Genshin Impact: Mondstadt Alter

Act 1 Chapter 5.0:

His Trust

After the morning ceremony in the main hall of the Church finished, I walked out of my room and was about to head to the Seneschal's office right after. Numerous sisters are dispersed there, but I sense Rosaria isn't among them, even though I rely mainly on my power instead of my sight.

Knowing her, I suppose that's something she would do.

I proceed towards my original destination objective when I observe a young girl with ash blonde hair standing by the door, on the verge of entering the Seneschal's office. I maintain silence as I draw near, and she eventually becomes aware of my presence.

"Oh, Morgan! Good morning. What are you doing here?"

I stare at her momentarily before replying, "Good morning to you as well. I'm here to discuss something with The Cardinal Daybreak." I stated before adding, "You're Barbara, correct?"

She raises her eyebrows and then smiles brightly, "Yeah, you're right. It's surprising that you know my name despite this being our first meeting. I thought you were always too busy with your schedule."

"Forgive me for being rude. It's kind of slipped from my head to say hi to you, even with your father and other sisters mentioning you quite frequently."

"Don't worry about it. You've been through a lot, after all." She reassured, wagging her head.

She communicates soothingly and comes across as more truthful than some I've interacted with. Also, I could be crazy, but why does she share some similar impression with the Alder Knight? Are they related?

"Initially, I took the initiative to initiate our first contact, but you've been leaving early and coming back somewhat late."

"Is that so? I hope you didn't get the idea of me avoiding you on purpose."

She giggles, "Of course not. I don't think you are someone who would do something like that."

I can only bob my head to that.

"Well, shall we go in, then? I also happen to have something to tell Father." She asked as she was ready to knock on the door.

"Alright."

She then knocks on the door and waits for a response from within. Once we received the go-ahead to enter, Barbara took the initiative to open the door. I let her lead the way as I followed her from behind and closed the door behind us.

The Seneschal was standing near his desk with papers in his hand before putting them down and gazing in our direction. He seemed surprised to see me when he only heard his daughter's voice outside the room, however,

"What's the matter, Barbara?"

"Good morning, Father. I hope we didn't disturb your work by visiting you now."

"Oh, it's alright. I'm not too preoccupied with anything, so what brings you here?" The Seneschal approached us.

"I want to ask you something, but-" She suddenly halted and turned to me, "I think Morgan has a more pressing matter to say."

It caught me off guard when Barbara threw the ball of conversation to me out of nowhere like that. Thanks to that, the man standing in front of us is now looking at me.

"Is that so? It's somewhat of a rare occurrence to see you here. Please state your business being here, Morgan." His words sounded oddly aloof.

"Are you sure? I mean, what I'm going to say might take some time to discuss."

"Mm! Help yourself to it." She said without hesitation.

I blink a few times before softly sighing and starting to voice,

"If you say so. Then, I'm not gonna waste any more time than I should." I shrugged.

Both of them remain silent, encouraging me to express my thoughts further.

"I'll be leaving in a few days to live on my own."

They quickly widen their eyes upon hearing my declaration. Seeing that the two individuals appeared more bewildered by my words than anticipated, I decided to break the silence by providing further clarification.

"It's been a while since I've been staying here, and I feel a lot better recently. That's why I don't see the point of staying here any longer, and plus, I also don't want to bother you or anyone by taking care of me while I-"

"Wait, wait a second!" The Seneschal cut me off.

"I understand what you are saying, but why now? Are you overlooking what has happened to you and your statement the other day?" He added, "What made you think moving on your own is a good idea?"

"I don't mean offense to anyone here, but I can look after myself now. Besides, just because I'll live on my own, it doesn't mean my safety will suddenly drop. There are patrols from the Knight of Favonius around the city."

"That's not what I am trying to say, Morgan. You are more safe to stay here than at your home." He argued.

"The Seneschal has a point. This place might not be to your liking, but we're trying our best to support you." The daughter backed up.

I was hesitant to answer right away when she said that.

I really am a terrible person.

I resolve myself by taking a deep breath before saying, "You're probably right, but if my hunch is correct, then there would be a matter of time before I might accidentally put someone else in danger with me."

"What? There's no way that would happen. Whoever is behind this, it's very much unlikely for them to go to such an extent."

"Truthfully, I hope you're right, but as long as we hold this little clue, the best we can do is only come up with conjectures. I wish not to endanger anyone else with me."

"I understand your concern for our well-being, but it's important to note that the same worry applies from my end and everyone else regarding you."

I can tell from our banter that the Seneschal is being unpretentious with what he said. However, what I shared with him doesn't provide a compelling enough reason for him to allow me to depart from this place. This might be cruel, but I guess I have-

The door behind me opened suddenly amidst my thoughts. Both of them quickly look at who is the new visitor.

"Frederica?!" The Seneschal raised his voice, "What did you suddenly barge in like that? Where's your manner?"

She doesn't say anything and gazes coldly at my back before noticing the only girl in the room. The Alder Knight saunters towards us.

"Sorry to barge in like this." She said, "I need a moment with the Cardinal Daybreak and Morgan here. Do you mind to give us some space?"

"Oh, um, okay…" Barbara meekly agreed before leaving.

I can't help but notice her strange and cold demeanor to The Seneschal's daughter. Barbara's mood plummeted when she was told to leave us. Does it have something to do with my presence or something entirely else? The atmosphere in the room is so tense, it makes me break into a slight cold sweat.

"So? Let me ask you again, why are you here?" The Seneschal questioned once more.

"I initially wanted to discuss official matters but overheard your conversation a bit." She stated before peering at me, "I'm surprised you have the nerve to choose to live in your own home instead of a place that could protect you. Are you patronizing us that much?"

