Chapter 23: I Am Strong

A familiar ornate gold and white ceiling greeted Subaru as soon as he opened his eyes. The sight of it made his breath hitch in his throat.

"Familiar… too familiar," he choked out, sitting up and grabbing his forehead. "Again? Do I have to do that again?"

He still remembered what happened in his last loop. He boarded Stormterror's back and fought Rem, remembering Guiltywhip in the process. He fell off the dragon during the fight, but he distinctly remembered being caught by someone.

"But who…? Rosaria? No, we already made peace, didn't we?"

"Ah, you're up!"

Subaru looked up to see Barbara running to him, having just entered the infirmary. Subaru's breath hitched. Would he have to introduce himself yet again?

"The others will want to know you're awake," Barbara said, making Subaru freeze at the difference. "But first… I should do it myself."

She turned to face him entirely, then bowed at him. "I-I've heard that this is an Inazuman tradition, so I'm sorry if it's wrong, but I just want to thank you. Thank you for helping us fend off Stormterror."

Subaru gaped at her bow, finally realizing that he didn't activate Return by Death. He'd survived. He had made it out. Letting out a raspy breath he never held, he collapsed on his bed again.

"Mr Subaru!" Barbara cried, running up to him. She gently placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you sick? It's not uncommon to be ill after something like that…"

"N-no, that's not it," Subaru half-heartedly said, still wrapping his head around the situation. The gold and white ceiling turned blurry. "It's just… I made it. I finally made it out."

Barbara looked down at the crying Subaru, immediately revising her image of him in her mind. Giving him a moment, she placed a hand on his head. Not to check his temperature, but as a sign that she was there too. "You did well, Mr Subaru," she said, calling on her idol training to add some pep to her tone. "You did wonderfully!"

The words spurred him on, his tears turning into choked sobs. He curled to the side, still letting Barbara pat his head as he kept crying.

Meanwhile, Barbara remained confused. What had happened with the boy to garner such a reaction? Even though she didn't express it, she still had questions about what was going on. That being said, Subaru was still someone who saved Mondstadt, so she still respected him for whatever sacrifice he had made.

In a few moments, Subaru had gone back to sleep. Noting to keep a glass of water on his table, she left the wing with a soft smile on her face.


Subaru woke up again, facing the side that time. Feeling lighter than he normally did, he sat up and stretched, feeling his joints pop. As soon as he regained his bearings he remembered what had happened. Subaru froze mid-stretch.

"Oh man," he groaned to himself. Sure, he didn't do anything wrong, but it was still embarrassing to cry in front of a girl like that!

Shaking his head, he stood up. A flicker appeared by his side, revealing the fairy loli herself.

"You're awake!" Paimon cried out, diving to him and grabbing onto his neck. "Paimon was so worried!"

"Ack, Paimon, you're…" he forced out, struggling past how Paimon was choking him. With a couple slaps on her back, she finally let him go, letting him sharply inhale.

"Paimon got your stuff for you!" She said, pointing to a large, heavy bag nearby that she could not have carried herself. Despite that, she puffed her chest out. "You should praise Paimon! Paimon worked super-hard!"

"Thank you, whoever brought this bag who definitely isn't this fairy by my side."

"Hey!"

Subaru grinned at her and opened the bag, pulling out his now-cleaned clothes and toiletries. He changed and freshened up, making sure to avoid his reflection.

'About that… do I dare?'

Hesitantly, Subaru looked back to see the mirror once again. The image he saw filled him with disgust. There lay Natsuki Subaru, covered in long-forgotten fatal injuries. Entire globs of flesh chewed off his face, slashes wherever he could look, his neck stuck on by barely a thread, loose, bloody limbs strewn about behind him. However, despite the terror of this Natsuki Subaru in the mirror, he could feel an unnatural kinship with it. Acceptance, that was what it was. He had finally accepted his fate to suffer for other people's sake.

He could feel himself suffocating from the sight, so before it could turn into another panic attack, Subaru looked away from the mirror and barged out of the restroom.

"Are you okay?" Paimon asked. "You look kinda… pale."

"It's nothing, Paimon," he murmured, forcing himself to think about something other than his death. "Let's get going."

Paimon paused in worry but shook her head as she noticed Subaru moving to the door. Following him, they both were greeted by familiar faces on the other end.

"You're here," said Jean alongside most of the knights Subaru knew. "We got here as soon as Barbara told us you were awake."

