: Weird Rumor

After Ashen and Amber arrived in the city.

"It's a bit quiet in Mondstadt, isn't it?" Say Ashen

"Sure... Sometimes it's a bit sad to see this. Due to Stormterror... The townspeople are a bit... depressed" said Amber.

Amber put on a sad face while looking around Being Lonely. There are no people passing by, their fear of Stormterror continues to haunt the residents of Mondstadt so they are reluctant to go out at night.

That's because Stormterror's last attack occurred at night. The damage to Mondstadt was quite severe with several houses destroyed in the storm. But what can Mondstadt do?, when almost all of their strongest People follow Grandmaster Varkha on an expedition.

Ashen realized that Amber was drowning in her sadness and started to hug her from behind. Amber was a little surprised, but slowly enjoyed the hug.

"Calm down... I also hate this atmosphere too, I will help as much as I can" Ashen said.

"Thank you," Amber said quietly.

"Hey, Wanna go to Angel's Share?. I just got some treasures in the Domain I conquered with Lisa. So I think I have a bit more money to spare. What do you think?" Offer Ashen.

"Hehehe~ alright!, I also really want to rest for a while!"

"Sure" Ashen said while rubbing Amber's head.

Ashen prefers to see Amber's cheerful nature return. Because it felt very strange for a cheerful person like her to suddenly become quiet, and Ashen would definitely not be able to stand it if the people closest to him were like that.

After they both agreed, they headed to Angel's Share. And Entering the Tavern, Ashen could see a familiar sight because he had visited the place during his tour with Amber.

However, unlike the first time I visited, this place became crowded. There were people playing musical instruments right by the door of the Bar and a few people sitting at the tables chatting and drinking drunkenly.

"Ahh isn't this Amber's Girlfriend? Welcome to Angel's Share" Charles greeted.

"W-What are you saying Uncle!!, I'm not Ashen's girlfriend yet!" Amber exclaimed with a flushed face.

"Hoho~ Not yet huh?" Charles said with a sly smile.

"T-That!"

Amber blushed even more, she also didn't want to deny that she would also be very happy if she's became Ashen's Girlfriend. That's why instead of saying "no" his tongue slipped and said "Not yet".

"Alright, stop your teasing uncle. I'm afraid she will burn this Tavern because she's too embarrassed" Ashen said while laughing softly.

"Hahaha alright alright. So let me take your orders?" said Charles.

"What would you like to order Amber?" asked Ashen.

"Hmm I'll be the same as usual... Apple cider!" Amber said.

"Okay, give me 3 bottles of Apple Cider," said Ashen.

"What!!" Both Charles and Amber shouted in shock. But because of the Bar's crowd, their voices were not even noticed by other Diners.

"Hehehe~ This drink is really good just in case. I want to have a lot of stock" Ashen said.

"Hmm, that's right, OK, choose an empty table. I will immediately bring your order" said Charles.

"Of course!" Ashen said.

Amber and Ashen sat on chairs at an empty table. Amber also looked at Ashen with a narrowed gaze and with both hands placed on her waist.

Ashen, who felt uncomfortable with the gaze, started to shrug his shoulders briefly.

"Is there something wrong?" Ask Ashen.

"Ashen-san... Are you really an alcoholic?" Amber said with a suspicious tone.

"No... Even if it's alcohol that's too pathetic... I don't even feel drunk after drinking 1 at 100%. And you were one of the people who saw that" Ashen said.

"W-... That... But why buy that many?" Amber asked.

"Hmm, I'm planning our date. I will arrange it as soon as possible and as best as possible so as not to make you wait too long" said Ashen.

Amber, who heard that, blushed. Her heart rhythm is getting more and more erratic and beats with a very fast intonation. Her face heated up and his eyes welled up with tears.

"Y-you did all that for me?" Amber asked shyly.

"Sure honey... Who else do you think I should be doing this for?" Ashen said.

"Ugh~"

Amber looked down and covered her face using the table and her arms. Ashen who saw that too laughed softly and ignored it, because right now Amber was very happy and couldn't help but keep smiling strangely.

"Okay Sorry to wait, this is your order Mr. Ashen. Since the Stormterror happened this is the only time we've been able to sell 3 bottles Wine" Charles said putting down 3 bottles of Wine and 2 empty glasses.

"Hmm? It turns out that Stormterror is really bad, yes, it even has an impact on Angel's Share business," Ashen said.

"That's how it is... We usually supply 5 countries. Because our main branch, Dawn Winery, which is led by Mr.Diluc, is very famous among nobles for its luxurious wine," said Charles.

"And because of Stormterror, their trade routes are cut off because often things like Hilichurl, Slime, and Monster Plants often appear together with this Stormterror," continued Amber.

"Hmm... I see, thanks for the wine" Ashen said.

"Same, say if you need anything else" said Charles back to his desk.

Ashen opened one bottle of his Wine while the other two bottles were stored in the Storage. Ashen poured the Apple Cider Wine into the two Empty cups and put the wine bottle back down.

Ashen and Amber lifted their respective cups.

"For your success in the Glider Test" Amber said.

"And for your courage in expressing your feelings" replied Ashen.

*Ting*

After a Cheers. Ashen and Amber drank the Wine quietly, for and after that they breathed a sigh of relief and chatted casually about their daily life before meeting each other and Amber also sometimes went into interrogation mode when asking Ashen things about Lisa.

"Hey this Stormterror really sucks~!" Said One of Customer 1 at another table.

"You're right. Wouldn't it be better if the Knight Of Favonius took immediate action about this?" Reply Customer 2 who sits in front of customer 1.

"It won't be that easy idiot!~. You know how difficult it is to defeat Mondstadt's protectors for hundreds of years right?" Said Customer 1 and took another sip of his Wine.

