The first few days of Artoria's reign as the newest Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius were a whirlwind of controlled chaos.
The news of Randolf's defeat and Artoria's ascension spread throughout the entire nation of Mondstadt like wildfire, eclipsing even the juiciest tavern gossip. The atmosphere of the city was electric with a sense of renewal. The Knights, who had walked with a slouch of shame under Randolf, now moved with a renewed purpose, their backs straight, their eyes brighter and more focused.
Artoria's first act as Grandmaster was not a grand proclamation, but a quiet, personal visit to the headquarters' medical wing. Accompanied by Sir Hemlock, she went to the infirmary where the ruined form of Randolf lay under the watchful eye of several nervous doctors and nurses.
He was a pitiful sight. His entire body is swathed in bandages, held together by splints and liberal applications of conventional healing remedies and even some alchemical potions, he was little more than a breathing corpse. His eyes, wide with a permanent terror, followed Artoria as she approached. He could not speak, could not move, but his mind was intact and it was screaming in sheer terror as he saw his worst nightmare calmly approaching his battered remains with a distant clinical eye.
Artoria meanwhile saw a man trapped in a prison of his own flesh, forced to live the rest of his agonizing existence with the consequences of his pride, greed and actions.
She felt no satisfaction, no triumph. Only a cold, profound sadness. "He is to be given the best care," she instructed the healers, much to their surprise, her voice devoid of any emotion. "He is to be kept comfortable. Let his life be a testament. Let all who see him understand the fate that awaits those who betray the trust of this nation and its people." With that, she turned and left, leaving the broken man to his silent, waking nightmare.
Her second act was to send for Melisa Minci, an act that frightened the poor librarian.
The shy librarian arrived at the Grandmaster's office in haste and was momentarily stunned on how much the office had changed in the last few days. Gone were the gaudy trappings of luxury introduced by Randolf. The meticulous artisan-crafted mahogany tables and chairs were now replaced by simple yet comfortable set of pine-made furnitures. The inside door leading to an adjacent room that serves as entrance to the Grandmaster's private quarters are no longer gilded with gold leaves, and had been stripped bare revealing its wooden nature. The carpets made from the leather of elusive natlanese saurians are now gone, replaced by a plush rug where the Grandmaster's children, Barbara and Jean are currently playing. The entire room no longer smelled like vintage wine and cigar smoke, instead it now offers a scent of cecilia and…baby powder? She found the Grandmaster herself, Artoria, not behind the massive desk, but standing by the window, looking out over the city while occasionally keeping an eye out for her children who were playing quietly on a plush rug she'd had brought in.
"Ah, Miss Minci, just the right person I needed." Artoria said, turning from the window with a soft smile. "Thank you for coming here on a short notice. I have a proposition for you."
Melisa looked from the serene new Grandmaster to the two children, a scene of domestic tranquility that was wildly out of place in the heart of a military order. "A... a proposition, my lady?"
"Yes Miss Minci. You see, I am many things my dear, a newly appointed grandmaster, the newly elected head of an ancient noble clan, and most importantly a mother," Artoria explained, her voice calm and clear. "Yet, I'm also aware of my limitations, and the fact that governing a military order that also serves as the de facto governing body of a nation requires more than just mastery of arms or a noble pedigree." Artoria paused while looking at the Mondstadt from her window.
"It requires something else, something more robust and structured that can both address and manage the needs of the nation." Artoria carefully chooses her words.
In the short span of weeks she had lived in Mondstadt, Artoria gradually learned how the city and the nation as a whole operated….and quite frankly she's amazed at how the nation itself is still standing after all these years!
Barbatos literally created a nation that values freedom above all else and that's the problem. Ever since Vennessa's rebellion a thousand years ago, Mondstadt had been in a state of 'Laissez-faire',a national policy of letting things take their own course. While it gave people freedom, it also created complications. Civil response to usual public inconveniences such as road potholes and broken bridges takes time to address.
The economy is largely based on the local wine industry and is largely undiversified, which creates high vulnerability to price volatility, which in turn can lead to possible economic instability, slow growth, and increased debt (thankfully the taxation system appears to be in order).
