Genshin Impact: Mondstadt Alter

Act 1 Chapter 1.4:

Piecing All Clues

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I wait for people from the Knights are coming. It's been a few days, but the investigation of the incident isn't going anywhere. Or so I heard. They've been doing it without any information from me, after all.

Grand Master Varka and I agreed to discuss the incident further today. I'm curious about what they have found so far in exchange for me to tell them about what happened. Nearing the appointed time, they should come any time soon.

The moment I thought of them, I heard knocks on the door.

"Morgan, it's me."

"Come in."

The door opens and reveals a few people standing in front of it. Coming one by one, they position themselves in different spots. I quietly wait for them to come in until the last person closes the door.

Four persons are in the room, excluding me. Grand Master Varka, The Seneschal, and the others are someone I don't know.

"Shall we start now?" I began.

"No need to be haste, Morgan. Firstly, let those two introduce themselves to you. I gathered as few people as possible, like you asked." Grand Master protested.

"Right, allow us to do the honor. My name is Fernand, the captain of the Reconnaissance. My company and I are responsible for performing reconnoiter and fend off approaching enemies." He stands next to the Seneschal.

Well, you did a terrible job, then.

"A pleasure to meet you, Morgan." He continued.

"Likewise, sir."

"I'm Eroch, the Inspector of Knight of Favonius. I'm here to assist you in solving this incident. I hope we can work together." He sits on the chair.

I nodded.

"Before we begin, do you have any questions?"

"Isn't it a bit late for me to provide you guys with intel? It's been a few days since then. I doubt I could help much."

"I told you not to worry about it too much. While we got clues on our own, getting more from you definitely would increase the chance for us to find whoever was behind that incident." Grand Master Varka answered.

"That's why we'd ask for your cooperation. Let's hope we can find the root as soon as possible. We cannot let them get away from punishment."

"Besides, it'll be dangerous to let those responsible loose around Mondstadt."

"But, please don't burden yourself too much with this meeting." The Seneschal reminded.

I nod a few times, "Alright. Go ahead."

I've been itching to hear something more about that bastard. My head had nothing going on but that tragedy. I'm not a fan of meet-ups like this, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't have high hopes for them.

Grand Master Varka signals Eroch to speak, and after taking out a small notebook, he starts the meeting.

"The incident happened on 28th October, next to the entrance of the Drunkard Gorge. The documented victims were Seth Frederick, Maria Frederick, and Morgan Frederick. We confirmed the couple's death while their child survived but suffered grave injuries. After the crime scene inspection, we believed the incident's motive was pillage and murder. We have asked every owner vendor in Drunkard Gorge, possible witnesses from Springvale and nearby villages. However, since the event happened when it was storming, everyone was inside their house. Also, we apprehended some treasure hoarders close to the scene, but they knew almost nothing about it."

I paid attention to everything he said. I suppose that was just a summary of the actual report they have about it, and unless I'm mistaken, they ran out of clues. I'd love to know more details, but I don't think that's possible. Nothing seems out of the ordinary except one.

"What made you guys think those were the reasons?"

"Was it wrong?" Eroch asked.

"I'm just wondering. I can understand the murder part, but what about the pillage? Was there anything stolen from our carriage?"

"We believe so because we found nothing valuable in your wagon. In Drunkard Gorge, caravan stalls have been cleaned up and looted. It shouldn't be a coincidence those two events weren't related."

"Right. It's worth mentioning that while we expanded our search area, we didn't find traces of monsters in the vicinity. Those two scenes were too thoroughly and orderly plundered to be monsters' doing." Fernand noted.

"We assumed that the culprit was a group of treasure hoarders. Unfortunately, those we caught were not related to the incident."

"... I see." I muttered as I put my hands to support my body.

Now that I hear more of it, they're actually closer to the truth than I expected. There's only very little intel I can give to them at this point.

"I reckon those two have covered pretty much everything we got. So, it's your turn now, Morgan. What do you have to say?" Grand Master probed.

I close my eyes for a second.

First of all, I feel the Knight of Favonius and I share different points of view about these occurrences. They think the heist in Drunkard Gorge and my family's demise are related, whereas I do not. There's something distinct between that Kyle guy and the one who killed me and my parents.

Next, if somehow I end up on the wrong side, the reasons they mentioned aren't something I agree with. Because if it was, why did they let us go rather than kill and steal our stuff at that moment?

Finally, why did he take our goods? I doubt someone like him has an interest in wealth. That man was more like a killer than a theft. But honestly, it could be that treasure hoarder group, someone else, or even monsters that took our belongings.

I feel something is amiss.

"Morgan? Why do you stay silent?"

Hmm, I suppose I'm pondering too much.

"Sorry, I was just making sure I recalled everything I needed to tell you."

"Really? What is it?"

I told them about what happened that night, from where we got ambushed to the point where he slayed us. Trying my best to describe the poignant tragedy, I can feel my stomach twirling. Good things that I managed to finish the story I made before something emerged from my throat.

Everyone in the room has a complicated face. Grand Master Varka taps his finger, The Seneschal covers his mouth, Fernand rubs his chest, and Eroch tries to write my narration. Later on, no one speaks, and another person knocks on the door.

"Please come in."

"Excuse me," It's a sister bringing a tray, "I made tea for everyone."

"Thank you, Sister Edna. Can you share them with everyone?"

She nods before presenting all of us with a cup of tea. After everyone got their tea, she excused herself to leave the room.

I sip my tea until the Grand Master carries on the discussion.

"So, you are telling us that the one accountable for the incident was a group of treasure hoarders, and not only that, their leader has a vision?"

I nodded.

"Treasure hoarder with vision, huh?" Fernand mumbled.

"Why would people gifted by archons commit something so cruel?" The Seneschal wondered.

"Whatever it was, it doesn't matter. All I know is we find and put them behind bars as soon as possible." Grand Master retorted.

"I didn't know treasure hoarders would commit a murder."

"It's an exceedingly rare case, indeed. But those willing to go to such lengths do exist out there." Fernand noted.

I keep quiet to listen to them talking. We have pieced together every clue we got, but apparently, it's not enough. There's no more use to keep this discussion going if we don't progress further, but I proved wrong.

A/N: Fernand is just a placeholder name for the previous captain of the Reconnaissance before Eula. And for Eroch, unless you haven't read Genshin Impact manga, you should be familiar with him.

Thank you for reading, and carry on!