From behind them, Barbara waved at him, then gestured a zip on her lips. Subaru took a moment to process it, then nodded gratefully.

"Mr Natsuki," Jean drew his attention to her. "Could you come with us for a moment?"

Subaru took a moment to look at the other people with her. Kaeya nodded at him, Lisa merely watched, Eula held herself rigidly with an oddly green face and Amber grinned at him. Looking at all of them, Subaru couldn't help but smile too.

"What is it, Captain Jean?" Paimon questioned in his stead.

Jean shook her head. "You'll find out soon enough. Of course, you can tag along too, Paimon."

The whole group of knights and Subaru left the cathedral, revealing a mass of Mondstadtians standing before the church, almost as an audience for something. As soon as the people saw him, Subaru noticed their expressions souring. He'd spent long enough away from the place to forget about how the people saw him, about how his 'Abyss Order status' had been leaked, but certainly not enough for the others to forget.

Jean walked up to the pedestal in the middle of the steps up to the church, using it as a podium to project herself. "People of Mondstadt," she began. "Yesterday, the Knights of Favonius had faced a crisis far greater than anything we've experienced so far. Stormterror has been taken by our enemies, and they have used him to terrorize us."

Subaru balked. 'Yesterday?! I was asleep for that long?!'

"However, we were not blind to the dragon's arrival. We were ready to face him all thanks to one person. Mr Natsuki Subaru, Paimon, please step up."

Flinching for a moment, Subaru hesitantly walked up to Jean's side, Paimon following him. He took a moment to look at the audience; they all seemed confused at his appearance. Paimon sent a curt wave to them, appeasing Subaru's heart just a little.

"Most of you may already know of these two," Jean continued. "Aside from being the one to defeat a mitachurl singlehandedly, information about Natsuki Subaru being a former member of the Abyss Order had also been leaked."

Being in the position that he was, Subaru could see the power that Jean's words had over the audience. At the mention of the Abyss Order, the whole crowd began to glare at him, almost as if they finally remembered who he was.

"Please, do not blame him for his past choices," Jean continued. "He has more than made up for those mistakes by his actions in the Stormterror attack."

The crowd's mood shifted, turning into one of confusion and expectation.

"It was all because of Mr Natsuki's insight that we were warned of Stormterror's arrival beforehand. The Knights were fully prepared for the encounter only because of him. Moreover, at the risk of his life, he had climbed aboard the dragon to try and remove the Infection it was influenced by.

"Many of you are worried about the recent outbreak of Abyssal Infection. Because of Mr Natsuki, we have discovered more about this situation than we could have by ourselves. More importantly, Mr Natsuki wields a method to remove the Abyssal Infection from anyone Infected. Do not worry anymore, your loved ones are finally safe. As long as Mr Natsuki is here, they can be cured easily, and for free."

Subaru watched as the crowd's tone shifted to awe, then to regret. He remained quiet the whole time, albeit hiding a significant amount of embarrassment at how Jean was talking about him.

"Due to this offer, I imagine that he would gain more than enough enemies, especially from those that previously turned the Infection to their advantage. As such, please do not add more pressure onto this man's plate. I understand the hatred that you may have for his past actions, but even those who wish to redeem themselves deserve freedom."

Those words turned the slight regret in the audience into full-blown guilt. Moreover, they side-eyed the few masked fellows within their midst, who were seething at the Acting Grandmaster.

"Who are you to make such a claim?!" One of the Fatui yelled from the audience.

Jean's eyes narrowed. "I had not referenced anyone within this crowd, be they resident or guest. I had meant the Abyss Order, but if you are so offended by the statement, then maybe you put yourself into these conditions as well."

The Fatui who spoke up flinched, having earned the stink-eye from residents and fellow Fatui alike.

"Regardless, it is with pleasure that I would like to declare Natsuki Subaru as an Honorary Knight of Mondstadt," she continued, finally garnering smiles from the crowd. "Everyone, please put it together for the saviour of Mondstadt! Let the wind lead!"

Applause filled the cathedral, as they all roared in favour of Subaru's actions, all calling our choruses of "Let the wind lead!"


It was surprising how easily the people of Mondstadt accepted him once again after Jean's words. Even as he was congratulated by the crowd, a part of him couldn't help but still be wary. He had spent so long afraid of Stormterror, so it was difficult for him to simply let go of that tension.

