The Hounds of Justice

by XtremeXecutor

Years after the Vision Hunt Decree's abolition, Inazuma faces lingering injustice. The Raiden Shogun has not yet judged Kujou Takayuki, a criminal colluding with the Fatui. Disillusioned by the hiatus of the trial, teen commander Sallie leads his female knights on a mission to assassinate Takayuki directly.

2. The Winds of Rebellion

The Knights of Favonius office was quiet, the usual bustle of paperwork and foot traffic muted by the thick tension in the air. Jean stood behind her desk, her back straight, her gloved hands resting on a fresh report that had just been delivered to her. Across the room, leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed, Sallie watched her with that same cool indifference he always carried, the brim of his hat casting a shadow over his eyes. He hadn't even bothered to sit.

Lisa stood nearby, her usual playful smirk absent, replaced by a wary glance between the two. She had been in the room long enough to know what was coming. This was a familiar scene—too familiar, in fact—and though she enjoyed a bit of drama now and then, the friction between Jean and Sallie had worn thin even for her.

Lisa is tall and slender, her posture always relaxed yet poised, giving her the impression of someone who is in complete control at all times. Her long, wavy brown hair cascades down her back in loose curls, with a few strands framing her delicate face. Her hair is as much a part of her signature look as her voice, smooth and calming, often drawing in the attention of those around her. Lisa's green eyes are warm and inviting, always with a knowing glimmer, as if she's privy to some hidden truth about the world—or perhaps about the person she's speaking to. Despite her usual laid-back demeanor, her eyes can turn sharp and calculating when she's dealing with something serious, showing the depth of her intelligence and the weight of her knowledge.

Over the dress, Lisa wears a short capelet in a lighter purple, fastened at her neck with a small golden brooch that bears the symbol of Electro, the element she wields with ease. The capelet covers her shoulders but leaves her arms free to cast spells or reach for a book in the Knights' library. Her gloves, made of fine black leather, cover her arms up to her elbows, giving her an air of sophistication while also protecting her hands during her magical experiments.

Her hat, one of her most iconic features, is wide-brimmed and tilted slightly to one side. It's adorned with a violet rose and golden trim, adding a witchy flair to her otherwise scholarly appearance. The hat, combined with her knowing smile, gives Lisa the look of someone who always has a trick—or a spell—up her sleeve

Jean's voice cut through the quiet, steady but tight. "Springvale. Another issue, Sallie?" She lifted her head from the report, eyes narrowing. "Looks like you ran into a bunch of bandits near the village."

"Yep," Sallie replied, not even bothering to shift. His tone stayed casual, touched with a dry humor. "Saw them stirring up trouble. Thought I'd take care of it since your guys were, you know, a little late to the party."

Jean's eyes flickered with irritation, but she kept her voice calm. "You didn't follow protocol."

Sallie gave a low chuckle, pushing his hat back slightly. "Protocol? You mean waiting for the bandits to finish looting before your Knights decide to show up and do nothing?"

Lisa sighed from the wall, crossing her arms. She could feel where this was headed, but stayed silent.

Jean, ignoring Lisa, pressed on, her frustration seeping through. "You went in guns blazing, Sallie. Four of them are dead. They were criminals, yes, but we don't kill people without a trial. And we definitely don't act carelessly." Her grip tightened on the report, knuckles whitening. "This isn't how we do things here."

Sallie pushed off from the doorframe and stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Reckless? I call it doin' the job. Maybe if the Knights weren't so tangled up in procedures, we wouldn't be havin' this conversation. You know as well as I do, those bandits would've bled Springvale dry if I hadn't stepped in."

Jean's lips tightened into a thin line, her patience clearly wearing thin. "It's not just about stopping bandits, Sallie. Your job was to protect people while following Mondstadt's laws. We can't let our city turn into a place where vigilantes get to decide who lives and dies."

Sallie let out a sharp laugh, stepping closer, his frame suddenly filling the small office. "Vigilante? You think I wanted this job? I've been out there doing what your Knights won't. The only reason Springvale hasn't been wiped out is because I don't wait around for paperwork. You want to talk about laws? Fine. But while you're sitting here, making sure everything looks good on paper, people are dying."

His words landed hard, and Jean flinched slightly, though her face stayed set. The air between them felt heavier as their eyes met, the tension unmistakable.

"Sallie," Jean's voice dropped, quieter now but steady. "We have to keep a balance. People count on the Knights for protection, yes, but they also count on us for justice. If we start acting out of anger or convenience, the whole system will break."

Sallie's jaw tightened, his gaze hard. "And what do you think's happening, Jean? Letting criminals walk free while the Knights sit around, waiting for the perfect moment? You know that's not working. You can't hold a place like this together on ideals alone."

Jean didn't flinch this time, but her voice came out colder. "So, what, you think the answer is to shoot down anything that looks like a threat? You're not the law, Sallie. You're not a judge."

Sallie let out a breath, his eyes narrowing. "You think I care about being above the law? I care about getting the damn job done. And right now, Mondstadt needs people who can actually do something."

Lisa, watching the exchange, cleared her throat gently, hoping to diffuse the situation before it spiraled further. "Perhaps there's a middle ground, darlings?" she suggested, her voice soft but measured. "The Knights need results, Sallie, and you… well, you clearly have a unique way of achieving them. But Jean has a point about balance. Maybe we can find a solution that doesn't involve so much… collateral damage."

Sallie's gaze flicked to Lisa briefly, but he was still focused on Jean, his shoulders tense. "I've been hearin' about this middle ground for weeks now, Lisa," he said, his voice heavy with frustration. "But all I see is the Knights screwin' from one problem to the next while I'm left to pick up the slack."

Jean's voice rose, a rare flash of emotion breaking through her usual restraint. "Because you refuse to work with us! You act like you're the only one who can protect this city, but that's not true. We are making progress!!"

Sallie's fists clenched at his sides, his voice hard as steel. "If I'm underminin' anything, it's 'cause I'm tired of watchin' people die while you all sit around waitin' for the perfect solution. Sometimes, you don't have the luxury of time."

Jean opened her mouth to respond, but Sallie had already turned away, storming toward the door with heavy footsteps. "I ain't gonna stand here and deal with this bullshit," he said, throwing the door open. "You know where to find me when you realize your shit ain't workin'."

The door slammed behind him, the sound echoing through the office like a gunshot.

For a long moment, the room was silent. Jean stood rigid behind her desk, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she stared down at the report in front of her. Lisa, her expression softer now, moved closer, placing a gentle hand on Jean's shoulder.

"Jean, you know he means well," Lisa said quietly. "Sallie's… rough around the edges, but he's not wrong about some things. We've been missing the mark lately."

Jean let out a slow, shaky breath, closing her eyes. "I know, Lisa. But his methods… they're reckless. He doesn't see the damage he's doing. Mondstadt can't afford to lose its soul, even if it means keeping people safe in the short term."

Lisa smiled softly, though there was a sadness in her eyes. "Maybe he's more in touch with Mondstadt's soul than we think. The people are starting to see him as a hero, Jean. The more he succeeds where the Knights fall short, the more they'll start to wonder if our way is the right one."

Jean opened her eyes, her gaze weary but resolute. "I won't let this city become a place ruled by fear and violence. If we lose who we are, then what's the point of any of it?"

Lisa didn't reply. She didn't need to. The tension in the room had settled into something deeper now—something that couldn't be resolved with words alone.

Outside, Sallie strode down the steps of the headquarters, his fists still clenched as the night air hit him. His mind was a storm, his frustration boiling over. He had tried, he had tried to make them see, but Jean—stubborn as ever—refused to face the reality staring them all in the face.

The Knights were too slow, too careful, and Mondstadt was paying the price. And as much as he hated to admit it, maybe it was time he stopped worrying about playing nice with them.

In the dimly lit corridors of the Adventurers' Guild, the flickering lanterns cast long shadows on the stone walls, the faint scent of burning oil heavy in the air. Sallie stood near the back, leaning against a support beam, the low hum of hushed conversations surrounding him. His hat was pulled low, half obscuring his face as he read through a crumpled report in his hand. The dim light reflected off the polished grip of his revolver, his constant companion. He could feel the weight of the recent argument with Jean still lingering in his mind, but there was no time to dwell on it.

Footsteps echoed through the corridor, steady and familiar. Sallie didn't need to look up to know who it was. Astrid, his most trusted retainer, approached with her usual confidence. Her tall frame cut an imposing figure in the low light, her long braid swaying with each step. The rifle slung across her back was as much a part of her as the armor she wore, her sharp eyes always scanning, always assessing.

