Evening

11th of May, 1916

City of Mondstadt

They had finally arrived in Mondstadt. Keqing was exhausted, having to put up with haughty and opportunistic merchants for the whole trip would do that to anyone. She bitterly threw a glance at Ningguang, who had been in her element this whole time. They were good friends, but times like these reminded Keqing just how insufferable the Tianquan could be.

On their way, they came across a Hunter from Springvale, and he turned out to be the best trove of information they could ask for.

If he was correct, then what came through the portal were people, soldiers of two nations called 'France' and 'Great Britain'. And apparently, the Traveler was in their company.

The caravan was abuzz with this new information, it was all everyone could talk about. Some wanted to meet them, to be able to speak to men from another world, and perhaps even trade with them. Others wanted absolutely nothing to do with them, seeing them as potential invaders. Keqing found herself among the former than the latter. She too wanted to be able to speak with them, though that would all be in due time.

The merchant caravan was coming upon the city gates when she caught sight of a familiar blond by the Adventurer's Guild. She was about to call out to the Traveler, but she noticed that he was still locked in conversation with Katherine, and that he was also accompanied by a man in a blue uniform, it looked like. From where she stood, Aether seemed to be getting a Commission.

"-fine, lead the way." the man beside Aether had said.

'They're coming this way!' Keqing thought.

She was about to walk up to them when Ningguang called her over. The entire caravan was being vetted by the Knights at the gate before being allowed entry. This also meant she had to wade through the many merchants already in line to have their goods checked. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Aether and his blue companion walk out of the city.

"I wonder who his friend is?" Keqing said aloud.

"They look like they're from Fontaine," said Ningguang, "that uniform of his certainly fits their fashion. However, didn't that Hunter say he was in the company of the Otherworlders? I think that man is one of them."

Keqing watched the two walk away, particularly the blue uniformed man. It was strikingly similar to Fontainian fashion, but Ningguang had a point. A Fontaine Guard all the way out in Mondstadt? That and the man was also visibly armed with a sword by his hip and a holster on the other, weapons the Guards lacked.

"Maybe we can speak to the Otherworlders soon?"

Evening

11th of May, 1916

Windrise, Mondstadt

Aether had led him into the plain of Windrise. The first thing he noticed was the giant tree Paimon had described earlier in the day. It stood above everything else in Windrise, and just as Paimon said, one of the Statues of the Seven was just beneath its canopy.

"What God did Miss Paimon say looked over Mondstadt? Barbarossa?"

"Barbatos," Aether corrected, "he's the Archon of Anemo. Though unlike the other nations, he's not around a whole lot."

"Oh, why is that?" Dubois asked.

"He wants his people to be free from his meddling. He'll step in when things get really bad, but for the most part he wants Mondstadt to flourish without him. That's why the city is often called the City of Freedom." Aether explained, "He's also quite the fan of wine."

Dubois nodded in understanding, "Have you ever met Barbatos? Or any of the other Gods?"

Aether nodded, "As an Outlander, they were all made aware of my presence if I interact with a Statue of the Seven. It's how I got my elemental powers, actually."

"You're saying anyone from another world can gain elemental power?" Dubois asked.

"Let's test it out."

The pair walked up towards the Statue of the Seven, Aether pushing Dubois forward. The Frenchman stepped towards the statue, gazing up at the depiction of Barbatos sitting at the top of it. Unsure of what to do, he looked to Aether, the blond simply urging him to touch the statue with his hand.

And so Dubois did just that. He placed his hand flat against the statue, closing his eyes to try to make out any weird feelings he might feel from it. The statue felt cold, the stone was visibly worn, and its smell reminded him of morning dew.

That was all he got from the statue, however. No other feelings of power or discomfort. He looked back to Aether, who also seemed a bit confused.

"Is something supposed to have happened by now?" he asked, "I'm not feeling anything."

"The effects were almost instant for me. I'm not sure why it's not working for you."

Dubois removed his hand from the statue and stepped back, "Perhaps you have something that I do not."

"Maybe. Well, at least we know that you can't get elemental power from a statue, then." Aether remarked, "Let's go and find that Hilichurl camp we need to clear."

