We find ourselves at the gates by around 7:00 pm, with a speed slightly slower than running. It's good that we managed to get here right after sunset; otherwise, we would likely have been forced to fight, as many become more active at night.
I walk in without issue after showing my adventurer card to the guards at the gate. Even if they know me as training under Varka, that does not mean that I get to skip procedure.
After coming in, I head to the Adventurers' Guild to show evidence of my completion. This, of course, is a surprise, since I completed a 3–7 day commission in one day. This was only possible thanks to the strength training that increased my speed greatly.
The paperwork for the commission takes about ten minutes, after which Katheryne closes the counter. I then find out that I caught her right before closing.
With the Adventurers' Guild giving me the reward, I now head toward my home. I mostly want to have Cifera rest—the beautiful and crazy cat actually managed to beat Andrius.
That's close to Harbinger-level, like damn. I think I might need to pick up my training lest I get surpassed by my familiar.
Before that, though, I should probably review the footage recorded by Witness to the Black Shores to see what might have been done better and what strategies could be used next time.
Thinking of this, the screen-like window enlarges in my vision, showing me what my camera and merged second familiar allow me to do.
Apparently, it even has an auto-edit mode as long as I generalize what I want—almost like an AI prompt for a video.
Ignoring the editor for a moment, I go to review Cifera's fight.
Generally, it seems that her combat instinct and strategy are great. I will say that she could have better abused size change and speed, mainly by shrinking down completely, getting under him, and enlarging while trying to bite his neck through.
Oh well.
As I get to the finish, I notice that the camera blackscreens between the part where Andrius got thrown into the wall and when I rushed over to Cifera.
Odd is an understatement. I wonder why.
I go into the editor, only to find that section has a history of being deleted—and unrecoverable—deleted by Shorekeeper.
Why would my familiar delete that?
Well damn, what now? Am I stuck not knowing what happened then?
Wait. A new line appears.
"DELETE REQUEST submitted by CIPHER"
So… my familiar requested my second familiar to delete the ending of her fight. But why?
Was there really something worth hiding?
I look down at Cifera in my arms. Wait—Cifera. Not Cipher. Who the fuck is Cipher? I only remember "Cipher" being a name in movies and films for people who do coding in one way or another, or Cipher from HSR.
I freeze. Ten meters away is my door, yet I freeze and look at my cat.
Gray fur. Blue-purple eyes. Golden blood. The coin—the Cheshire grin coin. The unreasonable speed. The power over illusions. A power that looks abyssal, yet is different, and still does not belong within Teyvat.
…
…
…
"Cipher," I pause.
Cifera's eyes dart to me, narrowing.
"Fleet-Footed Thief Star Cifera." That makes sense.
Well, when she wants to tell me is when she will.
I might be stupid and naive, but I am also fairly observant.
I just hug Cifera closer, and now, with a smile, I walk into my residence. I am unsure what Cifera wanted to delete, but that doesn't matter. Even if she was just hiding her true appearance.
Cifera's gaze does not leave me even as I sort through my belongings. This makes me laugh, and I catch her, only to pet her soft, fluffy head.
Cipher or not, for now, that is not how you show yourself to me; therefore, that is not how I will treat you.
--------
I am quick to sort through several things. I then decide to check on my mom, and after knocking on her door, I find she isn't there. Why does that give me a bad feeling?
I put my ear to the door, but there is no sound coming through.
I head outside, only to find the window to her room wide open.
She doesn't usually leave her window wide open.
Worried, I jump up, only to find the entire room a mess, as if a tornado had gone through it.
Shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
What the FUCK! What happened here!?
I then feel something land on my shoulder, only to find Laika, who is seemingly tugging me to follow her. Now obviously worried, my only words are, "Go."
I don't have time to think. I need to go.
Without a pause, she speeds off, and I follow her, trying to keep up at my best speed, yet still falling behind—forcing her to wait before sharp turns and corners.
Soon we arrive before the Bructeri Clan estate. Confused, I look around, only to hear a faint, muffled, almost nonexistent scream.
"Aahmphm."
My eyes widen, and I jump over the fence surrounding the estate. I circle the estate, trying to find where the scream came from, only to find a small outside tower that the sounds seem to come from.
Unworried about consequence, I slam the door open, only to find my mom tied up to the wall, half-naked.