Standing just a bit shorter than Sallie, Astrid possesses a lithe, athletic build, honed from years of training and countless battles fought at his side. Her figure exudes strength and agility, a balance she maintains through rigorous self-discipline. Her face, though sharp and fierce when focused on a task, often softens in moments of calm, showing her deep care and protective nature for those she serves—especially Sallie.

Astrid's hair is a deep, chestnut brown, cut to shoulder-length, and tied back loosely with a leather cord to keep it out of her face during combat. A few strands often escape, framing her sharp features and adding to her no-nonsense appearance. Her eyes, a sharp shade of green, are always alert.

"Sallie," she greeted, her voice firm but carrying a familiarity that only came from years of working together. She stopped a few paces from him, pulling a fresh report from her belt and holding it out.

He took it without a word, unfolding the creased paper. As his eyes scanned the text, Astrid spoke, her tone grim. "There's unrest. Criminal activity's spiking, and the commissions issued by the Guild aren't being solved." She paused, her expression darkening slightly. "Several adventurers have gone missing while tracking a mercenary gang up at Dragonspine."

Sallie's eyes flicked up at that, his jaw tightening. "Dragonspine, huh?" His voice was low, a bit of a drawl still clinging to his words, but there was a new edge to it—one that only surfaced when things were about to get dangerous.

"Yeah," Astrid confirmed, her expression hard. "It's not just common bandits either. Word is these mercs have military training—veterans who know how to cover their tracks. The adventurers who've tried to track them haven't come back, and the guild's getting real anxious."

Sallie nodded slowly, folding the report back up and tucking it into his coat. He didn't need to read it again; the details were already locked in his mind, like pieces on a board waiting to be moved.

"They're preying on people outside Mondstadt's reach," Astrid continued, her eyes narrowing. "Hit-and-run tactics, taking supplies, gold, whatever they can. And the weather in Dragonspine's only getting worse. If we don't deal with this soon…"

"They'll bury anyone who comes after 'em in the snow," Sallie finished, his voice tight. He pushed off the beam and stood up straight, his hand resting on the butt of his revolver as his mind worked through the details. "And the Knights?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

Astrid gave a wry smile. "Tied up with other problems. The usual. If they're even looking into this, they're doing it by the book. And we both know how that's going to turn out."

Sallie's lip curled slightly, though it wasn't quite a smile. "Yeah. So, same as it ever was."

He started walking down the corridor, and Astrid fell into step beside him, her long strides easily keeping pace. The quiet clink of her armor and the soft creak of Sallie's leather coat were the only sounds in the corridor as they passed the few remaining adventurers still milling about. The Adventurers' Guild had seen a rise in commissions, but fewer and fewer were willing to take on the truly dangerous jobs these days. It seemed every other week, the threats outside Mondstadt's borders were growing stronger, bolder.

"How do you want to handle this?" Astrid asked, glancing over at him as they neared the entrance to the guild. Her tone was as steady as ever, though there was an undercurrent of anticipation. Sallie had always admired that about her. No matter the odds or the danger, Astrid never flinched.

He thought for a moment, eyes narrowing as he looked out into the evening twilight beyond the guild's doors. "We can't go in blind," he muttered. "Dragonspine's too dangerous for that. Weather'll be working against us just as much as those mercs." He tapped a finger against his revolver's grip, considering their options. "We'll need information. Someone's gotta know what those mercs are up to—where they're holed up, how many there are."

Astrid nodded, her braid shifting over her shoulder as she leaned slightly against the wall, her eyes fixed on him. "You have someone in mind?"

Sallie's mind had already begun sifting through contacts and informants, but one name stood out more than the rest. "Victor," he said finally, his voice heavy with certainty.

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Victor? The Fatui informant?"

Sallie shrugged, his eyes sharp. "He knows more about what's happening in Mondstadt's underworld than most people give him credit for. And if anyone's heard about a merc gang operating out of Dragonspine, it's him."

Astrid was quiet for a moment, clearly weighing the risk. Dealing with Fatui connections was never straightforward, but she trusted Sallie's instincts. "Alright," she said finally. "But we'll need to be careful. We don't know what Victor might want in return for information."

Sallie gave a short nod, already turning the plan over in his mind. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, we head to the tavern."

--

The Angel's Share was bustling, its dimly lit interior filled with the usual crowd of drinkers and adventurers looking for work—or an escape from it. Sallie pushed through the door, Astrid close behind him, her eyes scanning the room. The scent of ale and food wafted through the air, but neither of them was interested in the comforts of the tavern tonight.

In the far corner of the room, a man sat alone at a small table, nursing a glass of wine. Victor, the Fatui operative, was as unassuming as ever, his dark cloak blending into the shadows around him. His sharp eyes flicked up as Sallie and Astrid approached, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Sallie," Victor greeted, his voice smooth. "I wondered when I'd see you again." His gaze shifted to Astrid, his smile widening slightly. "And with such… formidable company."

"Cut the charm, Victor," Sallie said, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from him, his tone flat. "We need information."

Victor's smile didn't falter, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine glass. "Straight to business, as always. What can I do for you?"

He pulled the crumpled report from his coat and tossed it onto the table. "Heard about a merc gang operating out of Dragonspine. Hit some adventurers, causing trouble around Mondstadt. I need to know where they are, what they're up to, and how many we're dealing with."

Victor raised an eyebrow, his fingers brushing the edge of the report but not picking it up. "Dragonspine's a dangerous place. Are you sure this is something you want to get involved with?"

The teenage cowboy's gaze hardened. "It ain't about what I want. It's about what needs to be done."

Victor sighed, placing his glass down. "Very well." He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower. "You're dealing with a group of about twenty mercenaries. Ex-military, like you suspected. They've been holed up in a cave system on the southern edge of Dragonspine, near the base of the mountain. They're well-equipped and have been paid handsomely by… certain parties interested in disrupting the supply routes into Mondstadt."

Astrid's eyes narrowed. "Who hired them?"

Victor smiled again, though this time it didn't reach his eyes. "Now, now. Let's not get too greedy with the information, shall we? You asked where they are. I've given you that. But I expect something in return."

Sallie met Victor's gaze, unblinking. "Name it."

Victor's smile widened. "I'll collect when the time is right. You know how this works, Sallie."

Astrid tensed beside him, but her commander remained calm. He had dealt with Victor before, and though he didn't trust the man as far as he could throw him, he knew that, for now, their interests aligned.

Sallie stood up, his expression unreadable. "You'd better hope I'm still around to pay that debt, Victor."

Victor raised his glass, a soft chuckle escaping him. "Oh, I'm certain you will be."

Without another word, Sallie turned and headed for the door, Astrid following closely behind. As they stepped back into the cold night air, Astrid glanced at him, her face tight with concern. "This is a dangerous game you're playing, Sallie."

He tipped his hat back slightly, glancing up at the darkened sky. "It's the only game worth playin', Astrid."

And with that, they set off toward Dragonspine, the weight of their mission hanging heavy in the frigid air.

--

The cold winds of Dragonspine bit deep as Sallie and Astrid trekked through the snow-covered mountains. The icy air stung their faces, and the sky was heavy with clouds that threatened more snow. Despite the harsh conditions, they moved with purpose, their eyes sharp as they followed the trail Victor had provided. Astrid's long braid swung behind her, and her rifle was ready, slung across her back for quick access. Sallie's hand rested on his revolver, his senses tuned to the dangers lurking in the unforgiving terrain.

Dragonspine was as perilous as ever. The ground beneath their boots was slick with frost, and the towering cliffs seemed to loom over them, casting deep shadows that could hide anything—or anyone. Visibility was poor, and the howling wind made it hard to hear anything other than its constant roar. But Sallie wasn't worried about the elements. He'd faced worse. His concern lay with the mercenaries—trained killers who had taken refuge in these mountains, using the treacherous landscape to their advantage.

Astrid broke the silence, her voice low and steady. "We're close. Victor's information had us heading toward that cave system just ahead. Should be about a half-mile out."

Sallie nodded, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. "Good. We'll approach slow, see if we can get the drop on 'em. These boys know what they're doing, so don't expect this to be clean."

Astrid's lips twisted into a grim smile. "Wouldn't be fun if it was."

The two continued in silence, their footsteps muffled by the thick snow. As they moved, Sallie's mind worked through the plan. They were outnumbered, but that had never stopped him before. With Astrid by his side and a bit of luck, they could thin the herd before the mercenaries even knew what hit them. He'd need to make every shot count, and in these conditions, that was easier said than done.

After what felt like hours, they reached the edge of a ridge that overlooked the mouth of the cave system. Sallie knelt down behind a snowdrift, pulling out a small scope and peering through it. Below, he saw the entrance to the cave—a wide, jagged opening in the mountainside, partially concealed by a cluster of trees and rocks. Around the entrance, several figures were posted, their heavy cloaks blending with the snow as they stood guard. He counted six men, all armed, pacing slowly, their breath visible in the freezing air.