It didn't take long to find said camp. It was situated right in the middle of Windrise, with a few Hilichurl warriors and crossbows strewn about. A few of them looked tired from what Dubois could tell. Maybe these Hilichurls were runaways from the Gorge, he wondered.

"What's the plan?" he asked Aether.

"I usually just go in and clear it. You follow close behind me."

Before he could get a word in, Aether materialised his sword and lunged into the camp, blowing back the first few Hilichurls with a windblade. Dubois quickly followed up behind him, drawing his sword and pistol.

The Hilichurls, caught off guard, were unable to put up any real resistance. Aether's elemental mastery and Dubois' accuracy with his pistol gave them very little room to actually breathe. The last Hilichurl was felled by Aether, who then looked back to see Dubois feeding more bullets into his repeating pistol from the top. He really needed to ask more about those.

"I think… that's all of them…" Aether managed out between laboured breaths.

"Yes, it appears so. Perhaps next time we actually plan out a strategy instead of charging headlong into the enemy? As an officer, I am accused of that enough." Dubois quipped.

Aether nodded, catching his breath, "Sorry. I'm just used to doing this on my own. Paimon helps where she can, but she's not exactly a fighter. She usually just sits by the side and encourages me or calls out any enemies I missed."

With their commission finished, the pair went back to Mondstadt, unaware of a certain Bard that had been watching them this whole time.

Morning

12th of May, 1916

Paris, France

Pierre Roques had chosen to stay in Paris to oversee the portal and the supply of materials for the construction of Forth Berthier. Joseph Joffre, as Commander in Chief, returned back to the front, the Germans continuing their siege on Verdun.

Newspapers had written of how a French soldier at the very beginning of the battle had been captured. This Frenchman was said to have told a German Officer that they would never step foot in Verdun. As of now, the French had kept their word. The German attacks were slowing down, becoming less frequent, and with new French regiments being cycled into the field, the Germans would now be facing a fresh defence should they attack again.

Roques looked at another paper, this time in English. His translator had read it for him. This paper had written about the portal in the Arc De Triomphe, one of the first outside of France to write about it. He worried that now that it had made global news, the Germans would become emboldened at the fact the French were now being tied down in their very own capital once their high command found out.

He looked out of his window in his office, gazing upon Paris. He sighed, wishing for the war to end. He knew however, that both sides would not back down after so long.

Lieutenant Jacob had just been informed by his captain that their battalion would be joining the fighting at Verdun. Having spent the past few days looking over their Guests from another world, Jacob had grown used to not having to actually fight. Now he would be thrown into the slaughterhouse, to join in the defence of Verdun.

He walked through Paris, his steps heavy, the collar of his officer's uniform feeling too tight. He would miss this city, however he knew that he needed to leave. Verdun was where the battle was ongoing, and his duty would be to be there as well.

He made his way to where his men had been quartered, calling them all for a meeting.

"We are going to Verdun." Jacob said solemnly , the looks of his men shifting to ones of depression or acceptance.

"It's our time now, huh."

"When do we leave?"

"Two days from now." answered Jacob, "Gather your belongings."

Morning

12th of May, 1916

Dadaupa Gorge/Fort Berthier

Colonel Augeureau had been overseeing the transfer of materials to construct Fort Berthier since last night after Captain Cartwright and Miss Paimon returned and informed him that the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius had given them permission. The men in the Gorge were put to work digging trenches and fortifications at the entrance of the Gorge while specialists were the ones beginning construction of the fort itself.

He had asked Captain Cartwright why Captain Dubois and Sir Aether had not returned. Apparently they were staying in Mondstadt to speak to the locals and try to gain their trust. He had heard of Captain Dubois and the actions of his men from Verdun, and he supposed he could trust him enough to stay in the city there. He just hoped that whatever he does wouldn't negatively affect France.

One Lieutenant Lambert had been assigned as his aide, and he had been pushing for coordinated patrols with the Knights of Favonius. It was after hearing of the ambush that Cartwright and the rest of them had experience that he began. In his view, what better way to earn their trust than to work alongside them?

Such things would have to wait, however. They were scarcely permitted to patrol anything outside of the Gorge, not having gotten the permission to do so.

