Two days later, at Dawn Winery.
Kaeya was sprawled lazily across the expensive leather couch in the parlor, legs crossed, his whole body sinking into the cushions in an air of casual decadence.
Across from him sat a cold-faced man with long crimson hair tied loosely into a low ponytail. His black coat and white inner shirt made his whole presence feel even gloomier, especially with the glaring red Pyro Vision at his waist.
Eventually, the red-haired man could no longer stand the silence. He broke it first.
"So, Kaeya. After all these years away, what made you suddenly return to Dawn Winery? From what I hear, the crisis in Mondstadt still hasn't been resolved. They're short on manpower right now."
Kaeya stretched out lazily before replying, "If you're so aware that we're short-handed, then why are you still hiding out here enjoying your peace and quiet? You really have no shame, Diluc."
That's right. The red-haired man in black was none other than the owner of Dawn Winery, current head of the Ragnvindr family, and Mondstadt's wealthiest wine merchant—Diluc Ragnvindr.
Diluc frowned. He knew Kaeya was doing it on purpose—being irritating came naturally to him. Most people might not know, but Kaeya certainly did: though Diluc appeared to never leave Dawn Winery and only showed up in Mondstadt City to moonlight as a bartender at Angel's Share, the truth was far from it. Every night after sunset, he donned a disguise and went out to eliminate monsters approaching the city.
It was largely thanks to Diluc that Mondstadt remained relatively untouched during its weakest moments. Rumors of a "Darknight Hero" had long circulated in the city—those, too, were evidence of Diluc's secret efforts.
"If that's all you came to say, then don't bother. I don't find wasting time on meaningless chatter to be a good use of my day." With that, Diluc began to rise.
Despite their complicated past, Kaeya was still family. Dawn Winery was half his home. Diluc wouldn't kick him out.
But as Diluc stood, Kaeya dropped a line that made him freeze mid-step.
"Have you heard of the Twelfth of the Fatui Harbingers? The one called the 'Dark Shepherd,' Afurola Saphir?"
Diluc's expression turned grim.
He had a deep, unhealable grudge against the Fatui. His father had died from a Delusion granted by them—sacrificing himself to protect a young Diluc from the berserk dragon Ursa. And he knew that the Harbinger known as "The Doctor," Harbinger No. 2, was responsible for Ursa's rampage to begin with.
The fact that the Doctor had later been the one to eliminate Ursa changed nothing.
Kaeya saw the silence and doubled down.
"That same 'Dark Shepherd,' Afurola Saphir… is currently in Mondstadt."
Diluc was no longer calm. "Are you sure?"
Kaeya sat up, dropping his relaxed posture. "The information came from Noelle and Barbara. Lin Yi confirmed it. She's been traveling with him and the Traveler, Lumine."
"Lumine…" Diluc's eyes narrowed as he recalled a figure—a golden-haired girl who had intervened during Stormterror's assault on the city.
Kaeya nodded. That confirmed it.
So the mysterious woman accompanying them must indeed be Saphir.
Diluc began pacing, clearly disturbed. Kaeya assumed he was simply worried about Mondstadt's safety and tried to reassure him.
"So far, all she's done is help fight off Stormterror and assist Lin Yi's group in defeating elemental bosses. She hasn't shown any hostility. I think we can assume she's under control—for now."
Diluc paused, then abruptly sat back down. "Did you take any action against her?"
"I wanted to, believe me. But she left two days ago with a bard. We've lost track of her for now."
"A bard…?" Diluc's eye twitched. One mystery at a time. For now, they had bigger issues.
He stood and yanked Kaeya by the collar. "Come with me."
Kaeya, helplessly dragged along, cast one last sorrowful look toward the winery's wine cellar. That had been his real goal in coming here—ruined by Diluc's sudden seriousness.
That night, Angel's Share—which usually ran until dawn—hung a rare sign: CLOSED.
On the second floor of the tavern, Mondstadt's leadership had gathered. Jean, Kaeya, Diluc, Lisa, and Lin Yi sat around a table. Noelle, Barbara, and Lumine were absent—they'd been working hard and were granted rest.
