Genshin Impact: Villain Impact

[Age 65: After decades of peace, Mondstadt once again faced disaster. The once-valiant Dvalin, who had fought alongside the Anemo Archon, had now transformed into the Stormterror Dragon and launched an attack on Mondstadt.]

[Under the leadership of the Lawrence family, Mondstadt began its resistance. However, Stormterror's power was on par with that of the demon dragon Ursa from years ago. Although your children were formidable, they were unable to secure victory in a short time.]

[Just as the battle reached a stalemate, you suddenly appeared on the battlefield, an ice spear forming in your hand. Despite your aging body, you unleashed an incredibly powerful elemental force, hurling the spear toward Stormterror.]

[It was the same "Dragon Piercing Spear" you used against Ursa forty years ago. But this time, it wasn't just an illusion. As the ice spear flew, it became engulfed in a ring of crimson flames, striking Stormterror in the chest and severely wounding it.]

[Sensing the immense power and being gravely injured, Stormterror had no choice but to flee from Mondstadt.]

[You had saved Mondstadt once again, but given your advanced age, the full force of the Dragon Piercing Spear took a significant toll on your body, causing severe backlash.]

---

[Age 68: Finally, you succumbed to the injuries caused by that backlash. You knew your time was near. Yet, perhaps because you had already died once before, you didn't feel much fear about death this time.]

[You were a tyrant, a butcher with bloodstained hands, a ruthless interrogator, but also a hero who had saved Mondstadt… As you lay surrounded by your loved ones, memories from both of your lives flashed before your eyes like a carousel.]

[You held Eula and Jean's hands. Their faces had aged, but in your final moments, they seemed to return to their youthful selves. Just as Ursa had said when she passed, this truly was a very, very good life.]

[You died.]

[Cause of death: Illness.]

[Overall assessment: No regrets.]

[Your rewards have been sent and are ready for you to claim.]

[Please choose one of the following talents: "Eternal Bloodline (Blue)," "Noble Origins (Blue)," or "First Glass of Red Wine (Purple)" to be your permanent talent.]

---

This time, there was no need to agonize over the choices.

[Eternal Bloodline] essentially conflicted with the effect of [Another Chance].

To be honest, Lucas had thought about what would happen if he chose [Eternal Bloodline] and then committed suicide—would he respawn as a baby in the original world?

In some ways, it would be like exploiting a bug in the system.

But then again, he laughed it off—he didn't have any children anyway.

As for [Noble Origins], that also seemed irrelevant.

"I choose… [First Glass of Red Wine]."

[Tsk, so you really want to corrupt the pure maiden saving her first glass of wine for a special occasion, huh?]

"I didn't have much of a choice, alright?" Lucas quickly defended himself. "The other two are basically only useful in the simulator!"

[No need to explain—explanations are just excuses.]

[You have acquired the innate talent: "First Glass of Red Wine."]

As the voice faded, Lucas slowly opened his eyes.

For some reason, though, this time, after leaving the simulator, he felt a slight wetness in his eyes.

Even though he knew that everything in the simulator was just a system-generated storyline, Lucas still felt that the emotions of those "NPCs" were incredibly real.

"You really have impeccable timing when you wake up," Fischl yawned from her seat beside him. "We've just arrived in Mondstadt."

Lucas stood dazed for a few seconds before he finally pulled himself out of the story in the simulator and recalled the events happening in the real world.

His convoy had left Dawn Winery and was heading toward Mondstadt.

Unlike before, this time Lucas had adjusted the time ratio between the simulator and reality, allowing time in the real world to pass more slowly rather than being paused. 

This way, he could avoid wasting time during the bumpy journey.

To those outside, Lucas, who was engaged in the simulation, appeared as though he were simply asleep.

"Really?" Lucas was slightly taken aback as he opened the carriage window.

Sure enough, the convoy had already reached the gates of Mondstadt, where two Knights of Favonius had stopped them.

"I am Swan of the Knights of Favonius," a polite young man in armor greeted them. "Could the person in charge please register your entry?"

Lucas had just stepped down from the carriage when Swan suddenly called out, "Lawrence, what are you standing there for? Come over here!"

Perhaps because he had just exited the simulator and hadn't fully detached from his role, Lucas instinctively frowned upon hearing the name "Lawrence" and said:

"Lawrence? Is that a name you can just shout so casually?"

In the simulator's story, the Lawrence family held a prestigious position, even among nobles.

Especially during their prime a thousand years ago, if a commoner dared to call out "Lawrence" without using an honorific, they would likely be harshly punished.

Of course, even outside of noble circles, addressing someone by just their surname, particularly when a subordinate addressed a superior or a junior addressed a senior, was considered highly disrespectful.

It was like calling your father "Little Guy"—most likely, you'd get a whipping.

However, after saying this, Lucas quickly realized something was wrong, but it was too late. Swan looked at him in confusion and said, "I think there's been a misunderstanding. I was calling the man behind you."

Lucas turned and saw a blond man with a ponytail walking past him, also dressed in the Knights of Favonius uniform. The man gave an awkward smile and said, "Um, Lawrence is actually my name."

"Your name is Lawrence?" Lucas asked, puzzled. "Are you related to the Lawrence family?"

"No, no, no! My name has nothing to do with the infamous Lawrence family," the knight named Lawrence explained with a wry smile. "Honestly, you're not the first person to ask."

"This story goes way back," Swan, seemingly accustomed to the situation, chuckled. "His father is a Fontaine merchant. When he first came to Mondstadt, he made a drunken bet with that blacksmith, Wagner. The wager? This guy's name."

"Yeah, my father had no idea about the weight behind the name 'Lawrence' back then, and he actually honored the bet," Lawrence sighed. "Every time he talks about it, he regrets it so much. After all, he was just one drink away from winning. If he had won, Wagner would've had to give him his favorite dagger and name it Pink Bunny."

Lucas couldn't help but laugh to himself.

Good thing Wagner won—otherwise, his own weapon, Dagger of the Unfilial, might have ended up with a ridiculous name.

"But you're pretty strange yourself," Swan rubbed his chin and commented, "Why can't we just shout 'Lawrence'? After all… they're descendants of criminals! What good could come from them?"

Lucas suddenly remembered that, in reality, the Lawrence family was very different from how they were portrayed in the simulator.

Since being overthrown by Vennessa's uprising, their status in Mondstadt had plummeted, and they were now nothing more than despised figures, akin to rats in the street.

Although he had only played the role of a Lawrence family member in the simulator, hearing the word "criminal" still made Lucas feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"I just think that's not quite right," Lucas shook his head and said, "The ones who made mistakes were the ancestors of the Lawrence family. If their descendants sincerely repent, shouldn't they have the chance to redeem themselves? Does the child of a villain have to be a villain too?"

Swan was surprised that this stranger from Liyue would stand up for the infamous Lawrence family. Frowning, he replied, "In any case, I just don't like them. Even if a Lawrence family member stood right in front of me, I wouldn't use any honorifics."

"Oh, really?"

At that moment, a cold, aloof voice came from behind Swan: "And how exactly do you plan to address me?"

A tall girl with blue hair stood behind him, staring at the two of them with an icy expression.

Eula!

Lucas immediately recognized her. This was the woman who, in the simulator, had spent an entire lifetime with him.

Indeed, her appearance, build, and demeanor were all exactly the same.

"Ca-Captain Eula!" Swan's face turned pale with fear. He quickly straightened up and, with utmost respect, said, "I was only joking just now. Please don't take it to heart."

"I actually preferred your defiant attitude from earlier," Eula coldly glared at Swan. "Talking behind my back… I won't forget this grudge."

Swan's face turned even more ashen, but he could only accept his misfortune, keeping his mouth shut, lest he say anything else that might offend this descendant of the Lawrence family.

"You must be the one sent by Yuheng to deliver the equipment," Eula glanced at the convoy behind Lucas and said, "The acting Grand Master is busy with other matters and couldn't greet you personally, so I'm here in her stead."

"Y-Yes," Lucas stammered, still staring at Eula's face. "I'm Lucas."

"Do all Liyue men stare at women like that the first time they meet, or is it just you?" Eula frowned.

"Sorry" Lucas quickly realized his rudeness and shook his head. "It's just that… you're very beautiful."

"Tch, sweet talker. I won't forget this grudge, either," Eula said, though her expression didn't show any real anger.

After all, she was still a woman, and being complimented on her looks did bring her some joy, even if only a little.

What was stranger still was that, for some reason, this man from Liyue seemed rather pleasing to Eula's eyes.

