At the Goth Grand Hotel.
The Lawrence clan's guards were on edge, their hands trembling slightly as they gripped Snezhnayan firearms.
Standing before them was a polite, refined man—brown-gold hair parted neatly in the middle, blue-green eyes shining with intelligence.
"Mr. Albedo… weren't you conducting research up on the mountain? Why did you suddenly return?"
Schubert was just as uneasy as the guards beside him.
In Mondstadt, aside from Grand Master Varka, the person Schubert feared most was Albedo.
Albedo was usually low-key, yet even Varka treated him with courtesy. After several probing spars, Varka had admitted he couldn't gauge Albedo's limits—proof enough of how terrifying his true strength was. Behind that gentle, scholarly smile lay astonishing combat power.
"It's like this," Albedo explained calmly. "I heard something happened in Mondstadt this morning and grew worried about my little sister Klee, so I came back to check on her. You know, before her mother left, she entrusted me with taking care of her precious daughter."
"But I was stopped at the Knights of Favonius headquarters. The guards said they'd bring me here to see you."
"Oh, I see…" Schubert nodded hastily. "Things are a bit complicated. I'll explain later. In any case, Klee is safe—everyone's fine. If you want to see her, though, that will require the Prince's decision."
This was far beyond his ability to handle; better leave it to the Prince.
Turning, Schubert gestured respectfully toward the man seated on the sofa.
"Your Highness, this is Mr. Albedo—Chief Alchemist and Investigation Team Captain of the Knights of Favonius, and Klee's guardian."
Albedo walked straight up to Severin, studying him thoughtfully.
"You're like me," he said after a moment. "There's a starlit aura about you. And… a very unusual scent of curse. From the 'smell,' it resembles the immortality curse on hilichurls, yet it's distinctly different."
Realizing his words sounded improper, Albedo smiled shyly. "Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness. Occupational habit—unknown phenomena always fascinate me."
"You're correct," Severin replied. "It's a curse from the Heavenly Principles, tormenting my body day and night. Do you have a way to deal with it, Albedo?"
Though he held little hope, Severin wanted Albedo's opinion. After all, Albedo's master was Rhinedottir, the legendary 'Gold' of Khaenri'ah—and Severin trusted scientific minds far more than mystics.
"Just as I thought…" Albedo examined him briefly. "Far more complex and vicious than the curse on hilichurls."
He added in amazement, "Your Highness, the fact you're still alive is a miracle. A curse of this level would cause even the Seven to gradually wither and die. I'm sorry—this exceeds my capabilities."
Then he continued, "However, I recently met an outlander on Dragonspine who calls himself a Traveler. He has a small flying companion. I noticed he possesses a peculiar purifying power—one capable of cleansing the curse within Durin's blood."
The Traveler?
A flying companion?
Purification?
So the other twin had already begun their journey.
That power might truly counter the Heavenly curse.
"Where are they?" Severin asked evenly. "I'd like to meet them."
"We came down from the mountain together. The Traveler should be dining at the Good Hunter restaurant now," Albedo replied. "As for that flying little one—she has an unusually intense obsession with food. By my estimation, a dedicated foodie."
Just a glutton, that's all.
"Foodie" really was underselling Paimon.
"Schubert," Severin ordered, "go invite them. Be polite—no rash behavior."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Schubert hurried off with the guards.
"Your Highness," Albedo said frankly, "do you truly believe someone like Schubert is fit to rule Mondstadt in place of Jean?"
From what he'd gathered, the Knights' upper ranks had been detained, and the Lawrence clan seemed poised to return—clearly with the Prince pulling strings behind the scenes. Albedo felt little attachment to Mondstadt's politics; his only real bonds were Alice and Klee. Still, since he'd met the Prince, he felt compelled to speak.
"Albedo," Severin said calmly, "you haven't seen the whole picture."
Albedo scratched his head. "No casualties among the Knights. No civilian deaths. That's strange enough. People say the Lawrence clan used tranquilizer rounds—no one was killed."
"And the oddest thing: after their 'restoration,' they didn't reinstate slavery. Mondstadt's policies are unchanged."
"I have other matters to attend to," Severin replied. "Let an old acquaintance explain."
Rising, he instructed the Mirror Maiden, "When the Traveler arrives, arrange for them to stay here. All expenses covered by the Fatui."
He then departed.
Soon, footsteps echoed from the second floor.
"Eula—you're here too?" Albedo looked up.
He was familiar with Eula Lawrence, given her frequent field missions.
"Mr. Albedo," Eula explained calmly, "at first, even we believed this was a real coup. Later, the Mirror Maiden told us the truth—this was part of the Prince's plan, meant to lure the Anemo Archon into revealing himself."
After listening, Albedo sighed. "So though you were used, the Prince found the long-lost Archon. Your clan shed centuries of prejudice, and the Knights learned painful but valuable lessons. Three parties benefited."
"Not used," Eula corrected. "It was cooperation. The Prince helped me—and saved the Lawrence clan."
Albedo nodded, then asked, "What if the Archon never appeared?"
"Then the act would continue," Eula replied. "The plan is called 'holding the Son of Heaven to command the lords.' Jean is the 'Son of Heaven.' The 'lords' are you, the Four Winds, and the regional commanders."
Albedo laughed softly. "Then it's fortunate this was only a rehearsal—but one that exposed Mondstadt's flaws. I can already imagine Jean being swamped with work from now on."
They exchanged a knowing smile.
Had Severin still been there, he might have told them that his original intent truly was to install the Lawrence clan, with the Fatui ruling from the shadows—albeit without slavery, pursuing modernization instead. Jean's resolve at the brink of death changed his mind.
Mondstadt was imperfect, but with Jean inheriting Varka's will, it might yet go further.
In the end, none of that mattered.
With the Anemo Archon's Gnosis secured—and Barbatos's tacit support—Severin's visit to Mondstadt had achieved perfect success.
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