Young Master Diluc... no, Diluc, who had inherited Dawn Winery and all the assets of the Ragnvindr family, was now Master Diluc.
His formal inheritance of Dawn Winery should have shaken all of Mondstadt, but in reality, it caused barely a ripple.
It wasn't because Master Diluc was too low-key.
The recent wine banquet alone was enough to prove just how extravagant he could be.
In the past, at most, he would bring out some rare wines. But this time, he had even brought out the treasured wines left by his late father, each bottle worth a fortune.
The reason for the lack of attention was simply that the people of Mondstadt were focused on a mysterious "Guardian."
Almost immediately after Master Diluc's return, this powerful figure emerged into the public eye, unwilling to remain in obscurity.
No one knew who he was, nor why he was doing this.
The only known characteristics were the occasional smell of something burning and a fleeting crimson figure in the night.
Monsters that had long plagued Mondstadt were found dead in the wild; notorious thieves were found hanging upside down in front of statues; Knights of Favonius arriving to confront a long-time evil Abyss Mage only to find the enemy already defeated...
Through drunken chatter, the deeds of this Guardian spread rapidly through Mondstadt, overshadowing Master Diluc's reputation again and again.
This left Master Diluc with no goodwill toward this hero. Every time he heard the name, he couldn't help but frown.
After all, having just taken over the family business, he had wanted to make a grand entrance, only to have his thunder stolen by some unknown figure who had crawled out of nowhere.
This was cutting into Dawn Winery's profits.
And so, this Guardian was given a name by the people—the "Darknight Hero."
At this very moment, the Darknight Hero, who was so beloved by the citizens of Mondstadt, had appeared in the underground wine cellar of Master Diluc's home.
"Guards! Assassins!"
At this moment, Klober was immensely grateful that he had brought enough guards with him when he came down. Otherwise...
"Whoosh!"
Several owl-shaped throwing knives shot out, accurately hitting the foreheads of the Fatui guards who had rushed down upon hearing Klober's cry for help.
These seemingly formidable guards didn't even last a moment before being taken down by the Darknight Hero.
In truth, Klober had brought this upon himself.
Afraid that his bribery would be reported back to Snezhnaya, he didn't dare use the Fatui's own guards. Instead, he had hired a few local "adventurers."
Unfortunately, adventurers charged high prices, and Klober, being a cheapskate, wasn't willing to pay much. So he spent a little money to hire some idle hands to serve as a facade.
Normally, dressed in Fatui uniforms, no one dared to mess with these so-called guards, which gave Klober the illusion that "these guys are pretty reliable."
But when it came to a critical moment, these guys were utterly useless.
Seeing Klober trying to pull out the owl-shaped throwing knife pinning his hand, the Darknight Hero stepped forward and stomped on the knife, driving it back into his hand.
"Ahhh—! You... you damn commoner of Mondstadt! Do you know who I am? Let me go!"
Feeling the pain of his hand being pierced, Klober's face was filled with fear.
He tried to intimidate the other party with his status, hoping to make them release him.
"The child from Mondstadt's bakery, and the daughter of that Knight... do you remember them?"
The Darknight Hero's voice was low, so low that it made Klober feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
Of course, he remembered those two children. One of them had died right in front of him not long ago.
But he couldn't say it. If he said it...
"A year ago, these children were conscripted by the Fatui and subsequently lost contact. Don't tell me you don't know about this."
The Darknight Hero raised his foot and stepped on Klober's shoulder. As he applied pressure, the owl-shaped throwing knife pinned in Klober's hand began to tear through his palm.
"Subject 139! And K423! I know them! I know them all!"
Seeing the cold, gleaming owl-shaped throwing knife about to slice his hand in half, Klober finally broke.
"They... they were chosen by the master because of their excellent potential. The master... the master..."
"..."
The Darknight Hero had dealt with the Fatui before. He knew exactly what kind of treatment awaited those who were given such designations.
And this only confirmed his suspicions that his father's death was connected to this man and his so-called master.
"Hmph!"
Seeing Klober's hesitation, the Darknight Hero applied more pressure with his foot. The sound of flesh being torn echoed as Klober's hand was ripped in half by the owl-shaped throwing knife.
"Ahhh—! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
Only the lower half of the owl-shaped throwing knife was sharpened; the upper half was completely blunt.
So Klober's hand had been torn apart purely by the force of the Darknight Hero's foot. The wound even revealed irregular bits of flesh.
Expressionless, the Darknight Hero grabbed Klober's other, intact hand and pressed it against the oak wine barrel.
"Tell me, what is your master really doing! Otherwise..."
The owl-shaped throwing knife was now pressed against Klober's palm. His meaning was clear.
"The master's goal is—the Instructor?"
Klober, who had been filled with terror, now looked as if he had found a lifeline, his fear replaced by surprise.
The Instructor?
The Darknight Hero was momentarily stunned, then turned to look behind him.
On the wine barrel where he had been hiding, a black-clad figure wearing a white mask was now crouching.
Gripping the owl-shaped throwing knife, the Darknight Hero grabbed Klober from the ground and pressed the knife against his neck.
He had traveled across the seven nations and had destroyed many Fatui strongholds, which had boosted his confidence and led him to investigate a large base.
But he had been dealt with by a Fatui Harbinger who happened to be passing by that base.
If it weren't for a benefactor's help, he wouldn't have even made it back to Mondstadt.
That's why he was so nervous facing a Fatui Harbinger. He knew better than anyone how terrifying these people were.
"Instructor! Kill him! Kill this damn commoner from Mondstadt! He's trying to stop the master's plans!"
Even with a blade at his throat that could end his life at any moment, Klober showed no fear.
Because he knew the capabilities of the Harbingers. If the Instructor wanted to save him, then...
"Whoosh—"
The crouching Bai Luo did indeed make his move. Seeing the uniquely shaped dagger, Diluc instinctively tried to block it with his owl-shaped throwing knife.
But...
"Guh— Instructor... why... why..."
Clutching his throat, Klober's excitement vanished, replaced by deep confusion.
The Darknight Hero was equally puzzled. Why had Bai Luo killed Klober?
"Although you're not a formal member of the Fatui, I'm sure Il Dottore mentioned this when he signed the contract with you, right? Leaking secrets is punishable by death!"