Besides, what he had said earlier had made her view him in a new light.

"These are the Grand Master's guests. No need for registration," Eula waved her hand. "Follow me."

Swan and Lawrence immediately opened the city gates, allowing Lucas and the convoy to enter.

"In that case, I'll take my leave for now," Fischl said as she stepped down from the carriage, her gaze showing a hint of reluctance. "The crossing of our fates ends here for the time being. But as my loyal subject, you must be ready to heed my summons at any time."

"What the young lady means," said Oz, perched politely on Fischl's shoulder, "is that she hopes you'll visit her home when you have the time. I've already written the address on the note I gave you."

One had to admit, Oz was incredibly thoughtful.

"So this chunibyo girl was with you the whole time, huh," Eula casually remarked. "Seems like your journey wasn't exactly a relaxing one."

"Rude!" Fischl's face flushed red as she fumed, "Fine! When the sinner's blood within you can no longer be hidden, I, the Prinzessin, shall personally deliver your judgment!"

The words "sinner's blood" visibly stirred anger in Eula's expression. Just as she was about to retort, Lucas spoke up first: "Fischl, calling it sinner's blood is a bit too much, don't you think?"

"You… you!" Fischl became flustered. "How can you take her side when you're supposed to be my loyal subject?"

Lucas wasn't speaking up for Eula out of some sudden burst of righteousness, it was because of the time they had spent together in the simulator as husband and wife. Seeing her being insulted now made him feel a bit protective, so he had spoken up on her behalf.

"I get it now!" Fischl glanced at Eula and gritted her teeth as if realizing something. "You… you've fallen for this woman, haven't you?"

To be fair, setting aside the Lawrence name, Eula was undeniably a stunning beauty, both in appearance and figure. 

Although Fischl wasn't bad-looking herself… most men would likely prefer the towering peaks of mountains to the gentle hills. 

When it came to matters of figure, though Fischl often comforted herself by thinking, "Maybe there's still room to grow," deep down she knew that achieving Eula's level of attractiveness would probably require making a wish to the Abyss—and selling her soul on the side.

"Isn't it obvious?" Eula smirked mischievously, then, with a playful glance, she reached out and gently hooked her arm around Lucas's. "Most people would know which choice to make."

"Y-You're making me so mad!" Fischl, still a young girl at heart and harboring some special feelings for Lucas, stomped her foot in frustration. "I'm not talking to you anymore! Oz, let's go!"

Without waiting for Lucas to say anything, Fischl stormed off, not even glancing back.

But as she walked away, she quietly asked Oz, perched on her shoulder, "Did… did he chase after me?"

"Forgive me for being blunt," Oz replied in his low, somber tone, sounding almost envious, "but if I were in his shoes, I don't think I'd be able to move either."

"You… you can forget about roasted beans this week!" Fischl snapped.

"What?!" 

---

After watching Fischl leave, Eula quickly released Lucas's arm, her face slightly flushed. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just wanted to mess with that little girl. And don't think that just by saying something nice, you can win me over."

"I wasn't trying to win you over," Lucas replied honestly. "I just spoke what I felt. No matter what the Lawrence family did in the past, that was a long time ago. You don't need to hold yourself responsible for their actions."

"When I accepted the Lawrence family's teachings and took the Emblem, it became my responsibility," Eula replied coolly. "But I'll prove myself in my own way. And don't act like you know me so well—we've only just met."

But I do know you!

He knew how strong-willed she was, what her favorite food was, and even… her preferences in more private matters.

Lucas knew all of this.

But he couldn't say a word… because he knew, deep down, that it was all "fake."

---

Meanwhile, at the Knights of Favonius headquarters.

"Hah…" 

A girl with a blonde ponytail lifted herself from her desk, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Did I… really doze off?" Jean muttered to herself, confused as she stared at the liquid on her hand. "It feels like I… just had a long, long dream."

It was hard to believe that she had only slept for half an hour. In that brief time, it felt as though she had lived an entire lifetime in her dream.

It had been a long and strange dream.

Unlike in reality, her family, the Gunnhildr family, was not renowned, but instead held a low status. 

Conversely, the infamous Lawrence family had become the most prestigious nobility in Mondstadt.

----

The strangest part was that, in the dream, she had married a member of the Lawrence family along with another women, and one of them was Eula, whom she had never really gotten along with.

"It seems I've been reading too many romance novels lately, which is why I'm having such absurd dreams," Jean chuckled to herself, mocking the idea. "Sharing a husband with Eula... that's completely ridiculous."

Yes, just like before, Jean had experienced the life within the simulator during her dream.

It's worth mentioning that events in the simulator usually affect real people as "vivid and unforgettable dreams." 

Even if the dream only lasted a minute, it could encompass an entire lifetime from the simulator.

Since Eula hadn't slept yet, she didn't have any of the memories from the simulator.

"But I really envy the dream version of myself," Jean thought, her face blushing slightly as she recalled her dream husband, "being able to meet such a gentle spouse."

Despite her usual mature and composed demeanor, Jean shared a common interest with many other girls—reading romance novels.

So, even though her real-life romantic experience was zero, Jean still longed for a sweet and romantic love story.

What made it even more memorable was that the dream also included scenes of intimacy between her and her husband—so vivid that she could still recall the happiness she felt at that moment.

This made sense, of course, since, among the vast number of romance novels Jean had read, a few risqué ones with explicit descriptions—and even illustrations—had slipped in. 

Although most of those books had been destroyed by Jean herself as "prohibited material," the content had stayed with her, providing ample "inspiration" for her daydreams.

Two of those books were still secretly hidden deep in her drawer, only taken out during quiet, lonely nights to relieve some boredom.

A quick peek… that should be fine, right?

Jean nervously opened the drawer and pulled out the two novels hidden between the cracks.

The Melancholy of Young Abin and Heart of the Fountain.

One told the story of a young man named "Abin" from Liyue and the various women who became his confidantes throughout his life.

The other was about a boy from Springvale named Finch and his feelings for a spirit who loved "fountains."

Both had excellent writing and captivating stories.

Even if the inappropriate parts were removed, they were still worthwhile romance novels.

Jean opened Heart of the Fountain and started rereading one of its iconic chapters. Before long, she found herself lost in it, the vivid descriptions of the fountain making it easy for Jean, who had no personal experience in such matters, to imagine the scenes.

"Later, Finch left his hometown. He never saw the fountain spirit again, nor did he witness a spring as radiant as that night."

Jean closed the book, her eyes tearing up… and feeling something else stirring within her.

Each time she reached the end, she couldn't help but feel emotional… and a bit flustered in other ways.

One quote from the novel resonated deeply with Jean: "A fountain spirit will only spring forth for one person in their lifetime. Does a human girl only ever fall in love with one man?"

Will I… ever meet the man who makes my heart race?

Jean's thoughts drifted back to her dream, where her husband indeed had the power to make fountains appear.

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted her daydream.

"Come in."

The knock snapped Jean out of her thoughts, and she hurriedly shoved the two forbidden books under her desk in a fluster.

Eula walked in, leading a young man dressed in Liyue attire.

"I've brought the person you requested," Eula stretched lazily, looking somewhat tired before turning to leave. "I've got the night patrol later, so I'm off to catch some sleep."

Few people in the Knights of Favonius would dare to be as casual with Jean as Eula was, but Jean didn't mind in the slightest.

"Greetings, Acting Grand Master Jean!" The young man offered his hand politely. "I'm Lucas, in charge of this escort mission."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lucas…" Jean responded courteously, reaching out to shake his hand.

However, the moment she saw Lucas's face, she froze, and her grip unconsciously tightened.

Luckily, after several rounds in the simulator, Lucas's physical strength had improved. Otherwise, a normal person might have yelped in pain from the strength of her grip.

How is this possible?

Jean's thoughts were in chaos.

The man standing in front of her looked exactly like the husband she had in her dream.

Even his voice and expressions were the same.

But Jean quickly pushed the idea away, dismissing it as mere coincidence. It wasn't possible. The man in her dream was just that—a dream. It was pure chance that his appearance resembled someone in real life.

"Um…" Jean couldn't help herself and asked, "Are you… married?"

What a strange question! Why would I ask something like that?

How rude!

"I… I'm single," Lucas tilted his head in confusion. "Why do you ask?"

"Please don't misunderstand!" Jean quickly tried to cover up her slip-up. "It's just that Mondstadt's annual Wine Festival is happening right now, a time when couples enjoy themselves, so I thought… I'd recommend you check it out."

