At Wangshu Inn in Liyue, Li Mo was telling the story of the twelfth life as usual. But the moment he mentioned the word "Delusion," the audience erupted.
"The Delusion? Is it something like a Vision?"
"I've heard it's similar to a Vision, granting powerful abilities—but it also comes with side effects, even life-threatening ones."
"Oh, so such legendary things actually exist?"
"I heard someone in Natlan once used a Delusion."
For most of the audience, the Delusion was a foreign concept, though many had heard legends about it. In the past, they would have dismissed it as myth. But now, with the storyteller's words, many began to believe it was real.
Meanwhile, in another corner, Keqing, Hu Tao, Shenhe, and the others all turned their gaze toward La Signora the moment they heard the word "Delusion" connected to Crepus.
Sensing their eyes, La Signora looked a little uncomfortable. "I apologize—some of my subordinates in the Fatui did conduct Delusion experiments in Mondstadt. I wasn't aware of the details at the time."
Indeed, Delusion research had always been led by The Doctor, outside La Signora's purview. She had only known about it peripherally, without any authority to intervene.
Keqing analyzed seriously, "So Crepus might come into possession of a Delusion? What consequences would using it have?"
La Signora hesitated. "I suspect that if Crepus obtained one, it would only be a low‑grade Delusion—likely a flawed prototype. If he used it, he would probably…"
Xiangling pressed urgently, "Probably what? Tell us!"
La Signora sighed. "He would probably die."
In the past, she wouldn't have cared if a stranger died from a Delusion. But now, that stranger was her beloved Rostam's reincarnation. Even she didn't want to see Crepus fall victim to it.
But she could only listen from the audience—she couldn't influence the storyteller.
Hearing that Crepus might die, Hu Tao laughed. "Ha! I knew it—the storyteller can't help himself. He's going to break our hearts again."
Xiangling was confused. "If you know he's going to break our hearts, why are you so happy?"
Hu Tao grinned. "Hehe, I'm the director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. I'm immune to heartbreak. The more tragedy, the better business for us."
Xiangling: "You—"
Guoba: "Rulu—"
Keqing said, "Stop joking. The Delusion has appeared, but Crepus may never come into contact with it. Let's keep listening."
Xiangling added, "What a pity Diluc isn't here. If only he could hear these stories—it's about his father, after all."
Beidou reassured her, "Don't worry. These stories will spread to Mondstadt soon enough."
...
While Li Mo was telling the stories at Wangshu Inn, at Dawn Winery in faraway Mondstadt, Diluc went through his usual morning routine: after breakfast, his first task was to practice swordsmanship in the winery—the fundamentals his father had taught him. Though the basic techniques were simple, each swing reminded him of his father's kind face.
If not for the accident, his father would still be the master of Dawn Winery, leading its business to new heights.
Just as Diluc was training, the butler appeared and interrupted him.
Diluc frowned. "What is it? Has that bard shown up again? Tell him I'm not here, give him a jug of wine, and send him on his way."
Come to think of it, that drunkard bard hadn't been around for a while. Had he actually quit drinking? No—anyone could quit, but never that particular bard.
The butler replied seriously, "It's not the bard. Master Diluc, have you read the light novel I gave you yesterday?"
Diluc said flatly, "I skimmed it. It was moving, but clearly fabricated."
He didn't believe a word of it. The Anemo Archon, the Electro Archon, the Geo Archon—all gathered in an inn listening to a storyteller? Absurd. He saw through it instantly.
The butler smiled. "Though it may be fiction, the stories are quite interesting. I heard the storytelling continues today. If you're interested, Master Diluc, you could visit Wangshu Inn in Liyue and listen in person—make a little trip of it. It might help clear your mind."
Diluc shook his head. "Clear my mind? For some made‑up tales? It's not worth the trip. I'd rather practice my swordsmanship here."
With that, he ignored the butler and resumed his training, going through the basic techniques his father had taught him.
Seeing this, the butler sighed. Even after all this time, Master Diluc still hadn't moved on from that tragedy.
...
Meanwhile, back at Wangshu Inn, once the audience had quieted down, Li Mo resumed his storytelling. As he spoke, the Electro‑formed projections above the stage shifted, showing the scene of the knight selection.
In the images, seeing his son pass the selection filled Crepus with joy. Just as he was about to head back for a drink with the bard, he felt someone touch his hand and press a small piece of paper into it. Puzzled, he looked around but saw no one suspicious.
When he opened the paper, he found a startling word and an even more startling message.
[Do you wish to possess power equal to a Vision? Do you wish to become a powerful swordsman?]
[Do you wish to become a hero?]
[Do you wish to fulfill your dreams?]
[The Delusion can give you everything.]
[Dear Sir, if you are interested in the power of the Delusion, please bring sufficient Mora (2,000,000) and contact us in one day's time.]
[Special warning: Do not let anyone know of this matter, or face the consequences.]
...