After more "thank you"s than he could care to count as well as a a few requests to remove Infection from family members, Subaru finally found himself in the safe confines of the KoF headquarters.

"Wait, I'm an adventurer, aren't I?! Why am I in this place all the time?!"

"Because our dear grandmaster wants to hold another meeting with you, Honorary Knight," said Lisa over his shoulder. "You've become quite the important figure, after all."

Sighing, Subaru made his way into the office yet again, wondering what Jean would want with him again.

"Hey, Stinky Space," Paimon commented. "When are we gonna eat? I didn't get anything from you for a whole day!"

"I'm sure someone took the slack for me. Speaking of, I'll probably have to pay them back."

"Teeheehee…"

"… I won't like the bill, won't I?" Choosing to ignore his partner for the sake of his health, Subaru opened the door to Jean's office.

Upon entering, he noticed the three other knights resting there. Jean was behind her table, Kaeya was leaning against a railing in front of the bookshelves while Amber was waiting by the door.

"Subaru! It's good to see you up!" She called out.

"Amber…" Subaru couldn't help but grin at her despite the nervousness he still felt. "It's good to see you here too."

"Aw, don't worry, I'll always be here! Still, I didn't expect you to actually drive Stormterror away! I didn't know you had it in you!"

"Oi. What do you mean by that?" Paimon, meanwhile, giggled in the background.

"Anyway, sorry for missing the last meeting! Captain Jean, you can begin now!"

"Thank you, Amber," Jean started, ignoring Subaru's question despite his groans.

"Mr Natsuki, I once again thank you for everything you've helped us with against Stormterror, so please consider this meeting as a favour in return."

Subaru blinked, wondering what she meant by that.

"We are here to discuss the actions of the Fatui."

"Of course." Subaru had forgotten about them after everything but was reminded of their existence after Jean's speech.

"It's okay if you forgot, Subaru Natsuki," Kaeya began. "You've certainly had a busy few days, which was why we picked up the slack for you."

"Really? Then…" Subaru bowed to the knights. "Thank you for your help."

Jean smiled at him in return. "As we said, this is merely a return of favours, a rather tame one at that. Kaeya, if you would?"

Kaeya walked up to the table and rifled through a couple documents. "We have received intel that the most vital members of the Fatui had left Mondstadt for a while, claiming foreign business, at the time that Stormterror attacked."

"So they knew about the attack?" Subaru supplied. "Does this prove them of the crime?"

"This serves as evidence against them, but it is not concrete enough to accuse them of anything," Lisa said. "They could easily brush this off as mere coincidence. If they have any documents that prove their claim of 'foreign business', the odds would be stacked even further against us."

"Why can't we just, Paimon doesn't know, kick them all out of Mondstadt or something?" Paimon wondered.

"That won't work," Kaeya replied. "Snezhnaya, the land that the Fatui hails from, is looking for an excuse to begin a war with any country. While our forces are powerful, I would not say we are strong enough to defend against another nation of their capabilities."

"Okay… so what do we do now?" Subaru asked. "Is there anything we can do about these guys?"

"Thanks to Captain Jean, any assassination attempt made against you from now on could easily be traced back to the Fatui as culprits. The only way they can turn the tables against you is by furthering the claims against your connection to the Abyss Order."

"They will be on the lookout for more information as well," Jean added. "Mr Natsuki, it is essential that you do not do anything reckless for some time. Your very presence destroys the Fatui's business, that is not something they will tolerate. They will want you out of the equation as soon as possible."

"But that's not fair!" Amber cried out. "Subaru's only helping people, right? Why do the Fatui have to try and kill him just because he's helping people?"

"Yeah, what she said!" Paimon agreed.

"That's just business," Kaeya refuted. "If there's anything in opposition, something must be done to remove it. I do not imagine the Fatui would improve their methods in their medical process, nor would they reduce the price. On both fronts, Subaru will always be the better service."

"Why can't they just leave, then?" Amber wondered. "Subaru's in Mondstadt, right? They can take their business to other places."

"Word of Mr Natsuki's abilities have already spread, I'm certain of it," Jean said. "Especially now, with our public approval of him, merchants from the rest of Teyvat who have born witness will carry the word. Those who are desperate enough will make the journey to Mondstadt to get cured by him."

"Interesting," Kaeya muttered, a wide grin on his features. "Say, Subaru Natsuki, why don't we begin charging from these people?"