"Ah, I see," Lucas smiled, not reading too much into it. "It would be nice to go if the Acting Grand Master could accompany me, but you're probably too busy for that, right?"

Is… is he hinting at something?

Jean's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to go with him, but Lucas was right—there was so much work to be done.

She wasn't the type to neglect her duties for personal matters.

But… her happiness was important too, wasn't it?

And this gentle, handsome man from another land—he would be irresistible to Mondstadt's free-spirited women at the Wine Festival.

Letting him go alone would be like sending a lamb to the slaughter!

No, even if she couldn't go with him, she had to find someone trustworthy to keep an eye on him!

Jean was a reserved and mature woman, even when meeting someone who stirred her heart. She wouldn't make her feelings obvious.

"I'm sorry, I am very busy today," Jean said after a moment of thought, "but since you're an honored guest of Mondstadt, I'll arrange for someone to accompany you. Please wait a moment; she should be here soon."

The person Jean had in mind was none other than her younger sister, Barbara. With her by Lucas' side, no other women would be able to approach him.

Since Jean had already made her decision, Lucas felt it would be impolite to refuse. So, he nodded and sat across from her in the office, waiting patiently.

There wasn't much conversation between them, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward at all. In fact, it felt rather harmonious and warm.

It reminded Lucas of their time in the simulator when he and Jean would sit together like this, with him handling family affairs while she quietly read by his side.

Reality seemed to overlap with the dream for a fleeting moment.

The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over Jean, who appeared almost ethereal in its light. Lucas found himself momentarily entranced by the sight.

Sensing his gaze, Jean suddenly looked up, and their eyes met, both of them blushing slightly.

At that moment, Lucas felt something strange under his foot. Perhaps to break the tension, he bent down and said, "Huh, I think I stepped on something."

He pulled out one of the novels Jean had hastily shoved under the desk and placed it on the table.

Jean's face turned pale. Thankfully, the book's cover looked normal, and the title wasn't too revealing.

"This… this looks like a novel?" Jean quickly put on an innocent expression. "I think it might belong to Barbara? She often reads books I've never even heard of."

"I see…" Lucas nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Would it be alright if I read it? I have some time to kill."

Sweat discreetly trickled down Jean's forehead.

This was the third biggest dilemma she had faced this month, right after dealing with the Fatui's political interference and the "Stormterror Suppression Plan."

If she stopped him now, wouldn't that imply she had already read the contents of those books?

Right! Jean remembered that although the novels contained inappropriate material, it was mostly in the latter half. If Barbara arrived before Lucas got that far, he wouldn't see anything inappropriate.

"Of course, go ahead," Jean nodded nonchalantly, trying to remain calm. "But they're just stories for young girls, so you probably won't find them interesting."

Sorry, Barbara, please forgive your sister just this once!

I'll get you that spicy meal box you love next time!

"It's fine," Lucas replied casually. "I actually enjoy reading."

With that, he picked up Heart of the Fountain and began flipping through the pages.

Jean finally breathed a small sigh of relief. After all, Heart of the Fountain was written with a delicate and intricate style, and the plot wasn't particularly dramatic. Most male readers would probably find it dull after a while.

However, contrary to her expectations, Lucas seemed completely absorbed in the story, showing no signs of boredom. 

Not only that, but he was reading at an impressively fast pace. Before long, he had already read through half of the book.

Jean, pretending to work, felt her heart pounding, as if it might leap out of her throat.

Strangely, even as Lucas reached the latter chapters, his expression didn't change. It was as though he were reading a perfectly ordinary novel.

Could it be that he was skimming through it and not paying attention to the details?

This thought gave Jean some relief, though she couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. Heart of the Fountain was a novel she held in high regard, and seeing someone rush through it so quickly was like watching a food connoisseur wolf down a gourmet meal without savoring it.

"I've finished it," Lucas closed the book quietly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's such a beautiful story."

Due to his extensive experience with the simulator's text-based mode, Lucas had developed an impressive reading speed.

"You… you think it's a good story too?" Jean asked, her voice filled with excitement.

Reading romance novels wasn't just a hobby for Jean—it was a personal secret. Few people knew about it.

Although she had read many such novels, Jean had never found someone to discuss them with. Hearing Lucas praise one of her favorite books, she couldn't help but feel she had found a kindred spirit.

"Absolutely," Lucas nodded. "Especially the line, 'The fountain spirit will only spring forth for one person in their lifetime. Does a human girl only ever fall in love with one man?' That was beautifully written."

He understands! He really understands!

Jean blurted out, "I… I love that line too!"

"Wait," Lucas asked, slightly puzzled, "weren't these books someone else's?"

"Well… I may have read a little bit," Jean replied, her face flushed with embarrassment. "But some parts of the content are a bit… improper, so…"

As she spoke, Jean's cheeks turned even redder.

The idea of the dignified Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius secretly reading explicit novels in her office was a scandalous thought!

"You're referring to those parts?" Lucas laughed, unconcerned. "I think they were written quite well. They captured the characters' love for each other beautifully. Especially the part where the fountain spirit's waters nourished the entire town—it elevated the whole story. That's not dirty at all, it's pure."

His words hit Jean like an arrow straight to the heart, dissolving the doubts that had troubled her.

Yes, passionate love between two people wasn't something dirty—it was pure and natural.

The problem wasn't the story—it had always been her own perception.

She had been seeing everything through an impure lens, making even the purest of things seem improper!

"Um… could we…" Jean's voice wavered with emotion. "Could we talk more about this book?"

"Of course," Lucas smiled. "Sharing a good story is always a pleasure."

---

Half an hour later.

"Oh no, I've spent too much time chasing down Sister Rosaria… I hope I haven't kept my sister waiting for too long," Barbara hurried through the corridors of the Knights of Favonius, looking slightly flustered.

As she approached the Acting Grand Master's office, Barbara suddenly heard the sound of familiar laughter coming from inside.

It was her sister Jean's laughter.

Barbara rarely heard Jean laugh so openly, and her curiosity was piqued. Rather than barging in, she pressed herself against the doorframe to listen.

This isn't eavesdropping, she thought to herself. I'm just concerned about my sister. Surely Lord Barbatos would forgive me.

Soon enough, Barbara heard Jean talking to a man.

Jean: "What happened between us that night was just an act of drunken foolishness. Please don't pester me about it anymore."

Male voice: "Don't lie to yourself. You weren't drunk at all that night—everything was done willingly."

Jean: "But… our love is wrong…"

Male voice: "Don't care about what others think. Even if I'm seven years younger than you, love doesn't care about age."

---

Barbara, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, was so shocked that her mouth dropped open wide enough to fit an egg.

Her sister, Jean, was only nineteen, and this man was supposed to be seven years younger, meaning he was twelve. And they had done something inappropriate after drinking?

"This is unacceptable!"

With that thought, Barbara couldn't stay calm any longer. She burst through the door, exclaiming in a panic, "This is a crime!"

Of course, in her mind, it was Jean who had committed the crime.

Barbara had expected to see Jean with a twelve-year-old boy, but instead, she found Jean and a strange man, each holding a book, seemingly reading from them aloud.

Jean quickly realized what Barbara was thinking and, embarrassed, hurriedly explained, "Barbara, you've misunderstood! We were just having a book club!"

"A book club? Why would a book club read such strange material?"

Although Barbara was usually gentle and well-mannered, she had a strong protective instinct when it came to her sister. She rushed forward in just a few steps, placing herself between Jean and Lucas, staring him down and declaring, "Don't think you can fool my sister with your sweet talk—wait, your face..."

How is this possible?

That face… how could it look so much like the man from her dream, the one who had forced himself upon her?

If it had been anyone else, Barbara might have doubted it, but she would never forget that face, even if it were reduced to ashes!

"My face?" Lucas instinctively touched his cheek. "Is something wrong?"

"N-No… nothing…" Barbara struggled to suppress her emotions, muttering, "Who… who exactly are you?"

"He's Lucas, sent by the Yuheng to escort the equipment," Jean quickly explained. "He really isn't a bad person."

Not a bad person?

But I clearly remember the "bad" things he did to me!

Barbara firmly believed that dreams were not mere figments of imagination but messages from Lord Barbatos to his faithful followers.

If the Anemo Archon had shown her this man's evil deeds in a dream, it was surely a warning to be cautious of him.

Yes, I must protect my sister's safety. I can't let my guard down now.

"I'm sorry," Barbara said, pretending to be embarrassed and bowing slightly. "It seems I misunderstood."

