibility—I can't lose you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. The weight of her role as Acting Grand Master, combined with her care for Klee, pressed heavily on her shoulders.
On the battlefield, Xander and the knights worked together to bring down the Lawachurl. His dimensional slashes weakened the beast, while Eula's Cryo attacks slowed its movements. Amber's Pyro arrows melted its armor, and Kaeya's strategic strikes kept it off balance. Jean, after ensuring Klee was safe with a nearby knight, rejoined the fight, her Anemo powers lifting the Lawachurl into the air for a final, coordinated assault. With a combined strike, the beast fell, its icy form shattering against the ground.
The city was safe once more, but the night had left its mark on Jean. She stood amidst the wreckage of the gates, her breath heavy as she looked at Klee, who was now playing with a dandelion nearby. The second creation video had painted her as a beleaguered leader struggling with Klee's mischief, but the reality was far more complex. Jean was a woman torn between duty and care, her heart stretched thin by the needs of her city and the child she'd sworn to protect.
Xander approached, sheathing his blade as he offered a nod. "She's a handful, but she's got a good heart," he said, glancing at Klee.
Jean smiled wearily, her eyes soft as she watched the little girl. "She does. And I wouldn't have her any other way," she replied, her voice filled with quiet resolve.
The Shadowfang Blade at Xander's side thrummed, a silent witness to the night's trials. Mondstadt had survived, but the Abyss Order's shadow loomed ever larger, a threat that would test Jean's leadership—and Klee's spark—in the days to come.
***
Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze