This, he reflects as he rummages through scattered belongings and abandoned tents, marks the third treasure hoarder camp he has cleared while on the road to Liyue Harbor. Diluc has passed a few Millelith outposts stationed in between larger settlements, but their presence does not seem to be suitable enough deterrence for these low-lifes. While not the focus of his vendetta, these unsavory figures have a despicable habit of kidnapping people, with the best-case scenario being to lock them up into cages to mock and jeer at. Unfortunately, the cowards all tend to teleport away once they realize that their situation does not favor them, so Diluc is left to try to investigate their scattered miscellany for hints of what the treasure hoarders' larger organization is up to beyond petty crime.
...He cannot truthfully report it to be a fruitful endeavor. When he takes a brief moment to compose himself at a traveler rest station, the last one before Liyue Harbor itself, he finds himself balefully side-eying the Millelith guard uselessly standing at parade rest right at the perimeter of the station.
The depths of the Millelith's ineptitude are astounding. How difficult can it be to suppress these small-minded bandits? He had been organizing patrols at the Knights of Favonius since the age of 14 when he made captain. Given that treasure hoarders harass travelers and merchant caravans alike, impeding the free flow of goods and people within Liyue, surely the Millelith could devote some resources to clear out at the very least the more brazen encampments. Disruption of trade seems antithetical to all that Liyue stands for. (Though Diluc can allow that the idea of charging for armed guards while travelling, as he has seen advertised on billboards, is nothing if not pure Liyue entrepreneurial spirit.)
Well, he's not unaccustomed to the governing organization and its allied military force being incompetent at best and downright malicious at its worst. Unfortunately for Teyvat, given what he has borne witness to over the course of his extensive travels, that state of affairs seems to be the norm.
What he is unaccustomed to is the warm weight of his Pyro Vision against his hip and the ease in which flames sheath his blade once again. The last time he had taken this power for granted, he was still a foolish and naïve child for all that he had turned the age of majority. Waiting patiently like a good little boy and hoping for the cogs of a corrupt bureaucracy to bring him (his father) justice, watching uselessly as every single authority figure he thought he could trust turned their backs and resumed business as usual.
The disgust and disgrace curls in his stomach, where it settles like rotting fruit. The sheer passivity that he had displayed, bordering on apathy with how little he had done in the days following his father's death...
...It does him no good to reflect on these matters. He has dwelled on this pain long enough, so much so that it is a familiar shame to him. Diluc knows he should focus on the future—specifically, on how he will eradicate evil from where it festers in Teyvat, no matter what form it takes, be it the Fatui, the Abyss Order, or the simple human avarice and depravity that these bandits display with impunity.
Knowing the reasons why he was now relearning how best to weave his Pyro Vision into his fighting style did not quiet the perfectionist tendencies in him that demanded his technique to be superb beyond all measure. Did he not train in these forms until exhaustion as a young Knight-in-training? Had he not learned how to control his output of flames through pyro-imbued attacks? Had he not been an exemplary Cavalry Captain, leading a division of others through training exercises and mounted patrols? To an untrained observer, his moves may have looked perfectly acceptable, if not brilliantly executed. By his standards, however, his pyro application was too inconsistent—excessive heat at times and under-powered at others.
While the treasure hoarders provided an unfortunately much-needed opportunity to regain his control and strength, the heart of the matter is that the bandits should never have been allowed to establish such a stranglehold onto the nation's countryside. And for that, he cannot find it within himself to respect these yawning Millelith guards who stand futilely at these outposts without anything to show for their efforts.
This manner of thoughts dwells on his mind during the final kilometers until the capital. A few hours later, he finally steps into the city of Liyue Harbor and spots a thief taking hold of a young woman's purse at the fish market.
Diluc hardly thinks anything at all before immediately beginning pursuit.
He leaps over a few tables of fish on ice and gets within several meters of the perpetrator, assessing the situation: three bystanders on his right and behind him, not including the victim herself catching up rather quickly for a civilian. From that same direction, he also hears the hum of electricity from an unknown provenance as well as cracks of thunder, though the sky has been clear all day.
A folding table and several chairs to his left. The fishmonger's table behind him. Another four bystanders in front of him and the thief, not yet aware of the danger.
After a split-second, he judges that these circumstances are inappropriate for him to wield his Pyro Vision. Instead, he kicks the folding table so that it is sent flying into the air, blocking the pickpocket's main path forward. The man slows down, but Diluc does not follow suit, instead increasing his speed so that he doesn't miss the window of opportunity he has created.
He is just seconds away from impact when suddenly, two Millelith soldiers appear out from behind a stand, effectively trapping the thief between Diluc and their spear tips.
The situation resolves itself neatly after that. The man is apprehended without any further problems, the folding table is returned to its original position, and Diluc is about to take his leave himself now that his contributions are clearly no longer needed when he hears a shout.
"Hey, you!" It's a female voice. When he turns around, he sees it's the purple-haired young lady whose purse was stolen. Recalling her surprising speed, he takes a closer look at her this time: a woman in her early twenties with double pigtails and hair buns that remind him of nothing else so much as cat ears. A strange and frivolous sartorial choice for the woman who is currently scowling at him. "Yes, I am talking to you. What is your name?"
"My name is of no import here. I find no pleasure in in taking credit for anyone else's actions."
"Well, good! Because you seem to be new here in Liyue Harbor, so I wanted to make sure you understood. When you see crime happening, you let the Millelith know, so they can take care of things. You need to follow the rule of law, or else wrongdoers might get off on technicalities since you didn't follow the proper procedures. Do you understand?"
"I... see," he says.
"I hope you do. You're not going to be a hero if you let a criminal successfully argue that their rights to a fair trial were violated by some brazen vigilante who tackled them in lieu of properly arresting them."
"And if the Millelith aren't available..? No large organization can be so omnipresent so as to be conveniently around for every crime that occurs in Liyue Harbor." Not to mention, he recalls that she had followed the thief with surprising speed rather than wait around for assistance. He regrets interfering now. This officious woman may have been able to apprehend the criminal on her own, even without the Millelith's involvement.
"Then you call for help. There are stations every 200 meters, and there is a bell system rigged up so that the response time is less than two minutes for every call."
His face must betray his true feelings, because the woman sighs. "I can see that you're not convinced. Where are you from, stranger? Because in Liyue, the government is actually competent, and the people can trust in the Millelith to protect them."
He scoffs. The Knights of Favonius liked to claim the same, and look at how well their empty statements stood in the face of any real challenge.
The young woman's indignation is perfectly clear in her voice. "So you think you can do better than our trained police force in matters of security?"
"It's not simply a matter of ability on the Millelith's part, though I have serious reservations about that as well. There might be a lack of willpower, however, to carry out certain duties or to enforce certain rules... Not the least to say, a lack of willpower behind the government itself."
The woman looks at him closely. Whatever she sees must satisfy her because she says, "Then prove it. I am Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. My last assistant left my employ a few days ago, so I am in need of capable help. While the Millelith and other military matters are not within my purview, you could make a real difference in reforming and improving the governance of Liyue as an assistant to me. "
She smirks. "Provided you pass a standard background check, of course. I'm going to need your real name now, no more dithering around."
It is perhaps a testament to his incredulity that he does, in fact, tell her his real name rather than an assumed identity. The flicker of surprise when she hears 'Ragnvindr' is small consolation in his eyes.
His prospective new employer, pending the results of the background investigation, dismisses him for the day after he fills out a few forms. Miss Keqing assures him that she will summon him once the paperwork for his internship has been completed and approved. Her self-assured manner suggests that she is accustomed to a rather rapid-fire pace of doing business. An adjustment, to be sure, from the long Wine Guild 'business meetings' held over numerous rounds of drinks. He finds that this efficiency is much more to his liking.
Dliuc had thought about turning down her offer before thinking the better of it. As much as he is loathe to admit, the Qixing are the prominent ruling party in Liyue at the moment, and it would hinder more than help to alienate the most influential people right as he arrives. So, an unplanned assistant position it is. So long as it does not interfere with his intelligence gathering, the connections-building can only be to his benefit.
After making arrangements with a local landlord, he now has a new base of operations. For a fixed fee of 400,000 mora a month, the set of empty rooms over a tea shop are at his disposal. The view in Feiyun Slope, admittedly, is not as idyllic as the setting in Qingce Village, but the direct line-of-sight to the Northland Bank is vastly preferable.
He orders a meal from one of the many local restaurants in the neighborhood, and the waitstaff, not bothering to hide their bemusement at his request, pack the food up for eating off-premises. While eating his dinner at one of the many empty tables scattered along the walkways, he keeps an eye on the bank entrance. Diluc would like to start investigating the Fatui immediately, tonight even, but alas, he needs more time to prepare supplies for a proper infiltration. Being caught would no doubt raise even more questions here than in Mondstadt.
So the night's schedule he keeps fairly light: talking to a few of the locals, placing orders at the few merchants that are still open at this time of day, and walking around the city to familiarize himself with the alleyways and side streets. After sunset, the street lanterns are lit, and their soft amber light floods the streets with a warm glow. However faintly, the light even manages to reach inside his apartment, high up as his rooms are. He supposes that the locals must get used to the illumination, or else they must have the window shades that his own rooms lack. The apartment is conveniently situated at the top of a tower, so he should not have any problems with nosy neighbors peering inside or otherwise intruding on his privacy. Still, he should remember to seek out a tailor for curtains tomorrow. He can see the glowing sign of the Northland Bank across the street, which means that the guard posted outside the entrance may just be able to spot him from below if he stands at the window.
After Diluc finishes noting down his observations and thoughts, he blows out his candle and heads to bed.
