TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!
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Lumine, guided by her own principles, believed that a promise once made must be kept, so she said, "But in the end, we already promised them. Integrity is still very important. Besides, it was just something we mentioned in passing…"
At that moment, when Shao Yun heard the word "integrity," a trace of helplessness surfaced on his face, and he nodded in compromise. "Alright…"
At the same time, Neuvillette, who had been silently observing from the side, keenly noticed that the two seemed to be discussing something related to the Hydro Archon.
Thus, he asked with interest, "Is there anything else concerning Lady Furina? Please feel free to tell me."
Lumine first turned to look at Shao Yun, and after exchanging glances and receiving his tacit approval, she proactively explained to Neuvillette in detail the original purpose of their visit.
"It's not really anything particularly important. It's just that the Anemo Archon, Barbatos and the Geo Archon, Morax asked us to pay a visit to the Hydro Archon. Right now, we're still considering whether we should speak with Furina a bit more."
Neuvillette's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression turning subtly complex.
"The Anemo Archon and the Geo Archon… hmm…"
Paimon tilted her head, finding Neuvillette's expression increasingly strange, as if he were hiding some kind of secret.
"Neuvillette, why does your expression look kind of subtle? It feels like you've got something on your mind!"
Prompted by Paimon's question, Neuvillette came back to his senses.
He adjusted his facial expression, returning to his usual calm, unruffled demeanor.
"Oh, it's nothing special. I'll convey the matter of your commissioned visit to Lady Furina. Please rest assured."
"What are your plans next?"
Shao Yun picked up the conversation and replied, "We plan to travel around Fontaine. That's all."
Hearing Shao Yun's answer, Neuvillette showed his understanding.
Since he had already learned some details from Alice earlier, Neuvillette did not appear particularly surprised by Shao Yun's vacation plans.
"Oh, I see. Then, a warm welcome to Fontaine for your holiday. I hope you enjoy a pleasant and unforgettable time here."
"If you encounter any trouble or difficulties while traveling in Fontaine, you may seek help from the security forces at any time."
Seeing that Neuvillette had no intention of asking for their assistance, Shao Yun felt a bit surprised.
But thinking about it carefully, it made sense—after all, they weren't Yu the Great, and they couldn't control floods, so even if Neuvillette wanted to ask for help, there wasn't much he could ask them to do.
"Alright, thanks for the reminder. Then we'll be leaving?" Shao Yun asked, pointing toward the door.
Neuvillette replied in a very professional manner, "Goodbye, and I wish you a pleasant journey in Fontaine."
...
After Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon left Neuvillette's office.
A figure suddenly appeared before them, bumping straight into their path.
Looking closely, it turned out to be that rather irritating person to Shao Yun—"Tartaglia" again!
Upon seeing this uninvited guest, Shao Yun's expression instantly darkened as he mocked without restraint, "Well, well, if it isn't the living corpse."
"What, did you take a wrong turn? The Palais Mermonia isn't a branch of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and there's no 'human refinement furnace' here to send you off to reincarnation!"
By now, Tartaglia's nickname had long since upgraded from "Wallet" to "Living Corpse Wallet."
And when Tartaglia saw Shao Yun again, his heart skipped a beat.
However, seeing Shao Yun treat him with this kind of teasing attitude, Tartaglia quickly adjusted himself and responded with a smile. "Haha, what a coincidence! Didn't expect we'd run into each other again so soon."
"Let me clarify first—this time, I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here as a representative of the Fatui to visit Fontaine's Chief Justice, 'Neuvillette.'"
Hearing this, Shao Yun didn't need to think to know why Tartaglia had come to see Neuvillette.
"Because of Lyney and Lynette?"
Being so easily seen through by Shao Yun, Tartaglia froze for a moment before quickly recovering, still smiling as he answered, "That's about right…"
Upon confirming that it was indeed about Furina's false accusation against the siblings, Shao Yun "kindly" reminded him, "However, Lyney did harbor 'ulterior motives' toward the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale. I remember Furina saying that counts as espionage…"
Tartaglia had long been prepared. The arguments he had readied for Neuvillette turned out to fit perfectly when responding to Shao Yun as well.
"Yes, I'm well aware of that. But regardless, the fact that Furina falsely accused Lyney and Lynette is also undeniable."
"Didn't you say it yourself—one matter at a time? We should look at them separately."
As for Tartaglia's next move, Shao Yun had already guessed most of it through keen insight. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked thoughtfully, "Let me guess—you're planning to strike a deal with Neuvillette so that these two cases cancel each other out, and neither side pursues responsibility?"
