Chapter 123. Lady as a purse
They departed the villa and headed toward Zhongli's location.
The moment they left, the Fatui relayed the information to the Goth Grand Hotel.
"Very good." The Lady smiled faintly. "Just as expected. After waking, his first choice was to eat."
She chuckled softly.
"After fighting the Raiden Shogun, replenishing energy is only natural."
Saying this, the Lady rose from her seat and descended the stairs, her steps unhurried, her voice cold and detached.
"Let's go. It's time to make a deal with him."
As her words settled, the two Electro Cicin Mages inclined their heads and followed closely behind her, moving toward the plaza below. The Lady needed something from Futsu Mitama. The intelligence he currently possessed was of critical importance to the Fatui.
Though the morning's encounter had been unpleasant, in her eyes, there was no discomfort in this world that could not be resolved through benefits weighed and exchanged.
The information she intended to provide was something she believed Futsu Mitama would never refuse. Because it concerned the situation of that "individual."
—
Futsu Mitama and the Lady arrived almost simultaneously, soon meeting within Mondstadt Plaza.
"This is truly…an unavoidable encounter."
Futsu Mitama frowned slightly as his gaze settled on the Lady and the two Electro Cicin Mages flanking her.
He had sensed it long before leaving—someone lingering near his residence, watching from the shadows. He had methods to flush out whoever hid there, but at the moment, compensating the Three Archons took precedence.
So he ignored it.
He simply hadn't expected the Lady to block his path again. This woman was truly asking for trouble.
"An unavoidable encounter?" The Lady smiled faintly. "You're here to eat, aren't you? What a coincidence. I am as well. There's a fine restaurant nearby—how about we dine together?"
Her smile was breathtaking at first glance, yet beneath it lingered an unmistakable sense of hypocrisy.
Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu both frowned, unable to discern what the Lady was plotting.
Meanwhile, Knights of Favonius on patrol stiffened upon seeing the scene and immediately rushed toward headquarters.
Damn it! That accursed woman is harassing Futsu Mitama again! They're not about to fight here… are they?!
Even if they didn't fight, the mere leakage of elemental power would be unbearable for ordinary Mondstadt citizens.
"Dinner is unnecessary. Say what you want."
Futsu Mitama had no intention of dining with the Lady. She could turn hostile at any moment.
When dining with Tartaglia or Dottore, at least decorum was maintained on the surface. Whatever hostility arose came after the meal.
The Lady was different. She was a lunatic.
If not for her plan to seize Venti's Gnosis, she likely would have fought Futsu Mitama directly in Mondstadt that very morning, indifferent to offending the Knights of Favonius.
If discussions collapsed mid-meal and she overturned the table without hesitation, Futsu Mitama knew he'd be revolted beyond measure.
That alone was reason enough to refuse.
"This is not the place to speak."
The Lady's gaze swept across the gathering onlookers and the Knights nearby. She had no intention of discussing anything related to the Raiden Shogun in public.
"Then speak, or I leave."
Futsu Mitama's patience was clearly thinning. He had matters to attend to. With no goodwill between them, why would he follow her elsewhere just to talk?
It was absurd.
"My actions in Inazuma," the Lady said coolly, folding her arms—an action that drew unavoidable attention to her figure. "And news regarding that experimental subject who escaped from Snezhnaya."
Her lips curved slightly as she continued, eyes locked on Futsu Mitama.
"These are all crucial pieces of intelligence for you. Frankly speaking, if I had a choice, I wouldn't share any of it with you. However…since we are enemies, you understand why I would deliberately reveal such information."
The Lady was intelligent.
Her arrogance was a mask—one she preferred others to see. Beneath it lay meticulous caution.
Futsu Mitama never underestimated her.
Had it not been for Scaramouche's betrayal and Lumine's explosive growth exceeding all expectations, the Lady likely would not have met her end so tragically in Tenshukaku.
