"It's nice to have someone to accompany you when you travel."

As if remembering something, the man murmured.

"My name is Daines Reb. What do you need me for?"

"I am……"

Just as Ying was about to speak, her whole body suddenly stiffened.

"We'd like to invite you to participate in the Adventurers' Guild's activities."

Jiang Mu gently squeezed Ying's hand under the table, signaling her not to speak for the time being, and then looked at Daines Reeb and spoke.

At this moment, Ying didn't have time to consider what she would say or do next. Right now, the only thought echoing in her mind was...

"Jiang Mu is holding my hand! Jiang Mu is holding my hand!!!!"

o(*￣▽￣*)ブ

"good."

Seemingly a little puzzled as to why Ying had suddenly stopped speaking, Daines Reeb nodded and said.

"So sudden!"

Paimon was somewhat surprised, and Ying was also a little confused.

He's usually such a cold person, yet he agreed so quickly... This...

It's very unsettling...

"However, you must pay me in advance."

The next moment, Daines Reeb's words reassured the group.

"Report...the reward?"

Upon hearing this, both Ying and Paimon were somewhat bewildered.

How much...how much do you want?

"500 Mora, and... three questions."

Daines Reeb said seriously.

"500 Mora will be paid in one lump sum, but I'll ask the three questions later."

"That's...that's all?"

Ying found it hard to believe.

That's all.

Daines Reeb confirmed.

"This kind of compensation...is even more disturbing..."

Paimon whispered in Ying's ear.

"I have a feeling... there's something wrong..."

"..."

After thinking for a moment, Ying took out a small bag.

"Please keep these 500 Mora."

Daines Reb took the bag, put it away without counting it, and then looked at Ying and continued.

"Then there are three more questions you need to answer here."

Do I have to answer all of them correctly?

Ying said somewhat nervously.

What will happen if I answer incorrectly?

There is no right or wrong answer to a question.

Daines Reeb shook his head slightly and said.

"It's just an indication of a different attitude."

"I just want to know your choice; you just need to give an answer."

Upon hearing this, Ying and Jiang Mu exchanged a glance, then nodded and said.

"I see."

………………

After Yingwei nodded slightly, confirming that she was ready, she nodded to Daines Reeb.

"I'm ready."

"So, the first question."

"Dines Reb said softly."

"The dragon scourge in Mondstadt was resolved by you and that... Wind God who calls himself Venti. In your opinion, what was the key to resolving the dragon scourge?"

Upon hearing this, Ying subconsciously stood up, looked at Daines Reeb, and said incredulously.

"How do you know Wendy is...?"

"I know everything I should know."

Daines Reeb looked at Ying and said expressionlessly.

Answer my question.

Ying slowly sat down, thought for a moment, and said.

"It is all the Mondstadt people who work together."

Without the combined efforts of Kaeya, Lisa, Amber, Jean, and Diluc, Venti alone, along with himself... oh, and Jiang Mu, could never have resolved this matter perfectly...

"Is this your answer... I understand..."

Daines Reeb nodded slowly, offering no further comment on the answer, and continued.

"The second question."

Looking at Ying, Daines Reeb continued to ask questions.

"The Geo Archon, who has protected Liyue Harbor for thousands of years, used his divine heart to make a contract whose contents are unknown, a so-called 'contract that ends all contracts'."

"Who do you think will protect Liyue Harbor after the gods are gone?"

"..."

As for Daines Reeb's "omniscience," Ying has now basically accepted it... or rather, become numb to it. Looking into Daines Reeb's eyes, she slowly said.

"It will be protected by everyone in Liyue Harbor."

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. When disaster truly strikes, no one, no individual, can escape unscathed…

"Is this your answer... I understand."

As he spoke, Daines Reeb looked at Ying and slowly asked the last question.

"In this world, there are people who have obtained the 'eye of God' and people who do not have the 'eye of God'."

As he spoke, Daines Reeb looked at Ying and continued.

"In your opinion... which of these two types of people is more important to the gods?"

"..."

After a moment of silence, Ying looked at Daines Reeb and said.

“I think they are all important.”

"Is this your answer... I understand..."

As he spoke, seemingly to himself, Daines Reeb looked at Ying and said.

"Indeed, you and him... are very similar..."

"What's the meaning?"

Upon hearing this, Ying stood up and murmured.

"Who are you referring to as 'him'?"

"..."

But this time, Daines Reeb did not answer. After a slight silence, he looked at Ying and continued.

“I’ll accept the 500 Mora. I’ve also learned a bit about your understanding of the world. So, as agreed, you can now entrust me with some tasks.”

As he spoke, Daines Reeb added, seemingly recalling a deity.

"However... I only accept commissions related to the Abyss Order."

As if to clear up Ying's doubts, Daines Reeb continued to explain.

"I am on a journey, just like you. You are searching for your loved ones, while I am fighting against the abyss."

"I have encountered some abyss mages before..."

Suddenly, Ying remembered what had happened to her that morning...

"Um."

Daines Reeb nodded slightly and said.

"These monsters who serve the Abyss are the Abyss Order's pawns spreading chaos in this world."

"And the reason I came to Mondstadt this time is to track down the Apostles of the Abyss..."

"Apostle of the Abyss?"

Paimon was also taken aback upon hearing this.

"It is a more twisted monster from the abyss, the leader of the abyss mages."

Daines Reeb explained.

"So that means..."

Ying exchanged a glance with Jiang Mu and murmured.

"After the Dragon Plague, it seems like there's been a constant..."

"After that period, it seems we've been in a standoff with human forces like the Treasure Thieves and the Fools, without being hindered by monsters or anything like that..."

"There must be some reason behind this..."

Daines Reb also seemed to be deep in thought.