Genshin Impact: Villain Impact

Lucas, half understanding, asked, "So you're saying... you can forge this sword?"

"Yes," Raiden Mai nodded. "Once I scan a weapon, I can analyze its materials and forging process."

This made Lucas recall that Raiden Mai's creator, Raiden Ei, was a renowned master blacksmith. It wasn't surprising that her automaton would inherit her knowledge and craftsmanship.

"In that case, you can spend your free time forging weapons," Lucas said with a nod. "When I find other rare items in the future, I'll bring them for you to examine too."

On the continent of Teyvat, where monsters roamed and adventurers abounded, the weapons industry was highly profitable.

However, the methods of forging quality weapons were often monopolized by major blacksmith shops, and acquiring raw materials from mines—like Liyue's famous "The Chasm"—required extensive financial resources and proper documentation. For most people, entering this lucrative industry was next to impossible.

But for Lucas, neither of these obstacles posed a problem. In terms of blacksmithing, Raiden Mai inherited the expertise of Raiden Ei. As for raw material extraction, all of the mines and quarries within the Serenitea Pot realm were his private property.

At that moment, Lucas had no idea that his offhand comment would eventually have a massive impact on Teyvat's blacksmithing industry.

...

After assigning tasks, Lucas exited the Serenitea Pot. 

Naturally, they couldn't stay in the Hilichurl camp, so they resumed their journey toward Mondstadt, driving the caravan onward.

As for the people who had been kidnapped, Lucas simply instructed his subordinates to untie them and let them go, ensuring they didn't reveal any information.

Fischl, of course, tagged along with Lucas's group. In her eyes, Lucas had already become the "prophesied Immortal King of the Undead." 

While this situation gave Lucas a headache, the other members of the caravan had no complaints. The strange young girl actually brought some amusement to the group. Plus, with Oz scouting ahead, their safety was significantly increased.

Not that safety was much of an issue anymore—with Lucas's current power, ordinary monsters or bandits posed little threat, unless they encountered a berserk Dvalin, the Stormterror Dragon.

Night fell quickly, and the caravan set up camp. After organizing the watch shifts, everyone settled down to rest.

Lucas, not one to assert his authority as the leader, took the first watch.

As he stared up at the sky full of stars and the bright crescent moon, the familiar voice of the system rang out.

[Master, you're slacking again. How about a run on the simulator?]

"Ugh, annoying!"

[I've only said two words, and you're already annoyed. I just want you to properly enjoy the simulator. All I ever see is you lazing around.]

"Alright, alright!" Lucas sat up. "I'm bored anyway, let's do it."

[Command received. Life Simulator is now starting.]

[Please choose three talents from the following options. At the end of the simulation, one will be randomly retained as a permanent talent.]

- Born into Power (Blue): You will be born into a very influential family.

- Prone to Weight Gain (White): You will gain weight even from drinking water.

- First Glass of Red Wine (Purple): After drinking the "first glass of red wine" from the opposite sex, you will gain extraordinary power. Having this talent will significantly increase certain desires. 

- Eternal Bloodline (Blue): After death, you will reincarnate as an infant from your own bloodline, retaining your memories. (This talent can only be activated once.)

- Foreign Scholar (Green): Your skin will become darker, but you will gain three opposite-sex companions while studying abroad.

- Very Brave (Green): You will be braver than most people in all situations.

- Keen Senses (Green): You have extraordinary hearing and sight, slightly increasing your critical hit and dodge rates.

- Pearl the Pony (Green): You will own a pony named "Pearl." She cannot be ridden but is excellent at writing essays.

- Ranged Mastery (Blue): You are naturally skilled with all ranged weapons.

- Bartender (Green): You are exceptionally skilled at mixing drinks with shady stuff.

"Another bunch of weird talents..."

However, Eternal Bloodline caught Lucas's attention. Its effect seemed somewhat similar to Try Again, as both involved a form of resurrection, though in different ways—one being a direct revival, and the other a rebirth.

Also, Born into Power sounded intriguing. Although it only altered his family background, the fact that it was rated as a blue talent suggested that the family wouldn't just be well-off—they'd be truly powerful.

"Let's go with that," Lucas thought. "I'll play the role of a rich young master this time, like Yujiro."

"Uh..." Lucas scratched his head. "Eternal Bloodline, Born into Power, and what's this First Glass of Red Wine...?"

Just as he was about to ask for clarification, the system abruptly responded.

[Talent selection complete. Generating character profile.]

"Wait, hold on!" Lucas interrupted. "I didn't mean to select that! I just wanted to ask what 'First Glass of Red Wine' means!"

[Isn't it obvious? It refers to a girl's first 'experience' of love.]

"So... you mean... first night? Why didn't you just say that?"

[If we said it outright, it could trigger censorship by certain unmentionable forces. Haven't you heard how Sensual Encounter got censored and became Mischievous Shiba Inu?] 

"So even the system has to deal with content reviews now, huh?" Lucas chuckled. "But I didn't mean to choose that talent!"

[Oh well, just be more careful next time. The character profile has already been generated, and it cannot be changed.]

"Damn system! You totally tricked me into choosing that!" Lucas muttered angrily.

[Tehee!]

"Tehee, my foot!"

[The life simulation is about to begin.]

[Age 0: You are about to be born into one of Mondstadt's three most influential families. Rolling the dice to determine your mother...]

- 1-2: Gunnhildr Family

- 3-4: Ragnvindr Family

- 5-6: Lawrence Family

"Rolling the dice to pick a mom? What the hell?"

Suddenly, a finely crafted six-sided dice appeared in front of Lucas, seemingly made of some sort of bone.

"Didn't we usually get to choose this ourselves?" Lucas asked, confused. "Why are we using dice now?"

[First, it adds an element of unpredictability to the simulation. Second, don't you think it's absurd for an unborn baby to choose which family they're born into?]

"I think rolling a dice to pick a mom is even more absurd!"

Despite his frustration, Lucas knew he couldn't change the system's rules, so he rolled the dice after shaking it in his hand.

The Gunnhildr family was a noble house, the Ragnvindr family was incredibly wealthy, and the Lawrence family... well, they were like a bunch of outcasts.

"Just please, anything but the Lawrence family! I'm begging you, dice gods!"

According to the famous Murphy's Law, if something can go wrong, no matter how unlikely, it will go wrong.

Lucas didn't believe in it before.

But now, looking at the dice with the number "6" face-up in front of him, he couldn't help but curse under his breath.

Although the Lawrence family was indeed one of Mondstadt's three great families, and a thousand years ago, it had even surpassed the other two families in wealth and wielded enormous power over Mondstadt's life and death, that was ancient history. 

A millennium ago, under the leadership of the warrior woman Vennessa of Natlan, the Lawrence family's rule was overthrown.

Though they weren't completely destroyed, their former influence was entirely gone, and their descendants became known as the "Bloodline of Sinners," shunned by all.

In other words, this so-called Born into Power talent didn't bring any benefits to Lucas. Instead, he was born into infamy.

[Age 0: You are born into Mondstadt's prestigious Lawrence family. Your father, Ingobert Lawrence, is the head of the family. As the second son of the family head, your birth garnered little attention. There was no celebration or blessings—because you are an illegitimate child.]

[Your mother is a simple and kind maid, responsible for feeding the horses and cleaning the stables. Your birth was merely the result of one of Ingobert's drunken whims.]

[To the Lawrence family, still powerful in Mondstadt, this was no more than a trivial matter. Ironically, your father, Ingobert, can easily distinguish between his thirteen prized horses but doesn't even know your mother's name.]

[Nonetheless, the "noble" seed took root in "lowly" soil. Driven by maternal instinct, your mother was determined to give birth to you. However, due to her frail health and lack of nutrition, you were born prematurely at seven months. As a premature baby, you didn't even have the strength to cry.]

[Your birth was quickly brought to the attention of the family head, Ingobert. He actually came to see you—your frail body resembling a hairless pup, your nearly transparent skin revealing your internal organs.]

[Perhaps out of idle curiosity, or because he didn't believe you would survive, Ingobert unusually permitted your existence. You became the only baby in the Lawrence family not to receive a family blessing.]

Something's off...

Lucas was puzzled. According to common knowledge, the Lawrence family had long fallen from power. How could they still be described as "influential"?

Could this be another case of the simulator's timeline diverging from reality?

[Age 1: Against the odds, you managed to survive. Your vitality was astonishingly strong. Lacking milk, your mother fed you horse milk. Without proper clothing, you slept peacefully on a bed of straw.]

[Age 2: You started to become aware of your surroundings and asked your mother who your father was. Each time, she told you that your father was the most powerful man in Mondstadt. You didn't fully understand what that meant at your young age, but you still held some hope for your "father."]

