The death of one Fatui Harbinger from Snezhnaya and the defection of another Harbinger were naturally top-secret intelligence for Snezhnaya. Moreover, the Fatui Harbingers themselves were elusive figures; even if they disappeared from public view for a while, no one would suspect they had met with misfortune.
It was precisely for this reason that, even with the intelligence support Diluc now received from a mysterious organization in the Northern Continent, he remained completely unaware of this matter.
A look of surprise appeared on Diluc's usually calm face, filled with disbelief. However, the man before him was of noble status and immense power, with no need to joke with him.
Words spoken by a person of noble status naturally carried more credibility than those of an ordinary person. Furthermore, Yuto had just mentioned that the Harbinger was killed in Inazuma, and Yuto was the Inazuma Regent. Could there be a connection between the two?
Diluc: "Did you kill the Harbinger?"
Yuto merely smiled without speaking, a gesture that only further convinced Diluc that the Harbinger had certainly died by Yuto's hand.
A complex expression appeared on Diluc's face. Years ago, during his 18th birthday celebration, The Dragon Ursa, instigated by the Fatui, attacked him and his father, Crepus.
Although Diluc was already a Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius at that time, with considerable strength, he was still no match for The Dragon Ursa, which possessed the combat power of an adeptus.
To protect the defeated Diluc, Crepus used the Delusion intentionally given to him by the Fatui. At the cost of his own life, he maximized the power of the Delusion, barely repelling The Dragon Ursa.
However, Crepus also died painfully in Diluc's arms, having blocked a fatal blow for Diluc and suffering the subsequent backlash from the Delusion.
After this incident was reported to the Knights of Favonius, the high-ranking members of the Knights of Favonius, led by Inspector Eroch, decided to conceal the truth. Their reasoning was: The Dragon Ursa, which even a Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius couldn't defeat, was actually defeated by a merchant? Such a battle report would damage the Knights of Favonius's reputation.
They even added a sarcastic remark: "If your father were still alive, he could join the Knights of Favonius. What a pity he's dead!"
Hearing this absurd explanation, Diluc couldn't even muster the interest to argue. He felt his father's efforts had not been rewarded, and the Knights of Favonius's actions were unworthy of the honor he deserved. Thus, he resolutely abandoned everything, including his Vision, and left the Knights of Favonius.
He decided to use his own strength to avenge his father and also to investigate the source of the evil power his father had used.
So, Diluc entrusted the management of the Dawn Winery to the head maid and left Mondstadt alone.
He spent four years traveling The Seven Nations, visiting various countries, and investigating the truth. All clues pointed to the Fatui.
Consequently, after repeatedly destroying Fatui strongholds, he successfully forced a Fatui Harbinger to personally confront him. Due to the Harbingers' immense power, and Diluc's inability to wield elemental power without his Vision, his strength was greatly diminished, and he almost died on the spot, suffering the second tragic defeat of his life.
Now, with Kaeya's behind-the-scenes manipulation, Diluc has regained his Vision. His current strength is roughly on par with Childe, the lowest-ranking Harbinger. However, if Childe were to disregard martial ethics and use his Foul Legacy Transformation, Diluc's chances of winning would significantly decrease.
There's no other way; besides his own strength, Childe also possesses power bestowed by his patron, the Tsaritsa. The combined boost of Hydro and Electro elements is not merely an addition of one plus one equals two.
Diluc does not possess power granted by Barbatos. If he could use Anemo to fuel his Pyro, Diluc's combat power would also reach a higher level. However, a certain Anemo Archon, who has freeloaded so much of Diluc's wine money, has yet to show any indication of helping.
Even the lowest-ranking Harbinger possesses such combat power, let alone the Harbinger, who is ranked eighth. She is definitely an opponent that the current Diluc cannot contend with.
But now, he had actually received news of the death of the Harbinger, who once lorded over Mondstadt, and the defection of Balladeer, the sixth-ranked Harbinger. A strong sense of satisfaction surged through him, making him unable to resist announcing to all the customers in the tavern: "Today, drinks are unlimited! All tabs are on me!"
The tavern instantly fell silent. All the customers present were stunned, thinking they had drunk too much and were hallucinating. But the next moment, deafening cheers erupted: "Lord Diluc is generous! Long live Lord Diluc!"
Meanwhile, on the second floor, someone who vaguely heard the words 'unlimited' and 'all tabs are on me,' and with an unknown surge of confidence, immediately leaned out and shouted at Diluc for another bottle, claiming he would drink all night today.
Yuto and Diluc looked up at the already drunk Venti, giving him a knowing eye-roll. This Anemo Archon was beyond saving; let's just leave him be.
Yuto left Angel's Share with Shenhe, surveying Mondstadt City at night. With full stomachs, and a dark, windy night, it was indeed a good time for the 'Darknight Hero' to appear. However, none of this concerned him.
Having walked all day, he was indeed quite tired, and it was time to find a hotel to settle down.
The Goth Grand Hotel, as the highest-standard, most luxuriously decorated, and also most expensive hotel in Mondstadt City, held a transcendent status among all inns in Mondstadt City.
The reason was simple: the Goth Grand Hotel also seemed to serve the purpose of hosting foreign delegations.
When Stormterror rampaged, the Snezhnaya Delegation suddenly visited, especially led by the eighth-ranked Fatui Harbinger herself. Naturally, they were rich and powerful, directly booking the entire Goth Grand Hotel.
This booking lasted for several months, until the Harbinger successfully extracted Barbatos's Gnosis and departed for Liyue.
As for the remaining Snezhnaya Delegation, they remained in Mondstadt, becoming permanent Diplomatic Ambassadors.
The Harbinger, as a Fatui Harbinger, could freely squander Regrator's Mora, but those ordinary Snezhnaya diplomats did not have such audacity. Thus, they purchased property elsewhere in Mondstadt City to serve as their office. Only then did the Goth Grand Hotel begin to welcome other guests again.
Now, Mondstadt had learned that the Inazuma Delegation was arriving. This time, the diplomatic procedures between both sides were in accordance with protocol, so Mondstadt naturally had to provide a residence for the Inazuma Delegation.
Therefore, Jean's gaze once again fell upon the Goth Grand Hotel. Hmm... that's the one!
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"