"Ooh, we should do that, Stinky Space!" Paimon agreed. "Think about it… more money!"

"Nothing can fill that gullet of yours, huh, you fairy loli?" Subaru grinned. "I mean, I'm not opposed to charging people, but won't they be annoyed that I'm trying to profit off this?"

"That… is true," Amber was the one to speak. "Subaru was part of the Abyss Order, right? So if he starts charging people, then we might hear things like: 'he's profiting off what he caused in the first place' or something like that."

"Amber's right," Jean realized. "With Subaru's current position, there is no way for him to charge people without incurring more hatred against himself. Everyone will begin to blame Subaru for spreading the Infection in his past and profiting off it today."

"That… aah, why does that make sense?!" Paimon cried out. "Are we really losing out on Mora because of a lie?!"

"Lie?" Amber echoed.

Paimon froze where she hovered. She turned back to Subaru, seeing his seething look aimed at her.

"Lie… Paimon is just not believing my words about the Abyss Order, that's all," Subaru added, hoping to fix Paimon's mistake.

"I… see," Jean remarked, her brow still furrowing. "In any case, without the option of charging on the Infection cure, have you decided on something to do during your time in Mondstadt? I had heard that you were looking for that friend of yours who is still in the Order…"

Subaru blinked, memories returning to him. "About that," he started. "I actually met Rem atop Stormterror's back."

"Oh? I'm assuming you couldn't cure her?"

"I couldn't get a hold of her, she was too busy defending the Infected site on the dragon from me."

"So, the matter is not fully resolved yet… if Stormterror is still Infected, the Abyss Order could still bring it to fight against us. However, with Mr Natsuki's presence here, they would be much more wary of unleashing it against us."

Lisa sighed. "To think that our job is not yet done… even after all the trouble we went through in the temples…"

"I did not mind the work," Kaeya said. "I met some old faces, so I'm certainly grateful."

"Wait, what's this about?" Subaru asked.

"Paimon can say! After we all thought you died –"

"Restraint, Paimon!"

"- that stormy storm was still here, so these guys split up and visited some temples to "harmonize the ley lines", or whatever."

" … I can't pretend to understand that, but good job, everyone."

"It was our duty, no need to say so," Jean said. "If you don't mind, let me return to my original question. While you remain on the lookout for your friend, what will you be doing in Mondstadt?"

"What I will do… you mean like a job?"

"If I may," Kaeya added. "Might I remind you of your recent application as an adventurer? I had even got Eula to help you with it at the expense of my wallet, remember?"

"Ah, right! Thank Eula for me, would you?"

Kaeya's smirk stiffened. "She drank my wallet dry last night, I am certain that I thanked her enough."

"… right, so I can be an adventurer and –"

"Too risky," Jean interrupted with a shake of her head. "The Fatui could easily hurt you and blame some external phenomena."

Kaeya turned to Jean, his eyebrow twitching. "So, my wallet died for nothing?"

"I'm sorry for your loss, but Jean has a point," Lisa admitted. "Subaru-san's life is at risk, we cannot send him to a place where he can easily be killed."

"But, wait…" Amber started. "Can't Subaru defeat them himself?"

The others looked oddly at Amber.

"Think about it! He single-handedly defeated a mitachurl –"

"You were there too, Amber," Subaru reminded her.

"- and he drove off Stormterror, this time really all by himself! Won't the Fatui be too scared of him to actually try anything?"

Jean hummed for a moment. "We cannot determine what they would think. The Fatui have far too much pride in themselves to consider such fear, but they might be wary of him after all these events."

"That's not all!" Amber added with a smile. "Subaru's strong! He can easily defeat these people."

That whole time, Subaru had been wondering what exactly he'd do about the situation, but those words changed his mind. Subaru had always seen Amber as someone stronger than she seemed, but for someone like her to call him strong… He looked at Amber's grinning face and made his mind up.

"I'll remain an adventurer. If the Fatui wants to kill me, let them try."

'If they do kill me, I can just avoid them next time.'

"Mr Natsuki, please do not underestimate them," Jean requested. "The Fatui are stronger than you would imagine. If one of the Harbingers were to come against you…"

"It's okay," Subaru shook his head. "Whatever comes, I'll handle it."

