Despite it being well past the 9 AM check-in time, Kaeya uncharacteristically remained in the Knights of Favonius headquarters rather than wandering the city. He pushed open the door to the Spark Knight's interrogation room—a place that gave him both headaches and amusement.
"Wow, I'm not the last one here, am I?"
He casually pulled over a chair and sat down, observing the colleagues who had arrived before him.
Present were Albedo, Captain of the Investigation Team; Eula, Captain of the Reconnaissance Company; Jean, the Acting Grand Master; and Lisa, the librarian who was certainly capable enough to be a team captain, but chose the ease of her current position.
Adding himself, the Cavalry Captain, made it four of the ten Knight captains gathered—a significant quorum, given both matters on today's agenda concerned him.
Kaeya realized he was, in fact, the last to arrive.
With everyone present, Jean cleared her throat. "Albedo, would you go over your proposal again?"
"Of course. Most of you have likely already noticed the recent arrival in Mondstadt—Victor Wang."
"Victor Wang?"
Eula had just returned to Mondstadt the previous day. She was the only one unfamiliar with the name.
Albedo casually sketched a portrait of Victor Wang and handed it to Eula.
"My proposal is to invite him to join the Knights of Favonius."
Albedo had already discussed this with Jean yesterday. Today's meeting was meant to finalize the decision. Normally, more captains would need to be called in, but it seemed they'd proceed as-is.
Kaeya added, "I asked Victor Wang last night. He only wants a titular role. No desk work."
"His intentions align with Jean's. That's convenient." Lisa looked at Albedo and confirmed, "Was this Alice's suggestion?"
"Yes. Aunt Alice believes he has high potential and is worth building ties with."
Albedo himself had joined the Knights at Alice's recommendation. Initially, many assumed it was nepotism—but his skills quickly silenced all doubts.
With his alchemical prowess, the Knights not only gave him his own lab, but made him head of the Investigation Team.
Alice's daughter, Klee, also joined the Knights. People again suspected favoritism—after all, what could a little girl contribute? Then her sheer destructive capability made them think otherwise. No one questioned it again.
In truth, Klee's enrollment wasn't even Alice's idea—it was Jean's last resort to keep Klee in check…
So, if Victor Wang had Alice's personal recommendation, he deserved serious consideration—even if he was a stranger.
"I don't see a problem." Lisa cast her vote. Based on what Victor Wang had shown so far, at most he'd qualify as a standard Knight—but still worth the gesture.
Jean turned to Kaeya. "Kaeya, your thoughts?"
Kaeya raised an eyebrow at Albedo, flipped a Mora into the air, caught it, and closed his fist around it.
"If it's heads, I agree. Tails, I oppose."
Though used to Kaeya's antics, everyone knew he never made mistakes in his work. Jean and Lisa said nothing.
Albedo remained expressionless, unfazed.
Seeing the lack of reaction, Kaeya sighed in mock boredom and pocketed the coin. "It's heads."
Jean nodded and looked to Eula.
Eula opened her mouth. "I don't know him well enough. You don't need my opinion."
The outcome was already predetermined. Jean told Albedo, "I approve your proposal—but I'm adding a test. He must pass it to join the Knights."
"Understood."
Albedo had done his part. From here on, the matter no longer concerned him.
"That concludes this meeting. Next, we'll discuss the Lawrence family. Albedo, will you stay?"
"I've got work to do, so I'll pass." He left at once.
As the door closed behind him, Jean said, "Let's talk about the mole investigation."
Eula tensed. The Lawrences again... this can't be good.
She was prepared to personally bring justice to her family's traitors—but hopefully, she'd never have to.
Kaeya gave the update. "The one who leaked the church's guard shifts was a deputy captain from the logistics unit. He believed he deserved more than being stuck in the most idle division. He's been secretly in contact with the Fatui for six months. No other moles have been identified."
The 6th Company, Logistics, was led by Hertha. It had three deputy captains.
Though the name sounded minor, the logistics team was large—many times bigger than most squads. Outside of wartime, their work wasn't much different from the administrative clerks on the third floor.
"This was just a test sweep, and we really found someone…" Jean was exhausted. No matter how tight the security, a traitor within was always the hardest to guard against.
