Night had been busy in Liyue Harbour. After the sabotage of the Mizar, the Millelith had seized complete control of the docks. The investigation lasted the rest of the day and the night, with several suspects being detained and questioned. But no concrete evidence had been found. Witnesses reported that a lightning bolt had struck the vessel, and due to the lack of clouds in the vicinity, it meant an electro user had been involved. And a strong one at that.

Mona would have been more interested in the event if she hadn't spent the last day cursing herself for ever letting that bard coax her into drinking. Not only the hangover was horrible, but the stupid God had left her in Wanmin restaurant like it was her home. Then she tried to find him, but his presence had vanished. Like he wasn't on Liyue anymore.

So after learning about the whole Mizar fiasco, she just returned with Xiangling and worked through the night to earn a free stay. She'd take anything to not sleep in the same home as her Master. Venti was way more passive in his teachings, but Mona knew the bard had a pool of wisdom and knowledge greater than any other teacher. If she could earn his trust, then the truth behind fate and the stars would be within her reach.

With her mind set on a new objective, she slept that night without any issue. And when she woke up the next day, Mona was sure she'd find him today.

Not wanting to overstay the invite, Mona quickly dressed up and left Xiangling's room. Her hair was ruffled and loose, so she'd make her twintails after brushing it.

"Oh, good morning Mona!" Xiangling was tying her hair as well for another day at work. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I suppose so." The mage couldn't admit that it had been the best sleep she had in years. "Today I'll find that trickster, that's for sure! He's not going to hide from me anymore."

"What are you saying? Your friend came by fifteen minutes ago. And you won't guess who was accompanying him. Zhongli himself! I didn't know they were friends."

"Who is… Wait, Venti came here? Why didn't you wake me up?" Mona suddenly noticed her messy hair and quickly fixed it.

"Well, he said to not bother you up because you'd yell at him. And I always follow the customer's word down to a tee!"

"Of course he did!" Mona tied her hair in one long ponytail before going back to her room to get her shoes.

After that hasty pace, she returned with Xiangling. "Where did they go?"

"Hmm… I dunno. They went in direction of the docks."

Mona quickly thanked her and rushed out of Wanmin restaurant. She should have guessed that Venti would want to check out that sunken vessel. They were supposed to check out the docks yesterday, but he never showed up… Who was that Zhongli anyways?

A small crowd was gathered at one of the port's entrances. The Millelith was still keeping the harbour under lockdown, but this was the only point where you could see the wreckage of the Mizar. Whatever had hit the vessel, it had been big. One of the masts had fallen over a nearby ship, damaging it slightly.

It was quite the sight, and she could probably check the stars for the culprit. Summoning her scryglass, Mona narrowed down the possibilities. An electro user was the suspect, which was already quite rare. Judging by the lack of witnesses, it had to be an expert in their field.

A few movements later, she managed to get an answer. And then, the astrologer's view was suddenly obstructed as somebody placed their hands over her eyes.

"Guess who?"

For a moment she thought it would be Venti. It was the type of childish play he'd do. But no, that voice wasn't his. The cheerful tone was forced, clearly not hiding their animosity.

She managed to break free from the intruder, but he quickly wrapped his right arm around her shoulders.

"Expecting someone else? Did your flyboy leave you all alone?" Scaramouche had done away from his Fatui clothes, donning a combination of clothes. Like a mariner, he wore a simple shirt, breeches, heavy boots and an oversized sailor's hat.

"What's with the get-up, Harbinger? Your mother should have taught you how to dress." Mona spat back, hiding her scryglass.

"Dress up for the job you want, witch. And you're not going to rile me up like he did, girlie." His voice was rough but strikingly calm. "I saw you ran around alone yesterday so I guess my hunch was right. That God abandoned you already, who could have expected that?"

"He hasn't abandoned me. I haven't been replaced either." She doubted her words but managed to hide those emotions. "And your voice is annoying, let me go."

"Don't be like that, witch. Really, I know what that feels like. You're no longer needed, or maybe you were replaced by somebody else. That's what Gods do after all." He released his grip from Mona, who immediately widened her distance from him. He pointed back towards the docks with his thumb. "Whatever happened there, huh?"

"What are you trying by acting normal?" Mona clenched her fists. "Not even three days ago you tried to steal from me."

"Straight to the point. I need someone like you for a job. Something only you can do." He took a step towards her. "In exchange, I will give you what your troubadour couldn't. Answers."

It was obvious to the Astrologer that Scaramouche was goading her. Clear as daylight. She had to maintain calm and not be fooled.

