When Eula Lawrence raised her greatsword and pointed it at the gathered people, the protest's atmosphere instantly became tense.
Originally, the initial intention of this protest was to urge the Knights of Favonius to take prompt and effective measures to address the Dragon Calamity in Mondstadt.
But Eula's action undoubtedly escalated the conflict, making the protestors feel an unprecedented sense of threat and provocation.
Their emotions were thus quickly ignited, and the originally peaceful demands rapidly transformed into direct opposition against the Knights of Favonius.
When Jean hurried to the scene, the protest had already begun to spiral out of control, the crowd was growing, and the wave of protests was getting higher and higher.
Slogans like "As long as the Dragon Calamity persists, our protest won't cease!" and "Remove Eula, or the demonstrations will continue!" rose one after another, deafening, echoing in the air in waves.
Jean slowly walked to the very front of the protesting crowd. She first bowed deeply to the people, her voice filled with apology: "I am sorry, the responsibility for all of this lies with us, the Knights of Favonius.
I hereby make a solemn promise to everyone that the Dragon Calamity in Mondstadt will be quelled as soon as possible.
Furthermore, in light of the Spindrift Knight Eula's improper conduct, we have decided to temporarily suspend her from duty."
Her announcement, like a gentle spring rain, instantly calmed the escalating protest.
The reason why the people were so convinced was none other than her surname, Gunnhildr.
As the protesting crowd gradually dispersed, Schubert stood to the side, his heart surging with jealousy and hatred like volcanic magma, impossible to restrain.
Their Lawrence family, in the past, had been an even more prominent presence than the Gunnhildrs.
Back then, the Gunnhildr family supported Vennessa, and together they overthrew the rule of their Lawrence family, leading to the family's decline ever since.
Schubert looked up at the majestic Knights of Favonius Headquarters building, secretly resolving in his heart that one day, he would fly the banner of the Lawrence family upon it.
............
"Alright, Eula, you can view this period of suspension as giving yourself a break, to relax and adjust properly."
In the Acting Grand Master's office, Jean gently said to Eula before her, trying to soothe her emotions.
A look of guilt appeared on Eula's face, "Acting Grand Master Jean, I am truly sorry, I was too impulsive back then."
Jean gently shook her head. "No, this wasn't your fault. This protest was actually secretly instigated by West Factory.
I knew they would use some improper methods, but I didn't expect their actions to be even more despicable and shameless than I imagined."
"West Factory?" Eula asked in confusion, "Why would they be involved?"
Jean took a deep breath and began to explain: "A few days ago, Yide, the head of West Factory, personally approached me.
He proposed that if we allow goods from Fontaine to enter Mondstadt without restrictions, he would be willing to help us resolve the Dragon Calamity issue in Mondstadt."
Eula was slightly taken aback after hearing this, "This... doesn't it sound quite good? The Dragon Calamity in Mondstadt can be quelled, and the people can also buy cheaper goods."
Jean patiently explained: "The people would indeed be able to buy cheaper goods, but more people would lose their livelihoods as a result."
Eula's face instantly turned pale, and she quickly understood the chain reaction this measure could bring about.
Once market restrictions are lifted, aside from Mondstadt's proud winemaking industry, other sectors will face fierce competition from foreign goods and suffer an unprecedented severe impact.
"West Factory's methods are truly more despicable and insidious than the Fatui!" she said angrily.
Acting Grand Master Jean lightly sighed, "The biggest challenge we face now is still how to effectively resolve the Dragon Calamity in Mondstadt. If we don't deal with it quickly, today's protest incident will likely repeat itself."
"But Dvalin appears and disappears without a trace, and we're even forbidden from harming it." Eula's tone was full of frustration.
After a brief period of contemplation, Acting Grand Master Jean made a decision, "From this moment on, I will personally keep vigil on the city walls of Mondstadt to block Dvalin's attacks on the city.
At the same time, immediately send messengers to request Grand Master Varka or Bishop Seamus to return as quickly as possible."
..............
Early the next morning, Jean had already relocated her post to the city walls by the gates of Mondstadt.
Her figure stood tall there, making all the people feel an unprecedented sense of security.
For a time, the people's previous dissatisfaction with the Knights of Favonius dispersed like mist.
However, not everyone approved of Jean's approach.
For example, the Cavalry Captain Kaeya asked with a tone of dissatisfaction: "Acting Grand Master Jean, how long do you plan to keep vigil like this?
People always get tired. If Dvalin chooses to attack when you are tired, or changes its attack route, how will you respond?"
Jean's expression was serious. "This is all I can do right now. As long as I block Dvalin's attacks and hold out until Grand Master Varka or Bishop Seamus returns, all problems will be easily resolved."
"But, can you really hold out until then?" Clearly, Kaeya did not trust Jean's method very much.
A steadfast light flickered in Jean's grey-purple eyes, and she said in a deep voice: "I will do everything within my power to hold out until their return."
Kaeya let out a light snort, then turned and left.
In his view, while Jean's method was full of the spirit of the Knights of Favonius, it was far too passive.
There are many ways to solve a problem. If you can't find a solution immediately, then eliminate the person who is causing the problem.
The instigator of the protest was Schubert of the Lawrence family. As long as he was dealt with, this problem would be temporarily resolved.
Kaeya was very efficient in his actions.
That evening, he dragged Schubert, dressed in thin pajamas, out of bed and forcibly took him to the basement warehouse of the Dawn Winery.
In the dim space, the single-handed sword in Kaeya's hand flashed with a sharp, cold light. "Speak! Who was behind you instigating this protest?"
Schubert trembled under the sword light. "Kaeya, what you're doing goes against the code of conduct of the Knights of Favonius!"
At this moment, Diluc's voice came from behind Kaeya, "Perhaps, this task should be left to me.
After all, I am not bound by the rules and regulations of the Knights of Favonius."
A cold sneer flickered across Kaeya's lips. "Master Diluc, you don't actually think I still strictly adhere to those so-called knight's rules, do you!"
Before his words had even fallen, he suddenly plunged his sword into Schubert's thigh.
Since his adoptive father passed away and his sworn brother left the Knights of Favonius, those empty knightly morals had long become like fleeting clouds to him.
"Ah!~"
Schubert's pained scream echoed in the warehouse, chilling.
He agonizingly confessed: "It... it was... the Fatui!"
This answer was somewhat unexpected for both Kaeya and Diluc, and furthermore, it wasn't the answer they wanted.