Hearing Shao Yun so accurately pinpoint his intentions, Tartaglia laughed openly. "Haha, exactly! And there's also one more thing our Fatui like to bring up time and time again."
Shao Yun slowly spoke three words.
"The Gnosis…"
Tartaglia, seeing Shao Yun speak with the ease and composure of a Liyue fortune-teller, replied naturally, "That's right. But for some reason, my intuition tells me that you all probably won't interfere with the Fatui like you did in Liyue."
That was indeed true. Shao Yun no longer cared much about the Fatui taking the Gnosis. The Cryo Archon wanted to challenge the Heavenly Principles, and she wasn't taking his things, so there was no reason for him to interfere.
"It really has nothing to do with us. If you want to take it, go ahead… just don't disturb us."
Seeing that the discussion was going smoothly, Tartaglia pressed on while the iron was hot. "Oh, right, Mr. Shao Yun, this is for you."
As he spoke, Tartaglia deftly rummaged through the inner pocket of his clothing.
He then took out an invitation and solemnly handed it to Shao Yun.
Shao Yun accepted the mysterious invitation, eyeing it suspiciously from top to bottom.
The so-called invitation looked, in both appearance and overall style, exactly like a child's handmade greeting card—full of childish charm, especially that little whale drawing…
"Why does this invitation look like a kid's arts-and-crafts card? What trick are you pulling now?"
Tartaglia hurriedly explained, "Don't misunderstand—this is an invitation from the Hotel Bouffes d'ete…"
However, the moment Shao Yun heard the words "Hotel Bouffes d'ete," he thought to himself that it was a Fatui stronghold.
Shao Yun's expression instantly darkened as he flung the invitation straight into Tartaglia's face without another word.
"Get lost!"
Tartaglia had not expected Shao Yun to reject him so bluntly by slapping the invitation onto his face.
Looking embarrassed, he bent down and picked up the invitation from the ground.
Still unwilling to give up, he continued persuading, "I know what happened in Liyue left you with a bad impression of me, but please believe me—you'll gain something from going."
Shao Yun rejected him coldly. "Do you really think I'd fall for it a second time?"
Seeing Shao Yun's firm refusal, Tartaglia did not get angry.
His eyes shifted, and he quickly came up with another argument. "Even if you don't want anything to do with me, how about treating it as a visit to see my younger brother, Teucer?"
"Because you left too quickly last time, you didn't get to eat the ice cream Teucer bought. He was really sad…"
Shao Yun didn't buy it at all and impatiently waved him off. "Get lost, Tartaglia. Do you really think I care about some kid?"
The moment Shao Yun said, "I don't care about kids," a flash of surprise crossed Tartaglia's blue eyes.
He quickly cast a suspicious look at Shao Yun, as if silently asking, "Isn't that the case?"
Feeling thoroughly unsettled by Tartaglia's stare, Shao Yun reached out and snatched the childlike greeting-card invitation from his hand.
Then, pointing the invitation at Tartaglia's nose, Shao Yun said, "I just want to see your brother Teucer. But if you dare use your brother to pull any dirty tricks…"
Before he could finish, Shao Yun clenched his other fist tightly, clearly implying what kind of dreadful outcome awaited Tartaglia if he tried anything.
Tartaglia hurriedly raised both hands in a placating gesture.
"Easy, calm down!"
Then he took a deep breath and explained slowly, "Please believe me. In some ways, we're actually quite alike."
"For example, we both harbor sincere, deep affection for our families, and we both do everything we can to protect them, to keep them away from the dark and ugly parts of this world."
As he said this, a trace of gentleness and resolve appeared in Tartaglia's eyes.
After a brief pause, Tartaglia continued earnestly, "The reason I invited you this time is simply because, as an older brother who dotes on his sibling, I want you to visit my brother Teucer."
"There are absolutely no other ulterior motives."
Hearing this, Shao Yun relaxed slightly, though his expression remained far from pleasant.
He put away the invitation and replied curtly, "Fine. I'll believe you this once, just to see your brother."
"But let me be clear—if I find out you lied to me; I won't hold back. You know I don't care about killing."
"I can make sure your brother really ends up wearing mourning clothes, kneeling over your headless corpse, crying and mourning you. Think carefully."
No matter how much Shao Yun scolded him, the important thing was that he had agreed.
Seeing Shao Yun accept the invitation, Tartaglia smiled and said, "Alright, alright. I'll see you at the Hotel Bouffes d'ete."
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