"You must be stupider than you look if you think I'll ever work for the Fatui." Mona scoffed. "Someone of my calibre cannot be tempted or corrupted."

The Harbinger spat out a hollow laugh. "Feisty. The hard way then."

Before she could react, the Wanderer rushed her, taking the two of them away from the crowd. Then, he pinned her to a nearby wall. His free hand lifted Mona's chin, pointing it towards the marooned ship. "See that poor vessel? Your head is going to look like that if you try anything funny, witch. But I'm really not so bad."

"I rather die than do anything with you." She spat back, her glare piercing his eyes.

"That can be arranged. But, no, you misunderstand. When you do this, it will be all for yourself. You were caught in my conversation with our dear troubadour, so you know that I'm not a normal being. And unlike that fool, I say what I have in mind. You can tell as much, can't you?"

Mona couldn't tell that he was lying at all. She could read him easily that night, so perhaps it was true. Unless he had somehow attained some type of protection. But that was impossible, she would be able to tell, right?

"What do you mean by that?" Tentatively, she gave in to her curiosity.

"Oh, please. That bard is thousands of years older than you. To him, you're but a pet. He's been treating you like a pretty pink princess, giving you food and shelter… you're nothing more than eye candy for him." Scaramouche released his grip, leaning into her. "And you didn't have to accept his help. I know you had it in you to reach Liyue Harbour without aid. I saw what you did in Fontaine, I was honestly surprised you managed to escape my trap. It was a nice mouse and cat game."

Again, he was just feeding her what she wanted to hear. Though Mona told herself to not trust his words, they still affected her more than she believed.

"I didn't accept any help. I saw a chance and took it. I would have been able to deal with you too if he didn't step in." She affirmed, glaring at the Wanderer.

"Then we are not so different. I am offering you a chance to act of your own free will, not tied to any Gods. You do this little side-gig and we both benefit. The Fatui aren't aware of my current whereabouts either, so we aren't on opposite teams anymore. And believe me, you do not want to be on the bard's side." He slowly paced side to side. "I have met Gods, more than you have. And they're all the same selfish, insecure and paranoid beings. All claim to be doing good but they're only fulfilling their whimsical desires. You can be sure of that because I'm a product of those stupid wishes."

There was a moment of respite as Mona thought of her chances. She had wasted a day trying to find Venti, and it wasn't like he could… or would answer her questions. Besides, why should she believe his words? Time and time again, she was never able to tell when he was lying. He was basically unreadable. And so far, Scaramouche seemed like an open book. If he lied, she could tell and disregard his words. If he told the truth, she'd also know.

"…What do you want me to do?" Mona asked after a brief pause.

"I'm going to convince Captain Beidou with a little dispute we have. I just need you to tell me her supposed fate, and act like we're siblings." He held up his hands, showing her his bare palms. "I'm not holding you anymore, witch. If you want to run, go ahead. Enslave yourself to that God. Or stay and take control of your fate."

It was tempting, that was for sure. Mona couldn't be sure of what the Harbinger wished to do, but the task was trivial enough. She could do this job, and distance herself from the Fatui for the rest of her life.

"Will you tell me… anything I want?" She reticently asked.

"Yes. That doesn't mean I will know the answer to it so you better ask wisely. You only have one chance."

That meant she couldn't risk it and ask about the stars or fate. He was from Inazuma, so maybe something about it?

"From the songs and music of Venti, I have a somewhat blurry picture of his relationship with Baal. However, it was all tales of the past. He eludes any question of the present." The astrologer thought out loud, rubbing her chin. "If so, do you know why that is?"

"Yes."

"And…?"

"Are you stupid? You get paid after the job."

In the northern wharf of the Harbour, the sudden influx of ships and merchandise meant that the local shops and merchants were making a fortune. All ships were being redirected there, meaning that it was at full capacity ever since the sun rose in the east.

Still, people still traded here and there, utilising the full length of the wharf to show their wares to any curious bystander. The further you approached the southern wharf, where the Mirza incident occurred, the traffic became less and less dense. It reached a point where only a couple of people were walking, with barely any other merchants around.

"Are you going to tell me what's this dispute about?" Mona asked, a few steps behind the Harbinger. "I suppose you are trying to join her crew?"

"No. Captain Beidou will probably return to the Alcor one time to gather information about the victims of the Mizar." The Wanderer explained. "That means this is my chance to talk to her."

Scaramouche walked extremely close to the border of the pier, like the odds of falling to the sea didn't bother him.

