Though it was painful to recount the story of how La Signora became the Crimson Witch of Flames—and to make her relive those bitter memories—Li Mo knew he had to be ruthless to complete his mission, to make her cry, to make everyone cry.
He set down his teacup, cleared his throat, and continued.
As he spoke, the Electro projections above the inn shifted once more.
The scene was no longer Mondstadt, but the distant land of Sumeru. Geographically, Sumeru and Mondstadt were not adjacent; the powerful nation of Liyue lay between them. So news from Mondstadt always took time to reach Sumeru.
Now, within the Sumeru Akademiya, Rosalyne sat obediently on a garden bench, holding the brand-new water clock in one hand and a thick, ancient tome in the other, studying methods to control her Pyro power. Since returning to the Akademiya, she had actively sought guidance from the scholars and had learned many new techniques. Soon, she would be able to fully control the flames within her.
After studying for a while, her gaze drifted to the water clock in her other hand. The hands were slowly turning. Almost a full cycle. Nearly a month had passed.
Her beloved Knight Rostam would soon fulfill their promise, riding his victorious warhorse to the Sumeru Akademiya to take her home. Then, every student—even the scholars—would look at her with envy. Every time she imagined that scene, a sweet smile would bloom on her face.
She was so happy. She had heard that Mondstadt had already defeated the monsters. Once she and Rostam returned, nothing could keep them apart, and they could finally be married.
Lost in her daydreams, she forgot to study.
Just then, students on a nearby bench were discussing something.
"Did you hear? Mondstadt has suffered a disaster."
"A disaster? Wasn't it the monster invasion? Every nation was attacked. Mondstadt has the Anemo Archon, so it shouldn't have fallen."
"Not the monsters—I heard it was a massive dragon, emerging from the snowy mountains to invade Mondstadt. A knight led a squad to lure it away from the city to protect the people. The entire squad was wiped out."
"All dead?"
"Yes—and I heard the knight leading them was the Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. What was his name… Rostam, or something?"
A few young students were discussing the latest news from the continent. Their voices carried to Rosalyne's ears.
The moment she heard them, she froze. It was as if all strength had left her body. The ancient tome slipped from her hand. The water clock slipped from her hand.
"Rostam is dead? No—impossible! Rostam is the Deputy Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. He couldn't die so easily in a mere invasion."
She refused to believe it. She picked up the fallen book and water clock, intending to confront the speakers.
But when the students heard her outcry, they quickly remembered. "That's right—the Deputy Grand Master was named Rostam! He died horribly—his entire body was corroded by the dragon's poison, his flesh dissolved, and even his bones didn't remain. I heard only an iron sword was left."
"Miss, how do you know the name Rostam? Have you also heard news from Mondstadt?"
They greeted her warmly, hoping to chat.
But Rosalyne, furious, was in no mood for pleasantries. "You're lying! I've just received word that Mondstadt has completely defeated the monsters. With so many knights, how could they fail to repel an invasion? Even a dragon couldn't kill Rostam! He hasn't fulfilled our promise yet!"
Her fists clenched. She almost wanted to slap these gossips for spreading such lies about Rostam's death.
Seeing her anger and her threatening posture, the students quickly made themselves scarce. They had no desire to cause trouble at the Akademiya and risk expulsion.
Watching them slink away, Rosalyne's cold expression did not soften. She murmured to herself, "Rostam, you haven't forgotten our promise, have you? The water clock has almost completed its turn. You should be coming for me now."
Though she refused to believe the rumors, after hearing them, she could no longer be at ease. Her expression turned cold, and she could not force a smile. She looked troubled.
"Fine—say whatever you want. Rostam will be here soon, and he'll prove you wrong with his own presence. I should go pack. Before I leave, I must also bid farewell to the Lesser Lord Kusanali and thank her for her help."
With that, she turned and walked toward her lodgings, still holding the nearly full‑circle water clock and the Akademiya tome. But as she approached, a neighbor student hurriedly ran up to her.
"Lady Rosalyne, I've been looking for you!"
She blinked. "What is it? Speak slowly."
The student panted, "A knight from Mondstadt arrived at the Akademiya not long ago. He said he was looking for you urgently. Hey, Lady Rosalyne, wait for me!"
Before the student could finish, Rosalyne's face lit up with excitement. She broke into a run, racing toward her lodgings.
It was Rostam! It had to be him! Her knight had not forgotten their promise. He had finally come to take her home!
"Thank you for telling me—I'll go see him now!"
She rushed into the courtyard at full speed. As her neighbor had said, there stood a knight in full armor, holding a sword in one hand and a white‑wrapped bundle in the other.
He was a knight of Favonius.
But he was not her knight.