Chapter 168

No one knows what the Lady went through in the West Wind Knights.

Anyway, by the next day everyone in Mondstadt knew that the Fools' Executor had suffered a defeat at the hands of the acting captain, and on his way back he even kicked over a flag of the West Wind Knights.

Such an action not only failed to make the Mondstadt people dissatisfied, but instead they all cheered and applauded.

They did not know the exact details of the conversation between Jean and the Lady.

But they knew.

This confrontation was a win for Captain Jean, a win for Mister Diluc, and a win for Mondstadt.

That was enough.

It was enough to lift the previously gloomy atmosphere, caused by the Wind Demon Dragon's attack on the city, into joy once again.

Finally seeing the fun he had been looking forward to, Luo De happily hummed a little tune while cooking, and everyone could see his mood was good.

"Watching that Executor suffer a defeat, you seem quite happy?"

Ying, who had helped clear ruins all day yesterday, seeing Luo De like this, couldn't help but be curious.

She is not a Mondstadt person.

She also doesn't know anything about the Fools.

【14> She only knows that since yesterday afternoon, wherever she goes, she can hear people discussing the two names Diluc and the Fools.

She only knew, starting from yesterday afternoon, almost wherever she went, she could hear people discussing the two names Diluc and the Foolish People.

The fun-loving Paimon went to inquire a bit.

She roughly understood the whole story, and also understood why the Mondstadt people showed that expression.

However, Ying still didn't quite understand.

Even if the Mondstadt people are happy, that's fine, but why are you, Luo De, an outsider, also so happy?

It seems.

He seems to enjoy seeing these conflicts even more than those Mondstadt people do.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you."

"I really do like seeing that Executor suffer a defeat, and the worse she suffers, the happier I am."

"After all, only when she suffers a defeat can our work of pacifying Tewalin become easier," Luo De said with a chuckle.

"Ah?"

"Upon hearing this news for the first time, Ying put down her toast, frowned, and asked, 'Are you saying she will come to sabotage our operation to pacify Tewalin?'"

"It's not just that she will sabotage this."

"She has plenty more to do."

Luo De did not hide anything either, and told everything about the Lady's plan to use the Tewalin matter to lure out the Wind God.

Finally.

He then said, "The Lady has likely already discovered Venti's identity; she just hasn't found the chance to act yet."

This is Luo De's speculation.

However, Venti is either not staying in the West Wind Knights, or is constantly hanging out with Luo De; given the Lady's cautious and careful style, she will not act rashly against Venti unless she is certain of success.

Therefore, to create an opportunity for Venti to be alone, she will certainly try every means.

Including but not limited to sabotaging the reconciliation efforts between Mondstadt and Tewalin, using the Abyss Cult's invasion of Mondstadt as a pretext, and even possibly, Luo De suspects that these Abyss Cult members inside Mondstadt were deliberately sent by her, aiming to increase the conflict between the West Wind Knights and Tewalin.

"What a terrible person!"

After hearing Luo De's words, Paimon puffed her cheeks and complained.

Regarding that.

Luo De offered no comment, spread his hands, and let the matter pass.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Venti, who had long been waiting for this day, early on followed Luo De to the West Wind Knights, accompanied by Ying and Paimon.

Originally Luo De planned to go directly to the agreed-upon Starpluck Cliff.

But Venti said she was afraid that if Jean alone escorted the Sky Harp, danger might arise, so they all still went first to the West Wind Knights to find Jean.

Before leaving.

Luo De also specially glanced at the commotion over at the Goethe Grand Hotel.

Diluc and the West Wind Knights' timely toughness was very effective.

The investigation into Kelipusi's death, initiated in the name of the Laigende Family, kept the Lady busy and flustered these past two days.

The Doctor's actions back then were still very clean, leaving no evidence.

But he left not much evidence.

That does not mean he left no evidence.

Especially after the West Wind Knights reopened the investigation into the already-purged Iluo ke, many clues that had gone unnoticed back then were also uncovered.

Part of this consists of genuine evidence preserved by the knights from back then, and another part consists of letters forged based on Luo De's written details and Jean's own reasoning, or evidence of bribes taken from the Fools.

Jean handled it well.

These 'evidences' pushed the mastermind behind this affair toward the deceased traitor Iluo ke, while also subtly suggesting that the instigator behind Iluo ke was the Fools.

After this kind of implied-only 'evidence' was uncovered,

Even if the Lady is aware that these things are the West Wind Knights deliberately stirring up trouble, facing the Mondstadt city's boiling public opinion, she truly has no good way to defend herself.

Kelipusi's prestige in Mondstadt is too high.

Although he never succeeded in joining the West Wind Knights, relying solely on the Dawn Winery family business was enough to make him a greatly respected figure among the Mondstadt people.

Moreover, his habitual generosity and the benefits of his winery business have also greatly benefited the whole of Mondstadt.

The former Knights of Favonius certified that he was killed by the magic dragon Wusa; that's fine, dying at the hands of a monster isn't worth pursuing further, especially since that monster was also killed by someone, which can also be considered indirect revenge for Kelipusi.

Who would have thought that just as the people of Mondstadt were beginning to gradually forget this matter.

Suddenly a shocking piece of news emerged: the death of Clepsydra years ago was orchestrated by the Foolish People.

And the West Wind Knights actually produced evidence sufficient to point to the Foolish People.

Amid public outrage.

Every day, someone goes to the Grand Hotel to throw stones and hurl insults at the Foolish People.

The public's pressure, plus the pressure from Diluc and the West Wind Knights.

This not only makes it difficult for the Lady to continue her previous plans against Venti, she can't even step outside.

The Mondstadt residents can't stop her.

This is Diluc.