Kaeya smiled like he didn't care. "I thought it was remnants from Eroch's clique. Turns out, just a shrimp."
"Did we get anything useful out of him?"
"Sadly no. His contact with the Fatui was a one-way line. No evidence implicates the Lawrence family—yet." Kaeya's single visible eye turned to Eula.
…
At 10 AM, Victor Wang arrived at the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
By the time he was brought to the conference room, Lisa had already returned to the library. Only Jean, Kaeya, and Eula remained.
Eula observed this person whose reputation had preceded him. A black cloak obscured his entire form, his face hidden in shadow.
But the emblem on his hood must've been striking.
What a peculiar getup… When she first saw Albedo's sketch, she thought he'd drawn it wrong—but apparently not.
"Victor Wang, we didn't properly introduce ourselves before. I'm Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights."
Jean greeted him warmly. She had learned about him the day Lisa and Kaeya brought news of his appearance. Their only real interaction had been during the crisis with the Anemo Archon.
Well—there was also last night's concert, but Jean had been preoccupied with Barbara and hadn't noticed him.
Jean continued, "Since you're here, I assume Kaeya explained it to you. The Knights wish to appoint you as an Honorary Knight. This is a symbolic title, given to those with potential or who have rendered special service. It doesn't require daily duties."
Pretty straightforward—it's just a political favor.
"I'm honored."
"However, there is an assessment. You must prove your ability."
Victor Wang glanced at Eula and saw she was looking at him too. Could this be Eula's story quest?
"What kind of test?"
Jean rested her chin on her hand, thinking. Originally, she had planned to assign this task to Lumine. But with Albedo's timely recommendation, it made sense to shift it to Victor Wang. After all, Lumine was already a Knight—sending her to investigate the Lawrences might risk the fragile trust they'd built.
Victor Wang, as an outsider, was the perfect candidate.
Plus, he was already involved.
"I'm embarrassed to say this, but those Fatui who kidnapped you confessed how they learned the Holy Lyre's location."
Eula shut her eyes. Still, Jean's voice found its way in.
"It was the Lawrence family. But they wouldn't name specific individuals… The Lawrences made grave mistakes in the past, but that's history. We can't judge the whole family on it. This may even be a ploy by the Fatui to stir internal strife."
Victor Wang recalled what he knew of the Lawrences.
Back when New Mondstadt was founded, the Anemo Plaza already existed. The first statue of Barbatos had been erected under the leadership of the Lawrence Matriarch: Venerare.
Later, corruption set in. The Lawrences took power and demolished the statue, replacing it with a tower. They hijacked the city's biggest fifteen-day festival—the Windblume Festival.
They'd select a girl to stand atop the tower and throw down a flower ball. Whoever caught it "won" luck—and her hand.
Eventually, their tyranny was overthrown by Vennessa. The Knights of Favonius enacted benevolent reforms, exiling only those who committed crimes. Others were allowed to stay, albeit disgraced.
As one of Mondstadt's three longstanding noble houses, it wasn't surprising that the Lawrences knew where the Holy Lyre was.
As for how Venti knew? Well… he was the Anemo Archon.
"Someone must uncover the truth—either bring the culprits to justice or clear the Lawrences' name. But if the Knights act openly, it'll spark conflict. That's why you, an outsider, are perfect."
Jean gestured to Eula. "This is Eula, the Spindrift Knight. She's a member of the Lawrence family. You'll be working together. Ask her anything about the mission."
After being formally introduced to Eula, Victor Wang pondered a moment. "Has the Holy Lyre been recovered?"
Without the omniscient viewpoint, Victor Wang had only overheard guards talking about the theft—never the retrieval.
"It's been recovered. But we didn't announce it, as we were still tracking the mole within our ranks."
"Understood. I'll complete the task."
As they left the headquarters, both Victor Wang and Eula seemed preoccupied.
"Eula, any leads so far?"
"The only thing I know is… not everyone in the family knew where the lyre was. I certainly didn't."
"Hmm… Good. First step—we'll identify who did know. Narrow down the suspects."
"And how exactly do we find that out?"
"Great question. I have no idea."
"…?"
"I'm better at fighting than snooping. And now they want me doing political intrigue? This… this is an insult! I'll remember this grudge!"
"?"
"Don't mind me. Just venting a little."