Artoria's thankful (and somewhat perplexed) that no foreign powers such as Snezhnaya has yet to abuse Mondstadt's current system and use it against them. But, knowing the possible future events of the game, she's sure that it would only be a matter of time before forces such as the Fatui and their Harbingers would try to sink their teeth around Mondstadt. As the Grandmaster, she could not allow such an incident to pass over her now beloved nation; it would put everyone in danger, especially her daughters.
She may not be able to turn Mondstadt into a superpower that rivals Snezhnaya in a span of a decade or two, but she sure as hell could make it grow stronger to the point that it would not appear weak in the eyes of the other nations. And for that, she needed to build a sort of robust government centered around the Knights, that would not only preserve the notion of freedom for the people of Mondstadt but would also help manage and grow the nation's economy and industries. It will take years for her plan to gradually shape Mondstadt and she would need the help of various experts along the way to see her vision come into fruition. But for now she needed that change to start at the very center of Mondstadt's administration, the Knights of Favonius itself, and for that, the Order has to change for the better.
"The world is slowly changing, Melisa, we cannot hope to survive in it if we remain as we are right now. This city, this Order, had been through years of mismanagement and neglect. We need to rise up to the occasion, the Knights of Favonius must spread its wings anew, and guide Mondstadt into the future." Artoria solemnly spoke her dreams for the Knights which took Melisa by surprise, heck even Jean stopped playing and began listening to what her dear mama had to say.
"Changes are coming to this Order my dear librarian but I cannot do this alone. I require assistance, someone who can be my right hand and voice while I'm occupied. Someone who is intelligent, discreet, and whose heart is in the right place." Artoria looked into Melisa and smiled.
"I saw your persistence in delivering Randol's letter, and the concern you showed for my daughters. I saw your wisdom, your commitment, your mastery of the written laws and knowledge of Mondstadt."
She gestured to the simple yet elegant desk at the side of the office. "Thus I would like to offer you the position of Secretary to the office of the Grandmaster, someone to manage my schedule, handle correspondence, and help bring the records of this Order back to a state where they are useful. I will, of course, understand if you wish to remain in the library."
Melisa's mind reeled. Secretary to the Grandmaster? Her? A shy librarian who was most comfortable surrounded by dusty books and tomes? But looking at Artoria, at the quiet strength and the genuine warmth in her emerald eyes, she felt a surge of courage she never knew she possessed. To be near this woman, to be a small part of the incredible change she will surely bring about... it is an opportunity she couldn't refuse.
"I... I would be honored, my lady," she said, her voice firm for the first time. "I will do my best!"
"I have no doubt," Artoria replied with a warm, genuine smile. "Welcome to the New Knights of Favonius, Secretary Minci." With her secretary now secured, the duo immediately began formulating and laying out the plans that would soon shake the very foundation of Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius.
___________________
The reforms began the very next day, and they were not gentle.
Artoria's first public decree as Grandmaster was the reinstatement of the Dawn March. It was an old tradition, long abandoned by Randolf, who considered it a needless waste of time that could be better spent polishing armor. The event is usually performed every morning, at first light of dawn, a sizable portion of the Order, about 20 to 50 knights or so, from the newest recruit to the most seasoned veteran, was to assemble and march through the sleeping city. The route was designed to familiarize every knight with every street, alley, and district. It was an exercise in discipline, endurance, and most importantly, visibility, a promise to the people of Mondstadt that their protectors were ever-vigilant. It's been years since this old tradition was done, now Artoria is bringing it back as a statement, to usher in the dawn of a new age.
The first Dawn March in years was chaotic. Knights stumbled, formations were sloppy, and the grumbling was audible. Artoria didn't just bring 50 or so Knights, no, she gathered almost half of the entire Order's forces and forced them to march with her.
Artoria, dressed not in her battle armor but in a simple, practical version of her regalia, marched at the head of the column with Jean and Barbara in a small, decorated carriage pulled by two of the order's finest horses. She did not shout commands. She simply set the pace, her stride unwavering, her presence a silent, immutable standard.
