Let the knights of Mondstadt taste despair.
Eula's emotionless declaration caused the hearts of Mondstadt's citizens to sink all at once.
While Aerin headed for Stormterror's Lair, Eula had only just become his Valkyrie.
After securing the Field Tiller's Eye ahead of Dainsleif, Aerin launched his assault on Mondstadt the very next day.
From the moment Eula became a Valkyrie to the beginning of the invasion—
only a single night had passed.
And yet this woman could now utter words meant to plunge the Knights into despair.
To the citizens of Mondstadt, her "betrayal" seemed utterly exposed.
"Hah! She said it was for Amber—what a joke. She just wanted power to take revenge on Mondstadt."
"Just as expected, you can never trust a Lawrence."
"Damn you, Eula! Show yourself—I'll kill you myself!"
"..."
On Mondstadt's streets.
Paimon walked out of a restaurant, patting her round belly, surprisingly calm.
"Wow… everyone's yelling at Eula."
"Shouldn't they be yelling at Aerin instead?"
She couldn't understand it.
Aerin was the one attacking Mondstadt. Eula was clearly just following his orders.
Did they really expect her to argue back against someone who was already marching an army forward?
What if she angered him and he took back the promise he made—
wouldn't Amber suffer as well?
Such a simple truth…
Didn't a single one of them understand it?
Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
Jean sat alone in her office.
Afraid others would see her composure crumble, she had locked the door, drawn the curtains, and left the lights off.
She stared unblinkingly at the light screen, afraid to miss even a single detail—
any hint that might save Mondstadt in reality.
[What is despair?]
[Eula walked through the void, looking down at the mutated hilichurl army advancing below.]
[After Aerin returned from Stormterror's Lair last night, she had主动 sought out her new superior.]
[Just as Benares had said, Aerin treated his own and outsiders very differently.]
[He showed great approval toward Eula as a Valkyrie.]
[And entrusted her with control over this operation.]
[The mutated hilichurls below moved entirely according to Eula's will.]
[She was shocked by Aerin's magnanimity—his trust in her rivaled Jean Gunnhildr's.]
[But toward Mondstadt, Aerin was merciless.]
[This plan astonished Eula as well.]
[Killing was not the goal.]
[The goal was to make them experience despair.]
[Step one: once the battle reached a certain point, the mutated hilichurls would feign disorder and retreat.]
[They would give the Knights hope—victory, light.]
[Then, at the peak of that hope, crush it completely.]
[Before death, their will would be utterly shattered, sending them back to the ley lines in despair.]
"What a vicious plan…"
As night deepened, Eula sat by a campfire, chewing on a Sunsettia—and nearly choked.
If, after a bitter fight, the Knights realized the mutated hilichurls were not invincible…
If they saw the enemy retreat…
They would rejoice.
They would celebrate.
They would embrace each other atop the walls, cheering in triumph.
And then—
They would realize it had all been a cruel joke.
Smiles would fade.
Fear would wash away joy.
And despair would follow.
[Yae Miko]: "That plan really is cruel."
[Yoimiya]: "I don't even want to imagine it… cheering on the walls, only to—no, it's too much."
[Bennett]: "W-What do we do…? I'd definitely be jumping around after winning."
[Fischl]: "Then what about me?!"
[Mona]: "You'd probably give a very dramatic victory speech."
[Fischl]: "That's even worse! Waaa—Lady Valkyrie Eula, could you at least kill me first?"
[Eula]: "I'm just a rural vagrant hiding in the countryside."
[Amber]: "Eula… are you okay? Have you eaten?"
[Eula]: "Of course, Amber. I'm grilling meat right now—don't worry."
[Kaeya]: "Eula, how do you feel right now? Being a Valkyrie, controlling the hilichurls."
[Eula]: "Kaeya, I said it already—I'm just a country vagrant. What Valkyrie?"
The casual banter eased Jean's tightly wound nerves—if only a little.
They didn't turn on Eula just because the future showed her becoming a Valkyrie.
Kaeya even tried to lighten the mood with jokes.
At least, in the face of despair, many hearts were still connected.
Jean looked back to the screen.
[Valkyrie Eula gazed up at the darkening sky, a trace of sorrow in her eyes.]
[After a moment, she steadied herself and swept her hand forward.]
[The mutated hilichurl army surged ahead.]
[Outside Mondstadt.]
[The Knights had prepared traps in the limited time available.]
[At the far end of the bridge leading to the city—]
[Jean stood at the front, leading the Knights, fully armed.]
[This battle was not fought by the Knights alone—every Vision holder in Mondstadt had joined.]
["Jean… what about Klee?" Lisa asked, grave yet composed.]
["I added a mild sleeping draught to her water. She's resting in confinement," Jean replied without looking back.]
[Kaeya continued, "If anything goes wrong, I'll take Klee out through the back and cross Cider Lake."]
[Lisa nodded.]
[Mona, Bennett, Fischl, and Barbara stared down the road—fearful, yet resolute.]
[Even Razor, who lived beyond the city, stood with them.]
[Boom—boom—boom!]
[The sound of trampling grew louder.]
[The army was close.]
[Everyone gripped their weapons, palms slick with sweat.]
[Suddenly, a figure emerged—white with deep blue markings.]
["Fire arrows!" Jean commanded.]
[Flaming arrows rained down.]
[Dry grass ignited—black powder detonated.]
[BOOM!]
[Fire and smoke erupted skyward.]
[But the explosion failed to halt them.]
[The mutated hilichurls advanced like a tide.]
["Impossible… that explosion did nothing?" Mona gasped.]
["S-So scary…" Fischl whispered.]
["What do we do?!" Bennett trembled.]
[Barbara shook, turning to Jean.]
She had never properly called her sister that way.
"Si—"
Jean raised her sword, cutting her off.
"Knights of Favonius!"
Her blade shone as her voice rang out.
"Stand tall! Break their swords! Shatter their shields!"
"Defend the City of Freedom—defend Mondstadt!"
"For our home, give everything!"
"Charge!"
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito