After thinking for a moment, Gu Chen looked up and asked,
"What title would be appropriate?"
Varka pondered briefly before answering,
"How about Dandelion Knight?"
"That'll do."
Gu Chen nodded, took up his pen, and wrote swiftly. Within moments, the promotion order was complete.
Varka glanced it over, then signed and stamped it.
Once the Mondstadt–Snezhnaya martial exchange concluded, Jean could be formally granted her title.
[Kaeya]: That's actually later than in reality—about half a year late.
[Noelle]: If I remember correctly, Captain Jean was awarded the title of Dandelion Knight at fifteen!
[Azhdaha]: Normal. With the Church Master's influence, even if Jean were eighteen it'd still make sense. His position as Vice Captain carries too much weight. Honestly, give Mondstadt two more stable years—once he comes of age, Varka's probably going to run off adventuring again.
[Kaeya]: That does sound like the Grand Master. Shove the Church Master into the Grand Master's seat, then vanish immediately… totally something he'd do.
[Diluc]: I just hope Father is safe in this video.
[Kaeya]: Relax. The Church Master is inviting your foster father specifically to protect key figures. He'll be fine.
[Diluc]: …I hope so.
Diluc felt uneasy.
After watching so many of these "videos," he knew that Gu Chen's presence changed many things—but not everything.
There were moments when even Gu Chen, brilliant as he was, could not alter fate. Moments of regret still existed.
The only comfort was this version of Gu Chen was a true genius.
Even Varka called him a monster.
Half a year from adulthood, yet he had already walked the path of martial cultivation for over a decade.
With power surpassing even Varka's, Gu Chen was the pillar that stabilized the Knights of Favonius.
Diluc looked at his on-screen self.
Three months from adulthood—but already stronger than he was now.
That fiery, justice-driven youth…
Could he change everything?
Clink.
The bottom of the wine bottle struck the table.
Diluc chose to believe—
to believe in that stronger, changed version of himself.
Three days later.
Knights of Favonius Training Grounds.
The grounds were vast. Varka had arrived as well.
Varka, Gu Chen, Jean, Eroch, Cardinal Simon, and other high-ranking figures of both the Knights and the Church of Favonius sat in the main viewing platform. Dottore and the Fatui delegation sat opposite them.
Farther back sat another platform, where Lord Crepus, Lady Frederica, and the current head of the Lawrence Clan were present.
This was not merely a confrontation with the Fatui—
Gu Chen also intended it as a demonstration of force to Mondstadt itself.
Below, on opposite sides, stood the elite Knights and the Fatui's vanguard forces.
Near the stands were medical personnel—many of them nuns and priests of the Church.
Though religious in nature, the Church's clergy were not limited to prayer alone.
Jean's gaze lingered on a petite twin-tailed girl among the medics.
Sensing the attention, the girl looked up briefly—then quickly lowered her head.
"Who's that?" Gu Chen asked curiously.
Jean hesitated, then answered softly,
"My younger sister. Barbara."
Gu Chen raised a brow in understanding.
He glanced at Simon seated nearby but said nothing.
Simon Page—once a renowned adventurer—had shed his wandering past upon arriving in Mondstadt, joining the Church and rising to become its steward, known as the Cardinal of Dawn.
He had fallen in love with Frederica of the Gunnhildr Clan, then separated from her when their daughters were young, taking Barbara to raise himself.
Gu Chen neither knew nor intended to meddle in their past.
What surprised him was that Jean's younger sister—only a few years younger—was already a ceremonial deacon and medical staff.
Turning his attention back, Gu Chen looked at Dottore.
"By our agreed rules, there will be seven matches, corresponding to the seven elements. The Knights have chosen seven elites. Is your side prepared?"
"No need for concern," Dottore smiled.
"The Fatui are well prepared."
At his signal, a massively obese man stepped forward, body swollen almost unnaturally, hands larger than a human head.
A Fatui Skirmisher – Cryogunner Heavy Guard.
Gu Chen needed only one glance to tell something was very wrong.
"Miles," Diluc called.
A knight stepped forward from the Knights' side.
Compared to normal men, Miles was robust—but not grotesque. His body radiated health.
Even from a hundred meters away, Dottore could sense the hidden power flowing through him like blood.