"Let me introduce her properly," Jean said, feeling relieved. "This is the person I arranged to assist you—Barbara, the deaconess of the Church of Favonius."

Although Lucas had already "met" Barbara in the simulator, he had to act as though this were their first encounter. "Nice to meet you. If it's too much trouble, there's no need for you to accompany me."

"No! It's no trouble at all," Barbara shook her head immediately. "You're an important guest of Mondstadt."

Barbara had already made up her mind—this was her chance to reveal Lucas's true nature!

"In that case, I'll accept your kind offer," Lucas nodded. "When should we set off?"

It was already evening, and the Wine Festival was about to reach its most lively point.

"You can leave now," Jean said before coughing lightly. "But first, Lucas, could you wait outside for a moment? I have something to discuss with Barbara."

Lucas nodded and left the room.

"Barbara…" Jean's face flushed slightly. "Don't you think Lucas is… a rather special person?"

"You've already noticed?" Barbara immediately nodded. "Yes, I think so too!"

He's probably especially bad.

"Since you've noticed, I'll just come out and say it," Jean sighed in relief. "The reason I asked you to accompany him is because I trust you to keep an eye on him."

It was hard for Jean to openly admit her feelings for a man, but since Barbara had already picked up on it, that made things easier.

"I'll watch him closely," Barbara nodded.

"If he does anything strange," Jean added, feeling a little embarrassed, "please keep me informed."

As expected of my sister—she's thought of everything.

"Most importantly…" Jean bit her lip, her face turning red. "If possible, try to keep other women from getting too close to him."

"Don't worry," Barbara assured her. "I'll make sure to keep a close eye on him!"

The tragedy from the dream must never come to pass.

Jean, of course, had no idea what Barbara was really thinking and, feeling reassured, nodded. "With that settled, I can focus on my work."

Barbara didn't seem to realize that if Jean truly thought Lucas was a dangerous person, she wouldn't have asked her little sister to take on such a risky task.

---

Although it was Lucas's first day in Mondstadt, in many ways, no one knew the city better than he did.

While the Wine Festival didn't have the same renown as Windblume or Ludi Harpastum, it was still an important celebration in Mondstadt, marking the harvest of fruits and the brewing of fine wines.

That night, every tavern in the city allowed people to drink freely, with the cost covered by Mondstadt's wine industry—or more specifically, Dawn Winery, the leader in the business.

Just as Jean had said, the streets were filled with young couples showing affection, some of them even kissing and embracing under the influence of alcohol.

Mondstadt's culture valued freedom, so such things weren't unusual.

Among the crowd, however, Lucas and Barbara were probably the only man and woman not paired as a couple.

"Hey there, what a cute young man from Liyue~"

Before Lucas could react, a lazy and sultry voice suddenly came from behind them, and a figure appeared in front of the two.

It was a woman in her twenties with brown hair, dressed in a mage-like outfit that exuded an air of intelligence and maturity.

Her face was slightly flushed, and she held a glass of red wine in her hand. It was clear she had already had a few drinks. "Care to join me for a drink, darling?"

"L-Lisa?" Barbara gasped. "Aren't you supposed to be on duty at the library tonight?"

"Ah, Barbara, you're here too?" Lisa smiled and stuck out her tongue playfully. "Don't worry. Do you really think anyone would go to the library to borrow books on a night like this?"

So, this woman is Lisa?

Though she didn't have much presence in the main storyline yet, she was one of the starting characters in the game, known for her big-sisterly charm and her role as the knowledgeable librarian.

"In any case, you can't just invite him for drinks," Barbara protested, as if someone were trying to feed her pet something harmful. "Lisa, you could easily find plenty of men to drink with."

"But they're all so boring, and their intentions are far too obvious. I don't like that one bit," Lisa said with a mischievous smile. "So, is this your little boyfriend?"

"N-No, he's not!" Barbara's face flushed. "I-I'm just accompanying him on behalf of the Acting Grand Master."

"Well, how about I take over for you?" Lisa, clearly tipsy, leaned into Lucas, casually wrapping her arm around his. She didn't seem to mind that a certain part of her body was pressing tightly against his elbow.

"My place is quite spacious," Lisa said, tracing circles on Lucas's chest with her finger. "If you'd like, I could show you some fun games we could play together."

"I…" Lucas shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, but I've already agreed to let Miss Barbara accompany me. I can't just leave her here, can I?"

Hearing this, Barbara felt unexpectedly touched.

Did he really turn down such a beautiful woman like Lisa for her sake?

No, no, Barbara, snap out of it! This must just be one of his tricks to win your favor.

Did you forget how he deceived you in the dream?

"I didn't expect to be turned down the first time I invited a guy over," Lisa said with a hint of regret, but then quickly smiled. "No matter, here's my address. If you change your mind, feel free to visit." 

Lisa pulled a purple card from her chest, smiled mischievously, and slipped it into Lucas's hand before waving goodbye and walking off.

Lucas looked down at the card. Sure enough, it had an address on it, and the card itself was finely crafted, with a faint scent lingering on it.

"What's the matter?" Barbara pouted. "Regretting your decision now? You still have time to change your mind."

"I've already said, with Miss Barbara by my side, that's more than enough," Lucas replied, casually slipping the card into his pocket. "So, where to next?"

"If you want to drink, the best place is the Angel's Share," Barbara mused. "But it's the most popular tavern in Mondstadt. Every Wine Festival, it's packed to the brim. The lines are always super long."

"Well, it's not far from here, right? Why don't we go check it out anyway?" Lucas suggested.

"That's not a bad idea," Barbara paused, then asked, a bit puzzled, "But… this is your first time in Mondstadt. How do you know the Angel's Share is nearby?"

"Because I have a map," Lucas replied offhandedly.

Though the map he referred to was in his head.

The Angel's Share, Mondstadt's most popular tavern, was also part of Master Diluc's estate. If you were lucky, you might even catch Diluc himself tending bar.

As Barbara had predicted, the tavern was already packed, and the line of patrons waiting to get in stretched as far as the eye could see—longer than even the queue for a throat swabbing.

Choosing to come here for a drink, despite other free-flowing wine available elsewhere, spoke volumes about the quality of this place.

"Just as I thought," Barbara said, her face showing a hint of disappointment. "Looks like I won't be getting that extra-spicy lemon water today."

What kind of strange drink is that?

Lucas seemed to have an idea. He walked over to the entrance and asked, "Excuse me, are there no seats available at all?"

The doorman looked a bit impatient. "There are seats in the VIP section upstairs, but that's not for people like you. Get in line like everyone else. Maybe you'll get a drink before dawn."

"The VIP section…" Lucas took out the black card Diluc had given him. "What about with this?"

"That's…" The doorman's eyes widened, and his attitude did a complete 180. He bowed deeply. "I see you're a friend of Master Diluc. Please, come right in!"

Lucas now had a clearer understanding of why, in the simulator, Mondstadt's common folk resented special privileges, yet everyone seemed to love them at the same time.

He led Barbara inside the tavern and was quickly escorted to the VIP section on the second floor.

"I didn't expect you to know Master Diluc personally," Barbara remarked, sounding a bit surprised. "This black card isn't something just anyone can get."

"We've crossed paths," Lucas nodded before turning to the server. "Could I get one extra-spicy lemon water and… a Dragon's Flame?"

Dragon's Flame was Lucas's favorite cocktail from the simulator. Its deep purple and black hues resembled the flames of the demon dragon Ursa—spicy and intense.

Although Ursa had once nearly destroyed Mondstadt, that didn't stop its bartenders from using her name for their drinks.

Maybe… he had ordered it because the mischievous black dragon girl had crossed his mind.

But to Lucas's surprise, the server's expression became somewhat awkward. "I'm sorry, but we don't serve Dragon's Flame here."

Before Lucas could say anything, a lighthearted laugh came from a corner of the room. "You've got some guts, ordering that drink here."

Lucas turned to see a blue-haired man with dark skin sitting casually in the corner. He continued, "Dragon Ursa was directly responsible for the death of Diluc's father. Do you really think his tavern would serve a drink with that name?"

Lucas's expression turned slightly embarrassed. "My apologies. That was thoughtless of me."

"Captain Kaeya?" Barbara finally recognized the man and asked, "Weren't you supposed to be on patrol tonight? Why are you here drinking?"

First Lisa, now Kaeya… they're all slacking off!

No wonder Jean is always so busy!

