The carriage wheels screeched against the gravel road, jolting violently, yet they could not drown out the frantic thumping of Elzer's heart. Sitting inside, he clenched his hands so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His eyes remained fixed on the window curtain behind him, where the silhouette of a fallen ancient tree blocked the path, and Diluc's carriage was slowly being swallowed by the encroaching night.
“Faster! Do not slow down!” Elzer nearly shouted at the coachman, his voice completely stripped of its usual composure.
His instincts as a professional butler forced him to obey orders. Elzer understood all too well, Diluc hadn't simply sent them away to find reinforcements. That tree hadn't fallen by chance... It was a trap. A trap meticulously laid for his Master. By driving the merchant caravan away, Diluc was isolating the battlefield, cordoning off the impending blaze from the innocent.
Elzer closed his eyes, attempting to steady himself by analyzing the situation a habit he had learned from Diluc himself.
“If anything happens here... reinforcements from the City of Mondstadt will take at least half a day to arrive.” Elzer bit his lip, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
“They chose this place... because they wanted to ensure no one could interfere.”
His train of thought drifted back to that very moment.
“Eirk Wood... the golden path for adventurers...”
Those words echoed in Elzer's mind like a cruel irony. That was what he had read in books. But he had forgotten one thing: books do not lie, but humans do.
A trail wide enough for a carriage, situated right on the border between Mondstadt and Liyue, yet 'devoid of beasts'? It wasn't a paradise; it was a perfect snare orchestrated by those who understood the geography of these borderlands better than anyone. The mastermind hadn't just blocked the main road; they had 'opened' a gateway to death and waited for them to walk right in.
“Damn it!” Elzer hissed through gritted teeth.
If only he had been more observant, noticed the anomalies sooner, if only he could do something to help Diluc, if only... A surge of profound regret and helplessness welled up within him.
But then, a cold spark of realization flashed in Elzer’s mind.
“Viber...”
The way he looked at the wine barrels, his excessive enthusiasm, and that smirk when he suggested taking the forest path. All the scattered pieces suddenly clicked into a complete picture reeking of death.
“It was him...” Elzer concluded grimly.
BOOM!
A massive explosion thundered from behind, tearing through the silent night. A pillar of fire erupted, staining a corner of the sky crimson and jolting Elzer from his thoughts.
He whipped around toward the carriage window, his body instinctively wanting to bolt out. But then, logic locked him back into his seat. Elzer knew he was no warrior, nor did he possess a Vision. Returning now would only make him a burden. His mission was to lead these merchants to safety and bring back real aid.
Elzer tilted his head slightly through the window, silently observing the position of Viber’s carriage. It was three carriages behind his own, moving at a high speed.
Elzer’s eyes turned cold and sharp again. He reached under the seat and pulled out a small cage, discreetly camouflaged under a black canvas—an inseparable companion on his important shipments.
Elzer took out a messenger eagle, a breed specially trained by the Dawn Winery, capable of flying through the night with exceptional navigation skills. He pulled a pen from his breast pocket and hastily scribbled a short code on a scrap of paper: ‘Route changed. Eirk Wood. Signs of a trap. Urgent reinforcements needed.’
He tied the note to the eagle’s leg, stroked its feathers one last time, and tossed it into the air. The eagle tore through the darkness, soaring toward the North where the Dawn Winery was situated.
Elzer watched that tiny black speck vanish, hand pressed against his chest, praying silently:
“May the winds of the Anemo Archon Barbatos watch over that flame... Please, do not let it flicker out tonight.”
---
In the quiet room, the only sound was the rhythmic, soothing rasp of a sharp knife gliding over an apple peel. The sweet scent of fresh fruit filled the air, overpowering the faint, lingering smell of antiseptic.
Elzer placed a perfectly even apple slice onto the white porcelain plate. He picked up another fruit, intending to continue his meticulous work, but a soft moan from the bed caused his hand to pause mid-motion.
On the bed, Mei frowned. Her heavy eyelids fluttered before slowly drifting open. The first sensation to hit her was a dull, aching pain, as if her entire body had been crushed. Her head spun, and everything before her eyes swayed in a blurry haze.
Elzer hurriedly set the knife and apple down on the tray and leaned forward, his deep voice filled with concern.
"You’re awake? Don't move too much."
Not yet fully alert, Mei struggled to prop herself up, leaning back against the soft, padded headboard. Reflexively, her gaze drifted down to her right arm. The Jadeite bracelet was still there, but the blood-soaked gauze was gone, replaced by pristine white bandages wrapped with professional care.
