Artoria had a very pleased look on her face as she fixed her dress and buttoned her shirt.
For several reasons, I would imagine.
"You know, you've been a lot more assertive these past couple days." I noted, even as I still lay on the ground.
"Do you dislike it?" She questioned, and I think she was slightly nervous at my answer.
Despite how long we've been together and everything we've been through, every so often she still gets those slight bouts of uncertainty. She's a lot like me in that regard. Did I do something wrong? Did I make a mistake?
"Not at all, just an…observation," I hummed. "Is there a reason for it specifically, or have you just been in a good mood?"
"Mayhaps, there is truth in both those statements." She said quietly. "It is not often that we venture off together by ourselves; I have been enjoying our time together."
That's true.
It's not that we don't spend time together, but specifically running off onto the horizon isn't something we've done in a while.
"Mayhaps…. I was hoping that you would also…" She didn't finish the statement, but I saw her with that embarrassed and bashful expression.
Ah, that's what it was about.
We've been together for a long time at this point, but we've never had actual sex. We've done a lot of things together; she's joined in sometimes when I've been with the others. But we've never crossed that specific line.
I sprang to my feet and quickly pulled her into a hug. "Message received."
She made a cute noise and didn't want to look up at me, and I wasn't going to tease her.
I knew she had a very…unpleasant experience with sex. Considering how Mordred was born and the events that led up to that. And the fact that she had to suppress her own sexuality and desire for her entire life.
It wasn't strange that she took so long to open up to it.
Of course, I had never pushed her. I knew she had her own issues regarding it, and I never wanted to make her feel uncomfortable, so I respected her boundaries. I loved her beyond words; I wasn't going to make a fuss because she had a hard time committing to the physical act of sex after everything she went through.
That being said, it seems like she finally felt comfortable broaching the subject.
Albeit ambiguous, I could guess what she was doing and saying. The reason she was being more assertive, I think, was she was hoping I would be the one to nudge over that invisible line so she didn't have to say anything.
But she ended up saying something, as difficult as it must have been for her.
"I love you." Her words were muffled into my chest.
"I love you too." I reassured her.
She composed fairly quickly, perhaps wanting to hide the embarrassment. "The quests say that some require proof to be shown of completion. I read the instructions, and quests such as culling monsters. The monsters can sometimes leave behind things that can act as proof." Artoira pointed at a wooden club on the ground and a mask that looked like it belonged on one of the creatures.
"I suppose that's as good as anything."
Giving it some thought, I think it was more a matter of trust that needs to be built up over time. Perhaps that's one of the reasons for 'adventurer levels.' You can't always prove that a quest was completed, so you need to build a rapport with the Guild so your word becomes trustworthy.
"Do you want to head back right away? You mentioned Thousand Winds Temple, and that sounded interesting. Want to check it out?" I asked.
She perked up. "Do you think it has an association with Venti?"
"Considering the name, most likely." I hummed, holding out my hand.
She grabbed it happily, brightening up immediately. If anything, she was the one pulling on me with more enthusiasm.
It's weird; I was the one born in the modern world where the idea of adventuring was romanticized. She was born in the era where what we're doing was probably normal for her, yet she was honestly matching if not exceeding my enthusiasm each step of the way.
The windy road forward became littered with stone monuments.
Perhaps they reminded me of Greek or Roman architecture at first glance, but a closer inspection showed a distinct difference in how they were carved.
Columns and large stones littered the place.
This had clearly been meticulously crafted at one point in time, but the passing of the ages had eroded it into a dilapidated and half-destroyed state.
"Here's a question." I posed as she looked at me. "Those monsters had some level of intelligence. They had some…primitive tents, bedrolls, food storage, and even tools. That's enough to say that they are sapient. So…why didn't they set up camp in a place like this? It's much more remote, yet still close enough to the wilderness that they can still find food and water. There are better places to take shelter…"
I voiced my thoughts, as random as they were.
"That is a valid point." Artoria agreed as we walked up to a big stone archway that split into a few smaller archways. Perhaps they used to be a building a long time ago. "This location would serve the needs of shelter and defense much better."
The stone structures increased in numbers and breath as we made our way further up the slight slope.
The smell of the ocean wasn't far off, which made me think that's how this place got its name.
"An amphitheater?" Artoria asked, rhetorically.
We reached our destination, I would hazard a guess. And as she said, it definitely looked like the remains of a type of amphitheater.