"Oh, Barbara," Kaeya smiled. "Don't worry, even bad guys can't resist the allure of free drinks."

"So, you're Captain Kaeya," Lucas said, introducing himself. "I'm Lucas. I've met Master Diluc once before."

"That guy wouldn't hand out a black card to someone he's only met once," Kaeya raised his glass in Lucas's direction. "Also, I recommend trying the 'Afternoon Death.' It won't disappoint."

With that, Kaeya stood up, smiling as he added, "I'd better get back to work. I won't interrupt your date any longer."

"I already said!" Barbara blushed. "We're not a couple."

"That's too bad," Kaeya chuckled, waving as he headed downstairs. "Take a look around."

Barbara blinked, then glanced around the dimly lit VIP area. She noticed that many of the couples had begun kissing, and in some more secluded spots, there were even… less appropriate sounds coming from the shadows.

"Barbara," Lucas said, his eyes narrowing playfully, "Do you think this place might be a bit… too intense for you?"

In the past, Barbara might have already hidden her blushing face under the table out of sheer embarrassment.

But after experiencing the "dream" where she became an idol and was taken advantage of, Barbara had "grown" in more ways than one without realizing it.

At the very least, she wasn't as naïve as she once had been.

---

"No... This is nothing!" Barbara quickly shook her head, saying, "Don't underestimate me. I can handle... this level of intimacy."

"Intimacy?" Lucas looked puzzled. "I was talking about your drink."

Barbara froze, her face turning red with embarrassment. Unbeknownst to them, their drinks had already been quietly placed on the table. The VIP section's service was indeed top-notch.

Barbara's "extra-spicy lemon water" was a bright, fiery red. It looked less like a drink and more like some bizarre, spicy soup. Even from a distance, Lucas could feel the heat stinging his eyes, as if they were starting to tear up.

Drinking this definitely seemed like an intense challenge.

"So... this is what you meant?" Barbara, flustered, wished she could dig a hole and disappear into it. She quickly added, "Watch me down it in one go!"

When it came to handling spice, Barbara could undoubtedly rank among the top three in Mondstadt.

Who would have guessed that such a delicate-looking girl had such a fiery palate?

After all, spiciness isn't just a taste sensation—it's a form of pain. To handle something this spicy, one not only needs a strong mouth but also a sturdy stomach.

Admittedly, Barbara's resilience in that area was quite impressive—something Lucas knew well from his time in the simulator.

Just as Barbara was about to take a sip, the server interjected, "One moment, I should warn you—this drink..."

But before he could finish, Barbara had already downed the entire glass of bright red liquid, her face contorting with a mix of pain and determination.

Moments later, a blush spread across her pale cheeks.

"Something's... off about this drink," Barbara mumbled, feeling the room begin to spin.

The server, seeing she had chugged it all in one go, sighed helplessly. "That 'extra-spicy lemon water' was infused with a strong firewater from Snezhnaya to enhance the flavor."

With a soft "thud," Barbara slumped over the table, passed out from the alcohol.

"Well, well, Barbara really can't handle her drink," came a cheerful voice from behind them. "One glass and she's already out cold."

A youthful bard in green attire had somehow appeared next to them, smiling as he addressed Lucas. "Hey there, you must be from Liyue, right?"

"Hey, Venti, this is the VIP section!" The server from earlier frowned. "You promised you'd play for free all night in exchange for a seat here!"

It was Venti!

Lucas, of course, knew the bard's true identity. Not only that, but they had crossed paths multiple times in the simulator.

He hadn't expected to run into him again in real life.

"Look around," Venti replied nonchalantly. "Who's actually paying attention to the music right now? Besides, there's an empty seat here. If this gentleman invites me to sit, doesn't that make me a guest too?"

"Why would he invite you?" The server rolled his eyes. "If you wore a dress, maybe someone would let you crash the table."

It was true that, despite being a boy, Venti's delicate and pretty features could easily fool someone if he dressed as a girl.

In fact, some people might not even care that he's a boy—after all, this was Mondstadt, the city of freedom.

Of course, Lucas wasn't interested in that.

But an idea suddenly popped into his mind—a way to tease Venti a little.

"No problem," Lucas smiled and said, "He's a friend of mine. Let him join us."

Venti raised his head proudly. "See? Now, how about you bring us your finest wine?"

The server, still looking a bit surprised, sighed and nodded reluctantly. "Fine, fine. I'll get it."

Lucas carefully laid Barbara down on the sofa beside the table, then picked up his own drink and smiled. "Since we've run into each other, I'm Lucas. Let's drink to our meeting."

With that, he downed the entire glass of "Afternoon Death."

Though the drink wasn't harsh going down, its aftereffect was intense. Even a seasoned drinker like Kaeya wouldn't dare to drink it all at once.

But Lucas seemed unfazed.

Thanks to his recently acquired [Never Drunk] talent from the simulator, Lucas could drink as much as he liked without worry.

"Good drinking!" Venti chuckled and quickly polished off his own glass. "In that case, I won't hold back."

"Seems like you can hold your liquor," Lucas smirked. "And since the drinks are free tonight, how about we have a little competition?"

"A competition?" Venti asked, intrigued.

"Of course, a drinking contest," Lucas said, thinking back to his earlier run-in with the doorman Lawrence. "Whoever gets drunk first loses."

"That's not very fair," Venti said, pretending to be serious. "Barbara's already passed out. If you fall too, I won't be able to carry both of you home."

"Don't worry. Worst case, we can sleep here," Lucas taunted. "Unless… you're afraid of losing?"

"I'll have you know," Venti raised one finger, "I can drink this much."

"One bottle?"

"No, I can drink continuously."

"Well, then," Lucas grabbed a bottle of firewater, smiling, "Let's not waste time with glasses. Let's drink straight from the bottle."

"Now that's the spirit!" Venti grinned, clearly enjoying Lucas's style of drinking. "Don't worry, I won't let you lose too badly."

Admittedly, Venti could hold his alcohol—after all, even with his powers weakened, he was still a god. His physique couldn't be compared to that of a human.

To date, the only one who had ever outdrunk Venti was the Geo Archon himself.

It looked like tonight, they would both have a worthy opponent to drink against!

Even though Barbatos frequently made cameo appearances in Lucas's simulator adventures, he was never a central character. As a result, the real-life Venti didn't retain much memory from the simulator.

Venti's interest in Lucas tonight wasn't because of any past encounter but rather for a simpler reason: he was just looking for a chance to drink for free in the VIP section.

In Mondstadt, a city rich in drinking culture, "drinking contests" weren't unusual. They were both a form of entertainment and a way for patrons to prove their drinking prowess.

Venti was no stranger to drinking challenges. Most people assumed that with his small, slender frame, he would get drunk after just a few sips.

Little did they know, Venti's body seemed like a bottomless pit. While he could easily enter a "tipsy" state after just a little alcohol, it was nearly impossible to get him fully drunk.

But tonight, Venti, who was usually hard to intoxicate, met his match in Lucas—someone who simply couldn't get drunk.

This drinking contest was unlike any other.

While most people used glasses, Lucas and Venti drank straight from the bottle. Instead of pairing their drinks with appetizers, they were essentially using alcohol as the appetizer for more alcohol.

Charles, the bartender at Angel's Share, watched the scene with a heart full of sorrow. So many bottles of expensive, fine wine were being downed without any appreciation. He wasn't concerned about the cost—after all, for Master Diluc, the owner, the cost was negligible. What pained him was seeing these precious wines being "wasted."

Before anyone realized it, Lucas and Venti had been drinking well into the night.

"Drink... drink... keep drinking..." Venti slurred, his eyes half-closed, clearly tipsy but still conscious. "Lucas, why are there... three of you now?"

Despite his red face and wobbly stance, Venti's drunken state was rather adorable.

"You're drunk," Lucas chuckled. "It's time to admit defeat."

"Drunk? Me? N-no way!" Venti shook his head in denial. "I can still... drink... more..." But before he could finish his sentence, Venti collapsed onto the table, much like Barbara had earlier.

From a distance, Charles finally breathed a sigh of relief. Noticing Lucas looking his way, he quickly approached and asked, "Sir, would you like me to arrange a room for you to rest?"

"Yes, please," Lucas replied with a smile. "Do you have any rooms available?"

"Of course," Charles nodded. "For our VIP guests, we offer complimentary rooms. Please follow me."

Charles led them to two rooms. Lucas gently laid Barbara down in one and then helped Venti into the other.

"Truly a gentleman," Charles thought, admiring Lucas's respectful actions.