The dull ache from her old injury lingered, but it now mingled with a sharp, stinging pain radiating from her shoulder—the remnants of the previous night’s horror.
Mei’s throat felt as dry as a desert. She wanted to speak, but the only sound that escaped was a weak, raspy whisper:
"Where... am... I?"
She glanced around. A sturdy oak ceiling, a crystal chandelier casting a soft golden glow, a red velvet rug spread across the floor... The scene was strangely familiar, yet foreign. She knew she had seen it somewhere before, but in that moment, she couldn't quite place it.
Elzer quickly poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the side table and gently placed it in her hands.
"This is Dawn Winery. You’ve been unconscious for a full day, Mei."
Like a drowning woman finding a lifeline, Mei grasped the cup with both hands and downed it in one breath. The cool water soothed her parched throat and simultaneously dragged her consciousness back to reality.
Memories of the previous night came rushing back like a flood. Explosions, fire, the metallic scent of blood, and... the skin-tearing pain. Mei shuddered slightly, the empty cup rattling in her hands. Her body curled inward, a natural reaction to the fear still lurking nearby.
Seeing this, Elzer gently patted her shoulder a clumsy but sincere gesture of comfort from a man more accustomed to ledgers than patient care.
"Don't be afraid, it’s all over. Just focus on resting for now."
Mei took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She looked at Elzer, hesitating for a long moment before daring to speak, her voice still trembling with anxiety:
"Elzer... where is Diluc?"
A thousand worst-case scenarios played out in Mei's mind. She had taken the initiative to take a hit for him—a risky and reckless move completely outside of Diluc’s plans.
"He’s definitely going to scold me for meddling..." She told herself.
Elzer sighed, his gaze turning sorrowful as he looked out the window.
"The Master is currently at the Favonius Cathedral in Mondstadt City. He... is arranging the funeral for the coachman."
"A funeral..." Mei looked at Elzer, her eyes widening in shock.
"Yes. The poor man didn't survive the ambush. The Master wanted to personally see him off on his final journey."
"He... he's really dead..." Mei repeated unconsciously, like a machine.
Deep down, Mei had naively waited for a miracle. But there was no magic here, only the cold truth that the man had stopped forever on that terrifying night. He wasn't a background character in someone else’s story; he was a person of flesh and blood, and now... he was gone.
A sudden chill washed over her, and Mei instinctively pulled the blanket higher, as if to comfort herself.
The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the chirping of birds outside and the wind brushing against the walls. After an indeterminable amount of time, a knock on the door shattered the gloomy atmosphere.
"Come in." Elzer called out, regaining his polite tone.
The wooden door creaked open. Adelinde, the Head Housemaid of Dawn Winery, entered with her familiar, immaculate appearance. In her hands was a dark wooden tray bearing a bowl of steaming porridge, wafting the scent of fresh rice and stewed meat.
Adelinde gently placed the tray on the bedside table and asked kindly:
"How are you feeling? Does the wound still hurt much?"
Mei nodded slightly, replying in a small voice:
"Thank you, I’m okay."
"This is... Head Housemaid Adelinde, right?" She realized the woman before her was far warmer than the vague image in her memory.
The woman smiled softly, a gentle expression like warm spring sunshine that chased away some of the room's chill.
"It's a relief you’ve woken up. Otherwise, Elzer might have peeled through the winery's entire apple stock."
Adelinde picked up the bowl, blew on it lightly, and offered it to Mei. Her voice lowered, filled with respect:
"The Master personally instructed the chef to prepare this for you. Please, try to eat well."
Mei was stunned; the bowl in her hands suddenly felt heavy.
"Diluc... gave instructions?"
"Not only that."
Adelinde tsked softly, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and sympathy when thinking of her master.
"At dawn, right after returning to the winery, the Master came directly to check your wound."
She paused for a beat, then continued in a steady voice:
"He believed that wounds caused by that type of weapon aren't easy to treat... so he wanted to ensure everything was handled properly before he left."
Mei lowered her face toward the bowl, the steam making her eyes sting with tears. She had expected Diluc to be cold, to blame her, but behind that thorny exterior lay a silent, meticulous care that made her heart ache.
She lifted a spoonful of porridge to her lips. The sweetness of the meat and the warmth spread through her body, yet in her heart, she tasted only salt.
