Genshin Impact, all those behind-the-scenes big shots are me

The ironclad laws made many people feel uneasy and constrained; the dead, the bloody lessons before them, meant no one dared to challenge your authority anymore.

[Erendrin stayed by your side, his worry for you growing, for he too was witnessing the changes—the changes in the people of Mondstadt, the nobles, and you.]

"These policies must not be implemented!"

Erendrin slammed a notice stamped with the Grand Master's seal onto his desk.

Su Chen raised his head and said calmly, "Erendlin, you should be inspecting the snow mountain at this time. A large number of monsters have appeared there."

"Russtan, do you know what you're doing?" Erendlin said in a deep voice. "What have I heard on my way back today? Do you know what people are saying about you now?"

Su Chen said calmly, "I don't care about these things."

“Devil! Tyrant! Steel machine! Yes, that’s right, you’ve done a lot for Mondstadt, but this isn’t right. Since when, Rustan, have you become so cold-blooded!” Erendel said angrily.

Your friend's words reminded you that you seem to have become fixated on this kind of thing, and so you began to reflect on what you still want to do.

Is it about protection or control?

You have started a side quest:

[①Upholding firm beliefs, Dark Will gains an additional boost during simulated settlement.]

[②Change the policy to grant additional talents during simulated settlements based on assessments.]

Chapter 10 Will the Dragon Slayer Become a Dragon in the End? [Tenth Update]

"Will the dragon slayer eventually become a dragon himself?"

Su Chen looked up at the sky.

He discovered that this simulation had a far greater impact on his mindset than the previous ones.

Because they had gained power and influence, certain uncontrollable thoughts from the depths of their hearts began to surface.

In reality, he only needed to follow the simulation progress step by step, or even just live the life Rustin was supposed to live.

Judging from the current situation, the simulation evaluation is unlikely to be too bad.

But Su Chen always felt he wanted to do something; this feeling was very strong.

He came to Teyvat, but not simply to be here.

But what should we do next?

"teacher."

A voice sounded from behind.

Roland was dressed in a smart and practical outfit, and he still carried a faint smell of blood.

"Is it done?"

"Yes, all the monsters in the Wolf Territory have been dealt with. I left some people behind to guard it in case anything else happens."

"That's good."

Su Chen nodded.

Currently, the Earthfire and the Knights are in a state of each performing their own duties.

With only so many men, the Knights of Favonius simply cannot possibly take care of all the security issues in Mondstadt.

Although the current environment is relatively peaceful, Su Chen knows that this peace will soon come to an end.

The destruction of Canria.

Maybe today, maybe tomorrow.

He didn't know, so he could only arrange everything as best he could, even if the methods were somewhat cruel and incomprehensible to others.

“Teacher…” Roland hesitated for a moment, then said tentatively, “Right now, many people outside are saying…”

"You say I am, right?"

"Yes, some not-so-good comments."

"Devil or tyrant?" Su Chen suddenly smiled. "Perhaps it's a worse way of putting it."

A ruthless lawmaker who has forgotten his original intentions; a dictator more terrifying than the nobility.

Even without deliberately inquiring, Su Chen knew about these voices.

"Teacher, you didn't have to go to such extremes... I'm not questioning your decision, but you could have made everyone love and respect you more, so why did you do this?"

Roland didn't quite understand.

He knew that his teacher was never what the outside world rumored.

He is not a dictator, not a bloodthirsty butcher, and certainly not a representative of the newly emerging aristocracy.

His teacher, who was clearly thinking of Mondstadt wholeheartedly and had dedicated everything to Mondstadt.

He didn't understand, but hearing the Mondstadt people comment on Su Chen like that made him feel very uncomfortable.

"Roland, go back. From now on, expand the scale of the fire and intensify training," Su Chen said.

Roland paused, startled. "Teacher, is something about to happen?"

"maybe..."

Su Chen murmured softly, "Perhaps, it will come soon."

After much deliberation, you've finally decided to continue following your own path.

[You are not a dragon, but you know that time is running out for Mondstadt. We must be prepared for the worst, especially with disaster looming. If we don't make all the necessary preparations quickly and allow a lax and undisciplined mindset to corrupt the people of Mondstadt, the entire nation will become vulnerable when disaster strikes.]

You realize that top-down aristocratic rule, to some extent, helps stabilize the country. More importantly, it facilitates unified deployment as quickly as possible in the event of disaster. As long as the nobles are obedient, they can play their due role.

[Therefore, you began to distribute more power to the Gunnhildr family and Erendrin. As representatives of ancient nobility, the Gunnhildr's beliefs have remained unchanged for thousands of years, and they are worthy of your trust.]

Although Erendlin was dissatisfied with the ironclad rules you issued, he trusted your judgment, and so, in the following year, Mondstadt entered a period of steady progress.