"This place has seen better days. But it still somehow carries a certain charm to it." I closed my eyes and felt the wind whip through this place. I think I could faintly hear something almost melodious.
"Wilhelm."
"Hmm?"
"I believe I found the reason why those creatures did not establish residence here." She tugged on my sleeve and pointed at something I didn't sense.
"...What's that?"
"Some type of automaton?" She answered, tilting her head.
It was large, looked like it was made of wood…hell, there were branches growing out of it. It had the overall proportions of a human, just scaled up enough that it's probably five times my height.
There seemed to be carvings on its arms. Runes?
It was just standing there, nearly out of view from where we were.
I took a step forward and kicked a rock that went bouncing across the stone ground until it rolled and ever so slightly tapped against the thing's foot.
Then it trembled.
Its arms moved; its body seemed to crank underneath the outer shell. And there were even mechanical-like noises happening around it.
I think steam blew out of some holes on its body too.
"It's a robot!" I couldn't hold my voice back, and the thing immediately lit up.
There was a star pattern carved on its head that looked like an eye.
I threw my arms up and ran at it. "Come here, you beautiful bastard!" It was a robot made of wood!"
I wanted to hug it; I was going to take care of it; I was going to keep it by my side forever.
Just as I was about to touch it, it threw a punch at me.
"Weeeeeeeee." I saw as I went sailing past Artoria, hitting a stone wall and going through it.
Ow.
"Are you okay?" Artoria peeked over the side of the hole in the wall.
"It didn't want to be hugged." I pushed some stones off of me that had collapsed. "Umm…" I pointed at the magnificent wood robot not far away.
It spun its body; rather, its top half spun all the way around, and it adjusted its posture.
There were these tube-like extensions on its back.
They were filled with fire because something shot out of them.
"...That wooden robot just shot missiles at me." I said as Artoria most definitely got out of the way.
I didn't know if I should feel ecstatic or confused.
Both?
The missiles exploded in my face.
[Line Break]
Artoria Pendragon POV
Ah.
This is the man I fell in love with.
He would be fine, I know it. And seeing him get so excited… I couldn't help but smile too. If there was ever a time to act silly, why could it not be now?
Yes, ever since I've been with Wilhelm, I've learned that it was okay to start letting go of certain strict behaviors I had held myself to for so many years. No, I suppose it started even earlier than that with Rin, but Wilhelm was different too.
Despite his status, his strength, and his many positions he held, he never stopped being himself.
That's one of the things I admired and felt attracted to. He never was forced to adhere to what the world expected of him; rather, it was all his choice.
When he needed to be serious, he was. When he needed to acknowledge propriety, he did. When he needed to fight, he was reliable. But also, this same man here was so excited that he ran at an unknown entity, got struck by it, then had projectiles fired upon him. And at the end of it, I feel as though I heard him giggling as it happened.
The strange mechanical being readjusted its posture; I believe it was looking at me now.
Yes, it was most certainly coming right at me now too. It was making noises as a machine would with each step.
It truly was a confusion anomaly. I understood machines to some extent and what Wilhelm calls a 'robot.' But…this appeared to be made fully of wood.
I withdrew my new sword from my bracelet.
The Favonius Greatsword.
It was not my ideal weapon, as nothing could relace Excalibur. And I was used to its general weight and balance as my primary weapon after so long. But I found myself enjoying the new experience nonetheless.
I took a few steps back and to the side to watch its movements. It wasn't as awkward as I would have first suspected; however, it was far from agile.
It didn't stop as it walked right through a stone pillar, not slowing its advance in the slightest. That spoke of a durable creation for whatever this contraption was.
It choreographed its first attack, pulling its arm back to punch down at me. I stepped back, allowing it to punch through the stone ground, then stepped up onto its arm and used it as leverage to swing my sword at its chest.
I felt the resistance, as it was no mere wood, but my strike was still true, and I cut it open enough to peer at its insides.
I noticed mechanical gears and other such devices that I would not know the name of.
My time in the modern era had me more learned than when I was first summoned. And as such, I felt like I could say that its insides appeared…primitive, by comparison.
As strange as that was for someone like me to say.
"No, Robot! I'll protect you." I heard Wilhelm call out behind me. "Boost! Transfer."
I felt my eye twitch.
I was more than aware of the ability of his Gauntlet.
And he chose to strengthen the machine in front of me.
If it were me from years ago, I would have chided him, given him a stern reprimand about foolishness and risks involved.