The location, it turns out, is as much a curse as it is a blessing. A loud crash wakes him up just before sunrise, and he rushes to the window only to see that some hapless delivery man has just dropped an entire crate of goods. Before he can return to sleep, a food hawker has evidently decided that underneath his window is the best place to sell their wares, yelling persistently all while Diluc finally gives up on more rest. He goes downstairs to seek some of this so-called 'world-famous jianbing.'
The line moves quickly enough, or at least, it does until the man wearing a brown and gold suit in front of him starts a conversation with the food vendor. Something about the provenance of the eggs, and the way in which the wheat flour had been ground. Despite the man's youthful appearance, the scene and the meandering discussion reminds him of the elderly men and women of Qingce Village. Perhaps then he should cut his losses and find breakfast somewhere else—
"Do you want any extra sauce?"
"What?" he says, intelligently.
"Come now, don't hold up the line if you don't want any extras. That'll be 500 mora, thank you, and here you go." ...As it turns out, the chef is perfectly able to chit-chat and prepare food at the same time. She hands him what looks like a rolled-up crepe filled with fried egg all the while talking to the man who had been in line in front of him.
"...And scallions taste the same everywhere, I've even grown them in a glass of water on my windowsill; how would Guili-grown scallions be any different?"
"Consider that the sun and wind in Guili Plains provides optimal growing conditions..."
He tunes out the inane conversation and finds a table on one of the walkways above to eat and observe. After breakfast is consumed, Diluc procures a pot of tea from the teashop, too, to remain inconspicuous. The guard posted at the Northland Bank from last night has already changed—he will have to find when their shifts end and begin. No one leaves or enters the building during his watch, however, perhaps due to the early hour. Still, it's a rather odd occurrence for a commercial district such as Feiyun Slope. As for if it is a one-off or the usual pattern of visitation, only time (and more observation) can tell.
A little bored, he glances over at the food cart from earlier. Surprisingly, the man in the brown suit is still there, but now he's been joined by a teenage girl. The girl throws her hands up in the air, seemingly in excitement, then switches place with the chef behind the cart and starts taking orders– wait. Is that a bear? It's smaller than the usual bear, about as tall as the girl's waist, and its fur is light orange, with a black patch framing its eyes. As he watches, the creature steals a chili pepper from the cart. And then another...
"Excuse me, sir."
Startled, he turns to see a harried-looking young woman addresses him. How did she sneak up on him? Had he truly been so transfixed?
"Lady Keqing has asked that you arrive at Yujing Terrace by 7:30 AM."
Diluc nods, still a little chagrined that he let his guard slip so easily. The messenger dips her head and then heads off.
Alright then. His food is finished; his tea has gone cold. Time to go. As he has little else to do in his apartment with the twenty-odd minutes before his appointment, he departs immediately for Yujing Terrace. As he walks up the stairs, he notes a few locations that would provide cover as well as an overlook of the Northland Bank building. Quite a few Millelith soldiers are milling about, but he's certain he can create a distraction if needed.
In the courtyard, underneath one of the covered walkways nearby a fishpond, the reason for him being here is standing and reading a scroll. As he approaches, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing rolls up her scroll and says, "Ah, right on time."
...Diluc would like to note that the time is 7:20, right on the dot. Alas, Miss Keqing is already moving forward, and he would be petty if he brought it up.
As they walk, with Miss Keqing leading the way to their unknown destination, she explains a little of her role as Yuheng. She oversees all real estate development and construction in Liyue, a hefty task no doubt. As such, his duties as her assistant will be to help her in processing forms, compiling reports, evaluating applications and petitions, overseeing logistics for investigations, and so on and so forth.
It sounds a little tedious to be perfectly honest, but he will see this through. His father did not raise a man who quit at the first sight of hardship. After some time has passed, they eventually reach a construction site. Workers lugging timber and buckets of concrete roam around, and he sees that the foundation has already been laid, along with a good amount of wall bracketed by scaffolding.
"...So, would you be willing to help me on a site inspection?"
"I do not find honest labor to be beneath me, no." Miss Keqing fixes him with a rather stern expression, and he realizes that he's mistaken about the purpose of her question. "I mean, that would be an acceptable activity."
"Great!" She tosses a helmet at him. "Safety first! Put this on."
Seeing that she's already placed hers over her pigtails, he follows suit. Miss Keqing's helmet does not quite sit right on her head; the cat-ear buns raise it higher than would be regulation standard. The trouble of inquiring about her hairstyling decisions does not seem worth it for the marginal increase in safety, so he stays silent. Besides, it hardly seems as if Miss Keqing is waiting for him to provide his input.
"Take notes, there's a rubric on the third page of those forms." She hands him a clipboard and then gestures in the direction of some scaffolding. "I'm going to interview some of the workers. I'm entrusting you with looking at the blueprint and then the structure already laid out on-site. I'll review your work afterwards to make sure there aren't any mistakes."
Her efficiency is remarkable. After she sees that he's understood, she walks off without any hesitation. Witnessing Miss Keqing's pace of work, he sets to work himself. He prides himself on his ability to deliver excellence beyond expectations, and it would take more than a busybody government official to knock him off his feet.
...Especially one who's all too happy to wait for others to help her in the case of a stolen purse instead of taking matters into her own hands. An untrained civilian has an excuse, but he's spotted the Electro Vision at her back and her light-footed step that belies a strong foundation of martial training. A typical bureaucrat then, all style and rules but no substance or action.
Snarls alert them to a nearby hilichurl camp on their way back to the city.
"Shall we?" Diluc asks, thinking of her scolding only the day prior.
"Hm, we're a bit ahead of schedule. Let's take care of things." She unsheathes her sword as he does the same for his claymore.
"Are you sure? I'm certain there was a Millelith station a few kilometers back we could report this to."
Miss Keqing rolls her eyes at him. "Come on, stop procrastinating. It would be faster to clean up this camp and then let the troops know afterwards." And with that, she throws a dart at the nearest hilichurl.
One second, she was right beside him still on the roadside, and the very next, she's already at the throat of the hilichurl with her blade, a crack of thunder betraying how she had done it. Her Vision glows purple as the air around her sword sizzles with imbued Electro energy.
Stop procrastinating indeed. He raises his greatsword, draws upon his Vision, and joins the fight. Between the two of them, the hilichurl camp is decimated within minutes.
Diluc is dispatching an axe-wielding mitachurl when he hears a shout, "Duck!" and then hears more than sees another electrified projectile land right on the pyro slime in the hands of a hilichurl grenadier. His focus is slipping—it had snuck up behind him. The resulting reaction sends the monster flying, and Miss Keqing chases afterwards with another thunderclap and teleport.
He refocuses on his own fight, sending a few more swings at the mitachurl before it can get any bright ideas due to his distraction... And then there are no further mobs. Diluc makes a mental tally of the hilichurl camp: an axe mitachurl; two hilichurl grenadiers, including the one that Miss Keqing ran after; an anemo-wielding samachurl; and two ordinary hilichurls. As she returns, he realizes that the dart she wielded in battle is actually a battered-looking hairpin that she now affixes back into her hair.
They both set to cleaning their weapons. Miss Keqing, unsurprisingly, is the first to speak up. "Not bad, not bad at all. Why were you so hesitant to act before?"
"Aren't we undermining the Millelith's authority by trying to be 'heroes' defeating any aggressive mobs we run into while on the road? After all, it's their duty to ensure safe travels for those passing through."
"Ha, in this situation, they were at least ten minutes away, and that's not including the time it would take to organize a proper patrol. Millelith policy requires that they work in groups of at least five when out in the field in case of unexpected developments."
That sounds remarkably inefficient, though he has the tact to not say so directly to Miss Keqing's face. "And in the city?"
"Naturally the number of soldiers present is much higher due to the population density. Surely you're not so rigid as to think that the same rules apply to every situation, regardless of the circumstances? I trust in our soldiers to root out evil, but I also won't turn a blind eye to it if they're not available."
"No, of course not," he concedes.
In the end, it is as he should have expected. Just government officials making excuse for why only they can skirt the rules in this case as a special exception. The hairpin that shines dully in her purple hair is enough to remind him of how the day before, she had indeed been chasing after the thief who had snatched her purse. There was little other explanation for how she had been able to catch up so quickly to the thief's location. The unexplained Electro energy that he had sensed? Her trick with the hairpin and teleportation. The Millelith had simply arrived first, before he or she had, and thus Miss Keqing can now take her moral high ground to preach at him about vigilantism and carrying out justice.
"Well, take it up with the Tianquan then if you dislike the criminal justice policy so much. Let's get moving now though; I want to make a report to the next Millelith station before we get back to the city."
He shrugs impassively and absolutely does not sulk quietly as he follows after her. The voice in his head with a passing resemblance to a former brother of his can kindly keep its thoughts to itself.
He realizes, after the sun starts to set, that he doesn't know what his expected hours of employment are to be from day to day. Miss Keqing for her part shows no sign of stopping.
Of course, right as he thinks such a thing, she puts down her pen. "I suppose we can stop here for now. I've got an appointment in twenty." She pauses, then corners him with a considering gaze. "Actually, no need to be vague here. How do you feel about meeting the rest of the administrative staff and a few of the Qixing for dinner? Don't worry about the cost, it's a celebratory meal anyways to commemorate a work anniversary." She pauses, then adds, "This isn't normal! Don't get used to it!"
"I wouldn't dare presume such a thing," he says. She stands up, brushes her dress off, and then starts walking to the front of the building.