Because of this, whenever Futsu Mitama had the opportunity to kill her, he never held back.
And yet—each time, she narrowly escaped.
—
After a brief silence, Futsu Mitama nodded and turned toward the dessert shop, his voice calm.
"Fine. We'll talk while walking. I'm not following you to any strange places."
The message was clear. Discussion was acceptable—but she would follow his pace.
That was precisely what the Lady wanted. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she cast a provocative glance toward the Knights of Favonius, as if declaring—
I am temporarily allied with him. Calling reinforcements will change nothing. Even if Acting Grand Master Jean arrived, it would make no difference.
Thus, the Lady walked gracefully beside Futsu Mitama. Behind her, the two Electro Cicin Mages dispersed, silently transmitting orders.
Hidden Fatui operatives throughout the plaza began to move. What the Harbinger intended to discuss was confidential. Unrelated individuals were not permitted to approach.
Citizens—and even Knights of Favonius—were "persuaded" away from the area.
Do not approach the Lady. Do not eavesdrop on Fatui intelligence.
Such was the Fatui's tyranny. The Knights and citizens dared not protest. Until Jean arrived, there was truly nothing they could do.
Futsu Mitama observed all of this without comment.
The Lady's high-profile behavior was deliberate—stalling for time while the Dragon Crisis brewed outside the city.
He pretended not to notice.
Go ahead. Act recklessly.
The more she provoked, the deeper the Knights' resentment toward the Fatui would grow. And when she crossed a line too far—
Whether she was a diplomat or a Harbinger would no longer matter. Once battle erupted, it would be a reckoning of all debts—past and present. Consequences could be discussed afterward.
Kuki Shinobu remained silent. She understood the Lady's intent perfectly. So why stop her?
Let her destroy herself.
—
"So," Futsu Mitama asked plainly, strolling at an unhurried pace, "what do you want to say?"
The dessert shop where the Three Archons waited was still some distance away. If he walked at a normal pace, the conversation might end before they arrived.
If he hurried, he might reach them before extracting everything he needed.
He chose balance.
As for Zhongli—whether the Lady had contacted him at this stage was unknown. She undoubtedly knew Venti and Raiden Ei.
After all, she was a native of Mondstadt and naturally understood its deity. Moreover, Venti never concealed his aura. Anyone with keen perception could discern his identity as the Anemo Archon.
Zhongli was different.
He had concealed everything perfectly. Unless he revealed himself, no one would suspect he was Morax.
Raiden Ei required no explanation. They had met in Tenshukaku.
When Futsu Mitama left Inazuma, the Lady had personally intercepted him—only to be struck down from afar. With such an encounter, she would never forget Raiden Ei.
—
"Is there nothing you wish to say?" the Lady chuckled softly, noticing his leisurely pace. "Do you truly not wish to dine with me? Dining with a Fatui Harbinger is a rare honor. Others would beg for such an opportunity."
"Of course," she added lightly, "your status does qualify."
Her tone brimmed with arrogance. A Harbinger stood only beneath the Tsaritsa herself—equivalent to divine attendants across nations. In that sense, Futsu Mitama was her peer.
And so, beneath her hostility, there was a sliver of admiration.
"Enough nonsense," Futsu Mitama said impatiently. "I've eaten with Tartaglia and Dottore. Neither was as verbose as you."
Her expression darkened. Why was he so hostile toward her?
Intelligence reports suggested he held no such animosity toward Scaramouche, Dottore, or Tartaglia.
She was wrong.
With Scaramouche and Dottore, blades spoke first. Tartaglia required cooperation—thus no conflict.
Only the Lady hovered endlessly, desiring both battle and avoidance, probing and retreating, gathering intelligence without commitment.
Like a fly. Swatted away, only to return moments later. Annoying beyond tolerance.
"Such impatience," the Lady said coldly. "Regarding that individual—we've confirmed she has disappeared."
"?"