It frustrated him how tied his hands were in this world. He hoped that the coming treaty with Mondstadt would allow the French some breathing room.

Picking up his kepi and placing it on his head, Augeureau stepped out of his tent and into the beginnings of Fort Berthier. The fort itself would be closely modelled after forts like Fort Vaux and Douaumont. They would be sunken into the Earth, with extensive tunnel systems interconnecting it all. The portal itself would be protected by a smaller fort within, like a castle keep. It would be based on old Star Forts in the past, ensuring that it would be protected on all sides with as little blind spots as possible.

The Fatui would have to think twice before crossing the portal this time.

Speaking of the Fatui, Augeureau needed to know more about them. The description Sir Aether and Miss Paimon gave of them painted a paramilitary bullying its way through Teyvat. While he had no way of knowing if that was true, it was still concerning, especially with the knowledge that their 'Pyro Agents' had been running around Paris.

France needs to do everything it can to avoid a war in Teyvat. That was certain. Augeureau could only wait for the arrival of their diplomats to handle the political side of things for them.

He was brought out of his musings when Lieutenant Lambert approached him, giving a salute that Augeureau returned before speaking.

"Sir, our diplomat to Mondstadt has arrived." Lambert said, "He would like to meet with Captain Cartwright and yourself."

"I will meet them. You find the Captain."

"Yes, sir."

Morning

12th of May, 1916

City of Mondstadt

Having returned from their commission, Dubois and Aether had gone to the Adventurer's Guild to get their reward. Aether had taken a third of the mora, giving the rest to him in a bag that he tied onto his belt. While he wasn't logged as an official Adventurer, many of them still saw Dubois with their Honourary Knight. A few noted that his uniform was 'Fontainian', coming to the assumption that he was from that nation.

They were just about to return to the Knights Headquarters when a girl in purple and a bird stopped them.

"What ho? Oh noble knight from afar, it is a pleasure to parlay with you after so long." she said.

"What she means to say is, 'I've missed you'." the bird, translated?

"Fischl! How have you been?" Aether asked the girl.

"I have been trekking the shadows of the Immernachtreich for clues of the whereabouts of the evil-doers that dared to violate the peace of this world! The ones that plague the dreams of the innocent with Night-Mares, so we may rein them in and put them to justice!"

"She has been searching for the Abyss Order."

"Oh? Traveler, I do not recall if I have ever met your friend before." Fischl said, looking over to Dubois.

"This is Captain Jean Dubois. I'm showing him around Mondstadt."

"Yes, a pleasure to meet you." Dubois said, extending an arm for a handshake.

"It is a pleasure to meet you too, Captain. I am the Prinzessin Der Verurteilung, Fischl. Might I be privy to how you know of our mutual confidant here?"

"I come from across the portal." Dubois said bluntly.

Fischl's eyes widened, "O-Oh! S-So you too have come from another world? Then perhaps I shall grant you the privilege of allowing you to speak to me in as casual a manner as I have with the Traveler."

"She means, 'nice to meet you, Sir Dubois." the bird said.

It only just hit Dubois that he was speaking to a talking bird, "And who are you?" he asked.

"I am the Prinzessin's loyal familiar, Oz." the bird answered, "it is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Dubois. Have you two just finished a commission?"

Aether nodded, "We cleared out a Hilichurl camp together."

"Yes. We were on our way back to the Knights Headquarters where my men are."

"I see. Well, do not let me stop you from attending your duties. I shall return to mine." Fischl said, beginning to walk off with Oz, "Till' we meet again, travelers from another world!" Aether and Dubois walked off, allowing Fischl to speak to Katheryne.

"She was… nice."

"Yeah, Fischl's a little bit hard to handle, but you'll get used to her." Aether said, "I'll lead you back to the Headquarters now."

"Yes, lead the way."

With the sun now shining over it, Mondstadt had become much more busy as it was the day before when they had first arrived. People all came out to go to work or to buy whatever food or goods they needed for the day. There were also quite a few merchants around selling their wares, though it seemed not many were making a lot of sales. The merchants he had been told were Snezhnayan by Aether were all being looked at with scorn by the people of Mondstadt, some of them hurling insults as well.

