Chapter 166: Night Talk and Cooperation (6000 characters)

One's identity has already been called out.

Diluc also no longer had the thought of continuing to hide his identity.

After showing up, he took off the mask on his face, sat openly beside Luo De, picked up the tea Luo De had pushed over, and without worrying whether Luo De had tampered with the tea, he drank it all in one go.

Lord Diluc visiting late at night, you must have something to say, right?

Luo De asked with a smile, and by the way took a look at this Lord Diluc in front of him.

After removing the mask, Diluc's face was firm and handsome; to facilitate acting at night, his clothes were pure black, and that head of fiery red hair was quite conspicuous in the darkness.

There are not a few red-haired people in Mondstadt.

But those who are red-haired and highly skilled in martial arts are not many.

Luo De speculated.

Diluc simply exposed his appearance traits so openly, perhaps because he was playing a trick with the West Wind Knights.

After all, everyone in Mondstadt knows that Lord Diluc of the Dawn Winery is highly skilled and has a head of unforgettable red hair.

His many traits perfectly matched those of the Night Hero.

But the more such a 'coincidence' occurs, the more people feel that Lord Diluc is probably not the Night Hero, but someone is imitating him to frame him.

It's a very simple suspect paradox.

However, Luo De had to admit one point.

Diluc's skills are truly excellent.

Just like now.

Although Luo De had anticipated early on that after the rumors about Kelipusi's attack spread, Diluc would likely come to ask him for clarification.

Moreover, Luo De had also made preparations, staying vigilant at all times.

He really hadn't detected Diluc's presence just now; it was only thanks to the Void Terminal's warning that he noticed someone lurking.

No wonder Diluc, together with Qin, Ying, and Venti, could subdue the frenzied Tewalin.

Not looking at anything else.

Only discussing martial prowess and strength.

Diluc, this well-known talent of Mondstadt, is indeed far above Qin.

Indeed, there are some things I want to ask you.

Regarding Luo De's question asked despite knowing the answer, Diluc calmly asked: "I want to know, how did you know those details about my father's death?"

You mean those rumors.

Luo De replied with a hearty laugh, putting on an innocent look as if it had nothing to do with him.

Diluc naturally didn't believe it, and seriously said: "These rumors only appeared after you came to Mondstadt."

Looking at his appearance.

It was already determined that the rumor-monger was Luo De.

It was Kaeya who told you these, right?

The questioned Luo De unhurriedly picked up the teapot, while refilling the tea cup, and praised: "Your younger brother really dotes on you; for anything related to you, even a trivial matter, he shows more concern than anyone."

In others' eyes.

Diluc heard the suddenly spreading rumors, and only through various means did he determine the originator.

For Luo De, who knows everything.

Even before Diluc came to the door, he was already very certain that Kaeya would definitely tell him all these matters.

No matter how cold their relationship appears on the surface.

But it cannot be denied that.

After Kelipusi's death, Diluc and Kaeya became the closest brothers in this world, there's no denying it.

So no matter what happens in Mondstadt.

Kaeya will immediately use various means to inform Diluc, and daily she will also think of ways to clean up after this brother who goes out every night to act as the Night Hero, disposing of all his traces so that the West Wind Knights find no clues.

Hmph—

Even without him, I could still find out that this matter is related to you.

Diluc's expression was somewhat proud, yet his eyes were gentler than before, and he continued to ask: 'Luo De sir, you still haven't answered me—how did you know what my father experienced at the time of his death?'

Luo De was not wrong about one point.

The tavern inside Mondstadt is a major hub of rumors, especially those drunkards who, after getting drunk, dare to say anything—from trivial matters like the neighbor's chicken feathers and garlic, to scolding the West Wind Knights for inaction, and even now they can let the wind demon dragon run rampant in Mondstadt.

In this country that truly practices liberalism, there is nothing the Mondstadt people dare not say.

And Mondstadt's biggest tavern is Angel's Gift.

It is the property of the Laigende family.

When idle, Diluc also works part-time as a bartender at the tavern, gathering useful information from the drunkards' gossip.

These past two days.

He has heard many things about Kelipusi.

And many of the details are things he has never told anyone before.

Especially the rumor that Kelipusi did not die at the hands of the demon dragon Wusa, but was killed by Diluc.

Actually, nobody really believes this.

Even if one is drunk to the point of forgetting their own name, when talking about this they still take an absolutely impossible attitude.

Only Diluc, upon hearing these rumors, felt his heart skip a beat.

Because this is true.

Four years ago.

He and Kelipusi were celebrating their coming-of-age in the City of Mondstadt when, on the way home, they encountered a powerful monster—the attack of the magic dragon Ursa.

The magic dragon Ursa's combat strength is extremely strong.

It didn't take long.