"Heh. Anyways, I'll introduce you to the rest of the staff here while we're waiting. Over there is Tian Huixin, and the one to her left is Yan Jin. They're the Kaiyang's assistants. The Kaiyang is away from Liyue Harbor at the moment, so it'll just be those two... Hmm.. The woman chatting with the guard is Li Wenling. She used to be a former assistant of mine, but she quit to work for the Tianji instead."
She tells him this in the same matter of fact way in which she delivers all her speech. If it bothers her that she is clearly not a preferred employer, she does not let it show. "Oh, and I see Baishi and Baiwen. They serve the Tianquan, along with another woman named Baixiao. If both of them are here, there's a good chance Ningguang's around...
"Bu'yun!" From the entranceway, she calls out to a man standing in the courtyard. "Will Ningguang be attending the dinner?"
Bu'yun bows slightly before responding. "Lady Keqing, Lady Ningguang had some personal matters she wanted to see to first, but she will arrive when she becomes available."
"Alright, that's enough wasting time. Come on, let's drop by my office before dinner. Tomorrow I'll be in Guili Plains. You'll be responsible for drafting the reports on the construction site we saw earlier today tomorrow, and I put on your desk some applications for the development of a new park that you need to review as well. Summarize the key points from each and make a cost-benefit analysis table—"
As they walk past an office, he notices that the door is left ajar, so he can see someone seated at the desk inside. Night has fallen, the street lanterns have long since been lit to illuminate the path home for workers. "Who's still working inside?" he interrupts.
"The figures should tally to— Oh, that's Ganyu. She probably won't want to take the time to join us, but I should be polite and invite her anyways."
The light-blue-haired woman inside is hunched over the desk, writing furiously. He is a bit taken aback by the sight of the dark red horns nestled into her light blue hair, but Miss Keqing hardly even blinks while approaching. "Ganyu, are you busy?"
The woman looks up. She looks quite tired already, but grows perhaps a little bit more so at the sight of Miss Keqing. "I am, a bit, but what do you need?"
"I'll leave you to it, but just in case you forgot, the Tianxuan is celebrating his 18th work anniversary and is hosting a dinner for Qixing and administrative staff at Xinyue Kiosk. Up to you if you want to join us." Miss Keqing crosses her arms and shifts on her feet, the first signs of discomfort he's seen her display all day. "We were all planning to walk over in ten."
Miss Ganyu turns over a page and continues writing, focused now that she had seen who had entered the room. "Oh, ah, I don't know... Maybe I can take a break and walk with everyone there before coming back?"
"So you won't be eating?" Miss Keqing raises her eyebrow.
"Ah, I'm.. I've got to finish these memos tonight, so they can be sent out tomorrow morning."
Miss Keqing sighs. "Come, don't come, whatever you decide. Come on, Diluc, let's go."
She walks briskly out of the office. Bent over her work, Miss Ganyu does not seem to notice their departure in the slightest.
"Your manner is more ill at ease than your usual...?" he remarks.
She grimaces and tugs at her glove. "Was I that obvious? It's just awkward now after I got into a fight with her at the last all-hands."
"She fought with you?"
"Ha, she doesn't look the type, right? But she's actually pretty stubborn! She hated what I said at the last year's Rite of Descension, and she's had it out for me since then. Like every proposal I bring forward, she now just signs off on them and pushes it through without much feedback."
"...Isn't that a good thing?" He should have thought that she would love such an expedient process. And he will have to ask later what indeed she had said at the last Rite of Descension that would inspire an (apparently) strong reaction from someone as seemingly passive as Miss Ganyu.
"No! I can tell she's holding back her actual thoughts, and while I admire her professionalism for not impeding my work, I still need to hear feedback from a more traditionalist perspective so I can properly counter their concerns. Far too many are still complacent, happily relying on the Gods to direct the future of humanity. If we are to continue our current prosperity into a new era, we must seize our destiny with our own..." Perhaps noticing that she is veering wildly off-topic, she waves a hand dismissively. "Oh, forget it!"
"Isn't she just a secretary?" he probes. His impression was that the assistants at the terrace were facilitators rather than policy makers.
"Despite her unassuming looks, she's been General Secretary here for longer than you or I've been alive. Ganyu has a lot of soft power and knowledge in that head of hers. Anyways, come on. We've got a few minutes before dinner; I'll show you how to run the numbers for the speculative land survey analysis."
The Lady Ningguang, Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, is a formidable woman to behold. She strikes an imposing figure, tall enough to look Diluc in the eyes if she so chose, with long white hair neatly pulled and pinned back into a graceful topknot. Her gaze is piercing and intelligent, her smile enigmatic and all-knowing. She joins the retinue of Qixing and administrative staff in the Xinyue Kiosk lobby, accompanied by a woman who Diluc can only assume to be another one of her attendants.
On the walk over, Diluc had conversed with the two women whom Miss Keqing had flagged as assistants to the Tianquan. Baiwen and Baishi were only too happy to delineate all of Lady Ningguang's best traits: her elegance, her fairness, her rational mind, her voluptuous figure, her dignified mien, her unquestionable devotion to Liyue, her decisiveness, her flawless complexion, her impeccable taste. Truly an impressive array of virtues (though he cannot say that all of them are related to her qualities as a leader).
Still new to the city, he withholds his judgement on her suitability or capability. At the very least, Lady Ningguang inspires a remarkable loyalty in her staff. As the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, she is the final word on any and all legal matters that pass through the governing body. Even he, a non-native, has heard rumors about her vast intelligence network that allows her to directly influence the rise and fall of fortunes at will. As the highest ranking official in Liyue, her power and insight into commercial affairs is unquestioned and unparalleled in all realms of business in the city, and she personally takes action when necessary to ensure that her desired outcome is achieved.
She is completely and utterly different than Varka.
"Diluc Ragnvindr," she says pleasantly. "What a welcome surprise to have you in Liyue Harbor. I hear you've already become something of a hero here. Tell me, is there anything we can do to improve your stay here?"
"Spare me the compliments, I have done nothing of note. I am not here to ask for special treatment from the Liyue Qixing, either."
Miss Keqing, seated to his left, jumps into the conversation. "Diluc's been working for me a day now, as my assistant, which is why I invited him along."
"Oh?" Lady Ningguang gently inclines her head. The red tassel ornament on her forehead tilts with her movement. "And how did this arrangement begin? Is the compensation adequate?"
...Seeing as how he is independently wealthy, he had not thought to ask about things such as salary or benefits. He had no doubt in his mind that these matters would be handled appropriately without needing his input. But admitting this confidence out loud would grant him little social grace, even among a crowd of the well-born and well-off.
"Ningguang, is this really appropriate for dinner conversation? Diluc is new to Liyue and thus new to our customs and way of doing business. I offered him a position helping me, so he can learn more about governance in Liyue. The way things are done in Mondstadt are very different."
Lady Ningguang smiles tightly at Miss Keqing's words. "Well then. If you have come to Liyue seeking instruction, then indulge me in some knowledge. You are now master of Dawn Winery, correct? What is your opinion then of..."
She grills him about the minutiae of the wine industry of Mondstadt, especially that of the most renowned winery in the region. When he professes to have little insider knowledge, given that he had only "run" the business for weeks at most before handing it back over to Adelinde, she claims to wish to know his thoughts as someone who at least has insight into consumer preferences. When he confesses to have little taste for alcohol, she smoothly transitions to asking about various varietals of wine grapes and their suitability for juices and other products.
He's had enough. This is not the conversation he wants to be having, and more importantly, he cannot see how exposing how much he's failed to be the capable businessman his father once was furthers his cause.
"I cannot act as sole representative of the Dawn Winery in business matters. Such matters should be brought to the Wine Guild in Mondstadt."
Lady Ningguang laughs and pours him another cup of tea. Curled around the teapot handle, her gloved fingers bear some style of gold jewelry that resembles claws more than anything else. Tribute, perhaps, to the Archon that she serves. "Must everything be business these days?"
Miss Keqing coughs, apparently finding her own conversation with Bu'yun not as interesting as the one between Diluc and her colleague. Lady Ningguang either does not or pretends to not hear.
"Alright, I can cut to the chase here. I simply wished to know if the Dawn Winery would be able to provide beverage services during some of our diplomatic events. We of course have our local breweries in Liyue, but many guests particularly enjoy a fine vintage from the Dawn Winery. With the upcoming appointment of the Acting Grand Master of the Favonius Knights, I foresee many new business opportunities and collaborative ventures between our two nations."
"The Acting Grand Master? What happened to Varka?"
Before she can respond, the food arrives in the form of multiple servers bearing countless platters of steaming-hot food. Judging from the many dishes now being placed in the center of the table, Xinyue Kiosk seems to be a seafood-focused restaurant. He can see stir-fried noodles with fish, a tray of golden shrimp fritters, fried whole soft-shell crabs, a dish of sauteed leafy greens, a varied assortment of dumplings, an entire fish steamed with aromatic vegetables. One server, perhaps recognizing him as a foreigner, takes the time to name and describe the dishes to him, a small kindness. Diluc, however, turns down the offer of more familiar utensils, such as a fork and knife. He knows enough of how to use chopsticks to not embarrass himself, and more important than the food itself is the answer that he needs to know.
He tries to catch Lady Ningguang's attention again, but she is paying close attention as the guest of honor, the Tianxuan, stands and says a few perfunctory words. After the Tianxuan sits down and begins eating, everyone else follows suit and conversation picks up again.
Diluc clears his throat. "Excuse me, Lady Ningguang. Did something happen to Grand Master Varka?" Despite his ambivalent feelings for the man as of late, the thought of evil strong enough to harm even Varka fills him with unease. Perhaps he should return to Mondstadt if dark forces are growing unchecked underneath the Knights' eyes. The Fatui movements, the hordes of treasure hoarders, the actions of the Liyue Qixing... all of these concerns can be and should be cast aside if Mondstadt is truly in danger.
