He didn't know if it was the influence of the Dragonspine environment.
Whenever Mika thought of that person called [Captain], his body couldn't help but shiver.
It wasn't because he was a rookie.
It was simply that the sense of oppression that man gave off was far too overwhelming.
Thanks to long-term, high-intensity combat training.
Mika had become a core member of the Reconnaissance Company in less than two years.
He had completed countless missions.
Although originally he was supposed to handle logistics.
But if he was too weak to keep up with the expedition team's pace, that would be unacceptable.
On the eve of the expedition team's departure.
Mika received his Vision of the Gods.
The Grand Master immediately sparred with him for a few rounds.
The evaluation given was: [Very good, but still far from enough.]
At that time, Mika hadn't fully understood what the Grand Master meant.
It wasn't until the expedition team officially set out and ventured deep into dangerous forbidden zones.
That he gradually realized just what kind of monstrous existence the Grand Master had used as a reference.
Those indescribable, wandering monsters.
To any isolated knight, they were nothing short of nightmares.
The progress made by the vanguard in scouting the path determined the expedition team's speed.
During the most frequent deployments, Mika could only rest for half an hour a day.
The constant high pressure made Mika feel immense strain.
And even more terrifying than those monsters was that pitch-black man—
The Fatui Harbinger, First Seat: [Captain]. (Now surely no one will argue, right? When I wrote this part it was so intense haha)
Mika clearly remembered it was a weary, late night.
While preparing to rest, Mika suddenly received a warning from another vanguard team: the Knights had encountered enemy activity.
By the time Mika hurriedly arrived at the scene.
Grand Master Varka had already deployed his trusted subordinates in a battle formation.
Deep in the night, the faint outline of a wall of tall soldiers could be seen.
They stood silently, like lifeless war machines.
At the center of both lines, stood a sharp, pitch-black figure.
The person's face was hidden in darkness.
Unilluminated by the firelight.
Only a pair of ghostly blue eyes glowed with an eerie, soul-seizing dark light.
Mika had never seen this person before, yet instinctively sensed danger.
He quietly asked a battle-hardened comrade nearby.
Only then did he learn the other's identity—the Fatui Harbinger [Captain], along with his personal elite vanguard.
The situation was honestly quite absurd.
The Knights of Favonius vanguard had run into a Fatui outpost, resulting in some friction.
Both sides were far too sensitive.
They kept requesting reinforcements.
Eventually, it alarmed the top commanders of both factions.
Watching Varka and [Captain] face off at the front.
Mika only felt the smell of gunpowder in the air growing thicker.
A sense of crisis rapidly invaded his mind, leaving his limbs numb and hands and feet ice-cold.
He kept imagining: if the standoff turned into actual combat, what should he do?
Especially that pitch-black Harbinger.
Mika felt there was simply no way he could withstand even a casual attack from him.
Chaotic thoughts and heavy exhaustion made his breathing quicken.
His stomach began to twist and churn; he felt like throwing up...
Fortunately, they still had the Grand Master.
Varka handled it with ease, greeting the other side.
Then, weapon in hand, he walked alone toward [Captain].
[Captain] ordered his subordinates to stand by and slowly advanced.
Both sides' forces were stretched to their mental limits.
Varka and [Captain] had a brief negotiation.
It seemed they reached some kind of agreement.
Then, the pitch-black figure slightly raised a hand.
The Fatui vanguard followed behind him and departed together.
Like ghosts dissipating silently.
All the Knights of Favonius let out long breaths of relief.
Some of the younger ones couldn't stop trembling.
Only Grand Master Varka, after returning to the Knights' line.
Remained relaxed and at ease.
He even felt this had been an excellent chance encounter.
If not for the current special circumstances, he would have wanted to find an opportunity to spar with the Captain a few times.
Varka smiled and said, "He's not a stubborn guy. He also understands that fighting on unfamiliar land benefits neither of us…"
It was only then that Mika truly realized he had just stood on the fuse of war.
