Arkz brought tea and pastries, inviting the members of the Patrol Team to sit down.
Arkz: "I am truly sorry, everyone. I've been busy all day, Yawn, and I'm a bit sleepy."
Gray: "Mr. Arkz, there's no need to be so polite. Such enthusiastic hospitality—are you perhaps in need of something from our Patrol Team?"
Looking at the familiar tea and the pastries whose aroma alone brought a sense of refreshment, Gray became wary. Their only connection with Mr. Arkz was Amu. Could this be about Amu?
But hadn't they already settled the matter concerning Amu yesterday?
Before things were made clear, Gray dared not touch the tempting-looking food. Who knew if it was a sugar-coated bullet?
Although most allogenes were good people, that didn't mean there weren't any simple-minded good folks among them. Having a bottom line didn't mean they wouldn't use schemes, and being a good person didn't mean they would let themselves be bullied.
Fortunately, the members of the Patrol Team had been strictly trained by Gray. Although they were quite tempted by the tea and pastries on the table, none of them made a move without Gray's nod of approval.
Although surprised by Gray's directness, Arkz didn't dislike this manner of handling things.
If anything, Arkz greatly disliked riddle-speakers.
Arkz stated plainly: "It is because I have a favor to ask of Mr. Gray. I heard that Mr. Gray has served in the Knights of Favonius for a long time..."
Before Arkz could finish, Gray interrupted: "I have always been a marginal figure in the Knights, and I came to Springvale many years ago. I'm afraid I don't have the capability to handle matters concerning the Knights."
Facing Gray's immediate refusal, Arkz wasn't angry. This old gentleman clearly looked like a righteous person, so naturally, he wouldn't accept bribes.
But Arkz wasn't doing anything wrong. He just wanted to ask about the assessment content for a reserve Knight to become a formal Knight. Wasn't this public knowledge in Mondstadt? Could this also be a secret of the Knights of Favonius?
Arkz explained: "Mr. Gray, I just want to inquire about a few things regarding the Knights of Favonius. I promise not to put you in a difficult position."
Gray hesitated for a moment, glanced at the Vision on Arkz's waist, and nodded.
The word of an allogene was worth giving a try.
Just as Arkz was about to leave, he turned back to Amu and took out a bowl of green, jelly-like liquid from his pocket, handing it to Amu.
"Amu, you performed well today. This is your reward."
Then Arkz said to the Patrol Team members: "This contains highly concentrated Dendro Elemental Power. It is highly poisonous to ordinary people, so don't steal any to eat."
The Patrol Team members, sitting rigidly upright, immediately nodded nervously. They only relaxed after seeing Arkz leave.
"That thing Mr. Arkz gave Amu looks really strange. It kind of looks like... a Slime!"
"Hey! Now that you mention it, it really does look like a Slime."
"Don't move! Are you tired of living? Didn't you hear Mr. Arkz say this contains high concentrations of Elemental Power!"
"I'm just curious! Can't I even touch it?"
"No!"
Amu looked at the green jelly in the bowl, feeling extremely happy and delighted. Tender green leaves even sprouted from his bald head.
Meanwhile, Arkz and Gray walked to a quiet open space. Arkz, already extremely sleepy, didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point:
"I have a friend in the Knights of Favonius reserve training camp. She isn't confident about passing this assessment, so I wanted to ask what the assessment standards are for reserve members of the Knights of Favonius. This shouldn't be a secret of the Knights of Favonius, right?"
Gray was stunned and thought to himself: 'You're just asking this, why the big fuss? Wouldn't any Knight of Favonius tell you this information easily?'
Although somewhat speechless internally, Gray still spoke up to explain for Arkz: "For reserves who want to become Knights of Favonius, the assessment is a bit harder than for ordinary people to become Knights."
"As reserves of the Knights of Favonius, once they pass the assessment, they become the backbone of the organization, starting at a higher level and advancing faster than ordinary Knights."
"Therefore, their assessment is stricter than that for general Knights."
Arkz nodded, indicating understanding.
Gray continued: "Although the content and format of the assessment vary slightly every year depending on the Instructor, the content of the assessment boils down to three types."
As a competent conversational partner, Arkz picked up the thread and asked at the right moment: "Which three types?"
Gray nodded with satisfaction: "Background, character, and strength."
"Background is an investigation into your origin. This step is mainly to prevent spies from other nations from infiltrating the ranks of the Knights of Favonius, so the scrutiny is the strictest."
"Character, as the name suggests, is an audit of your moral character and attitude toward handling matters. After all, the Knights of Favonius is the face of Mondstadt, and we cannot disappoint the citizens of Mondstadt."
"Finally, strength. As the strongest force protecting Mondstadt, becoming a Knight of Favonius requires great strength."
Arkz pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "That's not right, Mr. Gray. What you said makes sense, but I asked for the specific standards. For instance, regarding strength, is passing by defeating one Hilichurl enough, or defeating a Mitachurl, or defeating a Ruin Guard? The difference between these is huge."
Gray shot Arkz a look, but recalling the tea and pastries from tonight, he muttered, 'One is soft-mouthed after taking someone's food, and short-handed after taking someone's things,' before patiently explaining:
"I've been in Springvale for over 20 years. Do you think I would know!"
"Wait here, I'll go ask. I still have some connections in the Knights of Favonius. Asking about this content doesn't count as violating the rules."
Arkz immediately became delighted: "Great, thank you very much, Old Man Gray."
Gray returned proudly, like a triumphant general. With a grand sweep of his hand, he declared: "What are you waiting for? Dig in! Don't be polite to this guy; this was all earned through my hard work, Captain!"
Upon hearing this, the members of the Patrol Team lost all restraint and pounced on the tea and pastries like hungry tigers.
Gray panicked when he saw this, shouting,'Save some for me!' while joining the scramble.
Under Captain Gray's forceful suppression, the final outcome was Gray's complete victory. However, the teammates were all satisfied because they each got their share.
Seeing Arkz standing by the side, constantly yawning, Gray waved his hand and said: "Alright, alright, hurry up and go back to sleep. Standing here like a wooden post."
Arkz was already unbearably sleepy. Hearing Gray say that was like receiving amnesty. After politely bidding farewell to everyone, he quickly ran back to his wooden house to sleep.
With the wooden men guarding the farm, Arkz felt completely at ease.
In less than half a minute, Arkz fell into a sweet slumber.