Chapter 50: Seamus Pegg, Seneschal of the Church of Favonius
As Diluc announced the start of the banquet, the atmosphere of the event reached its peak.
Servants filed into the hall one after another, carrying in fine wine and exquisite dishes.
Unlike the guests, they couldn't indulge in the festivities themselves. Fortunately, once the banquet ended, Master Diluc would give them plenty of time for a private party of their own, which filled them with motivation.
Moreover, even the usually unseen head housemaid Adelinde had personally appeared to oversee the event.
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but this head housemaid named Adelinde looked strangely similar to Katheryne from the Adventurers' Guild.
The more one thought about it, the more unsettling it felt.
. . .
"Long time no see, Young Master Diluc. What a splendid banquet. Oh— no, I suppose I should call you Master now. After all, Crepus is no longer around. Hahaha."
"..."
Crepus was Diluc's father.
Krupp's words were practically pouring oil onto the fire. Even Diluc, who had maintained a faint smile until now, showed clear displeasure on his face.
According to Diluc's own investigation, his father's death had some connection to the Fatui, and to Krupp in particular.
For the past three years since his father's death, Diluc had continuously sent invitations to Krupp.
His goal was to extract information about what had happened back then.
"Your Seneschal came tonight, didn't he? I have business with him. Bring him to see me!"
If Krupp had come here alone, he would never dare act so arrogantly.
After all, the Seneschal of the Church of Favonius was not someone a minor figure like him could casually summon.
That was one of the most respected figures in Mondstadt.
"If the confidence behind your rudeness comes from the Fatui, then as the owner of Dawn Winery, I'll have you thrown out to feed the slimes, Mr. Krupp."
A hint of anger flickered in Diluc's ruby-red eyes.
Even so, he still maintained a degree of restraint. At the very least, he didn't invoke Mondstadt's authority in his threat.
Diluc's icy gaze instantly wiped the arrogance from Krupp's face.
"O-Of course it's not me who wants to see Seneschal Seamus."
Considering the difference in status between himself and Diluc—and Diluc's immense wealth—Krupp ultimately backed down.
He stepped aside and began introducing Bai Luo.
"Young Master Diluc, please allow me to formally introduce him. This is the guardian of the entire continent—one of the Twelve Harbingers of the Fatui, the Ausbilder."
Normally, given Krupp's personality, he would have listed a whole string of titles and exaggerated them endlessly.
Unfortunately, before becoming a Harbinger, Bai Luo had mainly carried out covert operations that couldn't be spoken of publicly.
And after becoming a Harbinger, he hadn't yet accomplished any grand feat that shook the continent.
The only title truly worth mentioning… was simply Fatui Harbinger.
But even that single title was enough to make Mondstadt take him seriously.
"Pleasure to meet you."
Diluc's brow furrowed slightly. When he looked at Bai Luo again, his gaze was filled with vigilance.
Even though he lived far away in Mondstadt, Diluc actually knew more about the Ausbilder than Krupp did.
He also understood that having someone like this stay in Mondstadt was practically a disaster waiting to happen.
If the Ausbilder decided to assassinate a high-ranking official…
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"There's no need to trouble the master of the winery, Mr. Krupp."
Just as Diluc was debating whether it was wise to let the Seneschal meet such a dangerous figure, the highest Seneschal of the Church of Favonius, known as the "Cardinal of the Dawn," Seamus Pegg, stepped out from the crowd.
Yes.
His surname really was Pegg.
And incidentally, his two daughters were named Jean and Barbara.
As the Seneschal of the Church of Favonius, Seamus had naturally been on Diluc's invitation list.
"Seneschal."
Diluc frowned slightly and cast him a questioning glance.
But Seamus merely shook his head gently, signaling that he would handle everything.
As the Seneschal of the Church of Favonius, Seamus was hardly so weak that he needed the owner of a winery to protect him.
"I've long heard that the Fatui recently appointed a Twelfth Harbinger. It is truly an honor to meet you today. Unfortunately, since we are at Master Diluc's banquet, I cannot steal the spotlight. Otherwise, I would certainly host you properly and present you with a generous gift."
"A… generous gift?"
Hearing that phrase, Krupp couldn't help swallowing.
A gift from the head of a church must be worth quite a lot, right?
"You flatter me. Among the Harbingers, I'm actually the most insignificant one." Bai Luo said with a slight bow, using the formal etiquette of Snezhnaya.
However, instead of putting Diluc and Seamus at ease, his polite attitude only made them more wary.
There was a saying once mentioned by Alice:
When a madman knows how to remain elegant, he becomes extremely terrifying.
In their minds, the Ausbilder's level of danger rose several notches instantly.
"Since the Ausbilder has personally come to Mondstadt, I assume there must be important matters to discuss. But speaking of such things during a banquet would disturb the guests' enjoyment. Perhaps we could borrow a suitable room from the master of the winery—"
Adjusting the glasses on his nose, Seamus glanced toward Diluc.
But before Diluc could respond, Bai Luo spoke first.
"—Seneschal Seamus, Master Diluc, it seems you've misunderstood something."
He casually picked up a glass of wine from a nearby table and said with a cheerful smile, "I came to Mondstadt this time simply to attend the Windblume Festival. And I'm here at the banquet purely to enjoy myself. I have no important matters to discuss. Hmm… the one who actually wants to talk with you should be Krupp."
Diluc: "..."
Seamus: "..."
Krupp: "???"
What the hell—he sold me out?!
The moment Bai Luo made his stance clear, Krupp's legs nearly gave out from fright.
The reason he had been able to maintain composure in front of Diluc and Seamus was largely because the Ausbilder was standing behind him.
But Bai Luo had just thrown him under the bus without the slightest hesitation.
"Lo–Lord Ausbilder! The mission! Don't forget the Doctor's mission!"
Krupp hurried over and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
In truth, he was just trying to use Dottore's name to pressure Bai Luo.
"I know. But I have my own mission. And before we came, the Doctor never said I had to cooperate with yours. Or are you saying… you want to order me around?"
When Bai Luo said the last sentence, a faint killing intent appeared in his eyes.
If Krupp didn't care about losing face, he probably would have wet himself right then and there.
"Once again, thank you for the invitation, Master Diluc. Please go ahead and discuss your matters. Don't mind me, just treat me as an ordinary guest."
Bai Luo waved casually, holding his wine glass as he walked back into the banquet crowd.
But in truth, he had already locked onto a target.
In a corner stood a Knight of Favonius, quietly drinking alone.
Few people seemed willing to approach or talk with her.
After Bai Luo left, Seamus actually let out a sigh of relief.
Being around a Fatui Harbinger, especially one known for assassination, was naturally terrifying.
Now that the dangerous one had left, dealing with the remaining Krupp was much easier.
"Mr. Krupp, I heard you wished to speak with me. Please—let us go to the discussion room Master Diluc prepared."
Adjusting his glasses again, Seamus's confident smile returned.
As for Krupp…
He was beginning to regret acting so arrogantly earlier.