By the end of the week, the formations were crisp, the grumbling had turned to proud chants, and the citizens of Mondstadt would line the streets each morning, cheering their Knights as they passed, their cheers loudest for the Grandmaster and her two little girls.
But the Dawn March was merely the prelude. It was her second decree that would truly shake the foundations of the Order and redefine its future.
In the second month of her reign as Grandmaster, Artoria summoned all the knights and some of the prominent members of the Church of Favonius to the main plaza, the very same plaza where she had shattered a man and forged a legend. She stood on the steps of the headquarters, Melisa Minci by her side with a stack of parchments, her daughters watching from a window above.
"For too long, this order has been a disorganized congregation of squads, with no clear structure or purpose beyond the whims of its commanders," she began, her voice ringing across the silent plaza. "That ends today! A sword is only as strong as the forge that shapes it. We will become a well-forged blade, sharp, strong, and balanced!"
She proceeded to lay out her plan, a monumental restructuring that was so logical, so brutally efficient, it left the seasoned knights gasping. She was dismantling a centuries-old system and replacing it with something that felt both revolutionary and overdue.
"The Knights of Favonius will be divided into Ten Companies, each with a specific purpose and a minimum of two hundred members each per company." Melisa stepped forward, reading from a parchment as Artoria dictated.
"The First, Second, Third, Fifth, and SeventhCompanies will be our frontline battle companies. Their duty will be the defense of the city, the patrol of the countryside, and the response to any and all threats to Mondstadt. They will be the shield and spears of Mondstadt."
A murmur went through the ranks. Specialization. It was a radical concept.
"The Fourth Company will be our eyes and ears. The Reconnaissance Company. They will be our scouts, our mapmakers, our spies. They will know the land better than their own hands, and they will learn the secrets of our enemies."
"The Sixth Company will be the lifeblood of the Order. The Logistics and Supplies Company. Without them, the frontline cannot fight. They will manage our armories, our provisions, our transport. Their work is as vital as any sword."
"The Eighth Company will be the minds of the Order. The Company of Research, Alchemy, Investigation and Magic. They will study new technologies, analyze enemy weaknesses, and solve the mysteries that plague our lands."
"The Ninth Company will be our mailed fist. The Cavalry Company. For speed, for shock, for thundering charges that break the will of our foes."
"And the Tenth Company will be our future. The Reserve Company. Its numbers will be tripled to at least six hundred members and recruits. Their task is to handle recruitment, but more importantly, to train the next generation of knights. All aspirants who pass the exams and trials will earn the title of Squire and will serve their time in the Tenth, learning from the veterans before they are assigned to a company."
She paused, letting the sheer scale of her vision sink in. "Each Company will be led by a Captain, who will choose their own Lieutenant. The Captains will be voted upon by the members of their respective companies with a few exceptions, and with my final approval. They will report directly to me. This is your Order, and you will have a say in who leads you."
The knights were stunned. It was a system that valued merit, that fostered loyalty, that gave every man and woman a clear path forward. It was everything their old system was not.
But Artoria was not finished.
"There will also be specialized units, outside the main company structure. First, The Outriders," she announced, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "An elite unit of the best scouts and infiltrators, drawn from the Fourth Company. They will be our ghosts in the night, our unseen blade. For this role, I have already chosen a leader."
From the crowd, a man who had been standing near the back stepped forward. He is well known to knights especially among the veterans. He is a hunter from Springvale who was originally a mercenary from Liyue Harbor before moving to Mondstadt. He has long grey hair that speaks about his age. His face weathered by sun and wind, yet harbors pragmatic eyes. Scars can be seen all over his forearms as he moved forward towards the front of the assembly. The man's name is Zhencha Yuan.
"Zhencha Yuan," Artoria addressed him. "You served the last two Grandmasters with honor, only to be cast aside by the last. You know the wilds of this land better than any one, thus I am restoring your rank and promoting you. You will be the first Captain of the Fourth Company, and the first Head of the Outriders. Your task will be to build them into an elite force worthy of Mondstadt. Do you accept it?"