After a brief smile, Dottore said,
"Sign the death waiver, then fight freely."
Both men signed without hesitation.
Miles attacked first.
Armed with a Favonius Sword, light and razor-sharp, he closed the distance rapidly.
Simon commented softly,
"The Heavy Guard is still sluggish due to his physique."
"In agility alone, our knight has the advantage," Varka chuckled.
"Unless that thing possesses strength beyond common sense."
"We'll see," Dottore smiled.
Driven into a corner, the Heavy Guard released a sinister aura, discarded his cryogun, and lunged forward with bare fists—his speed multiplying.
"That power…" Simon frowned.
Miles, after a brief shock, let crimson qi envelop his blade.
"Oh?" Dottore asked. "So this is qi projection?"
"Only knights of sufficient cultivation can manage that," Varka waved dismissively.
"No need to be alarmed."
The sword pierced flesh—
and the qi followed, ravaging organs and blood vessels alike.
"Isn't that… a bit cruel?" Dottore asked.
"Cruel?"
Simon shook his head.
"In battle, there is only life or death. Compared to your methods, this seems far closer to righteousness."
Eroch remained silent.
Varka smiled faintly.
Gu Chen sipped his tea lazily.
"Cardinal Simon, once you know they're Fatui, nothing they do should come as a surprise. After all—this is simply how the Fatui are."
Simon adjusted his glasses and smiled.
"Well said, Vice Captain."
Dottore's smile never wavered.
Watching Miles finish his opponent, he spoke appreciatively,
"Impressive vitality. Truly elite."
He knew this was no ordinary body-refinement.
This trip was worth it.
"First match—victory to the Knights!" Jean announced.
Simon glanced at his daughter, then whispered to Gu Chen,
"Must Jean take the field?"
Gu Chen saw a father's worry and nodded.
"You underestimate her. She's strong."
Strong enough to dismantle Ruin Guards barehanded.
Simon said no more.
The second match began.
A Fatui Electrohammer Vanguard took the field.
After signing, both charged.
Though powerful, the Knight endured even a direct hammer blow—qi circulation stalled briefly, then recovered.
Dottore's eyes narrowed behind the mask.
Exceptional resilience.
Another victory.
Then the third.
The fourth.
The fifth—harder fought, the knight's arm trembling from a glancing blow.
The sixth match—
A Debt Collector, visibly injected with something.
No attempt at concealment.
Varka frowned.
"Isn't that a violation?"
"Oh?" Dottore feigned surprise.
"Was reinforcement forbidden?"
Gu Chen raised his chin.
"Diluc. You go."
"Yes!"
From the stands, Lord Crepus stood and shouted,
"Go, Diluc!"
Diluc nodded firmly.
Sword signed. Battle began.
Diluc's greatsword moved with the speed of a longsword.
The enhanced Debt Collector vanished and reappeared like a specter—but Diluc relied on instinct, not Vision.
Qi-coated blade.
One minute.
Decapitation.
"Excellent!" Crepus cheered proudly.
Dottore chuckled.
"No wonder Lord Crepus rejected the Fatui. Seems we didn't offer enough."
The atmosphere shifted.
Varka smiled thinly.
"That statement invites misunderstanding."
"My apologies," Dottore said casually.
Then—
"The final match."
Despite losing six straight, Dottore was delighted.
"Jean. You're up," Gu Chen said.
"Yes!"
Jean stepped forward.
Opposite her, a Mirror Maiden, injected with three unknown substances.
Her aura exploded. Cracks spread across pale skin.
Barbara clasped her hands, praying desperately.
Varka glanced at Gu Chen—calm as ever.
"Sign."
The Mirror Maiden shrieked like a beast.
Prisms formed. Water surged.
Is this what we'll face in the future?
Jean's resolve hardened.
I must grow stronger—to protect Mondstadt.
"She's in danger," Dottore said pleasantly.
"You underestimate the Knights," Gu Chen replied.
"I trust Jean," Varka said.
"So do I," Simon added.
Eroch sighed.
"Let's not be overly optimistic."
Gu Chen smiled.
"If they can reinforce freely, so can we."
Dottore said nothing.
He already had what he wanted.
The rest—
was entertainment.
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