As Jack told Venti and Ellin about the [Sword of Brilliant Valor] and the [Shield of Radiant Will],
Stanley, who had left long ago, suddenly returned. Hiding behind a tree, he overheard Jack's conversation with Venti and Ellin.
A complicated expression crossed his face. After pondering for a moment, he seemed to make up his mind and headed toward Dadaupa Gorge.
After agreeing to help Jack, Ellin and Venti set off for Dadaupa Gorge. Before leaving, however, both glanced knowingly in the direction Stanley had gone.
Toward evening, Ellin and Venti finally arrived at Dadaupa Gorge with Jack.
Venti had helped Vanessa overthrow the old aristocracy, so he knew better than anyone what weapons and equipment she had used.
And Ellin had played through the story, so she knew perfectly well whether the sword and shield were here.
They both understood that this was nothing more than a drunken lie Stanley had made up.
There was no sword or shield here at all.
Venti and Ellin had come here solely to fulfill Jack's dream.
Oh, right. There was also the fine wine...
So the two exchanged a knowing glance.
Then the two mischief-makers, one old and one young, began their performance.
They led Jack into a Hilichurl camp and, after dealing with the Hilichurls,
Ellin pointed at a battered iron sword among the loot and shouted, "Look! This is the Sword of Brilliant Valor!"
"Huh? This?"
Jack froze for a moment. "But no matter how I look at it, this is just a rusty, battered iron sword!"
Venti stepped forward, putting his extraordinary bardic talent for making things up to work.
"No, Jack!"
"Have you ever seen the Crystal Cores fluttering outside Mondstadt City?"
"These butterflies look unremarkable during the day, but at night, they shine brilliantly, just like