(9 more chapters coming today please give power stones)
The relationships between the Seven Nations of Teyvat were never as harmonious as they looked on the surface.
Trade caravans still crossed borders.
Diplomats still exchanged pleasantries.
But beneath that veneer lay layers of vigilance, restraint, and mutual suspicion.
Even the Adventurers' Guild—neutral, with branches in all seven nations—couldn't claim to fully understand every nation's true stance toward the others.
Because of that, certain rules had long been set in stone:
When information crossed borders, it must not pass through national power.
Mondstadt's Knights of Favonius.
Snezhnaya's Fatui.
Any structure tied directly to state authority had to be avoided.
Otherwise, leaks—and unnecessary trouble—were inevitable.
That was precisely why the Adventurers' Guild maintained its own covert correspondence routes, independent of any nation.
And that was exactly the route Kaito intended to use.
He stood at the counter, watching Katheryne process documents with her usual mechanical efficiency.
"I want to send a letter," Kaito said. "To Inazuma."
Katheryne looked up. "And the recipient?"
"Fischl."
She paused for a fraction of a second. "Investigator Fischl?" she confirmed.
Paimon's eyes widened instantly.
"Wait—that Fischl?"
"The one who talks like she's acting in a play all the time?!"
Katheryne nodded politely. "Correct. Investigator Fischl is internal personnel. Her clearance differs from that of ordinary adventurers."
Her fingers moved in a practiced rhythm as she made several quick calculations.
"Because this letter must travel through the Guild's confidential cross-nation route, the fee will be—"
She looked up again.
"Fifty-six thousand Mora."
"WHAT?!"
Paimon shot upward in disbelief.
"That's insane! That's daylight robbery!"
She spun in circles, clutching her head.
"Do you know how long Paimon would need to save to get that much?!"
Kaito, however, showed no reaction at all.
He calmly took out several bank drafts. "Northland Bank notes," he said. "Those acceptable?"
Katheryne inspected them briefly, then nodded. She placed both the drafts and the letter into a sealed container, layered with wax and a thin strip of stamped metal.
"Payment confirmed," she said. "Delivery to Inazuma will take approximately one month."
Paimon stared at the counter like she'd been struck by lightning.
"Fifty-six thousand… just to send paper…"
Lumine swallowed.
She'd walked through Mondstadt's markets that morning.
She knew exactly what that amount represented.
"That's… really expensive."
Kaito turned away from the counter, already done with the transaction.
"Cross-border secrecy always is," he said calmly. "Especially when you don't want eyes on it."
He led Lumine and Paimon away from the Guild and toward the Knights' headquarters.
Mondstadt rose in layered terraces—stone stairways winding upward through the lake-built city, sunlight catching on roofs still patched from yesterday's damage.
As they reached the central platform, Paimon suddenly stopped mid-flight.
"Hey—HEY!"
She pointed hard toward the Goth Grand Hotel.
"Kaito! Lumine! Look over there!"
Near the hotel entrance, Acting Grand Master Jean stood facing a woman dressed in elegant black and crimson.
Even from a distance, the Fatui insignia was unmistakable.
Kaito's gaze sharpened. "A Fatui diplomat," he said quietly.
They didn't approach stealthily. There was no need—every word carried clearly in the open air.
"If the Knights of Favonius are unable to immediately eliminate the dragon threat," the diplomat said smoothly, "then perhaps Mondstadt should consider transferring its city defense to Snezhnaya."
Jean's expression cooled instantly.
"Transferring?" she repeated. "You mean handing Mondstadt over to the Fatui?"
The diplomat smiled faintly. "A pragmatic solution."
"And you just referred to one of the Four Winds as a beast," Jean cut in.
The diplomat paused, genuinely surprised by the sudden shift in Jean's tone.
"Hmm? Acting Grand Master?"
Jean inhaled slowly, forcing her emotions back under control.
"I expect foreign diplomats to conduct themselves professionally," she said, voice firm. "You are proposing to 'handle' one of Mondstadt's ancient guardians."
Her tone hardened.
"I will not tolerate such language within the jurisdiction of the Knights."
The diplomat blinked—then laughed softly, as if Jean had just proven something amusing.
"Ah… I see emotions are running high."
She folded her arms with effortless composure.
"Very well. Today's discussion will end here. I will, of course, record that both sides exchanged constructive opinions."
Her gaze swept briefly across the onlookers.
It lingered—just for a moment—on Lumine and Paimon.
Then she turned and walked back into the hotel without another word.
Jean finally noticed them.
"Kaito. Lumine."
She exhaled faintly. "My apologies. You had to witness that."
"Fatui never change," Kaito said lightly.
Jean nodded once. "Shall we continue this discussion at headquarters?"
Knights of Favonius Headquarters — Acting Grand Master's Office
Jean stood behind her desk and placed a hand over her chest in a formal salute.
"Yesterday's operation stabilized the elemental circulation around Mondstadt," she said sincerely. "Thanks to your help, the immediate danger has passed."
She hesitated briefly—then continued.
"However, as you witnessed earlier, the Fatui are increasing their pressure."
She straightened, voice steady again.
"This brings me to my request."
Jean met their eyes.
"Kaito. Lumine.
Please accept the title of Honorary Knight of Favonius—and assist us in uncovering the truth behind the dragon's actions."
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