"It's like this—you've heard about the Holy Lyre that Lord Barbatos himself once played being stolen, right? I plan to find it with Eula's help. If we succeed and tell the Knights that the Lawrence family assisted us, wouldn't that be a major accomplishment?"
The incident of the lyre being stolen was the talk of the town. Whether it was the patrons at Angel's Share on the night of the theft or the more talkative soldiers of the Knights, all of Mondstadt had heard about it.
But the matter of recovering the lyre was a different story. Victor Wang had confirmed with Jean that news of its recovery hadn't leaked to the public—meaning it could be used as leverage.
Vera seemed to know about the theft. "It's weird someone even bothered to steal that thing. Aside from the Windblume Festival, no one really uses it anymore. Even if Lord Barbatos himself played it, it doesn't have much practical value, right?"
"Rationally speaking, you're right. For those who believe in the Anemo Archon, the Holy Lyre is of sentimental value. But once stolen, it's not worth much on its own. The issue is—it was stolen. Don't you think that's just shameless?"
Somewhere, Venti, who was goofing off again, suddenly felt the urge to sneeze—but it wouldn't come out.
"So, what exactly do you want me to do? You're not... you're not suspecting me, a weak girl, of stealing it, are you?"
Vera quickly waved her hands.
"A long time ago, didn't the Lawrence family rule Mondstadt? I was thinking maybe someone from your family might know something related to the Holy Lyre. But given Eula's relationship with her family, she wouldn't know. So, I figured I'd ask you, someone more dependable."
"Oh... I get it. You want me to pry some info from home, huh?" Vera twirled a lock of hair around her finger.
"Any chance you already know something relevant?"
"How would I know that kind of thing?"
"I see... Then maybe only the older generation in your family knows. But if you go asking them, and they catch on to our intentions, the whole plan could fall apart... They definitely don't want reconciliation with the Knights."
Victor Wang covered his forehead in mock distress.
"Hmph, you don't trust me?"
"This isn't about trust. You're just a kid—how could you outplay those old foxes? You don't really think a dish of pickled meat will make them drop their guard, do you?"
"Then what do you suggest...?"
"Hold on."
Victor Wang pulled Eula aside and analyzed the situation. "There are two possibilities. One: no one in the Lawrence family knows the lyre's whereabouts, and this was a Fatui setup. Two: at least the younger generation doesn't know where it is. The more marginal members wouldn't either. That just leaves those in power. Either way, we've narrowed down the suspects."
The fact that even Eula didn't know where the lyre had been was enough for Victor Wang to form a hypothesis. But he still had to follow proper steps to build a credible trail.
Eula frowned, deep in thought. She obviously hoped it was the first case. There's a difference between her family being out of touch with society and actively betraying Mondstadt.
Victor Wang then asked, "What's your take on Vera?"
"We got along well when we were younger—you could say we really knew each other. Even though we haven't talked much in recent years, I don't think she's changed."
"So, she's trustworthy, then?"
Eula considered and then nodded.
Victor Wang felt the same. The things Vera had said earlier seemed heartfelt. If she was faking, then her acting skills were monstrous.
"You seriously want to involve her in this?"
"Yep. I'm going to infiltrate the Lawrence family. But I definitely can't take you with me. Just sit back and watch my performance."
They returned to the table.
"I've got a plan. I'll keep pretending to be a Steambird reporter and visit your uncles and father. You just need to introduce me—I'll handle the rest."
"Hmm..." Vera thought about it, then agreed.
After a lavish lunch, Victor Wang and Vera headed to the Lawrence estate.
Though the family had fallen from grace, their manor still stood. Aside from the unmarried Schubert, most of the Lawrence family's main figures lived there.
When Victor Wang saw the estate's size, he was stunned. Teyvat might be sparsely populated, but this was inside Mondstadt city. Including the lawn, the estate covered close to a hundred acres.