Amber grinned, trusting in Subaru's strength. Kaeya smiled, grateful that his wallet's sacrifice was finally appreciated. Lisa remained silent, while Jean sighed in disapproval.

"If you are set on this course, then I cannot change your mind," she said. "But this is on you, you must remember that. Your life is in your hands."

Subaru's gaze fell. "Yeah… that's true. I've accepted that a long time ago."

He would take responsibility for everything he'd lose. He'd fought Stormterror for so long, and a part of him still hated how he abused his ability for the good of Mondstadt, but that no longer mattered. Strength, just as Amber said. If he were to be called strong despite how weak he felt, he would ignore that side of him and spend his life yet again.

Nothing he went through in his lost lives matters anymore, because they don't exist anymore. As such, he decided to put his past agony behind him, including the tension he still felt because of Stormterror, and finally move on.

"If that is all, then you should go talk to Katheryne, Mr Natsuki," Jean said.

"Right. I'll see you all later, then."

Amber chased Subaru out as he left. "Subaru! Do you mind if I commission you for Outrider work sometime?"

"Sure! Just let me know when!"

As the two left, the remaining three knights looked at each other.

"Teenagers," hummed Lisa. "They're so precious."

"Those two will get each other killed with their antics," Jean remarked. "Kaeya."

"Yes, Captain?"

"You told me that Subaru was honest about his role in the Abyss Order… are you certain about that?"

"What's with… ah, you believe Paimon?"

"Mr Natsuki looked like he was covering her slip-up when she called it a lie. This begs the question: is he truly a member of the Abyss Order?"

"Why would he lie about such a thing?" Lisa wondered.

"… he came in with news of Stormterror. He needed to be believed, so he must have created that persona to pass off his knowledge. Kaeya, you were the one who told me he was telling me the truth."

Kaeya shook his head. "I don't know what to say, Grandmaster. I merely told you what I saw of him. I did not detect that he was lying, so that was what I said."

"Then he is an expert at lying," Jean concluded. "A liar with access to a means of acquiring information, and yet he easily gave away how he was covering Paimon's mistake… just who and what is Natsuki Subaru?"

The others remained silent at the unanswered question.


Just before Subaru reached Katheryne, he remembered another commitment he had to handle. He first dropped Paimon off at Good Hunter for her lunch, decidedly ignoring Sara's comments about his tab. Moving a little further past the guild desk after a furtive wave to Katheryne, he followed the sound of clashing metal.

"What can I do for - oh, it's you," Wagner remarked. "What, need a touch-up in that spear of yours after beating Stormterror with it?"

Subaru chuckled. "Well, I'm sorry to say that I lost that spear in the middle of the battle."

"Huh?! Didn't I ask you to take care of it?"

"I know! I'm so sorry! But in return, I have something else for you!" He summoned his whip into his hand. "I finally remember about this thing!"

Yes, he'd made the promise to reveal Guiltywhip's origins to the smith in an earlier run, but when he got his spear that time, he ended up asking the same request of him.

"Oh? What is it, then?"

"It's name is Guiltywhip. It's made of the hide of otherworldly creatures known as Guiltylowes. I got it made in my home world."

"Homeworld? So you truly are an Otherworlder…"

That voice was not Wagner, alarming Subaru. He turned around to see a medium-built man with beige hair reaching his shoulders drawing something on a canvas in his hand. His clothes were as ornate as anyone else in Mondstadt, with an indigo shirt with black decals and black pants, half covered by knee-length boots. Over that rested a white coat with a black hood. Subaru even noticed an odd mark on his throat, a yellow blemish that reminded him of a puncture wound.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Tha's Albedo, a super alchemist," Wagner introduced him. "I don't know what business you got, but if it ain't about weapons, get outta my shop. And you, boy, I'll fix ya up with a new spear. Thanks for the info on yer whip."

Nodding to him, Subaru turned back to Albedo who was currently appraising the canvas in his hand. With a nod, he turned it to Subaru, showing him a depiction of him waving Guiltywhip in the air.

"That's… well made. Sorry, why are you here again?"

"You are a curious one, Natsuki Subaru. For someone who has never been to Mondstadt or even Teyvat before, you seem to come with a trove of history." Albedo sent away the brush and canvas he was holding with a few sparks.

Subaru looked back at Wagner, who was glaring at them, then walked away from the store. Making sure Albedo was following him, he moved to a more secluded area between buildings.