It figures, he reflects bitterly. He can leave for over three years with seemingly no change in the Knights, but when he leaves the country for a week, the entire rotten structure of the Favonius Order falls apart.
"No, not at all. You must have misunderstood me," Lady Ningguang says. She serves herself more of the steamed fish, as well as some of the noodles, and does not elaborate further. "Think about my offer in regards to the catering. All negotiations go better when there is a good drink and plentiful food at hand."
...The potential for future business ventures for the Dawn Winery is the last thing on his mind, to be perfectly honest. Lady Ningguang, unfortunately, has already turned away and begun talking with one of her assistants while eating her meal. He notices that she has not taken a single golden crab, nor really any of the heavier fried foods available.
On the other hand, Miss Keqing, after finishing her portion of fried shrimp balls, delicately eats a crystal shrimp before looking around furtively. Upon confirmation that no one is looking, she reaches out to take another fried shrimp ball from the center of the table. Midway, her arm still extended with the fritter perched in her chopsticks, she catches his eye and freezes.
"Would you like one?" she asks quickly. "they're absolutely delicious. In fact, I'd even consider them to be my 'comfort food' since—"
"No need," he interrupts, before she can ramble her way into oversharing. He will be expected to work with Miss Keqing again tomorrow morning, and he would like to not have to manage her bruised pride if she embarrasses herself. Although... she has been more forthright than her colleague.
"Actually, have you heard about the new Acting Grand Master in Mondstadt?"
Miss Keqing seems all too relieved to be back in the realm of work-related topics. "You mean the Dandelion Knight? Jean Gunnhildr, if I'm not mistaken. We haven't met, and she hasn't even officially taken the position, but she's already sent letters to the members of the Qixing. Which is already more than her predecessor did. I can say I'm quite looking forward to possible collaborations with her in the future."
Jean? But why? He knew that she had been serving as Varka's second-in-command during the years he had been away, and he approved of that decision. It would be hypocritical of him after all to raise concerns about her age. And honestly, Jean is one of the best of the Knights (or rather, perhaps, in spite of the Knights). From what he has heard, Varka has left the Order temporarily in her hands before while he personally leads some mission or expedition, but there had never needed to be an official title for her on prior occasions. And Jean is beloved in Mondstadt, always has been. Very few would dare question her authority in the city, and those foolish enough to challenge her would find little quarter among the commonfolk. So, the Knights of Favonius must expect that Varka's absence to be an extended one for them to prepare a long-term arrangement. Jean would need proper standing if she were to negotiate international matters in Grand Master Varka's stead...
Before he can fully process the ramifications of the Knights' change in leadership, the Tianxuan stands up. Conversation around the table comes to a hush as everyone listens to the speech, something trite and banal about the honor of serving Liyue for so long and the desire to continue until the new generation had grown up.
"To the new generation!" the Tianxuan finishes, and everyone, including Diluc, raises their glass in tribute. "Ganbei!"
Following what seems to be the local custom, he drains his cup dry in a single draw before regretting it. The alcohol in this drink is strong and fiery, and he has to fight to keep himself from shuddering.
The floor is opened up for toasts afterwards. He abstains from joining in, abhorring the thought of willingly drinking more of the liquor that everyone partakes in so freely.
"To another year of prosperity," Lady Ningguang says, clinking her glass against those of her assistants first, then anyone else who is willing. A great many, as it turns out.
"To Lady Ningguang," one of her secretaries, Baishi, he thinks, blurts out. Cheers rise up regardless, and Lady Ningguang herself seems amused and holds her cup out again in salute. She finishes her entire glass afterwards, unashamed despite how tawdry it is to drink to your own health at someone else's celebration.
"To Rex Lapis!" someone shouts. The volume of agreement increases, perhaps in proportion to the sheer amount of alcohol imbibed at this point.
He sees Miss Keqing scowl as she raises her glass. "To human ingenuity! And human willpower!"
"To Liyue Harbor!" And so on, and so forth. In the midst of yet another round of toasts, Lady Ningguang turns her attention to him once more.
"To your continued employment," she says, quiet enough to not be overheard over the din of the restaurant, "and a pleasant stay in Liyue Harbor." Lady Ningguang drains her glass.
Others at the table burst into unrelated cheers. "Ganbei!"
Diluc Ragnvindr
Liyue Harbor
March 14, XXXX
Did you even receive my last letter? Or did you purposefully send it back to snub me? Be honest! I bared my soul to you in it and gave you heartfelt advice. Imagine how poorly I felt after seeing my letter returned with "RETURN TO SENDER" stamped all over the front.
Well, news travels fast of your adventures. No need to worry about gossipers; I only mean that someone with sources as I do would know. You will have to forgive me for telling our dear Acting Grand Master Jean, though. She needs more levity in her life, as you so kindly provided.
Getting hired, and then fired, by the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing in the matter of days? I'd congratulate you on being the assistant with the shortest tenure to the Yuheng, but it turns out there is a poor soul who only managed 4 hours before quitting after lunchtime. So perhaps I should kudos you for lasting three days.
Is she a nightmare to work for? Did she refuse to give you a lunch break? I never thought I'd see a day when Diluc Ragnvindr himself was found wanting as an employee. The best cavalry captain Mondstadt had ever seen, the young master of the Dawn Winery, unrivalled in the hearts and affections of local youth, peerless in music, art, and scholarly pursuits... What high standards this Keqing must have!
So, Liyue Harbor, eh? I must say, I was surprised to hear. I figure you would roam around again as before and become utterly unreachable by mail. Take pity on me this time and read this (and respond), will you?
Kaeya Alberich
Gainful employment makes one appreciate free time all the more for how precious it is. After a full day at navigating bureaucracy (via a great deal of paperwork), gathering intelligence (which is distinctly different than listening to the gossip of staff), and rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful (or at least their representatives), the sun has long since sunken past the horizon.
By the time he escapes Yujing Terrace, the fresh fruit and vegetable vendors, as well as the butchers and fishmongers, have already packed up their stands. They are replaced by a clamorous assortment of street food vendors peddling every possible iteration of fried food. His post-work routine is as follows: he walks through the alley once, selects an acceptable food stall, and eats his dinner along with tea from Heyu Tea House. After two days, however, he has little progress to show for his investigations. The observation window he has before bedtime is too short, and he's not close enough to the Northland Bank to hear any conversations (as if anyone would be foolish enough to speak loudly of their foul plots while walking in public).
He had expected as much. Keeping a careful eye on Fatui movements is as much a comfort as it is an information-gathering exercise. Diluc will simply have to investigate more closely. His upcoming day off (which Miss Keqing wants feedback on since 'weekends' are a new practice implemented after her last assistant left) should suffice.
Something is afoot at the Northland Bank. There are much more than the usual number of masked Fatui swarming around, and they carry a frenzied air while doing whatever evil they get up to at 6 in the morning. Diluc can't detect any patterns or causes until a man dressed in white steps out of the bank, immediately triggering salutes from all nearby Fatui. In what is an unusual departure from Snezhnayan diplomatic custom, the man himself is not wearing a mask. On closer inspection though from his bedroom window, Diluc identifies what looks to be a red pointed mask nestled in the man's short orange hair.
Diluc watches a bit through his window before heading out. Judging from the Fatui higher-up's movements, the man is headed for the open-air markets held near the docks. If Diluc hurries, he will arrive there before his target, allowing him time to scout out the area and identify ideal vantage points for surveillance.
The marketplace is very different in broad daylight (or rather, in the morning light). For one, the array of various kinds of leafy greens, the assortment of fish, the tables full of toys and trinkets all clearly are intended for a different audience than the nightly street food market.
He sees a man wearing brown who seems a bit familiar pondering over the fresh cut flowers. As he passes by, he hears mutterings of "Lilies grown in soil taken from Mt. Aozang, nourished by the winds and rain of Qingce Village? An intriguing combination, particularly for the variety, which is known for its particular affinity to..."
If Diluc's step quickens at the mention of Qingce Village, well, no one should be paying enough attention to notice.
As he passes by a merchant stand, a young woman with bright pink hair, a red oversized hat, and down-turned antlers catches his eye. She is sitting on a crate, kicking her feet as she reads a book in the bright morning sunlight. Another spirit? Or perhaps an adepti. The local population of spiritual beings is evidently much higher in Liyue than in Mondstadt.
And there, walking down the steps towards the docks, is his target, accompanied by a few masked Fatui. Now that they are at eye-level, Diluc can espy a Hydro Vision attached to the man's belt. While the man approaches the marketplace, Diluc leans back against the railing and busies himself with a newspaper.
The Fatui officer says something to his lackeys, and they all scatter, most of them heading back in the direction of the bank. The man himself meanders through the market, looking at a display of fine Liyue porcelain, tasting a vial of honey at another stand. The worst that Diluc can spot is that he swipes a few berries from a carton before purchasing.
The Fatui is deceptively innocent, but Diluc knows better than to expect ostentatiously illegal behavior in public. If that were the case, the Fatui diplomatic corps would hardly have branches in every respectable nation, like a persistent mold. Patience is key here.
"I admit to little practical experience in this area, but I recommend talking to your crush instead."
Diluc nearly crushes the newspaper in his hands. The young woman he saw earlier, with pink hair and horns, is standing right next to him on the wharf, peering over his newspaper.
"Stalking is a crime in many jurisdictions including this one. I believe in Snezhnaya it isn't technically against the law, so you could of course follow him home. Though the legal customs there allow for his family to question yours before you can start properly courting. So your intended's father would talk to your father about the strength of your character... and your wallet."