Zhencha, who had been quietly seething for years, a good man forced into obscurity by a petty tyrant, stared. He looked at Artoria, at the sincerity in her eyes, at the second chance she was offering him not just for him, but for his family, for his newly born granddaughter, Amber. He dropped to one knee, his voice thick with emotion. "I accept, my Grandmaster. My life and my arrows are yours."
"Rise, Captain Yuan," Artoria commanded. "We have much work to do."
"Furthermore," she continued, "the Office of the Secretary, under Miss Minci, will be attached directly to the Office of the Grandmaster to ensure the smooth administration of this entire new structure."
"And finally," she turned to where Father Theron stood, "the Order cannot stand apart from the Church for both institutions serves the country and its people. To bridge the gap between the Knights and the Church, to ensure our actions always align with the spiritual well-being of Mondstadt, I am creating a new position with the consultation of the Church. The Seneschal. An advisor on matters of faith and morality. I can think of no better man to hold this post than Father Theron himself."
The old priest, his eyes twinkling, bowed his head. "It would be my honor to serve, Grandmaster."
With her new command structure laid bare, Artoria turned her attention to the man who would be the face of her frontline forces. Sir Hemlock, the veteran knight, whose unshakeable faith had been the first spark of the order's rebirth.
"Sir Hemlock," she said, her voice softening slightly. "You have served this Order faithfully and loyally through the years even during the time of its lowest. Your wisdom and experience are crucial to the continued existence of the Order thus I would like to offer you the position of First Captain, The leader of the First Company. The Tip of the Spear!"
The old knight's scarred face broke into a grin of pure, unadulterated joy. He didn't hesitate. "By the wind, I will hold the line for you, Grandmaster. Until my last breath!"
The plaza erupted in cheers. The old system is now dead and a new, vibrant, purposeful order had risen from its ashes, forged by a woman who understood that strength was not just in the mastery of arms, but in the structure, the purpose, and the heart.
____________________
Weeks melted into months. The rhythm of a new life, a new responsibility, settled over Artoria and her family. The Knights of Favonius were no longer the listless lawmen of a corrupt Grandmaster. They were a living, breathing entity, the symbol of their nation. Their morale soaring under Artoria's leadership.
The Dawn Marches were now a source of city-wide pride, a symbol of Mondstadt's renewed spirit. The companies take turns, drilled with a fervor that had been absent for a generation, their new captains, men and women promoted on merit, leading them with a passion that was infectious.
Artoria was a constant presence. She trained with the First Company, her movements a blur of impossible grace that left even the most hardened knights in awe. She reviewed intelligence reports with Captain Yuan, her tactical mind dissecting information with a speed that belied her calm demeanor. She even spent time with the Eighth Company, her carefully hidden divine constitution allowing her to provide unique insights into alchemical reactions, magical spells and the properties of ley lines, much to the astounded researchers' delight.
Yet, through it all, she remained a mother. The evenings were sacred. Her days as Grandmaster ended when she returned to the spacious suite in the headquarters that now served as their temporary home. It was then that she shed the mantle of leadership and became simply "Mama." She taught Jean her first real sword stances, using a carved wooden stick, the little girl's face a mask of fierce concentration. She sang Barbara to sleep, her ancient lullabies imbuing the child with a sense of peace and security that was palpable. The divine milk she provided continued its silent work, strengthening them, elevating them, a testament of a love that was rewriting their very destinies.
The news of her leadership of the Gunnhildr clan had settled into a comfortable reality. The clan members, now filled with a renewed sense of pride, treated her with a deference never before seen since ancient times. They saw her not just as their matriarch, but as the guardian of their future, embodied in two little girls who were growing stronger and more radiant each passing day.
With the order stabilizing and her daughters thriving, Artoria's attention turned to creating a true home. The suite in the headquarters, while comfortable, was still an official residence. It was not a place to experience a comfortable and memorable childhood. They needed a house. A garden. A place where Jean could run and Barbara could take her first steps on soft grass, not cold stone.
Her mind, naturally, went to the one place that already belonged to them. The Ancestral Estate of the Gunnhildr clan.
She had never seen it, but the memories of her conversation with the various clan members during their quiet conversations painted a bleak picture. A place that had slowly fallen to grief and disrepair under Frederica's distracted watch.