However, soon after, strange sounds began to emerge from the room where Lucas and Venti were.

"Alright, first, take off the clothes."

"Hmm..."

"Don't move. Stay in that pose."

"Ugh..."

Hearing these odd snippets of conversation, Charles's face darkened with confusion.

"What are young people even doing these days?" he muttered to himself.

---

Inside the room, Lucas wasn't doing anything inappropriate. In fact, he was simply having some fun with Venti.

Holding a kamera (a magical camera), Lucas snapped several pictures of Venti, who was now dressed in a very cute maid outfit. Half-asleep and still somewhat drunk, Venti could only passively go along with Lucas's commands, posing in various embarrassing positions.

With a snap of Lucas's fingers, the maid outfit on Venti magically transformed into a nurse's outfit.

That's right. Venti was currently wearing the [Nano Combat Suit (Youth Version)], an item Lucas had acquired as a reward. This special suit could change its form based on Lucas's whims—even when worn by someone else.

After a while, Lucas had accumulated a collection of interesting photos, featuring the semi-conscious Venti dressed in various costumes, striking ridiculous poses.

Lucas wasn't doing this because he had some strange hobby or kink. It was more of a playful revenge for the mischief Venti had caused him in the simulator.

These photos could serve as leverage, in case Lucas ever needed Venti's help in the future.

And if that didn't work, well... selling these as a photo album might fetch a good price.

After all, Venti had lost their drinking bet, so these photos weren't exactly a violation of his privacy—they were merely part of the wager.

Before leaving, Lucas thoughtfully arranged a few of the more "provocative" photos in a pattern on the bed next to the sleeping Venti, spelling out the words "Bet Forfeit."

Satisfied with his handiwork, Lucas left the room, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. Finally, after all the times Venti had pranked him in the simulator, Lucas had managed to get back at him.

"That was so satisfying!" Lucas muttered under his breath, unconsciously clenching his fists in triumph.

Unfortunately, Charles happened to overhear this remark. His expression became even more perplexed.

"Sir," Charles said cautiously, clearly trying to keep his thoughts to himself, "your bard friend seems to be sleeping quite soundly. We'll make sure not to disturb him."

"Thank you," Lucas replied with a polite smile. "I appreciate your discretion."

"Rest assured, we are very discreet when it comes to our VIP guests," Charles nodded. "Your preferences will remain confidential."

Lucas didn't dwell on the bartender's choice of words and instead made his way into Barbara's room.

The young girl was fast asleep, completely unaware of the chaos that had unfolded outside. Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Lucas decided it was the perfect time to review the reward he had recently earned from the simulator.

[S-Class Reward: Gnosis - Anemo]

[Effect: Increases control over the wind element by three tiers (can exceed S-class).]

So, this was the true power of Barbatos's Gnosis?

To put it simply, even among those blessed with Visions, not everyone had equal mastery over the elements.

Some could summon blazing infernos, while others could barely muster a flicker of flame. Some could create raging tornadoes, while others couldn't even rival a fan.

For humans, elemental power always had its limits. After all, a Vision was both a tool for channeling elemental power and a device to limit it.

In other words, the Vision acted like a "valve." No matter how strong the wielder was, if the valve only allowed for a certain level of power, they could only output that amount.

It's like you and a top student both scoring 100 on an exam—your ability maxes out at 100, while the top student is limited only because 100 is the highest possible score.

To put it another way, if Lucas has A-grade wind elemental power, no matter how much he trains, he could at most reach the S-grade. However, with the Anemo Archon's Gnosis, he could break through to the "SSS" level.

The funny thing is… Lucas currently has no way to use wind elemental power, making this reward somewhat of a useless skill at the moment.

Moreover, whether it's through random rewards or loot box draws, the rewards are completely unpredictable. Gaining wind elemental power would depend purely on luck.

Of course, there's another method—using Virtue Points to exchange for an Anemo Vision. But the cost is 10,000 points, which Lucas is far from achieving right now.

Still, Lucas isn't too concerned. As long as he takes his time, he'll eventually obtain it.

---

[Ice Element Control (A-Grade)]

Type: Talent

Effect: Allows the user to control ice elements.

---

[Dragon Piercing Spear (A-Grade)]

- Type: Skill

- Effect: Throws a powerful spear imbued with elemental energy. Deals 100% extra damage to dragons and has a high chance to inflict irreparable piercing damage.

---

[Ornate Gold Brooch]

- Category: Set Item

- Effect: (2/4) Grants a 7% bonus to Hydro element damage.

---

There were no lootbox rewards this time, but considering the simulator's rewards, Lucas had received quite a generous haul.

---

"Ugh..." Barbara, who had been unconscious until now, finally stirred and slowly sat up.

Her drunkenness seemed to have subsided a little, but she still appeared groggy, rubbing her eyes as she mumbled, "Where... am I?"

"We're in one of the rooms at Angel's Share," Lucas explained gently. "It's really late now. How about we stay here for the night?"

"No..." Barbara's cheeks flushed red as she pouted. "I want to go back to the church. I can't sleep without hugging my sister's doll..."

Normally, Barbara wasn't this clingy, but under the influence of the lingering effects of alcohol, she was acting a little more willful than usual.

"Alright..." Lucas smiled wryly, unable to resist her plea. "I'll take you back. Can you walk?"

"Barbara doesn't want to walk," she mumbled, stretching out her arms towards Lucas. "Daddy, carry me back."

It seemed the alcohol had clouded her thoughts enough that she mistook Lucas for her father, Seamus Pegg—not the imprisoned version from the simulator, but the "Cardinal of Dawn" in the real world.

Six months ago, Grand Master Varka had led most of the Knights of Favonius on an expedition, and Barbara's father, Seamus, had accompanied him as the church's representative. After Seamus's divorce from Frederica of the Gunnhildr family, Barbara and her sister Jean had been raised separately by their parents.

Living with her father for so long, Barbara naturally missed him dearly, which explained why, in her half-asleep state, she had confused Lucas with him.

"Alright, alright," Lucas didn't have the heart to correct her. He knelt down in front of her, saying, "Come on, Barbara."

"Daddy, I missed you so much..." Barbara wrapped her arms around Lucas's neck as she clung to his back, murmuring softly, "Daddy's back feels... broader now."

"You can rest on Daddy's back for a bit," Lucas whispered. "We'll be home soon."

"Mmm..." Comforted by the warmth of his back, Barbara quickly drifted off into sleep again.

---

3 AM.

The Wine Festival had come to an end, and most of Mondstadt's citizens had returned home after their festivities. A few unlucky drunks, who had overindulged, lay sprawled on the streets, too inebriated to make it back.

If they were fortunate, a passing patrol knight might take them home. If not, they might spend the night outside, only to be woken by a curious stray dog the next morning.

Thankfully, Mondstadt's mild climate meant that a night outdoors would only result in a cold at worst. In Snezhnaya, however, such a night could easily mean waking up as a frozen corpse.

On patrol that night was a blue-haired girl wielding a large sword: Eula, the Spindrift Knight of the Knights of Favonius.

Although she typically led the reconnaissance squad and handled field missions outside the city, during festivals like this, Eula helped with the patrols inside the city as well.

"Damn it, they stuck my squad with patrol duty," Eula grumbled under her breath. "I'll remember this grudge!"

Despite her words, Eula's actions spoke otherwise. Known for her sharp tongue but soft heart, she had volunteered for the worst time slot so that her team could rest during the night.

For Eula, the Wine Festival held little appeal. Even if she wanted to drink, the moment she sat down at a tavern, the other patrons would treat her like the plague, quickly vacating the area.

But tonight, she had something else on her mind.

To prepare for the night patrol, she had taken a quick nap at the Knights' headquarters.

Little did she expect that in just a few hours, she would have a long and vivid dream.

In what should have been a pleasant dream, the Lawrence family—her family, once shamed and despised—had been transformed into celebrated heroes who had saved Mondstadt multiple times.

As she walked through the city streets in her dream, the usual glares and whispered curses were replaced by kind smiles and warm greetings.

But what made the dream truly strange was that in it, she had married her cousin from the Lawrence family.

And that cousin was none other than the Liyue man she had met today—Lucas!

Not only had he married her, but he had also married Jean!

In the dream, they even had children together!

Though she had felt quite content and happy within the dream, upon waking, Eula couldn't shake the sense that something was off.

Never before had a man appeared in her dreams, let alone one who swept her off her feet into a life of marriage and children.

As the saying goes, "What you think about during the day shows up in your dreams at night." Could it be that she had developed feelings for a man she had only just met?

