In an era of rapid progress, you can see the difference in certain individuals.
Take Eula, for example.
In the past, Eula led her guerrilla squad in the wilderness, enduring harsh conditions and sleeping under the stars. She rarely returned to Mondstadt, and when she did, it was only to resupply or submit combat reports to commend her team.
But things are different now.
The Knights of Favonius now have reconnaissance drones. Whenever monsters are spotted gathering in an area, the guerrilla squad can head straight there for a targeted cleanup. Sometimes, they don't even need to deploy—missiles mounted on the drones can take care of the monsters.
Compared to before, Eula's life has become somewhat more relaxed.
And there's another change.
Eula's reputation in Mondstadt is shifting.
With the advancement of the era and the spread of information, people's understanding of the Lawrence Clan is deepening.
Genshin Impact's official website provides character profiles, but they only include basic information—names, affiliations, and brief stories. More detailed information is unlocked only as players progress through the story and learn more about the characters.
The people of Mondstadt naturally harbor deep hatred for the Lawrence Clan.
Unfortunately, Eula bears the Lawrence name.
Some curious individuals, after completing Mondstadt's main storyline, began digging into Eula's profile, hoping to find flaws to criticize.
But to their disappointment, they found no dirt—only a wealth of admirable qualities.
Now, the people of Mondstadt are starting to see Eula in a new light.
She's a knight born into the Lawrence Clan, yet she protects Mondstadt with her actions!
As for her catchphrase, it might sound intimidating to those who don't know her, but once they understand her, most just laugh it off.
So now, Eula can live a normal life in Mondstadt.
As she walks through the streets, she no longer faces scornful glares.
In fact, as she passes by, a few enthusiastic shopkeepers even greet her warmly.
Eula's expression remains calm, but inside, she's overjoyed.
Is this what it feels like to be welcomed?
Eula loves this feeling.
She's always been a resilient person—otherwise, she wouldn't have survived the gossip and constant rejection she faced for so long.
But surviving in such an environment doesn't mean she enjoyed it!
Deep down, Eula has always wanted to be as well-liked as Amber and the others.
Even if she couldn't be as popular as them, she hoped for at least a bit of mutual respect and courtesy.
Eula knew, however, that achieving that was incredibly difficult. Still, she kept trying.
But she never imagined that the world would change so suddenly, and when the time came for her to shine, the joy would be so overwhelming.
It was as if just last night she was worrying about not being able to buy anything—people would rather let their goods rot than sell to her.
But this morning, as soon as she stepped out, people were offering her the freshest items and praising her as a righteous knight!
Eula felt like she was dreaming!
So, when she received a message from Amber, Eula hurriedly made her way to the Deer Hunter restaurant.
Soon, she turned a corner on the street, and there was the Deer Hunter.
She saw a young man in white sitting leisurely with his legs crossed, holding a teacup. He listened to Amber, who was talking excitedly, occasionally nodding in response.
"Eula!"
Eula snapped back to reality and quickly approached.
"We were waiting for you!" Amber said, standing up quickly.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting," Eula said, a bit embarrassed.
"We were just talking about you," Lu Heng said with a smile.
"Talking about me?"
Eula was surprised and shot Amber a glance. "You weren't badmouthing me, were you?"
"How could I badmouth you?" Amber laughed. "We were just talking about some funny stories about you. Like that time you said you were really grateful to Mr. Lu, and I reminded you not to hold a grudge against him."
"I'm not holding a grudge!"
Eula immediately grew anxious and explained, "Mr. Lu, don't listen to Amber's nonsense!"
"Relax, relax," Lu Heng said, waving his hand. "You may not know me well, but I know you. It's just a catchphrase, no big deal."
"Phew…"
Eula let out a sigh of relief.
Lu Heng was a great benefactor, no joke.
His presence had a profound impact on many people, like a savior in critical moments.
This was true for Furina, and it was much the same for Eula.
She definitely didn't want Lu Heng to misunderstand her as someone who'd hold a grudge against him.
"Chill out," Amber said with a grin. "How could I ever badmouth you? Good friends don't stab each other in the back!"
"Exactly," Lu Heng agreed, then chuckled. "But thanks to Amber, I've learned some interesting stories about you."
"Like what?" Eula asked warily.
"Nothing bad, don't worry," Amber said, waving it off.
She hadn't mentioned any of Eula's embarrassing moments.
"Good, then," Eula said, trusting Amber.
"Since we're all here, let's order!" Amber handed the menu to Lu Heng.
Lu Heng glanced at it and said, "I'm pretty curious about that meal you treated the Traveler to. Let's get that!"
