Before long, Diluc's coming-of-age ceremony came to an end.
What followed was a brand-new (GI)Chapter for the Knights of Favonius.
Former Inspector General Eroch had betrayed the Knights—
the evidence was ironclad.
Aside from a handful of low-ranking inspectors who had neither the status nor the access to be deeply involved with Eroch,
every single member of the Inspectorate tied to him was executed and thrown into the sea to feed the fish.
With that malignant tumor removed, the Knights were completely revitalized.
Many knights felt like they could finally breathe freely again.
Gu Chen and Varka returned to headquarters.
With Eroch and his faction gone, Varka was in excellent spirits.
"Your prestige within the Knights has already surpassed mine," he said with a laugh.
Gu Chen pondered seriously for a moment.
"So… should I lead a coup next?"
Varka laughed and cursed at him.
"That position will be yours sooner or later—why the rush?!"
"Just kidding," Gu Chen shook his head, then continued.
"The Inspectorate can't remain leaderless. It needs to regain its function. Who's suitable for Inspector General?"
Varka fell into thought.
That position required someone absolutely impartial.
Inspecting one's own comrades meant having a heart hard enough to uncover truth in the smallest details.
After a long while, Varka shook his head.
"I can't think of anyone. How about Diluc? He's like a brick—wherever he's needed, he goes."
Gu Chen chuckled.
"He just came of age and you're already piling more work on him?"
"You feel bad for him?" Varka teased.
"Then you can take the role yourself—no issue there."
Gu Chen straightened, his expression righteous.
"Young people need tempering. I think Diluc's perfect—give him enough experience and he'll become a pillar of the Knights."
Varka didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
They returned to the Grand Master's office and sat down.
Jean quickly prepared coffee for both of them.
Years of late nights had made her surprisingly good at it.
Sipping his coffee, Varka asked:
"An Harbinger's death is no small matter. How do you think Snezhnaya will respond?"
A full-scale war was clearly impossible.
Diplomatic pressure was inevitable—but manageable.
What truly worried him was covert retaliation.
"Same answer as always," Gu Chen said calmly.
"When soldiers come, we block them. When water comes, we dam it."
He took another sip, stretched lazily, then said:
"It's getting late. Jean—go back early and rest. Don't stay up."
Jean froze for a moment, then nodded obediently.
"Yes."
Gu Chen exchanged a brief word with Varka and left.
Mondstadt wasn't occupied solely by the Fatui—
there were also Snezhnayan merchants.
The Knights made no effort to hide the assassination of the Harbinger.
You plotted against us first—
are we not allowed to kill you?
Fatui diplomats and Snezhnayan merchants responsible only for trade were terrified, fearing a purge.
But the Knights had no intention of touching them.
Unless nations tore their faces off completely, diplomacy would always exist—
even if only for appearances.
As for merchants—
Obey Mondstadt's laws, and the Knights wouldn't bother you.
Break them, and congratulations—
you'd be funding the Knights' improved rations.
Time passed.
Half a month later, Snezhnaya sent a letter demanding clarification.
Then—nothing.
They fell silent.
Gu Chen and Varka were more than happy to see it.
As long as Snezhnaya didn't stir trouble, the Knights could focus on growing stronger.
[Kaeya]: Huh. That's not very Snezhnayan. Fatui Harbingers are usually arrogant—why'd they swallow this one?
[Azhdaha]: With a Cult Leader who can kill the Second Harbinger, what can Snezhnaya do? Send the First? Might not even succeed. Ice Tsaritsa herself? That's straight-up war—and Mondstadt's god isn't dead.
[Dvalin]: As much as I roast Venti, if the Tsaritsa showed up, he'd definitely back his people. That'd be a godly war. And since Venti and Zhongli are close, Liyue wouldn't sit idle—Snezhnaya would be fighting one versus two. Hard situation.
[Venti]: (Relaxed)
[Lumine]: Given how Zhongli handed over his Gnosis, is it possible that during these two weeks, Venti already struck a deal with the Tsaritsa?
[Heizou]: I think so too. Snezhnaya wouldn't just back down unless some secret agreement happened. Sounds like a Gnosis trade.
[Kaeya]: If that's the case, the video's starting to overlap with reality—Fatui sends an Harbinger to put on a show, then stops targeting Mondstadt?
[Zhongli]: By common rationality, that is not impossible.
[GuChen]: Then who do they send? @LaSignora @Tartaglia
[Tartaglia]: Haha—definitely not me.
[Paimon]: I remember Signora being super arrogant in Mondstadt—she even slapped Venti! But now with Boss Gu who can casually kill the Second Harbinger… @LaSignora feeling nervous yet?
[Azhdaha]: I'll ask bluntly—what attitude would you take coming to Mondstadt this time?
Signora watched the entire discussion in silence.
She was thinking too.
If the Fatui sent her to retrieve the Gnosis in the video—what then?
Best case: reality overlaps. Take it and leave.
Worst case: Gu Chen discovers her.
Too terrifying to imagine.
The only non-lethal solution would be for Venti to reveal his identity to Gu Chen, explain everything, and negotiate.
