Genshin Impact Murder Mystery

Chapter 4. Brocken Trust

Silence filled the air and each breath was harder to take than the last. Everyone was in shock by what happened. At the moment all of them needed to have some time to process everything that had happened. Amber was the first to break the silence yet as she talked it was obvious that she was still shaken up.
“Who...who would do such a horrible thing.”
Amber quietly says.
“This is unbelievable…”
Jean commented.
“This is all my fault if only I hadn’t asked him to come with me then he would still be alive.”
Aether says sadly at the brink of tears.
“No, Aether this isn’t your fault non of us could have known this would happen.”
Diluc says trying to calm Aether down.
“But if I hadn’t asked he-he would still be…”
That is all Aether could say before being interrupted.
“Aether listen, Diluc is right this is not your fault so please stop blaming yourself. Do you think Gorou would want this?”
Kaeya asks.
“No...he wouldn’t. Thank you both of you are right but know let’s find who ever did this and bring them to justice.”
Aether says with determination in his voice.
“Alright everyone for know we should bring Gorou back for the examination of his wound.”
Albedo says.
The team agreed and carefully transported Gorou back to the tents with gloves as to not ruin the evidence.
“For now we should split up me and one other person will take a closer look at Gorou while the rest takes care of the Hillichurls as planed.”
Albedo says.
“I will stay here with Albedo. I leave the rest up to you all.”
Jean says.
“Alright then let’s head out it’s time to destroy these pests.”
Diluc says.
For the time being the group split into two. Diluc’s group made quick work of the Hillichurls and an abyss mage while only sustaining small scratches. Meanwhile Albedo and Jean worked hard to figure out what made the injury, when could it have happened and was it someone from their own group or someone that’s been hiding in the shadows. In the end they obtained some crucial information. Now they just had to wait until the others have returned.
“Welcome back everyone, while you all were away we obtained some important information.”
Jean says.
“Really, that’s good to hear. What do you two discover?”
Aether says.
“Well after some careful observation we came to the conclusion that the wound that Gorou has was made by a sword. More importantly there is only one sword of ours that could have made this wound which is Kaeya’s Cool Steel for it is wider than Jean’s Aquila Favonia, my Cinnabar Spindel and Aether’s Flute. On top of that there were traces of Cryo around Gorou’s wound.
Albedo says calmly.
“So does this mean Kaeya is the one responsible for Gorous death?”
Amber asks.
“No not necessarily. There is the possibility that his sword was stolen from him and used to kill him or someone who owns a Cool Steel could have done it.”
Albedo replied.
“But what about the traces of Cryo that you found?”
Diluc asks.
“Well there is also an explanation for this. If someone were to cover the sword with a liquid made out of Mist Flower Corollas than the sword would obtain the element of Cryo for a short period of time.”
Albedo answered.
“So what you are saying is everyone one of us could have done it.”
Aether asks.
“Yes, but considering that Amber and Diluc both wield different weapons they are the least likely to have done it. Plus all of us felt as if someone was watching us, so it is safe to assume that there is a figure who is staying in the shadow but keeping an eye on us and our every move.”
“So what you are saying is that this person hiding in the shadows probably killed Gorou. Alright then we will just have to find them then.”
Amber says.
“Easier said than done, if we want find them we will have to make a trap for them. For that we need to know what their after but I think it is safe to say their after that Goblet we found.”
Diluc says.
“I think he is right we only really noticed being followed after entering the cave and inside was only the Goblet. While you prepare the trap I will be making a decoy to trick them. For this I could use some help from Kaeya”
Albedo whispers.
“Alright then the rest of us will plan the trap in the mean time.”
Jean whispers back.
Jean and the rest start leaving under the disguise of a hunting trip. While Albedo and Kaeya go inside Albedo’s tent to create the decoy in secret.
After two hours they returned with some meat to make their hunting trip believable and Aether was tasked to talk with Albedo and Kaeya to tell them what they are going to do. Going inside the tent Aether was met with a chaos of books scattered around the floor.
“Albedo, Kaeya we’ve returned and have a plan.”