"The Reconnaissance Knight's top recommendation, can't go wrong!" Amber turned to Eula. "What about you, Eula?"
"The usual," Eula replied.
"Got it."
Amber quickly placed the order and handed it to Sarah, the Deer Hunter's server.
"Want some wine?" Amber asked.
Mondstadt is the land of wine lovers.
Most restaurants here serve alcohol, so dining in Mondstadt often involves a drink or two.
"I'm good with it," Lu Heng said with a smile.
"I'm definitely good with it!"
As a Mondstadt native, Eula was no stranger to drinking!
In the past, she could never share a table with others at the tavern.
But now, when she went to the tavern, people even offered to buy her drinks!
Thinking about this, Eula couldn't help but smile.
"What's got you so happy?" Lu Heng asked with a grin.
"It's just…" Eula hesitated, then decided to share.
"That's a good thing," Lu Heng nodded. "You've done so much for the Knights, and people shouldn't distance themselves from you just because of your last name. The way things are now is how it should be."
"A noblewoman who's never thought of oppressing the common folk, who even abandoned her noble privileges to protect the people—that's someone worthy of respect."
When it comes to nobles, people often think of their shady dealings.
But not all nobles are the same.
Take the Gunnhildr Clan, for example. They're nobles too, yet they've never oppressed the common folk. Mention the Gunnhildr name, and everyone gives a thumbs-up.
The Lawrence Clan once had its moments of glory, but power corrupted them, and they strayed down the wrong path.
Eula joining the Knights wasn't a betrayal of the Lawrence Clan—it was a return to the clan's original path of protecting Mondstadt.
After hearing Lu Heng's words, Eula felt deeply moved.
Her resolve grew even stronger.
"The Lawrence Clan's glory was never built on oppressing others!" Eula said firmly. "It should be like the Gunnhildr Clan—earning praise by protecting the people!"
"Well said!" Amber cheered, clapping her hands.
Her applause, however, broke Eula's momentum.
"Amber, you ruined the mood!" Eula exclaimed.
"Huh?" Amber looked surprised. "I was just cheering you on!"
"I'm not storytelling here!" Eula said, exasperated, rubbing her forehead.
Soon, Sarah brought the food and some local Mondstadt wine.
"Mr. Lu, want to say a few words?" Amber asked.
"Me?"
Lu Heng paused for a moment, then raised his glass. "Let's toast to the vengeance knight's grand ambitions!"
"Pfft… cough!"
Eula's face turned red, and she huffed, "Giving me a nickname like that? This grudge is set!"
"Vengeance knight, don't sweat the small stuff. Let's drink to your grand ambitions!"
"Fine!"
The three clinked their glasses.
The wine tasted a bit like beer, with a low alcohol content, so even Amber downed her glass without hesitation.
"Phew!"
After a glass, Eula felt exhilarated.
"I don't have many hobbies, but drinking is definitely one of them," Eula said.
"I don't really get it," Amber shook her head.
"When you're feeling down, a drink can help. But even when you're in a good mood, a couple of drinks hit the spot," Lu Heng said with a smile.
"So, vengeance knight, how's your mood today?" Amber teased.
"What do you think?"
Eula glanced at Amber, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Looks like you're in high spirits!"
Amber nodded, refilling her and Lu Heng's glasses. "Let's have another!"
"What about you?" Lu Heng asked with a laugh.
"Me?"
Amber scratched her head. "I'm not much of a drinker. Can I substitute with tea?"
"Absolutely not!" Eula shook her head.
"Don't overdo it. Too much alcohol isn't good for you," Lu Heng advised.
"Alright, you guys have a full glass, and I'll do a third!" Amber said.
"Deal," Eula nodded.
"Cheers! No need for a reason this time—just because we're happy!"
As everyone knows, after a few drinks, people tend to spill their hearts.
Eula was clearly drunk by now.
Her face was flushed, reeking of alcohol, and tears streamed down her face as she poured out years of grievances.
"You don't know… I really wanted to buy that thing, but he refused to sell it to me. I even offered triple the Mora! He shooed me away, saying someone from the Lawrence Clan didn't deserve to live in Mondstadt… And those who did sell to me? They charged me several times the price for the worst goods…"
She looked so aggrieved.
Lu Heng patted Eula's shoulder to comfort her. "That's all in the past now. Who in Mondstadt doesn't give you a thumbs-up these days?"
While Lu Heng consoled Eula, Amber was secretly recording with a mischievous grin.
She knew Eula had already moved past those hardships. Right now, she was just letting out pent-up emotions while drunk.