The accompanying guards were all killed, and even Diluc, whose martial skills were still far inferior to his current level, suffered grave injuries.

At that critical moment.

Kelipusi, who lacked a Vision, donned a glove set with a crimson gemstone, using its power to control a hitherto unknown ominous force, thereby forcing the magic dragon Ursa to retreat.

But he himself also suffered a backlash from that gem after the battle, his whole body drenched in blood, writhing in pain without cease.

To free his father from that pain.

Diluc, in grief, personally struck the blow that ended his father's life.

Those who know of this matter.

Besides the involved party Diluc, only Kaeya, who was also present at the time, knows.

Thus, when Diluc learned from Kaeya that the rumor's source was the Knights of Favonius, but the one likely behind devising the rumor was the Dendro Archon's envoy from Sumeru.

Diluc first compiled all the rumor's content, then came in person, intending to investigate Luo De's background.

But he never expected that upon arriving, Luo De would catch him red-handed.

If that's the case.

Then he might as well ask directly.

Meaning Luo De is a distinguished guest of the Knights of Favonius, who also repelled the invading wind dragon during the day; otherwise, Diluc might now have to resort to special means to extract a confession.

Luo De did not immediately answer his question.

The two locked eyes for a while.

Luo De finally spoke, breaking the silence: "Sir Diluc, it's not just you and Kaeya who know of these matters."

Then.

He then pointedly said: "The person who summoned the magic dragon Ursa was also present at the time."

"?"

"Doctor!!"

Diluc's fist clenched tightly, making a creaking sound.

Yes.

How could I not have thought of this?

If, according to that rumor, the magic dragon Ursa was deliberately released by the Doctor to attack him and his father, and afterward he just happened to pass by and slay the dragon, then as the mastermind of this murder plot, his likelihood of lurking in the shadows at that time is very high.

Thinking this through.

Diluc's voice immediately gained an uncontainable hint of anger: "Mr. Luo De, do you mean you got news of my father from the Fatui?"

"I once killed a subordinate of the Doctor."

Luo De did not answer directly; after saying that, he continued: "The person I killed was called the Missionary, whose work in Sumeru was to collect test subjects for the Doctor. My student had once been lured into his lab by his honeyed words, where she endured endless torment and her family was brutally slaughtered, until she herself escaped and finally begged the Doctor to release her from his clutches."

Regarding the Missionary.

The more Luo De spoke, the tighter Diluc's fist clenched.

How strikingly similar!

If Luo De is not lying, then the Missionary's actions are almost identical to those of the Fatui in Mondstadt, as if cast from the same mold.

Three years ago.

Three years ago, Diluc had once captured, in a confrontation with the Fatui, another subordinate of the Doctor named Keluobo.

Under his interrogation at that time.

That fellow was about to confess that the Fatui's conscription was meant to gather experimental material for the Doctor, but at the crucial moment he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of the Doctor himself.

Ultimately, Keluobo was silenced by the Doctor, who also drove him away, leaving him with no evidence.

Now, after Luo De's reminder.

Diluc can no longer easily dismiss these rumors as false.

This is practically a statement of fact.

It lays bare the Doctor's plans from back then in full detail.

And Luo De's words are not yet finished.

Then he brought up another matter.

"The stone that Kelipusi used back then is called an Evil Eye, a false Vision specially developed by the Fatui."

"Such an artificially synthesized false Vision can grant the user the ability to wield elemental energy, pushing their power to the utmost limit, but at the same time it carries a risk of backlash; if the user's physique is not strong enough, they can easily lose their life from using an Evil Eye."

Evil Eye.

That name is all too familiar to Diluc.

After his argument with Yiluoke, Diluc, in a fit of anger, discarded his Vision, quit the Knights of Favonius, and began traveling across the continent in search of the truth of those years.

The secret of the Evil Eye was also gradually uncovered by him during that process.

Eventually he caught the attention of the Fatui's agents, mistakenly stumbled into their ambush and was gravely wounded; if not for the Observer rescuing him, Mondstadt would now have no Diluc.

Relying on the underground intelligence organization of the Observer in the northern continent, Diluc's investigations into the Fatui's activities over the years have become increasingly clear and thorough.

It is also precisely through years of tempering within that organization.

He now no longer possesses the impulsiveness of his former self.

Thus, after a brief surge of anger, Diluc calmed down and asked in a low voice: "What is your true purpose in spreading these rumors? Don't try to fool me with the absurd excuse of opposing the Fatui."

"Hehe."

"As expected, I can't fool you."

Luo De chuckled, speaking frankly: "I want you to have some conflict with that executive of the Foolish People, the bigger the conflict the better, so she can't focus her attention on Mondstadt anymore."

"Oh?"

Diluc naturally wouldn't agree right away; instead, he fixed Luo De with a scrutinizing gaze: "Are these so-called rumors enough as justification?"