He lowered the scope and handed it to Astrid, who took her turn surveying the scene. "Looks like Victor wasn't lyin'," Sallie muttered. "These boys are dug in deep. And that's just the outside. Who knows how many more are in there."

Astrid scanned the guards, her brow furrowed. "We'll need to take out the sentries first. Quietly."

Sallie nodded, already considering their options. "I can pick 'em off from here. If I hit 'em fast enough, we can keep this quiet for a bit longer."

Astrid glanced at him, her expression serious. "Then I'll cover you. Once you take the first shot, they'll know something's up. We won't have much time before they start swarming."

Sallie grinned, adjusting his revolver's grip. "That's the idea."

Astrid gave a firm nod, crouching down and unslinging her rifle, her eyes already fixed on the guards below. Sallie lay flat against the snow, positioning himself for a clean shot. His revolver was a loud weapon, but it had stopping power like no other, and with the wind howling around them, the sound might just get lost in the storm.

He took a deep breath, steadying his hand. His eyes locked onto the nearest guard, a tall man pacing just outside the tree line, his back momentarily turned to Sallie's position. Perfect.

The crack of the revolver echoed across the ridge as the first shot rang out. The guard dropped instantly, a clean hit to the back of his head. Before the others could react, Sallie fired again, taking out a second sentry who was reaching for his weapon. The mercenaries shouted, scrambling for cover, but Sallie and Astrid had the high ground, and they weren't about to let that advantage slip.

Astrid fired her rifle with deadly precision, her shots echoing just behind Sallie's. One guard went down clutching his chest, while another fell before he could even raise the alarm. In the chaos, two of the mercenaries managed to dive behind cover, their weapons drawn as they fired blindly up toward the ridge.

Sallie rolled to the side, avoiding the wild spray of bullets, then popped up from behind his cover, his revolver barking out one more shot. A mercenary dropped to the ground with a grunt, blood staining the snow beneath him.

"That's five," Sallie muttered, reloading quickly as Astrid kept watch.

"Six is holed up behind that tree," Astrid said, her voice tense. "Can't get a clear shot."

Sallie nodded, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the tree line. "I'll flush him out." With a quick, fluid motion, he swapped his revolver for his lever-action rifle, the weight of it solid in his hands. He took a breath, then lined up his shot on the base of the tree.

The bullet slammed into the trunk, splintering wood and sending chunks flying. The guard, startled and off-balance, scrambled out from behind the tree, making a run for the cave entrance. Sallie didn't give him the chance. He fired once, and the guard dropped, his body limp in the snow.

Astrid stood, her rifle still aimed at the cave entrance. "That's all of them outside. They'll know we're here now."

Sallie stood, dusting the snow off his coat. "Good. Time to head inside before they start reinforcing that entrance."

The two moved quickly down the ridge, their footsteps silent against the snow as they approached the cave. The wind had picked up, whipping snow around them in blinding gusts, but Sallie kept his focus sharp. As they neared the cave, the bodies of the fallen guards lay motionless, their weapons scattered across the snow. Astrid paused for a moment, inspecting one of the rifles.

"These aren't standard-issue," she noted, picking up the weapon and examining the markings. "Looks like Snezhnaya make. Could be Fatui involvement."

Sallie frowned, glancing at the rifle. "Victor said this was a mercenary gang. Fatui's got their hands in a lotta pies, but if they're involved directly, this could get messy."

Astrid nodded, placing the rifle back down. "We'll deal with that when the time comes. First, we clear this place out."

They moved into the mouth of the cave, the cold wind fading as the stone walls swallowed them. The air inside was damp and heavy, the sound of distant movement echoing through the caverns. Sallie tightened his grip on his rifle, his eyes scanning the dark tunnel ahead. The flicker of torchlight danced against the walls, casting long shadows that twisted and moved as they advanced.

Astrid moved ahead, her rifle raised as she crept silently through the tunnel. "We'll need to move fast. They'll be expecting us now."

Sallie grunted in agreement, following close behind. "Then let's not disappoint 'em."

As they rounded the corner deeper into the cave, the sound of voices and the shuffle of boots became clearer. The mercenaries inside were on high alert, and Sallie could hear orders being barked as they prepared for the coming fight.

"Get ready," Astrid whispered, her eyes narrowing as she took position behind a rock formation. "We're about to hit the hornet's nest."

Sallie crouched beside her, his heart pounding in anticipation. "Good. Let's see how tough these mercs really are."

The cave grew darker the deeper they went, but Sallie and Astrid moved with the practiced efficiency of seasoned hunters. The damp air was thick with the musty scent of stone and sweat, and the low murmur of voices echoed through the winding tunnels ahead. The mercenaries inside were alert now, but they had no idea how close the storm was. Sallie's grip on his rifle tightened, his breath steady despite the tension crackling in the air.

Astrid, crouched beside him behind a jagged outcrop of rock, peeked around the corner. Her braid fell over her shoulder as she studied the dimly lit corridor ahead, her sharp eyes catching the movement of shadows.

"Six, maybe seven up ahead," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant dripping of water from the cave ceiling. "Looks like they're setting up barricades. They're digging in."

Sallie nodded, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information. These weren't common bandits—they were trained, organized, and disciplined. That meant they wouldn't panic easily, but it also meant they wouldn't expect Sallie and Astrid to hit them so soon after wiping out the sentries.

"They're gonna be funneling us into a kill zone," Sallie muttered, glancing at Astrid. "We need to flank 'em. You think you can get around without getting spotted?"

Astrid gave a small grin, her fingers tapping the stock of her rifle. "Don't worry about me. I'll get into position. Just make sure you give me something to work with."

He smirked, tipping his hat slightly. "I'll make plenty of noise. You get ready to pick 'em off."

With a nod, Astrid slid back into the shadows, her movements smooth and silent as she disappeared down a side passage. Sallie waited, his body still as stone, counting the seconds until he heard the faintest signal—a soft tap, echoing from deeper within the cave. She was in position.

"Alright," Sallie muttered to himself, gripping his lever-action rifle tightly. "Time to wake 'em up."

He stepped out from behind the rock, his boots silent on the cold stone floor, and made his way toward the light of the torches ahead. As he neared the barricades, the low voices of the mercenaries became clearer.

"You sure those shots came from outside?" one of them asked, his voice tense. "Maybe it was just the wind."

"No way that was just the wind," another grunted. "Stay sharp. They'll be comin' through here any second."

Sallie crouched behind a large boulder, taking a deep breath as he lined up his shot. He could see two mercenaries standing behind the barricade, their rifles aimed toward the tunnel, their eyes scanning the darkness. He had a clear line of sight on the closest one.

Crack!

The shot rang out, the mercenary crumpling instantly as Sallie's bullet slammed into his chest. The second one spun around, raising his weapon, but Sallie was faster. The lever on his rifle clanked as he chambered another round, and before the man could squeeze the trigger, Sallie fired again, dropping him where he stood.

Shouts echoed through the cave as the rest of the mercenaries scrambled into position. "Contact! They're here!"

Gunfire erupted, bullets ricocheting off the cave walls as Sallie ducked behind the boulder. He could hear the mercenaries repositioning, their boots scuffing against the stone as they took cover behind their barricades.

Astrid's rifle cracked from her hidden position, and one of the mercenaries dropped with a sharp cry. Sallie smirked—she was doing her part. Now it was time to draw them out.

He popped up from behind the boulder, firing two quick shots at the mercenaries still hunkered down behind their makeshift cover. One missed, but the second shot struck home, hitting a man in the shoulder and sending him reeling.

"Flank them!" one of the mercenaries yelled, his voice strained. "Get around to—"

His command was cut short by a crack from Astrid's rifle. He fell backward, blood blooming on his chest as he slumped to the ground. Another mercenary screamed in frustration, but before he could react, Sallie fired again, his shot tearing through the man's leg. He dropped with a pained howl, clutching his bleeding thigh.

The remaining mercenaries, realizing they were pinned, began to panic. Sallie could hear the frantic scraping of boots as they tried to retreat deeper into the cave.

"They're fallin' back," Astrid called out from the shadows, her voice cool and steady. "We can press 'em now."

Sallie grinned, rising from behind the boulder and advancing toward the barricade. "Let's not keep 'em waitin'."

The two of them pushed forward, their movements coordinated and efficient. Sallie moved ahead, his rifle barking out as he picked off the stragglers, while Astrid covered their flanks with deadly accuracy, her shots ringing out whenever a mercenary tried to get the jump on them.

