The middle-aged man clad in armor had a resolute expression, sharp eyebrows, and piercing eyes.
Just from his presence alone, it was clear that he was different from the nameless rank-and-file Knights around him.
"I am Rostam, Vice-Captain of the Knights of Favonius. My subordinate was rude just now—my apologies."
The man introduced himself as Rostam.
Vice-Captain of the Knights of Favonius…
Too bad he wasn't a stunning beauty like Jean from five hundred years later—Nathan found it hard to talk to men.
"My name is Nathan, the owner of this flower shop."
He kept his introduction brief.
"A Liyue native, huh? When did you open this shop in Mondstadt?"
Rostam shook his head slightly as he glanced at the flower shop situated near the city's edge.
If one didn't pay close attention, it was easy to overlook it entirely.
"If you're here to buy flowers, the shop isn't officially open yet."
Nathan nodded. It seemed that even though the simulator system had given him the identity of a wealthy merchant's son, his Liyuean appearance was still too conspicuous.
"No, we're not here to buy flowers… We're here to apprehend a suspect hiding in your shop!"
Rostam clarified his purpose, even making an effort to use a more localized phrase from Liyue's dialect.
"A suspect? What suspect?"
"We received a report that the culprit who damaged Mondstadt's plaza last night is hiding inside this flower shop!"
Hearing Rostam's serious response, Nathan secretly pondered.
Had someone actually recognized him from last night?
That didn't seem right, though. When he had loaded this life simulation, one of his talents—Dark Knight—was a disguise-type ability.
As long as he removed that pure black attire, it should be impossible for anyone to recognize him.
Rostam's attitude confirmed this.
If they had identified him, the knights would have surrounded him by now.
So, the more likely scenario was that someone had spotted Rosalyne leaving the scene.
"May I ask, Vice-Captain Rostam, does the suspect have any distinguishing features?"
"According to the report, it's a tall woman."
"I see… May I ask, do you know who submitted the report?"
Nathan frowned. It seemed like someone was deliberately targeting Rosalyne.
"Apologies. As Knights of Favonius, we must uphold our principles—we cannot reveal the identity of the informant."
"You don't need to answer in such detail. I'll just say one thing—the Lawrence Clan… Does that name ring a bell, Vice-Captain Rostam?"
"Hmm…"
At Nathan's probing, Rostam's expression visibly shifted.
"Where did you hear that name, Nathan?"
"Let's cut to the chase, Vice-Captain. The woman you're looking for is indeed inside my shop."
"What?"
"I knew it!"
"Seize the suspect immediately!"
Before Rostam could react, his subordinates had already drawn their swords in excitement.
"Apologies, but she's not the culprit you're looking for."
Nathan took a step forward, blocking the knights' path.
"Nathan, why are you protecting a suspect? What is she to you?"
Rostam's voice remained calm, but the other knights tightened their grips on their weapons.
If Nathan's response implicated him in any way, they might charge him as an accomplice.
"Nathan…"
At that moment, Rosalyne had just stepped out of the room and overheard the conversation.
Her delicate brows furrowed in concern—if Nathan gave the wrong answer, he might be branded a criminal alongside her.
"She's my employee… and my family. Besides, the real culprit is someone else entirely."
Nathan wasn't lying.
Strictly speaking, it was he and that mysterious figure in the black robe who had destroyed Mondstadt's plaza.
Rosalyne had nothing to do with it.
"Don't be ridiculous. You can't just clear someone of a crime with a few words!"
The nearest knight pressed his longsword against Nathan's throat.
"Then why do you accept someone else's one-sided accusation and immediately assume my person is guilty?"
"Because… that person's identity and authority are far more credible than some stranger like you!"
"I'm saying—have you considered the possibility that the person who filed the report is actually the true culprit?"
Nathan locked eyes with the knight in front of him.
Something about this guy felt off.
Ever since the knocking started, he had been too eager to frame Nathan and Rosalyne.
And the moment Nathan suggested that the informant might be the real criminal, the knight had visibly tensed up.
Which was exactly why Nathan decided to apply some pressure.
By making him nervous, he might act impulsively and expose himself.
"I don't want to hear any more of your excuses. Just surrender already!"
As expected, the knight—Ed—lost his temper.
Like a desperate pawn, he swung his sword at Nathan.
"Ed, stand down!"
Rostam immediately stepped forward to stop him.
"Buzz—"
But before Rostam could react, Ed's sword was already humming through the air.
"With that level of skill, you're not even qualified to fight me."
Nathan smirked and casually caught the sword between two fingers.
"Damn it! You bastard!"
No matter how hard Ed tried, his blade wouldn't budge an inch.
"Remember—don't pick fights with people whose strength you don't understand."
With that, Nathan disarmed him effortlessly, snatching the sword away.
And before Ed could react—
BAM!
Nathan kicked him square in the stomach, sending him flying.
Spinning the sword in his hand, Nathan casually flourished the blade before letting it drop to the ground.
His swift and decisive movements stunned the remaining knights—none of them dared to step forward.
"Vice-Captain Rostam, I think your Knights of Favonius might have a traitor among them. What do you think?"
Nathan asked with a lighthearted smile.
"Arrest Ed immediately!"
Rostam's brows furrowed. He had also noticed the unusual behavior of his subordinate.
At his command, the remaining knights hoisted up the unconscious Ed and reluctantly left the flower shop.
"However… This is an internal matter of the Knights of Favonius. There's no need for Nathan to interfere."
"That so-called 'informant' is targeting my family—there's no way I'll sit back and do nothing."
"That may be, but before we go any further, Nathan, you and the woman inside your shop will need to come with me to the Knights of Favonius headquarters."
"Oh? Are you planning to arrest me?"
"No, this is just standard procedure."
Rostam shook his head, giving Nathan a reassuring look.
"Sorry, but walking into your headquarters would be like walking into a trap. I'm not that naive."
"Then I have no choice… I'll have to escort you by force."
As soon as he finished speaking, Rostam drew his Favonius Longsword.
A powerful aura erupted from his body, surging toward Nathan like a tidal wave…
a/n - Read 60+ Chapters ahead on my patreon
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