[Age 3: You met your father for the first time—a tall, handsome, middle-aged man with a short beard. However, he only remembered that he had a bastard child in the stables by pure coincidence.]

[Ingobert had assumed you would have died by now, but to his surprise, you were not only alive but healthy. He didn't care much, though, as he already had a legitimate son two years older than you.]

[Unlike you, your half-brother, named "Parsifal," was the legitimate heir of the Lawrence family and destined to be the future head.]

[Still, you were Ingobert's blood, and he seemed to sense some potential in you. He decided you should receive formal education. However, your mother remained nameless, and you had no right to inherit the Lawrence surname.]

[He gave you a name, seemingly out of casual thought: "Eberhart." In Old Mondstadtian, a language only the Lawrence family still used, the name means "Child of Chance."]

"Eberhart?"

The name sparked a memory in Lucas.

For many Genshin Impact players, the name "Eberhart" might be obscure. It was the same for Lucas, as it only appeared in snippets of lore within quests and weapon descriptions.

But two things vaguely stood out in his mind.

First, Eberhart was a noble from Mondstadt a thousand years ago.

Second, Eberhart wasn't a member of the Lawrence family.

Of course, the simulator's narrative often diverged from reality, as Lucas's previous experiences had shown—there was always about a 30% chance of things being altered.

For instance, in the simulator, Shenhe had lived with her family, Lucas had inexplicably become the "Doctor," and Jean was severely injured during the battle against Stormterror—things that didn't align with actual events.

However, the simulator's changes weren't entirely baseless. From the information gathered so far, it seemed likely that the reason the Lawrence family retained their power in this scenario was because... the simulator was set a thousand years in the past.

Great. Last time, the timeline was thrown back five hundred years. Now, it's a full millennium.

[Age 4: You began receiving aristocratic education alongside other Lawrence children. As the most powerful family in Mondstadt, the Lawrence children could never be educated alongside the common rabble.]

[Your status as a bastard quickly became known. After all, while the other children practiced writing the Lawrence name in elegant script, you were excluded.]

[Your clothing was less luxurious, your stationery less refined, and they mockingly called you the "Stable Master's Son."]

[However, your half-brother Parsifal was always kind to you. Unlike the other noble children, he didn't look down on you with scorn.]

[You admired the other children—especially your brother. Back in your quarters, you asked your mother what you had to do to become a true noble like them.]

[With a gentle touch on your cheek, your mother comforted you: "Eberhart, you only need to do one thing—endure. No matter what happens, endure, and one day, you will get everything you desire."]

[Age 5: Your mother's words remained etched in your heart. You knew that the key to restoring your noble status lay in gaining your father's recognition.]

[So, you threw yourself into your studies and trained in martial arts with equal determination.]

[Age 6: Mondstadt's nobles considered spears to be the weapons of slaves. Only swords symbolized their noble status. The Lawrence family was no exception. The swordsmanship taught by your instructors was less of a combat skill and more of a ceremonial dance.]

[Compared to the other noble children, you had one great advantage—you were hardworking. For every move they practiced once, you practiced five or ten times. Even the instructors who looked down on you as a bastard began to appreciate your dedication.]

[Age 7: You were confident that your swordsmanship would finally earn your father's approval. But to your dismay, you discovered that your brother Parsifal was a natural-born genius. Despite never practicing as hard as you, his skill far surpassed yours.]

[Time and time again, you challenged your half-brother, only to be soundly defeated every time. You began to realize that in terms of swordsmanship, you would never surpass him.]

[Age 8: The Lawrence family was hosting a youth swordsmanship tournament. This was your perfect chance to prove yourself to your father. However, you were destined to be nothing more than Parsifal's shadow.]

[To Parsifal, winning this tournament was a trivial matter, but for you, it was your only chance to change your fate. Therefore, you decided to...]

[1: Enter the competition honorably.]

[2: Resort to trickery.]

In situations like this, trickery was clearly the only option.

-----

Lucas was already well-versed in the simulator's patterns.

"I'll pick the second option."

[Your desire for victory ultimately overcame your sense of honor. The day before the competition, you pretended to kindly offer Parsifal a piece of candy. Unaware of your trick, Parsifal accepted the gesture from his 'brother' and ate the tampered candy without suspicion.]

[He smiled apologetically and said, "Eberhart, I know tomorrow's competition means a lot to you. If you need me to… I can go easy on you. Winning or losing doesn't matter to me."]

[Faced with his offer, your response was…]

- 1. Well, I'll leave it to you, brother!

- 2. No, that would tarnish the honor of the Lawrence family.

Since you've already drugged him, there's no need to have him go easy on you. Furthermore, your father Ingobert, a highly skilled swordsman, might notice if Parsifal holds back. If that happens, your plan will lose all its meaning.

[You shook your head and said, "No, that would tarnish the honor of the Lawrence family."]

[Parsifal blinked in surprise, but then smiled, clearly impressed.]

[Indeed, no matter how many times Parsifal loses, he will always remain the legitimate heir of the Lawrence family. But if you lose just once, you may never have another chance to turn your life around.]

[Parsifal's kindness, his carefree attitude, and his righteousness stem from the fact that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Everything you strive for, everything you dream of, is something he simply doesn't care about.]

[The next day, the tournament begins as scheduled. Both you and Parsifal emerge as dark horses in the competition. None of the other children are your match, and the two of you ultimately meet in the final round.]

[Your presence in the finals surprises everyone. After all, you are a mere illegitimate child without even a family name, and standing here is an insult to the other noble children.]

[However, no one dares to voice their objections. Even as a bastard, you are still the son of the family head. For the first time, you feel your father's eyes on you—this might be the first time he's ever looked at you seriously.]

[The final match begins. Faced with Parsifal's aggressive attacks, you continue to retreat, just as planned. You're only waiting for the effects of the drug to kick in.]

[Finally, the drug takes effect. Parsifal's movements become sluggish, and in that moment, you step forward and strike his hand with your wooden sword, knocking his weapon from his grasp.]

[Wracked with abdominal pain from the drug, Parsifal falls to his knees. At this moment, you…]

- 1. Defeat him outright.

- 2. Put down your weapon to demonstrate fairness.

This is likely a trap. While it may seem best to defeat him directly, Parsifal is still the heir of the Lawrence family. If he loses, it would be a great embarrassment to Ingobert. You can't afford to lose, but you can't afford to win outright either.

"I'll choose the second option."

[Instead of seizing the opportunity to win, you lay down your weapon and announce to everyone that your opponent is feeling unwell. You offer to wait until he recovers before continuing the match.]

[This is a risky move, but fortunately, it pays off. Your father, Ingobert, declares that both you and Parsifal will share the championship.]

[No one could have predicted that an eight-year-old child would be so calculating. After the tournament, your father summoned you and your mother for the first time. You were thrilled, thinking that you would finally receive his recognition. But what awaited you was a choice.]

[Your father offered to continue supporting you and, if you performed well, he might even grant you the Lawrence surname. However, in return, you would have to sever all ties with your past, especially with your low-born mother.]

[To become a noble, you would need to abandon everything. But as you looked at your mother, you already knew your answer: to hell with wealth and status. To hell with the Lawrence family. How could they ever compare to your mother?]

[However, your mother didn't give you the chance to choose. Seeing your decision in your eyes, she took a step back and struck her head against the stone pillar behind her. Her fragile yet resilient life ended before you.]

[Your father merely remarked, "She was indeed a remarkable woman. You should thank her. She gave you the chance to change your fate without the burden of being labeled unfilial."]

[You wanted to lash out, but your mother's words echoed in your mind: Endure. Always endure.]

["Thank you, Father…" you said, bowing your head. But the respect in your eyes had long since faded, replaced by a deep, smoldering hatred.]

[Age 9: Since your recognition by Ingobert, your status within the Lawrence family has risen quickly. Though you lack your brother Parsifal's natural talent with a sword, you are far more shrewd and mature than him.]

[Your father seems to be growing increasingly fond of you. Were it not for your status as a bastard, which prevents you from taking the Lawrence surname, he might even reconsider who the future heir should be.]

[Age 10: Your father has two great passions—watching gladiator battles and going on adventures. The gladiator arena is one of Mondstadt's signature attractions. Nobles train their slaves to become gladiators, sending them to fight to the death for entertainment.]

[A powerful gladiator, like a prized horse, is another way for nobles to flaunt their wealth and status.]

[Of course, the nobles consider themselves "generous." If a gladiator wins enough battles, they are granted their freedom.]

[Your brother Parsifal detests the bloodshed of the arena and avoids it, considering it barbaric. But you often accompany your father to the gladiator battles in his place.]

[Age 11: On your birthday, your father takes you to the arena and presents you with a special gift—a gladiator of your own.]

[You spot a particularly striking figure in the arena. Though over fifty years old, this gladiator remains strong and agile, using brutal spear techniques to defeat one younger, stronger opponent after another.]