But I also know that he must have gauged this machine's strength completely after being struck by it and knew precisely the extent that it would grow in strength from the 'Boost' so that he knew it would pose no threat of harm towards me.
I too felt that it still was not an opponent I had to give my full attention to.
Even still.
As his other lover says, he is in need of a beating.
For some inexplicable reason, I felt a wave of pettiness envelop me.
Something that also hadn't been present until I met Wilhelm.
I stomped on the ground and jumped up into the air, swinging my sword and beheading the mechanical beast. Or, whatever could be considered its head, the top portion that appeared to be its 'eye.'
The mechanical being let out some mechanical sounds as smoke poured out from overhead before its body went limp and fell over.
"Oh wow, it's actually still part wood inside. Some of these gears and levers are made of metal, but some of them also use wood. Yet, they're covered in dust but have no erosion visible."
I wasn't surprised as Wilhelm appeared next to me and was looking inside.
"Wilhelm." I gave him a look and crossed my arms.
"Uh…Ddriag made me do it." He pointed at the gauntlet on his arm.
"I will not believe that –"
"[Actually, it was me this time.]" The jewel on his gauntlet lit up as I heard the dragon's voice. " "
I shook my head in exasperation. "You two are terrible together."
I still reached over and pulled on Wilhelm's cheek.
"Gonna store this away for later—"
"Are you?" I interrupted him. "I believe it belongs to me since I slayed it."
He gave me the most pitiful look he could muster.
I would give him credit; he did not argue and accepted immediately that I was correct. Since I slayed the mechanical beasts, it technically belonged to me.
Instead, though, he chose to attempt to invoke sadness to move me.
Ah…my conviction wavered almost immediately, and I let out a sigh. "You can keep it.'
'Yeah!" Wilhelm cheered. "Robot!"
"[Robot!]"
"Robot!"
"[Robot!]"
They both chanted in unison.
I shook my head.
I didn't want it, nor did I truly plan on keeping it. But I was going to hold onto it as a form of chastisement for his jest.
Yet I gave in immediately.
I couldn't help it. I felt myself relaxing and softening as he looked so excited. Seeing him like this, how could I feel any sort of annoyance?
My feelings got reinforced as he began to fix up the area with his magic as well.
Not just the damage caused by us, but he cleaned up the rubble and restored quite a bit of the broken infrastructure. It did not look anywhere close to new or how it was when it was created, but it seemed to regain some vitality.
Yes, this is the man I fell in love with.
[Line Break]
Wilhelm POV
Mondstadt came back into view as we approached the stone bridge.
Artoria and I watched the children running around. The people coming and going, we both heard a boy cry out as a bunch of children scared away the pigeons he was feeding.
It's good to be young.
"Excuse me!" A knight stepped in front of us. "Do you mind showing me your Adventurer cards?"
Artoria and I shared a look. It's easy to guess our identities by our clothing, I would presume.
Were we in trouble about something?
We both took them out as the Knight inspected them.
He handed them back after a moment with a smile. "Sorry, I was just checking. We received orders from the Acting Grandmaster. We accidentally stopped the wrong person…erm, more than once today. If you don't mind, could you please head to the headquarters and meet with her? She should be in her office."
"Is it urgent, or do we have the time to stop by the adventurer's guild to complete a finished quest?" Artoria asked.
"Ah, a finished quest." He hummed. "If you trust me, I can turn the Quest in on your behalf and explain you were pulled away."
Artoria smiled. "That would be acceptable, thank you, Ser Knight."
"Erm, just doing my job." He looked bashful at being treated so properly.
He didn't notice, as I had already taken out the 'evidence.' "Here's proof of completion too."
"Thank you." He nodded. "I will make sure it's all noted down in your names."
"We will head straight to see the acting grandmaster." Artoria reassured us as we went on our way.
"They sure are accommodating here." I noted. "Usually, a Knight wouldn't help out like that. At first glance you would be skeptical about it, but I'm sure neither you nor I felt he was being insincere or untruthful."
Artoria's instinct was much better than mine in some situations. Like gauging people beyond just 'threats' or 'danger.' She could read people to a frightening degree if she focused.
It was very hard to flat out lie to her.
So the matter stood; the knight willfully and gladly offered to run a chore on our behalf for no other reason than to be helpful.
"Yes, I am becoming more impressed by the Knights of these lands. They behave as a knight should, becoming pillars of the kingdom in both deed and appearance."
