"You really are honest, Honorary Knight. But I suppose it's true—causing heartbreak to any young lady is hardly the mark of a gentleman."
Jean stepped forward, falling into stride beside Gong Qu.
"Daughter of the Gunnhildr family, do you really think this counts as gentlemanly? He's more despicable than even Lawrence was! That's why I have no choice but to keep a close eye on him, to prevent more Mondstadt girls from falling into misery!"
Eula let out a cold snort and followed suit.
"There are few who could make a witch fall for them—and even fewer who'd be so shameless about it. Hah… I have to admit, there's something oddly thrilling about that. Count me in."
After all, she wasn't the first to be with him.
And when more join the chaos, she wouldn't be the one with the biggest headache.
Lisa, always one to sow a little discord, made her intentions perfectly clear. Unlike the other two, she didn't bother with subtlety or pretense.
Amber hovered hesitantly in the back, uncertain for a long while.
Then, just as they approached the Knights of Favonius headquarters, she suddenly rushed forward, pushing past the other girls—and grabbed Gong Qu's finger.
"Please… don't leave me behind again! I… I can handle this too!"
The scene around them brimmed with chirping voices and blushing faces—enough to make anyone's head spin.
Gong Qu, who had braced himself to take on the full brunt of four elemental outbursts, had never imagined this would be the result.
He stood there blankly, touching the four distinct shades of lipstick now stamped on his face, lost in an almost surreal haze.
"…I am curious, though," Lisa said with a sly smile, nudging past Eula who tried to get closer. She slipped her arm around Gong Qu's. "You don't exactly look like the type who'd confess to four women at once. That's quite bold, little darling."
The mention reminded Gong Qu of a certain Cavalry Captain, who had been munching on gossip as eagerly as fruit.
Their morning conversation came back to him—Kaeya had egged him on about building a harem, clearly in jest. But when the ship's sinking, better the friend than oneself, right?
He still needed one last piece for his happy ending.
Guess Kaeya would just have to suffer a little longer.
Gong Qu sighed lightly.
He repeated the words Kaeya had said that morning, before he left: "Mondstadt women love fiercely and hate deeply." And then, more cryptically, "Dvalin has three pairs of wings."
When he finished speaking, the air around them seemed to drop at least ten degrees.
Hiss…!
Elsewhere, Kaeya suddenly shivered mid-step, a chill crawling up his spine.
One of his subordinates cast a concerned glance his way.
"Captain Kaeya, were you injured during this morning's battle? Should we stop and let you rest?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me—carry on with the inspection."
Kaeya had always trusted his sixth sense.
And right now, it was telling him—sleep outdoors tonight. Don't even think about going back to headquarters.
Knights of Favonius Office
Gong Qu sat between Eula and Amber, across from Jean and Lisa.
"You mentioned this morning there was something you needed to discuss with the Knights. What was it exactly?" Jean asked.
"Still calling him 'Honorary Knight'? Jean, how should I even scold you?" Lisa teased with a soft smile, taking a dainty sip of her tea.
Jean coughed, then tried again.
"Mr. Gong… could you explain in detail now, what you meant earlier?"
"No need for the formalities, Jean. Today might've taken an unexpected turn, but the collaboration I wanted to propose to the Knights… I'd prefer you hear it from a neutral standpoint."
Gong Qu sipped the tea Lisa had brewed and gave a small appreciative sigh before continuing.
"About a month ago, I was suddenly transported to another world."
"The original creator of that world had perished. As the world teetered on collapse, I assumed his position—but part of his divine authority was seized by a draconic entity. I've been striving since then to reclaim it, to fully become the second-generation Creator of that world…"
"It's a place governed by different laws than Teyvat. Vast, resource-rich… Yes, it has its share of monster attacks too, but overall, the balance of risk and reward favors growth. Strength is earned through the trials of adventure."
"And now, as the ruler—or rather, god—of that realm's only nation, Entara, I formally request diplomatic relations with Mondstadt's Knights of Favonius. I propose an exchange of specialty goods, and the establishment of a mutual defense pact."
Yes.
This was the real reason Gong Qu had come to the Knights that morning—not just to lend a hand, but to trade resources for high-tier Mondstadt combatants to help him carve a path in a new world.
Who would've thought that helping out a little would earn him four new partners for Keqing?
The thought alone made his stomach—and kidneys—ache.
"That's… a lot to take in. Give me a moment to process," Jean murmured, pressing her fingers to her temple. She tried to piece together Gong Qu's story, running feasibility calculations in her head.
Amber and Eula both stared at him, stunned.
To think—their boyfriend was actually a god from another world.
Were they the ones who'd lucked out?
"So that's why you have such strong Anemo energy around you," Lisa mused. "I take it you've already spoken to him?"
"Mhm. Had drinks with him this morning, asked a few questions."
He pulled out his Vision and demonstrated his unique ability—triggering a combustion reaction between Dendro and Pyro within himself.
"To manipulate both Dendro and Pyro at the same time… Not bad, traveler," Lisa said with a knowing glance. "You and Lumine are probably the only two in the world who could pull that off."
"And this is the power you said we could gain in your world?" Eula asked, intrigued by the strange Vision.
"Don't get your hopes up. I had someone test it already—this kind of hybrid Vision doesn't seem compatible with people from Teyvat."
"But that world holds plenty of other resources. When combined with Teyvat's capabilities, the synergy can go beyond anything we know."
"Amber, could you show them the enchanted bow I gave you?"
"Eh? That wooden bow… it's a weapon from your world?"
Amber's heart swelled with joy.
Was she the first among them to receive a gift from his world?
She giggled softly to herself.
When she brought out the bow, the faint violet shimmer immediately caught everyone's eye.
Lisa ran her fingers along its surface.
"No obvious enchantment marks… but I sense an earthy, 'rock' sort of energy. Darling, was this infused with some special mineral?"
One word—darling—put the other three girls immediately at a disadvantage.
"Sharp as ever, Lisa. Yes, in that world, we enchant items using a gemstone called 'Lapis Lazuli.'"
"Do you have any on you? I'd love to study it."
"It's part of what I hoped to trade, so yes, I brought some."
Gong Qu opened his pack and placed three deep-blue stones on the table.
Amber leaned closer, eyes sparkling as she cradled the enchanted bow. A gift crafted with such rare materials… she would treasure it with all her heart.
"Gong! Can I see more of the goods you intend to trade?" Jean asked, her expression shifting to one of careful diplomacy. "I may personally be in favor, but the Knights aren't just the Gunnhildr family—we'll need to convince the rest."
After a moment of deliberation, Jean concluded: No matter her relationship with Gong Qu, she couldn't afford to act impulsively. Only after seeing the materials for herself could she properly evaluate their worth.