[You purchased a large amount of food from Liyue, acquired excellent weapons and equipment from Inazuma, constructed fortifications in various villages, recruited a large number of knights, and trained militia, causing Mondstadt's combat strength to soar.]

However, these achievements did not come out of thin air. The massive expenditure of funds plunged Mondstadt into a financial crisis, and its people began to condemn your actions, believing you were ill, suffering from delusions, and treating everything that did not exist as an enemy.

[Your ironclad rules and actions violate the ideals of freedom proclaimed by the Wind God. You have become a jackal who exploits his people, a bloodthirsty dictator. The calls within Mondstadt are growing louder; they want you, this 'demon,' to step down. This would have been impossible before, but you have freed them from the mindset of being slaves to the nobility. Now they want greater freedom.]

[Achieve the achievement 'Condemned by All'.]

The people of Mondstadt began to march, demanding the withdrawal of the so-called war reserves. Even the Knights of Favonius fell silent. Most of these men came from ordinary families, and the drain on Mondstadt's finances placed unimaginable pressure on them. They had once firmly believed that you could lead Mondstadt to a better future, but now that belief was beginning to waver.

The corrupt nobles, having risen from the ashes, began to exploit this situation to promote Erendrin's virtues. In fact, Erendrin had always been dedicated to serving the people of Mondstadt, and soon the calls for Erendrin to become Grand Master resounded throughout every corner of Mondstadt.

Down with the dictator!

"Get off the stage! Get off the stage! Get off the stage!"

"That Rustan guy, he's no longer qualified to be Mondstadt's leader!"

"That guy is a demon, with the madness of a war criminal flowing in his blood. If he is allowed to continue like this, Mondstadt will be dragged into the abyss by him one day."

"Liyue has already begun to be wary of us. If we don't stop Rustan, the war between the Seven Kingdoms will break out very soon!"

"Let Rustam step down, and let Erendrin lead us!"

More and more Mondstadt citizens joined the march.

Outside the Knights' headquarters, the people, waving their flags and shouting, protested loudly, denouncing Su Chen's tyranny as Grand Master.

"These damn guys!"

On a building in the distance.

Roland clenched his fists, grabbed the sword beside him, and prepared to rush out.

"Roland, don't be impulsive!" A young man pulled him back. "The teacher must have his reasons for doing this, and he must have foreseen this day. We cannot act rashly before he gives us instructions on the next steps."

"Yes, things are already chaotic enough. Once the subterranean fire starts moving, it could cause even more trouble for the teacher."

In response to his companions' attempts to persuade him, Roland angrily slammed his sword into the ground.

He knew he couldn't act impulsively now.

Otherwise, it will be exploited by those hiding in the shadows.

“The teacher must have his reasons for doing this!” Roland repeated his companion’s words emphatically. “I believe he truly cares for Mondstadt!”

...

Faced with overwhelming public outcry, the Knights finally succumbed to the pressure, their internal convictions began to crumble, and they even began discussing whether you should be allowed to 'retire with honor.'

You offered no explanation for these voices; clutching the water clock Rosalin had given you before she left, you silently counted down the days until disaster struck.

The letters from the Order of the Fathers have been constant every month. Rosalind expresses concern about the situation in Mondstadt, and she's even more worried about you. You reply that you're fine, everything is alright.

Two months later, you completed the overall strategic planning for the Mondstadt campaign, and then, amidst much fanfare, stepped down as Grand Master. You instructed Erendrin not to let his guard down and to ensure that these achievements were preserved.

He agreed.

[But when you were twenty-nine, Erendel, on the advice of the vice-commander, the captains of the various knights, the Archbishop of Favonius, and representatives of nobles and commoners, began to rectify your 'tyranny.' The ironclad rules were corrected, and a large number of troops were disbanded because maintaining them was simply too costly.]

You find that everything seems to have returned to how it was before.

Is this an inevitable historical trend? You can't help but wonder.

No, you didn't think this was the end. You began to develop Earthfire in your own way. All the weapons dismantled by the Knights were rebuilt by Earthfire. Fortunately, many of Earthfire's members were wealthy merchants, so although it was difficult, it was still proceeding in an orderly manner.

The actions of the Earthfire have severely disrupted order in Mondstadt. Erendrin approached you, attempting to persuade you to calm down, but you refused.

[You have triggered the Dark Will, and your power has been enhanced.]

The power struggle between the two major forces has begun again, as if history is repeating itself. Eren Delin stands in the sunlight, you stand in the shadows, you stare at each other, he questions you, until finally you turn and leave.

At thirty, the Knights prepare for a large-scale annihilation of the subterranean fire, but before this can even begin, an even greater catastrophe arrives as you foresaw.

[With the fall of Kanria, countless dark monsters crossed the ancient walls, and a monstrous horde swept across Mondstadt.]

War has begun!

Chapter 11 Collapsed city walls, flames everywhere, shining like stars [First Update]

News of the destruction of Kanria swept across the entire continent of Teyvat.