Eula Lawrence pushed her body to the absolute limit as she ran back toward Mondstadt.
Just as the city gates came into view, relief flooded her chest—and then her legs gave out. She collapsed in front of the gates.
"Captain Eula? What happened?!"
The Knights of Favonius stationed at the gate went wide-eyed at the sight of her bloodied figure and rushed to her side.
"Northeast of Mondstadt… there's a Hilichurl camp… send reinforcements… Kael is still there… hurry…"
Eula's strength had already been drained by blood loss. The moment she saw the knights at the gate, the last of her willpower slipped away. Before she could even finish her words, her eyes rolled shut and she fainted.
One knight bolted for the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius to report to Jean Gunnhildr. Another sprinted toward the Cathedral, seeking Barbara Pegg to provide healing.
Inside the office, Kaeya Alberich was just giving his report when hurried knocking broke the discussion. A panicked knight burst through the door.
Jean immediately recognized him as one of the gate guards.
Seeing his frightened expression, she asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"
The knight was still gasping for breath, speaking in broken fragments. "Just now… Captain Eula stumbled back into the city, badly wounded… she said… Kael is trapped in a Hilichurl camp northeast of Mondstadt… she requests reinforcements…"
"What!"
Jean shot up from her chair.
She knew Eula's strength well. If even Eula had to retreat and call for backup, then this Hilichurl camp was no ordinary threat.
Kael… he was still in there, alone.
Jean snatched her Sword from where it rested and strode toward the door. "I'm going right now!"
Kaeya, standing at her side, frowned. It was the first time he'd ever seen the usually composed Jean this shaken.
He knew of this Kael—almost everyone in Mondstadt did. Once the lead singer of the Cathedral choir, famous for his angelic voice. Later, he'd joined the Knights of Favonius as a guerrilla knight.
But Kaeya also remembered that Kael was only a low-ranked knight. Why would his plight shake Jean so deeply? Did she… have some sort of connection with him?
As Jean moved to leave, Kaeya quickly spoke. "If Eula couldn't handle it, that camp is far too dangerous. Let me come with you."
Jean's brows knitted tight. After a pause, she nodded.
Just as the two were about to leave, another knight rushed in, even more frantic.
"Acting Grand Master Jean! Scouts have reported a large horde of Hilichurls heading toward Mondstadt. They're only five kilometers away!"
"The 8th and 6th squads have already been dispatched to intercept, but we just received word—the Hilichurls are unusually ferocious this time. Half our forces are already dead or wounded, they can't hold much longer! They request immediate reinforcements!"
Before Jean could react, more knights came pouring in.
"Acting Grand Master Jean! A large group of Hilichurls is approaching from the northwest as well!"
"Acting Grand Master Jean! Urgent report from Springvale—!"
"Acting Grand Master Jean—!"
Jean's expression grew darker with every word.
Why… why were all the Hilichurls attacking Mondstadt today, of all days?
With most of the city's strength gone with the expeditionary force, the Knights of Favonius were already stretched dangerously thin.
This wasn't coincidence.
This was a planned assault.
Someone had incited the Hilichurls, directing them to strike Mondstadt all at once. But who? And for what purpose?
Jean forced herself to calm down, her voice steady as she issued orders.
"Kaeya, assemble two cavalry units and ride for the 8th squad immediately."
"You—inform Amber. Have her continue scouting and report if more Hilichurls are approaching."
"You—go to the library and find Lisa. Tell her to gather what remains of the 4th squad and head northeast to deal with the Hilichurl camp."
"And send for Captain Albedo of the investigation team…"
Her commands flowed with precision.
Finally, Jean closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.
Kael was still trapped in that Hilichurl camp, waiting for reinforcements.
But every knight with a Vision had already been sent to fight elsewhere. There were no hands left to spare.
If even Eula couldn't overcome that camp, sending ordinary knights would be nothing but sending them to their deaths.
Jean was trapped in a terrible dilemma.
If she left to rescue Kael, then there would be no one left to oversee Mondstadt's defense.
Mondstadt… or Kael…
How was she supposed to choose?
The knights waiting beside her shifted nervously as she stood there, eyes closed in silence. One finally dared to speak. "Acting Grand Master Jean…"
Jean's eyes snapped open. A glimmer of tears flickered in them, gone before anyone could be sure they'd seen it.
"Inform the remaining members of the 6th squad—they'll come with me to reinforce Springvale."