High praise coming from the King of Knights.
I also didn't miss that they apparently bugged the wrong person multiple times based on description. I'm fairly sure they were referring to Diluc, and I could picture him getting more and more annoyed that he had to keep telling them that he wasn't me.
I should send him a gift.
As much as I find the situation amusing, I can understand how it was irritating on his end.
"They aren't weak either." I continued as we made our way across the city and ascended upwards towards the north.
"Indeed. They are not far off from the average Knight that marched under my banner. They do not all possess these 'visions' we have learned about. But their strength has been well honed and trained to a satisfactory degree."
"You wanted to see this place too, right?" We arrived at the castle-like building.
"Yes, I was curious as to how they lived. The living quarters and building administration can show a lot about them."
Before even going inside, we could see a training yard off to the side with lots of training dummies, a big open field, and various equipment that looked to be for training.
There were more than a few people out there. Some running around the field, some sparring, some just swinging swords.
We stayed for a moment as Artoria watched them.
I could practically feel the nostalgia radiating off of her.
"Do you miss it?" I asked.
"Every day." She said without hesitation before looking up at me and smiling warmly. "But that does not mean I would trade today for the past."
She gently led me forward by herself, pulling her own gaze away.
"Excuse me, Ser Knights. We have been summoned by your Acting Grandmaster. Here are our Adventurer Cards for inspection." Artoria wasted no time, and I didn't fumble around and followed her lead.
She was being very meticulous and direct with her actions and words.
I think even the Knights were sort of taken aback by the professionalism? Or rather, they're used to a more carefree approach.
I think they would have been fine if we had just been like, 'Hey, we're here to see Jean. Can we go in? '.
Even so, they looked at the name tags and gave us a nod. "The Acting Grandmaster's office is the first on the left as you go in." They politely opened the door for us.
There were a lot more people inside than expected.
A lot of knights, but also non-knights, I think? At least, people are not dressed up as knights at first glance.
Following the directions, the immediate door was on the left, which had another knight standing outside of it.
With the commotion from earlier today, I could understand that they were running around a bit frantically.
He was clearly expecting us because we didn't even need to introduce ourselves, as he recognized us at least and gestured to go inside.
Jean was sitting at her desk, paperwork all around her, stacked high up. It reminded me of Yasaka's office when I would come and visit.
She looked up and immediately looked happy. "Oh, you're here!" She looked at the Knight. "Thank you, Gerard, please close the door behind you."
The knight gave a salute and pulled the door shut as he stepped out.
"Please take a seat." She pointed to the chairs in front of her desk.
"Greetings, Acting Grandmaster." Artoria spoke politely.
Jean smiled in return. "You don't need to be so official. You're not Knights under me, but I appreciate it nonetheless."
"It is merely respect for your position." Artoria responded. "May I ask why you have summoned us? I am to assume it was due to the incident earlier today."
Jean let out a short sigh. "I apologize for the summons. I did not wish to be so…abrupt, but the situation was extenuating."
"We understand." Artoria answered pointedly.
Jean seemed pleased that we took no offense. "I spoke with the Traveler, and I believe we all are aware of the greater details?"
"Venti said that you know who he is." I spoke this time.
There was a slight twitch of her mouth. "Barbatos's identity is…a delicate subject to broach."
"Did you wish for a proper statement or report?" Artoria tilted her head.
"No, no." Jean held up her hand. "I don't want to waste your time considering. I'm already thankful for your intervention, and we know what happened already. However, it does relate to that…." She paused. "Before this, I wish to express my thanks. Thank you, as the acting grand master of the Knights of Favonius. You had no expectation or responsibility to assist, yet you did anyway. We're in your debt." She bowed her head.
"It was a small matter for us. To stand by and watch injustice take place would not sit well with either of us. I too am a Knight, and I have taken oaths that I hold dear." Artoria answered.
"Even so…not just from the seat of my position, thank you as a citizen of Mondstadt. I can't claim to understand the thinking of our Archon, but knowing that he almost suffered harm is…."
Ah.
I forget sometimes how people on the other side of the fence feel about these sorts of things. The god they worship, meeting him in the flesh, seeing him bleed. That's not something I often consider because of who I am and who I'm around.
"Ahem." Jean cleared her throat. "I have requested your presence for another matter, if you would please listen.""
"Please." Artoria gestured for her to continue.
