Chapter 52: Jean's Determination
And my enemy, the Doctor, is said to possess strength on par with demons. When will I finally have the power to take my revenge?!
However, when it comes to vengeance, Diluc refuses to let anyone else take it on his behalf. Otherwise, he would have long ago used the entire Dawn Winery's fortune to put a bounty on the Doctor's life.
"Mr. Venti, is Mondstadt truly meant to be like this?" After a long silence, Jean lifted her head and asked Venti.
"You mean forgetting its heroes?" Venti paused, then gave a wry smile.
"Yes. Neither the Four Winds' protectors nor the Crimson Witch of Flames have received the recognition they deserve. They defended Mondstadt, yet the people betrayed and forgot them!" Jean's gaze burned as she looked at Venti.
"That's why I became a bard—to ensure history isn't forgotten," Venti spread his hands and said. "The memory of the Lawrence Clan remains, and Mondstadt still fears its resurgence. But it has neglected many parts of its own history. That is Mondstadt's failing."
Jean pressed her lips together. She was feeling lost, unsure, but she knew she wanted to do something for the heroes of Mondstadt.
Rosalyn, the Crimson Witch of Flames, had once saved Mondstadt, yet in return, the people betrayed her. Perhaps her eventual decision to join the Fatui was directly linked to that betrayal?
And Diluc—he left the Knights of Favonius because they refused to acknowledge the truth about his father's death.
"Barbatos, I want Mondstadt to confront its history. When I return, I plan to investigate the failures of the Knights of Favonius and expose them.
A knightly order that refuses to acknowledge its mistakes cannot continue to lead Mondstadt!" Jean took a deep breath and looked at Venti expectantly. "Additionally, I intend to compile all these stories into a book."
"Have you considered that this could make you a traitor in the eyes of many?" Diluc interjected. "The reputation of the Knights is intertwined with powerful families."
When he left the Knights, it wasn't just because of his father—it was also due to the political pressures surrounding the position of Grand Master. At that time, he had been the most promising successor, but his personality clashed with the Knights' ideals.
Once Jean, equally skilled yet more easily guided, appeared, many within the organization had pushed for her to rise in rank, sidelining Diluc in the process.
Diluc knew that Jean and her family had resisted such maneuvering, and he had never held it against her. She was one of the few within the Knights that he still respected.
His mind also drifted to Eula—the brilliant yet ostracized descendant of the infamous Lawrence Clan. She had worked tirelessly for Mondstadt, yet her reputation remained tarnished. Even Diluc found the injustice frustrating. The Lawrence Clan's past crimes had nothing to do with those still living, many of whom had even fought against their oppressive ancestors.
And yet, Mondstadt remained riddled with outdated prejudices.
"I understand," Jean said. "But aren't these powerful families just following the tide? If the tide changes, so will they." She chuckled softly.
Diluc fell silent. The Knights of Favonius were weak now, but that also made them more adaptable.
Perhaps Jean had a point.
If played correctly, this movement could even help consolidate her leadership and counterbalance the influence of the old guard.
Of course, he knew Jean wouldn't use it for personal gain—certainly not against Grand Master Varka.
That man had no interest in political power. Even when Diluc had still been a Knight, Varka had mentored him. And after Diluc left, Varka had invested the same energy into training Jean. He had always planned to step down eventually.
Jean must have realized this as well.
But this was still an opportunity.
"Barbatos, what should I do?" Jean turned to Venti. "I believe the truth is more important than the Knights' reputation. Ignoring it would go against Lady Vennessa's original vision for the Knights of Favonius."
Hearing her words, Venti smiled warmly. He picked up his lyre and strummed a few notes before saying, "You remind me of her. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish. One day, I hope to tell your story to future generations."
A small smile played on Jean's lips. Lady Vennessa...
Lord Barbatos, don't worry. I will lead Mondstadt to a better future!
As Venti's song faded, Jean straightened and said, "Alright, let's continue our mission. We don't have much time."
—
Meanwhile, Aiden's livestream continued, though he refrained from asking Jean and Diluc about their location. If he truly wanted to, he could track the locations of the chat group members at any time.
However, the ability to share locations seemed like a useful feature, so he silently updated the chat group, allowing members to voluntarily share their coordinates for easier collaboration in the future.
Aiden walked outside Mondstadt with Barbara, heading toward Starfell Lake. With him by her side, the journey was mostly uneventful, as few monsters dared to approach. Still, Aiden held back from revealing too much of his power.
"I never expected the wilderness around Mondstadt to be like this," Barbara said sadly, looking at the hordes of monsters in the distance. "If only Lord Barbatos were here... With his divine power, he could surely wipe them out in an instant."