The Darknight Hero, Diluc?

Gatomon not only possesses a cute appearance but also considerable strength.

"Gatomon, from now on, we're partners," said Noelle with a smile as she looked at Gatomon.

"Meow~" Gatomon gently touched Noelle with its paw, as if acknowledging her.

"Boss, could you tell me more about Gatomon's details?"

"No problem."

"Gatomon has already evolved three times. Its evolution line is as follows: [Snowballmon → Meiccomon → Dogmon → Gatomon → Angewomon → Magnadramon or Ophanimon or Oryxmon]."

"Magnadramon?"

"Magnadramon is Holy Dragon Digimon"

Noelle was greatly surprised to hear about the possibility of Gatomon evolving into a dragon in the future.

"That's right, that's its evolution line."

"However, you should know that the holy ring on Gatomon's tail is proof of its sacred nature. If the holy ring is lost, its power will decrease, and it won't be able to reach its full potential."

Takarou naturally reminded Noelle of this point. Upon hearing it, Noelle nodded earnestly and said, "Boss, don't worry, I'll protect Gatomon."

Now that Gatomon had become her partner, Noelle would do everything in her power to protect it.

"In addition, if Gatomon wants to evolve, it can gain experience through battles."

"Alternatively, it can rely on the divine light."

"The divine light can be sunlight or moonlight. However, this process is much slower compared to gaining experience through battles."

In this world, unlike the Digital World, there aren't resources available for Digimon to evolve. Therefore, this aspect was modified during system rewards.

Otherwise, even if someone obtains those Digimon, without the ability to level up, they would rely solely on their cuteness, right?

"Boss, thank you for informing me about all this. If there's anything I can help with in the future, feel free to ask."

"This is the reward you obtained. No need to thank me."

Takarou chuckled, finding Noelle truly adorable.

"Well then, Boss, I'll take my leave."

"Sure, go ahead."

"Gatomon, let's go."

"Meow~"

Gatomon followed Noelle as they left the New Century Comic Store.

On the other side, Lumine and Paimon gathered information about the Darknight Heroes.

However, for now, they had to wait for nightfall.

When the night finally arrived, inside the inn, Paimon urged Lumine.

"Lumine, it's already evening. Why don't we take a stroll in the city and see if we can find the Darknight Hero?"

"Yes, let's go."

Lumine and Paimon left the inn and began searching around Mondstadt City. After a while, they arrived at the western gate of Mondstadt City. There, they noticed a man with red hair engaged in a battle against an Abyss Mage.

"Wow, who is that? He's actually fighting against an Abyss Mage!" Paimon looked at the unfamiliar man, filled with curiosity.

Naturally, the Darknight Hero Diluc emerged victorious from the intense battle. After dealing with the Abyss Mage, Diluc looked at Lumine and Paimon.

"It seems you managed to bypass the guards' patrol routes and find us here."

"Are you the Darknight Hero?"

Upon hearing that, Diluc maintained a calm expression and said, "Darknight Hero? Who's that? Did you come up with such a cliché name?"

"I'm Diluc, the proprietor chosen by the Archons."

"Proprietor chosen by the Archons?"

Paimon flew in the air, placing her hands behind her back, and looked at Diluc in astonishment. "Eh, you've never heard of it? The entire city of Mondstadt is talking about the 'Darknight Hero'!"

"That's just a boring rumor. Well, let's consider it proof of peace."

"Hehe, now the mystery of the 'Darknight Hero' is finally solved! Lumine, we actually found the Darknight Hero!"

"However, why are Abyss Mages appearing in Mondstadt City?" Lumine frowned, feeling that something was off.

"Well, it's the Abyss Order."

"I don't know what schemes they're plotting this time, but it seems like they're doing preliminary reconnaissance."

"Even though I've caught onto their tricks multiple times recently, they just won't give up."

"In that case, Diluc, why don't you ask the Knights of Favonius for help?"

"With the Knights' assistance, dealing with these Abyss Mages should be easy, right?"

"Heh, the Knights of Favonius? Expecting them to be useful? How can I trust them to have my back?"

Diluc expressed his disdain for the Knights of Favonius.

"So, Diluc, is there some conflict between you and the Knights of Favonius?"

"Just some old stories, nothing worth mentioning."

"I've spent enough time chatting. How about helping me with a favor?"

"A favor?"

"Will there be a reward?" As soon as Paimon heard the word "favor," she quickly voiced her thoughts.

"A reward?"

"Of course, there will be a reward if you agree."

"Lumine, I think we can help Lord Diluc with his favor. After all, he mentioned a reward..."

From the beginning, Paimon came here for the sake of a reward.

Now that Diluc mentioned a reward, Paimon became even more excited.

"You..."

Seeing Paimon's enthusiasm, Lumine shook her head helplessly.

"Diluc, why don't you tell us what you need our help with?"

"Instead of agreeing right away, you should be cautious, unlike your companion."

"What I need is your help in creating an alibi for my absence."

"An alibi?"

"Yes, if the people from the Knights of Favonius find out, it would cause unnecessary trouble for me. They might come bothering me. So, I need your assistance for this matter."

"I see. No problem, I agree."

"Somebody's coming. I'll take my leave now. Goodbye."

________________________

Just as Diluc left, Knight of Favonius, Huffman, arrived at the scene.

"So, you're the hero who saved Mondstadt. I heard some commotion earlier. Did you notice anything unusual?" Huffman asked.

"Unusual? No, not at all," Lumine replied.

"Oh, so you're talking about the Darknight Hero," Huffman continued.

Cough, Paimon!

Upon hearing that, Lumine quickly coughed to remind Paimon. Diluc had asked them to keep it a secret, and Paimon...