As they neared the end of the tunnel, the last of the mercenaries made their final stand. A tall, broad-shouldered man—clearly their leader—stood at the mouth of a large chamber, his weapon raised as he barked orders at the remaining men. His scarred face twisted into a snarl as he spotted Sallie and Astrid approaching.

"You think you can just walk in here and take us out?" he growled, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "You don't know who you're dealing with."

Sallie's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his rifle. "I know enough. You're the ones who've been terrorizing Mondstadt's borders, and now it's time for you to pay for that."

The leader sneered, stepping forward as his men took cover behind the last of the barricades. "Big talk for a dead man."

He raised his weapon, and before Sallie could react, the mercenary leader fired. The bullet grazed Sallie's shoulder, a sharp sting of pain shooting through him as the force spun him sideways. He grunted, ducking behind a nearby rock as more bullets peppered the cave around him.

"Sallie!" Astrid shouted, her voice laced with concern. She fired a shot, taking down one of the remaining mercenaries, but they were pinned down now, with little room to maneuver.

Sallie gritted his teeth, blood seeping from the wound on his shoulder, but his mind was clear. This wasn't over yet. He glanced at Astrid, her face tense as she reloaded. "Keep 'em busy. I'm gonna end this."

Astrid nodded without hesitation, rising from her cover and laying down suppressing fire, her rifle booming in the enclosed space. Sallie, moving through the pain, darted along the cave wall, using the shadows and the rocky terrain to his advantage.

The mercenary leader shouted something to his men, but Sallie wasn't listening anymore. He was already behind them.

With a fluid motion, he drew his revolver, the weight of it comforting in his hand. He stepped out from behind a jagged rock and fired, the powerful shot slamming into one of the mercenaries guarding the leader. The man dropped instantly, his weapon clattering to the floor.

The leader spun around, his eyes widening as he realized where Sallie was. "You son of a—"

Before he could finish, Sallie fired again. The bullet struck the leader in the chest, the force knocking him back against the cave wall. He gasped, his body slumping to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

The last of the mercenaries, seeing their leader fall, dropped their weapons and raised their hands, fear and desperation written across their faces. The fight was over.

Sallie holstered his revolver, his breath coming in slow, measured bursts as he stepped forward, his eyes hard. Astrid approached from the other side, her rifle slung back over her shoulder.

"Looks like we cleaned up the mess," she said, her voice calm but laced with a quiet satisfaction.

Sallie nodded, wiping the blood from his shoulder. "Yeah. For now."

Astrid glanced down at the bodies of the fallen mercenaries, her brow furrowing. "These weren't just a ragtag group. They were too well-equipped, too well-organized. Victor said they were hired by someone with deep pockets."

Sallie met her gaze, his expression serious. "Fatui, most likely. Victor's information was good, but he's not tellin' us the whole story."

Astrid frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "So what now?"

Sallie looked around the cave, his eyes narrowing as he considered their next move. "Now we head back to Mondstadt. This ain't over yet. We've dealt with the mercs, but whoever's pullin' the strings? They're still out there."

As they turned to leave the cave, the cold wind howled outside, promising that the fight for Mondstadt's safety was far from finished.

Back in Mondstadt, the familiar sights and sounds of the city surrounded Sallie and Astrid as they made their way through the cobbled streets. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the rooftops, but the warmth did little to ease the tension in the air between them. They had dealt with the mercenaries in Dragonspine, but the unsettling question of who had hired them still lingered. Victor had given them just enough to handle the problem but had withheld the most important detail. It was time to pay the man a visit.

As they approached the back alleys where Victor conducted most of his business, Sallie could feel the weight of Jean's coin purse against his side. He had "borrowed" funds from the Favonius coffers, knowing it would be easier to grease the wheels of Mondstadt's underworld that way. Jean wouldn't be happy about it, but Sallie figured it was a small price to pay for information that could keep the city safe. Besides, if anyone knew how to work off the books, it was Victor.

They found him, as expected, sitting at a small outdoor table near a quiet corner of the Angel's Share tavern, a glass of wine in his hand. The man was as calm as ever, his dark cloak draped over the back of his chair, his smile the same as it had been when they last saw him. There was always something smug about him, something that hinted at knowing more than he let on.

"Ah, Sallie, Astrid," Victor greeted, raising his glass in a mock toast. "I had a feeling you'd come back. How was the little expedition to Dragonspine? Fruitful, I hope?"

Sallie pulled out a chair, sitting down heavily across from Victor. Astrid stood behind him, her arms crossed, her eyes sharp as she watched the Fatui informant closely.

"It's done," Sallie said flatly, tossing the coin purse onto the table with a dull thud. "Here's your cut."

Victor's eyes glinted with amusement as he picked up the purse, weighing it in his hand before untying the string and peeking inside. "Favonius funds, I take it?" he asked with a knowing smile, his tone light. "I appreciate the generosity. Though I wonder how Lady Jean would feel about this little… transaction?"

"She'll deal with it," Sallie said, his voice steady but edged with warning. "Now tell me, Victor. Those mercs? They weren't just causing chaos for sport. Someone hired them. You knew more than you told me."

Victor smiled, taking a slow sip of his wine before setting the glass down with a soft clink. "Now, now, Sallie. I gave you exactly what you needed to handle the situation. You took care of the mercenaries, didn't you? No harm done."

Astrid took a step forward, her eyes narrowing. "Cut the games, Victor. You know as well as we do that this wasn't just about a few mercs causing trouble. There's more going on here. Who's pulling the strings?"

Victor leaned back in his chair, his smile never wavering. "I see you're still as direct as ever, Astrid. But as I've mentioned before, information is a delicate thing. You have to know when to share it and when to keep it close."

Sallie's jaw clenched. "You're playing a dangerous game, Victor."

Victor raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Aren't we all, my friend? But rest assured, what I've told you so far is accurate. The mercenaries were indeed hired, though by whom… well, that's a bit more complicated. Let's just say there are factions within Snezhnaya that have their own interests in seeing Mondstadt destabilized. Not everything is sanctioned by the Tsaritsa, you know."

Astrid scoffed, folding her arms tighter across her chest. "So you're saying this was a rogue operation? Fatui acting outside of orders?"

Victor smiled, swirling the last of the wine in his glass. "Something like that. But that's as much as I'm willing to say for now. The people pulling those strings are powerful, even more so than the mercenaries you encountered. Stirring up trouble here in Mondstadt? It's only a piece of a much larger puzzle."

Sallie leaned forward, his eyes hard. "If there's a bigger plan, you'd better spill it, Victor. Because if it comes back to bite Mondstadt, I'll make sure you're at the top of the list when we go hunting."

Victor's smile faded slightly, though he remained calm. "Threats won't get you anywhere, Sallie. But I can see you're serious. So I'll offer you this—keep an eye on the movements in and out of Dornman Port. There are ships arriving soon carrying… let's call them 'special supplies.' You didn't hear this from me, of course, but if you intercept those supplies, you might find more answers."

Astrid's gaze flicked to Sallie, her brow furrowed in thought. "What kind of supplies?"

Victor shrugged lightly. "That, I can't say. But I'd imagine they're not the kind you'd want falling into the wrong hands."

Sallie let out a slow breath, his eyes never leaving Victor's. "This better not be another wild goose chase."

Victor chuckled softly, finishing his wine. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. Consider this a gesture of goodwill. Besides," he added, standing up and slipping the coin purse into his cloak, "if Mondstadt falls into chaos, my business suffers. I like things to run smoothly—at least on the surface."

Sallie stood as well, adjusting the brim of his hat. "If I find out you're stringing me along, Victor, we'll have a real problem."

Victor's smile returned, sharp and smooth. "I wouldn't dare. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Do give my regards to Lady Jean, will you? I'm sure she'll appreciate how resourceful you've been with her funds."

Without waiting for a response, Victor turned and disappeared into the crowd, his cloak fluttering behind him as he melted into the evening shadows.

Astrid sighed, running a hand through her braid as she watched him go. "I don't like this, Sallie. We're getting too deep into Fatui business. Jean's not going to be happy when she finds out."

Sallie adjusted his coat, his face set in a grim expression. "Jean ain't gonna be happy about a lot of things. But right now, this is the only lead we've got. Victor's slippery, but he's not stupid. If he's telling us to watch Dornman Port, there's something there."

Astrid frowned, glancing out toward the distant docks of Mondstadt. "So what's the plan?"

Sallie turned toward the port, the distant masts of ships swaying in the fading light of the evening. "We let someone to watch the port, just like he said."

Astrid gave a short nod, her expression hardening with resolve. "It's your decision, Sallie."

Sallie tipped his hat to her, the tension in his jaw still visible. "Good. We've got work to do."