---
The sun began to dip toward the west, bathing the ancient stone walls of Dawn Winery in a rich, honey-gold hue. After a long day of rest, Mei finally felt her spirits lift. The chaotic memories of the previous night still linger, but they were no longer as overwhelming and terrifying as when she had first woken up.
The young woman walked slowly along the gravel path leading to the winery. The afternoon breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the heady scent of fermenting wine mingled with the warm aroma of oak—a fragrance so distinct that one sniff was enough to know exactly where you stood: Dawn Winery.
There, she spotted a middle-aged man standing deep in thought, gently swirling a glass of dark red wine in his hand. He brought the glass to his nose, inhaled, then took a small sip. Immediately, his thick eyebrows furrowed in dissatisfaction.
Mei paused.
"That face... looks familiar." Mei thought to herself.
But honestly, this type of mustached NPC in aristocratic attire was a dime a dozen in Mondstadt. As for exactly who he was in the game... she hadn't a clue.
The man looked up, his frown vanishing the moment he saw Mei. He set the wine glass down and walked over with a welcoming bow.
"Greetings, miss. You must be the guest Mr. Elzer brought in the other day. How is your wound? Feeling any better?"
Startled, Mei quickly forced a polite smile in return.
"Thank you, I'm feeling much better. Um... may I ask... who you are...?"
The man blinked in surprise, then laughed and slapped his forehead.
"Oh, how rude of me! I was so engrossed in this batch of wine that I forgot my manners. I am Connor, the winemaker of Dawn Winery."
"So you're Sir Connor." Mei nodded, racking her brain but coming up completely blank.
"Sorry, uncle, it's not that I'm heartless, it's just that Michos designed all the NPCs to look exactly the same!" Mei mentally wailed.
Seeing Mei still looking a bit dazed, Connor spoke first to break the awkwardness.
"Since you are new here, miss, I wanted to give you a small reminder..."
He leaned in close to Mei, whispering as if sharing a great secret:
"Yesterday, for some unknown reason, the Master ordered security to be tightened across the entire estate. Patrols have been doubled, so you should limit going out at night as well."
Mei froze for a second, but nodded.
"Yes, I understand."
Connor seemed to remember something. He looked down at the pocket watch in his hand, his expression turning serious again.
"Please excuse me, miss. There is a slight issue with the flavor of this batch, and I must attend to it immediately. I cannot fail Master Diluc's expectations!"
With that, he gave a hurried bow and returned to the oak barrels, bustling but full of passion.
Mei watched his retreating back, silently complaining in her head:
"Sigh, games and real life really are worlds apart."
"In the game, NPCs just stand in one spot waiting for you to pick up a quest, but here, everyone is busy with their own ideals."
She continued walking, heading up to the second-floor balcony of the manor. From here, the view opened up to encompass the vast plains.
The afternoon wind blew strong, carrying the cool moisture rising from Cider Lake, sending Mei's long black hair into disarray. Mei sniffed, tucking the stray strands behind her ear, silently evaluating:
"Truly the Land of Wind."
She leaned against the railing, looking down at the vineyards stretching endlessly below. Workers were busy harvesting the last baskets of grapes for the day. The hum of laughter and chatter, the creak of carts—it all painted a picture of labor that was strangely peaceful.
Mei sighed in admiration. Diluc, as the "Darknight Hero," spent most of his time protecting Mondstadt from the shadows. Yet, this estate still operated smoothly, wealthy and prosperous. The credit due to Elzer and Head Housemaid Adelinde was certainly no small thing.
Suddenly, a warm sensation draped over her shoulders, making Mei startle and spin around.
A thin, soft blanket smelling of sunshine had just been placed over her. Standing behind her were two young maids in the familiar black and white uniform.
Mei narrowed her eyes, trying to recall their names.
"Ah, these two... I think there was a side quest where the Traveler had to help sweep up leaves, and they’re always gossiping in the main hall."
"Uh... But what were their names? I think it was... Moco and..."
"Halive... Ah! That's right! It's Hillie."
Seeing Mei remain silent with a bewildered look on her face, the brown-haired maid, Hillie, chirped up quickly:
"Oh, Miss Mei! Don't stand out in the wind too long. Head Housemaid Adelinde told us to keep a close eye on you."
The other maid, Moco, chimed in as she adjusted the edge of the blanket for Mei:
"Do you need a thicker blanket, miss? Or perhaps some hot tea?"
Mei waved her hands frantically, still unaccustomed to such attentive care.
"Oh... no need! And besides, just call me Mei. Don't call me 'miss,' it sounds too formal..."