"Not enough?"

Luo De laughed: "This is the truth about your father's death."

Diluc pondered for a moment, then replied: "Before it was enough; now, it's not enough."

He spoke in a firm tone, solemnly saying: "Mondstadt needs a guardian, a night hero to protect it, not a hotheaded fool who would provoke a powerful enemy just out of momentary anger, bringing Mondstadt unbearable consequences."

Diluc fears no Foolish People.

But the West Wind Knights are not okay.

In diplomatic matters.

They are communicating with the Foolish People using a kind of soft, pliable attitude that Diluc extremely dislikes.

Therefore, even if Diluc could openly clash with the Foolish People, he still has to consider whether the diplomatically weak West Wind Knights would suffer bullying.

"Tsk."

Diluc has already given up avenging his father and is wholeheartedly guarding Mondstadt; this news truly caught Luo De off guard.

He had been quite confident before.

He felt that as long as the truth of those years was known, Diluc would surely choose to avenge his father.

Fortunately.

He still has a backup plan.

"Then."

If I tell you that the Foolish People have found the Anemo Archon Barbatos and are secretly watching him, ready to strike at any moment?

This is another trump card of Luo De's.

You, Diluc, aren't you focused on guarding Mondstadt and no longer dwelling on the past?

Now I tell you that the Wind God is being watched; will you still maintain this detached attitude?

The effect of this news is indeed immediate.

Just moments ago, Diluc was still resolute.

Upon hearing the news that the Anemo Archon Barbatos was being watched by the Foolish People, his face changed instantly, but then his brows relaxed as he calmly said: "The Wind God is a deity; absolutely not something those foolish mortals of the Foolish People can harm."

Excessive worship of deities is a consensus among the people of Teyvat.

Especially, Barbatos in Mondstadt's legends is a deity who created many miracles and achieved glorious victories.

The idea that a deity would be in danger just from being watched by mortals is indeed hard to believe.

Then let me tell you, I too have found the Anemo Archon Barbatos, but he has only just recovered from a five-hundred-year-old injury; his strength is feeble, and he can barely defend himself.

Regardless of whether Diluc believes it, I'll say it first and then adapt as needed.

This is Luo De's current logic.

And this.

This also genuinely caused Diluc to frown again.

You say the Wind God's strength is feeble, and he can barely defend himself?

Diluc distrusts Luo De's words, his skepticism thick.

Luo De then offered another piece of evidence: "If the Wind God truly had strength, why would he have me and Ying drive away the Wind Demon Dragon instead of doing it himself?"

You should also know that the Wind Demon Dragon is the East Wind Dragon Valturin, right?

Then, from the Wind God's perspective:

To deal with an East Wind Dragon whose strength has greatly diminished:

Would it be better for him to personally intervene to pacify Valturin, or to let someone like me, who doesn't know his own strength, forcibly drive Valturin away?

This argument sounds seamless, with no flaws to be found.

The only aspect that could be faulted.

Is

Are you certain that the person you found is definitely the Anemo Archon Barbatos?

Or rather,

Is the person the Foolish People found definitely the Anemo Archon Barbatos?

Diluc's skepticism is completely justified.

He can believe that the Wind God, though recently wounded, has not yet recovered his strength, and also believe that the Wind God is now targeted by evildoers, putting him in danger.

But to make him believe this,

the prerequisite is that the person must truly be the Wind God.

If not,

then no matter how much Luo De says, it's just pointless talk, wasting manpower and resources.

Regarding such doubts.

Luo De pointed to the terminal behind him and smiled.

I am quite certain.

Very certain.

And he is right by my side, relying on me for protection.

Lord Diluc, I am the envoy of the Dendro Archon; Kaeya told you, didn't he? In recognizing deities, no one in Mondstadt now is more professional than I.

The envoy of the Dendro Archon can recognize deities; that is indeed a good reason.

However, this is not the key.

What truly concerns Diluc is.

Is the Wind God right beside Luo De?

Diluc immediately thought of that guy who had been following Luo De these past two days, the one who often went to his own tavern to drink, with a youthful complexion that didn't look like an adult's bard.

"Venti has already agreed with me on a plan to appease Stormterror and resolve the dragon disaster."

"However, the Foolish's covert surveillance is very troublesome."

"They have put great pressure on Jean diplomatically, and are waiting for an opportunity to sabotage our plan to appease Stormterror, aiming to strike at the Wind God; all of these are troubles."

"Those are the rumors I helped Jean devise."

"The purpose is not to have you fight the Foolish to the death, but to have you use this matter to provoke the Foolish, pin down that Executive Officer, so she cannot act freely against Venti."

Luo De laid out his true plan and intentions in full.