Aether says.
“That’s great news we’ve just finished creating the decoy, so what’s the plan.”
Kaeya asks.
“First of all we are going to leave the decoy unattended in the tent. Should the person we are trying to trap take it we will have that be the catalyst for the trap to snap. As a trap we will use some of our elemental skills for example we’ll use Kaeya’s skill to freeze them and than use my electro skill to temporally paralyse them.”
Aether says.
“Sounds like a plan we will get straight back, to work on that but were will we put the real Goblet for the mean time?”
Albedo asks.
“They will send Diluc later to get us then he will also take the real Goblet with him hidden in his coat. Afterwards we will just have to talk about the Goblet still being in here.”
Aether says.
“Alright than let’s get to it we have no time to waist.”
Albedo says.
The three of them started working on infusing the elements with the decoy. For it to work they used the crystallized reaction. Another thing that speaks for it is that it is almost not detectable. Soon after they finished Diluc appeared.
“It is time to go. Jean and the others have already left after we felt as if we were being watched again. Are you ready to depart?”
Diluc says.
“We have finished our project so we are all ready to leave.”
Albedo replied.
Just like that all of them left the tent together. Outside Albedo began to talk to Diluc saying how far they have come in researching the Goblet.
“After some careful observation of the Goblet we have not come to any conclusions yet so. For the mean time it shall remain inside my tent.”
Albedo says.
“Let’s hope that the further we investigate the Goblet the more we will found out about our current situation.”
Diluc replied.
“Now we probably should head back to the others before they start to worry something happened.”
Aether suggested,
“Your right we shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
Kaeya agreed.
As all of them vanished behind the remaining tents a dark figure smiled to itself and insulted them inside their mind for their carelessness of leaving the old relic behind unattended. They quietly approached the tent and walked inside. On the inside they saw a lot of books piled on to each other and some alchemy stuff. Yet now of it was of use to the dark figure and as they kept looking for the relic on the table on the other site slightly hidden behind a couple of books the relic laid. Cautiously they approached constantly looking around to see if a trap was in place yet nothing could be seen or detected so they walked in front of it. The second the dark figure lifted the relic up in the air the trap snapped. Suddenly without a warning a crystalized flower materialized beneath the figures feet and in casted them in an ice cocoon while from the outside lightning crackled. Now encased the figure could not flee and soon after the trap was activated the party returned in a hurry. All of them were tense and had their weapons drawn except for Kaeya. As Albedo opened the trap an unfamiliar face to most of them appeared yet for Aether it was one he wished he had nether met as it filled his heart with anger.
Inside the trap was none other than Scaramouche.
“Long time no see sucker. “
Scaramouche taunted yet still frozen to the spot despite the cocoon being gone.
“Aether do you know this person?”
Jean asked.
“I wouldn’t say know but we have met alright, it was in my time when I was gone in Inazuma. Also he is a one of the Fatui harbingers.
Aether answered.
“So then it was you who killed Gorou!”
Amber exclaimed.
Scaramouche just scoffed at the accusation,
“I killed who now and were is even your evidence or do the people of Mondstadt just go around accusing others of murder without any proof.”
He replied smugly.
“Ahm...ah…”
Amber stuttered.
“No, I believe Amber might be right. I mean what else would a Fatui harbinger be doing here in Mondstadt after their plans in Inazuma failed.”
Kaeya said.
“Well, despite what you might think I didn’t kill anyone. Of what use would that persons death have to me? “
Scaramouche said calmly.
“Whatever use it might or might not have you are for now under arrest for you are the main suspect of the murder plus you tried to steal something that doesn’t belong to you.”
Jean said.
“I say we put him in jail or kill him already Fatui are all the same.”
Diluc commented.
“Although that would be the easiest way we can not be certain as of now that he truly is the killer so for now we must endure this and wait for Albedo to find out the rest”
Jean said.
“Good for nothing knights of favonius…”
Diluc muttered under his breath.
“Alright for now we should move him to the fire there we can watch over hi9m more easily and Albedo can continue to study the artifact.”
Aether said.
