"Acting Grand Master Jean, this is the intelligence I obtained." Inside the Knights of Favonius headquarters, Tang Wang handed over the piece of paper.
After that, there was no chance of any "rest" for the remainder of the day.
Guided by Tang Wang's ability, an elite squad traveled across Mondstadt at tremendous speed, uprooting the Abyss Order's strongholds one after another.
Their lineup was nothing short of extravagant: Albedo, Diluc, Eula, Barbara, Jean, Lisa, Rosaria, and Tang Wang for good measure.
The main reason they dared deploy such a group was the extraordinary mobility afforded by the Shrinking the Ground to an Inch ability of Tang Wang's Shadow Domain.
Aside from a quick lunch at noon, the group spent all their time engaged in the most primal slaughter.
Only when the last gathering place burned to ashes beneath a firebird did the sky finally go completely dark.
"Where on earth did you get something like this?" Acting Grand Master Jean asked Tang Wang curiously after they returned to Mondstadt.
"Why, when we went to Starsnatch Cliff, of course." After exchanging a glance with Tang Wang, Albedo stepped in to cover for him. "It's just that we hadn't yet confirmed whether the intelligence itself was genuine."
"I see." Rosaria gave Albedo a solemn bow. "I apologize to you both for what I said before."
"There's no need for that, Miss Rosaria." Albedo shook his head.
"So, Acting Grand Master Jean," Tang Wang spoke up at that moment, "how many of the sweets, cakes, and other dishes I asked you to prepare have you managed to make?"
"There's only tomorrow left. You should be able to have them ready, right?"
"Oh? Cutie, whatever do you want all those things for?" Lisa asked him in a seductive tone.
"To welcome a guest who's traveled a long way, of course," he answered truthfully.
"Such an elaborate welcome. It seems this guest of yours is quite important."
"Yes, important. Very, very important." Tang Wang nodded emphatically. "As long as she's willing to come, Mondstadt's crisis will effectively be resolved."
"Wait, could it be..." Diluc seemed to recall something all at once.
"Don't worry. It's exactly who you're thinking of." Tang Wang nodded.
"But relations between the Fatui and Mondstadt are strained. Why do you think she'll help us?" Diluc studied him again.
"There are two reasons." He held up two fingers. "First, because we're family."
"Second, the Fatui's Damselette won't help us, but Columbina will surely be very willing to help us."
"...As long as you know what you're doing." Diluc sighed.
The day passed quickly. Early the next morning, Tang Wang tossed a large bag of Mora to Ronava, who wore her hair in twin tails, and Linaya, who wore the same hairstyle.
"You two, please bring back a portion of every food you think is delicious."
"Why do that?" Ronava asked instinctively.
"To welcome Columbina. She'll be here tomorrow."
"Won't the food go stale if it's left too long?"
"Mm, but I have this." As he spoke, Tang Wang showed her the Shadow Domain in his hand.
"...All right." Ronava nodded. "Are you coming with us, then?"
"No, no, I still need to buy a few outfits." Tang Wang shook his head. "What she's wearing... isn't very practical."
"Leaving aside her identity as the Moon Goddess, what kind of person is she?" Ronava finally asked the question.
"A pitiful person who lost her home and is still being rejected by Teyvat." Tang Wang gave a brief summary.
"I see." Ronava fell silent, and Linaya took the opportunity to pull her out of the Goth Grand Hotel.
There were plenty of clothing merchants in Mondstadt City, including those offering high-end custom tailoring. The only problem was the lack of time.
So he could only pick out two pale blue dresses that were most characteristic of Mondstadt, along with several pairs of shoes in different styles that he thought were the right size.
Meanwhile, Acting Grand Master Jean was dealing with La Signora's obstruction. La Signora had made a long list of unreasonable demands, and after some diplomatic negotiation-or rather, arguing-the two sides were clearly unable to reach an agreement.
In response, La Signora issued a threat: if Mondstadt could not explain a certain matter, the circumstances of which she did not specify, the Fatui would increase their forces.
"Why have the Knights of Favonius fallen into such a sorry state?" As Acting Grand Master Jean left her office, she heard Diluc sigh.
"The Grand Master's expedition took too many of our elites with it, after all." There was a note of helplessness in Acting Grand Master Jean's voice. "Let's hope the helper Mr. Tang Wang has invited really can solve the problem."
"Don't worry." Diluc nodded slightly. "If the helper he's invited isn't enough to stop all this, I'll lend you a hand too."
"Don't misunderstand. I don't intend to forgive the Knights of Favonius for what they've done, but someone has to protect Mondstadt."
Finally, early the following morning, a light, white figure appeared in front of the main gate of Mondstadt City.
She wore a loose white robe and a blindfold made of thin gauze. Her feet were bare, and her body floated in midair, like a rootless white flower.
"So this is... Mondstadt?" Although her eyes could not see, she could sense everything around her through Kuuvahki. "The wind everywhere in the air... is embracing me gently."
"Lady Damselette, are you sure you don't need us to escort you into Mondstadt City?" a Fatui soldier accompanying her asked fearfully.
"No need." Columbina shook her head gently. "I'll go in by myself."
"Then, does the guest you're here to see know you've arrived?"
"No, but I believe he'll sense my presence."
With that, she floated lightly over the deserted stone bridge and came to the open gates of Mondstadt City.
The Knights of Favonius ahead were about to stop her, but a strong arm held them back.
"This is the guest I invited." The newcomer was, of course, Tang Wang. "She's a little... unaware of her own strength. If you two rashly try to stop her, there's a good chance you'll get hurt."
With that, he strode up to Columbina.
She stopped where she was, curious. She had never actually met Tang Wang before; Pantalone had brought this person's request to her.
And now...
"Columbina, these flowers are for you." The moment he spoke, a bottle appeared in his palm.
Columbina accepted the bottle and used her Kuuvahki to sense the flowers and dew within... A smile appeared on her face despite herself.
"You're Tang Wang, right?" Her voice was soft. "Hello, my name is Columbina."
"Hello, Columbina." Tang Wang nodded earnestly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."