He gives her the frostiest glare he can summon on short notice, startled as he is.
"Oh, poor? No, no, your clothes are too expensive. Unless you're a secret shop-aholic!" She taps her face, features wrenched in contemplation. "...Oh, is it a dead dad, then? Don't worry! The law has a contingency for dead or absent parents. You may substitute any other authority or mentor figure in your life then."
...In the past, he would have chosen Varka without hesitation to stand in for his father if Father was somehow too busy or away on business. Now, however... Well, he is no longer in the stage of life where a father figure is needed.
Diluc finally lands on what to say in response. "Please go away."
The young woman laughs. "Alright, alright, I see the client I was waiting for anyways over there. Catch you around then. Good luck with your crush!"
She runs off, and he sighs with relief.
Then she comes sprinting back. "Oh, I forgot! Here's my business card. Yanfei, legal expert extraordinaire! Come to me if you have any questions about the law. I charge extra for civil cases, though, in case you want help with arranging a marriage contract."
Years of etiquette training as well as his experience as a captain at the Knights instill in him the proper response, which is to take the business card she's holding out and to thank her. Belatedly, he realizes that he should also explain that her services won't be necessary, but she's already departed, running towards a dark-skinned teenage girl with a musical instrument strapped to her back. Her client, no doubt. He pities a person whose last resort is lawyers such as that young woman.
He turns his focus back to the situation at hand. Now he needs to reassess the viability of his next steps. Has his cover been blown? Yanfei was talking loudly, loud enough to gain unnecessary attention. Yet his target, the tall Snezhnayan man with a red mask, seems to have not noticed, wandering around aimlessly through the market. The man picks up a kite and holds it up in the sunlight to inspect it further. A toy? How curious.
The man converses with the toy seller for a few minutes. Judging from her hand gestures, the old woman is explaining how to fly a kite to the Fatui officer. Finally, money exchanges hands, but the toy seller puts the kite away behind the cart rather than giving it to the man. Diluc's suspicions about the entire transaction prove to be correct. Some kind of bribe or communication system then. He's seen the toy seller's cart near the fountain in front of the tavern in Chihu Rock. Another location of interest to keep an eye on later...
In the present, the Fatui officer finally makes his way up the stairs towards Feiyun Slope. Rather than heading back towards the Northland Bank, he instead continues along the boulevard and enters the path leading up to Yujing Terrace. Is he planning on meeting with the Qixing today? Today is the day off for most of the Qixing and staff, hence why he's free to tail the Fatui during the daytime. There could be little legitimate reason for the Fatui officer to present himself at Yujing Terrace today, though Diluc can think of many villainous motives for doing so.
Finally, the man stops, pausing near one of the pools of water that flank the path. Diluc takes the parallel bamboo walkway to continue his observation when—
"So, stranger, what say you and I have a friendly spar since you're so eager to learn more about me?"
Damn, so he's been caught. No point in hiding then. Diluc jumps over the railing and over the fishpond, joining the Fatui on the stone path.
"Not interested in fighting. What's your name?"
"Hey, isn't it a little rude to ask for someone's name without offering yours first?"
Diluc doesn't respond, too busy trying to come up with a reasonable sounding pseudonym.
"Alright, I'll go first. Call me Childe."
Diluc suspects he's being mocked. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, child."
"Would you believe me if I said my parents had a sense of humor? Now, return the courtesy, and share your name—"
"It's you!" The bright bubbly voice fills him with dread. He knows that voice. "Wow, you finally talked to him, didn't you? Jiā yóu!"
To his incredible dismay, Yanfei has somehow snuck up behind him again (is it some adepti-related powers, or is he just too distracted by the Fatui?).
"Who's this?" the man asks. The tension that was in the air has completely vanished, and now he just sounds amused.
"I'm Yanfei, trusted lawyer for all legal matters relating to Liyue! You're a Fatui diplomat, right? Come to me if you need any help with interpreting and following the law." Yanfei pulls out another business card from between the pages of her book to give to the Fatui officer. Then, in an unfortunate turn of events, she pivots towards Diluc.
"And speaking of following the law, I realized afterwards that I gave you improper advice earlier. It wasn't official legal advice as you have not employed me as your lawyer, but I should have prefaced my words with a disclaimer that while I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer. At least not yet, although I'm cheering for you! Maybe you will need my services soon...!
"Anyways, due to my expertise in Liyue law, I had an oversight and forgot that the Snezhnayan court of law generally looks favorably upon those who have reached the age of majority and become self-sufficient. The lack of suitable family ties in that case would necessitate an opening of negotiations..."
Diluc sighs. He doesn't want to be here for this lecture. And the more the woman talks, the more delighted the Fatui officer looks, as if he's piecing together what particular section of the legal code that Yanfei is referencing. Diluc could simply walk away, but he suspects that Yanfei will simply follow him until she's quite finished. And worse, the man might stay behind, and Diluc would never find out what his ulterior motive was in coming to Yujing Terrace.
Well... the officer had offered a brawl earlier. Let's see how he takes to the element of surprise.
The Fatui officer dodges Diluc's first blow with ease. "A fight then? I'm glad you changed your mind!" Grinning, the man summons twin Hydro daggers and parries the next swing of Diluc's claymore.
"Hey, ignorance of the law does not excuse you from following the law! And there are multiple ordinances against public fighting and disturbing the peace, as outlined in—"
Both of them ignore her. Diluc can confidently say that this was a good decision. The Fatui officer clearly achieved his position through martial prowess, not paper-pushing or greasing palms. Diluc would have preferred to keep his Vision hidden—no need to reveal any information to the Fatui— but circumstances are such that, instinctively, he summons Pyro to defend himself from a sudden uppercut with the Hydro blades. And thus, the need for pretense and holding back is gone.
The man fights dirty, but with distinctive intent and technique. Unconventional training, perhaps. His fighting style certainly is very different than the Snezhnayan method practiced by most of the Fatui recruits. Diluc finds the man's next moves to be impossible to predict. One moment, he's catching Diluc's claymore between his daggers, effectively halting the blade's momentum. The next, the Hydro daggers have transformed into a polearm piercing towards Diluc's undefended sternum.
He leaps back, taking advantage of his claymore's weight to push the man away. Distance gained, he then presses forward with a fiery slash, followed by a flip from above. In response, the man expertly weaves through his oncoming attacks before interrupting Diluc's final slash with a swept leg that knocks Diluc to the ground. Dead leaves on the stone pavement ignite in the heat of the flames.
The sizzle of electricity is the only warning sign before the two of them are sent flying apart. Once he rights himself, he sees a familiar woman standing before them.
"Diluc, what are you doing? Getting into fights on your day off? And you— Oh, Fatui Harbinger Tartaglia." Miss Keqing straightens up, adjusts her hairpin (which is still crackling with Electro) back into her hair, and clears her throat. "I deeply apologize for your first impressions of the city. The Qixing were not prepared for your early arrival, or else we would have met you at the gates to escort you safely."
"Ah, and you must be Keqing, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, right? I was surprised to be subject to an assassination attempt so early in the morning. Are you here then to see the job finished?"
Despite his words, Tartaglia seems to be in good spirits, which is a contrast to Diluc and the ashen expression on Miss Keqing's face.
"No, no, no! Diluc's actions are not condoned in any way by the Qixing. He is a recent addition to the administrative staff and is not yet authorized to act independently as an agent. That being said, if you want to press charges, Yanfei here," Miss Keqing gestures at the lawyer in question, who waves her hand cheerily at the mention of her name, "can serve as witness in court."
"Hmm... Starting our relationship off with me suing your staff in criminal proceedings would be a bad sign. As a gesture of goodwill, I'll forgive the transgressions upon my person. Let us start anew at the official welcoming ceremony tomorrow, shall we?"
"A-ah, that would be great actually! Yes, let's do that."
"The Tsaritsa has entrusted me to oversee the continued cooperation between our two nations. I would hate for her faith to be in vain. Please, despite our strange first meeting, we can still be friends. Do the honors of introducing me to your colleagues tomorrow?"
Miss Keqing shakes his offered hand. "Of course, of course. The Liyue Qixing have always respected the nation of Snezhnaya greatly and are deeply honored to host your delegation. The growth of the Northland Bank is an invaluable contribution to the commercial success of many Liyue Harbor businesses."
"Fan-tastic. I will see you tomorrow, then, at the ceremony." Tartaglia turns to address Diluc. "Now you owe me one. Let's finish that fight later, Diluc. Catch you around!" He walks away, hands stuffed into his pockets, whistling.
Notably, he is not going up the stairs towards Yujing Terrace. Damn. Was his original purpose ever to reach the Qixing offices, or was that a ruse to draw Diluc out?
Now that the Fatui Harbinger has left, Miss Keqing sighs while massaging her temples. "Yanfei, can you please make sure that any witnesses or bystanders know to stay quiet?"
"Fine, fine, I'll leave you guys alone. I'll send the bill for labor hours to you in a few days!" Yanfei, not even bothering to hide her curiosity, stows away her book before sprinting off. Dear Archons, he hopes she is going somewhere far from where he lives and works.
Keqing sighs again, and a vindictive part in Diluc is glad that he isn't the only one who finds Yanfei exhausting.
"What on Teyvat were you thinking? Picking fights with Fatui diplomats in broad daylight? Right beneath Yujing Terrace? You... you probably killed all the koi here! The lotuses are a mess, too!" She sighs. "You weren't half-bad at being an assistant. Unfortunately, I can't have someone who causes diplomatic incidents on my staff."
"I understand perfectly."
"You do? Now, I know this dismissal is sudden, and you may not have contingency plans prepared. I have a few favors I can call in so that you can be reassigned to—"
"No need."