By tomorrow, when she sobered up, Eula would be fine.
But this recording? It was definitely staying for future teasing.
"I felt like an outsider in Mondstadt!" Eula continued, unable to stop.
She had no interest in joining the foolish Lawrence Clan members in their quest to "restore ancestral glory."
What glory are you even trying to restore? she thought, too exasperated to even point it out.
Her values clashed with the Lawrence Clan's, so she wasn't exactly welcomed by them either. And with the Lawrence name, she was even less welcome in Mondstadt.
In her early years, Eula's life was tough.
She didn't have many friends in Mondstadt.
Even in the Knights, while most didn't hate her like the general populace, they rarely interacted with her.
"Amber, thank you!"
Amber was stunned for a moment, then patted Eula's shoulder. "No need to thank me. You're my good friend!"
"But my good friend, what are you doing?!"
Eula might be drunk, but she wasn't blackout drunk yet.
"Hehe," Amber gave a guilty chuckle.
"Hmph…"
"This grudge? I'll remember you for a lifetime!" Eula huffed.
"Alright, alright, we'll be best friends for a lifetime," Amber said, interpreting Eula's words in her own way.
"And you!"
Eula turned to Lu Heng. "I'll remember you for a lifetime too!"
"Sounds good," Lu Heng said with a smile, nodding.
"You better not back out when I call you for drinks!"
"Unless I'm truly tied up," Lu Heng said, "I promise, as long as I'm free, I'm there!"
"It's a deal!"
Eula wiped her face with a tissue and tossed a bone whistle she carried to Lu Heng. "A meeting gift for you!"
"Whoa! You never gave me one!" Amber pouted.
"I'll make two more later and give you one!" Eula said grandly.
"It's a deal!" Amber said, delighted.
"Cheers!"
After venting her emotions, Eula was in high spirits again.
"Then I'll keep up with my bestie!" Amber said, acting as if she was making a grand sacrifice.
With the mood so lively, Lu Heng raised his glass. "To our friendship—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The drinking went on late into the night, but they barely touched the food.
The three of them were full from drinking.
Lu Heng stayed sober, and Amber was still in decent shape.
Eula, however… she drank the equivalent of two people's share and was now passed out on the table.
In her state, she couldn't care less about noble etiquette or being ladylike.
"Now what?" Amber asked.
"My shop's right nearby," Lu Heng said. "You two can stay there tonight. It'll be easier to look after her."
"Won't that be too much trouble?" Amber scratched her head.
"Trouble? Not at all," Lu Heng said, shaking his head.
"Alright, let's get Eula back then?"
"Let's go."
Amber called out to Eula a couple of times.
She woke up, still groggy.
Lu Heng and Amber supported her, one on each side.
"She's kinda heavy," Amber muttered.
She wasn't a frail girl, but Eula was no lightweight either.
Drunk and limp, Eula would've been a struggle for Amber to carry alone.
"It's just a few steps. Hang in there."
They brought Eula to the second floor of Lu Heng's shop. Lu Heng placed a few cups of water on the bedside table and said, "Get some good rest tonight. If you need anything, call the robot downstairs or give me a ring."
"She'll be out like a light soon," Amber said, shaking her head. "Don't worry, I'm still okay. I'll take care of her."
"Alright, rest well then," Lu Heng said, nodding before heading out and closing the door.
As he went downstairs, Lu Heng tossed the bone whistle in his hand.
Who would've thought a casual dinner would come with a gift?
What surprised him even more was how interesting Eula became after letting her guard down and getting drunk.
She was crying her heart out.
It might seem out of character compared to her in-game persona.
But Lu Heng found it understandable.
People's personalities aren't set in stone. Their reactions to the same situation can vary depending on the time and context.
No matter how strong Eula was, suddenly realizing she no longer had to put up a tough front and being surrounded by kindness—it was only natural for her to react this way.
Downstairs, Lu Heng stepped back into his pocket dimension.
"Why do you reek of alcohol?"
Focalors came over, sniffing him. "Hmm, a woman's scent?"
Her eyes glinted with mischief as she teased, "Out drinking with a pretty girl, huh?"
"Yup, with Eula," Lu Heng admitted with a nod.
"Eula, huh…" Focalors drawled. "How's she doing in Mondstadt?"
"She's doing great now," Lu Heng said. "Much better than before."
"You're changing the fate of all Teyvat," Focalors said with a sigh.
"Any profound insights?" Lu Heng asked.
"How about I thank you properly on the battlefield~" Focalors said, pulling Lu Heng along.
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T/N:
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