"THEY'RE BACK!" the gate guard of Mondstadt shouted.
In the distance, a broken wagon—barely functional—was heading toward Mondstadt's gates. Yesterday, after learning the whereabouts of the evil dragon Ursa, the Knights of Favonius had rushed to the scene.
What they found was devastating.
Several Knights of Favonius were injured. Some had even died.
And worst of all, the head of the Ragnvindr Clan, Crepus Ragnvindr, had also passed away. Diluc, who had been by his side, kneel frozen.
He couldn't accept the reality of his father dying before his eyes.
A short distance away, Kaeya stood in silence, equally shaken.
Later, the knights began escorting them back to Mondstadt, while a few remained behind to tend to the aftermath.
.
At Mondstadt, after passing through the gates, Diluc and the others were immediately brought to the Favonius Headquarters to explain the situation.
After calming himself, Diluc began recounting everything—from their departure to the encounter with Ursa. He asked that his father be honored for his heroic act in driving the evil dragon away.
But what Diluc didn't expect… was they refusal.
No—not "they."
It was Eroch.
The one listening to Diluc's report was Eroch, whom Varka—the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius—had entrusted with Mondstadt's affair in his absence.
And unfortunately, Varka was away.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, NO?!" Diluc slammed his fist onto the table.
"Crepus used a power that brings no benefit to the Knights of Favonius," Eroch replied calmly. "Revealing his actions would only bring us shame. For the sake of our reputation, I want you to hide the truth from the public."
He continued, almost casually:
"In return, we'll say it was your achievement. That benefits both you and us. A win-win situation. That should be enough, shouldn't it?"
Diluc was shocked.
"…Is this… the Knights' way…?" Diluc's voice dropped.
"So, do you accept the deal?" Eroch asked, clearly annoyed.
Diluc gritted his teeth.
"…If this is the only way you can offer… fine. Then don't consider me a knight anymore."
With that, Diluc tore off his badge and threw it to the floor before storming out.
Eroch scoffed.
"Then don't blame me for taking the credit…"
And just like that, the Knights of Favonius lost their brightest star.
Unbeknownst to them, a Gunnhildr girl had been listening from outside.
"I need to report this to Grand Master Varka as soon as possible!"
The figure dashed away.
.
.
Night fell.
Diluc had already returned home. After bathing, he went to his father's room and stayed there in silence.
Then—knock knock.
"Diluc, are you inside?"
No response.
"I'm coming in, okay?"
The door opened, revealing his adopted brother, Kaeya.
"What?" Diluc asked flatly.
Kaeya hesitated for a moment before speaking.
He revealed the truth—he was an agent of Khaenri'ah, sent to Mondstadt. His father had abandoned him there to fulfill that mission. It was Crepus who had taken him in and raised him as his own.
Then came the confession.
"I… might could have saved him," Kaeya admitted quietly. "But I didn't."
Diluc froze—then suddenly stood, drawing his sword.
Without a word, he attacked.
Kaeya, who had expected the worst, drew his own blade. The two clashed violently inside the house before crashing out through a window.
Outside, their swords continued to collide under the night sky. Fortunately, at this hour there's no one near their house. So the clash became even more fiercer.
But unbeknownst to them, a figure was darting from afar.
"Diluc-nii! Kaeya-nii! What are you doing?! Please stop!"
Both of them froze, glanced at the source of sound.
"Etoma, why are you here…" Diluc asked.
Kaeya slowly sheathed his sword.
"I'll leave now, Diluc. If you need me… you know where to find me." Without another word, he walked away. Diluc watched him disappear into the city.
"Diluc-nii…" Etoma approached slowly.
"I… heard what happened. I'm sorry… I couldn't do anything…" Etoma spoke, her gaze glued to the ground.
"No, it's fine. I—"
"Diluc-nii!" She cut him off.
"Let's take a walk."
Diluc paused, then nodded.
.
.
By Cider Lake, they walked side by side in silence.
"Diluc-nii…" Etoma was thinking on what to say in her mind before suddenly being cut off by Diluc's voice.
"I know you're trying to comfort me," Diluc said quietly. "But you don't need to worry. I'm fine."
"...." Etoma stopped walking.
"…You don't need to worry, you said...?" Etoma clenches her fist.
"HOW CAN I NOT WORRY?! YOU'RE NOT FINE AT ALL!" Etoma shouted, which stunned Diluc into silence.
Etoma turned toward him, tears streaming down her face.
"You're not fine at all…" Etoma repeated, her voice trembling.
sob*
"You know, I... know my brother Diluc better than anyone. The moment when he was happy… The moment when he was sad… The moment when he was angry… I know every expression my beloved brother make."
"But right now… you showing none of them! And you still say you're okay? Don't lie to me!"
"…."
"Diluc-nii… do you remember? Three years ago, we made a promise here. I became your sister, and you became my brother. Quite a promise isn't it?" She smiled weakly through her tears.
"We who barely knows each other, suddenly promised a strongest bond known in existence..." Etoma paused, remembering her most beautiful moment of life.
"I, was very happy. I'm happy that I finally made a family. I'm happy that I finally have a brother I can depend on. So please… as your family… let me carry some of your burden."
"I don't want you to become like this. I want my brother Diluc who laughed with me at the funny looking fish we saw 2 years ago. I want my brother Diluc who sed tears with me at the death of my pet a year ago. I want my brother DIluc who mad at that person accidentally bumped into my shoulder few months ago. I want my brother Diluc back! So please, let me carry some of your burden and be part of your life."
"Because I'm your sister!"
Diluc's eyes widened. Under the moonlight, her tearful face touched something deep within his heart. A tear slipped down his cheek.
"So please, come back... because I'm still here, waiting..." Etoma still spoke. This time, her tone was slowed compared to before.
"Your family, still here... sob*"
Slowly, he pulled her into an embrace. Kaeya, who was eavesdropping behind the tree, let out a smile.
"…You're right. I'm not alone." He held her tightly. "I still have you... I still have my sister who is cheering and waiting for me"
Etoma smiled through her tears.
"Etoma, can we... make another promise?" Diluc asked.
"Mm,"
"... Please stay by my side,"
"Mm,"
"Don't go anywhere far,"
"Mhm, I'll stay by Diluc-nii side."
Diluc let out a quiet laugh.
"Thank you…"
"Hehe~ I can't look at your expression but, I know Diluc-nii is happy right now. Does that mean I succeeded?" Etoma was giggling under Diluc's embrace.
"Hm. Who knows?~" Diluc playfully replied which make Etoma pouted.
"Hnnnnnnn, Diluc-nii is bullying me again..."
"Pfft, hahaha."
For the first time since his darkest moment, Diluc laughed again. And from behind a tree, a silent observer followed.
.
.
A/N: Diluc... I want to say sorry in advance