[This gladiator belongs to the Lawrence family. His name has long been forgotten, and he is known simply as the "Gladiator Slave." You call him to your side as his new master, pinning a small flower to his chest and smiling, "Will you become my gladiator?"]

[Your father is surprised by your choice. Most people would have chosen a younger, stronger fighter, but since it's your decision, he doesn't object.]

[In the gladiator's clouded eyes, you see a flicker of light as he kneels before you, swearing his loyalty.]

[Achievement Unlocked: Gladiator's Fondness]

[Reward Item: Gladiator's Nostalgia]

[Gladiator's Finale]

[- Type: Set (Collecting 2, 3, or 4 pieces will grant additional bonuses)]

[- Effect: (1/4) Increases attack by 5%]

[- Description: No one knows why the legendary gladiator always wears this small flower on his chest. It's the only weak spot on this brutal warrior's body.]

A "set item," similar to Genshin Impact's artifacts.

Unexpectedly, you've earned a reward like this.

Each artifact tells a story, and it seems this storyline is connected to the Gladiator's Finale artifact, which is why you received this reward.

However, a single artifact's effect isn't very impressive. It looks like you'll need to collect more pieces to unlock its full potential.

---

[Age 12: The gladiator, now your loyal servant, could have long since earned his freedom, but out of gratitude for your kindness, he remains by your side. He uses his spear to win you honor and also serves as your personal guard. One night, you ask him to teach you his spear techniques.]

[The gladiator is surprised by your request. After all, in Mondstadt, spear techniques are considered lowly skills, meant only for slaves and gladiators. Nevertheless, he agrees without hesitation.]

[Your reason for learning spear techniques is simple: you know you will never match your father and brother in swordsmanship. Thus, you decide to secretly train with the spear.]

[What the gladiator teaches you is less a formal technique and more a brutal style honed through countless life-and-death battles. Its only purpose is to find the opportunity to kill your opponent by any means necessary.]

[Age 13: Driven by the fire of revenge, you quickly master all the gladiator's spear techniques. Of course, you are still no match for him, as the techniques can only be improved through real combat experience.]

[You name this style simply, "Duelist's Spear." It's a technique meant to be used in one-on-one duels, where it reaches its peak potential.]

[Achievement Unlocked: Gladiator's Teachings]

[Reward: Skill—Duelist's Spear]

- Level: B

- Effect: Increases attack by 50% when fighting a single enemy.

---

[Age 14: To better hide your ambitions, you start pretending to be a spoiled playboy, surrounding yourself with a group of good-for-nothing friends. Gambling, bird-fighting, bug-battling, horse racing... you indulge in nearly every vice. Of course, women are no exception.]

[Your first woman is an 18-year-old girl chosen as a "sacrifice" for the Windblume Festival. This once grand festival has been corrupted under the rule of the Lawrence family.]

[During the festival, a young woman is selected to throw a ceremonial feather into the crowd. Whoever catches it receives her 'blessing'—though the feather always ends up in the hands of the Lawrence family, and the poor girl is forced to offer her "first glass of wine" to the nobleman who catches it.] (virginity)

[This year, the chosen girl throws the feather to you.]

[That night, the girl is delivered to your room. You don't refuse her, knowing that even if you did, she would never leave the Lawrence estate untouched.]

[The girl, chosen for her beauty, blushes shyly as she avoids eye contact. Out of curiosity, you ask, "Why did you pick me?"]

[The girl hesitates nervously before replying, "Because you're the youngest... and you reminded me of my little brother."]

[Indeed, the girl knows her fate is sealed. She would rather choose the least threatening of her captors than be defiled by one of the more grotesque noblemen.]

[Her answer makes you smile. You decide…]

- 1: Do nothing.

- 2: Show her that you're not as small as she thinks.

- 3: Secretly help her escape.

"Of course, I'll choose the second option."

Lucas wasn't naive enough to rebel against his family for the sake of a stranger.

["I'm not small at all." After saying this, you proved that the Lawrence family's second son was quite honest through your actions.]

[Though you're only 14 years old, years of training have already given you the physical strength of an adult.]

[Your spear was stained with blood—a scene that had often appeared in your dreams, but today, it became reality in this manner. You couldn't help but find it a bit ironic.]

[To the nobles of the Lawrence family, women were never in short supply.]

[Unless someone had a particular fondness for purity, the opportunity to claim the Windblume Festival's "sacrifice" was of little importance to most members of the Lawrence family. They had far too many pleasures and privileges to enjoy in Mondstadt, with women merely being a small part of that.]

[However, what mattered most was that this "sacrifice" had to be claimed by a Lawrence family member. This symbolized the absolute privilege of the Lawrence family in Mondstadt and their unshakable status.]

[Your "First Glass of Red Wine" talent activates. Depending on the element you absorb from your target, you gain a permanent attribute boost.]

[Element detected: Electro. Attribute gained: Strength.]

[Your strength has permanently increased by 10%.]

So this was the effect of the "First Glass of Red Wine" talent.

The activation conditions weren't simple, but the rewards were permanent attribute boosts.

Though people without a Vision couldn't use elemental powers, everyone still had their own "element" within them.

The talent's effect was to absorb a target's element and convert it into a corresponding attribute boost. 

It seems Electro represents strength. As for the other elements and their corresponding attributes, it looks like I'll need to learn through personal experience.

[Perhaps due to nervousness, the girl softly murmured the word "brother," and in return, you granted her the only kindness you had left, calling her "sister."]

[After it was over, you enjoyed the brief calm after the storm. The girl would leave before dawn, and you told her she could take anything she wanted from the room. To maintain your image as a spoiled noble, you had collected many valuable antiques. Any one of them could provide this girl with a good life.]

[However, she simply took a delicate cufflink. Then she revealed a small secret to you—she didn't actually have a brother. The reason she threw the feather to you was simply because you were the most handsome.]

[You weren't sure whether she was telling the truth or not, nor did you care to find out. In the vast city of Mondstadt, the two of you, separated by your status, would never cross paths again. A few years from now, she would marry someone else, and the Windblume Festival would always have a new "sacrifice."]

[When your brother Parsifal learned of this incident, he was furious, scolding you for how you could do such a thing.]

[Though your relationship with your brother had always been good, Parsifal was something of an oddity among the Lawrence nobles. He despised the excesses of nobility and was fascinated by stories of heroic thieves. His bookshelf was filled with tales of vigilantes rather than poetry and etiquette.]

[Faced with his scolding, you calmly countered, "The problem isn't me; it's Mondstadt's system. Even if I hadn't done it, the Windblume Festival's sacrifice would still be violated. If you're so righteous, why not fight this rotten system instead of blaming me, someone equally forced to accept their fate?"]

[Your retort left Parsifal momentarily speechless. While you couldn't surpass him in swordsmanship, when it came to rhetoric and debate, ten Parsifals couldn't best you.]

[You continued to provoke him: "My dear brother, if you're so committed to justice, why not become like the vigilantes you admire and fight back? Or are your ideals just empty words, and in the end, you can't let go of your noble status?"]

[Your taunt had the desired effect. Parsifal declared earnestly, "Even if it's only a little, I want to use my power to change this corrupt world!"]

[As you watched Parsifal storm off, you knew that your plan had just fallen perfectly into place.]

---

{Age 15: Once again, you were chosen as the target during the Windblume Festival. This was no accident. Compared to the other Lawrence nobles, whose very appearance repulsed the chosen sacrifices, your youthful, handsome face naturally made you a more appealing choice.}

[Although some of your family members were displeased, they didn't dare voice their objections. Even though you were a bastard, it was clear to everyone that in recent years, Ingobert had been favoring you more and more. Receiving the Lawrence surname was only a matter of time.]

[The chosen sacrifices not only had to be beautiful but also had to be pure maidens, which made your talent perfectly compatible.]

[Target's element: Anemo. Attribute gained: Agility.]

[Your agility has permanently increased by 17%.]

Not only do the attributes vary, but even the percentage of the boost differs. It seems this also depends on the individual.

[This time, Parsifal didn't say anything because he now had a new "hobby."]

[Throughout the year, a vigilante had been active in Mondstadt, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Armed with a dark longsword, this masked figure roamed the city's alleys, stealing from the nobility to help the needy or teaching bullies a lesson. People had started calling him "Phantom Thief," a glimmer of hope in the corrupt, decaying city of Mondstadt.]

[This "Phantom Thief" was, of course, your brother Parsifal. It was a secret only the two of you knew. His cloak, mask, and even the timing and routes of his operations were all planned with your help. In this way, you played the role of Alfred to his Batman, selflessly supporting his vigilante activities.]

[Within a year, Phantom Thief had committed countless acts of theft and vigilante justice, yet Mondstadt's soldiers remained clueless. Your clever planning combined with Parsifal's combat prowess made them an unstoppable force.]

