Anastasia, being a member of the Fatui, had a decent level of composure. As soon as she stepped into the Knights of Favonius headquarters, she quickly regained her calm and began strategizing how to pressure the Knights.
Shaoyun pushed open the door to the Acting Grand Master's office and gestured for the Fatui envoy to enter. Jean, seeing Shaoyun with his face covered, almost didn't recognize him at first—if it weren't for his distinctive outfit.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, our polite guest has arrived," Shaoyun introduced with a casual smirk, his tone dripping with sarcasm as if he were narrating some trivial joke. His gestures were equally nonchalant, waving his hand dismissively as he spoke.
Anastasia frowned, clearly displeased. "Please show some respect to our diplomatic personnel."
"I could've tied you up like a pretzel and tossed you back to the Goth Grand Hotel, but I didn't. The fact that I'm even introducing you politely is already the height of courtesy," Shaoyun retorted, pointing out the window as if to emphasize that he could still throw her out at any moment.
"I don't see any courtesy from you," Anastasia muttered, her voice lacking conviction. She was just venting, but Shaoyun took her complaint seriously.
Shaoyun leaned in, his face inches from hers, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Then let me show you what discourtesy looks like."
With that, he walked over to stand behind Jean's chair, leaning forward with his arms resting on the backrest, his eyes locked on Anastasia in a blatant challenge.
"Acting Grand Master, I believe we should ask any unnecessary personnel to leave," Anastasia said, trying to regain control of the situation.
Jean, however, had no intention of indulging her. The Fatui had caused her enough trouble in recent days, and seeing them being put in their place was oddly satisfying.
"He's not an outsider, and this isn't a formal diplomatic meeting. Unless, of course, the Fatui have something shady to discuss," Jean replied coolly, her tone firm. She knew better than to undermine Shaoyun, who had just helped her put the Fatui in their place.
"Fine, if that's what the Acting Grand Master says, I'll treat him as part of the furniture," Anastasia snapped, her frustration evident. She was clearly grasping at straws to save face.
The meeting began with the usual diplomatic formalities—exchange of pleasantries and all that. Anastasia had initially planned to take the offensive, but under Shaoyun's piercing gaze, she found herself faltering. She could only respond with the expected diplomatic courtesy, her earlier confidence waning.
Once the pleasantries were out of the way, the real discussion began.
Anastasia brought up the usual grievances: the losses Snezhnayan merchants had suffered due to the dragon crisis and the Knights of Favonius' alleged inability to protect foreign merchants. Jean handled these with ease, deflecting each point with practiced diplomacy. However, she knew this was just the opening salvo—the real battle was yet to come.
Seeing her diplomatic offensive falter, Anastasia decided to play her trump card.
"Stormterror attacked Mondstadt, and yet the Knights of Favonius needed the help of an outsider to resolve the situation," she said, her tone dripping with disdain.
The moment these words left her mouth, Jean's subtle change in expression didn't go unnoticed by Anastasia. The Fatui envoy seized the opportunity to press her advantage.
"From this, can I assume that the Knights of Favonius no longer have the capability to protect Mondstadt?"
"If the Knights are truly incapable of dealing with the rampaging dragon, my suggestion is to hand over Mondstadt's defenses to the Fatui."
Jean clenched her fist, her brow furrowing as she considered how to respond. The facts were undeniable—to anyone looking in, it seemed Mondstadt was powerless against Stormterror.
Anastasia's next words nearly pushed Jean over the edge.
"The dragon crisis could be resolved swiftly by the Fatui. All we need to do is deal with that mad beast—"
"That's enough. Shut your mouth."
The room fell silent as Shaoyun, who had been leaning casually against Jean's chair, straightened up and interrupted the conversation. His voice was calm but carried an edge that made Anastasia freeze.
"You call one of Mondstadt's Four Winds a mad beast? And you claim you can resolve the situation quickly? Does that mean you've already planned to act behind the Knights of Favonius' backs?"
Anastasia, emboldened by what she thought was a winning argument, didn't back down. "The Fatui don't dilly-dally like the Knights of Favonius. We deal with problems directly—permanently."
Shaoyun's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward, placing a hand on the back of her chair and leaning down to loom over her.
"Actually, we've already found a solution to Mondstadt's dragon crisis. Would you like to hear it?"
Anastasia swallowed hard, the pressure from Shaoyun's presence making her nervous. She forced a smile, convinced he was bluffing. "Go on, then. Let's hear it."
Shaoyun pointed at her head, his voice booming like thunder, making her scalp tingle. "The reason for the dragon crisis is you—the Fatui. Your constant meddling in Mondstadt's affairs has angered the Anemo Archon. He sent his familiar to cleanse Mondstadt of your presence. Stormterror's attacks are meant to drive you out."
He paused for effect, then continued, his tone growing darker. "All we need to do is round up every single Fatui agent in Mondstadt. Half of you will be executed at the foot of the Statue of the Seven, and the other half will be thrown into a giant pot outside the city, boiled alive, and fed to Stormterror to appease the Anemo Archon's wrath."
(TL/N : what the... chill bruh 💀)
As he spoke, Shaoyun raised his hands high and brought them together in a loud, resounding clap that echoed through the room.
"And just like that, Mondstadt's dragon crisis will be resolved!"
Anastasia stared at him as if he were a monster, her mind conjuring up the horrifying scene he had described.
"Acting Grand Master, is this how the Knights of Favonius treat their guests?" she stammered, turning to Jean in hopes of reining Shaoyun in.
Shaoyun grabbed her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. He held up three fingers, each representing a point he wanted to make.
"First, I'm not a Knight."
"Second, you're trying to interfere with Mondstadt's defenses. I've never heard of a guest trying to take over their host's home. Mondstadt's affairs are none of the Fatui's business!"
"Finally, look outside!"
Anastasia and Jean both turned to the window. Outside, the sky was clear and bright, with no sign of the storm that had plagued Mondstadt.
"The storm… it's gone?" Anastasia gasped, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Shaoyun nodded, pointing at her nose with a stern expression. "That's right. While you were here spouting nonsense and making ridiculous demands, we resolved the crisis caused by Stormterror."
"So now, get out!"
He pointed to the door, his voice commanding and final.
Anastasia was stunned, her face a mixture of shock and confusion. "What?!"
Without another word, Shaoyun grabbed the back of her collar and dragged her out of the office like a sack of garbage. He pushed open the Knights' headquarters door and tossed her outside.
"Get out!" he barked, his voice echoing through the square.
Anastasia, sprawled on the ground, couldn't believe what had just happened. No one had ever dared to treat a Fatui envoy like this.
"You…" she stammered, trying to memorize his face, but the mask made it impossible.
Shaoyun's eyes burned with authority and menace, his voice cold and low, sending chills down her spine. "Mondstadt's problems are none of your concern. If you dare bring up the dragon crisis again, I'll kill every last one of you and tell the world you died in a tragic accident caused by Stormterror."
Anastasia's eyes widened as she noticed the glowing red Vision at his waist. She realized with dread that this man was not only serious but fully capable of carrying out his threat.
Trembling, she stood up, too afraid to meet his gaze. "You'll regret this!" she spat, trying to salvage some dignity.
(TL/N : Anastasia, I'm the Hokage!)
"If you don't leave now, you won't be leaving at all," Shaoyun growled, raising his fist as if to strike.
Anastasia turned and fled, her earlier bravado completely shattered.