One clear afternoon, she decided to see it for herself. Leaving Jean in the capable hands of a now-assured Melisa Minci, and carrying Barbara in a sling, she made her way to the estate. She did not go alone. Sir Hemlock, insisting on protocol, and Captain Yuan, ever-vigilant, escorted her.
The estate was located in a quieter, more affluent part of Mondstadt, overlooking a gentle, rolling valley. As they approached, the first thing Artoria noticed was the silence. A profound, heavy silence that hung over the property like a shroud. The high stone walls that surrounded it were covered in ivy, not in a romantic, picturesque way, but like a parasitic vine choking its host.
The great iron gates, bearing the proud crest of the Gunnhildr lion, were rusted at the hinges, hanging slightly ajar. As she pushed them open, they groaned in protest, the sound echoing in the stillness.
The mansion itself was a handsome structure of stone and dark timber, three stories tall, with a grand facade that spoke of old money and nobility. But it looked tired. The paint on the window shutters was peeling, the roof tiles were mossy and slick, and a general air of melancholy clung to it.
Her eyes drifted to what must have once been a magnificent garden. Now, it was a wilderness of thorns and weeds. The rose bushes were skeletal, their thorny branches tangled and overgrown. The pathways were cracked and hidden beneath a carpet of unruly grass.
And beyond the garden, she saw an orchard. Rows and rows of apple trees, their branches gnarled and bare, not a single leaf or blossom on them. A graveyard of trees.
"It is... much as I remember it, my lady," Sir Hemlock said softly, his voice laced with sorrow. "Lady Frederica had no heart for it after her husband tragically passed away. The servants did what they could, but a house needs a... a soul."
Artoria walked through the weed-choked path towards the manor, her steps silent on the cracked stone. She could feel the echoes of the past. Jean's memories of being confined, of watching her mother leave through these gates, her face a mask of stoic grief. She felt Barbara's infantile confusion in a house that was cold and silent. This place hadn't just been neglected; it had been starved of joy.
Maternal anger slowly rose from her chest as the thought of her two precious daughters suffering from their previous mother's abandonment of them. The two knights accompanying her noted that Artoria's grip around Baby Barabara tightened and her teeth slowly gritted from the anger she's feeling right now.
'How could she?! How could Frederica let all of these happen?!'
Yet another part of her, the part that was a king who had made impossible sacrifices, understood. Frederica had loved her daughters, but her love had been a drowning thing, a sorrow so profound it had swallowed everything else, including her ability to provide a home filled with light.
She had given her life for them in the very end, and in Artoria's book, that final act of sacrifice had wiped the slate clean. Her anger was not for the woman, but for the sorrow that had poisoned this place.
"Captain Yuan," she said, her voice low and even, the only sign of her inner turmoil. "Have your Outriders do a full sweep of the property. I want to know every rotten beam, every leaky pipe, every forgotten corner. I want a complete assessment by morning."
"At once, Grandmaster," Zhencha replied, his eyes already scanning the estate with a professional's gaze. He gave a sharp whistle, and two scouts who had been shadowing them from the rooftops materialized at his side, receiving their orders with silent nods.
Artoria then turned her gaze back to the dead orchard, a spark of divine purpose igniting in her emerald eyes. This place, this land, she will fix it herself. This orchard will be a gift, her gift to her daughters.
____________________
A few days later, Artoria stood at the center of the dead orchard, her daughters watching from a safe distance under the watchful eye of Elspeth, the innkeeper, whom Artoria had brought along to offer a more domestic perspective. The assessment reports were in, and they were grim. The renovation of the estate would be a monumental task, requiring an army of craftsmen and a king's ransom in Mora.
Fortunately, she had both.
The army of craftsmen was easy. With a single order, she had dispatched the Sixth Company, the Logistics and Supply corps, not only to procure the best materials but to handle the labor themselves. Knights, who had once only known how to polish their ceremonial armor, were now learning how to mix mortar, how to replace rotten floorboards, and how to glaze windows. It was a lesson in humility and purpose, and they threw themselves into it with a vigor that surprised even Artoria.
