Mondstadt Knights of Favonius.
Jean leaned against the table with her arms crossed.
Eula's report on Schubert exceeded her expectations, but it was only surprising in that she hadn't anticipated a traitor within Mondstadt itself.
This issue wasn't a major problem for the women at all.
The intelligence came from Su Xuan's account, not the diary copy's content.
Not only could diary copy holders communicate with each other, but they could also share such information with others.
To deal with Schubert's impending betrayal of Mondstadt, they just needed to send someone to monitor him secretly and arrest him immediately if anything suspicious occurred.
"I'll take turns watching him with Amber," Eula volunteered.
Jean nodded slightly. "Then I'll leave it to you two."
Though it involved Eula's uncle, Jean trusted Eula completely.
She believed Eula wouldn't condone her uncle betraying Mondstadt just because he was family.
Moreover, Eula now carried a familiar aura that Jean recognized instantly as a pioneer.
She could tell at a glance what had happened between Eula and Su Xuan.
Though she said nothing outwardly, Jean knew deep down that she, Lisa, and Eula were now inseparable sisters.
"These Fatui just won't give up," Eula said in exasperation. "They must have lured my uncle with promises of restoring the Lawrence family's glory."
"My uncle's an idiot."
"Doesn't he realize the Fatui would never keep their word?"
"He's hopeless. If worst comes to worst, just arrest him now and throw him in jail to sober him up."
Jean and Lisa exchanged glances, unsure how to respond to Eula's outrageous suggestion.
The Dragon Disaster had only just ended. Even if the Fatui were plotting, it would take a few days for them to propose such a deal to Schubert.
Arresting him now with nothing concrete would be unjustifiable.
"Pfft!" Lisa suddenly burst out laughing. "Is it because this intel came straight from Su Xuan's mouth?"
"So the Wavebreaker Knight can't wait to show off in front of him?"
Eula: "?"
She had no idea what Lisa was babbling about.
"This only affects Mondstadt's interests. What does it have to do with Su Xuan?"
In response to Eula's confusion, Lisa smirked. "Who knows? After all, Mondstadt's future leader is already at his beck and call."
"Su Xuan just mentioned how Mondstadt's people are too lax and don't grasp the true meaning of freedom."
"And someone immediately rejected the citizens' request for the Knights to help repair their homes."
"Told them to do it themselves."
"I even suggested she ask Su Xuan again. With the Qiankun Mirror, he could restore the damaged Mondstadt in moments."
"But she lectured me righteously—people with hands and feet shouldn't trouble him for things they can do themselves."
"Lisa!" Jean's face flushed red as she glared at the witch beside her. Eula's mouth formed a perfect O in shock at the sight.
After the three women teased each other a bit,
Eula hesitantly asked, "He said he's staying at your place now and asked if I wanted to come over."
"Lisa, do you have room for anyone else?"
"Sigh, unfortunately not. Last night while researching, I accidentally blew up a few rooms. No spare space left," Lisa chuckled.
Eula: "?"
Jean frowned in confusion. "Blew up a few rooms? How come I didn't know about that? I didn't hear anything either."
Just as Lisa was about to make up another excuse to dash Eula's hopes, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.
The Knights' office door burst open, and a fiery red figure rushed in.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, big trouble!" Amber panted, her face anxious.
The three women froze. Jean quickly asked, "Amber, calm down. What happened?"
Considering Su Xuan's diary and recent events in Mondstadt,
The two biggest issues had been the Dragon Disaster and the Abyss Order's assault.
Twalin had been calmed with Su Xuan's help, and the hilichurl tribes around Mondstadt had inexplicably retreated.
Right now, Mondstadt only needed to repair the damage from the Dragon Disaster—nothing too overwhelming.
"A tall woman took Su Xuan into the Goethe Hotel," Amber replied.
"The Goethe Hotel?" Jean blinked.
The Goethe Hotel, where the Fatui Delegation was staying, had been fully booked by them.
It was essentially the Fatui's outpost in Mondstadt now.
No one from other factions could possibly stay there.
Clearly, Su Xuan was dealing with the Fatui.
"A tall woman?" Jean pondered, then asked, "Can you describe her appearance?"
Such details were child's play for a Reconnaissance Knight like Amber.
Amber vividly described Rosalyne's features.
Jean and Lisa exchanged looks. Seeing Lisa nod in agreement, Jean spoke slowly. "Based on your description, Amber,"
"The woman who took Su Xuan into the Goethe Hotel is the Fatui's Eighth Harbinger, Signora."
"A Fatui Harbinger!" Eula and Amber exclaimed inwardly.
Eula pressed immediately, "What would a Fatui Harbinger want with Su Xuan?"
"Obviously, a deal for the Gnosis," Lisa said calmly, sighing. "Don't you remember?"
"Su Xuan mentioned in the diary acquiring Wind Archon Barbatos's Gnosis."
"And climbing the highest peak before selling it to the Fatui."
"That's why Signora's here."
"But that was only in the diary. How would a Fatui Harbinger..." Eula trailed off, her eyes narrowing.