Impossible!

Eula quickly shook her head, mocking herself. "Even if he were from Mondstadt, why would anyone be interested in a Lawrence?"

After walking a few more steps, Eula suddenly spotted a figure lying not far ahead. The air was thick with the mingled stench of alcohol and blood.

"Could they have gotten hurt after drinking too much?" Eula muttered as she approached cautiously. "Hey, are you okay? This isn't the place to sleep."

But as she took a couple more steps, her expression changed instantly.

The figure lying on the ground was indeed a drunkard, but they were no longer breathing. Their abdomen had been slashed open, and their intestines spilled messily onto the ground.

Even for someone as battle-hardened as Eula, accustomed to violence and bloodshed, the gruesome sight made her stomach churn.

"A murder?" Eula clenched her fists. "I need to report this to the Knights immediately."

Suddenly, Eula felt a surge of killing intent from behind her. Her instincts honed from countless battles kicked in, and she swung her greatsword backward with all her strength.

The sharp clang of metal rang out as her sword clashed against another—a large sword.

The wielder was a man in his thirties, dressed in luxurious attire. When Eula saw his face, she was startled. "Terrence?" (AN: Oc)

Indeed, the man before her was none other than Terrence Lawrence, her cousin from the infamous Lawrence family.

In Eula's memory, Terrence had always been a quiet and reserved figure. Even during the family trials, when he had lost to her, he had accepted his defeat without a word.

But now, his appearance was like that of a bloodthirsty beast. His entire being radiated a murderous aura.

Terrence's eyes were bloodshot, glowing faintly with a crimson light. From the gaps between his clenched teeth, he muttered hoarsely, "Kill... kill... kill!"

Without warning, a surge of immense strength hit Eula. She found herself being pushed down by the sheer force of Terrence's sword.

How is this possible?

Eula's mind raced in disbelief.

She knew Terrence's abilities well—though he trained diligently in swordsmanship, his talent was average. Even though he was older by over a decade, he had never been a match for her in combat.

Yet now, his speed and strength had grown significantly. Such rapid improvement in such a short time should have been impossible.

Her eyes fell on the bloodstains and bits of flesh clinging to Terrence's sword. It seemed that the mutilated body nearby was his doing.

"Even if you're a Lawrence..." Eula took two steps back, her blade gathering frost as she called upon her Cryo powers. "I won't hold back!"

With that, Eula unleashed two icy slashes toward Terrence. However, flames suddenly erupted from his greatsword.

With a single downward swing, the flames vaporized her ice blades, and his sword struck Eula hard, knocking her back.

How can this be?

The Lawrence family had very few members blessed with a Vision, and Terrence had never been one of them. How had he suddenly gained the ability to wield elemental powers?

Taking advantage of Eula's injury, Terrence leaped into the air. His sword, now blazing with intense flames, lit up the dark sky as he prepared to strike her down.

Damn it!

For some reason, Eula could feel a powerful aura radiating from Terrence, freezing her in place. The force of his previous blow, combined with the killing intent he now exuded, made her unable to move.

As the fiery blade descended toward her, Eula's heart sank. She was certain the next strike would cleave her in two.

But just at that critical moment, a spear suddenly shot out from the side, piercing into Terrence's sword and sending him flying several meters away, crashing into a nearby stall that had yet to be cleared away.

"Ah, the classic hero-saving-the-damsel scenario—never gets old," a man joked as he appeared in front of Eula, a young girl clinging to his back.

With one hand steadying the girl on his back and the other gripping his spear, the man smiled. "Eula, that wasn't your best, was it?"

It was Lucas.

Eula had been caught off guard by her cousin, but a fight was still a fight—no matter the circumstances. There was no room for weakness when life was on the line.

"Lucas?" Eula said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Before Lucas could answer, the groggy Barbara on his back nuzzled his neck, complaining, "Daddy, it's cold out here. Let's go home."

Daddy? Go home?

Eula's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lucas! How could you involve the Acting Grand Master's sister in this? You... you pervert! Scum!"

Perhaps due to the strange intimacy she had felt toward Lucas in her dream, seeing him so close with another woman made Eula feel a twinge of jealousy.

"It's not what you think!" Lucas laughed awkwardly. "She's just drunk!"

"So you made a minor drink?" Eula glared at him, her voice filled with indignation. "I'll remember this grudge!"

"Now's not the time for this!" Lucas carefully passed Barbara to Eula and said, "Take her back to the Knights; I'll handle things here."

"What? No way!" Eula protested. "I'm the Knight of Favonius! If anyone's staying to fight, it should be me. We'll fight him together!"

"I can't leave Barbara here," Lucas replied softly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Eula's face. "Trust me, I've got this. He's no match for me."

The gesture, surprisingly gentle, felt oddly familiar to Eula. Despite herself, she didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

"Tch! Fine..." Eula blushed slightly as she cradled Barbara in her arms. "But if anything happens to you, I'll never forgive you!"

"Ugh!" came a groan from Terrence, who was slowly getting back on his feet. Despite being thrown back by Lucas's spear, he seemed largely unscathed.

His gaze quickly locked onto Eula again, and he charged toward her, swinging his greatsword fiercely.

But before he could reach her, Lucas stepped in, raising his spear to block the attack. His eyes narrowed as he said coldly, "Your opponent... is me."

"Move!" Terrence roared, enraged as he watched Eula retreating into the distance. With a wild swing of his sword, he aimed a devastating blow at Lucas, the heavy blade sparking against the ground as it tore through the air.

Even for someone as strong as Eula, handling such a heavy sword with one hand was no easy feat.

But Lucas had grown much stronger than Eula by now. He wasn't interested in dragging out the fight, and so, activating his [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception], he prepared to strike at Terrence's weak point, ending the battle with a single, fatal blow.

However, as soon as Lucas activated his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, he was shocked to discover something unusual—there were no "lines of death" on Terrence's body!

This was highly strange. While it's true that the less someone fears death, the fainter their lines of death become, fear of death is a natural part of being human. Even someone with unshakable willpower, like Diluc, still has lines of death visible on their body.

But on Terrence, there were none at all.

This could only mean two things:

First, he was truly fearless of death.

Second... he was already dead.

There was no time for Lucas to ponder the reason. Terrence was already upon him, swinging his blazing sword with deadly force. The impact from earlier had toppled several liquor stalls, causing spirits and wine to spill across the ground.

Sparks from Terrence's fiery blade touched the alcohol-soaked ground, and in an instant, the spilled liquor ignited, flames rapidly spreading across the area.

----

The flames illuminated the once-dark marketplace, depriving Lucas of his usual advantage. With his abilities like [Night Vision] and [Cloak and Dagger], he had initially planned to fight while concealed in the shadows. But now, under the bright firelight, it seemed that he'd have to fight head-on.

It wasn't that Lucas lacked courage—far from it. It was simply that his preference leaned towards securing victory with minimal effort and cost.

As for his [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception], they were more of an added bonus. Even without them, Lucas could still fight, though the battle would undoubtedly be tougher. To explain simply, the Mystic Eyes were like a cheat that allowed him to target vital points with every strike. But using them required the wielder to possess considerable combat prowess.

Without visible "death lines," Lucas had to be more free-form in his fighting style. Despite wielding a delicate spear like the Flowing Moon Needle, his movements were fluid and precise, easily holding off the brute force of Terrence's massive sword.

Terrence's sudden boost in power was little more than an increase in his raw stats. When it came to technique and finesse, he was far from Lucas's level.

The only problem was that the Flowing Moon Needle was a specialized weapon meant for exploiting the "death lines." It only delivered lethal damage if it struck a vital point. If it hit anywhere else, the damage was negligible.

In game terms, the Flowing Moon Needle's stats would look something like: [Damage reduced by 90%], but [Critical Damage increased by 10,000%].

To make matters worse, Terrence's muscles had bulged to the point of resembling stone. Even though Lucas had struck him several times, the needle-like spear barely left a mark on Terrence's hardened body.

Looks like I'll have to change my approach!

Lucas suddenly leaped several feet backward, switching his grip on the Flowing Moon Needle and beginning to channel his Cryo elemental power.

This technique was the same one he had used in the simulator to deal with the demon dragon Ursa and Stormterror: [Dragon Piercing Spear].

Though using this high-caliber move on a human opponent felt like overkill, it seemed necessary to penetrate Terrence's overwhelming defense.

Wrapped in Cryo energy, the slender spear in Lucas's hand grew significantly larger.