The buildings were made of pale blue-white stone bricks, seemingly the same material as the Church of Favonius. The style was similar too—Gothic towers with stained glass windows. Most eye-catching of all was the icy blue Lawrence sigil—the Glacial Seal—hanging high on the wall. Victor Wang had seen it on Eula's back ornament and on the lid of the ceremonial pocket watch from the former aristocracy.
At the estate's center stood a fountain. The path from the gate split into two around the fountain and rejoined afterward.
Outside this path lay carefully trimmed grass, with colorful plants dotting the border where it met the stone paving near tall buildings.
Children played on the grass, closely watched by servants.
Vera led Victor Wang to her father first—Robert Lawrence.
Robert's rigid, old-fashioned brown hair made Victor Wang curious. How did that produce a daughter with blue hair?
Perhaps that's just the magic of Teyvat.
Robert wore what seemed to be a standard Lawrence family formal suit—Victor had seen several dressed similarly on the way in. His face, minus the glasses, looked like a copy of Schubert's.
"Father, this is a reporter from The Steambird. He traveled a long way to Mondstadt and wants to interview the Lawrence family."
Victor Wang placed his left hand on his chest and gave a slight bow in greeting. He noticed Robert's brows furrowed at once.
But he had no intention of kneeling in some show of humility to please the Lawrences.
"Greetings. I'm Dust, a reporter for The Steambird. I've long heard that in this decaying age, only the Lawrence family in Mondstadt still upholds the honor and dignity of true nobility. So please forgive my lack of proper manners—true nobles are so rare these days."
Robert detested commoners without manners. But this one, though clearly lowborn, at least knew his place, which softened Robert's disdain somewhat.
"You say you're a reporter. Why didn't you bring a camera?"
"Ah, that's where you might not be aware—not all articles require photos. Though mine usually do. Unfortunately, my camera broke on the way to Mondstadt. It's being repaired and should be ready tomorrow."
"Do you have any notable publications?"
"I've interviewed Mister Yun of Yun-Han Opera, the chief editor of Yae Publishing House, Yae Miko, and the current astrology columnist Mona. Perhaps you've seen some of my pieces?" Victor Wang could feel himself spiraling deeper into this web of lies.
"Hmm..." Robert had heard of Yun Jin from Yun-Han, but not the latter two.
"I also—though you might scoff—covered the special event Duel! The Summit of Summons! for Genius Invokation TCG. If you saw that special issue, you may recognize my name."
"That little game the youth are obsessed with? Hmph. A true noble wouldn't waste time on such things."
"You're right. My visit to Mondstadt focuses on three topics: the Lawrence family, the Anemo Dragon invasion, and the Holy Lyre, an Anemo relic. Of these, the Lawrence interview is by far the most important. I believe this report, once published, will benefit myself, your family, and The Steambird."
"Sharp thinking. Very well—I'll permit the interview."
Victor Wang pulled out a notebook and asked, "What are your thoughts on the decline of noble culture? Any suggestions for its restoration?"
......
After fabricating several questions with great sincerity, Victor Wang casually added, "The Lawrence family really is generous. Unlike the Knights, who just make excuses. They even claimed the Holy Lyre was stolen."
"Hmph. The Knights clearly already recovered the Holy Lyre and are still spreading lies."
"Is that so? Ah well, if they don't want to be interviewed by The Steambird, it's their loss."
Victor Wang again placed his left hand to his chest and bowed slightly. "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I'll continue my interviews with the rest of the family, so I won't disturb you further."
"Go. Vera, accompany him. Don't forget your manners."
......
"Why did my dad say the Holy Lyre has already been recovered?"
Victor Wang shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Let's continue—three more to go."
Vera looked pensive.
The rest of the afternoon, with Vera's help, Victor Wang used the same strategy to question Eula's two other uncles. Only Schubert wasn't at the estate—but luckily, Vera knew his residence in town.
By the time he finished probing all four Lawrence brothers, Victor Wang already had his answer. Vera, too, seemed to have her own suspicions.