What everyone cared about most was simple—
After Aerin breached Mondstadt,
what fate awaited its people?
Survival?
Death?
Or enslavement?
Yet no one had anticipated this outcome.
For seven full days, Aerin did nothing.
The light screen glossed over those seven days in a single stroke—but if that time were placed in the real world, no one could accurately describe what kind of emotions such overwhelming pressure would produce.
Perhaps only those who had lived through it could truly understand.
What weighed most heavily on everyone's mind was something Aerin had said before—
He intended to send a group of Mondstadt's people back to the Ley Lines.
That was why he had sealed the city with mutated Ruin Guards.
Not a single person was to escape.
Jean's purpose was now obvious—
Aerin was about to carry out his plan.
Knights of Favonius Headquarters
Alone in the darkness, Jean's palms were slick with sweat.
The future version of herself had been given another chance to save Mondstadt.
Yet what unsettled her most was Eula's uncertainty.
Even as Aerin's Valkyrie, Eula didn't seem to know the details of his plan.
Jean felt an inexplicable dread rising in her chest.
At the same time—
The leadership of every other nation watched with intense focus, hoping Mondstadt's fate would offer lessons for their own survival.
No one felt tired anymore.
Every gaze was locked onto the screen.
[Knights of Favonius Headquarters]
[The former office of Acting Grand Master Jean Gunnhildr.]
Jean entered the room wearing her battle-torn uniform.
A suppression collar encircled her pale neck as Eula led her inside.
Everything looked exactly as it had seven days ago.
The same furniture.
The same silence.
As though no one had ever entered—
Except that the chair behind her desk was now occupied by Aerin.
"Master," Eula said respectfully,
"I've brought Jean Gunnhildr."
"I know," Aerin replied calmly.
Eula bowed again.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Aerin waved her off.
As Eula passed Jean, she shot her a brief glance—
A silent warning.
No extreme reactions. No emotional outbursts.
If you want to save Mondstadt, obey.
Jean nodded slightly.
Aerin noticed the exchange but merely smiled.
Once the door closed, Jean finally looked directly at him.
On the way here, she had asked Eula why Aerin attacked Mondstadt.
Eula had only replied:
"It's not something I can truly comprehend.
All I can do is follow orders."
As for saving Mondstadt—
Eula knew nothing. Only that Jean must cooperate.
It was confusing, but Jean wouldn't abandon even the slightest hope.
"Aerin… sir."
Jean lowered her posture noticeably.
But she had always been direct.
"Eula told me that if I cooperate, you'll give me a chance to save Mondstadt."
"If that's true, then please—use me however you need."
"I'll agree to anything."
Her gaze didn't waver.
Even if Aerin asked her to die—
If it saved Mondstadt, she would do it.
And she knew—
He had kept her alive for a reason.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have placed a taboo preventing her suicide.
"Excellent," Aerin said evenly.
He casually picked up a document from the desk and tossed it at her feet.
"Read it. If there's no problem, sign it."
"This is the key to saving Mondstadt."
Jean stared at the document.
She understood immediately—
He wanted her to bend down and pick it up.
Her expression darkened—
Then quickly returned to calm.
As someone well-versed in war history, she understood.
This was the victor's privilege.
And she was the defeated.
Jean bent down obediently and picked up the document.
Her eyes skimmed the contents—
And she froze.
"A… slave contract?"
Clause after clause declared her submission to Aerin.
Jean stiffened—
Then, unexpectedly, joy flickered across her face.
Her heart began to pound.
"Does this mean… if I sign this and become your slave, you'll spare Mondstadt's people?"
"That's all it takes?"
Of course, it wasn't that simple.
Those with the god's-eye view already understood—
From Eula's inner thoughts, it was clear:
The key wasn't what Jean chose.
It was what Mondstadt's people would choose.
The contract was merely one step in Aerin's design.
A High-Class Residence in Mondstadt
Lisa, now dressed in a bathrobe and reclining on her bed, stared at the scene in disbelief.
"What an idiot, Jean."
"He already placed a taboo preventing your suicide."
"If he really wanted you as a slave, why would he need a piece of paper?"
"He could control your will directly.
You'd be more obedient than a slave."
Knights of Favonius Headquarters (Present)
Jean's face flushed bright red.
A crushing wave of second-hand humiliation swept over her.
"Why does my future self look so… happy?"
"Thank goodness for the inner monologue."
"Otherwise everyone would think I was excited to become Aerin's slave."