Fortunately, that fuse was never lit.
[Captain]'s overwhelming presence, the Grand Master's calm handling of the crisis…
This confrontation was deeply etched into Mika's memory.
Even now, he often reflected:
His own strength was rapidly improving.
But he was still far from enough.
Let alone clashing head-on with someone on [Captain]'s level.
His current goal was to be able to face such a standoff calmly.
Without legs going weak or stomach churning…
And yet, this Mu Yang in front of him, who didn't seem much older than himself.
Actually had strength comparable to [Captain]?
Mika looked forward to Mu Yang's answer.
Whether it was true or false, Mika was growing more and more respectful toward him.
After all, repelling a troop of Abyss-corrupted Frostarm Lawachurls.
Had already proven that Mu Yang was indeed very powerful.
Mu Yang hadn't expected to be asked about this.
He really wasn't familiar with [Captain] at all.
He only knew from a few scattered words that he was very strong, but exactly how strong, Mu Yang had no idea.
Back then, he had been too weak.
He needed an opponent to serve as a foil.
Provoking the Seven Archons would obviously be unwise.
Among those below the Archons, the most well-known was [Captain].
So he had left himself that little pit.
At the time, he had no plans to act in Mondstadt, and [Captain] was lingering near Natlan.
There was no worry about being exposed.
He never imagined Eula would bring it up here.
Mu Yang said, "I have not crossed blades with [Captain]."
He had no need to lie.
But just because he hadn't now didn't mean he wouldn't in the future.
The current Mu Yang was probably no longer someone [Captain] could casually provoke.
I couldn't beat you when I first arrived.
Now I've gathered so much popularity value and even drained the Skyfrost Nail dry.
If I still can't beat you, then wouldn't my trip have been in vain?
Regarding Mu Yang's answer.
Eula and Mika, unaware of the details, somehow felt relieved.
After all, [Captain] was an existence on the same level as their Grand Master.
If Mu Yang could actually spar with [Captain].
How could they accept that?
Good, good; Mu Yang was just bragging, scaring the Fatui a little.
Seeing their expressions, Mu Yang became interested.
He continued, "Although I haven't crossed blades with [Captain], back when I accompanied Lumine to Inazuma."
"I did have a little spar with the Raiden Shogun…"
The moment he said that, it wasn't just Mika and Eula.
Even the people from Liyue were stunned.
We know you're an Adeptus, very strong.
But is it really this exaggerated?
The Raiden Shogun of Inazuma is famous for her martial prowess, just like the Geo Archon!
Rumor has it her single Musou no Hitotachi can split an entire island.
You, Mu Yang, sparred with her and are still alive and kicking?
Eula couldn't help swallowing.
She knew [Captain] was very strong.
But no matter what, there was still a gap compared to an existence like the Raiden Shogun.
And yet Mu Yang claimed he had sparred with the Electro Archon?
If it were anyone else, she would probably just think they were trying to save face.
Making up a wild lie.
But Mu Yang—specifically Mu Yang.
This was their third encounter.
And not once had she seen through his strength.
She could only sense, through a warrior's instinct, that the other side was growing more and more dangerous…
His words might actually be true!
Under everyone's shocked gazes, Mu Yang calmly recounted that battle.
At the end, he even reminded them to pay attention to the following points when challenging the Raiden Shogun…
Everyone: Let me say thank you, because of you, the corpses were warmed…
After the story was finished, Eula obviously couldn't sleep.
So they went off to play in the ice water again.
Leaving only Mu Yang and Mika at the campsite.
Mu Yang asked for some more information about [Captain] and his personal guards.
Mika felt it wasn't classified, so he told Mu Yang everything he knew.
In return, Mu Yang taught him a new combat method combining crossbows and spears.
The next day.
The group set off once more.
Passing through the Snow-Covered Road — Dadaupa Gorge — Windrise.
Step by step, they advanced toward Mondstadt City…