"Dragon Piercing Spear!"

With a sharp battle cry, Lucas hurled the spear at Terrence. To his surprise, however, Terrence didn't flinch. He charged straight at the spear, taking the hit head-on.

The spinning spear drilled into Terrence's chest, boring a hole straight through his body with a sickening "thunk." A gaping, transparent cavity appeared where his heart should have been, with black-purple organs spilling out.

Yet even after such a gruesome injury, Terrence remained standing, continuing his relentless assault on Lucas.

How is he not dead?

Could he have become a zombie?

Lucas, having once been a "doctor" in the simulator, was well-versed in this kind of technology. He had frequently dabbled in the creation of undead soldiers using a combination of drugs and mechanical enhancements, enabling corpses to keep moving and unleash hidden strength.

However, even the "undying soldiers" created by the doctor were still bound by the limits of science. If their bodies suffered enough damage, they would cease functioning.

But Terrence, despite having a hole in his chest, was still moving as if nothing had happened. This was far beyond anything Lucas had ever encountered.

Could it be that someone in this world had already surpassed the technology he developed in the simulator?

[Stop zoning out—he's coming at you again!]

The system's voice snapped Lucas back to attention.

As Terrence—now an unstoppable juggernaut—charged forward with his flaming greatsword, Lucas found himself temporarily unarmed. Dodging each of Terrence's strikes, he struggled to come up with a plan.

Extracting a weapon from the [Serenetea Pot] required some preparation time, but with Terrence's relentless attacks, Lucas didn't have a moment to spare.

No! He still have one weapon left!

Rolling across the ground, Lucas grabbed a nearby bottle that hadn't yet shattered.

[Activate: A Knight Never Fights Barehanded!]

This talent allowed Lucas to turn any object into a weapon with special effects.

[Activation successful!]

[Acquired: Molotov Cocktail]

[Effect: Creates an area of continuous fire damage upon impact.]

"Take this!"

Lucas hurled the Molotov Cocktail at Terrence. The bottle smashed with a loud "crack," and within seconds, flames engulfed Terrence's body.

Though Terrence could control fire elements, he was still human, not a slime immune to fire damage. The flames quickly spread, consuming his body.

Yet even while ablaze, Terrence didn't scream or show any signs of pain. He just kept chasing after Lucas, his entire body burning.

"What is this—Flame Fist?" Lucas muttered in frustration. "This weapon is way too weak."

Soon, the flames had burned away Terrence's clothes, and his skin began to char and crack under the heat.

However, as Lucas observed the charred remains, he noticed something unusual.

On Terrence's wrist, a black bracelet gleamed faintly, its smooth surface reflecting a dim light despite the scorching flames.

Even with the intense heat, it remained completely unaffected.

Could the secret lie in that bracelet?

Before Lucas could delve any deeper into his thoughts, Terrence swung his sword once again. Although Lucas managed to dodge the strike, the intense heatwave knocked him backward, sending him crashing into a nearby stall.

The stall was a fireworks stand, and as Lucas collided with it, various fireworks scattered across the ground.

One of them, a firework labeled with "Naganohara Fireworks," landed right on Lucas's chest.

Fireworks may be common in many nations, but none can compare to the craftsmanship of Inazuma. The country, known for its frequent fireworks festivals, produces the most exquisite and powerful fireworks. Among them, the Naganohara Fireworks Shop stands at the top, renowned not only within Inazuma but also abroad, as their fireworks are often exported for celebrations in other nations.

Even though Inazuma's recent Sakoku Decree had slowed the export of goods, Naganohara Fireworks still held a place of distinction due to their superior quality. 

This particular firework stick from Naganohara was noticeably heavier than typical ones, indicating a much larger amount of gunpowder. Bigger, higher, and more spectacular—these were the trademarks of Naganohara's creations.

Lucas activated his talent, [A Knight Never Fights Barehanded].

[Activation successful!]

[Acquired: Gunlance]

[Effect: A spear with added cannon functionality, capable of launching "Wyvern Fire" attacks using monster breath mechanics.]

Well, well, it's like Monster Hunter, Lucas thought, amused. The Gunlance, an iconic weapon from the Monster Hunter series, was a blend of stabbing and shelling—truly a man's weapon.

Under the effect of [A Knight Never Fights Barehanded], the firework stick hardened, transforming into a makeshift gunlance with a cone-shaped spear tip.

"Perfect," Lucas smirked.

[Even with that, you might not be able to break through his defenses,] the system warned.

"No problem," Lucas grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "If I can't break him from the outside... I'll just break him from the inside!"

He taunted Terrence with a mocking gesture, beckoning him. "Come on, hit me if you can!"

Terrence, who had already lost all reason, responded to the provocation without hesitation. Dragging his massive sword, he charged at Lucas.

Just as Terrence swung his greatsword down, Lucas used the gunlance as a pole to vault over Terrence, landing deftly behind him.

"Huh?" Terrence barely had time to react before Lucas drove the firework-lance into a soft spot in Terrence's body.

No matter how tough a man might be, every man has a vulnerable spot.

[Skill Activated: Ruthless Striker!]

The cone-shaped lance pierced deep, and Terrence's eyes widened in shock. Before he could even scream, Lucas had already pulled the trigger on the gunlance.

A series of loud "booms" echoed through the marketplace as explosive rounds discharged from the lance. Terrence's stomach visibly swelled, and sparks shot out from the hole in his chest.

His face contorted in agony, and with one final explosion, Terrence's body detonated from the inside out, his flesh and blood scattering like rain.

"Phew..." Lucas exhaled in relief. "Finally dealt with."

[Well, that was… quite a way to finish,] the system commented with a hint of sarcasm.

[Enemy killed. 2,000 Virtue Points awarded.]

[Executioner effect triggered. Reward: Strength increased by 10%.]

This time, the system seemed particularly generous, rewarding Lucas handsomely for defeating a murderer. Though Terrence wasn't a powerful enemy, he was certainly a troublesome one—defeating an opponent who couldn't die was no easy task.

Only someone as resourceful as Lucas would come up with such an unconventional method to take down Terrence.

With a crisp "clink," a bracelet fell from the sky, landing at Lucas's feet and rolling to a stop beside him.

It was the same bracelet Terrence had worn, though it now looked different. Lucas distinctly remembered the bracelet being black when it was on Terrence's wrist. Now, however, it had turned pure white, glowing faintly in the darkness.

"What the heck is this thing?" Lucas muttered, picking up the bracelet and examining it closely. "Could this be connected to whatever turned Terrence into that monster?"

[Why don't you put it on and find out?] the system suggested.

"Do I look like an idiot?" Lucas frowned. "What if this thing turns me into a monster too?"

But before Lucas could act, the bracelet suddenly moved on its own. It twisted in his hand and slipped onto his wrist, the clasp tightening instantly, locking it in place.

"Oh, come on!" Lucas cursed, trying to yank the bracelet off, but it had already shrunk, gripping his wrist too tightly to remove. "This thing is definitely bad news! I need to get it off, now!"

[Simple solution: just chop off your hand,] the system quipped.

"Stop joking at a time like this!" Lucas grumbled. He even tried prying it off with his fingers, but the bracelet was made of an unnaturally hard material, completely immovable.

"Hand over that bracelet," a voice suddenly demanded from the shadows.

A tall figure emerged from the darkness, dressed in black and wearing a mask. The figure's body was slim yet curvaceous, indicating she was a woman.

"Who are you?" Lucas asked, his guard up. "And what's your connection to that monster?"

"You're from Liyue, aren't you?" the masked woman said, her tone cold. "This matter doesn't concern you. Hand over the bracelet, and I won't have to resort to force."

Unbeknownst to Lucas, this woman was none other than "La Signora," one of the Harbingers of the Fatui. She had tasked another Harbinger, the Doctor, with creating a disturbance in Mondstadt. However, the Doctor had used an invention known as the "Ring of Manipulation," which wasn't fully under his control.

This bracelet, the "Ring of Manipulation," could attach itself to a host, amplifying their negative emotions and transforming their body into a vessel for malevolent energy.

The monsters created by the Ring of Manipulation were powerful, chaotic forces of destruction.

But this wasn't the kind of chaos La Signora had wanted. Though she was arrogant and ruthless, she wasn't interested in mindless slaughter, especially if it risked drawing the full attention of the Knights of Favonius to the Fatui's activities.

Thus, La Signora had come in disguise to recover the Ring of Manipulation and put an end to the Doctor's reckless experiment.

---