After Aether said it they all moved Scaramouche to the fire except for Albedo who remained inside his tent to go over his notes and to further study the artifact. Outside with the others they talked about everything.
“So much has happened in such a short time I almost can’t believe it and now we have the killer of our friend with us…”
Amber said with a sigh.
“Ugh… How many time do I have to tell I didn’t kill anybody. Your reasoning doesn’t make sense sure I did try to steal that relict of yours but that doesn’t mean I killed someone. Well… how about this I lend you some actual sense of mine and help you find the actual killer and in return I get the relic sound fair right?”
Scaramouche said.
“And why should we trust a word you’re saying for all we now you could be lying and it doesn’t really seem in character for you to just help someone even if you were to get something you want out of it.”
Kaeya exclaimed.
“Your an observing one aren’t you, huh well your right about the fact that I don’t normally help people with their problems but what bugs me more is to be falsely accused of something that didn’t happen. So call my helping out more of a convenience to me than actual willingness of helping someone.”
Scaramouche answered.
“That doesn’t prove anything you Fatui scum we don’t trust you and it’s gonna stay that way got it.”
Diluc threatened.
“Alright enough with the talking it’s time to prepare dinner so everybody please get the ingredients we gathered today for the stew.”
Jean said.
After some looking they found enough to make a tasty mushroom stew for everyone while all gather in a circle around the fire in the middle to further discuss things Diluc was left in charge of the stew having been put in some type of time out to not start a fight with the fatui. On a second fire he cooked the stew while sending glares Scaramouches way. He was the first to see Albedo finally coming out of his tent.
“Everybody I have something that will help us find the murderer with this powder here we can see if someone has used a liquid made out of Mist Flower Corollas lately. The only problem is there is as of now only enough to test one person plus if the question were to arise why not use it to see if the weapon was infuse with it or see if it would show up on Gorous wound. Well that would not work because for the powder to take affect the being it’s being used on needs to be alive”
Albedo said.
As Albedo finished Diluc approached and there for left the stew unattended for the time being.
“Well then what are we waiting for let’s test the fatui and be done with it.”
Diluc said.
“Is everyone alright with the fact that we are testing him. If so be on you guard for it to work I will have to shortly get the rest of the restraints of of him.”
Albedo warned.
All of them were on high alert as Albedo loosened the restraints. Though Scaramouche surprisingly appeared to do nothing when he turned around as Albedo was putting the powder on his hand and wrist he just looked at it.
“Your gonna regret doing that, it will be your down fall.”
Scaramouche stated bluntly.
After some time passed to most peoples shook nothing happened.
“This certainly is curios it appears so that he is not our killer for he could not have left the trace of cryo on Gorous wound.”
Albedo concluded.
“What but how could that be, so… it really was one of us then.”
Amber said in disbelieve.
“Well thanks for stating the obvious idiot if I were you I’d watch myself around your cryo user over there. I mean wouldn’t that be the simplest solution.”
Scaramouche said.
“Well Kaeya is to smart to just use his own elemental power to commit such a murder especially considering he is the only one in this party with said element.”
Aether defended Kaeya.
“That might be true but if he is so smart wouldn’t he consider this possibility and still use his element and make a gamble because in the time it takes to make more of that reviling powder he could already have killed another or made his escape? Wouldn’t that be a possibility.”
Scaramouche wondered.
“Even if what your saying is true we wont know until Albedo has made more of the powder. So Albedo please make enough of it so that we can all be tested next morning.”
Jean commanded.
“Alright I’ll be going then maybe I can also lift the mystery behind the artifact up until know the only thing that came up was the word BETRAYAL I already have a lead but with were it’s going I want to be certain it’s the truth.”
Albedo answered.
“You do that and we will keep watch to ensure everyone’s safety.”
Kaeya said while moving towards the still cooking stew having noticed it started to burn.
In an afford to save it from being inedible he cooled the fire and stirred it. After the reassuring sentence Albedo left to do his work. The others were now keeping an eye not only on their prisoner but also on the rest of their party. The tension was thick in the air so thick indeed that it was getting harder and harder to breath up until a voice cut through it.