Only then would she survive.
[Paimon]: @LaSignora Why aren't you talking? Are you born introverted?
[Azhdaha]: "Born introverted"—what a phrase!
[Tartaglia]: I really can't imagine Signora being shy.
[Kaeya]: @LaSignora Haters, speak up!
[LaSignora]: Is it impossible that the Gnosis was already traded—and the Fatui won't send anyone at all?
[Heizou]: That's… actually possible.
[Paimon]: Oh no—if that's true, then Lumine and I just come and leave?
[Venti]: Don't say that—there's still Dvalin.
[Dvalin]: ?
[Azhdaha]: You think Dvalin can last until Lumine arrives? I don't.
[Osial]: I'd say Cult Leader vs Dvalin is about 2–8.
[Dvalin]: @Osial Finally someone respects my strength!
[Osial]: I meant Cult Leader uses two moves—you split into eight pieces.
[GuChen]: Lies don't hurt—truth is the sharp blade.
[Azhdaha]: @Dvalin Why aren't you talking now? You introverted too?
[Furina]: Probably shut down emotionally. When people hit a sore spot, avoidance kicks in! We should attack more to raise his poison resistance!
[Neuvillette]: You really are talented at salting wounds.
Over the past half month, Gu Chen and Varka reorganized the Knights.
Mostly Gu Chen—
after all, he was the future Grand Master.
Varka had effectively become the ultimate signature tool.
And he was perfectly happy with that.
Today, the Knights' conference hall.
Varka, Gu Chen, Jean, Diluc, Kaeya, Simon, and other senior members were present.
Instead of announcing changes to the entire Knights, they finalized everything here and distributed documents afterward.
"After discussion with the Grand Master," Gu Chen announced,
"Diluc is hereby reassigned from Cavalry Captain to Inspector General."
Diluc immediately stood and accepted.
"The Cavalry is the Knights' sharpest blade. After evaluation, Quartermaster Kaeya is reassigned as Cavalry Captain."
Kaeya froze, then stood.
The Quartermaster position was filled by a newcomer.
Gu Chen then laid out new training plans and resource requirements.
Martial cultivation consumed vast resources.
Eating more was merely the body absorbing more energy.
The Knights needed large quantities of meat—beef especially.
"I want to see ordinary knights reach elite standards," Gu Chen said, his gaze settling on Kaeya.
"Do you have confidence?"
"As long as resources keep up, I do," Kaeya answered solemnly.
"Good. Diluc—help your brother," Gu Chen nodded.
The two exchanged a glance and nodded together.
Mondstadt's days returned to calm.
The training grounds, however, burned with intensity.
Gu Chen emphasized real combat, frequently sending mixed units to clear monsters based on scout intel.
"Peaceful days are over," Varka sighed, holding a letter.
"Did you call me because something happened?" Gu Chen asked as he entered.
"Not exactly—but we'll be on edge for a while."
Varka shook his head.
"Do you know Alice?"
"Alice?"
Gu Chen recalled.
"That famous adventurer?"
"Yes. She's about to arrive in Mondstadt," Varka said slowly.
"According to her letter—she's bringing us a talent… and a little bomb."
"…?"
Gu Chen took the letter.
Neat handwriting—
but every word radiated mischief.
She planned to send a genius alchemist to settle in Mondstadt.
And—
to entrust her daughter to the Knights, so she could adventure worry-free.
"…Is that something a mother should say?" Gu Chen twitched.
"That's Alice for you," Varka shrugged.
"Adventuring is dangerous. Bringing a child adds risk—but worrying about the child is normal. Let's just hope the little bomb isn't like her mother."
"You sound like there's a story," Gu Chen narrowed his eyes.
Varka fell silent, then sighed.
"Alice is a demolition maniac. She's… extremely dangerous. She blows up everything."
Gu Chen's expression grew serious.
Half a month later.
Three guests arrived at the Knights' Hall.
Gu Chen and Varka went to greet them.
At first glance, Gu Chen saw them.
At the front stood a tall woman in a red witch's hat.
Golden hair cascaded down her back, pointed elf ears peeking through.
Red eyes shimmered with curiosity.
She wore red accented with white.
The legendary adventurer—
Alice.
Beside her stood a young man with brown-gold hair, a star-shaped ornament at his neck, dressed in a white hooded coat with black and yellow accents.
The genius mentioned in the letter—
Albedo.
And finally—
A small child.
Leather backpack, red beret with a brim, decorated with feathers and a four-leaf clover.
Golden hair, pointed elf ears, red eyes.
She tilted her head, curiously scanning her surroundings.
Red dress. Bloomers.
The "little bomb."
—
Klee.
[Klee]: Mommy! Albedo! Klee!
[Kaeya]: Knights of Favonius—ultimate combat unit activated!!
[Paimon]: Klee looks so cute! headpat
[Klee]: Paimon is cute too!
[Albedo]: Mr. Gu Chen clearly dislikes trouble. I hope Klee won't make him angry…
[Klee]: Wuu… Klee listens! But video-Klee might not… (teary)
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