[Unless captured, the identity of the Phantom Thief would forever remain a mystery. After all, who would ever suspect that Mondstadt's greatest rebel was none other than the heir to the city's most powerful noble family—the Lawrence family?]

-----

[Age 16: As expected, during this year's Windblume Festival, the feather once again landed in your hands.]

[Target Element: Cryo. Attribute: Defense]

[Your defense has permanently increased by 16%.]

[With such a useful talent, you naturally wouldn't limit its use to just the Windblume Festival. As the Lawrence family's playboy, each year, at least a dozen respectable young women would fall for your charm, allowing you to drink their first glass of red wine.]

[This was inevitable. After all, in the world of indulgence, it was hard to find someone pure. If you relied on force, you could get away with it a few times due to the Lawrence family's influence, but if you did it too often, trouble would surely follow. The only workable approach was to act as a charming playboy.]

[The girls fulfilled their vanity and other desires through you, while you gained the strength you needed from them. It was a fair exchange.]

---

[Age 17: The reputation of the "Phantom Thief" was growing. Initially, your brother Parsifal's actions were small, but in recent months, he had become more daring, even going so far as to beat up a noble who was about to assault a commoner girl.]

[Where there's oppression, there's resistance. The commoners of Mondstadt, long oppressed by the nobility, began to see the Phantom Thief as a symbol of rebellion. The once faint spark of defiance seemed to be igniting into a flame.]

[The nobles of Mondstadt, led by the Lawrence family, couldn't ignore this any longer. The incompetent soldiers of Mondstadt were powerless against the Thief, so the nobles issued bounties, promising great rewards to anyone who could capture the Phantom Thief.]

[Of course, you couldn't let the Thief—your brother Parsifal—get caught just yet. Even if he were captured now, as the next heir of the Lawrence family, he wouldn't face severe punishment. You had to wait until he committed an unforgivable crime.]

[The bounty attracted many skilled hunters, but thanks to your meticulous planning and Parsifal's swordsmanship, none were successful. Even those who managed to find the Thief were easily defeated by his skill.]

[You thought Parsifal's "Robin Hood game" could continue indefinitely, until one day, a foreign woman wielding a spear tore down a bounty notice and came to the Lawrence estate.]

[This woman possessed an exotic beauty, but her blue eyes were devoid of emotion. Her weapon was a peculiar spear—its tip thin as a needle. From your knowledge of spear techniques, you knew that only someone skilled in precise strikes could use such a weapon effectively. The person wielding this spear was either a complete novice or a master.]

[The woman introduced herself simply as the "Spear Witch" and immediately began hunting. Within a month, she succeeded—she tracked down the Phantom Thief and engaged him in battle. The fight was evenly matched, and Parsifal had to retreat.]

[The nobles criticized the Spear Witch, thinking she wasn't as competent as her reputation suggested. However, the Spear Witch revealed a shocking truth: the Phantom Thief used noble sword techniques, indicating that he was likely a noble. She couldn't risk killing him.]

[This revelation shocked everyone—including you. Although Parsifal had concealed his sword style during his escapades, the Spear Witch had still detected the subtle signs of his noble training, proving her exceptional skill.]

[You spoke with Parsifal about the Spear Witch, and he admitted that her power was formidable. Even he wasn't sure he could defeat her. You urged him to stop his activities temporarily to avoid further risk.]

[Although deeply moved, Parsifal refused your advice. "If I retreat at the first sign of trouble, my sense of justice would be too fragile."]

[To ensure Parsifal wouldn't be captured by the Spear Witch, you devised even more careful plans. Meanwhile, the Spear Witch seemed determined to catch him, deciding to stay in Mondstadt for an extended time.]

---

[Age 18: Unlike previous Windblume Festivals, this time the chosen "sacrifice" was a stunning red-haired girl. Red hair was rare in Mondstadt, and her beauty far surpassed that of past sacrifices.]

[For some reason, you developed a special fascination with her fiery red hair. Strangely, despite drinking the "first glass of red wine" from many sacrifices, you had never encountered Pyro Element. You had a feeling this girl might be the missing piece of your puzzle.]

[However, this time, the girl didn't choose you or anyone else. Instead, clutching the feather, she jumped from the platform. You now had to decide…]

[1. Rush forward to save her (likely resulting in injury).]

[2. Do nothing.]

Heroism comes at a price.

Since the system warned of injury, it likely wouldn't be minor. However, Lucas was curious about what attribute Pyro might boost.

Based on prior experiences, Electro boosted strength, Geo enhanced constitution, Anemo increased agility, Cryo strengthened defense, Hydro improved mental clarity, and Dendro boosted vitality. For some reason, Lucas had never encountered a girl with Pyro before.

---

[The height of the platform ensured you'd be injured upon catching her, but you rushed forward without hesitation, holding the red-haired girl in your arms.]

[She survived, but you felt intense pain in your right hand—it was likely a broken bone.]

[The girl's actions were a direct challenge to the Lawrence family's authority. As the guards moved to arrest her, you held her close and declared, "If you want to convict her, I won't object. But since I caught the feather, this woman belongs to me tonight."]

[The guards, knowing your status, didn't question your decision. That night, the red-haired girl was delivered to your room, tightly bound. Instead of hearing cries or pleas for mercy, you were met with fiery curses.]

[Faced with the unruly red-haired girl, you had to decide…]

[1. Untie her.]

[2. Punish her immediately.]

Ah…

Might as well punish her immediately.

Frankly, Lucas wasn't interested in wasting time on an NPC with no name.

After all, the only reason he saved this red-haired girl was because her element might finally be the Pyro he had yet to encounter.

However, after a moment of consideration, he shook his head and said, "I'll choose the first option, and… activate immersive mode."

This would be his first time entering immersive mode in this simulation.

It wasn't that Lucas lacked desires, but he always felt awkward about experiencing the Windblume Festival's sacrifices in this way. It felt too much like forcibly taking someone, and immersive mode would make it feel too real.

---

[Immersive mode activated.]

Lucas found himself in a luxurious room, filled with opulent furniture and fine artwork. The most striking item was a large portrait of himself—his face pale and slightly rebellious.

On the oversized bed, which could fit at least ten people, lay the red-haired girl, bound tightly like a gift waiting to be unwrapped.

Playing the role of "Eberhart," Lucas approached the girl. As described in the text, she had fiery red hair and a pale, beautiful face.

"Keep staring, and I'll gouge your eyes out!" she snapped at him with fiery defiance, though her current position made the threat meaningless.

"You already broke one of my hands, and now you want to take my eyes?" Lucas replied with the arrogant tone of a noble. His right hand was wrapped in a bandage, a reminder of the injury he sustained saving her.

"Hmph!" The girl scoffed. "I wish I could crush all of you filthy nobles!"

"Too bad. Tonight, you're going to get even filthier…" Lucas smirked, gripping her chin. "…because of me."

"You—!" Her face flushed red as she bit her lip in frustration.

"You should feel lucky that you ended up with me tonight," Lucas said as he gently tapped her cheek. "Unlike some of the other Lawrences, I don't have any strange preferences. Otherwise, you'd be tied up in a dungeon right now, getting whipped."

"You're no better!" the red-haired girl spat back. "Isn't this kind of bondage your twisted hobby too?"

"Tying up wild beasts requires strong ropes," Lucas replied casually. "Look at me—I'm not bad-looking, and I'm in good shape. You're not exactly losing out."

"Shameless!"

The red-haired girl rolled her eyes but couldn't help stealing a glance at him.

Compared to the other greasy, bloated nobles, this young man was undeniably handsome. His skin was well-maintained, and his lashes—damn it! How could a man have eyelashes that long? They were longer than hers!

---

Lucas's gut instinct had been correct—the red-haired girl indeed possessed Pyro.

[Target Element: Pyro. Attribute gained: Elemental Power.]

[Your limit has been removed. You can now control the power of Pyro.]

What?

Pyro wasn't just boosting attributes but granting direct control over fire?

Unlike the Vision system, this was not an "external organ" that gave him the power to manipulate the elements, but rather, it directly lifted the limitations of the body.

The girl who brought the fire element to Lucas was indeed like a flame that burned the entire room.

In the beginning, Lucas thought that she was only trying to save her family, so she worked hard, but in the second half of the game, the red-haired girl, it seems that she has already forgotten her original intention.

After everything was over, Lucas dozed off briefly. When he awoke, the red-haired girl had already tidied herself up and was preparing to leave.

Even though the Lawrence family enjoyed the Windblume Festival sacrifices at home, they never allowed commoners to spend the entire night in the mansion. They believed it would tarnish the sacred and noble grounds of their residence.

Lucas had no intention of stopping her. The red-haired girl was different from the other women he had encountered before… but only just. 