They watch her day and night, claiming it's for justice, and before the truth comes out, they won't let any member of the Foolish People leave.

Therefore.

The Lady has protested to Jean multiple times.

However, this was something she didn't expect.

The usually hesitant acting grand master suddenly adopted an unusually stern attitude.

With an attitude of 'helping kin over reason,' each encounter leaves the Lady defeated.

What gives her the right?

The Lady can't understand why.

Compared to Snezhnaya,

Mondstadt lacks both national and military strength, and pales in divine power compared to the Ice Queen.

Not to mention that Fargale isn't even present now.

Even when Fargale was around, the Doctor would still go door-to-door bullying people, and even his subordinate dared to speak rudely to their Archbishop.

Since the Lady took over Mondstadt's affairs, everything has gone smoothly.

Whether dealing with Fargale or Jean, they always take a hardline stance, repeatedly leaving Mondstadt diplomatically disadvantaged.

And Jean's change is nothing short of earth-shattering.

The only explanation is:

It's that she also discovered the Wind God, and with divine backing she dares to act this way.

This also forces the Lady to enact a backup plan she dislikes but must use.

Turning back to the West Wind Knights,

Jean had already readied the Harp of the Heavens, waiting in her office for Luo De and the others to arrive.

As for the Knights' affairs,

She has already entrusted Lisa and Kaeya to handle it.

Following Luo De's advice, she also recalled the overseas investigation teams to bolster Mondstadt's internal defenses.

After they met,

After a few brief pleasantries, they set out.

Along the way,

Luo De noticed.

Jean often unconsciously glances at Venti; sometimes when Paimon speaks to her she doesn't even hear.

"She's already found out."

"No wonder her stance against the Foolish People is hardening."

Seeing Jean's demeanor, Luo De immediately understood.

He never told Jean Venti's identity, but it seems she herself deduced from various clues that Venti is the Wind God.

The Wind God has returned.

With Mondstadt now having a pillar, it's no wonder Jean is so resolute in her confrontation with the Lady.

And their casual talk along the way

This also let Luo De learn another fact.

Mondstadt actually knows that Clepsydra was murdered by the Foolish People.

However, those files were sealed at the time.

After Jean told Luo De about this, she went to the archives and uncovered all the evidence the Knights had preserved from that time.

Though she was the victim, she dared not speak out.

If outsiders knew this, they surely wouldn't understand.

But Jean knows exactly why.

This is what the Grand Master deliberately did.

Back when she first conferred titles on the Dandelion Knights and was just learning state affairs,

Jean's father, Simon Page, Bishop of the Church of the West Wind, once lamented that Mondstadt facing Snezhnaya is truly too weak.

Not being strong enough is their greatest failing in protecting the people.

And this weakness,

This means that even if Mondstadt knows about something, it can't challenge Snezhnaya and must reluctantly accept defeat.

Not only Clepsydra's killing, but also the children forcibly conscripted by the Doctor who later vanished without a trace.

Now, with news of the Lord Wind God, they know Barbatos has returned to Mondstadt.

Jean, having found the evidence, straightforwardly used it to assert authority over the Lady—without burning bridges—preventing the Foolish People from continuing to act arrogantly in Mondstadt.

Such a satisfying move made Luo De give her a thumbs up.

"That's how it should be."

"When one should be firm, one must absolutely not be soft; that's a very good practice."

"Thank you."

"Qin smiled and looked at Venti again."

"As a response."

"Venti, holding the Skyward Harp, also gave her a brilliant smile."

"This also calmed Qin's heart, and she became ever more convinced that she had done nothing wrong."

"The distance from the City of Mondstadt to Picking Stars Cliff is not short."

"But Luo De and his companions are all extraordinarily skilled; when traveling, they go as fast as they can, without the slightest delay."

"Thus, they didn't take long to reach the highest point of Mondstadt."

"Facing a gentle sea breeze."

"Venti stood at the cliff's edge, lifted the harp in her hand, and confidently laughed: 'The finest bard in the mortal world, I'm about to start plucking his strings again.'"

"After saying that,"

"His hand then rested on the strings, ready to play the tune he claimed could attract Dvalin."

"However, amidst everyone's anticipation,"

"Yet Venti maintained this pose for a long time without moving, as if the one who had just said they were ready to play was not him."

"Just as Qin and Ying were still doubtful and about to speak, Luo De, who had sensed something amiss, abruptly changed expression, took a quick step forward, and grabbed Venti, pulling him back."

"Mr. Luo De, what is this?"

"What's happened?"

"Qin and Ying also suddenly understood."

"This seemingly tranquil Picking Stars Cliff definitely has something off."

"Luo De didn't respond, merely pushing Venti over to Qin and Ying's side."

"He then clenched his right hand, twisted his body, and the ice spear condensed from Ice Elemental Power instantly turned into an icy-blue light, shooting like a thunderbolt straight into an empty corner."

"Amidst a crackling burst of sound,"

"The ice spear shattered in response."

"Immediately after,"

"A boy wearing a purple bamboo hat and dressed like a ronin from Inazuma suddenly appeared out of nowhere."

"He could crush with his bare hands the ice spear Luo De had thrown using Blazing Sun Martial Skill; even after being spotted, he showed no panic, instead flashing a wild grin as he opened his arms and lunged at Luo De and his companions."

"Indeed, you have some skill; no wonder that arrogant woman would set aside her pride to ask me for help."

"At a distance of only ten meters from Luo De and his companions, the boy stopped, his gaze fixed on the Skyward Harp in Venti's hand, and said coldly: 'Hand over the Skyward Harp, and I'll only break your two legs.'"

"Otherwise,"

"The boy's voice paused, he gave an evil grin, and said: 'You all will die.'"

"(End of chapter)"