Surprise flashed through Futsu Mitama's eyes.
"How is that any different from saying nothing?"
Disappeared?
Tartaglia had said the same. If her location were known, Dottore wouldn't have sought him out in Liyue.
Black Aila, familiar with Snezhnaya and its highest combat forces, could not have been captured.
"Foolish," the Lady sneered. "We nearly captured her three times. Killing comrades is forbidden in Snezhnaya—and she knows too much. During the fourth encirclement, four Harbingers were present. This time, escape was impossible. Even Dottore arrived."
"Not the one you knew—his complete self. Everyone believed it was over. And then—she vanished. Without a trace."
"Why do you think that happened?"
The revelation struck like thunder. Dottore at full power. Four Harbingers.
Futsu Mitama's heart churned violently, yet his face remained calm.
"I can't guess," he replied evenly. "Why don't you tell me?"
The Lady fell silent. She had already given too much. If he wanted more, he would have to pay.
"What do you want?" Futsu Mitama asked, subtly quickening his pace toward the dessert shop.
He glanced at the group chat.
One or two minutes remained.
"Tell me," the Lady said softly, a smile forming, "why did the Raiden Shogun come to Mondstadt?"
So that was it.
"Oh?" Futsu Mitama slowed once more, his expression turning faintly amused. "Archon intelligence carries a heavy price."
Her face darkened. She despised intelligent men.
"If you tell me," she said coldly, "I will tell you what I know about Inazuma. And about Scaramouche."
The Harbinger set her conditions with calm confidence, convinced that Futsu Mitama—an Inazuman—would inevitably be interested in intelligence related to Scaramouche.
After all, he would return to Inazuma sooner or later. Obtaining Scaramouche's information now would only benefit him in the future.
Among the Fatui Harbingers, exchanging intelligence was commonplace. Tartaglia sold intelligence to the Harbinger; the Harbinger, in turn, sold intelligence concerning Scaramouche.
Both sides sought to extract value from Futsu Mitama.
Yet aside from information concerning servants and enemies, he remained utterly unyielding—an attitude that left others feeling helpless, and no small amount of irritation.
"This can be discussed later."
At this moment, Futsu Mitama was no longer anxious. He looked at the Harbinger and spoke slowly, evenly.
"You can tell me about her first. After that, I'll tell you why the Raiden Shogun came to Mondstadt."
The roles had reversed.
Now, it was the Harbinger who should be anxious. As for this intelligence—Futsu Mitama could just as easily discuss it with Tartaglia the next time he went to Liyue. Though Tartaglia's rank differed somewhat from the Harbinger's, it was not insignificant.
If she chose not to speak—Then next time, Futsu Mitama could simply sell this intelligence to Tartaglia instead. They had traded before, and mutual trust already existed.
For a Fatui Harbinger as shrewd as her to proactively reveal two pieces of highly confidential intelligence, there was only one explanation—
She desperately needed information about the Raiden Shogun.
And if it was that important, why should he rush? The one who should feel pressed was her.
"Your calculations are rather loud."
The Harbinger's voice carried a trace of suppressed anger, but she could do nothing to Futsu Mitama. Someone as perceptive as him would immediately grasp how valuable this intelligence was.
Fearless. Unconstrained.
And yet, she had no leverage.
The familiar tightness returned to her chest, her breathing turning faintly labored. If there were a chance—
She would kill Futsu Mitama.
He was the first person to make her feel utterly this displeased.
The surrounding Fatui operatives—and the two Electro Cicin Mages—also sensed the shift in her mood. Once again, they were reminded of how terrifying Futsu Mitama truly was. Not only was his strength comparable to that of a Harbinger, but his grasp of negotiation and psychological maneuvering was quite good.
Who would have imagined that a mere half year ago, this figure had been nothing more than a winemaker—or a blacksmith?
Kuki Shinobu nodded inwardly. Futsu Mitama's response had been flawless. He had seized the Harbinger's weakness outright, leaving her no room to bargain.
