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[ Zhongli pauses, a slight shiver going down his spine as Venti's fingers curl carefully around the gnosis.

But then he straightens back to perfect posture, giving the bard his full attention. ]

It is one of the things you can do for me here.

And I would not ask for more given our current situation.

And yet I still find myself curious what these other possibilities are.

Perhaps you will discover them in time then.

But. This is enough of a heavy burden for one day, don't you agree? I know you will not take this task I've asked of you lightly.

Well~

It does remind me that I have a favor to ask! A proposal, if you will.

. . .

You could have asked it as part of the contract.

[ Flaps a hand! ]

No need for anything so formal!

It's just, with all these lovely guest stars here, and other circumstances, ahh . . .

[ A pause.

There is no abridged way to explain this. So, smiling brightly: ]

What do you think about spending some more time together? Ehe, trick question, I know you're sooo excited!

You have my company if you ask it of me, Barbatos. I would not turn you away.

[ But--- ]

Would you enlighten me on these other circumstances? Is there something you require of me?

How comfortable are you with being a bodyguard?

Very. Who is threatening you?

One of the guest stars miiiight intend to indiscriminately kill sensitIVs, depending on circumstances and his mood.

But your unit has actual fighting abilities, so that's perfect!

[ The cheerful tone does not remotely waver ]

Then I will stay close until the danger has passed.

Can you give me a description of this guest star?

He's one of the YOU-kais. Tall -- taller than you, maybe -- with blonde hair and purple eyes.

I wouldn't take him lightly, as multiple people have reported that he can field several trained warriors at once with relative ease.

[ Blonde hair. Purple eyes. YOU-kai. Well-versed in fighting.

The details all click into place as Zhongli crosses his arms. ]

Does he wield a polearm? One with a curved blade at the end.

Perhaps. I've never seen him fight before.

Why?

[ Pulls up this profile. ]

I believe I might have.

[ Peering at the pictures ]

Oh dear.

Yes, that's the one.

I watched him and Xiao spar so I can attest to his ability as a fighter.

However, he also seemed concerned that people would default to see him in a negative light, which is why I was present.

I assume you have more pieces to this puzzle than I.

Mmmmm . . .

[ This might be one of the most judgemental sounds Morax has ever heard him make. ]

He's married to someone on my unit, and was holding him captive until we helped him escape during the most recent game. It's a marriage of cruelty and coercion, with one of the most appalling "contracts" I've ever heard of.

He gave my unitmate an ultimatum to hand himself over willingly or forfeit the lives of the rest of sensitIV. I cannot emphasize enough how much the former isn't going to happen.

I see.

So he is a tyrant desperately trying to collect what he believes is rightfully his.

That's exactly the case, yes.

Then the other members of SensitIV! require protection as well.

Yes.

Though some are choosing to simply not leave the dorm -- I'm afraid I can't quite abide by such lengths myself.

[ He would go insane and drag everyone else down with him. ]

I can see. While certainly a solution, since we have no idea how long that the guest stars will be here, it is certainly not one I can advocate for.

Besides the obvious fact that no one should be a prisoner in their own homes for as much as this place is already a prison.

It would be so boring.

All the excitement is happening elsewhere.

I was not aware that excitement was something that you longed for.

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