From behind the small hillside, Diluc stepped out, gazing sharp and wary as he addressed the mysterious woman before him.
Since she'd spotted him, continuing to hide would've been pointless. He chose to face her openly—though several questions churned in his mind. Why was a lone Abyss Mage lying unconscious nearby? And who exactly was this maid-like woman? Friend? Foe? Abyss associate?
But the woman only smiled politely.
"Before asking my name," she said sweetly, "shouldn't you introduce yourself first, Mr… Phantom Thief? Basic courtesy, yes?"
Phantom… thief? Diluc's lips twitched beneath the mask.
"…Diluc. Diluc Ragnvindr."
Although the woman radiated danger beneath her polite exterior, a name was harmless enough. And the more he knew about her, the better.
"Rita Rossweisse," she replied with an immaculate bow. "A pleasure, Mr. Diluc."
"…So. Did you kill that Abyss Mage?"
Diluc kept his tone cautious. Something about Rita made every instinct scream at him—not the obvious kind of danger, but the kind that hid razor blades behind a smile.
"Ah~ looks like I startled Mr. Diluc while cleaning up trash. My apologies, I didn't mean to—"
"That's not it, Miss Rita," Diluc cut in helplessly. "I'm investigating Abyss activity. That's why I asked."
To be honest, for a moment he really thought she was dodging the question… but looking at her now, she simply felt like a woman who spoke this way naturally—a maid through and through.
A very, very dangerous maid.
"Oh~ So Mr. Diluc is also searching for that thing."
Rita's eyes curved pleasantly, as if she'd just discovered something interesting.
That thing?
Diluc immediately honed in on the phrasing.
"You seem to know more than I do. Could you explain?"
"Hmm? So Mr. Diluc doesn't know?" Rita tilted her head. "In that case, I must apologize—I can't say more. For your safety."
For my safety?
Diluc fell silent.
"This isn't an excuse," she added gently. "But the truth. Some things are better left untouched by those outside the matter."
"It doesn't matter to me," Diluc said flatly. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here."
Part of him sensed she was avoiding the question. Another part sensed she was sincerely protecting him. Either way, he couldn't read her at all—precisely why he didn't attempt to fight her.
"And it seems Mr. Diluc is a man with noble ideals. Rita truly admires that."
She paused—then continued as though remembering something.
"Oh, right. Before I leave—have you seen a girl wearing black Liyue-style clothing? Long grey hair. If Mr. Diluc can provide information about her… then perhaps I might return your courtesy with a little information of my own. A fair trade."
A trade of intel… I see.
But—black Liyue clothing, long grey hair?
Diluc searched his memory. No result.
"I haven't seen anyone like that. But I can keep an eye out."
"No problem~ Just remember, she's extremely dangerous. Don't push yourself."
Rita's smile deepened. "I'll return in two days. Hopefully we'll both have something the other wants. Until then—farewell."
And in the blink of an eye, she vanished completely.
Diluc exhaled slowly.
A strange woman… I wonder how Su Mo's investigation is going…
He dismissed his disguise, heading toward Mondstadt—
—but a sudden voice rang out behind him.
"Hey! You there—the guy who looks kinda like those torch-carrying hilichurls outside the city! Have you seen that rotten maid anywhere?!"
…Maid? Rita?
Diluc whipped around—
And froze.
A girl in a black traditional outfit. Long grey hair. Exactly the description Rita had given.
She marched straight up to him, irritated.
"Hey? Are you even listening to me?"
Diluc steadied his expression.
"I'm not sure who you're talking about."
"Maid is maid! She carries a scythe—how much more obvious do you want it?"
Diluc: "!"
That matched exactly.
"I haven't seen her."
He turned and walked away immediately.
If Rita warned him she was dangerous, he would take it seriously. The girl in front of him radiated hostility sharper than hilichurl axes. He had no intention of provoking her or the mysterious organization she belonged to.
But——
"Hey! Don't go!" the girl shouted after him. "I see great potential in you! Ever thought about joining Entropy Alignment?"
Diluc stiffened mid-step.
…The name of an organization?
Then what was Rita's affiliation? Ally or enemy?
And what was their relationship to the Abyss… or to Mondstadt?
"I'm not interested."
Without looking back, Diluc strode toward the city walls.
He didn't relax until he stepped through the gates.
Only then—
"Hmm? Lumine? Kaeya? What are they doing here…?"
He spotted the two entering his tavern.
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