Just like those girls, their connection would last for only this night.

"By the way…" Lucas asked casually, as if to break the awkwardness. "You have some decent skills. Have you trained in combat?"

"I learned it from my father."

Perhaps because of what had happened earlier, the red-haired girl seemed less hostile toward him, responding calmly: "He was an upright knight in service, but after punching a noble, he was imprisoned. I agreed to become the Windblume Festival sacrifice in the hopes of freeing him."

Lucas knew this was just another lie of the nobility. Even if the girl offered herself as a sacrifice, her father wouldn't be released. In Mondstadt, many crimes could be negotiated, but when it involved nobles, the law was ruthlessly strict.

"I want to ask you something…" the red-haired girl suddenly spoke. "I heard that those who spend the night in your room can take any item from it. Is that true?"

"Of course" Lucas nodded quickly, laughing. "You worked so hard tonight; take a few extra things if you like."

"No need," the red-haired girl replied, removing a portrait of Eberhart—Lucas—from the wall. "I'll take this painting."

"The painting is nice, but it's not worth much," Lucas said, puzzled. "Don't tell me you've fallen for me and want to keep my portrait to look at from time to time?"

"No, I hate you." The red-haired girl gave Lucas a complicated look. "I'm going to keep this painting so that my descendants can spit on it."

Lucas didn't get angry. Instead, he laughed. "Being remembered that way doesn't sound too bad."

"Goodbye," the red-haired girl said, opening the door. She paused, then shook her head. "No, I hope we never meet again."

"By the way, what's your father's name?" Lucas asked suddenly. "Maybe I can arrange something to have him released sooner."

"Our family name is rare in Mondstadt. His surname is…" The red-haired girl spoke her last words before closing the door: "Ragnvindr."

The red-haired girl left.

Lucas was stunned.

Ragnvindr!

Isn't that Diluc's family name?

Could this girl be Diluc's ancestor?

No, no. She's a woman, so her surname wouldn't be passed down. It must be her brother or something.

Lucas mulled it over for a while, then slapped his thigh and laughed at himself. "Who cares? It's just a simulation. Whether it's Ragnvindr or Gunnhildr, they can't escape!"

---

[Entering Text Mode]

[Age 19: The "cat-and-mouse game" between the Spear Witch and the Phantom Thief continued. She had become your brother's most troublesome adversary. However, according to Parsifal, there were several occasions where the Spear Witch could have caught him but chose to let him go, leaving him confused.]

[You hadn't given up on mastering the spear, but unfortunately, the gladiator had nothing more to teach you. Often, you would practice your spear techniques under the moonlit skies—the fire of revenge in your heart never extinguished by your luxurious life.]

[One day, while practicing, you were suddenly ambushed by someone using spear techniques. Although you thought few could match your skill in Mondstadt, you were soundly defeated.]

[It was only when your opponent stopped that you realized the one who attacked you was none other than the Spear Witch, who had been hunting the Phantom Thief.]

-----

["The second son of the esteemed Lawrence family, practicing a form of spear technique scorned by nobles—this is quite amusing," the Spear Witch seems to be quite intrigued by you: "However, your spear skills are still far too immature."]

[You know that the Spear Witch possesses remarkable strength. Seeing such a master of spear techniques right in front of you, you decide...]

[1. Become her disciple]

[2. Recruit her under your command]

[3. Walk away]

Recruiting her would undoubtedly be the fastest way to gain the Spear Witch's power.

However, right now, she is busy hunting down the elusive Phantom Thief and likely won't be available to serve you.

"Option one!"

[You wish to become the disciple of the Spear Witch and learn her spear techniques. She doesn't reject your request but makes her own demand—that you use your informants to provide her with information on the Phantom Thief.]

[This is an easy task for you, and you agree to the deal, beginning your training under the Spear Witch.]

[One day, out of curiosity, you ask her why she is so obsessed with chasing the Phantom Thief. If it's just for a reward, with her skills, she could easily take on other tasks.]

[The Spear Witch lets out a soft sigh. She pulls back her long hair, revealing a sin mark engraved on her pale forehead. She then tells you a story.]

[Once, the Phantom Thief infiltrated a noble's residence to steal a silver urn filled with jewelry. Just as he was about to escape after succeeding, the Spear Witch tracked him down.]

[Unexpectedly, instead of fleeing, the Phantom Thief used a dagger to pry the blue crystal from the urn, handing it to the Spear Witch with a smile, saying: "I never realized that the one chasing me was such a beauty. This blue crystal, as beautiful as your blue eyes, is my gift to you."]

[For the first time, the cold and razor-sharp Spear Witch showed a flustered expression, while the Phantom Thief seized the moment to escape.]

[However, the story quickly spread. The noble who had been robbed learned of it, and to punish the Spear Witch, they branded an everlasting sin mark on her once-beautiful face.]

[The Spear Witch took out a necklace from under her clothes—a beautiful blue crystal. She tells you that she later bought the crystal back with her own money as a reminder to herself that no matter what, she must capture the Phantom Thief and avenge the shame of the sin mark.]

[It's indeed something worthy of hatred, but in her eyes, you see no trace of resentment. After all, who keeps their enemy's gift close to their heart?]

[Achievement unlocked: Noble Silver Urn]

[You have obtained a reward item: Noble Silver Urn]

[Noble Silver Urn]

[Type: Set]

[Effect: (1/4) Elemental damage increased by 5%]

[Description: Once belonging to an old Mondstadt noble family, its hollow interior seems to echo with the mournful sound of the wind.]

Another relic?

This "Noble Silver Urn" must be the same one stolen by the Phantom Thief in the Spear Witch's story.

Just like the previous [Gladiator's Finale].

So, as long as you experience events related to certain relics in the simulator, you can obtain rewards.

Considering Mihoyo's ability to weave hidden plots in item stories, it seems you can expect to get quite a few more rewards like this in the future.

[Age 20: Under the guidance of the Spear Witch, your spear skills have improved significantly, but you still can't surpass her. Your swordsmanship is no match for Parsifal, and your spear techniques pale in comparison to the Spear Witch. This leaves you feeling somewhat disheartened.]

[Perhaps noticing your disappointment, the Spear Witch shares the secret of her invincibility. She shows you her left eye, where a mysterious symbol seems to be engraved in her beautiful blue iris.]

[She tells you that it is a "magic eye" that can see the "lines of death"—those who fear death will reveal their fatal weak points, which, when struck, lead to immediate death. The spear in her hand, as sharp as a needle's point, is called "Flowing Moon Needle," designed specifically for this purpose.]

[You immediately ask your master how to gain the ability to see the lines of death, but the Spear Witch tells you that only by killing the owner of the magic eye in battle can this power be inherited—in other words, you must kill her to gain the magic eye.]

[You cannot kill the Spear Witch because she has no "line of death." In her own words, only those who fear death will show their line, and she has never feared death, so she has none.]

[You know that in order to defeat your father, Ingobert, you must gain this ability. The Spear Witch does not fear death because she has no attachments to this world. Only by giving her a reason not to die will she fear death.]

[Thus, a plan that benefits both sides begins to take shape in your mind.]

[Age 21: The thief Phantom Thief has eluded capture in Mondstadt for five or six years. Many have tried to catch him, but eventually gave up, while only the Spear Witch continues to pursue this elusive criminal, causing much frustration among Mondstadt's nobles.]

[You've long noticed that when your brother Parsifal mentions the Spear Witch, his eyes do not reflect hatred or fear, but instead, an unintentional smile. Similarly, when the Spear Witch speaks of the Phantom Thief, her cold face reveals a trace of emotion.]

[Their chase seems more like a lover's game. And that blue crystal the Spear Witch keeps close—it's practically their token of love.]

[Tonight, as usual, you arrange a heist for the Phantom Thief—this time, he's to steal an antique statue purchased with ill-gotten wealth from a noble's home. It should have been a simple task, but you sneak into the noble's house as well, and while the Phantom Thief is picking the lock, you make a noise to wake the noble.]

[The Phantom Thief's cover is blown, and the enraged noble draws his sword to defend his property. The Phantom Thief, left with no choice, injures the noble and quickly escapes.]

[This should have been a minor slip-up, but after the Phantom Thief leaves, you appear like a phantom behind the noble and plunge your sword into his heart.]

[The next day, the news that "The Phantom Thief's whereabouts were exposed, and in a rage, he killed a nobleman" spreads like wildfire throughout Mondstadt. In the past, the Phantom Thief's actions were merely stealing from the rich to help the poor or punishing corrupt nobles, never taking a life. This was why the Mondstadt nobility had tolerated his existence.]

[But now, things have escalated beyond control. Mondstadt's major nobles unite to carry out a full-scale investigation, and whoever the killer is will be executed by hanging immediately!]

