Compared to the grand procession when he arrived, Bailuo's departure was much more low-key, and he didn't bring many people with him either.
A group of people had died during the diplomat incident, another group had been killed when Diluc took the blame for Collei, and yet another group had left with the missionary.
If Bailuo took more people with him, Anastasia would probably burst into tears.
Before these people arrived, she had been able to hold her ground against the Knights of Favonius in terms of presence. But after the Harbinger she had hoped for arrived, why had the Fatui ended up so weakened?
Now, even a mere administrative officer could bully her.
She couldn't understand it.
Outside Mondstadt.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, Administrative Officer Kaeya, there's really no need to be so formal."
Bailuo had once again chosen a Slime-drawn carriage, but as he watched the two leading the way, he really wanted to tell them one thing.
It's not that serious, really!
Upon learning that Bailuo was heading to Liyue, Jean and Kaeya had mobilized half of the Knights of Favonius' forces to escort him, and they were all elite troops. Even Eula's reconnaissance company had been deployed.
Keep in mind that Bailuo had only brought four Fatui members with him, and they were mainly there to handle the handover with the Fatui in Liyue. Otherwise, Bailuo would have probably gone alone.
"No, no, you deserve this kind of treatment."
Kaeya, fully armed, had even added a metal plate to his eyepatch, truly embodying the phrase "armed to the teeth."
This made it seem less like they were protecting Bailuo and more like they were ready to ambush him if he changed his mind halfway and decided to return to Mondstadt.
Bailuo was deeply moved, and then silently drew his dagger.
The journey went smoothly, with no Treasure Hoarders or Hilichurls blocking the way, and no Fatui... well, actually, there were Fatui, and they were right in the middle of the procession.
Even Hilichurls, upon seeing such a formidable force of knights, would wisely stay out of the way.
They knew who they could mess with and who they couldn't.
After passing Dawn Winery, the next stop was Stone Gate. The Knights of Favonius halted there, knowing that going any further might alert the Millelith of Liyue.
It wasn't that they couldn't handle the Millelith—if half of the Knights of Favonius couldn't defeat a few border guards, they'd be the laughingstock of Teyvat.
But if a fight did break out, it could escalate into a diplomatic incident, something neither side wanted.
Liyue and Mondstadt were neighboring nations, and Morax and Barbatos were old friends. If their nations clashed, it would be awkward for both gods.
Speaking of these two gods... there's an interesting legend.
It's said that when the old nobles of Mondstadt were cornered, they once considered betraying Mondstadt by signing a contract to incorporate it into Liyue's territory, with the condition that Barbatos would spare their lives.
Little did they know, the god of contracts they were dealing with was actually Barbatos in disguise.
This slacker Barbatos had once tried to imitate Morax's handwriting to prank the old man next door, though he never succeeded.
Who would have thought that years of practice would finally come in handy in such a strange situation?
At Stone Gate, under the wary gaze of the Millelith, Bailuo stepped down from the Slime-drawn carriage.
"Knights of Favonius, thank you."
"No need to thank us!"
"Everyone, you've worked hard escorting me."
"Not at all!"
"Let's meet again someday."
"Let's not!!!"
"..."
After Bailuo and his companion passed through Stone Gate into Liyue territory, the Knights of Favonius erupted into cheers. Some even hugged each other and cried.
He's gone!
He's finally gone!
With the Instructor gone, Mondstadt is saved!
With the Instructor gone, Mondstadt will have peace!
Their behavior made the Millelith border guards look at Bailuo and his group with increasing suspicion.
"Hello, I'm Shao Yuan of the Millelith! Please present your travel permits, household registration, merchant licenses, and other valid documents!"
Shao Yuan, a member of the Millelith, stepped forward while his comrades exchanged uneasy glances, stopping Bailuo's group.
He knew they were Fatui, but given the reaction of the Mondstadt group, these people probably weren't good news.
"Come on, Shao Yuan, aren't you about to be transferred back to Mt. Tianheng? Little Jiang has been looking forward to it for so long. Don't offend the Fatui at a time like this!"
A Millelith soldier nicknamed "Little Ditz" quickly stepped forward to remind him.
Recently, Snezhnaya and Liyue had been in a honeymoon phase. It was said that a significant number of Snezhnayans had already entered The Chasm. To them, the Fatui were now allies.
If Shao Yuan caused trouble, he might be reprimanded by his superiors and lose his chance to transfer back.
Little Jiang had always been in poor health, and if Shao Yuan could return, it would be easier for him to take care of his son. This was a spot his comrades had fought hard to secure for him.
"The reaction of the Mondstadt people says it all. Whether these people are truly Fatui still needs to be verified. If we let some dangerous individuals through... compared to my small family, Liyue is more important."
It was clear that Shao Yuan was also struggling.
His wife and child had been eagerly awaiting his transfer to Mt. Tianheng, and after finishing his duty there, he had planned to resign from the Millelith to focus on treating Little Jiang's illness.
If he lost this opportunity because of this incident, how disappointed would his family be?
But no matter what, he wouldn't regret his decision. As he had said, "Only when the nation is secure can families thrive."
"Millelith comrades, no need to be nervous. This gentleman's documents are all in order. I can vouch for them."
The sound of hurried footsteps approached as a group of Fatui members arrived from behind Stone Gate, preventing what could have been a tragic misunderstanding.
Originally, Bailuo was supposed to arrive at the same time as the Fatui dispatched by Liyue, but he had underestimated how eager the Knights of Favonius were to see him off.
They had marched straight to the border without stopping.
The speaker was an Electro Cicin Mage. The squad leader had already begun exploring The Chasm, and even Tartaglia had entered.
As an elite member of the Fatui vanguard, she was the most suitable person to receive Bailuo.
Shao Yuan took the documents handed to him by the Electro Cicin Mage and carefully reviewed them. After confirming that they were signed by the Liyue Qixing, he stepped aside and allowed Bailuo's group to enter Liyue.
Bailuo gave the Millelith soldier a deep look but said nothing, following the Electro Cicin Mage through Stone Gate.
Once they were far enough from the Millelith, the Electro Cicin Mage leading the way turned and, along with her team, saluted Bailuo.
"Member of the Fatui's Ninth Company, Electro Cicin Mage Katarina Snezhevna, paying respects to the Instructor! Awaiting your orders, sir!"