Verisimilitude (GI Various x Reader)

Chapter Thirty

        The windy breeze of Mondstadt greeted us as we climbed the steps up to the Cathedral. To think the last time we climbed these steps was almost more than a month ago now. When I was forced to give Signora Venti's Gnosis in exchange for Lumine and Venti's lives. The thought of the matter still angers me to this day. It was salt in the wound when I willingly agreed to Morax's contract and handed over yet another Gnosis to Signora and the Fatui.

Now, if only I could find out the true reason why the Tsaritsa wants me on her side, that would be great. Surely it's not something shallow such as just wanting control over my foresight abilities, is it? Sure, it would be beneficial for the Fatui to know how the future plays out, but yet something tells me that it's something more. Whatever it is, I have a feeling I may not know for a very long time. Snezhnaya isn't next on the list, after all.

I could feel another's gaze piercing into my back as we approached the Cathedral of the Church of Favonius. I didn't have to look back to know that it was Dainsleif who was the one watching me. I still don't completely trust the man. Yet, the man from five hundred years ago and the one before me now seemed like two completely different people. Not only that, but he willingly hunts the Abyss Order- a group that has time and time again caused nothing but chaos for humanity.

A group that has the same origins as him.

It's just odd no matter how you look at it. And so now, as we stand before the Cathedral, Dainsleif narrows his eyes up in distaste. Whether it be from the architecture or the faith the people of Mondstadt have in the Anemo Archon, I'm unsure. Possibly both, if I'm being honest.

"A huge statue, a grandiose Cathedral... The people of Mondstadt clearly spent a great deal of resources and energy to construct them. But how aware of this was the Anemo Archon on receiving this gift, and how much did he give back in return?" I crossed my arms at his words.

"Barbatos may or may not have been aware the efforts his people gave towards procuring and creating these gifts. But, it doesn't take away from the fact that Barbatos himself gave up much during the creation of Mondstadt. Afterall, Mondstadt used to be a frigid mountainscape during the time of Decarabian. With the Anemo Archon's powers, he was able to blow and melt away the cold and the snow of Mondstadt of the past into what we see today." Paimon nodded, agreeing with what I'd just said.

"Faith doesn't ask for anything in return though, does it?" Dainsleif huffed.

"Hmph, as long as the gods have a clear conscience about it all, there's nothing I can say about it." I sighed with a shake of my head.

"I know that you have a pretty clear distaste for the gods of Teyvat, but you shouldn't so blatantly show your disrespect right in front of the church of one of them. It's just asking for trouble. You're pretty lucky that the Anemo Archon wouldn't care, honestly." I stated, placing a hand on my hip. "Though, even if the Anemo Archon wouldn't care, the people who worship him would. You would just needlessly cause a commotion for yourself and the others around you." Dainsleif watches, amusement in his sapphire eyes.

"I appreciate your candor, Oracle Knight." I sighed again as I crossed my arms one over the other and leaned my weight onto my other leg. I thought to myself for a moment before speaking up once more.

"Just... (Y/N) is fine. There's no need to call me by my title if we're going to be seeing more of each other like this, after all." He hums, seemingly thinking to himself as well.

"Very well." He then turns to Lumine and Paimon, who watched the interaction between us. I'm sure it probably came as a surprise coming from me, as I've developed a standoffish stance towards the Khaenri'ahn male.