Miss Keqing seems rather lost for words, picking at the cuff of her gloves. "Oh, well, if you're fine... Do you have a plan for what you'll do next? You're an intelligent young man of means, and clearly you need something to do because on your days off you start fights. Nations rise and fall on the backs of disaffected youth who need to find or be given a driving goal or passion lest they get into petty fights or worse, waste their potential. I cannot in good conscience allow such a fate to befall you."
"Miss Keqing, I appreciate your concern, and I apologize for the trouble I have caused you and the Qixing. In the future, I will more deeply consider the consequences of my actions."
She seems satisfied with his words, and so they finally say their farewells and depart. Miss Keqing starts walking up the stairs to Yujing Terrace, though he's aware that no one is supposed to be working there today. And as for him...
He saw the direction that Tartaglia went. He's going to go back home, change into a different outfit, and then continue his surveillance, but this time, not get caught.
The Northland Bank blends in very well with its surroundings. Clearly the Fatui have appropriated an already existing building rather than construct a new one, so often the only signs of something amiss are the Fatui guards posted outside the entrance. Undoubtably there will be more lurking inside and perhaps near the windows, but for now it is enough for him to watch the entrance and note down the change in guard shifts as well as any unusual visitors.
Now that he has left official employment, he can take advantage of his less fixed schedule to conduct stakeouts at any time of the day. To protect his identity, he purchases a cheap Fontaine-style masquerade mask from a local merchant. The sight of an adeptus mask, so similar to the one that man in Wangshu Inn possessed, gives him pause when perusing the merchandise, but he decides that such a stiff wooden mask would be a hindrance to him if he ever needed to move quickly or fight.
The mask he affixes to his face before finding a secluded location where he can jump up to the rooftops. There he finds a position with a good sightline to the walkway that leads to the bank's front door and is also close enough to hear conversations if there isn't much street noise (there is always street noise, unfortunately). The mask should serve to obscure his identity on the off chance that he's discovered.
Evidently the Fatui delegation had arrived ahead of schedule, though the official welcoming ceremony is still planned for this evening. This fact he knows due to him still provisioning a custom shipment of Dandelion Wine from the Dawn Winery for Lady Ningguang. Yesterday, after the incident with the Fatui Harbinger, the Tianquan had a note delivered confirming that regardless of his abrupt change in employment status, the business arrangement was still desirable for both parties, so she had no plans to curtail their collaboration. He has absolutely no idea how Lady Ningguang had known to send the message to him at the Heyu Tea House. Is he so predictable after only a week's residence in the city? Admittedly, the tea shop is conveniently located near his apartment as well as within sight of the Northland Bank, but he will have to find somewhere else to frequent.
He can worry about that later, however. For what purpose did the Fatui Harbinger Tartaglia arrive early yesterday? Diluc admittedly could not observe the man's movements all throughout the city, but he had tailed him to a book shop, as well as the shipyard where Tartaglia had spent an hour chatting with the local fishermen. Nothing overtly suspicious about any of those individual actions, yet as part of a whole, Diluc could argue that Tartaglia is on an intelligence-gathering mission.
Of what exactly, Diluc cannot be sure. The books that Tartaglia had purchased all were in the section pertaining to ancient Liyue mythology: Morax, the yakshas, demons, and all kinds of spiritual beasts that once had roamed freely in the Land of Geo. He is willing to bet that Tartaglia is not researching Liyue history out of a thirst for knowledge, but Diluc cannot perceive what his true intentions are.
Movement catches his eye. He had noticed a backdoor (more of a window, really), hidden along a side wall, that is not visible from the street, and it is this backdoor that now opens discreetly to emit three hooded Fatui Agents. As soon as they hit the ground, they vanish. Frustrating that they choose to use the Delusion they wield in ways that obscure their bodies and movements, but Delusions, man-made heresies that they are, cannot hide every last trace.
He spots blurred movement near a stand of colorful umbrellas, and he quietly drops down to the walkway to give chase.
The female guard at the Northland Bank entrance clears her throat. "Sir, if you want a job here, you can just walk in and apply at the front desk. You already have the mask, after all."
"That won't be necessary," he says, stiffly. He will need a new mask after this.
Not having much pride left to lose at this point, he jumps directly off the walkway into the street below instead of taking further evasive actions. Speed is of the essence if he is to have any chance of catching up with the Fatui agents.
He tracks their presence all the way to the north-eastern bridge. There, the trail vanishes. Questioning the Millelith guards posted at the bridge gates proves fruitless. Typical incompetence of enlisted soldiers. No wonder the Fatui run amok in every civilized nation. He shall have to rely on his own methods, then.
Asides from the mask, which he keeps on anyways for lack of better alternatives, another precaution he takes is to hide his Pyro Vision and don a well-worn set of gloves instead. Flexing the hand bearing Father's Delusion, he thinks for a moment.
It's been a while.
That boy of eighteen he once was had his Pyro Vision for years yet had proven to be powerless to protect the innocent. Nor had he been able to see justice done. At the Knights' headquarters that day, in that room with blackhearted scoundrels who thought nothing of betraying their most steadfast supporter, he was faced with the truth: his Vision did not grant him any unique powers that he could not already leverage in himself. He had left it behind at the Order alongside his resignation.
In the three-odd years that had encompassed his journey through Teyvat searching for answers to what had happened to his father, he had grown habituated to the insidious power of the Delusion, the false Vision that Father had obtained from the Fatui. Usage of the sacrilegious device always left him with an uneasy apprehension, the knowledge of how it had turned against Father always looming over his actions. The threat was a useful reminder for him to not solely trust in anything or anyone to miraculously give him the power to carry out his will. Everything that he had accomplished in the last few years, he had done only using the power within him, not something granted at the whim of a god.
He had once been bitter on his father's behalf at the Archons' capriciousness. Grant this man a Vision, though there would be no guarantee that the man would not use it for harm. Pluck a promising youth out of obscurity with a conspicuous manifestation of power while ignoring the similarly talented friend right beside him. Bestow a Vision on a man who had just shown his true colors: a wretch in the mud who had and would heartlessly betray his brother, family, and the country who had taken him in as one of their own. What virtue is there in such a treachery so as to be rewarded?
Diluc agrees on very little with the actions of the Fatui. To make one's own power in defiance of the Archons' will was heresy, and it was all the more dangerous for its blasphemy. But...
He had seen how his father had strived for so long to attain a Vision via legitimate ways, and he had seen how never once had his father's faith been rewarded...
So instead, Father had knowingly transacted with the deceitful Fatui in order to attain a Delusion. Whatever his father's true intentions, he had nonetheless procured the power he had coveted his entire life, and that power came with a cost far too high for what it was worth.
So, no, Diluc does not trust in the Delusion embedded in his glove now. At the back of his mind, he always suspects it would betray him in the moment he needed the strength most.
The arrival of a particularly garish vase to the manor, bearing an old memory that he had willingly relinquished years ago, had complicated matters. But Diluc was no longer the soft-headed child who needed to learn that Visions weren't a guarantee of anything at all. He would no longer push away power when he could use it for a greater cause. The more options available to him, the better.
He activates the Delusion, feels the world twist away before righting itself, just a little off-center. The Millelith guards are far enough away that they won't see anything amiss, if they're even paying any attention to him at all.
There, past the stone brick wall: a boot print in the mud with residues of dark energy.
Deactivating the Delusion's power, he approaches. Careful inspection of the spot around the footprint yields a torn scrap of dark cloth stuck to a berry bush, as if a coat had snagged on the plant.
Diluc smirks with satisfaction. The stray dogs that hang around the bridges to Liyue can track down the owner of the coat much better than he can with only his senses and Delusion to guide him.
He finds a friendly dog, crouches down, and waves the fabric scrap in front of the dog's snout. The dog instead pushes past his hand and licks his face.
"No, stop that!" he says firmly, using a handkerchief to wipe his face with the hand not holding the clue.
The dog ignores him and waves its tail expectantly. Finally, he relents and puts the fabric scrap down to properly pet the dog. "Alright, okay," he murmurs softly. "You're a good dog. Now, please, sniff this, and lead me to the source."
It rolls over, exposing its stomach to him. He's never understood how animals can show such unflinching trust in strangers. The life of a dog must be much simpler, not having to worry about betrayal or sinister plots or carrying on a legacy. He rubs the dog's belly, sighing. He'll have to track the Fatui agents the hard way it seems.
Usage of the Delusion takes its toll, especially as it's been a few months since he's last used it to this extent. The fatigue hits him on his way back, a sudden wave of exhaustion that sends him staggering.
"Hey, mister, ya alright? What's wrong?" Someone is shaking him. He opens his eyes to see a young woman with dark skin and dark brown hair pulled into short pigtails. The spikes in her hair as well as on her shoulders give her a fierce appearance.
"I was just headin' back from practice, and I saw you suddenly collapse on the road. What happened?"
"I'm... fine. I just... let the heat overcome me," he says. Even in the haze that follows excessive usage of the Delusion, he had the foresight to swap his father's gloves with his usual ones. Even if she doesn't believe his excuse, there should be little risk of her suspecting what truly ails him.
"Yeah, I'll say. It's still spring, but it's too warm here for that big black coat of yours. Anyways, come on, let's get you back to Liyue Harbor. That's where you're headin', right?"
She pulls him to his feet, surprisingly strong. "Wait, one sec," she says, taking off her outer garment to remove the spikes from her shoulders and adjusting her guitar so she has a shoulder free. "Come on, lean on me if you've gotta. Alright, let's get a move on!"
He has enough pride to stand and walk on his own. The girl doesn't seem to be insulted by him refusing her assistance and instead starts chattering away at him.