Artoria was even more surprised when a sizable contingent of Gunnhildr clansmen, distant family members from the countryside made their presence known a day after the start of the renovations. They came in droves after they've heard about their matriarch's plan to rebuild their ancestral seat. The mansion, which had been silent for years, now echoed with the sounds of hammers, saws, and the cheerful shouts of men and women rebuilding their Matriarch's home.
The king's ransom was even easier. Each night, in the privacy of her rooms, Artoria would commune with the Holy Grail. "Mora," she would whisper, her will infusing the artifact. "Enough to rebuild a legacy. Enough to make a home for my daughters." And the Grail would oblige, conjuring perfect, untraceable Mora that she funneled into the project through a series of discreet channels, allowing the city to believe she was drawing upon a secret, personal inheritance.
But the orchard was her personal project. She dismissed the workers telling them that she'll perform some sort of private Gunnhildr family ritual, sending them back to the mansion. This part, she would do alone.
She walked to the center of the barren grove, the gnarled, leafless branches reaching up to the sky like skeletal fingers. She closed her eyes, her consciousness sinking inward, past the identity of the mother, the Grandmaster, and into one of the many aspects of her being. 'The Fairy of Paradise', Artoria Avalon. And from that aspect, she drew forth one power that is best suited in this endeavour.
'Avalon le Fae', a power concealed under the name "Protection of the Lake". The power possessed by Artoria to bless life and to repel any sort of corruption in the land.
She held out her hands, not as a mage casting a spell, but as a sovereign granting a blessing. A soft, golden light began to emanate from her, gentle at first, then growing in intensity yet still remaining subtle like a reflection of sunlight, until the entire orchard was bathed in its warm, holy radiance. It was not the explosive, destructive power capable of sundering mountains, this was the creative force of a goddess, the power to bring forth life from desolation.
The subtle golden light sank into the parched earth. It flowed up the gnarled trunks of the apple trees, caressing the brittle, dead branches. The air itself seemed to hum with energy. Wherever the light touched, a miracle occurred.
Tiny, vibrant green buds began to swell on the bare branches, unfurling into perfect, healthy leaves. Then, with a rustling sound that was like a collective sigh of relief, the trees burst into bloom. It was not a slow, natural process. It was a cascade, a wave of pure life. Delicate pink and white blossoms erupted across the entire orchard, their sweet, fragrant scent filling the air so thickly it was almost intoxicating.
Elspeth gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Jean and Barbara, seeing the spectacle, let out squeals of pure, unadulterated joy. Jean ran forward, her small feet kicking up dust, her arms wide as she tried to embrace the blooming wonder around her. "It's Mama's Magic! It's Mama's magic!"
Artoria opened her eyes, the golden light receding back into her. She felt a gentle satisfying feeling in her heart, like that of a farmer after a long day's harvest. The orchard was no longer a graveyard. It was a paradise, a promise of the harvest that is to come.
"Yes, my little lion, it's my magic," she said, her voice warm with love as she knelt to catch her running daughter in a hug. "And I did it for you, for both of you."
She then took her daughter's hand and began to walk towards the stunned Elspeth who is now kneeling in reverence. Barbara gently placed on the soft grass besides her babbling joyfully as she saw her mother coming in her direction.
When Elspeth heard footsteps approaching her, she looked up to the woman….no, to the goddess before her with tears flowing from her eyes. "Are...are you the...the Anemo Archon..my..my Lady?". She said with trembling emotions.
'Really Elspeth, I just performed a bit of a magic trick and now you're comparing me to that notorious drunk bard, who has yet to appear?' Artoria chuckled at Elspeth's question.
Artoria, feeling a bit mischievous, didn't gave her a verbal reply. Instead she just placed a finger in front of her lips and did a gesture of silence. She then gave Elspeth a warm and gentle smile that can only be given by a mother to her child. A smile that made Elspeth's heart flutter with a sense of faith and devotion. A faith that this being in front of her will lead Mondstadt into a new era of prosperity and peace.
