"ACHOO!"
Outside Good Hunter, a Fatui guard sneezed hard as a sudden cold wind hit his back.
He looked behind him in confusion.
It was just the restaurant wall.
Why did it feel like a draft?
Inside the brightly lit restaurant, fine frost had already spread across the floor.
A fierce gust suddenly erupted—
and the creeping ice shards were instantly blown apart by wind.
"Temperature affects the flavor of red wine," Kaito said calmly, without even moving.
As his words fell, the oppressive chill retreated completely.
"And now?" The Lady's face showed faint irritation.
As if she were angry that her own actions had almost ruined her palate.
"A slight chill enhances the taste. Too much, and you destroy it," Kaito replied.
Only then did The Lady realize—
he'd known all along that she was merely issuing a warning.
If she'd truly intended to attack, she wouldn't have stopped for a glass of wine.
"Heh."
"Boss Kaito… you really are full of surprises."
Only now did The Lady take her first sip of the red wine.
Her long, pale neck lifted gracefully, crimson liquid brushing her lips and making them even more vivid.
The smooth wine lingered briefly on her tongue before sliding down.
Astringency, depth, stimulation, warmth—complex flavors balanced perfectly together.
The aged aroma spread through her nasal passages.
She looked satisfied once more.
She hadn't expected that this trip to Mondstadt would bring her wine like this—an unexpected delight.
"When ill-intentioned guests arrive, a host naturally refuses them," Kaito said, fingers interlaced on the table. "But when someone comes with goodwill—as a true guest—a host is happy to entertain."
His words carried two meanings.
One referred to what had just happened downstairs.
The other answered her earlier accusation about interfering with Fatui affairs.
"Oh?"
"Then perhaps Boss Kaito should weigh the strength of both sides carefully," The Lady said lightly, eyes cold. "If you drag yourself in too deep… you might lose more than you gain."
She extended her empty wine glass instinctively, violet eyes carrying the pressure of someone long accustomed to authority—
signaling for a refill.
Then, as if remembering something, she added, "As repayment for tonight's hospitality, I'll tell you something."
"A message?" Kaito didn't believe for a second that The Lady was being generous.
After all—she was a villain through and through.
"Yes." The Lady continued tasting the wine, speaking casually. "Tonight, the Fatui will take the Holy Lyre."
Kaito was briefly surprised—but not shocked.
So that's how it is.
"Sounds less like information, and more like a declaration," he said.
"Heh." She savored the lingering finish. "That depends on how Boss Kaito interprets it."
"You can pretend you never heard it…"
"Or choose to abandon your guest and go warn someone."
Amusement flickered in her eyes.
If he went to warn them, she would act—forcing him to crawl back in humiliation.
If he pretended not to hear it, the message would be meaningless.
Either way, this was a show of dominance.
Watching his reaction was excellent seasoning for the wine.
"Then let me tell you something as well," Kaito said calmly.
"Oh?" She looked intrigued.
"Lumine and Paimon are also heading to the Cathedral. Their target happens to be the Holy Lyre too."
"If they accidentally ruin your plans…"
"Don't get angry out of embarrassment."
With that, Kaito stood up.
The Lady stared at his back, unable to tell whether he was telling the truth.
Those two travelers had been gone for quite some time.
Had they left through the skylight?
These fools…
She crossed her legs again.
After a moment's thought, she chose not to warn her subordinates.
If Kaito was bluffing, she'd lose face for nothing.
At the stove, Kaito lit the fire.
He cut a large piece of boar tenderloin in half, brushed it with his special oil, and laid it into a heated pan.
The meat slowly changed color, sizzling as he carefully turned it, spreading the oil evenly.
Once cooked through, he sprinkled salt and black pepper, lowered the heat, covered the pan, and let it finish gently.
The quiet restaurant filled with the sound of cooking.
"Boss Kaito… what are you making?" The Lady asked, curious.
"Something to go with the wine," he replied. "I don't drink red wine on its own."
He picked up the bottle.
Gurgle, gurgle—
An amount of wine that would've made Paimon faint in pain poured into another pan.
Even The Lady nearly stopped him.
He reduced the wine, transferred it aside, then added oil and butter to the pan.
Sliced red onions. Chopped Mondstadt apples.
In they went.
Once fragrant, he poured the reduced wine back in, along with Glaze Lilies and black pepper.
A deep, intoxicating aroma spread.
Half an hour later, he plated the boar steak with the red wine sauce, dotted it with fresh raspberry juice, and garnished it with Glaze Lily sprigs.
He served two plates.
"Red wine steak," Kaito said confidently. "Now you'll understand what it means when people say Good Hunter's cuisine reigns supreme in Mondstadt."
The Lady didn't hesitate.
She cut off a piece and tasted it.
Stunning.
Even with her status, she'd never eaten anything this good.
The meat melted in her mouth, blending perfectly with the wine sauce.
She closed her eyes, savoring the experience.
Kaito looked faintly smug.
She opened her eyes, unbothered.
This man had every right to be proud.
She even felt the urge to abduct him and take him back to Snezhnaya.
"About time," Kaito suddenly said.
"Hm?" She frowned.
The next instant, intense dizziness hit her.
Her vision dimmed.
The last thing she saw was Kaito's half-smiling face—
then she collapsed.
The wine glass tipped over, red liquid spilling across her collar.
"Tsk, tsk."
Kaito checked for a reaction. None.
"Lisa's medicine is way too strong."
He rubbed his nose, fingertips still warm.
"If you'd had a health bar before I reincarnated here, you'd be dead today."
He hoisted her up and laid her on the loft's carpet, then checked her outer garments and belongings.
But soon, he frowned.
"This Fatui Harbinger… where does she even hide her things?"
"No letters. No reports. Nothing that looks like a power source."
"And yet she used Cryo just now."
He'd searched thoroughly—and still found nothing.
Without confiscating her power source, he didn't dare wake her for interrogation.
He knew he might not win.
She wasn't just Level 20.
She had the Tsaritsa's divine power backing her.
Kaito rested his chin in his hand, thinking hard.
Then—
his eyes lit up slightly.
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