Several nobles are standing over her, but after realizing I broke the door, they look at me.
I smile. "Good. All the more reason to clean up the city's garbage."
I summon my sword and am inches away from their throats when I hear, "Stop!"
Surprised, I recognize the voice, only to find Jean jumping off the previously injured Cifera.
Looking at the situation, her face is grim, marred by rage and helplessness.
She then speaks. "Sane… you can't do anything to them. They… they have the right… for this."
Her head turns away, obviously trying to hide her discomfort.
"Really?" My smile widens. "Great. I don't care."
My smile drops, and the three nobles' heads fall to the ground. After that, I am quick to break the chains of my mom and put a coat over her trembling form.
Seems I arrived before anything could happen. Good. No—excellent.
I turn around to look at Jean, only to find her horrified, as if fighting a moral dilemma.
She then speaks. "Varka left early for Nod-Krai due to the information you provided. He can't protect you from this."
"I don't have the authority to protect you," she sighs, obviously pained. "I also have a duty to uphold Mondstadt's laws. But tonight… I was at the headquarters all night."
She smiles wryly. "Go. Before the city wakes next morning. Leave, so that I don't have to hunt you down."
Jean then turns around and walks away, likely back to the Knights' Headquarters.
"Thank you, Jean."
I watch her leave, silent, her arms seem to tremble. Her morals fighting what she has been taught.
I smile, then look at my mom, who is still shaken. I pick her up and get on Cifera.
Looks like this is the last day we will be in Mondstadt.
They won't be able to label me a criminal without trial or direct proof, but we will be hunted if we stay here.
At least, that is if I remember the laws that Jean and Varka taught me correctly. To think that it was that at play—why was it never abolished? Damn it.
Anyway, back at our residence, I quickly start packing everything I can into the dimensional space. It takes me about thirty minutes to gather everything. This is also more than enough time for Mom to change into actual clothes again.
I am so grateful to Laika that I got there in time before anything else happened.
She is sitting on my mom's—Arye's—lap as she is petted. I am truly grateful to that small lizard.
Before I go, since it is still just about 7:52 pm, I visit Angel's Share. I am surprised to find Kaeya, Diluc, and Venti all sitting there.
My mom is close behind me; it seems she does not want to be left alone at the moment. This is understandable.
Once I approach, they greet me cheerfully, only to find my face saddened. Confused, Kaeya gives me a questioning look.
I speak. "2877—noble entitlement under offense of a commoner to punish them as they wish—into 433, attempted rape, made me commit an 867, murder of a noble."
Kaeya and Venti freeze, looking behind me only to see Arye. Then Diluc speaks up. "You shouldn't be here already, then."
"I know. I simply wanted to say goodbye, as well as to ask for the wind's protection. Not for me, though."
Kaeya and Diluc look confused. Venti is silent but nods. Then the two speak up. "Shouldn't you go to the Cathedral for that?"
"Maybe. But I don't think I have the right to anymore. By the way, before I forget, I got two of you presents. Sorry, Diluc. I just don't know you well enough—maybe another time."
I pull out a box of specially marked liquor for Venti that I got from visiting different LCBOs. For Kaeya, I more specifically selected wine, as I know he isn't too fond of other alcohol.
"Anyway, I will be heading out now. Thank you for everything, friends."
I nod and head out of the tavern, my mom following me.
I am surprised she doesn't reprimand me at all for going to a tavern.
It takes about an hour to get to the Knights' Headquarters on foot, but upon reaching there, Lisa walks over.
"Jean won't see you now. It was already a lot that she ignored your… crime."
"I only came here because I remembered Mom speaking about you like a friend. That is all."
Without another comment, she gestures for us to follow, and upon reaching the library, a small conversation follows where Lisa is able to mostly calm Mom down. She even reprimands me for associating with a drunkard like Venti.
I find that upon reaching the gate, Jean is there. She gives me and my mom a hug.
"Stay safe. Please. Arye. Sane."
Her voice is so soft it is barely heard, even in the night's silence.
We leave at 10:30. The time spent saying goodbye was worth it, but it seems that already knights are running around, calling out those disgusting nobles' names.
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Word Count: 1.69k relatively
A/N: Yikes what a loaded chapter, so what do you think will happen now?
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