“Well all this tension has made me hungry what about all of you don’t you want to eat something?”
Kaeya asked still standing beside the stew with multiple plates and cutlery ready at his disposal.
All of them looked at him dumbfounded.
“Seems like you guys don’t want any alright guess there is more for me then.”
Kaeya said with a shrug And started to fill his plate with the delicious smelling stew. After that comment the tension went away for the time being and only then did they truly realize how hungry they actually were. Without wasting another second all lined up to get some of the stew. When all had their food they returned to the fire and sat in a circle wanting to enjoy each others company. As they started eating suddenly a wave of dizziness mixed with drowsiness befell them and one after another they were knocked out. All that could be heard now in the darkness was...
“See, I told you it would be your downfall…
Ohh… so it was you after all~ How surprising.”
Scaramouche said with a tone that tells everyone I told you so and now you pay the price for your insolence.
Hours later at the crack of dawn all of them finally are able to awaken from their forceful slumber. In a panic all of them look around them seeing everyone alright brings a short lived relief into their systems. Yet suddenly they are aware of a missing presence while they were out Scaramouch had disappeared into thin air leaving only broken with frost covered shackles behind.
“Damn it he must have gotten free while we were out like a light.”
Diluc cursed.
“Someone must have freed him he could not have possibly escaped it and the opnly persons who now how to open them are me, Kaeya and Albedo.”
Aether exclaimed with a worried expression.
“Wait while we were all out something could have happened to Albedo we must hurry and look for him.”
Amber said panic evident in here voice.
After that all of them hurried toward Albedos tent hoping their friend was okay…
Yet what greeted them was absolute chaos and on the floor with open eyes laid Albedo covert in his own blood mixed with the powder making it unusable. His research towards the goblet and the recipe to create more powder were al the destroyed for all of them were completely soaked through with blood. To top it all of this time the murder weapon was left inside the victim for it had been frozen together with the body of the alchemist making it almost impossible to remove it. Only with the help of a pyro vision would you be able to pull it out. Since this time the weapon got left behind there was no doubt about it it was Kaeya’s cold steel not just any but really Kaeyas. For he had made the smith in Mondstadt make a little engraving at the hilt of the sword.
“This can’t be happening…”
Jean said in disbelieve.
“Not again…”
Amber said.
Kaeya remind silent with a grim look on his face. Meanwhile Aether though still recovering went to look through some papers that weren’t destroyed knowing that Albedo probably left some clues for them behind in case he would meet his end. As he looked around he found what he was looking for hidden in one of the books laid a note written by Albedo.
“Guys I think I found something it’s a note from Albedo.”
Aether said.
“Well then what are you waiting for read it out loud.”
Diluc said while keeping his poker face though you could see he had to put a lot of effort in too it.
“Let’s see what you found out Albedo..”
And so Aether read the note out loud…

All of the texts mention the word betrayal when speaking of the goblet but never in what context as if the truth were to harsh as to put it into words. Maybe it’s linked to what has happened here and it’s an apostle of some kind that warns of a sudden betrayal or worse.
Even though caution is to be had in all scenarios it pains me to know that one has betrayed us tough I can not be certain I have my suspicions…
I just hope their not true if they were I don’t know how they would react especially Diluc.

As the last line was read everything was silent. The air cold, no one was breathing…
Until the silence was broken.
“So it was you then wasn’t it KAEYA!”
Dilluc yelled in anger.
“What were did you get that idea now Diluc.”
Kaeya said with narrow eyes.
“Who else could it have been it’s your weapon and your element that was used for both murders.”
Diluc exclaimed.
“It doesn’t prove anything someone could have used the liquid again so your acusation is pointless.”
Kaeya said.
“I did listen but this time around it’s not just traces of cryo but you can literally see a huge chunk of it which connects the weapon to Albedos body. So… now I don’t think the liquid would have enough power the literally create such a huge chunk of ice and the only solution to that problem is that you are the killer, Kaeya.”
Diluc explained.
“While we don’t know the extension of how much the liquid can truly freeze Diluc’s explanation does have some points…”
Jean said with a sigh.