"This…" Jean let out a small sigh. "This is awkward and shameful to say, but I wish to request your assistance. I understand that you are not from Mondstadt and might not know of our current situation. However, I am the acting grandmaster because the true grandmaster has gone off on an expedition with an…not insignificant portion of our knights. That has left us rather short-handed."
"You are worried about escalating tensions with the kingdom that these Fatui hail from." Artoria summarized.
Jean's eyes lit up. "Yes, exactly. This matter is sure to escalate to some degree. It is…not likely that it will come to open conflict, but it's a possibility we cannot ignore, so I am unable to assign my knights for missions outside our borders for the time being."
"And we've proven ourselves capable, right?" I added.
She chuckled a little awkwardly. "That is one way of saying it. The Fatui Harbingers are not…they're infamous for a reason. And I heard that you repelled one of them. Please understand how that makes you stand in my position."
I could imagine.
Strong strangers that are amicable to Mondstadt and have shown to be willing to lend a hand? Especially now that she can't send out her own people because they may enter open conflict with another kingdom?
We must look like a godsend to her.
"I know this is a rather…abrupt and impolite request, but I would like to ask that you both accompany a caravan westward to Liyue. The caravan will be containing a diplomat and a few important letters."
She didn't hold back on what should be a secret.
It was a sign of trust in this case. Or perhaps it might be better interpreted as a sign of respect for the fact that she was asking for help.
"If I may be so bold as to speculate. It is perhaps a letter for a request of aid from Liyue, with whom you most assuredly have good political ties. I would guess that the ones from the Fatui are already sending some of their own people here for negotiations. Perhaps they will see your lack of forces and deny any responsibility for the incident or attempt to pressure Mondstadt knowing that you are not in a strong position. However, if Liyue were to support you, it would turn the table and put pressure on them and force them to admit wrongdoing. However, they are likely to also guess this stratagem and would most likely have any outside forces they control intercept any attempts to reach out to Liyue in the time being to effectively cut off communications temporarily so they can hold an advantage. Did I guess correctly?"
Jean blinked, going rather quiet for a few moments. "Y-yes? Yes, I mean, that is correct. You…are exactly correct."
"If I am to continue to guess. This caravan will be hidden as one without obvious diplomatic intentions. Perhaps a trade caravan? But even so, the Fatui will begin to intercept any and all caravans immediately, as they won't take any risks. The important aspect here is time, but you can't simply risk the assumption that you're one step ahead of them."
Jean went quiet for another moment. "D-do you want a job? I would very much like for you to be my secretary."
"Pardon?" Artoria blinked.
"Oh my, I'm sorry." Jean covered her mouth. "I don't know what just came over me. That was very abrupt and rude; I apologize. Ahem, yes, you're correct in everything. It will be disguised as a trade caravan, and it will leave immediately. Just as well, it will hire the standard number of guards, the standard kind of protection. There will be a handful of adventurers who have talent he escorts on quests, as there always are. If you would be willing…I would have you assigned as an adventurer, part of the group as well."
"Would our ranks not prove eye-catching? We just joined today." Artoria pointed out.
"I can falsify the documents at my discretion to show that you meet just over the minimum threshold to not arouse suspicion." She replied immediately. "As part of the reward, I have vested power to facilitate an increase in your rank as well to the 'false' rank upon completion. You can consider it a…bonus, in addition to the other rewards we will pay upon completion."
I had a question actually."
"Is the Adventurer's Guild not founded from the same kingdom as the Fatui? Are you not putting too much confidence in the professionalism here?"
Jean blinked. "You just joined the Adventurer's Guild and aren't familiar with it, so you must come from somewhere outside the major cities where there's not much of a presence. It's common knowledge that the Adventurer's Guild employs absolute neutrality even at the expense of their home nation. It was one of the non-negotionable terms for their deployment across all nations. It is upheld very strictly. I can't get into the details of it, but I can assure you that it won't be broken."
Well, I'm satisfied with that explanation for now.
That sounds suspiciously like everyone's just being hopeful that nothing sketchy is going on, but I'm the outsider here; what do I know?
"Wilhelm?" Artoria looked at me.
Well, not many words needed to be spoken between us.
In fact, we already had a destination in mind after Mondstadt. And I could tell that Artoria was actually interested in accepting this quest.
"We were wanting to head over to Liyue anyway. A caravan to take us there wouldn't be bad."
[Line Break]
A/N
Wilhelm and Artoria are spending some time doing a quest and getting ready to head over to Liyue before their next destination, Inazuma.
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
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