He paid it no mind. Far be it for him to meddle in affairs he really has no stake in. The words from Colonel Augeureau repeating in his mind.

'Don't start a war.'

'France cannot afford another war.'

"Everyone's pretty tense," remarked Aether, looking around, "it's not usually like this in Mondstadt."

"I understand. I am a foreigner from another world, of course they would be tense."

They walked in silence before being stopped by an altercation between what looked like a local and a Snezhnayan merchant. Her wares were strewn about and her cart had been tipped over. The local was yelling profusely at the merchant, so loud that it was difficult to actually understand him.

"Hey! What's going on here?" Aether quickly put himself between the merchant and the local.

"This rat here ripped me off! She's advertising that she's selling her pocket watches with a 'buy one get one half off' sale, and then goes ahead and charges me for two anyway!"

"That's because one of the watches you chose is of a higher quality, you idiot! Of course it's going to cost more!"

Dubois stood by the sidelines, not wanting to get involved. A simple scuffle like this could very well blow out of proportion and paint France in a bad light in Teyvat, depending on his actions. That was the last thing they needed.

"Should've known this would happen! You Snezhnayan rats are all a bunch of liars and cheats!"

"Maybe if you actually read the prices you'd notice how different they are! What are you, illiterate?"

A few others were now throwing their hats into the ring, so to speak. Fellow Snezhnayan merchants backed up the woman, while Mondstadters sided with the man.

"Everyone calm down! We can talk this out!" Aether said, trying and failing to diffuse the situation.

Everyone's voices were adding into the cacophony of noise, and the fact that no Knights had even arrived yet meant that these people just grew louder and louder, their faces red from anger and from all the yelling.

Dubois really wanted to intervene, but again, he worried that if he were to side with either the merchant or the customer that it would lead to something greater. He found his hand reaching for his pistol, however.

"Go back to Snezhnaya!"

"Why don't you guzzle on your precious wine you drunkards!"

More insults, more yelling. Then a fist.

Dubois winced, "Merde…"

It had landed right in the face of one of the Snezhnayans, who had been sent reeling back from the strike. He clutched his nose, blood dripping from it. Blood that everyone else picked up on, readying to start throwing their hands at each other as well.

Before that could happen however…

-BANG-

Dubois fired his Broomhandle into the air, the mosh pit of people turning towards him, frightened. He eyed them all with frustration and disappointment, holstering his pistol before speaking.

"Everyone go home." was all he said, but it seemed effective enough as the crowd grew smaller and smaller, leaving only the Snezhnayan watch merchant and her wrecked cart of watches.

Dubois approached her, untying his bag of mora from his belt and handing it to her. She looked up at him with surprise, surprise at his uniform and surprise at his generosity

"For your troubles," he said.

The woman eked out a weak smile, "Thank you."

She took hold of the bag of mora, and Dubois left her to clean up her cart. He quickly met back up with Aether, who had been watching his handling of the situation.

"I am sorry you had to see that." Dubois apologised.

Aether in turn brought up his hands and shook his head, "No need, you had it in hand. I'm just disappointed I couldn't do much."

"Well, the crowd looked like they needed a scare. Nothing you could say would placate them."

"I guess. Hey, where were the Knights? They should've appeared during that whole fight."

Dubois looked around, also noting the lack of any Knightly presence, "I think they may be all out on patrol. An army from another world arriving to theirs would likely be the reason."

"Yeah. Let's head back to the Knight's Headquarters, hopefully nothing horribly bad happened during the night."

Upon reaching the Headquarters, they were let in by the two guards and ushered into Jean's office, where Lieutenant Augustin, Sergeant Dessent, and the Acting Grandmaster Jean were all present.

"I am glad that you have returned, Captain." said Augustin in heavily accented English, offering a salute.

Dessent also saluted him, returning back to a more relaxed posture once Dubois returned it, "What were you out doing, sir?"

"Sir Aether was showing me the Adventurer's Guild, one of the largest international organisations in this world." Dubois explained, "He took me out on a commission to clear a Hilichurl camp."

"You look exhausted, Captain." Jean noticed, "Perhaps it would be wise of you to rest? We can give you some quarters to do so."