[Even your brother Parsifal believes that he unintentionally killed the noble. Faced with the imminent punishment, he finally realizes that his "thief game" had no meaning and that in the end, he changed nothing.]

[As the mastermind behind the scenes, you persuade your brother to leave Mondstadt temporarily and hide in Liyue until the situation calms down. You also tell him that this might be the perfect opportunity to confess his feelings to the Spear Witch and take her away.]

[Parsifal takes your advice immediately. He hides in a cabin outside the city and writes a letter to the Spear Witch, using his sword, "The Phantom Thief," as a token of his love, entrusting you to deliver it to her.]

[That evening, you meet the Spear Witch at your usual training ground and hand her both the letter and the sword. After reading the letter, for the first time, you see her smile. You guess it must be filled with sweet words and hopes for the future.]

[If you weren't Eberhart, perhaps you would wish for these fated lovers to run away together. But alas… you are. You know that now is the moment to close the trap!]

[Without any warning, you challenge the Spear Witch to a final duel. Unlike before, this time, in her beautiful blue eyes, you see panic, hesitation… and fear.]

[Yes, because now she has attachments, hopes for a future. For the first time, she fears death.]

[Your skill may not surpass the Spear Witch's, but your true weapon is your scheming. In the midst of the intense battle, you suddenly speak: "My dear master, there's something I lied to you about. You'll never be able to leave with the Phantom Thief because… I've already killed him!"]

[At that moment, the Spear Witch's pupils dilate, and you take advantage of her distraction to pierce her chest with your spear.]

[Blood stains her flawless body, and for some reason, you suddenly feel a tightness in your chest—something that wasn't part of your plan.]

[In her rapidly fading eyes, a mark suddenly flies out and shoots into your left eye.]

---

[Achievement Unlocked: Master Slayer]

[Talent Reward Acquired: Mystic Eye of Death Perception]

[Effect: You gain a chance to see the "Lines of Death" on your target. If you strike the Line of Death, you can kill the target instantly. The more they fear death, the higher the probability of a Line appearing. Conversely, the more fearless they are, the lower the probability.]

[Description: Only those with no attachments can be fearless in the face of death.]

[You feel a sharp pain in your eye. Although it quickly diminishes, the lingering ache brings tears to your eyes—a small price, perhaps, for the ability to see the Lines of Death.]

[The Spear Witch's breathing grows weaker. After a year of being master and apprentice, you've developed some sense of affection for each other, but for the sake of your goal, she had to be sacrificed.]

[You tear off the precious blue crystal necklace from the Spear Witch and whisper in her ear: "Actually, the Phantom Thief isn't dead, but... I will kill him soon. At least you two can reunite in another world."]

[You bury the Spear Witch's body and, with the bloodstained blue crystal in hand, return to Parsifal's hiding place. You plan to show him the blue crystal and take the opportunity to kill him when he breaks down.]

[Now that you have the ability to see the Lines of Death, you're confident you can defeat your brother. However, when you open the door, the room is already empty. On the wall, Parsifal has left you a coded message—'Pursuers were nearby, so I had to leave. Tell the Spear Witch I will wait for her in Liyue Harbor. Also, please look after Father. I look forward to seeing you again, my dear brother.']

[For some reason, seeing this message, you feel a sense of relief—whether it's because you don't have to fight your brother, or because you don't have to kill him, you aren't sure. Even you don't fully understand your own feelings.]

[All you know is that the three things Parsifal mentioned in his message will likely never come to pass. The Spear Witch, who once troubled him so much, will never chase him again.]

[Regarding the disappearance of the family's eldest son, your father, Ingobert, seems unsurprised. When you tell him that Parsifal was the Phantom Thief, he calmly replies that he already knew.]

[You're not surprised either. Without that level of insight, Ingobert wouldn't have become the head of the Lawrence family.]

[Ingobert thought Parsifal's actions were just a phase, so he didn't intervene. After all, for a noble, this kind of hobby isn't that outrageous. But since Parsifal made such a grave mistake, a temporary retreat might do him some good. Let him learn his lesson, and after a few years, when things calm down, he can return.]

[So, Ingobert announces publicly that the Phantom Thief has been secretly executed, and that his eldest son Parsifal is conveniently studying abroad during this period.]

[Parsifal was not wrong in his realization—his role as the thief "Phantom Thief" was nothing more than a buzzing mosquito, at most making the Mondstadt nobility wrinkle their noses in irritation. But when that mosquito angered them, it was met with an iron fist.]

[Moreover, the reason Parsifal wasn't caught all these years wasn't just because of your cooperation as brothers, but also because your father had been secretly helping him. No matter how corrupt Mondstadt's nobility may be, they're not so incompetent as to fail at catching a petty thief.]

[When you ask your father why he helped, he simply gives a faint smile and says, "He is my son after all… just like you."]

[You know these are just empty words. Even if you're both his sons, your standing is completely different from Parsifal's. Parsifal is the legitimate heir, and no matter how grave his mistakes, someone will always clean up after him. But you are nothing more than an illegitimate child, unworthy of a surname.]

[Nevertheless, most of your plan is already in place. Your father, Ingobert, is the last obstacle you need to eliminate in order to take over the Lawrence family. You must kill him before Parsifal returns and claim the title of family head.]

[To accomplish this final task, two conditions must be met: first, you must have the strength to defeat Ingobert, and second, you must disguise his death as an accident, ensuring that you are not exposed.]

[Both conditions are difficult to fulfill. Not only is Ingobert far more powerful than Parsifal, but he also wields the power of a Vision, bearing the family's "Crest of Frost." Defeating him won't be easy.]

[Age 22: Finally, you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Dragonspine, long sealed by snow, has just opened its path for the first time. It is said that hidden within Dragonspine are the remnants of the lost nation of "Sal Vindagnyr," buried treasures, and secrets awaiting discovery.]

[Your father, Ingobert, is a die-hard adventurer. Now over fifty, he wants to go on one last adventure before he grows too old—this time, to seek the hidden treasures of Dragonspine.]

[Although Parsifal's identity as the Phantom Thief hasn't been exposed, his disappearance along with the Lawrence family's eldest son has raised suspicion. Over the years, the Lawrence family's influence has waned, and if Ingobert can make a significant discovery in Dragonspine, it might restore the family's former glory.]

[Many in the family oppose this venture, as it's too risky for the head of the family to take such a personal gamble. But Ingobert insists on going. To ensure his safety, he hires mercenaries and prepares a large amount of supplies. Seeing how well-prepared he is, the opposition gradually subsides.]

[Ingobert also brings along his most trusted servant, Luther, whose father was the previous butler of the Lawrence family, and who has always been fiercely loyal.]

[Coincidentally, Luther has just gotten married. The invitation reveals that his young bride's name is Priscilla.]

[At the lively wedding, your gaze casually sweeps over the newlyweds, and you're surprised to recognize the bride.]

[The young and beautiful woman in the wedding dress is none other than the first "sacrifice" you took on the Festival eight years ago.]

[Over the years, you've met many girls. Although you were their first, you may not remember all of them.]

[A man may forget many women he's been with, but there are usually two he can't forget. The first is the one he loved the most, and the second is his first.]

[That night of the Festival when the girl called out for her brother—she wasn't the most enchanting woman you'd ever been with, and she certainly wasn't the one you loved the most. But despite the years that have passed, you recognized her at a glance.]

[She looks much more mature than she did eight years ago, but there's a bit less sparkle in her eyes.]

[The newlyweds make their way around the tables offering drinks, and the table where Ingobert, the head of the family, sits naturally receives the most attention. Sitting at the same table, you are also offered a drink by the bride.]

["Come on! Let me introduce you!" A very drunk Luther pushes his wife toward you, as if she were nothing more than an object. "This is the second young master! Come on… give him a toast!"]

[In that moment when your eyes meet Priscilla's, both of you show a flash of surprise, but she quickly regains her composure, drinks the wine in her cup in one gulp, and gives a slight bow: "So, you're Master Eberhart? I've heard so much about you."]

[You quietly drink your wine as well, though for some reason, the dandelion wine, aged for ten years, tastes slightly bitter as it goes down.]

[As the wedding drags on into the late night, most of the guests have left. The groom, Luther, has already thrown up two or three times and is completely unconscious. By some twist of fate, your father, Ingobert, asks you to help the bride carry Luther back to their room.]

[You and Priscilla carry Luther to their newlywed chamber. Looking at the bride's flushed face, you suddenly think that perhaps she could be of use in your plan. You decide...]

[1. Leave immediately]

[2. Ask for her help (This option requires the host to enter Immersive Mode for persuasion)]

What? I have to do the persuasion myself, huh?

Lucas chuckled and said, "Alright, Immersive Mode it is."

