In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

There are quite a few redheads in Mondstadt.

However, there aren't many people with red hair and high martial arts skills.

Rhodes guessed.

Diluc's unabashed display of his physical features might be because he's playing a trick on the Knights of Favonius.

After all, everyone in Mondstadt knows that Diluc of the Dawn Winery is incredibly skilled and has a head of unforgettable red hair.

His many characteristics perfectly match those of the Night Hero.

But the more 'coincidence' there is, the more it makes people think that Lord Diluc is very likely not a Night Elf hero, but someone is imitating him to frame him.

A very simple suspect paradox.

However, Rhodes has to admit one thing.

Diluc is really skilled.

Like now.

Although Roddy had long anticipated that Diluc would likely come to him to ask for clarification after the rumors about the attack on Cripps spread.

And Rhodes was also prepared, remaining vigilant at all times.

But he genuinely hadn't spotted Diluc; he only discovered the presence of someone in the shadows thanks to the warning from the Void Terminal.

'No wonder Diluc and Jean, along with Luminosity and Venti, were able to subdue the berserk Dvalin.'

Ignore everything else.

Let's just talk about martial arts skills and raw power.

Diluc, the renowned Mondstadt genius, is indeed far superior to Jean.

"There are indeed some things I want to ask you."

To Rhodes's obvious question, Diluc calmly asked, "I'd like to know how you know those details about my father's death?"

"You mean those rumors?"

Rod replied with a chuckle, looking completely innocent as if it had nothing to do with me.

Diluc, of course, didn't believe it and said seriously, "These rumors only started after you came to Mondstadt."

Judging from his appearance.

It was already certain that Rod was the one who created the rumor.

"Kaya told you all this, didn't he?"

Rhodes, who was being questioned, calmly picked up the teapot, refilled the teacup, and praised, "Your younger brother really dotes on you. He cares more about anything related to you, even the smallest things."

In the eyes of others.

Diluc heard the rumors that spread suddenly and rapidly, and then used various means to identify the instigator.

For Rhodes, who knew everything.

Even before Diluc arrived, he was already quite certain that Kaeya would tell Diluc everything.

No matter how cold their relationship may seem on the surface.

But it is undeniable.

After Cripps' death, Diluc and Kaia became the closest brothers in the world, without a doubt.

So no matter what happens in Mondstadt.

Kaeya would immediately use various means to notify Diluc, and on ordinary days she would try her best to clean up the mess her brother, who went out every night to be a night hero, leaving no trace of him.

"Humph--"

“Even without him, I could have found out that this matter was related to you.”

Diluc's expression was somewhat arrogant, but his eyes were gentler than before. He then continued to ask, "Mr. Rhodes, you still haven't answered me. How did you know what my father went through when he died?"

Rhodes was right about one thing.

The taverns in Mondstadt are a huge breeding ground for rumors, especially among drunkards who dare to say anything, from trivial matters about their neighbors to criticizing the Knights of Favonius for inaction, and even allowing the Stormterror to ravage Mondstadt.

In this truly liberal country, there is nothing a Mondstadt person wouldn't dare to say.

And the largest tavern in Mondstadt is the Gift of the Angels.

It is the property of the Legendhand family.

When he has free time, Diluc will also work as a bartender at the tavern to gather useful information from the gossip of the drunkards.

These two days.

He heard a lot about Kripps.

Furthermore, many of the details involved were things he had never told anyone before.

In particular, there's the rumor that Kripps didn't die at the hands of the dragon Usa, but rather at the hands of Diluc.

Nobody actually believed this.

Even the most drunkards, who have forgotten their own names, speak of this matter with an attitude of absolute impossibility.

Diluc, however, felt a sudden pang of unease upon hearing these rumors.

Because it's true.

four years ago.

He and Kripps celebrated their coming-of-age ceremony in Mondstadt, but on their way home they were attacked by a powerful monster, the dragon Usa.

The Demon Dragon Usa is extremely powerful.

It didn't take long.

All the accompanying guards were killed, and Diluc, whose martial arts skills were far inferior to his current level, was also severely injured.

In a time of crisis.

Without the Eye of God, Kripps put on a glove inlaid with a crimson gem. With the power of this gem, he manipulated an unprecedented and ominous force, forcibly forcing back the demonic dragon Usa.

However, he himself suffered a backlash from the gem after this battle, his body covered in blood, writhing in agony.

In order to relieve his father's pain.

In his grief, Diluc took matters into his own hands and ended his father's life.

I know about this.

Besides Diluc, who was also present at the time, only Kaeya was there.

Therefore, when they learned from Kaeya that although the Knights of Favonius were the ones who spread the rumor, the one who devised the plan was likely the grass god messenger from Sumeru.

Diluc first compiled all the rumors, and then came in person to investigate Rhodes's background.

But to his surprise, he was caught red-handed by Rhodes as soon as he arrived.

That being the case.

So he simply asked directly.

In other words, Rhodes was a distinguished guest of the Knights of Favonius and even repelled the attacking Stormterror during the day; otherwise, Diluc might have had to resort to some special methods to extract a confession.

Rod did not answer his question immediately.

The two stared at each other for a long while.

Rhodes finally spoke, breaking the silence: "Lord Diluc, you and Kaeya aren't the only ones who know these things."

then.

He then said meaningfully, "The person who summoned the demonic dragon Usa was also present at the time."

"?"

"PhD!!"

Diluc clenched his fist so tightly it made a cracking sound.

Yes.

Why didn't I think of that?

If, as the rumor suggests, the Doctor deliberately released the dragon Usa to attack him and his father, and that he 'happened' to happen to be passing by and kill Usa, then as the mastermind behind this murder plot, it is highly likely that he was secretly spying on them.

Think of this.

Diluc's voice immediately crackled with barely suppressed anger: "Mr. Rhodes, are you saying you got information about my father from the Fatui?"

"I once killed one of the doctor's men."

Rhodes did not answer directly. After saying this, he continued, "The man I killed was called Missionary. His job was to collect test subjects for the Doctor in Sumeru. My student was once tricked into the laboratory by him with sweet words. She not only suffered torture, but her family was also brutally murdered. She finally escaped from the Doctor's clutches when she finally managed to get away."

Matters concerning missionaries.

As Rod spoke, Diluc clenched his fists tighter.

How similar they are!

If Rhodes wasn't lying, then the missionary's actions were almost identical to those of the Fools in Mondstadt.

three years ago.

Diluc once captured one of the Doctor's henchmen, also known as Clobber, during a confrontation with the Fatui.

During his interrogation at the time.

Just as the guy was about to admit that the Fools were recruiting soldiers to obtain experimental materials for the Doctor, he was interrupted by the Doctor who suddenly appeared at the most crucial moment.

Ultimately, Krobor was killed by the doctor to silence him, and Krobor himself was forced to retreat by the doctor, without obtaining any evidence.

Now, thanks to Rhodes' reminder...

Diluc can no longer regard these rumors as mere falsehoods.

This is practically stating the facts.

The doctor's plan from back then was completely exposed.

But Rhodes hadn't finished speaking.