"I'm just... someone staying here as a freeloader."
The two maids looked at each other and giggled. Hillie covered her mouth to hide her smile, replying:
"How can that be! Head Housemaid Adelinde said you are the Master's honored guest."
Moco suddenly lowered her voice, her eyes lighting up with mischief mixed with curiosity.
"Ah! Speaking of which. When the Master came out of your room, his expression was terrible, and he even... Ah no, I mean, he was really very worried about you."
"Is... is that so?" Mei laughed awkwardly, trying to avoid the sparkling eyes of the two girls.
Seeing Mei flustered, Moco tactfully changed the subject, though her curiosity didn't diminish in the slightest:
"Say, Miss Mei, Mr. Elzer mentioned you came from Liyue, is that right?"
Mei breathed a sigh of relief at escaping the topic of Diluc. She nodded:
"That's right, I work at Wangshu Inn."
"Wow! Wangshu Inn?" Both Hillie and Moco exclaimed in unison, their eyes wide with excitement.
"I heard it's the highest place in Dihua Marsh and you can see Liyue Harbor from there, right?" Hillie asked eagerly.
"Is the food there as delicious as the rumors say? I heard the chef has a very strange temper!"
"I have to admit, the food is really good."
"But... Yanxiao isn't that strange..." Mei whispered, wanting to defend her old friend.
Hearing Mei's response, Moco nodded continuously, excitedly cutting in:
"And more, and more!"
"I heard merchants say there's an Adeptus guarding the place! Have you ever met an Adeptus, Miss Mei?"
Mei laughed at the innocent enthusiasm of the two young girls. Their naivety made her feel lighter, momentarily forgetting her troubles.
"An Adeptus? Hmm..." Mei hesitated a moment, recalling the sharp gaze and distant attitude of Xiao.
"...I have met one. However, this Adeptus isn't exactly 'approachable'."
Mei tilted her head slightly, her eyes distant as if looking toward the steadfast mountains of Liyue. She smiled, a smile tinged with a bit of nostalgia:
"But he really loves Almond Tofu. He looks fierce, but he's actually quite endearing." Mei added cheerfully.
The lively laughter of the three girls rang out on the windy balcony, blending with the rustling of the vineyard in harvest season, creating a rare symphony of peace in the land of freedom.
---
Night descended upon Mondstadt, shrouding the Dawn Winery in a quiet, black velvet cloak.
The stillness was so profound that one could almost hear the night dew gathering on the vine leaves before softly dripping onto the damp earth. The breeze from Cider Lake had settled, leaving only faint gusts of cold air to drift through the vast vineyards, carrying the scent of wild grass, aged oak, and the aroma of long-fermented wine.
Inside the manor, the oil lamps had been dimmed. Pale moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting long, silver streaks across the deserted hallways.
On the large bed in the guest room, Mei lay curled beneath the blankets, her breathing gradually slowing into a steady rhythm. Exhaustion had pulled her into a deep slumber, yet her mind remained hazy, snagged on fragmented memories.
“The Grand Finale…”
Those words, along with that mysterious voice, still lingered in her head like a riddle without an answer.
Mei had tried to piece everything together—from the cryptic voice in her dreams to the events that had unfolded, but the more she thought, the more tangled the threads became.
Finally, she let out a faint sigh in her half-conscious state.
“Forget it… I’ll figure it out tomorrow.”
Mei burrowed deeper into her pillow, and within moments, she had succumbed completely to sleep.
In stark contrast to that tranquility, someone remained awake in the main hall of the winery.
Diluc stood motionless in the dim shadows. Cold moonlight slanted through the high windows, drawing a sharp, icy line across his calm, composed features.
After a long moment, he reached up to loosen the silk tie at his throat, then decisively pulled it off, revealing his sturdy collarbones as his breath hummed low in the silence of the night.
He shed the heavy, noble overcoat, draping it carelessly over the back of a chair. Left only in a black shirt that hugged his tall frame, he neatly rolled up his sleeves, exposing rugged forearms where veins traced subtle patterns beneath the skin.
The usual flamboyance of the Ragnvindr patriarch was gone. Now, there was only the cold silence of a hunter preparing to step into the dark.
Diluc’s gaze darkened, sharp as a blade yet to be drawn from its sheath. Without further hesitation, he turned and strode toward the stone staircase leading down into the murky cellar.
Below, the darkness was as thick as a bottomless abyss. Where the moonlight from above could not reach, there was only the smell of rusted metal and the chilling touch of stone.