And with that, they left the quiet corner of the Angel's Share behind, stepping out into the streets of mondstadt.

The air in the Knights of Favonius headquarters was still and tense as Sallie made his way down the familiar corridors, his boots echoing on the polished stone floor. His coat was dusted with snow from Dragonspine, his shoulder still bandaged from the bullet graze, and though the mission had been a success, Sallie knew he wasn't walking into a congratulatory meeting. Jean wasn't going to be happy about the funds, and it wasn't in her nature to let something like that slide.

When he reached Jean's office door, he paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before pushing it open. Jean was behind her desk, as expected, her expression calm but her eyes already carrying the weight of disappointment. Her hands rested on a stack of paperwork—likely more reports about the growing unrest in Mondstadt—and she glanced up as Sallie entered.

"Sallie," she said, her voice steady but with an unmistakable edge. "I've been waiting for your report on Dragonspine."

Sallie tipped his hat slightly as he walked in, but there was no humor in his eyes. "Yeah, about that. The mercenaries are dealt with. We cleaned 'em out, just like you wanted."

Jean's eyes narrowed, and she gestured to the chair in front of her desk. "Sit. We need to discuss something more pressing."

Sallie stayed on his feet, folding his arms across his chest. "I take it this is about the money?"

Jean's jaw tightened. "It's about a lot more than the money, Sallie. You used Favonius funds to pay an informant—without authorization. Do you have any idea how this reflects on the Knights?"

Sallie shrugged, his expression unbothered. "I had to grease that fucking scores. Victor doesn't do some shit for free, and we needed that information to take out those mercs before they caused more damage."

Jean's eyes flared with frustration, and she stood, her hands gripping the edge of her desk. "That's not the point! You went behind my back, Sallie. You used resources that are meant to protect Mondstadt, not for back-alley deals with the likes of Victor."

He could hear the anger in her voice, but it didn't rattle him. He knew Jean—knew she valued order and control. And he also knew that sometimes the straight-and-narrow way wasn't enough to get things done. Still, he could feel her disappointment like a weight in the room, and it frustrated him just as much.

"You wanted results," Sallie shot back, his voice rising slightly. "I got 'em. You want me to take care of those motherfucking bitches, I take care of those motherfucking bitches. If you're gonna get hung up on where your scores came from, that's your motherfucking problem."

Jean's face hardened, her calm exterior slipping for just a moment. "This is exactly the problem, Sallie. You refuse to follow the rules, and now the Knights are being pulled into something we can't afford to be associated with. The Fatui, these rogue mercenaries, Victor—this is spiraling out of control. I trusted you, but this… this is beyond what I can tolerate."

Sallie stepped closer, his own frustration bubbling to the surface. "You trusted me to do the job no one else was willing to do. And I did it. So what's the fucking problem, Jean? You didn't have to get your hands dirty. I took care of that for you."

"The problem," Jean said sharply, her voice ringing through the office, "is that you're undermining everything. Mondstadt isn't a place where we solve problems with bribes and backroom deals. We're better than that."

Sallie let out a slow breath, his eyes narrowing. "Yeah? And how's that workin' out for you, Jean? How many times have your knights gotten there too late? How many people have been hurt because your hands are tied?"

Jean's face flushed with anger, and she straightened to her full height, her blue eyes flashing. "That's not fair, and you know it. We're doing everything we can to protect Mondstadt within the law. You can't just run around ignoring the rules whenever it suits you."

Sallie leaned forward, his voice low and hard. "Maybe that's the problem. You're so focused on the law, you forget who you're protectin'. I'm out there every day, seein' what's really happenin'. The people don't care about rules when their cribs are burnin' down or when those ball sacks are clappin' for 'em. They just want someone to stop it."

Jean's expression didn't soften. "And what happens when we become the very thing we're supposed to protect them from? We uphold the law because it's what separates us from criminals. You think the people of Mondstadt want us to stoop to the level of those we're fighting?"

Sallie shook his head, taking a step back. "You're missin' the point. I ain't askin' you to become like them. I'm askin' you to start seein' the bigger picture. Sometimes, you gotta do what it takes to keep people safe, even if it ain't pretty."

Jean was quiet for a moment, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. She sighed, sitting back down behind her desk. "I can't do this anymore, Sallie. You've put me in an impossible position. The use of the funds—it has to be accounted for, and I have to answer for it. As punishment, I'm assigning you to handle the situation in Dornman Port. You've gotten yourself entangled with Victor, so you're going to fix it."

Sallie's eyes narrowed, his temper flaring. "No."

Jean blinked, clearly not expecting that response. "Excuse me?"

"I said no," Sallie repeated, his voice tight with frustration. "I ain't your errand boy, Jean. If you want to keep this all above board, then deal with it yourself. Send your trusted homies down to Dornman Port. Let them handle the mess."

Jean stood again, her posture stiff with anger. "This isn't negotiable, Sallie. You're the one who created this situation. You're the one who owes Mondstadt for the way you've been operating. You will handle Dornman Port."

Sallie's jaw clenched, his frustration finally boiling over. "You want me to play by your rules? Fine. Then you do your damn job and clean up the mess you're so worried about." He turned on his heel, heading toward the door. "I ain't gonna clean it up for you."

"Sallie—!" Jean called after him, her voice sharp with both anger and disbelief.

But Sallie didn't stop. He slammed the door behind him, the sound echoing through the corridor as he stormed out of the headquarters, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and frustration. He'd done his part—gone above and beyond, in his eyes—and still, it was never enough for Jean.

As he walked through the streets of Mondstadt, his thoughts churned. He knew things were about to get even messier. But if Jean wanted to handle it by the book, then she could deal with the fallout herself. He wasn't about to keep fighting battles for people who couldn't see the truth staring them in the face.

Mondstadt was changing, whether Jean liked it or not. And Sallie wasn't going to be the one left behind, bound by rules that couldn't keep up with the times.

As Sallie stalked away from the Knights of Favonius headquarters, his footsteps heavy on the cobbled streets, the wind carried a bite with it, stinging against his flushed skin. He shoved his hands deep into his coat pockets, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. The city was calm at this hour, its usual bustle subdued by the approach of night. Lanterns flickered softly along the streets, casting long, wavering shadows that danced with the unease he felt creeping up his spine.

Jean's words still echoed in his mind—her anger, her disappointment, the way her voice had cracked just slightly as she ordered him to Dornman Port like some hired grunt. The heat of their argument smoldered inside him, and for a moment, he wasn't sure if it was rage or regret gnawing at his gut.

"Good to see someone else isn't keen on following orders blindly."

The voice cut through the cool air like a blade, smooth but edged with a hint of sarcasm. Sallie halted, instinctively tensing, his eyes scanning the dimly lit street until they landed on a figure leaning casually against the corner of a building. The man was dressed in dark, elegant attire—almost too polished for Mondstadt's worn cobblestones—his red hair catching the light of the nearest lantern like a flame in the night.

"Diluc," Sallie muttered, recognizing the brooding owner of the Dawn Winery immediately. He wasn't sure if he was in the mood for whatever this was. "What do you want?"

Diluc stepped forward, hands resting in his coat pockets as he approached with an easy, confident stride. His crimson eyes held a sharp glint, watching Sallie with the calculating gaze of someone who never made idle conversation. "I overheard your little... disagreement with Jean. Couldn't help but notice she's still clinging to her ideals. Admirable, I suppose. But not particularly effective, as you pointed out."

Sallie huffed, kicking a loose stone in front of him. "Great. So now you're here to rub it in too?"

Diluc shook his head, his expression unreadable. "No. If anything, I find your approach more practical. Mondstadt's problems aren't going to be solved by sticking to rules written by people who've never had to face the danger themselves."

Sallie glanced at him, skepticism lacing his gaze. "And what's your angle, Diluc? You don't strike me as the type to pick sides in other people's business."

Diluc shrugged, his tone calm but deliberate. "I'm not. But I've never been shy about pointing out the inefficiencies of the Knights of Favonius. Jean means well, but her leadership is constrained by tradition. You, on the other hand, seem to understand that the world isn't as black and white as she'd like to believe." He paused, letting that hang in the air before adding, "You're willing to get your hands dirty for the right reasons."

"Is that your way of sayin' you agree with me?" Sallie asked, his brow furrowing.

"In a way, yes," Diluc replied, his voice low. "Mondstadt's changing, Sallie. Corruption, mercenaries, threats from outside and inside—it's not a city that can afford to be soft anymore. Not if we want it to survive. The law is important, but sometimes... it's not enough."

Sallie exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. "Tell that to Jean. She's convinced she's gonna save this place by playin' nice."

