" Oh? I didn't expect my king to invite me."
"Unfortunately, I'm just an ordinary wine seller."
"I can't claim any great contribution to Mondstadt. If you do this, won't people talk?"
Diluc hadn't expected Rowan to keep him back only to invite him into the Round Table.
From Jean to Eula, he could tell Rowan was choosing impartially rather than by personal fancy. Otherwise, he would have already brought in Lisa—another renowned beauty—yet he hadn't. And now he was inviting a "common" merchant like him.
Albedo, who had just walked in, couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Others might not know Diluc's private identity, but a certain alchemist who often crossed paths with him certainly did.
Ordinary? Since when do "ordinary" people roam Mondstadt at night with a greatsword, keeping watch over the city?
More than once, when Albedo stayed too late at the lab and headed home at midnight, he'd run into him.
One glance was enough to know who he was.
The Darknight Hero—Mr. Diluc.
If you're "ordinary," what does that make a homunculus like me?
Diluc noticed Albedo's look but remained expressionless, as calm as ever—no hint of a secret about to be exposed.
Rowan nearly spat out his water at Diluc's answer.
You?
Ordinary?
Before Rowan arrived, Mondstadt's strongest forces—besides the unknown quantity that is Albedo and the ever-absent Anemo Archon—were basically you, Lord Diluc, the Darknight Hero.
"Ordinary," he says. Even without a Vision, there aren't many Knights who could take him one-on-one.
In his normal state, Diluc's strength is comparable to Jean's and Eula's—no surprise for scions of the three great houses.
But don't forget: apart from his Vision, Diluc also once held a Delusion.
Because of such matters, "the Doctor" even abandoned his conscription plans in Mondstadt.
If Diluc were to unleash dual powers like Tartaglia, his combat strength could surge to rival Falga's.
And you're calling yourself a "common merchant"? Who would believe that?
It's only because Venti slipped away right after the assembly that we were spared his heckling.
"Lord Diluc, we're all on the same side—no need to dance around it with me."
"If you're 'ordinary,' then what is Albedo? What am I?"
"You were the youngest squad captain in the Knights' history, and the most qualified to become Grand Master."
"If not for what happened to your father—and your disappointment in the order—you'd never have left."
That made Diluc blink in surprise. He hadn't expected Rowan to know so much.
Many new Knights didn't even know these details. How did a traveler from abroad?
Diluc, of course, knew Rowan's public identity—and that there was an information network behind him.
He'd known from Rowan's arrival that he was a traveler.
As for "descenders," that was a secret only a select few and the Seven themselves knew.
"Unexpected. You know a great deal about me, my king."
"In that case, I'll be frank: if you know what I went through, then you also know I cannot rejoin the Knights of Favonius."
"And that includes the Round Table."
In Diluc's eyes, the Knights and the Round Table both serve Mondstadt.
He'd had his fill of rules and procedures. After four years adrift, he still had no intention of returning.
He had no wish to be a Knight again—especially after seeing the order helpless under Fatui pressure.
He would protect Mondstadt in his own way, like a certain 'judge of sin' from the Church—
Guarding in the dark, a spark to light the dawn.
Rowan recognized the stubbornness and didn't press him.
He produced a token and tossed it to Diluc.
"Fine. Then keep this."
"It's proof of membership in the Round Table—"
Diluc's face didn't so much as flicker. He refused at once.
"I don't need it, and I don't intend to—"
"Don't be so quick to refuse. I know you don't want to join, and I won't force you."
Rowan raised a hand to stop him from handing it back and explained:
"I'm giving you this so you can act with fewer shackles."
"The next time you're playing Darknight Hero and someone spots you, flash the token and smooth it over."
"Understood, Lord Diluc—Darknight Hero?"
This time, Diluc had no reason to refuse. Silently, he pocketed the token marked "III."
The Round Table's privileges were simple: as a member, you are Mondstadt's natural ally.
With the token, any Knight must render aid and follow your directives.
Seeing the token is as seeing the Knight-King himself.
And one more key privilege: you may present one wish to Rowan—provided it does not violate morality.
When Rowan announced the Round Table's founding, he'd laid all of this out.
Jean and Eula hadn't decided on their wishes yet, so they'd set the matter aside.
With this token, even if a Knight caught Diluc acting "suspicious" at midnight, there'd be nothing they could do.
Detain him? One look at the token, and they'd stand down.
"All right. I know there's a good chance I'll be refused, just like by Lord Diluc…"
"But I'll ask anyway. Albedo—are you interested in joining this king's Round Table?"
(End of Chapter)
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