"The name's Xinyan, an' rock-and-roll's the game!" The girl says this with a practiced air. "Guessin' you've never been to a performance of mine yet. I perform every night in Liyue Harbor, but in different locations each time. Gotta dodge the police, ya know?"
He vaguely recalls a raucous cacophony of guitar and drums that he heard a few nights ago on his walk back from work. A question that he's never asked has now been answered.
"What's up with the goofy mask, by the way?"
Dear Barbatos, he forgot to take the damned thing off. "It's unimportant. Something like a costume for a party." Diluc shoves the accursed mask into a coat pocket.
"Hey, don't be shy about what you love. I'm wearin' a stage costume, too! It keeps me in the right mood, so I can always rock on. Even if it makes me look scary, and even if everyone's gonna be a hater because of the way I look, I can't back down or change myself to satisfy their prejudice... That's how they win. Anyways, you're limpin' a bit. You sure you're alright? It's not shameful to ask for help when you need it."
The limp is because one of the Fatui agents kicked his shin with steel-toed boots in the scuffle. He's fortunate that none of their spinning daggers nicked his face, or it would be hard to explain his injuries.
"I'm fine. Let's keep moving before it becomes night."
"Right on! I've got to get back before my performance tonight, too." Xinyan shrugs on her jacket again.
"Leave me then. You shouldn't miss your performance on my account."
Xinyan's indignance stops her dead in her tracks. "No way! I'd be worried sick if I went ahead. What if I left you here, and you passed out again?"
Normally, he would have taken her words to be a slight to his competence. Today, however, his pride has already been injured. Failing to extract useful intel from the agents, being caught by the security guard at the bank, being helped by a teenager because he can't be trusted to walk the few kilometers back to Liyue Harbor alone safely... There can be no excuse for his failures. The last thing he needs to add to the list is to be rude to her.
"I would be fine. But your concern is appreciated."
She huffs once in response, and they both continue walking. He makes an effort to walk a little faster for her sake.
As they approach the city, the lanterns are lit in the pavilion above Yujing Terrace, though the sky is still bright outside and the sun only just beginning to set. Even from this distance, the noise of a crowd can be heard. Xinyan pauses at the vantage point, eyes a little wistful as she looks over the pavilion.
"You know what that's about? Some kind of celebration? Man, I'd really love to perform there, for a big ol' crowd of everyone cheering for me and my music..."
As he doesn't believe in telling white lies, he simply hums in response. He's never heard Xinyan's music, though he has heard of the Fontaine 'rock and roll' she calls her musical style. He's fairly certain over there is the welcoming ceremony for the Snezhnayan delegation taking place in Yujing Terrace, hosted by the Liyue Qixing. Even if the Qixing were in a mood for unorthodox musical styles, none would dare risk offending a foreign diplomatic envoy with potentially divisive entertainment. At these sorts of galas, the preference is to play traditional music representative of the country for guests even if the beverage service is internationally sourced.
"Alright, we're here! I think you need some food and drink in you before you go home. I'll drop you off at Heyu Tea House; it's not far from here. You know Yunjin, the head of the troupe there? She's something of a fan of mine, despite her being, like, the representative for the fine arts in Liyue. Just goes to show, rock an' roll reaches all hearts!"
He shakes his head. Diluc has enjoyed many a pot of tea at the tea shop beneath his apartment, but the entertainment (or more specifically, the accompanying music) is usually a hindrance to his investigations. He tends to choose tables on the outskirts, far enough away from the venue platform that he doesn't hear too much of whatever the day's show is.
"Oh, well you should watch one of her shows, then go to mine. Old versus new Liyue music—a clash for the ages! She's on in the afternoons, while I'm rockin' out every evening, so you can go to both in the same day. Anyways, here you are. Take care of yourself more! No more going out into the wild if you're not feeling well."
"You need not worry about my health. Today was an exception that will not happen again. However, thank you for your kindness," he says, settling down into a chair. The tea shop host signals that his usual order of tea will be coming in a few minutes.
The girl has gone out of her way to help a stranger, even though he didn't really need her help. The least he can do is to give her some advice. "Those who prejudge you because of your appearance are wrong. By living a righteous life and letting your actions speak for you, you'll prove them all to be fools."
Xinyan looks taken aback. "...Mister... I don't even know your name! That's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me."
She throws her arms around him. He stiffly tolerates this incursion on his personal space, mindful that it would likely hurt her feelings to push her off. No matter how much he wants to, that would be antithetical to the point he was trying to make.
"Spikes, spikes," he reminds her instead. Mercifully, she lets up.
"Oh, sorry! Not used to hugging people in this outfit. You know what, mister? You're a good dude, too, even with that grumpy face. It's okay; everyone thinks my face is scary, too. Us outcasts have to stick together, ya know?"
He hopes that the alarm that he feels does not show in his expression. Grumpy? Is that how he's seen by others? No one in Mondstadt ever dared call him an outcast, and he doesn't like it. Thinking about her words as he watches her dash down towards the street, he realizes Xinyan is the first person he's properly talked to after his dismissal from the Yuheng's staff. Not including the Fatui, of course.
...Fine, he can socialize more. After his confrontation with the Harbinger, he's possibly been a little single-minded. There are many other threats to Mondstadt that he can address while based out of Liyue.
Still, the only party he knows about right now is the welcoming ceremony for the Snezhnayan diplomats... And the walk to Yujing Terrace is a familiar one, really not long enough to deter any impulsive decisions...
He takes a day off afterwards, following Xinyan's recommendation and spending an afternoon at Heyu Tea House listening to the dancer and singer Yunjin perform her latest choreography. It's... not to his taste, but he can see how others enjoy it. At least the woman clearly has put thought and effort into her performances.
In the evening, he realizes he has no idea where to find one of Xinyan's concerts. She had mentioned something about different locations. Some other night then. He goes to bed early and doesn't sleep well.
The next day is devoted to intelligence gathering. Shortly after lunchtime, he takes the stairs down from the tavern, stepping down into the street when he hears the chime of bells ringing. Bells? He turns his head and is nearly bowled over by a bike.
"Sorry, mister!" he hears the girl yell as she passes by. The bike is pulling a cargo trailer, and peeking from the top, he sees the head of an orange bear wearing a helmet looking back towards him. Wait, he's seen this bear before—
More chimes come from behind, and this time he does step back from the street.
Another teenager pedaling his bike almost flies by, chasing after the girl from before. Instead of a cargo trailer, he sees another teenage boy sitting on a back seat, somehow reading a book. Before he can get a closer look at them, all three children and their two bikes are gone and over the bridge leading to the south-east exit from Liyue Harbor.
...That was odd.
"Kids these days! Don't mind them overmuch; they'll grow up soon enough to become boring men like us who can only tell the exciting stories of others. Let them enjoy their youth while they still have it," the storyteller outside of Third-Round Knockout says.
...Does he really look that old? He would put himself at most six to eight years older than the bike-riding teenagers. Regardless, he isn't so insecure as to defend his age to strangers on the street. He nods once in response before heading on his way. Diluc has already gotten the intel he needs from this establishment anyways; no need to linger and argue with the man.
He is returning from a successful interview of the Millelith guards outside of the Golden House when bell chimes ring somewhere in the distance. ...Not this again.
As expected, the kids on bikes are back. The bike with a cargo trailer now carries a large crate topped by the helmeted orange bear he saw before. A boy with light blue hair is pedaling that bike. The other rider is a teenage girl with dark hair in looped braids. He's certain he's seen her (as well as that panda) before. The boy he saw reading before is still sitting on the back seat, though this time more focused on reaching out to tap the shoulder of the first bike rider.
It makes sense that the book is put aside; ignoring the high likelihood for motion sickness, the light from street lanterns is not strong enough to read any books. He hears parts of their yelled conversation as they rush past him on the bridge.
"Who poked me?"
"Who poked you, indeed? Maybe it was a ghost, one that taunts bike riders on their way home in the evening..."
"That doesn't sound like a real spirit... If it was you, don't. I don't want to crash and cause an accident."
"Hehehe, don't worry! We'll be fine. We're almost there anyways. Look, Guoba's already ready for dinner—"
And then they're out of earshot, heading down further along the main street towards the restaurant district.
He realizes that the only one wearing a helmet was the bear. For him to have noticed such things, maybe he really is getting old...
He shakes his head, resolute. Age is something he has no power over, so he cannot let worries over it affect his true mission. Likely his time employed with Miss Keqing has given him a greater sense for safety precautions. Only the Archons know how many laws and regulations he had to read through to fill out those forms and paperwork...
Anyways, his stomach reminds him that dinner time is approaching. How fortunate then that he is near Chihu Rock, home to many small local restaurants. They are less fancy than the ones in Feiyun Slope, like Xinyue Kiosk that he had been to with the Qixing, but he is more likely to overhear an interesting conversation at a bustling hole-in-the-wall than at a formal business dinner.
Selecting one of these local restaurants at random, he walks in.
"Welcome to Wanmin Restaurant!" the waitress says. "Come, follow me to be seated."
He recognizes her immediately as the bike rider who nearly knocked him over earlier in the day.
"Oh, it's you! Hehe, sorry about that. We were in a big hurry to get a fresh delivery of violetgrass, and Chongyun wanted to investigate the rumors of a stargazing spirit. We get there, and what do you know, it turns out—Hm?"
He's stopped following her through the restaurant. The reason being:
The Fatui Harbinger himself, Tartaglia, sitting at one of the corner tables close to the kitchen. Seated next to him is a dark-haired man in a somber brown and gold suit. Diluc feels like he might have seen the Fatui Harbinger's guest before, but he cannot recall when or how. Certainly not enough to give him a name.
