In the following days, Mondstadt City seemed calm, but in reality, those in high positions had already sensed that something was amiss from various clues.
Acting Grand Master Jean sighed as she looked at the reports in her hands.
According to the Knights of Favonius guarding the city gates, they always saw some suspicious people observing them while on duty these past two days.
Not only that, but even members of the Lawrence Family, who usually avoided entering Mondstadt City, seemed to have increased in number.
According to information revealed by city residents, they appeared to be recording something.
Furthermore, the negotiations for establishing diplomatic relations between Mondstadt and Inazuma also seemed to have reached an impasse, not because Mondstadt was intentionally slack, but rather because the Inazuma Delegation would often quibble over trivial matters, arguing for half a day. This situation looked like they were stalling for time.
But what good would stalling for time do the Inazuma Delegation? The sooner diplomatic relations were established, the sooner trade between the two nations could be mutually beneficial.
Could it be... that something advantageous to the Inazuma Delegation would happen after some time?
Just as Jean was deep in thought in her office, there was a knock on her door.
"Enter!"
As the office door fully opened, a figure in blue and white walked straight in. It was the Spindrift Knight, Eula.
However, Eula was full of worry, tightly clutching two documents of different colors in her hand, her body seemingly trembling involuntarily from excessive indecision.
Jean: "Oh, Eula, it's been a while since we sat down for tea. Would you like some? What's wrong? You don't look so good."
After closing her eyes and taking several deep breaths, Eula finally mustered her courage and said, "Acting Grand Master Jean, I want to report and expose the rebellious act of the Lawrence Family conspiring with the Snezhnaya Delegation to seize control of Mondstadt!"
Acting Grand Master Jean's expression instantly became serious. Soon, as if she had thought of something, she suddenly turned to look at the reports on her desk.
Spying on the city gates, recording information, the Inazuma Delegation's stalling tactics, and finally, Eula's mention of a rebellious act. Very good, all the clues connected.
Having understood this, Jean's previously tense expression relaxed, revealing her signature smile as she said to Eula, "No rush! Eula, let's sit down and talk slowly."
...By the time Eula stumbled back to her dormitory in a daze, her entire body quickly collapsed. She no longer remembered how she had left Acting Grand Master Jean's office.
She only knew one thing: all the members of the Lawrence Family had been sold out to the Knights of Favonius by her, in exchange for twenty-one hopes to cleanse the Lawrence Family's sins.
Acting Grand Master Jean sat in her office, carefully reading the two documents Eula had just given her. After finishing the slightly thicker document, Acting Grand Master Jean breathed a sigh of relief. With such important intelligence, if not for Eula's prior notification, the current Knights of Favonius indeed ran the risk of being overthrown.
Then, Acting Grand Master Jean picked up the other, slightly thinner document. Calling it a document, it was actually just a single sheet of paper, with the names of twenty-one members of the Lawrence Family written on it. All of them shared one common characteristic: they were all children under the age of seven.
Seeing this list, Acting Grand Master Jean finally understood why Eula had previously severed ties with her family but still retained the Lawrence surname.
She was embracing a mindset of 'destroy first, then build,' preparing to create a Lawrence Family free from revenge, dedicated to justice, and capable of restoring its glory honorably through its own abilities!
To achieve this goal, Eula even attempted to hand over the entire Lawrence Family to the Knights of Favonius for judgment, leaving only twenty-one children who still maintained pure thoughts.
Such courage and boldness filled Acting Grand Master Jean with admiration for Eula.
If she were to put herself in Eula's shoes, Jean absolutely could not have done such a thing. But given the Lawrence Family's nature, Eula's method, though harsh, was indeed the only correct solution to save the Lawrence Family.
Having understood this, another thorny problem lay before Jean: the current remaining combat strength of the Knights of Favonius was indeed not high.
It must be said that the opportunity the Lawrence Family had patiently waited for over a thousand years was indeed rare. The Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, instead of being stationed in Mondstadt, insisted on leading ninety percent of the elite Knights of Favonius on an expedition.
This led to a complete disadvantage during the Stormterror incident. If it hadn't been for the help of the Honorary Knight and Lord Barbatos, a major disaster might have occurred.
Now, one wave had not settled before another rose: the Lawrence Family had actually taken this opportunity to conspire with the Snezhnaya Delegation to seize control of Mondstadt.
Although Snezhnaya's reputation in Teyvat was not very good, the Fatui's combat strength was among the top in The Seven Nations. To say nothing else, while Mondstadt's Knights of Favonius could only wield longswords and bows, the Fatui each had an element weapon, capable of both offense and defense, which could thoroughly defeat soldiers without a Vision.
The current Knights of Favonius indeed lacked sufficient combat strength and confidence to resist the attacks of the Fatui soldiers. It seemed she would also have to find some foreign aid.
It was a pity that the helpful Honorary Knight was not in Mondstadt, otherwise, she could have troubled her.
At this thought, Jean suddenly understood something: were the Inazuma Delegation's strange stalling tactics hinting that she could employ people from the Inazuma Delegation for help by relaxing certain restrictions?
Although this was indeed a feasible method, it would mean a loss of Mondstadt City's interests, and the cost was too great. Jean herself could not make such a decision.
Compared to seeking help from the Inazuma Delegation, Jean was more keen on finding those Vision holders within Mondstadt City who were not affiliated with the Knights of Favonius, as well as the senior she greatly respected, Mr. Diluc.
Although Mr. Diluc's perception of the Knights of Favonius had not been good due to their improper handling of The Dragon Ursa attack several years ago, this time, the invading enemy was the Fatui.
It was well known that Diluc was relentless in his attacks against the Fatui, the kind who would never hold back. Even without a request from the Knights of Favonius, he would proactively offer to fight.
Hmm... it seems I need to find an opportunity to trick... no, to invite Mr. Diluc to the city to take charge. Otherwise, if he remains holed up at the Dawn Winery, far from Mondstadt City, distant water won't quench a nearby thirst.
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