Diluc's lips twitched into something like a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Jean won't change. She's too entrenched in her role to see past it. But that's where people like us come in. We can do what she can't." He stepped closer, his tone dropping conspiratorially. "You've got the experience, Sallie. You've seen what really happens in the streets. I've seen it too. The question is, are you going to keep trying to fix it within the Knights' constraints, or are you going to start doing what needs to be done?"

Sallie narrowed his eyes. He wasn't one to jump into alliances lightly, especially not with someone like Diluc, whose motives were always veiled in a shroud of mystery. But he couldn't deny that the man had a point. Mondstadt was unraveling at the seams, and no amount of knightly honor was going to stitch it back together.

"And what exactly are you suggestin'?" Sallie asked, his voice guarded but curious.

Diluc tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. "I'm suggesting that you stop waiting for permission. You have the skills to make a real difference out there—outside the rigid structure of the Knights. There are other ways to protect this city, ways that don't involve asking Jean for approval every step of the way."

Sallie crossed his arms, weighing Diluc's words carefully. The frustration that had been boiling in him since the argument with Jean was still there, simmering just below the surface, but now it had somewhere to go. He wasn't a knight. He wasn't bound by their code. And maybe Diluc was right—maybe it was time he stopped pretending like he could fit into their world.

"I ain't one for cloak-and-dagger stuff," Sallie finally said, his voice firm but tinged with weariness. "But I ain't blind either. I know the Knights don't have all the answers. Jean—she's too focused on how things should be, not how they are. But I'm still not sure what you're gettin' at. You want me to work for you or somethin'?"

Diluc's eyes gleamed with a flicker of amusement. "Not for me. With me. We both want the same thing—to protect Mondstadt, to stop it from falling into the hands of those who would exploit it. I have resources, information, connections that the Knights don't. And you..." He trailed off, his gaze sharp. "You have the skills to act where they can't."

Sallie stared at him for a long moment, the tension between them thick in the cool night air. It was tempting, he had to admit. To have the freedom to act, to do what was necessary without having to justify every move to someone who didn't understand the reality on the ground. But there was still a part of him that hesitated, that clung to the idea that maybe, somehow, he could work things out with Jean—if she could just see things his way.

"You really think it'll make a difference?" Sallie asked quietly, almost to himself.

Diluc didn't hesitate. "I wouldn't be standing here if I didn't."

There was a silence between them, broken only by the distant murmur of the city, the faint rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. Sallie turned his gaze toward the darkened skyline of Mondstadt, the towering spires of the Knights' headquarters silhouetted against the night sky. He'd fought for this city, bled for it, done things in the shadows that no one would ever thank him for. And still, it never felt like enough.

But maybe, just maybe, this was the way forward.

Finally, Sallie exhaled and nodded once, a decision settling over him like a weight lifting off his shoulders. "Alright. I'll hear you out, see where this goes. But I ain't makin' any promises, Diluc."

Diluc's smile was brief but genuine. "That's all I ask."

"You know," Sallie started, breaking the silence between them, "I've got more at my disposal than just dirty hands and a bad reputation."

Diluc's eyebrow lifted in quiet interest, though he said nothing, allowing Sallie to continue.

"Jean's always actin' like I'm out here alone, takin' risks that put the whole city in danger. But that's not exactly the truth. I've got a squad—a team. Fifty of 'em. Not your typical knights, mind you. I'm talkin' about women, some barely outta their teens, fresh out of Natlan slavery." He shot a sharp glance at Diluc. "They're armed, trained, and they're ready to fight. And they sure as hell ain't the useless bunch Jean's got running circles around themselves in the Knights of Favonius."

Diluc's pace slowed just a fraction, his eyes narrowing as he took in Sallie's words. "Fifty, you said? Trained warriors?"

Sallie nodded, his jaw tightening with a hint of pride. "Yeah. Survivors, all of 'em. You wouldn't believe what some of 'em went through back in Natlan. Fought their way outta chains, literally. I brought them here to Mondstadt, gave 'em a reason to fight beyond just survival. And they don't waste time sittin' around waiting for orders that never come."

There was a moment of silence as Diluc absorbed this. He finally spoke, his voice even but laced with curiosity. "And you trust them?"

"With my life," Sallie said without hesitation. "These girls, they're loyal. Not because they have to be, but because they know what it means to be free. They've seen the worst this world's got to offer, and they're not afraid to do what needs to be done to keep that freedom." He paused, his expression darkening slightly. "Unlike some others I could name."

Diluc's lips quirked ever so slightly at that, though it was hard to tell if it was amusement or approval. "Sounds like you've built yourself quite the force. I can see why Jean might be… uneasy about your methods."

Sallie snorted, shaking his head. "Jean's idea of 'protection' is holdin' a shield in front of people and tellin' them to stay behind it. My squad? We get out there, take down threats before they reach the city's gates. I ain't interested in clean-up after the fact. I'm interested in prevention."

Diluc's gaze grew more thoughtful. "And yet, Jean won't see it that way. She'll view your methods as reckless. Dangerous."

"She can think what she wants," Sallie said, his voice growing colder. "But the people of Mondstadt ain't waiting for her approval. When their homes are burnin', they ain't got time to hear about how Jean's got her knights investigating. They need someone who's already out there, ready to stop the next raid, the next threat. That's what we do. That's what my squad does."

"Sounds like you've already been operating outside the Knights' jurisdiction," Diluc observed.

"I've had to. Jean doesn't know half of what's really goin' on in the underbelly of this city." Sallie's voice dropped lower, taking on a grim tone. "She's good, don't get me wrong, but she's blind to the dirtier side of Mondstadt. Smugglers, slavers, mercs—people who aren't gonna stop because some knight in shining armor tells 'em to. My squad's been cleaning up those messes while she's been stuck tryin' to find paperwork to justify it."

Diluc was silent for a moment, his gaze drifting toward the horizon, where Mondstadt's towering spires loomed against the darkening sky. "Fifty warriors, fresh from Natlan slavery. And they're loyal to you." It wasn't a question, more of a realization, as if Diluc was already beginning to calculate how this force might fit into the larger picture of Mondstadt's shifting dynamics.

Sallie shrugged, though the weight of what he had built was far from casual. "They don't trust easily, but they trust me. I was the one who got 'em outta there, the one who gave 'em a second chance. That ain't somethin' they forget."

Diluc turned to him then, his eyes sharp with newfound interest. "And you think they'd be willing to do more? If Mondstadt needed them to?"

Sallie met his gaze, his expression hardening with determination. "They're already doin' more than the Knights ever could. If Mondstadt needs protectin', my girls are the ones you want on the front lines. And they don't need Jean's permission to act. If it comes to it, they'll take matters into their own hands."

There was a brief pause, the air between them thick with unspoken possibilities. Diluc was no stranger to operating in the shadows—he had built his own reputation on working outside the bounds of the law when necessary. And now, here was Sallie, offering him something that could tip the scales: a ready-made force of trained fighters, loyal to no one but him, and unburdened by the bureaucracy that crippled the Knights.

"I must admit, Sallie," Diluc said quietly, "you've built something... unique. A force like that, especially one that isn't tied to the Knights, could be exactly what this city needs."

Sallie's eyes narrowed, his arms crossing over his chest. "I ain't lookin' to overthrow Jean or the Knights, if that's what you're thinkin'. I just want the people of Mondstadt to have someone out there actually watchin' their backs. I'm tired of waiting for her knights to get their act together."

Diluc's mouth twitched into a faint smile. "I wasn't suggesting anything so drastic. But the fact remains, Mondstadt is facing threats that can't be dealt with by the Knights alone. Your squad could prove... useful."

Sallie glanced at him, a flicker of wariness crossing his face. "Useful how? You planning somethin' I don't know about?"

Diluc's gaze sharpened, but there was a measured calm in his voice. "I plan on protecting this city in any way I can. The Knights have their role, but as you said, they're limited by their own rules. Sometimes, a more direct approach is needed. And that's where you—and your squad—come in."

Sallie didn't answer immediately, his mind spinning through the implications. He knew what Diluc was suggesting without the man having to spell it out: a shadow force, one that operated outside the law but for the good of Mondstadt. A force that answered not to Jean, but to the city itself—and, in some ways, to men like Diluc and Sallie, who saw the city for what it truly was.

After a long silence, Sallie spoke, his voice low but resolute. "I ain't opposed to workin' with you, Diluc. But my squad—they don't follow orders like the Knights. They're not soldiers. They're survivors. And they fight for each other, for their freedom. If you want them on your side, you'll need to prove that you're in this for the right reasons."

Diluc inclined his head, a small gesture of understanding. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Sallie began, his voice quiet but carrying an edge of challenge, "if you want to see what my squad's really made of, you won't have to wait long."

Diluc turned to him, curiosity flickering in his crimson eyes. "Is that so?"

Sallie smirked, his confidence growing as he continued. "There's a shipment coming into Dornman Port—special supplies. I've got an inside source, Viktor, one of the guys I trust down there. Says this shipment's not somethin' we can afford to let fall into the wrong hands." His voice hardened, the seriousness of the situation clear. "Could be weapons, could be tech. Whatever it is, it's dangerous. And I've already sent my squad to intercept it."

Diluc raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "You're moving on this without the Knights?"

Sallie scoffed. "You think Jean's gonna approve a strike like this? By the time she's done clearin' it with the council, that shipment'll be long gone, sold off to mercenaries or smugglers. We don't have that kind of time."

There was a beat of silence as Diluc considered this. "And you trust Viktor's intel?"

"Viktor's been on the ground longer than Jean's had that desk of hers," Sallie said, his tone firm. "He's got a feel for what's goin' on down there. He wouldn't send me after somethin' unless it was serious. And believe me, this is."

Diluc's eyes flickered with approval, though his expression remained calm. "So, what's the plan?"

Sallie stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "You're gonna see it firsthand. I've already sent word to my squad. They'll be in position by dawn. If you want to see what they can do, I suggest you make your way to Dornman Port before sunrise."

Diluc's gaze sharpened, and though his expression didn't change much, Sallie could sense the calculating mind behind those crimson eyes working through the offer. A chance to see this mysterious squad of fifty in action, to witness their efficiency, their strength—Diluc wasn't one to pass up such an opportunity.

"And what exactly do you expect from me?" Diluc asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Sallie's grin was grim, but there was something almost excited in it. "I don't expect anything, really. Just thought you'd want to see for yourself how things get done when you're not bogged down by red tape. If you want to tag along, fine. If not, you'll hear about it soon enough when that shipment's safely in my hands and not in the hands of some back-alley merc crew." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "But I reckon you'll want to see it with your own eyes. I'm not askin' you to jump in and fight, Diluc. Just observe."

There was a silence, the air heavy with the weight of the decision. Diluc's gaze remained locked on Sallie, the two men standing in the dim light of the street, their paths converging in a way neither of them had fully anticipated. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Diluc gave a single, measured nod.

"I'll be there," he said, his voice steady. "But I'll need to know exactly where this is going down. If it's as important as you say, I won't take any chances."

Sallie's smirk grew, satisfaction flickering across his face. "I knew you'd see reason. Viktor gave me the coordinates for the drop. Some abandoned dockyard on the west side of Dornman Port. Quiet, out of the way. Perfect for somethin' shady like this." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "My squad's already on the move. By dawn, they'll be in position, and I'll be with 'em. If this shipment's as valuable as Viktor thinks, you're gonna see just how good my girls are at takin' care of business."

Diluc crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful but unwavering. "I'll hold you to that."

"You won't be disappointed," Sallie replied confidently. He tilted his head slightly, the challenge still evident in his tone. "Just be ready. This ain't like the Knights of Favonius, with their rules and protocols. My squad fights to win."

Diluc nodded again, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

With that, Sallie turned and resumed walking, his steps quickening as the conversation ended. He felt the weight of the night pressing in, but there was a sense of excitement building within him.

--

The hours ticked by slowly as Sallie made his way to the rendezvous point just outside Dornman Port. The air was cold, a sharp wind whipping in from the sea, but he barely felt it. His mind was focused, already running through the logistics of the upcoming operation. He knew his squad was already in place, hidden among the crates and abandoned warehouses that littered the outskirts of the port.

As he neared the edge of the city, Sallie caught sight of the faint glow of torchlight, and he knew it was his squad's signal. They were ready.

He slipped into the shadows, moving through the narrow alleyways until he reached the overlook that gave him a clear view of the port. A few figures were already waiting for him—women clad in dark armor, their weapons at their sides, eyes sharp and focused.

"Everything set?" Sallie asked, his voice low as he approached one of the women standing near the front.

A young woman, no older than her early twenties, nodded. Her pale face was streaked with dirt, but her eyes shone with determination. "We've got eyes on the shipment. Just like Viktor said. It'll be here soon."

Sallie glanced at the others—fifty women, each one a fighter, a survivor, hardened by their experiences in Natlan and eager to prove themselves. They weren't like the Knights. They didn't follow orders blindly. They followed him because he had earned their loyalty. And they fought because they knew what it was like to be powerless.

"Good," Sallie muttered, his eyes scanning the docks. "Stay sharp. This ain't over till that shipment's in our hands."

As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, the tension in the air grew thick. In the distance, Sallie spotted a dark figure approaching, moving with the quiet confidence of someone who knew how to handle themselves. It was Diluc, right on time.

Sallie nodded to him as he approached, keeping his voice low. "Welcome to the show. You're about to see what real fighters look like."

Diluc's expression was unreadable, but he gave a small nod. "Let's see what you've got, Sallie."

Sallie smirked, turning his attention back to the docks below as the first of the shipment's guards appeared, the crates beginning to move. "You'll see."

The sky was a murky shade of gray, the first hints of dawn just beginning to break through the darkness. The cold sea air whipped through Dornman Port, carrying with it the sharp smell of salt and the faint scent of damp wood from the abandoned dockyards. Sallie crouched low behind a stack of crates, eyes locked on the figures moving below. His squad was in position, hidden among the shadows, silent as the night retreated.

"Movement," one of the women beside him whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind.

Sallie's gaze flicked to where she pointed. Sure enough, a small convoy of armed men had begun to unload crates from a boat docked at the far end of the port. These weren't ordinary port workers; they moved too methodically, too aware of their surroundings. Mercenaries, no doubt, hired to guard whatever cargo had made its way into Mondstadt.

Sallie's heart quickened, but his mind remained focused. This was the moment. He glanced sideways at Diluc, who had joined him in the shadows. The stoic redhead stood with arms crossed, eyes sharp as they watched the scene unfold.

The squad was already in place, scattered along the perimeter of the dockyard like shadows. Each one of his fighters was poised, waiting for the signal. They didn't need drawn-out instructions or overly complicated plans. They understood the mission: take the shipment and eliminate anyone who got in their way.

Sallie gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. The signal.

In an instant, his squad moved like ghosts, slipping out from the cover of crates and derelict buildings. The first wave of fighters moved swiftly, taking out the outermost guards with precision. Silent blades flashed in the dim light, cutting down the mercenaries before they could raise the alarm. Bodies hit the ground, and the soft thud of boots on wood was the only sound that followed.

Diluc, watching intently, seemed to approve. His expression remained neutral, but Sallie didn't miss the flicker of admiration in his eyes.

The operation continued smoothly. Sallie's squad was a well-oiled machine, working together with the kind of seamless coordination that came from years of fighting for survival. These women, these survivors from Natlan, weren't just soldiers—they were a force honed by desperation, pain, and a will to never be subjugated again. They moved with purpose, their faces grim, but their actions efficient.

Within minutes, they had surrounded the mercenaries who remained near the shipment. A few of the men had noticed something was wrong, but it was already too late. Sallie's fighters closed in, a deadly dance of blades and gunfire. The remaining mercenaries didn't stand a chance.

Sallie himself jumped into the fray, moving with the ease of someone who had spent his life in the dirtier corners of the world. He dropped one mercenary with a quick punch to the throat, following up with a brutal kick to the ribs. The man crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he could even draw his weapon.

To his left, one of his younger fighters—Lina, barely twenty and quick as a snake—disarmed another merc, spinning behind him and cutting him down with a practiced efficiency. Sallie allowed himself a brief moment of pride. This was what they trained for. This was why they fought.

From the corner of his eye, Sallie saw Diluc watching closely, his posture still relaxed but his eyes sharp and alert. The Dawn Winery owner hadn't interfered—yet. Sallie knew Diluc wasn't a man to dive into things without a good reason, but he also knew the man wouldn't hesitate to step in if things went sideways.

The last of the mercenaries fell, and the dockyard was silent once again, save for the soft groan of the tide against the pilings. Sallie straightened, surveying the scene. His squad had taken down the entire convoy with minimal noise and no casualties on their side. Just as planned.

He approached the shipment, a series of large wooden crates marked with symbols that he didn't recognize—likely something from across the seas, perhaps Snezhnaya or even the far-off lands of Fontaine. Whatever it was, it was valuable, and Viktor hadn't been wrong to tip him off. Mondstadt couldn't afford to have this kind of firepower in the wrong hands.

The young woman quickly pried the lid off the nearest crate.