Tartaglia notices Diluc's presence and gives him a wave. "Hello, Diluc! As you can see, I'm busy right now, but let's fight later! Don't worry; I'll find you."
"I wasn't worried at all," he says. "I'm just a perfectly normal civilian here to eat my evening meal."
Tartaglia's guest sips his tea, clearly relishing the drink, before speaking. His voice is measured and unhurried, as if time had little bearing to him. "If this is your first time at this establishment, I recommend the triple-layered consommé. The chef personally selects the bamboo shoots herself, which reveals itself in the contrasting textures present in the dish. Quite exquisite. It lacks any controversial flavors, which makes for a reliably crowd-pleasing meal. However, the black-back perch stew is the restaurant's true specialty, and it would be a tragedy indeed to miss out on the best that Wanmin Restaurant have to offer. The usage of violetgrass to boost the aromatic qualities of the stew is truly inspired. I've never come across any dish quite like it."
Tartaglia laughs. "I've been here three times this week already. Diluc, you chose a great place to eat tonight. They have a fork and knife available if you ask, by the way."
Diluc notices that while his guest is using chopsticks, the Fatui Harbinger is indeed relying on less traditional utensils. Hmph. He's being looked down upon.
"So... you guys know each other?" the waitress says.
"Yes—" "No—" Tartaglia and Diluc say at the same time. Diluc narrows his eyes at the Fatui officer. What is Tartaglia playing at, pretending to be close to him?
"Great! Why don't you three all sit together then? Food is meant to be shared with friends!" Without waiting for anyone else's response, the girl pulls out a chair for Diluc and then leaves, calling out, "I'll get you guys another order of consommé, crab roe tofu, and perch stew then!"
...But he didn't order anything. And he certainly never said that he wanted to share food with the Fatui. Is this to be a pattern in Liyue? People overstepping his boundaries? Perhaps then he should return to Mondstadt—
The immediate sinking feeling in his chest, the ever-present reminder of how the Knights had so callously betrayed his family, the creeping rot of ineptitude and willful ignorance. How he is expected to forgive and forget, to simply "move on" with his life, without having gained justice or retribution.
No.
Not yet.
He was born in Mondstadt, raised in Mondstadt; and if he has anything to say about it, he will die in Mondstadt, defending the city from harm. But his time on Teyvat will not end yet, and so he will simply find another way to do right by his city from afar.
Alright then. Diluc Ragnvindr takes a deep breath. The best answer to anger is silence. He can be pleasant for one meal at least, even if he is dining with the enemy.
Mr. Zhongli, as it turns out, is a surprisingly knowledgeable dinner guest. While Diluc hardly asks, Tartaglia eagerly questions his guest upon the nuances of each dish.
"Ah, I never would have guessed that the ingredients in this dish were so strictly seasonal. Maybe then the game plan is to order the same meal every few weeks to taste the new season?"
"The year's passage affects all dishes, but the effects are more distinctive in dishes like Squirrel Fish, which is emblematic of one of the great forgotten food styles of Liyue. Many people have forgotten about cuisines beyond the Li and Yue styles of cooking, which is a great tragedy for the culinary world. Xiangling and her father, Chef Mao, are one of the few adherents to a cooking tradition that embraces good food, regardless of what style it is. By being open to change and differences, they ironically preserve the traditional food cultures of old Liyue better than the most fervent fans of either Li or Yue cuisine."
Tartaglia raises his fork in emphatic agreement. "Yes! The chefs here have such a precise control of the heating temperature, which allows the texture to be like that. It's soft and tender, but not to the point of being mushy or falling apart. We caught and ate a lot of seafood in my hometown, but I never had food quite like this."
The Squirrel Fish is undeniably delicious, but to be perfectly honest, he thinks that Tartaglia may be laying the praise on a little too thickly.
The waitress comes by again. "Hehe, thanks for the compliment! You should really be thanking Guoba though; he's the real heating expert." She takes a few of the empty dishes off the table to make room for another bowl of what looks like fish soup, then pauses. "Oh, did you not like the crab roe tofu as much this time, Zhongli?"
"The crab roe is from crabs you caught in Yaoguang Shoal, correct?" The girl nods. "There's a very subtle astringency in the roe from those crabs which makes them very well suited raw for contrasting flavors against, say, a rice base."
"Oh, so a Come and Get It, or perhaps one of those Inazuman-style rice bowls? And I guess the flavors only become concentrated more when stir-fried, hence why you recommend serving it raw."
Mr. Zhongli nods. Diluc is starting to suspect that the waitress is also a cook here at the restaurant. As the girl and Mr. Zhongli converse (something about crabs in Guyun Stone Forest), Tartaglia turns to him.
"Don't be a stranger. The best way to know another is through battle, so we're already halfway to friendship. Why not tell me more about yourself, Diluc Ragnvindr? Why are you here in Liyue, for example?"
"There's not much to say. Liyue is a beautiful country," he says blandly, his expression and voice perfectly neutral, before taking another sip of his jasmine tea.
"You're a hard nut to crack, huh? Well, you know, us foreigners stand out here in Liyue Harbor, so there's always gossip to be heard. I heard that you bravely defended the Yuheng from a battalion of bandits, and she offered you her heart, but you refused, saying that your true love remained in Mondstadt. But is your beloved the new Acting Grandmaster?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm surprised that you hold stock in such baseless rumors."
"Well, you know how people are. When there's no exciting news to be heard, they like to wash someone's bones. I've landed on their tongues, too. For example, I have an unrecognizable monstrous transformation, but it only comes out during full moons... or if I don't get enough iron in my diet."
Tartaglia chuckles. "The talk of the common people may be missing a few details, sure, but the Qixing had interesting things to say about you."
Diluc doesn't like that his privacy is being intruded like this. Perhaps he has little room to stand on though. "I'm honored to have made such an impression on the Qixing, as well as on you, for you to have asked."
"Well, I am flattered by all the attention you've shown me and my team, but I make it a policy to learn who my stalkers are before I let them get close to me. ...Xiangling, can you bring us the check?" Tartaglia directs this last part to the waitress, who is still engrossed in discussion with Mr. Zhongli.
"Yup, here you go, Childe!" she says, tearing off the top paper from her memo pad and handing it to the man directly.
The girl, named Xiangling apparently, is determined to wring as much culinary knowledge as she can from Mr. Zhongli. "...Zhongli, I've been meaning to ask. Do you think that the height of where violetgrass grows changes the flavor profile of the petals? I've tried to do experiments, but consistency has been..."
"...Is your name really Child?" Diluc asks, bored of the culinary consulting show.
"It's an alias, obviously. But it's often just safer to keep real names hidden in my line of work. Less to tie you back to your family, if enemies want to threaten them for leverage." Tartaglia looks at the bill and pulls out his wallet. "Family ties are a weakness, if you're lucky enough to have them."
"Luck has little to do with it," Diluc scoffs. "But if 'Child' is the code name you prefer, then so be it. And I do not need your charity—here, this should be more than enough to cover the cost of the meal."
Mr Zhongli interjects. "I should pay then, as I ordered the majority of dishes that we enjoyed."
"No, no—" Tartaglia says to both of them.
"I insist," Mr. Zhongli says firmly. He looks inside his mora pouch. "...Would this be sufficient?"
There is approximately 3,500 mora in odd coins in Mr. Zhongli's wallet. After this discovery, Diluc dismisses him entirely.
"Allow me to pay. I do not intend on making this," he gestures at the many finished plates and bowls stacked in the center of the table, "a habit."
Tartaglia pushes back the mora that Diluc places on the table. "Yeah, we don't have to mark meals out with each other on our calendars for every other Thursday night, but unless you're not planning to stay in Liyue Harbor for long, there's no rush to settle the score."
"Are you sure you represent the best interests of a bank?" he asks. "Or do you leave collecting debts to your underlings?"
Tartaglia laughs, a sharp huff of amusement that doesn't meet his cold blue eyes. "Ha! Yes, I'm not worried at all about making sure you pay your dues promptly. After all, I know your worth, Mr. Ragnvindr."
Diluc Ragnvindr
Liyue Harbor
March 26, XXXX
To the dearly missed, much loved, departed far too early from us, Young Master of the Dawn Winery:
Again, with the returned letters. A man would start to think that one doesn't like him. I know you're reading these, and I know that you know that I know. You were hardly subtle when you used wax from an entirely different candle to reseal the last letter. So pray tell, what's holding your tongue? Your arm is uninjured from that fight with the Harbinger, last I heard? It can't be a physical condition preventing you from holding a pen...
Speaking of harbingers (and other strange omens), we chased off our own unwelcome guests a few months back. The tale is quite thrilling, with dashing outriders, clever adventurers, a series of mysterious black fires, mad scientists, brave little girls, and of course, me, but it's much too to say in one letter. These stories are better told in person with a good glass of wine in hand. Suffice it to say then that there was a happy ending. Touched even my frozen heart. There, does that entice you enough to ask for the full story?
I daresay it won't be long before another Fatui delegation arrives in Mondstadt. It's too convenient to not try to take advantage of the newly inaugurated Acting Grand Master. We at the Order have all been practically barring visitors from her office, so she isn't burdened with yet another request. But there is little that can be officially done when the visitors are envoys of a foreign nation.
Those masks that Fatui wear—do you think they might be hiding something? An entire nation cursed with hideous faces? A secret tattoo, a sign of their undying loyalty to their archon? Tell me your suspicions, as much as you dare. I have my own thoughts of course. I'll share mine if you show yours. But as we have a lack of trust between us now, I say: be the better man, and go first.
Kaeya Alberich