"I would appreciate that, yes. There are still some things to discuss until then."

Jean raised an eyebrow, "I thought that your Lieutenant going over everything in your list was all you wanted to talk about."

"This matter regards the Fatui." Dubois said.

"I should've known you would already know about them. What do you wish to discuss then?"

Dubois looked to Aether, seemingly signalling him to speak.

"Right before we came across the portal," Aether began, "I thought I had noticed something. I used my elemental sight and was able to find Fatui Pyro Agent boot prints in Paris."

"The Fatui have crossed into France." Dubois added, "They have violated our sovereignty by sending their Agents into our territory without our knowledge, and while we are in a time of war. We do not know if the Fatui have done anything in Paris yet, but the fact remains that they have had ample opportunities to do so. Our very capital has been compromised."

Jean was livid now, "They crossed the portal? Lisa told me that she had detected their boot prints near the Gorge, but we had all assumed that they wouldn't be stupid enough to actually go through it! Whoever sent those Agents has some explaining to do!"

Noon

12th of May, 1916

Goth Grand Hotel, Mondstadt

"Oh dear…"

Koralev had spent the better half of yesterday and the night reading through his Agent's reports and speaking to them to get a gauge on the abilities of the men in blue. From what they gathered, they numbered roughly 1,000 strong, every one of them armed with some sort of repeating musket, and were all well trained and disciplined. They were also bringing in what looked to be cannons through the portal and construction materials. The French, it seemed, would be here to stay.

He read through the descriptions of their equipment written by his Agents. They wrote that the only armour the French seemed to wear were their helmets. They had many belts criss-crossing across their torsos where pouches were located, likely to hold their ammunition. Their officers forwent their helmets in favour of a decorated hat.

Their weaponry, all of them a kind of musket, were also quite advanced if his Agents were to be believed. A range had been set up for the French where their men were firing their weapons. His agents noted that many of the French soldiers had to pull back a rod on their muskets after each shot, and that they loaded roughly eight rounds at most. Other soldiers were armed with a different kind of musket, one with a half moon thing jutting out of its bottom. This weapon was described to be able to fire continuously without any sort of cycling of an action.

These descriptions of their weapons painted a picture of an army lacking in the elements like the Fatui, but making up for it in their industrial capabilities. Assuming that every single soldier of the French was armed with one of these weapons, then they could wage war in Teyvat and potentially even win.

Koralev had been out on a walk, noting the many merchants now vying for the attention and mora of the Mondstadters when he witnessed a clash between the locals and Snezhnayan merchants. A clash which had been broken up by a man in a blue uniform firing a small musket into the air.

Not only were they in Teyvat, but they were now within Mondstadt. The French were quickly spreading their influence, and knowing how unpopular the Fatui were in Mondstadt, Koralev held no delusions of the people of Mondstadt siding with them over the French.

That all depended on what the French wanted, however. No Agents had been able to follow the French in Mondstadt due to all of them having been sent to the Gorge, so Koralev was in the dark regarding what the French demands were.

Upon returning to Goth Grand Hotel, Koralev immediately went straight for his office and began writing a letter to the Tsaritsa herself. This communication with the Tsaritsa was often given only to the Harbingers, but with no Harbingers in Mondstadt and with Koralev making himself leader, he figured that he was the next best thing.

He read it through each time, crossing out whatever he felt was unnecessary, before writing his good draft on another paper.

'Holy Tsaritsa,'

'I, your humble servant, wish to inform you of a great occurrence in the nation of Mondstadt. A portal leading to another world, to another nation, had opened in Dadaupa Gorge. An otherworldly army has already set foot in Teyvat, and for the time being the majority of them are content with sitting on their behinds in the Gorge.'

'Despite that, they have already sent a delegation to Mondstadt, no doubt demanding for Mondstadt to allow these Otherworlders, the French, to station their troops in their sovereign soil. This transgression against an ally of Snezhnaya should not be ignored.'

'These French soldiers are all well equipped and well trained. They are armed with repeating muskets, weapons they used to clear Dadaula Gorge of all the Hilichurls that called it home.'