[Successfully entered Immersive Mode]

Before Lucas stands a neatly arranged room. Today's groom, Luther, is passed out drunk on the bed, completely unaware.

His bride, however, gazes at you with a subtle expression.

["So, your name is Priscilla?" Lucas asked casually, sitting down and pouring himself a cup of tea. "How many years has it been since we last met?"]

["Eight years," Priscilla responded offhandedly. "I didn't expect you to still remember me."]

["Men," Lucas nodded, "tend to remember their first times."]

["There's no need to flatter me," Priscilla sighed softly. "I know you've ruined plenty of good girls over the years."]

["It was all consensual," Lucas said with a shameless grin. "But you—why did you marry him?"]

Even though Luther was a servant of the Lawrence family, it wasn't exactly a prestigious position.

["Because of money," Priscilla replied frankly, showing no intention of hiding it. "My brother owed him a large sum of money from a loan shark. The interest kept piling up, and we couldn't repay it. So… I married him to clear the debt."]

["You really do have a brother?" Lucas was momentarily surprised. "I thought you said that was just a lie."]

["Never believe what a woman says," Priscilla smiled. "Especially if she's beautiful, Master Eberhart."]

["But…" Lucas muttered, "does he know about your past?"]

Lucas was, of course, referring to her role as a sacrifice during the WindBlume Festival.

---

Let's put other things aside for now. Even though Mondstadt is a city with a relatively open-minded populace, they still place considerable importance on the purity of a newlywed wife.

"You can't even remember the offerings from before, so how could these outsiders? Who would recall a mere plaything of a noble from eight years ago?" Priscilla's face suddenly showed a mocking smile. "As for my secret, he'll never know… because, well, he's impotent."

Hearing this, even Lucas couldn't help but smile knowingly.

He hadn't expected that this Lawrence attendant, who usually seemed so impressive, would actually be a paper tiger.

"All right," Priscilla lowered her head and said, "You should leave now, Master Eberhart."

"But…" Lucas suddenly stood up and grabbed Priscilla's wrist. "What if I don't want to leave?"

Priscilla blushed, as if she wanted to pull away. "Please don't do this, I… I'm already his wife."

"But you don't love him, do you?" Lucas's mystic eye, which could see the lines of death, also seemed capable of seeing through lies. "A man who's impotent, marries a beautiful wife, just to show off. Just now, when he took you to make a toast, he looked like he was parading a trophy."

"So what?" Priscilla gave a sorrowful smile. "Do I have any other choice?"

Lucas opened his palm, revealing a delicate cufflink. Though the design was somewhat old, it was pristine, as if it had been polished frequently. "You've kept this cufflink all along, which means you haven't forgotten about me, right?"

"Yes, I can't forget you. But what does that change?" Priscilla did not deny her feelings. "Master Eberhart, are you saying you would marry me?"

"What if I said yes?" Lucas pressed his hands on Priscilla's shoulders, his eyes deep and serious. "As long as you help me with one thing, I will marry you. As for everything else, I'll take care of it. I'll swear a deadly oath: if I break my word, may I forever suffer the torment of the fierce winds cutting my flesh."

These were not empty words meant to deceive Priscilla.

If he could really complete his plan and become the head of the family, he could marry anyone he wanted. It wouldn't matter if she were a commoner; even if he married a slave, no one would dare say a word.

Perhaps it was a desire to defy the unfairness of fate, or maybe it was Lucas's oath that moved her. After a brief hesitation, Priscilla finally nodded slightly.

"I… agree. What do you want me to do for you?"

"Simple," Lucas brushed aside the long hair by Priscilla's ear and whispered, "In a little while, the head of the Lawrence family—my father—will embark on an expedition to Dragonspine. At that time, a small 'accident' might occur, leading to the annihilation of the entire team, leaving only me alive."

Though Priscilla was just a commoner, she was no fool. She knew of Eberhart's status as an illegitimate child and was aware that his brother, Parsifal, was most likely the infamous fugitive known as The Phantom Thief.

If an accident happened during the Dragonspine expedition and the Lawrence patriarch died, the right to inherit the family would fall solely to Eberhart, as he was Ingobert's only remaining blood relative.

She hadn't expected that Eberhart's plan would involve such a major event.

"However, I'm not sure if this accident will be successful," Lucas furrowed his brow slightly. "So, I've prepared an escape plan. If anyone survives and returns to Mondstadt to expose what I've done, I need you to light a signal fire at a designated spot to inform me. I will flee to Fontaine. I'll leave you some money, and whether you choose to elope with me or remain in Mondstadt will be your decision."

"You… you're telling me such an important thing..." Priscilla's expression seemed tense. "Aren't you afraid that I might betray you?"

"I am," Lucas said frankly. "Honestly, I don't fully trust anyone. But the likelihood of you betraying me is the smallest. Time is short, and I have no choice but to rely on you."

In fact, Lucas had another option: the loyal gladiator slave. But since the signal fire needed to be lit outside the city, sending a slave like the gladiator would easily arouse suspicion.

Seeing Priscilla's hesitation, Lucas continued, "Don't feel guilty. Even if you don't agree to help, I'll still proceed with my plan. You'd merely be passing along a message for me. This has nothing to do with you."

"I… I understand," Priscilla nodded. "If you succeed, I'll wait for you in the city. If you fail... I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."

"Thank you for your trust. But..." Lucas's face suddenly revealed a meaningful smile. "I still hope you can give me a pledge of loyalty."

"A pledge of loyalty?" Priscilla seemed momentarily confused. "What is that?"

Lucas moved closer and whispered, "Madam, if I have something to hold over you, wouldn't that ensure your loyalty?"

"What?" Priscilla immediately understood Lucas's implication, her face flushing. "Here? But... Luther, he..."

Doing something like this on the night of her wedding seemed, to say the least, a bit over the line.

"It doesn't matter," Lucas dismissed her concern without hesitation. "I just want to draw a little green hat on his face."

Priscilla was silent. She knew she had already boarded a ship from which there was no turning back.

With a sweep of his arm, Lucas cleared the clutter from the table. He made sure to remain as quiet as possible—his last act of mercy toward Luther.

As for Luther, who still slept soundly in his drunken stupor, in some sense, he truly had become a loser.

...

[Entering Text Mode]

[After preparing everything, you make a request to your father, Ingobert, hoping to accompany him on the Dragonspine expedition.]

[However, Ingobert surprisingly refuses, citing that while the expedition is well-prepared, there are still dangers. He believes you are too young to take such a risk.]

[But how could you give up this only chance? After much pleading, Ingobert finally agrees to take you along, but only if you stay by his side at all times.]

[You are naturally overjoyed by this, as it gives you more opportunities to act.]

[Even before the team set off, you had sent someone to Dragonspine to gather intelligence. You created a map, marking all the potential "accident" sites, the timing of each occurrence, as well as your escape route and supply points after the assassination.]

[Half a month later, everything was ready. The Lawrence Expedition officially set out. The team comprised eighty people, including logistics, combat, and medical personnel—a well-prepared force, even the largest to ever explore Dragonspine.]

[Finally, you arrived at Dragonspine. Along the way, you kept enticing Ingobert with tales of the 'ancient kingdom sealed in ice' and the 'magic of objects fallen from the heavens.' This only heightened Ingobert's excitement, so much so that he didn't allow the team to rest and reorganize at the foot of the mountain, leading them straight into the snowy peaks.]

[For the first two days, the expedition proceeded smoothly. Apart from a few snow-dwelling monsters, you encountered no significant danger. But on the third day, disaster struck. The group inadvertently entered the territory of a giant boar king, and the beast relentlessly pursued you. Although you narrowly escaped, over ten lives were lost.]

[All of this was part of your plan. You had deliberately led the group into the boar king's domain. Every event along this journey had been rehearsed in your mind countless times. You wouldn't make mistakes... you couldn't.]

[In the days that followed, the team was beset by more disasters: landslides, avalanches, extreme cold, and cracks suddenly appearing on the surface of frozen lakes. These relentless dangers chipped away at the once well-prepared expedition team.]

[Finally, when less than twenty people remained, someone suggested returning. Even Ingobert himself began to hesitate about continuing the journey.]

[The mountain clearly held many secrets, and the team had made some valuable discoveries along the way, but no one knew what other dangers lay ahead.]

[At that moment, you stepped forward with a shocking revelation: there might be a traitor among the team. You pointed out that the strange string of disasters was too coincidental, and that even if the team returned, as long as the traitor remained, no one would make it out of the mountain alive.]

[Your "discovery" threw the remaining survivors into a panic. You then suggested a solution: starting now, every noon and midnight, the team would hold a vote to select the person they believed to be the traitor. And then... that person would be executed.]

[You had already predicted the two possible outcomes: first, those dissatisfied would rebel, giving you a legitimate excuse to eliminate some of them; second, if they follow your suggestion, you could slowly pick them off one by one.]