"Can't you tell me what any of that means?"

He turned around with a fake smile. "You look cuter when you keep your mouth shut. I'm starting to believe my words when I said you were eye candy… Because that's all you've got going."

"Screw you. You've done nothing but talk."

"Fine, you want to know what you'll do? You'll stand right beside me and walk like we know each other. Happy?" He stopped and held his hand forward. "Come on."

"I'm not touching your hand," Mona immediately said, glaring holes at him.

"You don't need to."

There was no time to avoid the small electro sphere that Scaramouche shot at her. Her body immediately froze up. The electro charge had completely paralysed her body, making her lose footing and fall into the sea. Her body was unable to do anything besides sink.

Attempting to close her mouth did nothing as waves of seawater slowly washed over her, entering through his nose and lips without any resistance. Her body, frightened in shock from the sudden situation, forced hyperventilation to keep it at high performance. Which only made her more likely to swallow water, furthering her panic and increasing her fear.

Scaramouche looked down into the sea for a few seconds. "I warned you to keep your mouth shut." He then cleared his throat and started yelling. "Oh my god! My sister! Somebody help!"

He quickly removed his hat and threw himself into the water, preventing Mona from actually sinking to her death. Then, following his own script, he started to flail around and sink with each movement.

Though the Wanderer seemed to enjoy the bit, Mona was moments away from actually drowning. The sensation of water entering her lungs burned, unlike any other pain she had ever felt. She recalled a similar feeling from using her vision but amplified many times. No power seemed to emanate from her vision either way.

And then, nothing. Her mind became numb, unable to feel that pain. She was drifting away, nuzzled between the arms of some unknown being, carrying her away into a better place. Those arms, or limbs, felt warm and comfortable. Like the Milky Way in the night sky carrying her throughout all the stars she had ever seen.

There she could see Aphros, Scutum, Lio Minor dancing through her fingers before diving into her body. And then, after the familiar Andromeda constellation faded into her being, another set of unknown constellations appeared before her eyes. Those who always hid beneath the ocean that was the sky. Like wind they danced. Like stone they were rigid. Like thunder they were ephemeral. Like water they were ever-present.

The answer to all her questions was always there, only shown in death. Even then, it was all surface-level knowledge. Each constellation told a unique story she'd never been able to find.

And then Mona felt the air being pumped into her lungs. That warm breeze reactivated everything her body needed to survive, realising that water should not be so deep inside her. She puked the water out, coughing all the water that had made its way to her lungs.

"Oh my god, she's breathing!" The voice of a man was suddenly heard. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

And those feelings only got worse as the unknown man hugged her tightly like he actually believed his own words.

"Told ya to not be worried!" A loud woman suddenly said. "There, there! You're confused aren't ya? You fell over into the sea and almost drowned!"

"Sea…?" Mona muttered, the words forcing her to cough once again.

That's right, they were walking along by the sea. That Harbinger just tried to kill her!

"Can't afford to lose any more people, dear." Though Mona had seen the pearly gates, she immediately identified her saviour as Beidou. "That hydro vision must have saved your life! You somehow kept breathing even with all that water in ya."

"Huh?" Still reeling from her near-death experience, Mona's mind was sluggish. "Thank you?"

"Don't thank me, thank your lil'bro over here! If it wasn't for him, you'd have sunk like a rock!" Beidou's rowdy voice only caused Mona pain. Her words only added to that.

The man hugging her was none other than the Fatui Wanderer, acting like he was a lost family member she had never met.

"I could never thank you enough, Captain." Scaramouche's voice was light and sweet. "I know I'm a fresh addition, but would it be alright if I stayed with my sister for the rest of the day? I will embark on the Alcor as soon as possible."

"Don't worry kid. You will only become a recruit the moment you leave dry land." Beidou was soaked wet, meaning she had been the one to save Mona. "The loss of the Mizar will keep us anchored for a few more days, so don't worry about it. I know you're experienced, but I do want to see you in action before setting sail."

"Thank you, Captain."

Beidou crouched beside Mona, worried about her state. "Still confused? Do you know how you fell?"

"She's narcoleptic," Scaramouche answered in her stead. "Normally it's not as imminent but… One moment she was talking normally, and the next thing I know she wasn't there. She just doesn't pay attention to what I say and walked where she shouldn't."

"Don't let this incident discourage you." The Captain told Mona. "But do take precautions."

With that, Beidou waved them away as she rushed down the dock, heading towards a small boat in the distance. Mona stood up and distanced herself from the Wanderer, who started cackling like a maniac.

