"Traveler, why isn't Monsieur Neuvillette here to rescue us yet?" Paimon complained, eyeing the Special Task Force standing guard around them. "Even if we can prove our innocence in court with Monsieur Neuvillette's testimony, being paraded around as criminals is so embarrassing!"
Lumine, trussed up like a dumpling, rolled her eyes at Paimon, who was completely unbound but still whining about being treated like a prisoner. She couldn't be bothered to respond.
"Shut up already!" Enjou sighed deeply. "If my colleagues in the Abyss Order ever found out about my current predicament, they'd never let me live it down!" He desperately wished Aether would descend from the heavens on a rainbow-colored auspicious cloud, like a god come to save him from this predicament. But he also feared that if Aether learned of his disgrace to the Abyss Order, he'd give him a few mighty slaps and send him back to the cycle of reincarnation.
"This is too much!" Enjou sighed again.
"Hey, you lot! Stop whispering!" Captain Chevreuse rapped Lumine's head with the butt of her pistol, earning a deeply resentful glare from the Traveler.
She hadn't even opened her mouth to speak! Why hit her?!
Chevreuse replied that Lumine was the only confirmed suspect at the moment. If not you, who else should I strike?
"No. 2, don't think pretending to be mute will let you escape the reach of Fontaine Law!"
"If you won't tell us the truth now, we'll see if you dare maintain your silence in court!"
"The Traveler isn't No. 2!"
Despite having explained this countless times, Paimon stubbornly insisted on clearing Lumine's name.
"The Traveler is the great hero who saved four... er, three nations!"
Paimon instinctively said "four nations" but quickly remembered that Lumine's involvement in Sumeru's salvation was minimal. In fact, she had suffered quite a bit there, so Paimon quickly corrected herself.
"The great hero who saved three nations... Hmm, that's a pretty good backstory."
Chevreuse shot her a look that clearly said, Keep spinning your tales. You're finished if you think I'll believe a word of it.
"I'm telling the truth!"
Seeing the captain's disbelief, Paimon loudly defended herself.
"A great hero who saved the world would collaborate with the Abyss Order?"
"Uh..."
Paimon scratched her head.
"Enjou... he's special."
"Enjou isn't a bad Abyss Herald—he's an Abyss goofball!"
"I'm so grateful for your explanation, Paimon!" Enjou gritted his teeth, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Alright, I'm not a Justice, so I'm not here to judge whether you're guilty or not."
"I know the reason you're so fearless is because you're hoping someone will come rescue you."
Chevreuse glanced at the trio with a meaningful look.
Oblivious to Chevreuse's pointed remark, Paimon struck a confident pose, hands on her hips, and declared:
"Exactly! We have someone powerful backing us, and he'll be here to save us soon!"
"Oh, really?"
Chevreuse chuckled, genuinely impressed by their audacity. They had brazenly revealed their impending rescue.
They really don't take us seriously at all, do they?
Fontaine is no longer what it once was. If they still think they can treat us like lambs for the slaughter, they'd better be prepared to lose a chunk of their own flesh.
Chevreuse naturally wouldn't warn them. They had deployed ample forces, even setting up traps along the way. Anyone foolish enough to come wouldn't be leaving alive!
"Then I'll be looking forward to seeing if your savior can actually rescue you."
With that, Chevreuse strode away. Originally, she hadn't been certain if anyone would come to rescue Lumine and her companions, but Paimon's words now confirmed that they definitely would.
"Monsieur Neuvillette will definitely rescue us, right, Traveler?!"
Of course!
Lumine and Paimon's eyes sparkled with bright anticipation, as if they were reliving the moment in Sumeru City when Neuvillette had suddenly appeared in invincible form to confront the empowered Shouki no Kami.
Meanwhile, Navia lay on a chair Silver and Melus had carried over, sunglasses perched on her nose as she basked in the beachside sun.
"I wonder if any Numbered Members will show up this time."
"Melus, do you think we can hold off the enemy this time?"
Hearing Navia's question, Melus immediately replied:
"Demoiselle, based on our current intelligence about that faction, it's unlikely that any other Numbered Members will appear."
"Firstly, the relationships between the Numbered Members aren't always cordial; they all seem to have their own agendas."