"Heeh? How strong, I'm pretty sure if Darknight Hero and Red Knight unite. They can defeat Stormterror easily" said Customer 2.

"United?... Oh no kidding, I heard rumors that the Red Knights and Darknights are very hostile. Because Red Knights always kill criminals and torture their prey too brutally, it's different from Darknight who will knock down his enemies and leave them hanging on trees" Reply Customer 1.

"Really!?, just how cruel is this mysterious Red Knight?" Ask Customer 2.

"I don't know for sure the victim will always be found unconscious with several burns on his body" explained Customer 1.

"Yes, no doubt he is a Vision Pyro user. I bet 1 million mora for that" said customer 2.

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Back to Ashen's table...

'red knight? Pyro?'

Ashen who heard the conversation of the 2 people behind him was silent. He connected some of the information that caught his ear, and finally he hesitantly turned to Amber with a questioning face.

"N-No I didn't do that!?" Amber denied.

"Hmm... Sorry I'm a little suspicious there... Well if it's not you then I'll just believe it. After all, I don't really care about this Red Knight rumor either" Ashen said.

"I'm actually quite curious. Not to mention the existence of the Darknight hero, now the Red Knight. Mondstadt really has to take care of that after this Stormterror" said Amber.

Suddenly someone put his hand on the table between Ashen and Amber. When Ashen looked at the person, he must have felt familiar with the person having met him once.

"Kaeya?" Ashen said.

"Hey what if I join?" Kaeya asked.

"Sure" Ashen Said.

Kaeya also took one of the chairs and sat where he was facing each other with Ashen at this time when Amber moved and sat beside Ashen.

"Ashen-san, so you also know Kaeya?" Amber asked.

"Yes... We met by chance, we knew each other even though our chat was short at that time" Ashen said.

"Sorry about the last time we met. After all, a Cavalry captain like me is very busy right now, especially during the Stormterror period" said Kaeya while drinking he drink.

"It's okay, I don't really mind it" Ashen replied with a dry laugh.

"So what happened to you and Kaeya-senpai when we first met?" Amber asked curiously.

Ashen also explained starting after Amber came home and all the events that happened that night. Amber who after

hearing that felt complicated feelings again. Because she also felt guilty for leaving Ashen to fight that weirdo with an injured hand.

"Don't worry, I'm currently in good shape. If I ever see him again, I won't hesitate to kill him" Ashen said.

"Please avoid killing him" Kaeya said with a resigned laugh.

"Hmm? Do you know anything about him Kaeya-senpai" Amber said.

"Yes for now he is useful for reducing crime. But I really don't know who he really is" Kaeya said with a nervous smile.

Ashen's eyesight is not bad, he can see some strange behavior from kaeya such as tiva holding the glass too tightly, swaying thighs and a slightly twitching smile then back to normal.

However, even Ashen just ignored it. Even if Kaeya asked for it, he wouldn't have mercy on that weirdo. Because if he didn't finish it, Ashen would feel his life was always in danger.

"Then what about the Red Knight?, do you have a clue about him?" Ask Ashen.

"No one knows about him... The knight who is dubbed the strongest person in Mondstadt. He really deserves that nickname because of the impact of his attacks, but there are many rumors that say he came from the Stormbearer Mountains" said Kaeya.

"And there are also those who say that he has the greatest treasure of the Knight Of Favonius. Is that true Kaeya-san?" Amber said.

"I'm not sure about it. Because Miss Jean herself never discussed it, it means it's just a rumor" said Kaeya.

"Hufh Mondstadt ... Have strange people too" said Ashen.

Ashen had a thought. If the Person he fought yesterday was DC's batman reference. So maybe, this time the Red Knight will prefer to reference Iron Man, one of the heroes from Marvel.

"More than that I want to tell you something Ashen" said Kaeya seriously.

"Really?, And what do you need?" Ashen said.

"Lately, certain treasures have been stolen by some irresponsible people. And as a Cavalry Captain I can't let them. But unfortunately I still have some urusam in Dragonspine tomorrow" said Kaeya.

"So you're asking me to catch them? But what treasure did they steal?" asked Ash.

"I'm sure you have heard of this but. I myself come from the same Family as the Owner of this Bar. Diluc Ragnvindr, he is my brother" Kaeya said.

"Brother?, But the back--... Ah~ I understand" Said Ashen who only put on a calm face.

"Glad you understand. Then how are you going to accept it?" Kayya said.

"I refuse. Why should I do that?, I also still have daily commissions with Tomorrow's Adventure Guild and maybe I should surround Mondstadt for that" Ashen said.

"Oh come on, I beg you. If you go, all the treasure will be yours! I just need the thief," said Kaeya.

"no" Ashen said.

"oh come on..." said Kaeya with a disappointed smile.

"Amber anyway, are you busy tomorrow?" Ashen said.

"Too bad, yes. I have to go to Starfell valley" said Amber.

"What for?" Ask Ashen.

"Hmm maybe Ashen doesn't know about this but... Ashen himself you were first obtained by Eula-san when you fell from the sky and landed in Starfell Valley. Currently several investigative teams are sent there to investigate the cause of why it happened" said Amber.

"Amber... I think it's information that should be kept secret" said Kaeya.

"There's no need to keep it a secret from Ashen. Jean-san arranged this team of investigators to help find the origin of Ashen himself. So he must also know" said Amber.

"I see, I really have to convey my gratitude and my apologies to Miss Jean after this. After all, I have troubled her by living there" Ashen said with a dry laugh.

"Not really, Ashen has helped a lot there. Like cooking food, and helping Lisa with her work. I've heard a lot about you from Noelle" Kaeya said.

"Haha really, well anyways let's drink for tonight" said Ashen.

They were banging each other's cups and drinking the wine. Have small talk and warm up atmosphere.