Schubert firmly insisted that the person who came to him for cooperation was the Fatui. No matter how much Kaeya threatened him with force, he stubbornly refused to change his testimony.
Facing this situation, Diluc's and Kaeya's expressions suddenly turned solemn, realizing inwardly that things were going badly.
Their original plan was to use Schubert to expose the West Factory's conspiracy, thereby inciting resentment among Mondstadt's citizens towards Fontaine. The cleverness of this strategy lay in the fact that even if Grand Master Jean ultimately accepted Yide's conditions, allowing Fontaine's goods to circulate freely in Mondstadt, the sales of these goods would inevitably drop significantly due to the resentment and distance in the citizens' hearts. In this way, Mondstadt's common people would be able to gradually adapt to the impact brought by Fontaine's commerce. The methods weren't exactly honorable, but they were simple and effective.
But now, their plan had completely failed.
Kaeya spoke with a hint of frustration: "That guy Yide actually foresaw that we would make such a move!"
Diluc was also somewhat discouraged, "We were too careless. As the butcher who slaughtered the entire Fontaine nobility, it was impossible for him to leave us any opportunity. Now, what we need to consider is how to handle Schubert."
"Handling Schubert is simple enough," Kaeya said with a hint of coldness, "Your winery is so big, just find a corner and bury him, and it'll be over."
Diluc glanced at him and snorted discontentedly, "If only things were really that simple."
An ominous feeling rose in Kaeya's heart, "What do you mean?"
"We can only pray," Diluc's tone was quite heavy, "that you weren't detected by the West Factory's people when you brought Schubert out."
However, things in this world always tend to develop in the worst direction.
As soon as Diluc finished speaking, his butler hurried over, bringing an unsettling message: there were two young men outside claiming to be West Factory secret agents who wished to see him.
He said mockingly, "It seems our Captain Kaeya has been too comfortable in the Knights of Favonius, so much so that even a small matter like kidnapping couldn't be handled cleanly."
Facing his sarcasm, Kaeya was speechless. He had to admit that this operation was indeed careless, leading to such trouble.
"Let's go out and see what Yide's purpose is." Diluc said no more, turning and walking outside. Kaeya followed closely behind, quickly walking out after him.
A moment later, they received the two West Factory officers in a lavishly decorated reception room.
"Master Diluc, Captain Kaeya, greetings. I am Kazuha Kaedehara from the West Factory, and this colleague beside me is Thunderclap."
Kazuha Kaedehara politely introduced himself. His voice was gentle and friendly, naturally inspiring goodwill.
Diluc and Kaeya were slightly surprised. Kazuha Kaedehara and Thunderclap's appearance and demeanor were more like friendly younger brothers next door, vastly different from the image of cold and ruthless secret agents they had originally envisioned.
Diluc directly inquired, "May I ask the purpose of your visit?"
Kazuha Kaedehara answered with a smile, "Our West Factory hopes to establish cooperation with your esteemed winery."
"Cooperation?" Diluc was momentarily stunned, then replied indifferently, "It seems we have nothing to cooperate on."
Kazuha Kaedehara did not rush to persuade but instead began by discussing a topic that seemed entirely unrelated to cooperation.
"More than four years ago, the Fatui's Second Harbinger, The Doctor Dottore, deliberately lured the Dragon Ursa in order to force Mondstadt to owe a favor, which unfortunately led to the demise of Mr. Crepus Ragnvindr, who was then the master of Dawn Winery."
Diluc clenched his hands, his voice cold, "What does this have to do with the cooperation you mentioned?"
Kazuha Kaedehara remained unmoved and continued, "About half a year ago, Dottore visited Mondstadt again with the same purpose as before. However, his conspiracy was seen through by you."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Diluc's tone began to grow impatient. Having those deeply buried past events brought up one by one made him feel extremely displeased.
Kazuha Kaedehara still maintained a calm tone and replied, "If Dottore dared to do such a thing in Fontaine, his corpse would be minced and packaged, then sent back to Snezhnaya. Furthermore, Fontaine would directly declare war on Snezhnaya!"
Having said this, he paused slightly and asked back with a cold laugh, "However, did you see how the contemporary legend, Grand Master Varka, the Knight of Boreas, handled it?"
Diluc fell silent. In order to avoid potential diplomatic conflict, Varka didn't even publicly condemn the Fatui's unjust actions. The reason Diluc chose to leave the Knights back then was not only his disappointment with the bureaucracy within the order but, more importantly, his deep disappointment with Varka, the idol he once admired.
Kazuha Kaedehara continued, "As long as you cooperate with our West Factory, the West Factory can guarantee that such a thing will absolutely never happen again! We can even capture Dottore and send him to Dawn Winery, allowing you to personally exact revenge."
Hearing that he could avenge his father, Diluc was tempted.
Sensing Diluc's inner wavering, Kaeya quickly reminded him, "Diluc, don't forget that Father's original sacrifice was to defend Mondstadt's freedom."
Diluc's conviction thus became firm again, and he resolutely refused, "Our Dawn Winery will absolutely not cooperate with the West Factory."
Thunderclap, standing beside Kazuha Kaedehara, saw their mission interrupted by Kaeya at the last moment and couldn't help but angrily scold, "You black-skinned bastard, how dare you say something like that? Crepus raised you for so many years, but in order to advance in the Knights, you never spoke up for him. In order to revive your Khaenri'ah, have you even cast aside your adoptive father's kindness?"
These words were like sharp blades, striking directly at Kaeya's heart. Even the mentally resilient Kaeya found it hard to bear such accusations.
"You're spouting nonsense!" he retorted in an agitated tone, "I just want to gain control of the Knights of Favonius' power so that I can avenge my adoptive father in the future!"
"Perhaps." Thunderclap replied with an indifferent expression.
Kaeya's state of mind was close to collapsing. Fortunately, his sworn brother Diluc had absolute trust in him. At this critical moment, Diluc firmly expressed his stance, "I believe Kaeya."
Ultimately, the two parties parted ways unhappily after the meeting.