'I ask of you, oh holy Tsaritsa, to support our endeavours in curtailing the spreading of their influence. It is my belief that the responsibility of keeping Teyvat safe from the French falls upon our glorious nation of Snezhnaya, on the shoulders of us all. We must work to protect Teyvat, to keep it pure. Your benevolence must be felt across the world.'

'I, your most humble and undeserving servant, ask this of you, holy Tsaritsa.'

Koralev folded the paper and put it in an envelope, stuffing it into his coat. Stepping outside of his office, he saw one of his diplomat colleagues, Paul, who seemed to be without anything to do.

"Sir Paul," Koralev called out, "I am needed in Liyue. I am placing you in charge of the Mondstadt branch."

Paul looked like a deer caught in lantern light, "W-What?"

Koralev placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "I trust in you, Paul. Make the Tsaritsa proud."

Without giving the poor man any opportunity to speak, Koralev turned around and out of the hotel, ordering for a horse to take him to Liyue. Once there, he planned on going to Northland Bank so he may deliver his letter safely.

Afternoon

12th of May, 1916

Dadaupa Gorge/Fort Berthier

"Sir Jacques, a pleasure to meet you." Augeureau greeted the diplomat, extending an arm, "I hope your experience coming across the portal was all well and good. We have had no reports of any sort of sickness yet, though it is good to keep an eye out."

"I assure you, my nausea is simply due to the fact that we are walking in another world." he remarked, shaking Augeureau's hand, "Mondstadt is the nation we will be meeting, yes?"

Augeureau nodded, "We had sent a small party to the city of Mondstadt yesterday to quell any fears that the Mondstadters may have about us. Some of them are still in the city as we speak."

"I see. Sorry, but would it be alright if I took a walk around the Gorge?" Jacques asked, "I would like to take in the scenery before the fort is completed."

"Of course, follow me."

The tour around Dadaupa Gorge allowed Jacques to see the sprawling French camps and what remained of the Hilichurl villages. Most of their huts had been burnt down, though some still stood and were now being used by the French. More permanent buildings were being constructed by the portal. At the mouth of the Gorge, casements armed with machine guns and light artillery were being built as well.

Every now and then a small band of Hilichurls would return to the Gorge, likely intent on taking it back. Every single one of their attempts was met with French rifle and machine gun fire. Now that it was reaching the better half of the day it seemed the Hilichurls were now smartening up, realizing that attempting to retake the Gorge was a foolhardy endeavour.

"You certainly work fast," Jacques remarked, "You're already well underway into turning this Gorge into another Verdun. All we need are the Germans and it would be perfect."

Augeureau ignored Jacques' statement, leading him into his tent to go over the meeting with Mondstadt. He gave him a copy of the map their Guests had given previously, and put together a guard to take him to Mondstadt the next morning.

"Is there any reason I cannot leave soon? Why wait until morning?"

"From what Captain Cartwright of the British contingent said, the Knights of Favonius are all exhausted after having to deal with the portal. We believe it is best to give them that sorely needed rest so it does not seem that we are taking advantage of them while they are vulnerable." Augeureau explained.

"But we still are taking advantage of them, yes?"

He nodded, "Such is diplomacy, or so I'm told."

"Yes, you are quite correct."

"Have there been any alterations to our list of demands?" Augeureau asked.

"For the most part, no. There have not been any alterations. Anything else we can bring up at a later date.

The two men sat down, the Colonel grabbing a bottle, "Care for a drink?"

"Please."

He poured two cups of wine for each of them, handing one to Jacques. Augeureau then raised his high, "To peace."

Jacques did the same, "To peace."

Afternoon

12th of May, 1916

The Vois Sacrée, Verdun

The Vois Sacrée, the Sacred Way, was the main and only road that allowed the French to support their defence of Verdun. The Germans had done an excellent job of cutting off the city and its surrounding area during their initial attack, but the Vois Sacrée remained in French hands.

Robert Nivelle watched as more men were being sent into Verdun through this single road. He had taken command of the 2nd Army after General Pétain had been promoted to look over the entire Verdun sector. Now, the weight of his new command was crushing him.

The Germans kept attacking, using Fort Douaumont as a sort of anchor in their lines, and to taunt and demoralise the French. Their massive 280 and 420 mm artillery pieces had torn away the French countryside, leaving it stripped bare, the soil turning grey. Many of their forts in Verdun were being hammered to dust, unable to withstand the German onslaught of artillery and infantry waves.

