At ten o'clock the next morning, Jean, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, who had been informed in advance, led many high-ranking officials of Mondstadt out of the city to welcome the Inazuma Delegation.
Mondstadt also became exceptionally lively due to the arrival of the Inazuma Delegation, attracting many Mondstadt citizens who enjoyed the excitement to put down their work and scramble for the best viewing spots. Some even climbed onto Mondstadt's city walls or windmills.
However, Jean, as the Acting Grand Master, did not look well at this time. After receiving news last night that the Inazuma Regent had arrived in Mondstadt early, she dispatched Knights of Favonius members to search for Yuto's whereabouts throughout the city, but unfortunately, they had found nothing so far.
How strange! Where did that guy run off to?
Because of this, Jean hadn't slept well all night and looked a bit haggard, but time waited for no one. The forward observation post had already sent back news, saying that the Inazuma Delegation was expected to arrive in Mondstadt around ten o'clock in the morning.
Since they couldn't find the missing Inazuma Regent, they would temporarily put that aside. Even without the Inazuma Regent, the delegation's scale was still very grand and had to be treated with great respect.
Therefore, to show respect, all members of the Knights of Favonius and high-ranking members of the Church, except for necessary security personnel, went out of the city an hour early to welcome them, giving them ample face.
In short, Mondstadt had already fulfilled its courtesies. If the Regent did not appear after the Inazuma Delegation arrived, it would cause Inazuma to lose some face.
"They're here! They're here! The Inazuma Delegation is here!"
As time passed, excited shouts first came from the Mondstadt citizens standing on high ground. As they eagerly awaited, they finally saw the dust raised by carriages on the official road to the north, as well as the Inazuma banners fluttering on the convoy.
The Knights of Favonius members who had been waiting for a long time outside the city gate heard the discussions from the onlookers and immediately perked up, tidying their attire and checking for any improprieties.
Phew! They're finally here!
At Jean's command, Mondstadt resounded with the special music for welcoming the delegation.
Since the Inazuma Delegation had first arrived at Stone Gate by sea and did not have the means to prepare their own carriages, the Knights of Favonius not only prepared the highest-grade carriages specifically for the Inazuma Delegation but also specially dispatched Eula's Reconnaissance Company to escort them throughout the journey.
It could be said that during this diplomatic mission to Mondstadt, the Inazuma Delegation lived an exceptionally comfortable life.
It also illustrated another point: how important it is for such diplomatic actions to receive the support and recognition of the other country.
Look at when the Snezhnaya Delegation came to Mondstadt; the Snezhnaya Delegation's visit was purely a unilateral notification and did not receive Mondstadt's consent at all.
Therefore, not only was there no ceremony of the Knights of Favonius going out to welcome them, but even the delegation's accommodation had to be paid for by themselves. The Knights of Favonius only provided the Snezhnaya Delegation with the most basic courtesies, and as for higher-level treatment, there was none.
Everything Mondstadt did was naturally seen by the Inazuma Delegation inside the carriages. With such a grand reception, had their unconventional Regent arrived? If he didn't appear at the entrance ceremony, it would mean their etiquette was lacking.
Regarding whether the Regent could arrive on time, since they hadn't received any prior notice, the members of the Inazuma Delegation were all uncertain. However, Guuji Yae, the Inazuma Vice Envoy, remained calm and composed, her face filled with ease and joy, seemingly having completely forgotten about the Regent's existence.
Just as the Knights of Favonius members and the onlookers were all focused on the official road to the north, an extremely luxurious and noble carriage, bearing the Dawn Winery's emblem, suddenly appeared on the official road south of Mondstadt, heading towards the city.
From the looks of it, it seemed to be vying with the approaching Inazuma Delegation convoy for the first crossing of the bridge.
Eula, the Captain of the Reconnaissance Company guarding the Inazuma Delegation, quickly noticed the suddenly appearing carriage and immediately led her subordinates to intercept it, even though that carriage looked like the exclusive ride of Master Diluc of the Dawn Winery.
Normally, she wouldn't care what car Diluc took to Mondstadt, even if he rode a rocket, she wouldn't mind. But now, as the eldest daughter of the Lawrence Family, Eula was well-versed in etiquette for dealing with people, especially in major diplomatic situations between two nations, where etiquette was even more crucial.
If Master Diluc's carriage were allowed to cross the bridge first, wouldn't that imply that Diluc's Dawn Winery was superior to the Inazuma Delegation?
Moreover, for all members of the Knights of Favonius waiting at the city gate to welcome a wealthy man with no official position in Mondstadt, such an act would also bring shame to Mondstadt. Therefore, Master Diluc's carriage absolutely could not cross the bridge first; the Inazuma Delegation's convoy had to pass first.
Unfortunately, ideals are rich, but reality is lean.
When Eula ran forward to intercept the carriage, she was surprised to find that the coachman was none other than Mondstadt's richest man, Master Diluc.
And Diluc today was also dressed in his finest, no longer wearing his signature black attire, but a more noble, dignified, and elegant red and black outfit—Diluc's exclusive costume from the game, the Crimson Rites.
However, Master Diluc, dressed in this formal attire, was actually willing to personally drive a carriage for someone else?
Mondstadt's richest man personally driving a carriage? What kind of person must be sitting in that carriage?
At this moment, Eula suddenly had a strange premonition. The person sitting in this carriage might be the one she was looking for, but she had no evidence.
As a native of Mondstadt, Eula naturally knew that Diluc had once served as the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius. Although he had long since left the Knights of Favonius, looking at Diluc, a former senior of the Knights of Favonius, the respect due to him still had to be given.
Eula performed a standard Knights of Favonius salute to Diluc, then explained, "Senior Diluc, today is the day the Inazuma Delegation enters the city. If you wish to enter the city, you may need to wait a little longer. You can only enter after the Inazuma Delegation has passed."
Hearing Eula's dissuasion, Diluc maintained his usual stern expression and did not pull on the reins to stop moving forward.
Seeing Diluc's carriage getting closer and closer to Eula, but still showing no signs of stopping, Eula directly pulled out her Song of Broken Pines and drew a straight furrow on the ground.
At the same time, her Cryo Vision glowed brightly, and the biting cold combined with Eula's imposing aura did not scare Diluc, but rather startled the horses, making them freeze in place, as if crossing that line would mean the end of their horse lives.
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