"... Such thought wouldn't ever cross my mind, ma'am."

That was all I could say. I'm not planning to argue here.

"Then you wouldn't have the idea of leaving knowing you're someone's target. You are naive if you think you can handle this problem yourself."

"Just because I leave this place doesn't mean anyone will attack me in the open."

Her eye twitches.

"You know what? I must be an idiot for not realizing you're such a self-centered person until now. You trust no one but yourself."

I feel my heart skip a beat. I was about to refute it until the Seneschal interrupted.

"Slow down, Frederica. He's just a kid. No need to be so harsh on him."

"What? You heard what he said, didn't you? This kid has problems, and I'm still trying to help despite everything he said and did to me!"

Her suddenly rile voice startled the Seneschal, especially me, even though I saw it coming.

"I know, but you need to cool down. There's no point in being so worked up like that."

She sighs while clutching her temple, "I just- don't understand this kid. We all are trying to help him, and he's just being so stubborn and distrustful against us."

"After everything he's been through, I can't blame him. Trust is earned, not given."

"..."

I've been silently listening to them talking about me in front of me as I clenched my hand behind my back.

"Right, back to the topic." The head priest turned his head to me, "Morgan, I'd like you to change your mind on this. I don't know how much your words hold the truth, but I really meant it when I say you're safer here."

"That's correct, and I don't want you to act brash again."

I shake my head, "I'm so sorry, but I've made up my mind."

"What's your motive behind that decision?"

"... It's nothing big. I want to stay at home and not inconvenience anyone any further. I do feel bad for what I said and did."

"You're running away?" She retorted.

"Frederica!" The Seneschal scolded.

"I can see now that you bear a low impression on me, but that is not my intention, ma'am. I delivered my message wrong to you, and it's my fault. Everything. I just need some alone time to amend things."

"You can say that is not your intention all you want, but your actions and saying proved otherwise." She commented.

"Alright. That's enough, you two." Before our banter got heated, the Seneschal interrupted by shifting our attention., "Frederica, how about we listen to what he says first? Let him explain himself."

"Is it necessary? He's neglecting his safety by doing that. You can't be serious about heeding his request, do you?" She demanded as she crossed her arms.

"That's why I want to hear his reasoning." He answered, "Can you elaborate on what's going on, Morgan? I promise I won't tell anyone."

The Cardinal Daybreak is one of the few people I can trust, the same goes for the Alder Knight, so telling them should be fine. However, at the same time, I need to be able to act without scrutiny. While I'm not aware of the extent of the danger myself, it is safe to say these two might resort to placing some more security.

I trust the Knights and the Church, but a big organization is bound to have bad apples.

"I'm pretty sure I've told the Alder Knight, but in case you want to hear it from me, then I don't mind. I have to warn you I have no concrete evidence to back my words, so it's up to you whether you find it credible. There are spies in this city who watch my movement."

The Seneschal's eyes open wide upon hearing that, but quickly recovers from the shock and responds, "What makes you confident about that notion? Or was it a mere hunch?"

"That again? You sure have the nerve to say that in front of me."

"I have sharp senses. I can tell when people are watching or following me. Besides, I find it odd that the timing of their attack was very convenient when the Alder Knight was on duty."

This time, the two are amazed. By stating the last sentence, I'm sure they realized what I meant. The day the attempt of the assassination happened, she was tasked with doing something else. I rejected her proposal for someone else to take her place as my bodyguard, and it was easy to convince her since nothing happened until then.

"You never tell me that." The Alder Knight commented.

"I was about to that day until you left abruptly."

The Seneschal raises a very good question, "If that is the case, then you should know who are the suspects, right?"

"Assuming what he said is true, that is."

"My point still stands. There's no point telling who they are if I don't have solid evidence against them."

These two gaze at me with dubious looks. There's no way anyone would believe that unless I prove it somehow, which I don't plan to. Those people could be paid just to give information regarding me without having any relation with whoever is behind this as only some watchers had REAL ill intentions toward me.

"And I swear on my parents and Barbatos, I tell no lies here."

Both appear to be shocked by the declaration as I show my sincerity this time.

"It seems you're not playing around." The Seneschal paused, "Something bugs me, however. Why did you decide to tell us now?"

"... I trust you two."

He stares at me for a long time before giving in,

"Alright, you win. Is there a way we can convince you to stay here, at least a little longer?"

I merely shake my head once again.

The blonde lady sighs, "I thought getting attacked twice would traumatize or even teach you a lesson, but apparently not. You are well aware of the consequences of your choice, right?"

"I am. I'll try my best to stay out of danger."

The Alder Knight and the Seneschal gaze at each other for a second before turning their head to me again.

"I really wish you not to put yourself in more danger than you already have, but at the same time, I want to respect your decision. I suppose letting you go shouldn't be that bad of an option. This place is not a prison, after all." The Seneschal expressed, "What do you think, Frederica?"

"Call me Alder Knight." She groaned lightly, "The final decision should be yours this time. I have nothing more to say."

"Thank you for accepting my selfish request." I bowed my head.

"But remember, do not do anything foolish, and do not hesitate to notify us or anybody if anything is amiss. You got it?" He reminded me once again.

"I'll nail that into my head." I nodded, "I'll take my leave now since you two have more matters to discuss without needing me to be here."

"Alright. I'll let everyone know about your withdrawal as soon as possible."

I silently nod before he quickly adds, "Morgan, we should discuss this matter again next time."

"I understand. Please excuse me." I said before opening the door and leave.

A/N: I planned to release this chapter last week, but I had to revise it a little due to a theory about Frederica from the internet, which I find quite interesting. Or maybe not, I'm just too stupid to see that. We all know Genshin's world is pretty dark when you look deep enough into the lore/text.

Thank you for reading, and carry on!