"... That sounds highly accidental."

"I assure you, Razenvy Khaganate thrives in the confusion of those who try to resist them." Huzarib responded, providing Ayaka and others gathered in his tent with an explanation, as the young girl in question sat by his right side. "Lily has my entire trust in regard to stories she hears and information she relays. I trust in her words and intentions as her Father, not as her Khan."

"In that case, Watatsumi is effectively a puppet state of Razenvy Khaganate as of the moment." Ayaka concluded with a sour facial expression.

"And they are preparing to use them as a pretext to conquer all of Inazuma." Huzarib added. "With your family-led commision stuck in mainland Teyvat, all that is accessed only by sea is in their will. And their will is clearly malicious against us."

"Since a conclusion is reached, what do we do next?" Lily asked, giving her Father a nervous look.

"We do what we can. Which for us, Iramati, is to stay and protect this land and the land of our Mondstadtian suzerain." Huzarib responded, almost matching the sadness of his voice with the old face. "Iramati are in no power to provide any help beyond hospitality. Try proceeding to Mondstadt like your brother did or go to Liyue, assuming they will favor your interest as theirs."

"..."

"You think it's going well?" Lisa asked, as she and Sans stood on watch before the doors leading to the resting room.

"It's awfully quiet, so I guess." Sans shrugged his arms and shoulders. "After all, calming down and approaching things delicately might be the better solution there."

"Is that so…"

"You literally brought this point up to me." Sans gave her 'are you serious?' look.

"I'm just playing with you." Lisa almost chuckled, having a blissful look on her face.

"Well, if you want to tease me then at least put some backbone into it."

"Ahuhu~"

"We're about finished here." New voice joined them, as doors opened and from behind them walked out a rather reinvigorated Frederica. "We shared some, as you call it, family time." She added, looking directly at Sans.

We don't value the obvious until we lose it." Comedian Knight shrugged his arms lightly. "That said, there is a clear threat to Mondstadt and Inazuma present at the moment."

"The expedition won't be able to return in time. Nor can I stay and help." Frederica said, making a long sigh afterwards. "But I know all of you can manage it."

"How about solving it?" Sans added, just as the older of Gunhildr's closed the doors to the infirmary room.

"When you wake up inside the ring of flames, do you run out of it or stay and try to extinguish them?" Frederica asked directly.

"Run." Lisa responded first.

"... How strong are the flames?" Sans asked.

"Too strong for you." Frederica precise.

"Then run."

"Exactly, because solutions can't be applied just like that. Law that isn't enforced is null and void as much as solution is null and void when the problem doesn't allow for it to be applied."

"... What do you suggest we do then?" Lisa asked.

"Resolve the Lawrence Clan issue first. It's probably easier if the whispers I heard on the way are anything to go by." Frederica said calmly. "Then, try splitting your attention between Inazuma and Liyue, in case only now the long-term consequences of the farmer migration start to be severe."

"Very well." Lisa agreed, now with a paper note in hand. "Will you trust me to relate that to other Captains?"

"Certainly." Frederica nodded with amusement. "After all, I did see you take more action as Mondstadt is pressured on all fronts."

"Then I won't disappoint you."

"Oh, and Sans…"

"Yeah?" Ex-skeleton asked, somewhat surprised he was called out.

"Take care of Captain Eula for a time, would you?" Frederica said with teaseless, suggestive tone. "If what Jean said to me is true, then she will need someone by the side a bit longer."

"Well, sure thing." Sans nodded, before making a wink. "Whatever keeps her humerous."

"My Lord!" A solid tone sounded across a large, longer rectangle-shaped throne room, at the end of which a sturn figure sat down in a throne in lazy posture, supporting the head with left arm, and left arm with the elbow resting on the arm of the throne.

"Share thy matter." Lord said, slowly moving himself to a normal sitting posture.

"The Clan has finished their preparation for reconquest of rebelling Mondstadt." The person said, adjusting the barbute helmet on the head. "Will you come to lead your army to the south?"

"Matters of utmost importance are always present here. So sadly, I can't bring divine justice in person." Lord Lawrence said, taking a deep breath. "Call for Eustachy. He shall lead the clan to battle."

"As Lord Lawrence says, thou shalt act." Messenger bowed with a one-legged kneel before turning around and leaving him alone again. Surrounded by nothing but shaded marble, mosaic windows and hollow grandeur of having unusable at the moment luxury.

"So once again, rabble can't match the organisation skills of blue blood, even with handicaps." Lord Lawrence smirked quite deviously, before rising the right half of his face upwards in a twisted display of joy. "Treason is bound to be punished, earlier or later." He continued the monologue, as he opened the left palm of his hand and saw two small glacial seal signatures appear on it, slowly turning around like a wind-up machine cinderella. "Wouldn't you agree, Eula?"

"Master Diluc…"

"... Speak." Redhead said with an anguished tone, dingling his writing feathered above the desk, while staring down a piece of written paper. "Has The Traveler responded?"

"He won't be arriving in time you asked for." A maid said, slowly backing away to hide the torso and legs behind the opened door.

"Hhhffff-Fnnnnn…" Diluc made a long i hale and exhale, visibly putting effort into keeping himself from verbally combusting into rage. "It would appear the options that won't hurt anyone are not available anymore. Shame."

"W-What shall we do then?" Maid asked anxiously, as Diluc picked up the piece of paper, folded it four times into a small rectangle and nodded over for her to approach.

"Run ahead to the back entrance behind The Goth Hotel, knock three times and when whoever inside asks you for a password, knock two more times and say 'In the spirit of justice, safety comes forth.' The rest shall be done once you come inside." Diluc said, giving her the message in hand. "And one more thing."

"Yes, Master?"

"If even a word gets out because of you, I bury you alive."

"..."

"Now go. Fate of Mondstadt rests on this letter."

"It will be done." Maid bowed before him, before quickly leaving the room and closing the doors behind herself.

"... Oohhh, Kaeya." Diluc said to himself slowly, as if embracing the livid feelings of the heated moment. Himself starting down onto the pyramid made of his hands above the desk. "I really wish you won't do something stupid and let me fix this mess. After all…"

"... The good days are over."