[Ingobert tacitly agreed to your proposal, but everyone remained hesitant. No one immediately stepped forward in agreement. You maintained a serious expression and said, "How about this: let's conduct an anonymous vote to decide if we should use this method to identify the traitor."]

[You tore pieces of paper from the adventure log and handed them out. Soon, everyone had cast their votes. After tallying them, you announced, "The votes are in. Earlier, I lied to all of you. In fact, I marked every piece of paper, so I know exactly who voted for what. Two of you voted against my plan. Whether you're the traitor or not, it shows you're hiding something!"]

[As soon as you said this, everyone's faces showed surprise. Two people in particular started shaking visibly. Without hesitation, you drew your sword and plunged it into one of their chests. The other dropped to their knees, begging, "It wasn't me! Don't kill me!" But you coldly pushed your sword into his heart as well.]

[Your actions brought a complex expression to your father's face. He muttered, "Your brother would never do such a thing."]

[You said nothing, but a cold smile crept onto your face—yes, your father's beloved child, the kind Parsifal, would never do something like this.]

[In truth, you hadn't marked the votes at all, and far more than two people had voted against your plan. You did this just to start reducing the number of survivors. While you were confident in your abilities, to ensure your plan's success, you decided to continue being cautious.]

[You had never forgotten your mother's words… endure, always endure!]

[The next day, one of your teammates disappeared. Some thought he had fled due to the pressure, so the group pressed on. But soon, you stumbled upon his disemboweled corpse. In the snow before him, his intestines had been arranged to spell out four words: "Leave no one alive."]

[Two more team members immediately broke down, screaming as they fled the group. You didn't stop them; without supplies, they wouldn't survive the snow mountain.]

[This incident left the group in even greater fear. The ability to silently kill a member and move their body such a distance made them question whether the killer was truly a traitor—or perhaps a ghost haunting the snow mountain.]

[Of course, an ordinary person couldn't manage such a feat—but you could. Thanks to your mastery of the fire element, you had much greater resistance to the freezing cold than the others.]

[At noon, the group held the first vote. The person chosen was a burly man. No one objected to the result; after all, everyone knew they weren't the traitor, so as long as they weren't the one chosen, it was likely the right choice.]

[The burly man naturally didn't want to die. Knowing he wasn't your match, he tried to flee. Just as before, you didn't chase after him—the snow mountain would swallow him for you.]

[But before he could run 100 meters, an icy arrow pierced through his back. The one who fired it was none other than your father, Ingobert.]

[You had rarely seen him fight, but now it was clear: he had never neglected his training. His attack wasn't so much a pursuit of the "traitor" as it was a demonstration of power.]

[You continued onward, but the atmosphere among the group grew increasingly tense. No one trusted each other, and everyone seemed like they could be the traitor. This… was exactly the outcome you wanted.]

[Unexpectedly, the expedition made some progress. You discovered a building buried beneath the snow. The grand circular door was adorned with intricate silver sculptures, suggesting that priceless treasures lay within.]

[You entered the structure and after some searching, found an actual treasure—a chest piled high with "Starsilver," a precious metal from legends. It was said that weapons forged from Starsilver were as powerful as divine artifacts. The value of Starsilver exceeded that of gold by far.]

[However, the joy of discovery didn't last long. The fourth vote was about to begin.]

[Just as you expected, the chosen individual finally snapped. Drawing his weapon, he roared, "I'm not a traitor! Even if there is one, isn't it for the sake of wealth? Let's just kill these two nobles and split the treasure ourselves!"]

[His words echoed the thoughts of many. They had been voting to survive, but who could say they wouldn't be next? Some even suspected that this rebel was the true traitor—but did it matter? In the face of such riches, nothing else seemed important anymore.]

[The long-term pressure and mistrust had driven them to madness. As commoners, they first turned their weapons toward you and your father, Ingobert, whose strength they all feared.]

[This was exactly what you had been hoping for. You needed a riot. Pure fear of death might not have been enough, but once greed was added to the mix, these fools would willingly risk their lives. As for the Starsilver? It was merely bait you had planted beforehand. Only the top layer was real—the rest was nothing but tin.]

[You did not expect them to kill Ingobert, but if they could at least injure him, that would be beneficial to you.]

[The survivors were no weaklings. Two of them even possessed Visions. The battle was fierce. You took a slash to the arm, and Luther's leg was shattered.]

[Ingobert, though uninjured, was no longer a young man and was now slightly unable to breathe from the exertion.]

[At that moment, you quietly stepped on a hidden stone tile. With a thunderous crash, the wall near the entrance collapsed, sealing the exit with massive stone blocks.]

[Luther gasped in shock, but your father, Ingobert, remained calm. He glanced at the barely hidden excitement in your eyes and smiled. "Luther, check the room next door for an exit. I have something I want to discuss with Eberhart alone."]

[Though confused, Luther obeyed his master's command without hesitation. He wanted to survive—his young wife was waiting for him at home. He had no intention of becoming a corpse consumed by the snow.] (pfft)

[Entering forced immersion mode]

Cold air seeped into Lucas's clothes, making him shiver.

Although the simulator reduced pain, the other sensations were extremely realistic. Sometimes, Lucas wondered if he was really playing a "full-body game" or if he had been transported to another world.

Standing before him was a man in his fifties. Despite the streaks of gray in his hair, his body still appeared robust. The cold in the snow-covered chamber didn't seem to affect him much.

This was the man Lucas's character, Eberhart, called father—Ingobert.

"You've done well so far," Ingobert smiled faintly, his stern face softening. "As expected of my son."

Lucas's heart tightened, but he maintained his composure. "I don't understand what you mean."

"A father knows his son best. There's no need for pretense with me," Ingobert said calmly. "Ever since we entered Dragonspine, I've sensed something unusual. All of this… was orchestrated by you, wasn't it?"

Ingobert, as the head of the Lawrence family, was no fool. Unlike the mercenaries on the verge of madness, he had remained elegant and composed throughout the journey.

"Hahaha…"

Lucas, whose plans had been exposed, let out a cold chuckle. "Since you already know, there's no point in keeping up the act. Yes, this was all my plan."

Lucas raised his head. This might be the first time "Eberhart" had ever shown such arrogance in front of his father.

"I knew it," Ingobert mused. "You're nothing like Parsifal."

"Stop mentioning him!" Lucas clenched his fists. "I know I've never measured up to him in your eyes."

"You're wrong. You're far more like a Lawrence than he is," Ingobert shook his head. "Your ruthlessness, your patience, your deceit—they all prove that."

"So what?" Lucas sneered. "Even if that's true, my brother was still your chosen heir, while I wasn't even given the family name."

"Is that why you drove Parsifal away with your schemes? And now, here on Dragonspine, you plan to murder your father…" Ingobert remained calm. "All for the title of family head?"

"No, it's more than that…" Lucas's eyes burned with hatred. "I'm also avenging my mother!"

"I never intended for your mother to die," Ingobert spread his hands. "You know she took her own life."

"She was driven to it by you!" Lucas snarled through gritted teeth. "Why did you force me to choose between my mother and Lawrence?"

"That was just a test to see if you have enough ruthlessness," Ingobert replied. "Parsifal is a good child, but he cannot become a good lord. I realized this when he was very young. So, I found my other heir, which is you. Gradually, I discovered that you are simply my best candidate for inheritance..."

"Everything you are saying is nothing but a lie to save your own life," Lucas pulled out a short stick from his waist, pressed a mechanism, and the stick instantly extended into a spear. "If you really wanted me to inherit your position, why I still don't have the surname Lawrence?"

Ingobert didn't answer that question but looked at the spear in Lucas's hand, contemplating. "You've indeed been practicing with that lowly weapon. I thought you practiced spear techniques to defeat your brother. But now it seems that I was your real target?"

"Prepare to die..." The spear in Lucas's hand burst forth like a dragon breaking through the sea. "My dear father!"

Since this was in a simulator, Lucas couldn't use the abilities he gained in reality.

Now, all he could rely on was his continually honed spear technique, the mystic eye that allowed him to see the "Death Lines" obtained from the Spear Witch, and the power of fire elements.

Of course, he also had the attribute boosts gained over the years from the "First Glass of Red Wine."

However, Lucas still underestimated Ingobert's strength. He quickly drew a longsword from his waist and deftly parried his opponent's attack.

Swordsmanship had once been a required skill for nobles, as it cultivated grace and intelligence among the aristocracy.

In contrast, the spear originated from sharpened wooden sticks and hay forks, weapons used by rebels, and was despised by the nobility.

But because of this, although nobles were skilled in swordsmanship, they had little experience dealing with spear techniques. This was also why Eberhart specifically learned spear techniques—even though it was a weapon looked down upon by the nobility.

But does that matter?

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