“At the very least, based on his conduct in Mondstadt over the past week, he’s not someone to be underestimated.”
Kaeya leaned against the doorframe, his expression thoughtful as he spoke to Jean.
“Even without a Vision, his combat skills are extraordinary. It’s clear he’s experienced countless battles. That war axe he wields is no ordinary weapon, and I suspect he’s proficient in more than just axe techniques.”
Kaeya crossed his arms, his voice carrying a hint of warning. “Don’t take him lightly, Acting Grand Master. Regarding tomorrow’s challenge, I’ve kept it quiet. Thanks to someone’s help, word of this hasn’t spread throughout the city.”
He paused, then added with a slight smirk, “After all, no one can say for sure whether or not he truly has a Vision.”
Unspoken, however, was Kaeya’s own contingency plan. He had quietly assembled a group of trusted individuals. If the traveler, Jia Changjiang, tried any tricks during the duel, Kaeya was fully prepared to handle the situation through… unconventional means.
“I see…” Jean furrowed her brow, then nodded. “Understood. I’ll take this challenge seriously tomorrow.”
Kaeya smiled faintly, satisfied with her response, and turned to leave the office.
The moment he stepped out, he was immediately swarmed by several people.
“How did it go? What did Jean say?” Amber clung to Kaeya’s arm, her voice filled with curiosity.
“Is it true that Acting Grand Master Jean is really going to duel someone tomorrow?” Klee, with her signature red hat, bounced on her toes, wide-eyed with excitement.
“I turn my back for one moment, and suddenly someone’s challenging Jean?” Lisa’s voice was uncharacteristically sharp as she joined the group, having temporarily set aside her usual laid-back demeanor.
“Relax,” Kaeya reassured them with a grin. “The Acting Grand Master said she’d take the challenge seriously. But let’s keep this matter between us for now, alright? No need to alarm the rest of the Knights.”
He chuckled lightly. “I’ve already arranged for the training grounds to be cleared tomorrow. Let’s all watch the duel together.”
“Don’t worry,” he added with a glint of mischief in his eye. “If anything goes wrong, we’ll be there to… assist.”
Worst case, we’ll gang up on him, Kaeya thought to himself with zero shame for his decidedly un-knightly plan.
—
Jia Changjiang, blissfully unaware of the stir his casual challenge had caused within the Knights of Favonius, was just leaving a now-closed tavern after another night of drinking apple cider and dandelion wine.
“Ahh, what a perfect day for a fight~” he hummed tunelessly as he strolled through the quiet, mostly deserted streets of Mondstadt.
His thoughts were occupied with strategies for tomorrow’s battle when the corner of his eye caught a flicker of firelight. His instincts kicked in immediately, snapping him out of his alcohol-induced haze.
Jia Changjiang ducked just in time, avoiding a fiery greatsword that slashed through the air where his head had been moments before.
“Who’s there?!”
He leapt back several steps, gripping the handle of his battle axe as his eyes locked onto the figure in the shadows.
Standing before him was a man cloaked in black, his face concealed by a mask. He held a flaming greatsword, and at his hip gleamed a Pyro Vision.
“Hah!”
Instead of fear, excitement lit up Jia Changjiang’s face.
He summoned his weapon, the massive Eikathos Axe, slamming it into the ground with a force that shattered the cobblestones beneath.
“So, you’re here to fight me, huh? Excellent—I’m always up for a good brawl!”
Jia Changjiang grinned, his battle stance lowering as he prepared to charge. “A Pyro Vision, a greatsword, and a black cloak… You must be the Darknight Hero everyone in the taverns talks about!”
Resting the axe on his shoulder, he gave the man a wolfish grin. “You’re strong, aren’t you?”
Just then, his system’s familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Target detected. Mission triggered.]
[Defeat or drive away the Shadow of Dawn—Diluc!]
[Reward: Grandmaster-At-Arms (Jax’s Ultimate).]
Jia Changjiang froze for a moment, processing the reward.
“…This mission reward is even better than the one for Jean! And that name…”
His grin widened.
“You’re stronger than the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, aren’t you?” Jia Changjiang’s eyes gleamed with unrestrained anticipation.
“Hah! Who would’ve thought I’d run into a powerhouse like you before my duel with Jean?!”
He pointed his axe toward the cloaked figure, shouting, “Come on, fight me!”
The alcohol in his veins only added fuel to his growing excitement. His face flushed red, but not with fear or embarrassment—it was pure, unadulterated battle lust.
Diluc, still silent, gripped his greatsword tightly with both hands, the flames licking along its blade illuminating his sharp gaze.
“You’re dangerous.”
His voice was low, his demeanor colder than the Mondstadt night. Flames flared around his sword and began to spiral up his body, enhancing his strength and sharpening his focus.
“Tell me your purpose in Mondstadt.”
“My purpose?” Jia Changjiang let out a hearty laugh as he yanked his battle axe free from the shattered street.
“Beat me, and I’ll tell you anything you want!” He swung the axe in a wide arc, resting it back on his shoulder. “Now come on—show me what you’ve got!”
Jia Changjiang’s roar echoed through the silent streets, his body surging forward as he leapt high into the air.
“Jump Strike!”
A skill he had unlocked through fragments over the past week, the move allowed him to launch himself toward an enemy, axe poised for a devastating overhead strike.
Though it wasn’t perfect—easily dodged by the nimble—it had one key benefit: mobility. Even foes perched on high ledges were no longer safe.
“HAHAHAHAHA!! LET’S FIGHT!!!”
The drunken warrior’s wild laughter rang out as his axe came crashing down.
Diluc had already moved.
He dashed backward, evading the strike with precise footwork. Even so, he couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer power behind the attack.
The moment Jia Changjiang’s axe collided with the ground, the cobblestones exploded into dust and rubble, the impact sending shockwaves through the air.
Diluc narrowed his eyes.
This guy… His strength is monstrous.
For years, Diluc had wielded his greatsword in countless battles, his strength well above that of the average fighter. But this? Jia Changjiang’s raw power was something else entirely.
The man wasn’t just a warrior—he was a force of nature.
Diluc’s grip on his sword tightened as the flames around him intensified, casting a fiery glow over the street.
“You’re far too dangerous to leave unchecked,” he said coldly, his tone sharp as a blade.
Jia Changjiang, however, simply laughed, hoisting his axe with ease despite its massive size.
“Dangerous? Maybe.” His grin widened. “But if you want answers…”
He slammed the axe against the ground, pointing it at Diluc.
“Then come and take them from me!”
—
This is a fan translation of 武器大师在原神绝不死于徒手 by 徐人双. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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