Huffman became interested upon hearing Paimon's comment. "Wait, have you already met the Darknight Hero?"

"Well, actually, he is the Traveler!" Paimon said, patting her own head and pointing to Lumine.

"Me??" Lumine exclaimed.

"Oh, the hidden hero who protects Mondstadt from the shadows is actually you! On behalf of the Knights of Favonius, I thank you," Huffman said, mistaking Lumine for the Darknight Hero.

Paimon waved her hands hastily and said, "Oh, there's no need to make such a big deal out of it. We... we're a bit embarrassed."

"But even before you arrived, there were rumors about the Darknight Hero in Mondstadt. Why did you have to lie like that?" Huffman questioned, realizing their deception.

Huffman looked at Lumine and Paimon, realizing that their secret was exposed. Lumine could only look at Paimon in exasperation, and Paimon, feeling embarrassed, looked away.

"Never mind. Although I don't know why you did it, I hope you can spare some time to talk with the Knights of Favonius about the Darknight Hero," Huffman said.

"Alright, we'll come later," Lumine agreed.

After saying that, Huffman left the place.

"Paimon!"

Once Huffman left, Lumine reached out and pinched Paimon's cheek.

"Mmm... Lumine, I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"It looks like we're busy again. Let's go to the Knights of Favonius and find Huffman," Lumine sighed. They hadn't even had a chance to rest yet, and now they had more to do.

Inside the Angel's Share tavern...

The envoy of Fool's Errand, Ludmilla, knelt on the ground and reported recent events to a woman.

"Madam, according to our investigation, a new century comic store has opened in Mondstadt recently."

"We also discovered that Jean, the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, entered the New Century Comics store and later left with a creature resembling an elf."

"Not only Jean, but the Traveler who recently arrived in Mondstadt and repelled the Wind Dragon, as well as Noelle, all visited that New Century Comics store."

"Oh, what's going on? Mondstadt has a comic store? And from your tone, it seems like this comic store is quite mysterious?" the woman asked, furrowing her brows.

"Yes, madam."

"It seems that regardless of what secrets lie in this New Century Comics, I'll have to pay a visit."

"Tomorrow, you and I will go to that New Century Comics store together."

"Yes, madam."

The next morning, as soon as Takarou opened the store, a woman arrived with her subordinates.

"Is this the New Century Comics store?" the woman asked as she entered, looking around.

"Welcome to New Century Comics, Rosalyne Kruzchka Lohefalter."

"Hmm? Do you know me, store owner?" the woman asked, taken aback by the person's knowledge of her name.

"As the envoy of Fool's Errand, the 11th Executive, the 8th seat lady, of course, I know," Takarou replied.

"Now that you know my identity, tell me, what did Jean and the Knights of Favonius get from your store?" the woman inquired.

"What each customer obtains, you can ask them personally."

"If you're here to read comics, I naturally welcome you."

"We're asking you a question, so answer honestly!" Ludmilla, the woman's subordinate, became angry at Takarou's attitude.

"Hmm?" Takarou frowned and looked at Ludmilla.

With a wave of her hand, Ludmilla's body went limp and she fell to the ground.

"Madam, it seems your subordinates don't know the rules of my store."

"This is a warning. If they dare to offend again, I can't guarantee they'll leave New Century Comics alive."

The woman sensed a strong warning in Takarou's words. Moreover, she hadn't witnessed how Takarou incapacitated her subordinate.

These methods...

"Store owner, my subordinates, no matter what they've done wrong, it should be me who punishes them. By punishing my subordinates in front of me, aren't you disrespecting Fool's Errand?"

"Respect from Fool's Errand? Is that important to me?" Takarou responded. "Since you came to my store, you must follow my rules."

Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter and Vice-Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, Rustan, were lovers.

When the calamity of the Cataclysm struck, Rustan died protecting Mondstadt.

After the calamity, Rosalind, who had gone to study in Sumeru, returned home and was devastated upon hearing the news.

The time of her girlhood came to an end, and the time of the Pyro Witch's demise began. She burned away all the pain caused by monsters and all the suffering caused by monsters in the world.

Rosalind lost her lover due to the invasion of the Abyss, and she also harbored a deep hatred for the dark beasts of the Abyss. She no longer had any attachment to the world, and her only wish was to burn away all the monsters in the world.

Thus, she abandoned her past as a girl and transformed into a witch, a figure not recorded in history, embarking on the path of revenge.

Someone had to burn away all the pain before new hope could arise, she believed.

No need for understanding.

No need for comfort.

No need for sympathy.

Although the woman was undoubtedly a pitiful person, Takarou believed that regardless of her past actions, since she had come to his store, she should abide by his rules.

Seeing Takarou's firm stance, the woman's expression changed slightly.

However, they had a main task to accomplish during their visit to Mondstadt.

She looked at her subordinate still lying on the ground and coldly ordered, "Get out."

Ludmilla's face turned pale. She struggled to get up from the ground and left the New Century Comics store.

"Well, since the store owner doesn't want to talk, I'll take a look at the comics in your store."

"It costs 10,000 Mora per reading, and you can only read it once a day. Taking comics out of the store is not allowed."

"After reading the comics, you may receive rewards. As for what those rewards are, it depends on your luck."

"Here's 10,000 Mora."

The woman tossed 10,000 Mora onto the counter and then proceeded to browse through the shelves.

She carefully examined the two books. However, she couldn't perceive any elemental power from them.

But since Jean and the others received rewards from these comic books, she believed she could too.

She picked up the Doraemon comic book, found a seat, and began reading.

At the counter, Takarou collected the Mora and pondered whether he should put up a sign at the entrance.

Perhaps he should write down all the rules of the comic store?

It wouldn't be a problem if only a few customers came, but if too many came, would he have to repeat the rules for each one?