As for revealing Venti's identity,

He had previously asked Venti about it.

The answer he got was that if it concerns someone related to appeasing Stormterror, then he can tell them his identity.

This almost narrows it down to Diluc, Jean, and the pair of Ying and Paimon.

"After openly telling Diluc Venti's identity, Luo De then said to him again: 'It is very important to restrain that Executive Officer; her malice toward Venti is beyond your imagination; I cannot guarantee constant protection for Venti, and I am merely sent here to help you resolve the dragon disaster; after this I will still have to leave and return to Sumeru, so this matter is best handled by you Mondstadters yourself.'"

After listening, Diluc fell silent for a moment, then said: "The people watching you, are they actually watching him?"

"Hmm."

"Did you take care of him?"

Starting from tonight, Luo De no longer sensed that hidden gaze of surveillance; he had originally thought it was done by that sister, but after hearing Diluc say that, it now seems he did it himself.

Diluc's answer also confirmed this.

"No matter what."

"You are the hero who drove away the Wind Demon Dragon."

"Both emotionally and rationally, I cannot stand by while the Foolish plot against you."

A very official response.

Luo De nodded: "The Foolish's problem is still a small matter; Kaeya should have told you that there are still people from the Abyss Talk lurking in the shadows of Mondstadt, right?"

"He said so."

Bringing up Kaeya again, Diluc's expression turned somewhat unnatural, but he still admitted to having intelligence exchanges with Kaeya.

"Behind these Abyss Order, there is also a leader; did he tell you about this?"

Luo De then dropped another bombshell without a word.

This message also received Diluc's confirmation.

"He said so."

Still a brief answer.

It is that when speaking, Diluc's face grew much darker, his expression more solemn than when he heard the truth of his father's death.

Wind Demon Dragon, Abyss Order, the Foolish, Wind God.

Furthermore, the Grand Master is absent, and the elite of the Knights of Favonius are absent.

This is practically a tangled mess.

The Wind Demon Dragon went berserk, attacking all over Mondstadt; trade routes were cut, monsters grew restless, towns became uninhabitable, and today it directly assaulted Mondstadt City; in this period alone, it has caused Mondstadt City unimaginable huge losses.

The Abyss Order is deceiving the Wind Demon Dragon, intending to attack Mondstadt City; that unknown leader makes people uneasy, and no one can guarantee what he is scheming.

The Foolish have exerted strong diplomatic pressure on the Knights of Favonius, targeting the Wind God directly; the intent is unclear, but can only be confirmed as malicious.

The Wind God is busy appeasing the Wind Demon Dragon, yet due to just recovering from serious injury, he lacks self-defense and needs strict protection against the Foolish's attacks.

Such a chaotic situation.

This made Diluc feel a deep headache.

"Kaeya will deal with the Abyss Order; you will hold off the Foolish; I will bring Jean and Ying to cooperate with Venti in appeasing the Wind Demon Dragon."

"There's nothing to worry about."

"You Mondstadters are indeed short-staffed, but not yet to the point of being unable to fight back."

Luo De's words had just fallen.

Diluc immediately shook his head: "What you say is actually simple."

First, not mentioning how hard it is to find the hidden Abyss Order; just having him confront the Foolish without causing diplomatic issues is already enough of a headache.

Moreover, there's also the matter of Stormterror that needs to be resolved.

Compared to the outsider Luo De, who has nothing to do with Mondstadt,

Diluc has more to consider.

For example, what if we cannot find the leader of the Abyss Order? What if the Foolish directly cause a scene and drag the Knights of Favonius into it?

If not planned in advance, these matters will subsequently cause even more trouble.

Watching Diluc, who kept his brows tightly furrowed and remained silent,

Luo De did not disturb him further, quietly waiting for him to think things over there.

Just like that.

Until the sky began to lighten.

Diluc finally stood up, nodded toward Luo De, and said: "Leave the Foolish to me; I will also go and inform Kaeya's side, the Wind Demon Dragon and the Wind God"

He hesitated a moment, then said: "Leave their affairs to you; if you encounter any trouble, you can come to the Dawn Winery to find me; if you cannot find me, you can leave a message for my butler, Eze."

"Okay, I understand."

Luo De chuckled, waved his hand, and said goodbye to Di Lu Ke, who had quickly disappeared into the alley.

The new cooperation was reached; the lady's problem could basically be solved, Luo De was in high spirits, sweeping away the fatigue from a sleepless night.

Now.

Only one problem remains.

"That Abyssal Mage who bewitches Te Wa Lin—this still needs careful thought."

Luo De, muttering to himself, fell into deep thought just as Di Lu Ke had done earlier.

Killing an Abyssal Mage is simple.

But how to kill that Abyssal Mage without provoking Te Wa Lin again—that's where the trouble lies.

(End of chapter)