The French were holding on barely. The Germans themselves seemed to have overstretched their lines, unable to make any meaningful offensives. The French as well were exhausted, battered, and demoralised after the constant fighting they had endured. The new units being cycled into Verdun had helped, but the situation continued to look bleak.

Nivelle had just finished up a meeting with some of his officers, going over their directives and what to expect from command the next coming days.

Above all, he made it very clear that they would not permit a single German to step foot in the city of Verdun. If they wished to bleed France white, then they would do the same to them.

This, Nivelle thought, was not a gentleman's war. That was the kind of war he and so many other officers had been taught to fight. It was made clear after 1914 that they had prepared for the wrong kind of war. They had scrambled to quickly catch up with the Germans, having adopted a cheap automatic light assault weapon in the Chauchat, steel helmets to protect against shrapnel in the form of the Adrian, and they had replaced their flamboyant, red trousered uniforms of 1914 with dull shades of horizon blue.

This however, was not enough to win the war. They had shifted their equipment to be more modern, yes, but their thinking still was lagging behind. Nivelle thought of the Commander in Chief, Joseph Joffre, and his belief in morale playing the most important role in a modern army.

What good is having a well motivated army when they get cut down before they can even see the enemy? What good is building on each soldier's character when they will simply be shot and forgotten? France had prepared for the wrong war.

And as more men were being driven along the Vois Sacrée, Nivelle could only hope that they would do France proud.

Evening

12th of May, 1916

Dornman Port, Mondstadt

Yelan had just returned from scouting out Dadaupa Gorge, having taken care to not be spotted by the Otherworldly French. She saw their weaponry in action against small Hilichurl bands, their quick construction of fortifications along the outskirts of the Gorge, and of their numbers. The language barrier stopped her from being able to understand anything they said, and their expressions weren't all that helpful either in that regard. She had purchased a Kamera upon arriving in Dornman Port, and she certainly put it to good use.

Now, she was walking through Dornman port, thinking over the potential consequences of the French presence in Teyvat. She was unsure of what exactly they wanted, and that annoyed her to no end. With no way of knowing their goals, she couldn't come up with contingencies or anything else in case the French turned out to not be as friendly as they wanted to seem.

It was just her luck that a Snezhnayan Merchant she had spoken to told Yelan that the French were already in Mondstadt. The merchant had had some of her watches she was selling broken by a crowd of angry Mondstadters when one of the French dispersed them and offered her his money. It was a nice story, but the actions of one person couldn't speak for the whole group. She was still distrustful of the French presence. She was often distrustful of everyone, but in this situation she felt it was justified.

Dornman Port was bustling with activity even as the day drew into night. Many merchants and sailors had been forced to stay aboard their ships for the previous night, some merchants having complained about how it had set back their schedules.

Famished, Yelan decided to visit one of the local eateries, specifically one that wasn't so close to the harbour. Every restaurant, tavern, and so on there was filled to the brim with sailors and merchants. She eventually found a comparatively empty pizzeria called 'Embers', surprising since it hadn't already closed.

"Welcome to Embers," said one of the employees, "What would you like to order?"

Yelan pointed to a deluxe pizza, "I'll have a slice of that one."

The employee nodded, lifting the slice into a plate, and handing it to Yelan, "That'll be 400 mora."

Having paid for her food, Yelan sat down at one of the free tables and dug in. She rarely ever operated outside of Liyue, so she had very few opportunities to sample foreign food. She made sure that no one was paying her any mind while eating, and once she felt safe, she pulled out some photos she had taken with her Kamera. The photos all depict the French, and what she assumed were their allies, in the Gorge.

One major observation she had made while scouting was the complete lack of the elements in their equipment. It was unclear if their weapons would be effective against foes that did harness them, with only the Hilichurls having fought the French. She'd need to keep watching them in order to gauge their capabilities.

Yelan put away her photos and turned her attention back to her pizza, enjoying the moment before she had to get back to work.

Something big was going to happen with the French now in Teyvat. Yelan doubted that they would be ready.