“Come on not you to Jean I mean all of were knocked out by the stew so it couldn’t have been me.”
Kaeya responded.
“But weren’t you the last one by the stew, you could have possibly mixed something in it and then pretended to eat it. While all of us got drowsy you just continued to pretend and once we were all gone you put your plan into action.”
Amber accused Kaeya.
“Well if we are going by that logic it could possibly have been Diluc or someone else did something to one of the ingredients.”
Kaeya defended himself.
“If you haven’t noticed I have a pyro vision if I were the killer the ice would simply melt and all traces of cryo would be gone. Plus none of us have the proficiency of herbs needed to temper with the ingredients.”
Diluc said with confidence.
“The only one I know who could have done it are Sucrose and Albedo but both are not an option.”
Aether said.
“And I mean it wouldn’t be the first time you have broken my trust now, would it Kaeya.
Diluc said with spite in his words.
“N-no… that’s not I didn’t.”
Kaeya stuttered in shock.
“Didn’t what Kaeya never betrayed me or never killed those two what is it, huh?”
Diluc said.
“Come on enough already I believe Kaeya is innocent I mean it doesn’t make sense why would he suddenly want to murder everyone.”
Aether said defending Kaeya.
“Aether, after all this time your are still very naive to think he wouldn’t fake anything. I mean did he ever lie to you so that you would do something?”
Diluc asked.
“Well no not that I know of… well maybe that one time in the beginning he told me and Paimon about a sword his grandfather hid. In the end it turned out to be a lie…”
Aether said getting quieter at the end.
“See he has lied to you from the beginning why wouldn’t he be doing it now?
Diluc asked a bit more force behind his words this time.
“I-i don’t know but I truly believe that he is innocent.”
Aether stuttered out not wanting to believe his friend would do such monstrosity.
“There is another reason why Kaeya is guilty he could have freed that Scaramouche guy from his shackles.”
Amber said.
“So what do you have to say for yourself now Kaeya?”
Diluc asked for a final time his eyes cold.
“I didn’t do it who ever did it wants to blame me for some reason please believe me just this once. I am telling the TRUTH!”
Kaeya helplessly tried to defend himself but it was no use…
“I herby as the acting grand master arrest you Kaeya Alberich for the murder of Gorou and Albedo. I am sorry but there is to much evidence against you.
Jean proclaimed with a cold look on her face.
“Take him somewhere else for the time being until we go back to Mondstadt…”
Jean continued.
As Kaeya was dragged out of the tent all Aether could do was give his friend a sad smile trying to comfort him.
“Thank you for trying,...Aether”
Kaeya said his head hanging low.
“After we cleaned all of this, secured Albedo and put our tents and everything away we will go back to Mondstadt. So please go outside tell that to the others and help them I’ll take care of Albedo for now..”
Jean order.
“I still can’t believe Kaeya would do something like this it just doesn’t fit him…”
Aether mumbled as he was leaving yet Jean still heard him.
“I know it’s hard to believe but the facts speak against him so the only think we can do now is face the reality of how it is and bring Kaeya to justice.”
Jean said.
“I guess your right… but… nevermind I’ll tell the other to pack their things so that we can leave as soon as possible towards Mondstadt.”
Aether told Jean who could only muster a small smile.
As Aether left Jean turned around and looked at Albedo again since everyone was now gone she let tears slide down her face.
“I am sorry it had to come like this, thank you for everything and may rest in peace.”
Jean prayed before starting to carefully move  him somewhere else.
Outside Aether quickly found the other and informed the about about Jeans command. They agreed that Amber and Aether would put everything away while Diluc watch Kaeya so that he wouldn’t run away. As both were out of earshot Kaeya tried to get through to Diluc.
“Please Diluc I know I betrayed you when we were kids but I am truly not lying here please believe in me just this once.”
Kaeya pleaded a tear sliding from his eye.
“Justice comes to us all Kaeya and your judgment awaits you in Mondstadt when everyone sees who you really are.”
Diluc said coldly killing the last hope Kaeya had to convince Diluc.