Mondstadt City, the Goth Grand Hotel.
The entire hotel here has been reserved by the diplomatic delegation from Snezhnaya.
Currently, in the luxurious suite on the top floor.
A lady wearing a black lace mask covering half of her face looked out the window at the street below, gently swirling the red liquid in her tall glass.
She took a sip of the wine, parted her rosy lips, and said in a somewhat indifferent tone, "What's the matter with you, Anastasia?
"Not only did you fail to take advantage of that stupid dragon's madness and pressure the Knights of Favonius, but you also let them turn the tables on us and demand an explanation. It's rather disappointing."
The Fatui's Diplomatic delegation, Anastasia, also wearing a black mask, stood in the corner of the room near the door, slightly bowing as she spoke, "Apologies, Lord 'Lady,' we made a mistake when retrieving the 'Holy Lyre der Himmel.'
"However, we have discovered that the holy lyre is currently in the hands of a young bard, and since both the Knights of Favonius and the Church are comfortable letting him hold that treasure, then..."
"Interesting."
Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, dressed in a black and white dress, with her snow-white slender legs slightly exposed between the hem and the front of the skirt.
She snorted coldly and said, "Find his whereabouts and let me know."
"Yes, Lord 'Lady.'" Anastasia nodded, then continued, "The Knights of Favonius have demanded an explanation from us regarding the theft of the 'Holy Lyre der Himmel.' How should we proceed? There is also that Electro Cicin Mage that they captured."
"The guy who accomplishes nothing and loses everything. Just say she's an impostor, we don't know her."
Rosalind's right hand, clad in black gloves, rested under her chest, and the tall glass tilted, causing the red liquid inside to shimmer along the rim, reflecting the sunlight coming in through the window.
"I understand."
Anastasia nodded without any surprise. After all, as a soldier of the Fatui's Diplomatic delegation, she had to demonstrate her own value no matter what.
Since the mission has already failed, there's no need to cause any more trouble for the organization.
As for whether the Knights of Favonius believe this childish excuse or not, it doesn't matter. They're just showing their stance.
If they say it's not true, then it's not true!
Even if they produce evidence, what can they do? They can just claim it's deeply fabricated, and they've got the Knights of Favonius on the back foot.
Wolvendom, Trial Area.
Wind blades and huge hailstones raged across the entire arena. Nolan couldn't even dodge, let alone counterattack.
Dodge the wind blade, and the hailstorm from above comes crashing down. Dodge the hailstorm, and the wind blade comes right after.
In the end, it was Bennett who gathered enough elemental energy to unleash an elemental burst, and the group endured the North Wind Wolf King's Blizzard skill by huddling together.
Nolan and Bennett, who were at the forefront, had clothes that looked like they had been gnawed by dogs, barely hanging on to their bodies.
And the two girls behind them, thanks to most of the wind blades being blocked by them in front, still looked decent.
As for the Night Raven Oz, to avoid being attacked, he had already been summoned back by Fischl.
"Oh? You actually managed to block it. That's a bit unexpected," said the North Wind Wolf King, Andrius, with a slight hint of surprise, as he reverted back to his blue and white dreamy appearance.
"Phew, so does that mean we passed the trial?!" Bennett flashed a brilliant smile, speaking with a tone of excitement.
"According to what I said earlier, being able to withstand this attack indeed counts as passing the trial," replied the North Wind Wolf King without much hesitation. Although these individuals didn't defeat it head-on, their performance was begrudgingly acknowledged.
Hearing the North Wind Wolf King's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
After fighting for so long, they had realized that they couldn't defeat it. Continuing to fight would only result in them getting beaten up.
"Hehe, that's great! In that case, what you did to help us just now is considered even!" Paimon eagerly flew in from outside the battlefield, speaking.
The North Wind Wolf King glanced at the little guy and nodded, saying, "Naturally. Besides, since you've passed the trial, consider these items as rewards."
With a wave of its hand, some objects resembling colored crystal pieces appeared in front of them, including something that looked like a sword.
"Is this... the prototype of a Northland one-handed sword?!" Bennett exclaimed excitedly as he looked at the sword-shaped object.
"A prototype? What's that?" Lumine asked, her face showing confusion as she tousled her golden hair.
"It seems to be the main material for forging four-star weapons, said to be extremely rare. That's why blacksmiths rarely sell four-star weapons; the weapon prototypes are too scarce," explained Bennett.
"I see."
Lumine nodded knowingly, then as if recalling something, she said, "Yesterday, when I met you at the blacksmith's shop, the old man mentioned that your original sword was almost beyond repair. Now, you can ask him to forge a four-star quality weapon for you."
"Hey, is it really okay to give me something so precious?" Bennett exclaimed in surprise.
Although he did want a four-star weapon, this was a valuable reward obtained through everyone's efforts, and he didn't want to take it for himself.
"Lumine is right. If it weren't for your elemental burst, we wouldn't have been able to pass the trial. You deserve this," Nolan said with a smile.
"Hmph, stupid attendant, if they say you should take it, then take it. Stop being so hesitant," Fischl said, crossing her arms wrapped in black silk gloves.
"You guys are so kind to me!"
Bennett was moved to the point of tears. Suddenly, he felt like he was also lucky sometimes.
For example, meeting this group of good friends.
In addition to the prototype of the one-handed sword, there were other elemental materials that could be used for Ascends, three-star quality pieces of the Agnidus Agate Fragment, which just so happened to be two pieces for each for Lumine, Nolan, and Fischl.
After they distributed the loot, the North Wind Wolf King continued, "Aren't you investigating those foreign black wolf monsters? I have some information that I can share with you."
As an existence guarding the Wolvendom, Andrius naturally didn't want his territory to have those creatures that would threaten the local wolves and residents of Mondstadt.
"Oh, do you know where they came from? That's great, if you know, then we don't have to continue investigating!"
Paimon, floating in the air, said cheerfully. Nolan and the others also looked at the giant wolf with some curiosity.
The North Wind Wolf King didn't beat around the bush either, lightly tapping his wolf head as he explained, "Those creatures come from a rift realm called the 'The Abyss,' created by the 'Gold,' they were the vanguard of the war once upon a time."
(End of Chapter)
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