"Everything takes priority based on the King's will. Understand?" Godwyn said to the eleven Black Knives in front of a gradually collapsing and then gradually repairing spatial rift.
He had once died by their hands, but that was all in the past. Now, the Black Knives, like him, were a part of the King's guard.
"You can rest assured on that point; the Black Knives are only loyal to the King," a clear, cold voice came from among the group of tall women, clad in silver armor and hidden in the darkness.
Godwyn nodded. Among the eleven Black Knives, only the King knew who was who.
The Greater Will looked at Godwyn, who was giving instructions not far away, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He was someone who could have been the best pawn, but now he was serving Yu Jin.
"Don't forget what you promised me," Ranni, who was at the side, saw the Black Knives about to leave, reminding them and also showing off.
"Only if the King agrees," Alecto's clear, cold voice showed no change. However, seeing Melina and Malenia's surprised expressions, she added:
"We will bring back the King's daily life."
"You said you wouldn't tell them!" Ranni shrieked, then was forced back by Melina and Malenia's stares.
"The Black Knives are only loyal to the King!" Seeing Ranni's exasperated look, Alecto's voice was clearly a little pleased.
"Alright... alright, don't look at me like that, it was all its idea!" Ranni couldn't withstand everyone's gaze and pointed at the round Dark Moon in the sky.
"???" Bullying the moon because it can't speak, huh? So, it's taking the blame? The Dark Moon looked from the starry sky towards The Lands Between, and it began to ponder when Ranni had changed so much.
"Let's go, the three of us are almost out of time!" Patches, seeing the people in the distance still dawdling, couldn't help but urge them on.
"Farewell, everyone," with Alecto's goodbye, all the Black Knives stepped into the spatial rift.
Hearing Alecto's farewell, everyone's lips curved into a smile. The Black Knives had changed a lot.
"And these two are..." Godwyn asked, voicing everyone's question, looking at the somewhat tired Patches and his two companions.
He had wanted to ask this question during the meeting, but due to the explosive content of the meeting and the urgency of summoning the Black Knives, he only had time to ask now.
"Friends of your King," the Greater Will replied without batting an eye, giving a completely contradictory identity.
"As for this one..." The Greater Will looked at Melina and the others, and wisely kept silent.
The Fire Keeper saw everyone's gaze turn to her, and softly said, "Me? I suppose I'm your King's companion."
The atmosphere instantly froze, and then everyone turned to look at Patches.
Immense pressure descended upon Patches. He looked at Melina and the others' anxious and eager eyes, and then at the Fire Keeper, who was wagging her index finger at him.
"Uh... don't look at me, I don't know—" Before he could finish, Patches vanished, dragging Godwyn and the Greater Will with him.
Seeing Patches' reaction, Melina and the others immediately knew that Yu Jin had no companion at all.
The three women exchanged glances; it seemed a troublesome fellow had arrived... The spatial tunnel was Weird, chaotic, with all sorts of bizarre spatial fragments covered in insane fantasies.
Unfortunately, the Black Knives had long ingrained what to see and what not to see, and those whispers and madness had no effect on these assassins hidden in the darkness.
After an unknown period, all the madness and chaos gradually dissipated. A faint light appeared before the Black Knives' eyes.
After a moment of disorientation, the Black Knives found themselves standing on a field. Not far in front of them was a huge city. This was Mondstadt, one of The Seven Nations; it seemed Patches' methods were quite effective.
The moment they recovered, the Black Knives' figures vanished. Their stealth methods could be said to be the best in The Lands Between.
"The King's aura," this time the voice was not Alecto's, but another Black Knife.
In front of others, Alecto always spoke, but among themselves and before the King, the other Black Knives would speak.
"Jiu, not bad, I thought your perception would become slack in peace," a light, bell-like laugh came from another Black Knife.
"Not everyone likes to fight like you. The King told you to change, San," Jiu retorted without giving an inch.