Elspeth, ever devout, understood. Words were not needed. The truth was in the blossoming trees, in the love for her children, in the serene, omnipotent grace that defined her. She didn't rise. She simply bowed her head deeper, her silent vow to serve this goddess, whoever she may be, etched into her very soul.
____________________
The renovation was completed with a speed and efficiency that defied all logic, a testament to the combined efforts of the Knights and members of the Gunnhildr clan. Months worth of work were compressed into a span of weeks. The mansion, once a monument to sorrow, was reborn. The stonework was cleaned and restored, the dark timber gleamed with fresh oil, and the windows shone like crystals. Inside, the gloomy halls were filled with light, furnished with comfortable, elegant pieces that spoke of taste and warmth, not cold opulence.
But it was the grounds that were the true marvel. The garden, once a thicket of thorns, was now a masterpiece of landscape design. Winding stone paths led through lush lawns and vibrant flowerbeds. A small fountain, carved in the shape of a lion, bubbled merrily in a sun-dappled courtyard. And the orchard... the orchard was now becoming the stuff of legend in Mondstadt.
The trees, blessed by Artoria's power, produced fruit of an impossible quality. The apples were larger than any variety seen before, with skin that shimmered with a faint golden hue. When sliced, their flesh was crisp, impossibly juicy, and so sweet it tasted like honeyed cake. They were a sensational hit, and Artoria, with a touch of her characteristic flair, had named the variety "Golden Delicious."
The income from the orchard's first harvest was staggering. The produce were not only sold in Mondstadt; merchants from Liyue and even as far as Nod-Krai and Snezhnaya were paying exorbitant prices for the fabled "Golden Delicious" apples.
Artoria, true to her word, funneled a substantial amount of the profit directly into Jean and Barbara's inheritance funds, while using the remainder to pay for the labor and cost of managing the orchard.
Artoria also began using (abusing) the Grail to slowly fund the Order's continued improvement and the city's various public works, stating that she's using her 'secret Gunnhildr inheritance' for the benefit of the nation. The citizens of Mondstadt, seeing the tangible benefits of her leadership and the clan's prosperity, only adored her even more.
When the estate was finally ready, Artoria invited every single member of the Gunnhildr clan, from the most distant relation to the most senior noble, to a feast.
It was a modest, heartfelt affair, not a grand display of wealth. The food was simple, plentiful, and delicious, much of it prepared by Artoria herself. The atmosphere was one of reunion, of a scattered family finding its way home. Seeing the joy etched in the face of every member of her adopted family, Artoria made it official, that once a year, the entire Gunnhildr clan would once again gather as one in the Gunnhildr Estate to celebrate their clan's history and legacy. The Celebration will henceforth be known as 'The Gunnhildrs' Return', and would in later years become a sort of official holiday in Mondstadt.
The main highlight of the first ever celebration involved Artoria, who in front of the assembled clan, placed a cast iron marker underneath the Crest of the Gunnhildr Lion, in the iron gates of the estate. Within the marker, etched the words that resonated in every Gunnhildr's heart.
'For Mondstadt, as always'
The solemn and sacred motto of their clan.
____________________
Elspeth, who had resigned from her position at The Windswept Pleasance the moment Artoria offered her a job, now moved through the manor with an air of quiet, fulfilled purpose. As the official stewardess, she ran the household with the same diligence she had run The Windswept Pleasance, but now, her work was a sacred duty. In later years, she would've later told anyone who asked her that she did not work for the Grandmaster nor the Matriarch of the Gunnhildr clan; she served a goddess. It was a sentiment shared by the small, loyal staff she had hired.
____________________
One quiet evening, a few weeks after they moved in, Artoria found Jean in the orchard, sitting beneath the boughs of her favorite tree, a sketchbook in her lap. The little girl was drawing with an intensity that was becoming her trademark.
"What are you drawing, my little lion?" Artoria asked, settling down beside her, her arm wrapping around her daughter's small shoulders.
Jean shyly turned the sketchbook around. It was a picture of her, Artoria, standing in the center of the orchard, her hands held out, golden light flowing from them and bringing the trees to life. It was a child's drawing, but it captured the truth of the moment with unnerving accuracy.