"History?" Subaru finally questioned. "What are you talking about?"

"… never mind that. I was merely curious about you, and if you truly had arrived here."

"… huh?"

"Say, does the name 'Rine' mean anything to you?"

"… you're really weirding me out right now."

"Understood. Let me return to my original question, then. You are from another world, aren't you?"

"Huh?! Wait, what's with this sudden shift?"

"…"

"Fine. Yes, I'm from another world. I got here and I got Infected so I became a member of the Abyss Order-"

"No need to lie, I know you were never part of them."

"Okay, just who the hell are you?!"

"That is a subject for later," Albedo shook his head. "This was a good discussion. I promise that our next interaction will be more amicable than this."

Albedo walked away. Subaru wanted to give chase to find out exactly what he meant, but the memory of the Geo Vision under his neck changed his mind. Moreover, chasing someone as high profile as Wagner made him out to be after his recent name-clearing would be suicidal to his reputation.

"Oh well…" Subaru walked out of the alleyway and up the stairs of the Market Square, returning to meet Paimon in Good Hunter. Surprisingly enough, she was done with her food by then.

"So quick?" Subaru wondered out loud. "I thought you'd go for two more rounds or something."

"Hey! Paimon doesn't want to get fat!"

"You know, I honestly doubt that."

"Grr!" Paimon cutely stomped the air in frustration. Chuckling, Subaru resolved the bill and took Paimon down to the Guild Office.

"You didn't finish it yet?" She questioned, asking about his discussion with Katheryne.

"No, I got sidetracked."

"What a Stinky Space thing to do, Stinky Space."

"Hello again, both of you," Katheryne greeted them. "What brings you to the guild today?"

"Yo, Katheryne! We're ready to go on quests from now on!"

"Really? I thought you would be recovering from your bout with Stormterror."

"Nah, I've rested enough." Subaru held up a clenched fist. "I'm feeling stronger than ever!"

Katheryne chuckled. "Very well. Let me see what I have for you today…"


A/N: And there's the official end of the arc. I do have a slight idea of what I want to do next, so just let me know what you think of it. I'm planning on writing the Unrequited Stars quest. I did not join Genshin when the quest ran and I have yet to watch the entire quest on Youtube, so please let me know if you think this is a bad idea and why.

Also, if any of you know when Treasure Hunters were introduced as enemies, please tell me. I have been hoping to involve them in this story.

Now, this may surprise you, but I still haven't played the Fontaine chapter. As I said a while ago, I had quit Genshin. I did try coming back to it at one point and I started the Fontaine Quest, but I cringed at how familiar the motions of every NPC was. That made me think of how Genshin would needlessly extend story plots, and that drove away my motivation to continue. I do want to continue at some point, but I really don't want to at the same time. This is also affecting my ability to write this story. I'm having trouble making these characters unique. If the knights sounded like blank slates in this chapter, then I'm sorry, that's my bad. Maybe it's time for me to actually write these characters in proper profiles, outlining their behaviours and everything.

For the Unrequited Stars quest, if any of you are concerned about Mona's story quest being omitted, don't keep wondering. It's being omitted. Mona's a Mondstadt character that was introduced in Liyue, no way in hell am I gonna wait until the Liyue book to introduce her. Even if the next chapter won't be about this quest, I still won't include Mona's quest. Moreover, Subaru meeting Klee will take more care than one would think. Klee is Alice's daughter, after all, and Subaru will recognise her as such.

If any of you have recommendations for side stories you want to see before I continue with the main storyline and with Subaru meeting Venti, please let me know. I will definitely consider it.

Also, fellow writers please let me know. Are you able to see your traffic stats anymore? I just noticed that I had gotten zero views for the past month... but I had gained favorites and follows in that time. Should I submit a report on this bug, or is it something everyone's facing?

Reviews!


Guest: Whips are definitely useless in a battle, I agree. I honestly don't know why Teppei gave him that as a weapon, but I'm not one to complain. He's not skilled enough with the spear to switch weapons, though.

I'm glad to hear your comments about my representation of Subaru. That's one of the things I'm most proud about in this series. Subaru is a really complex character to write due to the constant need to reference psychology when dealing with him. I'm just glad that I was able to image Subaru well enough to represent him accurately enough.

Also, the boy in green clothes is not Otto, don't worry. It's a Genshin Character; surprising, I know.


Well, that's all for now. I'll see you next chapter!