"Very well. I'll tell you."
The Harbinger understood that Futsu Mitama was trustworthy. If he were not—if he were some despicable schemer—Tartaglia would never have cooperated with him so readily, nor would Dottore's evaluation of him have continued to rise, repeatedly lamenting that the Fatui lacked talent like Futsu Mitama.
Futsu Mitama nodded, focusing intently. He truly wanted to know the intelligence concerning Black Aila. Her safety was inseparable from Aila's own. If she were captured by chance—
Then in the future, either Futsu Mitama or Aila would have to personally venture into Snezhnaya to rescue her.
There was no alternative. Aila's destiny remained intertwined with hers. From the actions of Raiden Ei, Zhongli, and the Adepti alone, it was clear—
Black Aila was profoundly important to Aila.
If she died, it was highly likely Aila would suffer irreversible damage. No matter how one viewed it, the two were deeply bound.
"According to Dottore's post-event reconstruction." The Harbinger took a slow breath, forcing herself to calm down before continuing. "She jumped into a bottomless black rift."
"After she voluntarily leapt in, Snezhnaya completely lost all information on her whereabouts. Dottore explicitly stated that her next destination would be Liyue—unless she was intercepted midway. Otherwise, no one can prevent her from reaching Liyue and filling the unfillable void within that body."
"This intelligence came two days ago. As for the name of that place—and further details—you'll need to give me the Raiden Shogun's intelligence first."
At this point, the Harbinger had revealed nearly everything of value. Regarding Black Aila, Snezhnaya had pursued her relentlessly for years. Yet she always seemed blessed by fortune.
Powerful strength, extraordinary luck—she avoided formidable foes time and again, breaking through from the weakest paths. Now, at last cornered through the Fatui's control over Snezhnaya, she had instead leapt into a bottomless black rift, vanishing from sight.
Dottore had included his conjecture in the confidential report. He likely suspected something—and even noted that, if necessary, Futsu Mitama could be approached for further intelligence.
A mutually beneficial exchange. And intelligence that, in truth, was meaningful only to Futsu Mitama.
Futsu Mitama fell silent.
His pace unconsciously quickened as he moved toward the dessert shop.
The Harbinger noticed—and understood.
His thoughts were in turmoil.
Now, she was no longer in a hurry. She waited quietly for him to speak. From her intelligence, Futsu Mitama had already reached a conclusion—
Black Aila had jumped into the Abyss.
The description of the bottomless black rift matched only one place. He had seen it before—on Tartaglia's introduction card.
A restless youth who fell into the Abyss and glimpsed the infinite possibilities of another ancient world.
There, Tartaglia met his master.
There, he gained his power.
Three months passed in the Abyss. Only three days passed outside.
Time flowed differently.
Could it be that Black Aila had willingly entered the Abyss, sensed Aila's location through some unique perception, and used the Abyss' peculiar nature to travel directly from Snezhnaya to Liyue?
And then—
A battle of destiny. Whoever prevailed would become the true Aila.
Through this intelligence alone, Futsu Mitama pieced together the entire situation. For the first time, he felt grateful for his obsession with lore. Had he not studied the story so thoroughly, he would have been forced to wring more information from the Harbinger.
"What's wrong?" the Harbinger asked impatiently. "Aren't you going to speak?"
She could tell—he already knew this intelligence was genuine. And since he knew, he should fulfill his end of the bargain.
This concerned the Gnosis.
A god wandering freely was troublesome enough. If not for Barbatos' well-known habit of roaming, she would not have repeatedly drawn the Knights of Favonius' attention to herself in Mondstadt.
Everything she had done—provoking, disrupting—was to force the Anemo Archon into the open. Knowing Mondstadt, knowing Dvalin, he would inevitably appear.
Now, one wandering Archon was already a headache.
Another comes? That was a nightmare.