"Secondly, the other Numbered Members are likely in different countries right now and won't be able to return quickly."
After hearing this reasoning, Navia nodded.
"If that's the case, then that's for the best. Still, we mustn't underestimate even ordinary enemies. We've dealt with these guys enough to know how troublesome they can be."
"Rest assured, Demoiselle. We've already emphasized this to the others. They definitely won't let their guard down," Melus and Silver said in unison.
Silver glanced at the time.
"Demoiselle, it's afternoon tea time. Would you like some pastries?"
"I've brought eggs, sugar, and almonds!"
"I think I'll pass. I've been feeling a bit chubby lately. With the Fleuve Cendre's progress, our food has improved considerably," Navia said hesitantly.
"Demoiselle, the upcoming battle will burn a lot of energy. A snack will help you fight better."
"Hmm, you make a good point. Just a little then... hmm?"
Suddenly, Navia sensed an intensely ominous aura coming from the distance. She took off her sunglasses and peered in that direction.
"Hilichurls?"
Navia's eyes fell upon dozens of Hilichurls charging down the mountain, weapons raised high. In the distance, she could faintly make out the silhouette of an Abyss Mage.
As if on cue, she noticed several other groups of Hilichurls swarming down the slopes from different locations.
Hilichurls typically confine themselves to fixed domains, venturing out only in small hunting parties. This mass exodus clearly deviated from their usual behavior, suggesting a coordinated, all-out assault for some specific purpose.
"Their target... seems to be the convoy escorting No. 2!" Melus exclaimed after a moment's thought, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Is this just a coincidence?"
"This is no coincidence."
Navia rose to her feet, unfurling the small parasol she'd placed nearby to shield herself from the glaring sunlight.
"Melus, don't forget that one of the suspects is an Abyss Herald. It seems they've truly caught a big fish this time."
With that, Navia pulled a "black brick" from her pocket and held it to her ear.
"Captain Chevreuse, we've detected a large number of Hilichurls heading your way. Stay vigilant and adjust your counterattack accordingly. This might be the big one we've been waiting for."
"If you encounter strong enemies, contact me immediately. I'll send reinforcements as quickly as possible."
The ability to mobilize such a large number of Hilichurls suggests that whoever seeks to rescue No. 2 must be someone of considerable power. This also implies that the mysterious faction has formed a close alliance with the Abyss Order.
This is terrible news. Both the mysterious faction and the Abyss Order are already formidable adversaries. If they join forces, they could plunge the Teyvat Continent into chaos.
After ending the call, Navia dialed another number.
"Vinani, I've discovered something here. You can deploy your team now, but please exercise caution."
After receiving a response, Navia hung up again, her fingers lingering possessively over the device in her hand.
"This thing is so useful! I wonder when it will become widely available? When it does, I'll get one for each of you."
"Thank you, Demoiselle," Silver and Melus said in unison, bowing their heads in gratitude.
"There's no need for such formality between us. You two are my most capable operatives!"
"It's been a while since I last fought. I wonder if my skills have dulled? If my performance is subpar, Teacher Grett will surely scold me with that stern look of his."
Even after all this time, the towering figure of their mentor remained vivid in the memories of Navia, Silver, and Melus.
As the Fleuve Cendre grew and Fontaine stabilized, Navia had already diverted considerable manpower to search for him, but they had found not a single trace.
"No matter how long it takes or how much effort it costs, I will find you, Teacher Grett."
"If you still care about your students, please don't make me search for too long. I really miss you."
Melus and Silver didn't interrupt Navia's reminiscence; even they couldn't help but recall past scenes.
After a moment, Navia composed herself, closed her parasol, and pointed it at the Hilichurls.
"Let's go, Melus, Silver. It's our turn."
"Show some spirit, everyone! Wipe out as many Hilichurls as possible! We can't let the Fleuve Cendre lose face in front of Captain Chevreuse!"
-
Meanwhile, Hu Tao, who had just secured over fifty new clients, was beaming from ear to ear. Her smile hadn't faded in days.
Hu Tao, her arm slung casually over Chen Feng's shoulder, regaled him with tales of her past exploits, drawing gasps of admiration from her companion.