"A little dispute with the Captain?!" She immediately shouted. "You just wanted a free day from… from being an ensign?! You didn't need me at all!"

"Whatever do you mean? You did your job perfectly. I got another day of roaming around!" He clapped a few times before calming down his laugh. Then, his tone descended a few notches. "That's for making my job harder in Fontaine. And for learning my name without my consent. It wasn't so bad, was it? You've also learnt a valuable lesson, witch. The pecking order is far greater than you could imagine… And I am several steps above you. But that bard? I can only guess his true skills. A rabbit cannot befriend a fox, and neither can a fox befriend a bear. If you see a rabbit nuzzling a bear, then you'd think it was suicidal. That stupid bunny is you. No amount of bootlicking will make the bear that is Barbatos your equal."

Mona shoved away her wet fringe from her eyes. "You're a psychopath. You tried to kill me and now you're trying to spin it as a friendly lecture?"

"If you believe me a psychopath, then imagine how the Gods truly are. Far worse than me." He ran his hand through his damp hair. "Anyways, a deal's a deal, isn't it? I'll answer your stupid question."

"I don't want it anymore."

Mona took a few steps back, her stare remaining on the Wanderer. She didn't want to get ambushed again. That, however, only emboldened Scaramouche.

"Why do you think he's going to Inazuma? What has he told you, the plight of the common man or some tearjerker story? Maybe about how he wants to meet his old friends, dead or alive? Oh, what a good man, isn't he?"

She stopped, clenching her fists. The Wanderer took the chance to shorten the distance from her.

"The only thing Barbatos is going to do when he reaches Inazuma is murder my dear creator, Baal." Scaramouche boldly proclaimed with a half-smile. "I was a damn test to replace what both Beelzebul and Barbatos lost five hundred years ago. So I know her paranoia, her fear to be the target of his petty grudge. Because she knew that, if he ever got the chance, Barbatos would take away everything she'd held dear. After all, that's exactly what Beelzebul had done to him. And have I ever lied to you, witch?"

She couldn't see any attempt at deception. It could very well be the truth. Playing devil's advocate, it could also mean that it was what Scaramouche believed. Or, perhaps the Harbinger hadn't lied straight to her face, but that didn't mean he was telling the truth. The Fatui always used underhanded methods. It was a lie, Mona assured herself. Even if whenever she asked Venti about what he'd do in Inazuma he answered dismissively. Or when he avoided answering if he was really in love…

At that moment, that didn't matter anymore. There was no way Mona could let the Harbinger get away scot-free after trying to drown her.

"Maybe you have, or maybe I'm the one lying to you." She answered back. "I care little for your evident mommy issues, so spare me your tedious speeches. Fact is, you've isolated yourself by coming here alone."

The bluff was very much made-up in the spot. The Wanderer didn't even need to believe it.

"Do I look like that rattles me in the slightest? You should be the one quavering in fear, witch." He dismissed it with a handwave.

"I'm not the one having two Archons breathing down their necks. Venti knows Rex Lapis. He probably got in touch with him the moment you started up trouble."

Mona referred to this very incident. But for the Wanderer that meant the Mirza attack.

Scaramouche was fine with antagonising the Bard. Rex Lapis, however, meant trouble. The Wanderer wasn't even supposed to be in Liyue Harbour. If the Geo Archon got involved, there could be no doubt about his chances of reaching Inazuma descending tremendously. Or even being discarded from the Fatui prematurely.

"I suppose you're not as stupid as you look," Scaramouche mentioned scanning his surroundings. "I had high hopes for you. To see you bow to the Archons like this… Disappointing. Enjoy being a pet."

A faint smell of burned wood appeared in the air as Scaramouche disappeared in a sudden dash.

"Bye-bye, Kunikuzushi."

Mona walked back through the wharf at a calm pace. She did so until people and merchants started to become more prevalent, at which point she started running away from the cramped space. Somehow she had fooled him. So much for being created by a God! Not even a synthetic human could outmatch her wit and cunning! That's what he deserved for messing with the greatest astrologer known to Teyvat!

While drowning… she had seen something. Like she was performing hydromancy inside her own body. Perhaps that was only a near-death experience? She would have to research that or… ask her Master.

Right as she finished that thought, her vision turned dark.

"Guess who!"

With her nerves and guard up, Mona elbowed whoever had assaulted her at that moment. She only realised who it was after the fact.

