Jia Changjiang spoke with utter conviction.
So matter-of-fact, in fact, that Kaeya found himself momentarily speechless.
What Jia Changjiang said was correct.
It was just that… very few people were ever this direct about it.
As they talked, the two of them arrived at the cathedral.
Though it was already late into the night, a few nuns were still inside, not yet turned in.
"Normally, having Miss Barbara treat you would be the fastest," Kaeya said as he pushed open the door, "but at this hour she's probably already asleep. I'll have the other sisters help you instead."
"That's fine. An injury's an injury—who treats it doesn't matter… hiss…"
Jia Changjiang's movement tugged at his wounds, making him bare his teeth in pain.
"By the way," Kaeya continued casually, "where are you from, Mr. Jax? From your looks, you could be from Liyue… or Inazuma?"
"But judging by your personality…" Kaeya smiled. "Could it be Natlan—the land of fire?"
Jia Changjiang thought about the Seven Nations for a moment.
"If I had to pick the closest one… probably Liyue, I guess?"
"Oh~ There's something I'm rather curious about."
Kaeya turned his head, carefully observing the subtle changes in Jia Changjiang's expression.
"You challenged the Acting Grand Master the moment you arrived in Mondstadt. Why?"
Jia Changjiang thought seriously for a moment before answering.
"The reason… coincidence."
"Jean was the first one I met after coming to Mondstadt."
He grinned brightly at Kaeya.
"If I'd met you first, the one I'd be challenging right now would be you."
Kaeya's expression didn't change—but how much of that explanation he believed was anyone's guess.
"Just that?"
"That reason is enough."
Jia Changjiang suddenly grew animated, extending a hand toward Kaeya.
"If you're up for it, you can fight me too!"
"I'm not picky!"
"Ha~ I'll pass," Kaeya declined smoothly. "The Cavalry Captain has far too much work."
Just then, a nun approached, ready to begin Jia Changjiang's treatment.
When she saw the burns covering his body, she visibly startled, immediately hurrying to tend to him.
"Kaeya—can I call you Kaeya?" Jia Changjiang asked while being bandaged, his gaze fixed on him.
"Coming from me this might sound odd, but… our fight earlier didn't damage any nearby houses or hurt civilians, right?"
Kaeya looked at him calmly.
"You didn't exactly look like someone concerned with such details earlier."
"I got a bit carried away," Jia Changjiang admitted frankly.
"To be honest, I really wish the Knights had arrived a little later."
"I hadn't settled things with him yet, and he just slashed me once and ran!"
He suddenly stood up, tugging at his wounds again and grimacing in pain.
"Next time, I have to finish it properly!"
"Landing one hit and running off—what kind of man does that make him?!"
Jia Changjiang was openly indignant.
Kaeya, who knew the true identity of the Darknight Hero, wore a subtly strange expression.
He could more or less guess why Diluc had come looking for Jia Changjiang on the eve of the challenge.
But it seemed… this little excursion had created a new headache for Diluc instead.
"Well, whatever."
A trace of schadenfreude crept into Kaeya's thoughts.
He was genuinely curious to see what kind of expression Diluc would make when facing someone like Jia Changjiang again.
Just imagining it was amusing.
Although he felt some lingering resentment about the interrupted fight, Jia Changjiang understood that causing such a disturbance in Mondstadt naturally warranted the Knights' intervention.
What he regretted was simply the unfinished battle.
"Diluc…"
Jia Changjiang muttered the name.
Even though he'd only skimmed the game's story, he knew perfectly well who the Darknight Hero really was.
Diluc—owner of Dawn Winery, a man who controlled nearly half of Mondstadt's wine industry.
But knowing that meant nothing to him.
Whether his opponent was a noble of Dawn Winery or Mondstadt's secret guardian, it made no difference to Jia Changjiang.
"The next time… we'll finish the fight."
Recalling the sensation of clashing with Diluc, Jia Changjiang clenched his fist, an excited smile tugging at his lips.
"Your wounds are bandaged."
After finishing the treatment, the nun added gently,
"This is only emergency care. You should come back during the day tomorrow and have Sister Barbara give you proper treatment."
"Thank you for your concern. I'll keep that in mind."
Jia Changjiang replied politely—his demeanor worlds apart from the frenzy he'd shown in battle.
Once the treatment was complete, Kaeya spoke again.
"Alright. Mr. Jax, you'll need to come back to the Knights' headquarters with me to give a statement."
"Huh? Why?!"
"You caused quite a commotion tonight. This can't just end here."
Kaeya smiled.
"Besides—if you're in the wrong, you apologize and take responsibility. Wasn't that what you just said?"
"I mean… fine."
Jia Changjiang sighed helplessly.
"Guess I should've run too."
"Haha…"
Different people require different approaches.
Justice, after all, was not an absolute principle—but the result of a delicate balance between force and strategy.
As for the process itself… there was no need to be overly rigid.
That was Kaeya's way of doing things as a Knight of Favonius—and the rule he lived by.
Sword, wit, and schemes alike.
And when it came to Jia Changjiang, Kaeya applied the same method.
After days of observation, he had gained a fair understanding of how this man operated.
"Alright," Kaeya said, spreading his hands.
"Now, it's time for questioning."
Jia Changjiang sat across from him.
Beside Kaeya sat Amber, who had rushed over the moment she heard Jia Changjiang had been brought in, and Lisa, who had come purely out of curiosity from the library.
As for Jean and Klee—
Klee had already fallen asleep at this late hour, and Jean hadn't even been notified.
Lisa looked at Jia Changjiang with clear interest.
"So this is the traveler who caused such a stir within a single week of arriving in Mondstadt?"
She smiled lazily.
"Doesn't seem nearly as fierce as little Amber made him out to be."
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