"Yeah, I think the Eighth Fatui Harbinger is also a diary copy holder, just like us," Lisa shrugged helplessly.
Her gaze turned resentful as she glanced at the others. "Disperse, everyone. Head home tonight."
"If I'm right, Su Xuan's staying at the Goethe Hotel tonight."
Chapter 50: Rosalyne's Choice: Take the Initiative or Be Bricked into the Wall
The Goethe Hotel's most luxurious room—Rosalyne's personal quarters.
"Dinner's done, drinks are done."
"Now can we discuss the Gnosis deal?"
Rosalyne exhaled, suppressing her rage, and forced a stiff smile.
This time, she'd spared no effort in hospitality.
She'd served Su Xuan every dish and drink the hotel offered.
At the table, she'd brought up the Gnosis deal multiple times.
But the man ignored it entirely, saying only to talk privately in her room after eating.
Rosalyne even suspected he was toying with her.
"You sure know how to enjoy yourself. This room's top-notch."
"I'll stay here tonight."
Su Xuan's abrupt words left Rosalyne stunned.
So he'd come to her room not for the deal, but to freeload?
What a pain!
Want me to call some girls to keep you company?
Rosalyne clenched her fists, grinding her teeth in fury.
Since becoming a Fatui Harbinger, this was her first taste of humiliation.
"Hm?" Su Xuan suddenly turned, eyeing her. "Miss Signora doesn't seem too happy."
Their eyes met, and Rosalyne broke out in cold sweat.
Even though his gaze was mild,
To her, it felt like a terrifying monster had locked onto its prey. She shuddered uncontrollably.
"N-No... If you want to stay tonight, stay. Of course, not just tonight—you can stay as long as you like." Rosalyne forced a smile.
Su Xuan turned and headed to her liquor cabinet, grabbing a cherished bottle and two glasses without asking.
He poured them full, sat on the sofa, and drawled, "Now, let's talk about the Gnosis deal."
*Clack!*
A crisp sound rang out as he placed something on the table.
Rosalyne looked—a verdant chess piece-like object sat in the center.
"This is the Gnosis?" Rosalyne sat opposite, staring intently.
Suddenly, a horrifying thought struck her.
She recalled the diary footage of Su Xuan saving Twalin, where he'd used the Authority of Lexicon to conjure an identical piece.
What if this was just a fake he'd made?
Would it differ from Barbatos's real Gnosis?
Rosalyne didn't understand Gnoses fully.
But the Tsaritsa's orders were clear: bring back Barbatos's Gnosis. That's what she needed.
"Before that, is this truly Barbatos's Gnosis?"
"I mean, I know your authority can manifest one, but I only want Barbatos's."
Better safe than sorry.
Rosalyne probed cautiously.
"This is Barbatos's Gnosis," Su Xuan smiled. "As a diary copy holder, you know my powers."
"The Gnosis holds no appeal for me."
"I took it just to lure you here for a deal."
"I need it to give me a taste of the peak."
Rosalyne: "?"
Her mind blanked.
She didn't deny Su Xuan's terrifying power or his authority to manifest Celestia's divine punishment.
With his otherworldly abilities, he had no reason to care about a Gnosis.
But what did he mean by using it to lure her?
A bad premonition surged in her heart.
From the start, this man had targeted her.
"I don't quite follow, heh..." Rosalyne dry-laughed, her throat parched with fear.
"Besides, didn't you climb Dragonspine last night?"
Su Xuan shook his head. "The peak I mentioned in the diary isn't a real mountain."
"I haven't measured precisely, but based on my knowledge of you all, you're the tallest."
"Of course, given the chance, I'll line you similar ones up and measure personally to crown Teyvat's true highest peak."
Rosalyne: "?"
Following his gaze downward, two "mountains" came into view.
Her eyes widened.
The world spun.
"No..." Terrified, Rosalyne stood and backed away. "You said in the diary you'd sell the Gnosis to me."
Su Xuan rolled his eyes. "There's a saying back home: big chest, no brains. You embody it perfectly."
"Do I lack money?"
"I'm tight with Inazuma's Almighty Narukami Ogosho, Mondstadt's Rose Witch, and the Dandelion Knight."
"If I needed cash, they'd sort me out."
"Worst case, I raid a few shady merchants—enough to live lavishly for years."
"Saying I'd sell it was just bait to get you here."
Truth dawned, and Rosalyne's head buzzed.
After a long pause, she stammered, "Someone like you... You're joking, right...?"
Su Xuan froze, oddly stumped by her question.
Couldn't a guy like him crave women?
That logic didn't track.
Teyvat nobles ravished girls in secret—couldn't he?
"Dear Eighth Fatui Harbinger, Miss Signora."
"You didn't seriously think you could peep into my secrets for free."
"Even Lisa knows every gift of fate demands a price. Lived five centuries and don't get that?"
Su Xuan tapped the Gnosis lightly before her.
"You're five hundred—an adult. Think like one."
"You came to me, so two choices:"
"One: Give me a good time, take Barbatos's Gnosis, and report back."
"Two: I brick you into a wall in Lisa's basement lab. Visit when I feel like it."
"Choose."
Rosalyne: "!?"