"Oof… I knew you'd be mad." Venti held his stomach tight, barely showing a smile. "You sure pack a punch, good god…"

"I'm sorry! I thought… Wait, no, I'm not sorry at all! You left me alone after I passed out! Don't you know how awful it is to wake up somewhere unknown! And where were you yesterday?!"

"Okay, well. I mean, it's true. But I stayed with you all night and then some. And it was Xiangling's place, so it wasn't really unknown. And I can't answer that last question."

"You could at least tell Xiangling where you were going. It doesn't matter, you never answer anything important anyways." She narrowed her eyes, inspecting him from head to toe.

"Scathing. But on the bright side… guess who's got a boat!" He pointed his thumb towards himself. "Convincing Captain Beidou to go to Inazuma was a cakewalk. The issue is paying her, cause the Alcor isn't cheap."

"Beidou…?" Mona muttered to herself, realising what this meant.

"Yep. My friend and I discovered who blew up one of her ships. It was more than likely Kunikuzushi. I do not believe there's anyone else capable of such a feat either way. In return, she will sail through the storms and into Inazuma!"

"Oh."

Sailing to Inazuma with the psycho that was Scaramouche? Oh, that didn't sound good.

"What?" Venti noticed Mona's derelict expression. "Ah, don't worry about the money. You said you wanted to come, but it will be my expense. I'll work something up." Since her expression wasn't improving, he continued. "Also, let me apologise for leaving you in the dark. Yesterday I had to deal with very boring God-stuff. Maybe I should have written a note. So yeah, I don't blame you for being angry with me. If you want to call off your help, I won't have it against you."

Mona saw Venti as a sage who hid behind a childish and revelling mask. He was a kind person, that was certain. She couldn't believe that he had murder in his mind at all. He didn't even kill the Fatui agents who attacked them. But what Scaramouche said about her could very well be true. Venti treated her too well, like a pet. He didn't even know who Mona truly was and hadn't even seen her true skills. Did she deserve such treatment?

"It's fine. I'll go too."

The city of Mondstadt always had an air of mellowness regardless of weather or untimely incidents. For an outsider, not having a present Archon should have led them to the opposite reaction. However, they were accepting of their situation and carried on.

To say they didn't have problems would be a mistake. The Fatui had taken advantage of that aloof attitude, infiltrating the Knights for their advantage. Though traitors had been rooted out three years ago, the Fatui remained in the city. Underhanded they might be, but they were still diplomats of the strongest nation of Teyvat. To act rashly against them could spell trouble for Mondstadt's existence.

Grandmaster Varka knew as much as he balanced an ornamental sword on his fingertip. He didn't spend much time in his office, but today was an exception. As much as he preferred to roam around, there were some matters that he couldn't delegate to his second in command, Jean.

For those reasons, his office was austere. Besides what he had on himself, he didn't own many things. His focus, much like Barbatos, wasn't concentrated on Mondstadt itself. The Anemo Archon protected Teyvat's nations from their rulers. And he did the same, albeit in a less confronting manner. Signs of instability had begun showing on Teyvat, and he had focused his whole attention on it. And that left him little room to gain wealth or property.

Flipping the sword several times in the air, he caught it with ease and placed it back on a decorative coat of arms. Then, as soon as he did that, there was a knock on his office door.

Varka quickly moved towards the windows, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Come in," He commanded in his deep voice.

Jean entered the office, carrying a pile of documents and a non-amused face.

"I heard you ran towards the window, Grandmaster." She entered the room and placed the documents on his desk. "You've been delaying this for two weeks. You need to sign this before the month ends or we won't be able to renew our treaty with Liyue."

Varka sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly. "Maybe you should gift me a stamp for my birthday." He mentioned, opening the window up.

"I did. And you broke it within the week."

"I'm a big man with big fingers, sometimes I get carried away." He kept looking out the window. "There's barely a breeze today. I guess I could change that…"

"Do not try to jump off the window again." Jean grabbed Varka by the shoulders and pushed him into his chair. "The Tianquan will believe we're belittling her if I sign it again, so please do so."

"Well, it's only…" He flipped the documents, reading the contents of some of them. "The Millelith had issues in Stone Gate again? Liyue should stop relying on the Adeptus and actually invest in their military." He pulled some papers aside and sighed. "Well, it could be worse."

"This is the third time they asked for the manning of Stone Gate. The cavalry hasn't found any issues for the past three months, and while…" Jean's word trailed off as a peculiar-looking bird suddenly landed on the windowsill. It was a crow, though bigger than most. Its eyes shined purple, but what truly was eye-catching was the extra leg on its body.

