A few more days passed, and during this time, Lin Qiu's works were continuously released.
They were 'Chapter of the Night Owl', 'Chapter of Wolfy', and 'Chapter of the Long Ladle'.
These were the stories of Darknight HeroDiluc, the wolf-child Razor, and the gourmet hunter Xiangling.
The story of 'Chapter of the Long Ladle' was currently unfolding in reality.
On the way to Liyue, Lumine met Xiangling.
During their conversation, Lumine learned that Xiangling knew Lin Qiu, so she proactively accompanied Xiangling everywhere, wanting to gather some information about Lin Qiu.
Anyway, Xiangling was going back to Liyue in the end, wasn't that on the way?
Because this story was happening in reality, the story of 'Chapter of the Night Owl' would be told first.
"Chapter of the Night Owl: Act One: The Darknight Hero's Alibi"
Inside a private room at the tavern, seeing this title, Kaeya couldn't help but snicker.
"Now your alibi is gone," Kaeya whispered to Diluc.
Diluc remained silent, feeling a bit speechless. Although he didn't know when he started being called the "Darknight Hero," looking at the title, it must be him.
And an alibi? It had already become evidence.
Venti is a big shot, and it's fine if he reveals his identity, but why me too?
Thinking of this, Diluc looked at Venti beside him.
As soon as Venti returned to Mondstadt, he ran to the tavern to drink.
Returning to the story in the book, it was said that rumors of the "Darknight Hero" were circulating in Mondstadt City.
The citizens of Mondstadt felt very invested in this rumor, and they were also very curious about who the "Darknight Hero" truly was.
Paimon and Lumine, both with strong gossip instincts, began to inquire about relevant information.
The first person they found was Charles, the bartender at the tavern.
After all, a place like a tavern was the most suitable for gathering gossip and rumors.
Readers were already accustomed to the fact that the two of them were the main characters again.
Up until now, except for that small side story, there had been no instance where they didn't appear.
"So that's it, you two are also the type who love to join in on the fun."
It spread, Charles sharply commented on the Traveler.
Charles told the Traveler that the Darknight Hero was a 'urban legend' that everyone in the tavern had been discussing recently.
Paimon was a little scared and said:
"It wouldn't... it wouldn't be some terrifying legend, would it?"
Charles: "Terrifying? There's nothing terrifying about it."
"It's about the legend of the 'Darknight Hero'."
"Wow!" Paimon's high-pitched voice.
"Wow wow!" Lumine's harmony.
They hadn't said anything yet, but they pretended to be startled.
Charles: "Hey, are you two even listening to what I'm saying?!"
In the story, Charles was also helpless with this mischievous duo.
He continued to tell the rumors of the "Darknight Hero," saying it was someone who would punish evil and promote good at midnight.
Then he told the Traveler who the eyewitnesses were, and if the Traveler was interested, they could go ask them.
The Traveler and Paimon went around asking people until they found Donna.
Donna: "Oh, I'm such a bad woman."
For some reason, Donna let out such a sigh.
"How can I be so fickle..."
It turned out to be because of fickleness, something unknown had happened.
Paimon stepped forward to ask about the "Darknight Hero," and Donna was surprised to hear the name "Darknight Hero."
"Darknight Hero!? How do you know who I'm thinking of?"
"Ah... could it be... it's written all over my face?"
"Hmm... what should I do? What if Master Diluc sees it, wouldn't that be..."
Donna completely ignored Paimon's question and fell into her own world.
Paimon: "Huh? You said Master Diluc?"
This was a bit strange; most people would address Diluc as Master Diluc; not many called him Master.
Paimon had no idea that Donna was like Sonoko from Detective Conan, who would address admired people as Master.
Donna explained:
"Originally, the only person I admired was... hmm... Master Diluc..."
"But ever since that night, when I was saved by the 'Darknight Hero'... it seems I can no longer be sure of my own feelings..."
Seeing this, the real-life Donna was extremely shy. How could a Damselette's delicate feelings be brought out into the open like this?
At this time, she hadn't even been saved by the "Darknight Hero" yet! She wasn't fickle at all!
"But... can the charm of the 'Darknight Hero' really compare to Master Diluc?" Donna muttered to herself.
If it really could, I really want to be saved by the "Darknight Hero"... will he give me a princess carry?
Inside Angel's Share.
"Pfft!" Venti couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Worried that Master Lu would kick him out, Venti quickly covered his mouth, only his trembling shoulders revealing that he was trying hard to hold back his laughter.
"Hahahahahahaha!!!"
Kaeya, on the other hand, laughed very wildly, slapping the table twice and still feeling it wasn't enough, then reaching out to pat Diluc.
He made a pointing gesture, laughing so hard he couldn't speak.
Diluc felt Kaeya's pats, his face covered in black lines, but he remained silent.
He couldn't speak! Anything he said now would only make him more smug!
Rosaria looked at her two drinking companions, still not quite understanding what was so funny.
The others who were unaware also had no reaction; they didn't yet know that Diluc was the "Darknight Hero."
Back to the story itself, the Traveler and Paimon, based on the information they had, finally came to a conclusion.
There were no clues at all; they might as well wander around the city at night and try their luck.
It could only be said that the Traveler and Paimon were indeed the embodiment of strong luck, beings upon whom the Mother Goddess had thrice closed her eyes; they truly encountered the "Darknight Hero" at night.
At the side gate of Mondstadt City, Diluc was entangled in a fight with an Abyss Mage.
To call it an entanglement was actually a one-sided beatdown.
It turned out that the "Darknight Hero" was Diluc.
Now Rosaria knew what her 'drinking companion' was laughing about; it turned out that Master Diluc was also secretly protecting Mondstadt.
Donna, upon reading this, almost fainted with joy.
Master Diluc is the "Darknight Hero"! I am simply the epitome of single-mindedness! Not fickle at all!
No matter what you look like, what your identity is, I will fall in love with you!
Wait, then wasn't I saved by Master Diluc? Was it a princess carry after all?
On what night in the future, and where did I encounter danger? I want to go there now!
Diluc: "I didn't expect to run into you two here."
Diluc had deliberately avoided the Knights of Favonius patrols, but he still ran into the Traveler.
Lumine: "I already guessed it, you are the 'Darknight Hero'."
Diluc: "'Darknight Hero'? Such a cliché name, did you come up with it?"
Kaeya stopped laughing. Isn't this name very cool? How is it tacky? Don't talk nonsense with your eyes wide open!
Seeing Kaeya's expression, Diluc, who understood him, immediately realized that this name was spread by him.
Seeing his sworn brother staring at him, Kaeya laughed awkwardly.
"Hahaha, this wine is really good, I'm getting a bit drunk."
"Oh dear, oh dear, I feel like I'm going to fall asleep." Kaeya slumped onto the table.
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Character Voice · Diluc: About the Darknight Hero
"This childish title... Never mind, as long as you like it."