Outside the Adventurers' Guild.
Fischl stood off to the side, looking down at the signature in her hand.
Bennett came rushing out again, looking frustrated. "Still no commissions our team can take today. I'll keep looking for someone to help you this afternoon."
Fischl lifted her head and said, "The Prinzessin has already found the one she seeks."
Bennett lit up. "Really? That's great!"
Then he paused, realizing he hadn't helped at all—and that the person she'd found was the condition for joining their adventure team in the first place.
Nervously, he asked, "You're not leaving Benny's Adventure Team, are you?"
Fischl gave him a strange look. "Why would the Prinzessin abandon her comrades?"
Relieved, Bennett said quickly, "Good! That's good. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask me!"
Fischl let out a soft huff. "I am not one to break my promises."
Bennett chuckled heartily and ran back inside to continue checking the commission board.
Oz, perched on her shoulder, asked, "Milady, why didn't you leave Benny's Adventure Team?"
"Why would I?"
"Because Bennett's bad luck might rub off on you!"
"Really?"
"Remember when you got food poisoning…"
"Foolish. The Prinzessin merely let her guard down and ate something unworthy. As for this talk of misfortune, it's nonsense. My luck lately has been stellar!"
She held up the signature in her hand, her uncovered eye sparkling.
"Not only did I meet my fated one again, I even obtained his proof of contract."
Oz was silent for a moment. "…It just feels too smooth. Milady, have you ever heard of a saying?"
"Saying?"
"When someone trapped in misfortune suddenly experiences a streak of good luck, it might not mean their luck has changed. It could just mean the misfortune is… biding its time."
"And?"
"All those little bits of bad luck might pile up and explode into one massive disaster."
Fischl blinked.
Then she said carelessly, "The Prinzessin fears no such thing."
Oz sighed. "Very well, milady. It's time we return for lunch."
—
Afternoon.
A red-haired man with a cold demeanor stepped into Angel's Share, his brow immediately furrowing at the sight of drunken patrons collapsed all over the place.
He called out, "Patton! Charles!"
A man came running out from the tavern. "Master Diluc! You're back!"
Diluc surveyed the scene. "Patton, what happened here?"
Patton looked helpless. "As you can see, the guests are all drunk."
Diluc sounded incredulous. "All of them? How much did they drink?"
"One glass."
"One glass? The biggest size?"
"No, Master Diluc. The smallest size. Look, it's right there on the table."
Diluc followed his gaze. The guests were indeed all holding tiny glasses—the kind normally reserved for lightweight tourists.
Locals never used them.
Diluc frowned. "Which drink were they served? Is there a problem with our stock?"
Patton shook his head. "They weren't drinking our usual stock."
"Oh?"
"You know that bard, Venti?"
"The one who always drinks on credit?"
"Yes, him. He said he won a contest yesterday and a friend gave him some fine liquor. He brought it to share. No one believed him at first, but after one sip… well, this is the result."
Diluc walked over to inspect the slumped patrons.
Physically, they were fine.
He checked others. Same. Not only were they okay, they looked healthier than sober people.
That meant there was nothing wrong with the liquor.
They were just… genuinely drunk.
But what kind of wine was so potent?
Even the finest vintage from Dawn Winery couldn't knock out a seasoned drinker in one glass.
Diluc stood up and asked, "Where's Charles?"
Patton pointed behind the bar. "Also drunk."
"…And Venti?"
"He said drinking alone wasn't fun, so he left."
"So it's just you here?"
"Yes."
"You didn't drink?"
"Master Diluc, you forget—tavern staff are prohibited from drinking during work hours."
"…"
Diluc fell silent, then asked, "Is there any of that liquor left?"
Patton replied immediately, "He gave me a glass too. I left it behind the bar."
"Bring it here."
"Right away!"
Patton darted behind the counter and returned with a small cup.
As he approached, a delicious aroma wafted through the air.
Even Diluc, raised in a winery and exposed to countless fine vintages, had never smelled anything like this.
"Master Diluc, this is the one."
"Mm."
He took the cup and brought it to his nose.
The scent was even more intoxicating up close.
Beside him, he heard someone gulp.
Patton.
Diluc gave him a glance and said, "Go clean up the tavern. I'll take this for analysis. You'll get double wages this month."
Patton lit up. "Yes, sir!"
He went to work with renewed energy.
Smart of him to resist the urge to drink. No matter how good the wine smelled, it couldn't compare to double wages.
Diluc headed into the inner room and ran an alchemical analysis on the drink.
No toxins.
But extremely high alcohol content.
He removed his gloves and dipped a finger into the cup, then brought it to his lips.
An incredible flavor blossomed on his tongue, pure bliss melting away even the cold expression on his face.
He closed his eyes.
For a moment, it felt like he was a child again.
His father was still there. Kaeya was still by his side...
Diluc opened his eyes and gazed into the colorful liquid for a long time before whispering, "This really is… amazing wine."
—
In the office.
Jean skipped the cafeteria today and opted for instant noodles instead.
Not because they were delicious, but because the Windblume Festival was keeping her too busy. Eating in her office saved time.
She had just taken a couple of bites when someone knocked.
Reluctantly, she put the cup down, chewed quickly, swallowed, and wiped her mouth before calling out, "Come in!"
Kaeya stepped in. "Acting Grand Master."
"Captain Kaeya. Is something urgent?"
"It's about Mr. Xia and his companions."
"Oh?"
Kaeya gave her a quick rundown of the gliding competition and then pulled out a bulging pouch of Mora.
Jean looked at it. "This was donated for city repairs?"
Kaeya nodded. "That's what Miss Xia Ci said."
Jean considered for a moment. "Understood. Go ahead and deposit it. I'll be sure to thank them properly later."
Kaeya turned and left.
Once the door closed, Jean quickly grabbed her noodle cup.
Moments later, she let out a low wail: "Ugh… it's all soggy…"
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