"How utterly shameful."
[Jean finished reading every clause carefully.]
[It was a standard slave contract.]
[She even thought of Lady Vanessa, once a slave herself.]
[Her resistance vanished entirely.]
[If she didn't fear death, what was slavery?]
[At worst, Aerin might simply have some unsavory personal quirks.]
[As long as Mondstadt was saved, she feared nothing.]
"Very well," Aerin said.
"Sign it."
He placed Mondstadt's official signing tools on the desk.
Jean didn't hesitate.
She stepped forward and signed her name, pressing her fingerprint beside it.
"Good," Aerin said.
"That completes step one."
He tossed the document aside carelessly.
Jean felt uneasy.
It was as though the contract itself held no real value to him.
But she remained silent, waiting.
"Now for step two."
"The game is simple."
"I'll brand you a traitor who betrayed Mondstadt and knelt before me."
"You'll be publicly executed in the plaza."
Jean frowned slightly.
Then she understood.
Just like when he destroyed the city walls—
Humiliation.
Psychological domination.
Turning her into a slave.
Destroying her reputation.
Then killing her.
So this is why he kept me alive.
"I understand," Jean said softly, bowing again.
She didn't resent him.
She was even grateful—
For sparing Mondstadt so easily.
Someone with Aerin's power could do anything.
If all he had was a twisted psyche—
That was already merciful.
Aerin smiled in satisfaction.
He rose and patted her shoulder again.
"Your cooperation is admirable, Acting Grand Master."
"This is the only way I could think of to let Mondstadt's people live."
"On that day, I'll bind you to a cross."
"I'll seal your mouth—so you can't interfere."
"If Mondstadt's people believe you could never betray them—
they live."
"Those who believe you begged for life and became my slave—
I will cleanse."
Jean's eyes went wide.
"W-What?!"
This was far beyond what she had imagined.
"No… that's not right—"
"Why not?" Aerin asked calmly.
"People will betray their hearts out of fear just to live," Jean said urgently.
She could already see the outcome.
Aerin only smiled.
"You have a point."
Jean looked at him desperately.
"You see?"
"I'm reasonable," Aerin continued.
"If even one person believes you could never betray Mondstadt—
everyone else who doubts you will still be cleansed."
Jean's heart sank into an icy abyss.
There was no difference at all.
She wanted to argue—
But Aerin's expression darkened.
"If you think my terms are unacceptable, the contract is right there."
"Tear it up."
"But you know the consequences."
With that, he turned and left.
Moments later, Eula entered.
"Jean… think carefully."
"I'll wait here."
"When you're ready—come with me."
Aerin's post-war plan for Mondstadt was now clear.
And it suffocated everyone watching.
This was barely different from a massacre.
Under fear, people would inevitably make choices against their conscience.
[Furina]: "So this is what Eula meant—returning the choice to the people themselves."
[Wriothesley]: "Testing human nature… but human nature never survives testing."
[Collei]: "I'm scared… he won't really kill all of Mondstadt, will he?"
[Amber]: "I… don't know, Collei."
[Lisa]: "I envy you, Amber. You have a death-exemption pass."
[Amber]: "Lisa, now's really not the time…"
[Lisa]: "But think—would you believe Jean was a traitor?"
[Eula]: "Even if you beat me to death, I wouldn't believe it. Jean gave everything for Mondstadt…"
[Eula]: "I mean—uh—everyone understands that, right? I swear I'm not criticizing my master!"
[Kamisato Ayaka]: "Jean Gunnhildr's reputation is well-known. If Mondstadt doubts her… the Fifth Descender wouldn't be wrong."
Grand Narukami Shrine, Inazuma
"Freedom without restraint breeds decay."
"Aerin is rebuilding Mondstadt's morals."
"But how many will survive such purification?"
Yae Miko contemplated the future.
Jean Gunnhildr—
Born to protect Mondstadt.
Battered and broken, yet still standing before Aerin alone.
If even she was branded a traitor—
Then Mondstadt's heart was truly rotten.
Aerin's terms were clear.
If you fear death, you betray Jean.
But those who trust her—don't they fear death too?
Suddenly—
Yae Miko felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"Wait… Inazuma…"
She leapt to her feet.
"Have I been so focused on Mondstadt that I forgot?"
"Our situation isn't any better."
"Oh Archon…"
"Are you still sleeping in the Plane of Euthymia?"
"If this continues—
we might die even worse than Mondstadt."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito