Answers

Mark woke up slowly, taking his time to stretch a little before getting up. He vividly remembered the sweet melody of the prior night, how much he had enjoyed it with a tinge of solitude, despite having been there with Jean. He could easily get lost in his own world, which made him alone even in a sea of people.

"Hm, I see that Ras is still sleeping. I hope he had no issues with his little adventure." muttered Mark, his voice a little raspy, a bit of a sore throat threatening him.

He got dressed in his usual clothes, noticing that his clothes were a little battered in certain spots—memories of his past adventures. With a sigh, he moved around, going about his morning routine, saying his prayers before going to do anything else.

He took a shower, which revigorated him as much as the cold water forced his body to tense up. Hair a little moist, he used a hint of Anemo to dry it faster, walking outside through the empty hall.

The front door opened, revealing a blonde woman with bangs hanging across her forehead, wearing a maid outfit. Mark suddenly recalled where he had seen her before.

"Greeting, Mark. My name is Adelinde, and I'm Master Diluc's head housemaid. I came here to extend you an invitation from Master Diluc himself. If you please, he'd like to chat with you at the dawnery."

Mark was a bit taken back by how polite she was, something he found a little eerie for his taste.

"Ah, Adelinde. Well, it would be my pleasure. I do owe him a few answers. Also, please talk to me as you would with a friend. I'm not one for high-class language unless I'm forced to."

She nodded, smiling softly at him.

"I got it. Well then, I assume we'll meet later at the dawnery."

"Well, I guess I could go now, since I don't have anything specific to do. I'll go grab something, then we can set off."

He rushed up the stairs, grabbing his claymore from his room, before coming back down, nearly slipping on the steps.

"Ok, I'm ready."

They walked together to the dawnery, and despite a little small talk, Mark felt awkward. Being alone with someone he had just met was too much for him, despite his best efforts to get over it. Indeed, he interacted rather easily with the others, but that was because he knew them, even if the same wasn't the case for them.

"Sometimes I wonder how it would have been if I hadn't played Genshin then woke up here," thought Mark, hoping to take his mind away from the unpleasant feeling that bothered him.

In the distance, an imposing building appeared, growing in size the closer they got. It felt larger than it had done in the game, and Mark couldn't help but stare around, indulging in the sweet fragrance of grapes.

"Welcome to the Dawn Winery," said Adelide, merrily walking to the door, opening it for Mark, who thanked her kindly.

The lavish interior struck him harder than any game could have. Reality simply felt totally different. A large table, with Diluc sitting down, waiting, a bottle of wine and two glasses resting before him. Mark glanced around, taking quick looks at the chandelier and the decorum. It felt cozy, blended with a fanciful aspect that Mark found to fit his taste.

"Nice place you have here, Diluc. I must say, this place feels pretty cozy."

Diluc didn't bother to get up, simply motioning for Mark to take a seat next to him. With another motion, he waved for everyone else to leave. Mark didn't even see them; that's how transfixed he had been on the furniture.

"Now, I assume you know why I called you here. After all, you do have a knack for knowing a lot more than one should." said Diluc, his voice unwavering, speaking in his usual firm manner.

"Yes, I know just that. Well, go on, ask away."

Diluc poured Mark a glass of wine, who gladly took a sip. The taste was simply divine.

"This better be some old bottle of wine, because if all your wine tastes like this, I might become a drunkard," chuckled Mark, placing the glass back on the table, fighting back the urge to just down the whole thing.

Diluc drank with a bit more elegance in his motions, savoring the wine as he thought about the perfect way to ask his questions.

"Tell me, then. Just who are you? Don't try to lie or say anything else like, 'I'm a normal guy' because I won't buy that. People like you always have something to hide."

Mark met his gaze with just a blank look, keeping his feelings hidden under the best poker face he could muster.

"Diluc, Diluc, always quick to rush into what's not yours to know. Listen here, mister Dark Knight, me saying I'm a normal guy is completely true. Sure, I know more things than the usual person, but that doesn't make me a bad guy."

He sipped some more wine, trying to sort out his thoughts before speaking again.

"I know these answers of mine won't satisfy you, but there will be a point when everything will be made clear and the truth will come out. Until then, just know that I'm willing to fight tooth and nail with anyone to save Mondstadt. I care about this place as much as you do, and I want to put an end to the Fatui's wrongdoings just like you do."

Diluc kept listening, barely breathing as he pondered each and every word that left Mark's lips. His face showed that he was far from satisfied with the answers, but they were enough for the moment.

"I see. I'll trust you... for now. Then tell me, just how much do you know about my father?

Mark's face betrayed a hint of sorrow, something that he shouldn't be feeling, yet the tragedy was enough to sadden him.

"Your father, Crepus. Died in your arms after using a Delusion. I guess that's what you wish to know about, right?"

Mark nearly reached for his claymore, his instinct taking over as he felt the intense hatred that burned in Diluc's eyes.

"Diluc, don't let hatred consume you. I know you have all the reasons to do it, but trust me, it won't get you anywhere. The ones behind the Delusions, the Fatui, as I'm sure you know, possess strength far beyond what we know. Doing anything stupid will only worsen it."

Mark felt a weight leave his shoulders as Diluc calmed down, yet anger could still be seen on his face.

"So, Delusions. There's not a lot known about them, but I know that they affect people differently. For some, they age at an incredible rate, their vitality drained in exchange for power. They're made with remnants of dead gods—something I'm not even sure how could be obtained, yet here we are. Most give elemental powers, yet I've heard about a certain version that did something out of the ordinary, but I don't really know how to describe it."

Diluc's face changed from one expression to another until he fell deep in thought, perhaps reminiscing about past events.

"You've used one for three years, and it didn't hurt you. As far as I know, only a few people can use them like that, and I'm still unsure why."

Diluc nodded, looking up at Mark, snapping out of his trance.

"I see. Thank you for your cooperation."

He rose from his seat, which rushed Mark to do the same, thinking Diluc might go do something risky.

"Diluc, just remember this. Don't do anything stupid. I'll see that the Fatui are punished for this. Until then, please remember this: the Knights of Favonius that you and I both know are good. Just because a piece of shit tainted their name doesn't mean that everyone is bad merely because of being part of their ranks. Keep this in mind."

"Yes, I will. Thank you." 

Until the very end, Diluc kept up a front that seemed stronger than any wall, yet Mark could see through it. Anger hid grief, and hatred hid blame. Diluc felt them all together. As much as Mark would have liked to, bringing back the dead was something he thought would be too big of a price—if there was a way in that world, that is.

The rest of his glass of wine didn't wash down the bitter taste that Diluc's state brought him. He sure hated seeing it in people, something that he himself tried to fight back time and time again, only to fail in the end and succumb to the pain—until God took him out again.

"Damn it. I think I should head back to Mondstadt."

He got up, seeing himself out, not even bothering to tell anyone about his departure. He walked alone, thinking, hoping, striving to figure out at least one way to deal a large blow to the Fatui without causing consequences beyond what he'd be able to handle. Destroying a gnosis might only attract unwanted attention.

"I should finally take advantage of my right to read some of those forbidden books in the library. I need to learn some things here and there."

As he got back, he didn't bother to go eat or do anything else. Without stopping, he went straight to the library, startling Lisa as he stormed in.

"Mark? What wind brings you here?"

"The wind that said I should use my right to the forbidden books in the library. Mind showing me around?"

Baffled, she nodded, recalling Jean's promise. She went with him, showing him a certain part of the library that was separated, a private room with old books. Their looks warned Mark to treat them with extra care.

"Is there an exact topic you wish to read about?"

Mark nodded, speaking firmly.

"I need some books about magic—the real deal. I'm sure this world has a lot more to it than meets the eye. Please show me around."

"Magic, huh? You sure have a rather fascinating interest in these things. Well, then, check on this shelf. Everything here is about magic, from elemental magic to some tidbits about ancient magic that is said to have existed hundreds of years ago."

"Thank you, Lisa. So, will you keep a close eye on me, or perhaps you'll allow me some time alone, just me and my thoughts?

She nodded, stepping out of the small room. Mark was left alone, a few rays of light peeking in through a small window on the top side of the outer wall. With a sigh, he began reading, putting a notebook on the table, preparing himself to study like the national exam was rolling around.

"Heh, I spent my days writing during that period, focusing on the exam like a side task. Tsk, I sure had my priorities straight."