Inside, nestled among layers of packing straw, were rows of sleek, deadly weapons—rifles, grenades, even some explosive devices Sallie didn't immediately recognize. His gut twisted slightly. Whoever had ordered this shipment wasn't planning on using it for anything good.

One of the other women whistled low, impressed. "Hell of a find, Sallie."

"Yeah," Sallie muttered, his eyes narrowing. "More than we bargained for."

Diluc stepped forward now, his sharp eyes sweeping over the contents of the crates. His expression darkened as he took in the sight. "High-grade weapons. Someone's preparing for war."

Sallie nodded grimly. "That's what I'm thinkin'. And it ain't Mondstadt's fight. Not yet, anyway. But these things... they'd put us in the middle of something ugly, real quick."

He turned to face Diluc fully now, his expression serious. "This is why I don't wait for Jean's approval. This could've been out of our hands by the time the Knights even knew about it. My squad? We take care of problems before they become disasters."

Diluc's gaze lingered on the weapons, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I see that now. Your methods... they're not what the Knights would approve of, but they're effective."

"Effective's all that matters," Sallie said, his voice firm. "You wanted to see what we're capable of? Well, here it is. We got the job done. Clean, fast, no casualties. Now Mondstadt's got one less threat to worry about."

Diluc didn't respond immediately, his eyes shifting from the crates back to the women of Sallie's squad. They were efficient, capable, and far more ruthless than the Knights of Favonius could ever hope to be. It was clear they weren't constrained by the same ideals or codes that Jean clung to. And in a world as dangerous as this one, maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

"You've proven your point," Diluc finally said, his tone even but holding a trace of respect. "I'll admit, I didn't expect to be impressed, but your squad is... formidable."

Sallie grinned, but there was no humor in it. "Told you, didn't I? This ain't the Knights of Favonius with their endless patrols and useless reports. These girls fight to win."

Diluc's expression softened just slightly. "It seems Mondstadt might need more than just the Knights to defend it."

"That's what I've been saying." Sallie nodded, satisfaction settling over him. "You saw it for yourself. Now you know why I don't answer to Jean."

Diluc's eyes met Sallie's, a silent understanding passing between them. "I see that now."

Sallie turned back to his squad, the first rays of the sun casting a faint glow over the dockyard. The operation had gone off without a hitch, and they had secured the shipment. Mondstadt was safe—for now.

"Let's pack this up and get it out of here," Sallie called to his fighters, who immediately moved into action, gathering the crates and securing them for transport. As they worked, Sallie couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over him.

He glanced over at Diluc one last time. The man was watching the scene quietly, his expression thoughtful. Sallie knew they weren't friends, not yet anyway. But there was a newfound respect between them now, and in this city, that was enough.

"See you around, Diluc," Sallie said, turning back toward the dock as his squad finished loading the shipment. "Next time you want to see how things really get done, you know where to find me."

Diluc gave a small nod. "I'll keep that in mind."

And with that, Sallie and his squad disappeared into the dawn, leaving the dockyard silent once again, the operation a clean success. By the time the official Knights of Favonius arrived at Dornman Port, the sun had fully risen, casting its soft morning light over the empty dockyard. The air still carried the cold bite of the night before, but the scene was eerily calm now, as if the chaos that had just unfolded was nothing more than a passing dream.

Sallie stood on a hill overlooking the port, his sharp eyes watching the familiar white and silver uniforms of the Knights as they dismounted their horses and cautiously approached the now-abandoned site. His squad was scattered around him, hidden within the surrounding cover, watching silently from the high ground. They were always a step ahead.

He smirked as the first of the Knights, led by a captain Sallie didn't particularly care for, scanned the area with confusion etched into their faces. They were expecting a fight. Instead, they found nothing but silence.

The captain—Ewald, a by-the-book soldier if there ever was one—gestured for his men to spread out, his brow furrowing as he inspected the empty dock. His posture stiffened as he drew closer to the spot where the crates had been stored, now nothing more than empty space. Sallie's squad had already taken care of the cargo, whisking it away under cover of night. There was no trace left, no sign that a deadly shipment had passed through these very docks just hours before.

"Look at 'em," Sallie muttered under his breath, his voice low enough that only the closest of his squad members could hear. "They've got no clue."

Lina, the young woman who had taken down a merc this morning before, crouched beside Sallie, her lips quirking into a grin. "They look lost. Guess they're not used to getting outsmarted."

Sallie chuckled, his eyes still trained on the Knights below. "They're used to arriving late, that's for sure."

Ewald's voice rose faintly, carrying on the wind as he barked out orders to his subordinates. "Search the area! Spread out! Whoever was here can't have gone far."

But it was pointless. Sallie's squad had been ghosts in the dawn, striking hard and fast, leaving no trace of their presence. By the time the Knights had even rolled out of bed, the operation had been completed. The crates were gone, the mercenaries neutralized, and all that was left was an empty dockyard and a group of baffled knights.

"Should we leave a note or something?" Lina asked with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Just to really rub it in."

Sallie gave her a wry smile but shook his head. "Nah. Let 'em stew in it. They'll report back to Jean, and she'll figure out soon enough what happened here. That's enough for me."

He felt a surge of satisfaction watching the Knights scramble, a sense of vindication. Jean and her high ideals could only get her so far in a city that was quickly outgrowing the old ways. Sallie's squad—his loyalists—had shown that there were other ways to keep Mondstadt safe, ways that didn't require asking for permission or waiting for orders.

As the Knights of Favonius combed through the docks in frustration, Sallie turned to the rest of his squad, speaking quietly so only they could hear. "Let's head out. We've done our part."

The women, still buzzing with the energy of their successful operation, began to slip away from their hiding spots one by one, moving through the thick brush that concealed their position. They were like shadows—unseen, unheard, and unstoppable. Sallie remained a moment longer, watching the scene below as Ewald continued his futile search, his anger growing more obvious with each passing minute.

From the distance, Sallie could practically feel the frustration radiating from the official Knights. The captain's rigid stance grew tighter, his face red with anger and embarrassment as it became more and more clear that they had been bamboozled, arriving too late to make any real impact.

"Captain!" one of the knights called out, jogging over to Ewald with a nervous expression. "There's... there's nothing here. No sign of who was involved. It's as if they just vanished."

Ewald's lips curled into a snarl. "Vanished, huh? Or maybe they're laughing at us right now from the shadows."

He wasn't wrong. Sallie couldn't help but grin to himself, the satisfaction of being right settling deep in his chest. The Knights were always too slow, too bogged down in their procedures and their righteous codes of conduct to handle real threats in time.

Sallie turned on his heel, disappearing into the brush with his squad.

--

By mid-morning, they were well away from the port, moving through the quieter parts of Mondstadt's outskirts, where few would think to look for them. The squad marched silently, efficient and focused, with Sallie leading them through the narrow paths that wound through the hills.

Lina, always one to break the silence, caught up to Sallie, her expression still lit with the thrill of the night's success. "So what now, boss? Jean's gonna figure it out soon enough. You think she'll come after us?"

Sallie snorted. "She'll try, but it won't get her far. She knows she can't afford to come down too hard on me. Besides, what's she gonna do? Punish me for protectin' Mondstadt?"

Lina grinned. "I'd like to see her try."

The squad around them murmured in agreement, the bond between them unspoken but strong. They had earned their place in this city—not by following orders, but by surviving, by fighting for their freedom, and by proving their worth time and time again. No one, not even Jean, could take that from them.

"You think Diluc'll keep quiet about it?" another woman asked from the back of the group, her tone more cautious.

Sallie thought about that for a moment. Diluc was a wild card, someone whose loyalty wasn't to any one group but to Mondstadt itself. He didn't owe the Knights anything, and he certainly wasn't the type to tattle to Jean.

"He's not our problem," Sallie said finally, his voice certain. "If anything, he'll respect what we did. He ain't the type to stick his nose in where it don't belong."

The squad seemed satisfied with that answer, their pace steady as they continued along the path that would take them back to their hidden base on the outskirts of the city. As they walked, Sallie's mind drifted back to the scene at Dornman Port. The empty dock, the confused Knights, the weapons safely in their hands.

Mondstadt might not know it yet, but it was people like him and his squad who were really keeping the city safe. And as long as they stayed one step ahead of the Knights of Favonius, nothing could stop them.

"Next time," Sallie muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Lina to hear, "they'll think twice before waitin' around for orders."

Lina laughed softly, the sound light and carefree. "Let's just hope they keep underestimatin' us."

Sallie grinned, feeling the weight of the night's success settle in his bones. "Oh, they will. And when they do, we'll be ready."

And with that, Sallie and his squad disappeared into the wilds, their victory complete, their presence nothing more than a ghost in the memory of those who had come too late.