Futsu Mitama remained silent for a moment longer. Then, seeing the dessert shop ahead, he spoke with an emotion difficult to discern.
"How about this. Let's eat dessert first. Afterwards—once you Fatui pay the bill—we can discuss the Raiden Shogun."
Kuki Shinobu lowered her head slightly, concealing her expression.
"Heh." The Harbinger sneered, her arrogance returning. "Very well. I'll agree. In the end, you still accepted the proposal."
At this moment, she felt genuinely satisfied. The man who had resisted dining with her so strongly—Now, he had yielded.
Dottore's intelligence was indeed superb. Clearly prepared for Futsu Mitama alone. Though she resented Dottore's arrogance, she was grateful nonetheless.
"Paying the bill is trivial," the Harbinger said dismissively. "No matter how much dessert you eat, the Fatui can afford it. So long as you tell me the intelligence."
"No problem."
Futsu Mitama nodded and continued toward the shop.
—
Meanwhile, in the Chat Group:
[Venti: "Help!!! The desserts are here!!! The maid is asking about mora! One million two hundred thousand mora! Why are over a hundred desserts so expensive?! Is each one ten thousand?!"]
[Zhongli: "That is quite normal. These pastries are exceptional. One million two hundred thousand mora is reasonable."]
[Raiden Makoto: "It's not expensive."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Indeed. Dessert ingredients can be costly."]
[Keqing: "Mondstadt's prices are actually low."]
[Yae Miko: "The desserts I sent to Tenshukaku were worth ten million mora. If calculated fully, closer to one hundred million."]
[Azhdaha: "How amusing. The Anemo Archon troubled by mora."]
[Venti: "As if the Raiden Ei has mora! Even Morax couldn't take out a single coin!"]
[Azhdaha: "Impossible! Mora was created by Morax!"]
[Raiden Makoto: "…"]
[Albedo: "Actually, that is possible."]
[Zhongli: "@Futsu Mitama, @Kuki Shinobu, when will you arrive?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "On the way. A wallet has been secured."]
[Venti: "A wallet?!"]
[Futsu Mitama: "I'm here. I brought the solution."]
—
Laughter filled the chat.
At the same time, Futsu Mitama led the Harbinger into the dessert shop.
Outside, the Fatui sealed the area.
Only Kuki Shinobu and the two Electro Cicin Mages followed.
"A dessert shop—"
The Harbinger paused, a trace of nostalgia flashing through her eyes. In her youth, she had once come here as well.
Centuries had passed in the blink of an eye.
The shop remained. But some people never returned.
Thinking of this, the Lady's eyes flickered with blazing hatred. The flames surged for an instant—then she slowly closed her eyes, forcibly suppressing the fire burning deep within her heart.
"So," she said at last, her voice regaining its composure, "what would you like to eat? Would you like me to recommend a few dishes?"
Her gaze settled on Futsu Mitama. She did not believe he was familiar with this place.
From the moment he stepped into Mondstadt, every one of his movements had been under Fatui surveillance. He had never once visited this dessert shop—hence the Lady's seemingly courteous reminder.
"No need." Futsu Mitama shook his head lightly, his eyes sweeping across the interior.
His gaze paused.
A maid. A pastry chef. Several staff members wearing distinctly displeased expressions—all of them currently standing guard at the entrance of a private room.
"My friends are over there." Futsu Mitama raised a hand and pointed. He glanced at the Lady and spoke calmly, evenly. "Let's go. They should be finished eating by now."
"We'll go over, eat a little," he continued, his tone unhurried, "then you pay the bill—and I'll give you the information."
With that, Futsu Mitama turned and walked toward the private room without hesitation.
The Lady, however, felt a faint sense of unease. Futsu Mitama had only been unconscious for a brief period before awakening. The ninja should not have had time to leave.
With this thought lingering in her mind, she followed him forward. Then—
When she reached the private room and saw the three figures inside, her expression froze completely.
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