Flattered by Chen Feng's enthusiastic reception, Hu Tao even began to imagine herself as a professional storyteller.
Passersby scattered at the sight of the two arm-in-arm figures, while shopkeepers hastily shuttered their doors and hung up "Closed for the Day" signs. The pair, however, remained blissfully oblivious to the commotion.
Soon, they arrived at the gates of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, where a figure stood waiting patiently.
"Keqing?" Hu Tao asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she regarded the woman. "What brings you here to see This Director today?"
"Could it be... about Chen Feng again?"
Suddenly, Hu Tao's face hardened with suspicion. She pulled Chen Feng close, her gaze fixed warily on Keqing.
"You haven't changed your mind, have you?" she demanded. "We made it clear: Chen Feng belongs to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He's never joining your Yuehai Pavilion!"
"Fine, I'll just give you our Consultant Zhongli."
Keqing's eye twitched. She glanced at Chen Feng, who was standing beside Hu Tao, and found him staring at her with an intensely heated gaze. Flustered, she quickly averted her eyes, her face burning.
"Director Hu Tao, I came to speak with you."
"You've likely heard the rumors circulating these past few days. People in Liyue Harbor are starting to think Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is an assassin's guild."
To emphasize the gravity of the situation, Keqing spoke sternly, her face set in a rigid expression.
However, to her surprise, Hu Tao's eyes lit up as soon as she finished speaking.
"So, not a single exception?"
Hu Tao nearly planted a fierce kiss on Chen Feng's cheek—he truly was their Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's money tree!
Hearing Hu Tao's words, Keqing struggled to maintain her composure.
Shouldn't you, as the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, be more concerned about the parlor's reputation?!
Keqing pressed her forehead with a hand, took a deep breath, and decided to cut straight to the point.
"Director Hu Tao, let's get straight to the point."
"From the perspective of the Liyue Qixing, your methods of promoting business have already impacted Liyue's stability. We hope you can understand our concerns."
"Furthermore, the latest Liyue Law has been enacted. You should review it. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's practices may be considered slightly non-compliant, and if this continues, you could face fines."
"Of course, we understand the challenges you face, Director Hu Tao. As compensation, the Liyue Qixing will assist the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with publicity."
After hearing Keqing's words, Hu Tao tilted her head in confusion.
"It can't be that serious, Keqing," she protested. "This Director has only acquired fewer than three hundred new clients so far."
"With Liyue's population in the tens of millions, can such a small number truly pose such a threat?"
"It's very serious, Director Hu Tao!" Keqing emphasized sternly.
Seeing Keqing's unwavering seriousness, Hu Tao scratched her head, her mind already made up.
After all, the Liyue Qixing governed Liyue. Stubbornly defying them would only hinder the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's growth.
Moreover, the Liyue Qixing's official promotional efforts were quite effective, which would undoubtedly bring a substantial amount of business to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
With this in mind, Hu Tao reluctantly agreed to Keqing's conditions.
Hearing Hu Tao's response, Keqing let out a slight sigh of relief, finally resolving the matter.
Unable to stay any longer, Keqing bid farewell to the pair and hurried away. Chen Feng's intense gaze made her deeply uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but replay earlier scenes in her mind.
"Ah, why didn't Miss Keqing spend any money this time?" Chen Feng sighed softly, watching her retreating figure with a hint of disappointment.
"I was all prepared, too! If she's short on funds lately, I could even offer a 20% discount!"
Hearing Chen Feng's grumbling, Hu Tao's face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Consultant Chen Feng, don't forget about this Director!" she chirped. "Since this Director hugged you earlier, I'll pay you shortly!"
"Thank you, Director Hu Tao!"
Hearing Chen Feng's utterly sincere gratitude, Hu Tao's smile deepened. She glanced at Keqing's retreating figure, inwardly dismissing her as a threat.
For a mere 1,000 Mora, Chen Feng was reduced to tears of gratitude—in Hu Tao's eyes, this was the most profitable bargain in the entire world!
With this thought, Hu Tao hugged Chen Feng again and generously offered him another 1,000 Mora, immediately earning even more fervent thanks.
"Consultant Chen Feng, am I a good Director to you?"
"Good? More than good! Director Hu Tao, you're the best person in the whole world to me!"
"Hehe..."