The crow cawed four times, its feathers puffing up and expanding twice his original size. Then it simply flew off, leaving behind an envelope.

"Ain't that weird?" Varka got up and took the envelope. He inspected both sides before glancing at Jean's tense posture. "A three-legged crow is an Inazuman legend. I suppose this is a letter from the Shogun herself about the Sakoku decree."

"That creature didn't look very friendly." She placed a hand on her chest. "Should I read it for you?"

Varka dismissed her offer, taking a paper-knife and slicing open the envelope. He increasingly grew more uneasy as he read its contents. Then, with an even heavier sigh, he sat on his chair.

"Fuck."

"G-Grandmaster!"

"What? I can swear whenever I feel like. Fucking hell." He threw the letter to his desk, stroking his beard.

"No, you cannot. We've talked about this before." Jean shook her head and ignored that small hiccup. "What are the contents of the letter?"

"We're being accused of supporting an open rebellion in Inazuma. And so is Barbatos." Varka took the letter again, this time less seriously. "Blah, blah, the treaty of friendship with Mondstadt is null… There will be consequences for these actions… All remaining citizens will be expelled… Thunder rips through even the strongest wind."

"I don't recall any treaty of friendship with Inazuma." Jean thought out loud." But... this must be some sort of mistake. We would never do such a thing. Is this a smear tactic? Perhaps the letter is fake?"

"No. Read it for yourself if you feel like it." Varka got up from his seat, heading towards the bookshelves. "The only treaty of friendship I recall is at least seven-hundred years old. And it probably burned on the Great Fire of Fall Equinox. That's not important." He pulled out a few ledger and journal books and placed them on his desk. "We have to act decisively against such claims."

As the Grandmaster rummaged through, Jean inspected the letter herself. The ink utilised was deep black, with only the recipient written in crimson colour. The contents of the letter were clear. Force Mondstadt into submission for the supposed support of these rebels. The last sentence hinted at a military invasion.

"I do not understand. This is very serious. Baal has threatened Mondstadt for claims that cannot be true," Jean muttered, placing back the letter. "This reeks of Fatui meddling."

"Probably." Varka sat down once again, his desk littered with books. "We cannot know for certain. Summon the Knights for an emergency assembly. We need to discuss this within the hour."

"Is it really necessary? This will certainly be leaked to the public if we do so. It will only leave the people as confused as we are, it may even begin a panic."

"Who am I to decide on the fate of Mondstadt without their people?" The Grandmaster's selflessness had been a big part of his rule. "The only thing Barbatos left us was freedom. And right now that's what we need to affront this sudden development."

Jean accepted his words. The Grandmaster was also the Knight of Boreas, whose intuition was among the best in the world. When or when not to act was part of his skills, something he had been adamant about teaching her… though she had a long way to go.

"As you wish, Grandmaster." She bowed slightly and turned to the door.

"Oh, one more thing." Varka rocked on his chair. "We will probably decide on sending a diplomatic mission to Inazuma."

With a heavy sigh, Jean realised what he was implying. "…Must I, really?"

"You catch on quick! We need to, at the very least, stop their retaliation and clear up these false claims. And I'm not the diplomatic kind of guy, not with strangers. Besides, you are a Gunnhildr, part of a noble family. Inazuma will only show respect to nobles… So our normal diplomatic corps will be useless." He opened a few of the books. "I'll delay the planned expedition. I will also re-organise Mondstadt's defences in the meantime, in the case of a worst-case scenario. And use the opportunity to root out some rotten apples"

With a heavy heart, Jean once again accepted the role. "Very well. I will begin preparations for a legation, then."

"One last thing!" Varka's upbeat tone only made Jean warier. "Liyue and Fontaine are close nations. Though I'm unsure about the latter, Liyue will certainly aid us in this endeavour. They will want their commercial ties to Inazuma restored, so if we tie our missions together…"

"Our position will be strengthened greatly." Jean finished his sentence. Varka was eccentric at times, but his abilities were the real deal. "I will begin preparations as soon as the assembly ends. Though I'm unsure of my worthiness, I will represent Mondstadt against these false accusations."

"Don't beat yourself up, kid. We will show Teyvat that Mondstadt does not need Barbatos to survive."

One last heavy sigh after, Jean spoke. "Grandmaster… please withhold such statements. You're supposed to represent the Church of Favonius as well as the Knights."

"Oh, right. Then I'm sure Barbatos will aid you in this travel or something like that."