Once everyone was seated, Diluc cleared his throat and began.
"I've spoken with Kaeya. While he says the Twelfth Fatui Harbinger, 'Dark Shepherd' Afurola Saphir, is under maximum surveillance, I believe we need to share all available information."
Jean nodded, visibly uneasy. Noelle had already informed her, and she'd been shocked. No one had expected a Fatui Harbinger to be involved—disguised and traveling alongside Mondstadt's heroes.
"If she'd decided to attack," Jean thought, "Lin Yi's group wouldn't have stood a chance."
Diluc continued, "Before we move forward, I want to hear your opinions. What do you think we should do?"
Jean turned to Lin Yi. "Lin Yi, you said before that Saphir—no, Afurola Saphir—is your friend. Can you vouch for her?"
Lin Yi laughed. "Is this an interrogation?"
Jean cleared her throat. "Not at all. But I hope you understand. The Fatui have brought Mondstadt nothing but pain. We can't trust a Harbinger easily."
"I think we're overthinking it," Kaeya offered casually. "So far, everything's gone according to plan. She hasn't interfered. The Fatui issue can wait. Actually, Lisa made a discovery while you were all out. Maybe we should hear that first."
Lisa nodded. "While you were out training, I studied the Abyss Order's movement patterns. Oddly enough, there are no signs of Electro mages in Mondstadt. Kaeya and I confirmed it personally at the Temple of the Falcon."
Jean unrolled a map, marking the Temples of the Lion and Wolf.
"That means we can split up next. Our targets are now Hydro, Pyro, and Cryo Abyss Mages. I suggest we form two groups. Diluc, Kaeya, Noelle, and Fischl in one. Lisa, Lin Yi, Lumine, and Barbara in the other. We'll cut off Stormterror's power source as fast as possible. I've already coordinated with the Adventurers' Guild. Fischl will meet you at Good Hunter tomorrow."
Everyone nodded in agreement. With the plan decided, Diluc turned serious again.
"Now for my intel—on the 'Dark Shepherd,' Afurola Saphir."
Years ago, Diluc had launched a solo campaign against the Fatui, taking down multiple strongholds. Eventually, he drew enough attention that they dispatched Harbingers to eliminate him.
The result? He survived. But what had actually happened, no one knew—until now.
"I thought I was going to die," Diluc admitted. "Then… someone saved me."
He leaned back, voice distant.
"And then I saw something I'll never forget."
Jean looked puzzled. "Unforgettable…?"
Diluc nodded. "I'd been captured by the Doctor. He was interested in my ability to use a Delusion without consequence. So he decided to experiment on me."
A horrified gasp rippled through the room. Everyone knew what "experiments" meant—yet here Diluc sat, unharmed.
Lisa put two and two together. "Wait… Are you saying Saphir saved you? A Fatui saved you—from another Harbinger?"
"That's not even the strangest part," Diluc said. "When I was slipping in and out of consciousness, I remember her bursting in. I didn't catch all their words, but it was clear they were arguing. Fiercely."
Kaeya, now fully alert, leaned in. "Fatui in-fighting? Now that's spicy."
Diluc ignored him.
"When I woke fully… I saw something I'll never unsee. That girl—Saphir—was dismembering the Doctor. Piece by piece."
Jean looked sick. "You mean…?"
Lin Yi finished the thought. "Vivisection."
Diluc nodded grimly. "Even as he screamed and begged, she didn't stop—not until the last breath left his body."
Jean was stunned. "But… she's a Harbinger. How could she do that to another and face no consequences?"
Kaeya guessed, "Maybe she covered it up well?"
Lisa disagreed. "If she wanted to cover it up, no one would've survived. Let alone Diluc, in his condition."
Jean nodded. "Saphir must've known it wouldn't affect her. She's that confident."
Then Lin Yi spoke again.
"You're all forgetting something."
Everyone turned to him.
"The Doctor… is Harbinger No. 2. And he's not dead."
~~~----------------------
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