"It was so pretty, Mama," Jean whispered, leaning her head against Artoria's arm. "You made the flowers and the leaves come back. It was so special!"
Artoria's heart swelled. She hugged her daughter close. "I'm glad you liked it, sweetie." A thought, a gentle command, surfaced in her mind. "But you know... Mama would like to keep that little magic trick our own special secret. If everyone knew about it, it wouldn't be so special anymore. It would just be... something Mama does."
Jean looked up at her, her purple eyes serious and understanding. "Promise, I won't tell anyone, Mama," she promised, her voice a solemn vow. "It's our secret!"
Artoria smiled, kissing the top of her head. "Thank you, my loyal little knight."
The promise was kept. The legend of the Golden Orchard grew, but the true story of its creation remained a secret between a mother, her daughter and one lucky stewardess. The people of Mondstadt saw it as a miracle, a sign of their matriarch's virtue and a blessing from the land of freedom itself.
(End of Chapter)
_____________________
[Elspeth]
- Manager of The Windswept Pleasance, a charming and rustic hotel in the city of Mondstadt.
- Her fate in the Knights, whom she initially saw as nothing but glorified body guards under Randolf's reign, would be restored due to Artoria's actions.
- Dutiful and hardworking, she would later be scouted by Artoria as the head stewardess of the Gunnhildr Family Estate and Mansion which would later come under the ownership of Artoria.
- She's also the FIRST person in all of Mondstadt to have witnessed the divinity Artoria, in which she mistook her as the ANEMO Archon BARBATOS reborn. This trend would later be repeated in the near future with other people leading into some awkward shenanigans and misunderstandings, much to Artoria's headache.
[Melisa Minci]
- Melisa Minci is a member of the Knights of Favonius. More specifically she's the caretaker and de facto librarian of Mondstadt's Library, the largest Library in the North.
- She has a 5 year old daughter named Lisa, who is a sort of academic prodigy, much to the delight of Artoria.
- Melisa Minci has short brown hair and has a very shy attitude, so much so that Randolf would usually take advantage of it, forcing her to do some of his errands.
- She would gain some confidence in herself after being taken by Artoria as her Secretary.
[Sir Hemlock]
- Sir Hemlock is a senior veteran knight of the Knights of Favonius, serving the Order for almost 30 years.
- Grizzled and scarred in appearance yet noble and kind, he had served 3 former Grandmasters before the ascension of Randolf, whose six year reign as Grandmaster had caused the slow decline of the Order.
- He was one of the knights present in the Headquarters when Artoria first confronted Randolf, and is the first to be inspired and amazed by her. In Artoria, he saw the chivalry and dignity that was lost in the Order under Randolf.
- He would later be promoted as the first Captain of the First Company making him Artoria's second in command. He would loyally serve her with a zeal that borderlines fanaticism.
- He married late in his early forties, to one of the former maids of Frederica Gunnhildr. The couple would be blessed with 5 children, the youngest of which is named Noelle.
[Father Theron]
- An old priest from the Church of Favonius who might appear frail but has a sharp acumen.
- He was critical over Randolf's management of the Knights of Favonius but rarely voiced his criticism, preferring to be a pacifist.
- He supported Artoria immediately after learning of her deeds, and was drawn to her due to the mysterious sanctified presence he felt around her.
- Though he had a history of turning down promotions, he would later be appointed as the Seneschal of Mondstadt (after some convincing from Artoria), and later be further elevated to the rank of Cardinal in the Church of Favonius.
[Zhencha Yuan]
- Former mercenary from Liyue Harbor who settled in Mondstadt decades ago and started a family.
- A pragmatic and silent man, he specialized in reconnaissance and hunting. He would often be tapped by former Grandmasters of the Order as a scout and spy, earning him an honorary rank among the Knights, however when Randolf came, he was fired from his job and spent his days as a hunter in Springvale.
- He was officially recruited back by Artoria after learning about his deeds and years of service. She would then promote him as captain of the newly formed Fourth Company and Head of the Outriders. Because of this kind act, Yuan became one of the most loyal captains under Artoria with Sir Hemlock (now the Captain of the First Company) being the only one to rival him in zeal and fanaticism.