"Hmph~, the King also said he wanted me to protect him," San didn't care in the slightest.
"Alright, it's time to get to business," Alecto, as Yi, the leader of the Black Knives, spoke.
Instantly, the restless Black Knives quieted down. When it came to business, the Black Knives were never ambiguous.
Alecto surveyed her surroundings and made a decision in her heart.
"I and Jiu will be responsible for figuring out the power dynamics of the various factions in this city."
"Lu and Qi will be responsible for observing the operation of the internal defense facilities of the city and the patrol schedule."
"Er, San, Si, Wu, Shi, disperse and ascertain the population of the settlements around the city and their attitude towards this city. Also, collect basic information about this world."
"Ba and Shi Yi, you will be responsible for figuring out the personnel flow in this city."
After making all the arrangements, Alecto then said to the eager group, "The King should have left temporarily. Until he gives orders, the principle of action is to minimize the intensity of conflict. Disperse!"
As soon as Alecto finished speaking, only Jiu remained in her sight. Even they themselves could not discern the Black Knives' stealth methods.
However, she had long anticipated this and, without any surprise, rushed towards the distant Mondstadt with Jiu... Upon arriving in Mondstadt, the first thing Ba and Shi Yi did was to leap across the rooftops within Mondstadt.
As rare humans, even as females, they had heights exceeding two meters. The daggers in their hands were daggers to them, but short swords to ordinary people.
Yet, even so, they landed on the rooftops without making the slightest sound.
They were Black Knives, who had once infiltrated the heart of The Lands Between's royal capital to assassinate Godwyn without being discovered.
Of course, this was only before the assassination; they were discovered afterwards, and the Black Knives suffered heavy casualties.
Ba looked at Shi Yi, who was leaping in front of her, and couldn't help but feel a surge of thoughts. Shi Yi had once fought alongside the King as an ash, and in the end, her soul did not return to the Erdtree but instead gained a new life.
Just as Ba was lost in thought, Shi Yi in front of her suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong? Is there anything unusual?" Ba asked Shi Yi beside her.
"A body created by the King," Shi Yi said faintly, staring at Tina, who was busy at the flower stall below.
"Is that so? Just pay more attention. After the mission is complete, maybe we can even chat," Ba said, looking at Tina, a smile playing on her beautiful face beneath the veil.
Shi Yi nodded. She had merely been a little excited after seeing the King's trace.
Just as the Black Knives were busy figuring out Mondstadt, a new storm was brewing in the Goth Grand Hotel.
"Don't cross the line, Arlecchino!" The Lady said with ill-will, looking at The Knave opposite her. This fellow had actually traveled thousands of miles to Mondstadt.
"What do you mean 'cross the line'? I'm just here to see my children," The Knave sat opposite The Lady, completely unfazed by The Lady's words.
"How interesting. How many years has it been? The House of the Hearth hasn't had a traitor for decades, it seems. Have the children forgotten my methods?" The Knave bit his finger, a red glint flashing in his already crimson eyes.
"You want to make a move on Tina?" The Lady's eyes narrowed, looking at The Knave.
"Oh? You actually know that child's name? How rare," The Knave seemed to have discovered something interesting, his eyes fixed on The Lady.
"I'm just advising you, it's best not to use your so-called 'methods' here," The Lady was not one to be afraid of trouble and directly met The Knave's gaze.
"Really? What you said makes me want to try it even more," the more The Lady warned him, the stronger his curiosity became.
"Pfft—" Who knew The Lady would burst out laughing upon hearing The Knave's words. She said to The Knave in front of her:
"You and I are the same; for hundreds of years, we've been unhindered by our strength and status, as if we've forgotten what reverence is."
"Considering we are barely colleagues, I'll give you two pieces of advice."
"First, don't break the rules."
"Second, if you meet someone wearing full armor, don't slash him three times."
The Lady extended two fingers towards The Knave, and said eerily.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
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