Chapter 36: The Black Stockings Worn by Barbatos
Diluc let out a quiet sigh. "Even with a vague and uncertain location, searching is still like looking for a needle in the ocean. It reminds me of that competition I once had with the Fatui."
"Half a year ago, thieves unearthed a treasure from the Temple of the Four Winds—specifically, the ruins of the Temple of the East Wind."
Paimon's eyes lit up. "Wow, what was it? A cup Barbatos used for drinking?"
Diluc shook his head. "No. Though if such a thing existed, it would certainly be priceless…"
Venti fell into deep contemplation. Should he swipe a few more cups from Master Diluc's collection next time?
"But what surfaced that time was one of the rarest types of relics imaginable."
"The treasure was a sealed vial containing a wisp of the Anemo Archon's aura."
Paimon blinked. "So relics can come in that form too?"
Diluc nodded. "Such an artistically inspired creation naturally caught my interest. I intended to add it to my collection."
"However, once word spread, the Fatui coveted the divine power within and began competing with me for it."
"They manufactured a large number of counterfeits and released them into various markets."
"My response was simple: I bought them all, real or fake. We've been locked in this stalemate ever since."
"I've seen at least two thousand fakes. And to this day, they haven't found the genuine article either."
Paimon gasped. "Wow… you both sound kind of insane."
"But if that's the case… if we go to the black market now, is there still a chance we could buy the one real vial?"
"And then… then I could transfer it to you at a friendship price!"
Diluc replied evenly, "Sure. You can try. Even if it's fake, I won't refuse."
"Once you've bought some, bring them to the winery. Collect twenty bottles, and you can exchange them for a mug of beer."
Paimon puffed her cheeks. "That's such a bad deal!"
Su Han stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Why don't we forge items once used by Lord Barbatos instead?"
Paimon tilted her head. "Like what?"
With exaggerated solemnity, Su Han produced a pair of black stockings and presented them grandly. "Original black stockings personally worn by Lord Barbatos—clearance sale at ten million Mora!"
"Cough—cough—cough!"
Venti, who had been secretly sipping wine, nearly choked to death.
—
Late at night, Mondstadt City — the Goth Grand Hotel.
"The hidden stronghold was destroyed. Every Fatui agent stationed there slaughtered. All assets looted. And the Skyward Harp we had just secured… has vanished."
"And you dare tell me this was the work of a group of Hilichurls?!"
"What kind of Hilichurls could precisely locate one of our concealed bases and launch such a devastating strike?"
"And what kind of Hilichurls would even be interested in the Skyward Harp?"
A biting chill spread throughout the Goth Grand Hotel, as if freezing the very souls of those present.
Every Fatui agent hiding within the hotel stood trembling before the Fatui Harbinger, La Signora.
"Anastasia. You will speak," La Signora said coldly.
"I… I don't know…" Anastasia knelt before her, teeth chattering uncontrollably.
"If I recall correctly, it was you who suggested we strike while those people were stealing the Skyward Harp—then conveniently frame them for it."
La Signora's eyes were devoid of emotion, as they always seemed to be.
She gently lifted Anastasia's chin, admiring the way fear made her tremble.
The loss of a hidden base and several elite Fatui agents was nothing significant to Snezhnaya—far from crippling.
The plan to steal the Skyward Harp had required a Harbinger's approval.
"Seize the harp amidst the Knights of Favonius' chaos, then shift the blame onto the foreign Traveler."
It had indeed been Anastasia's proposal. And La Signora had indeed approved what seemed like a flawless plan.
However, losing the harp after it had already been secured—through negligence—would make her colleagues, and even the Tsaritsa, think her oversight was to blame.
The relationships among the Fatui Harbingers were never harmonious. Such a blunder would hand the others a perfect excuse to attack her position.
At this point, there was only one solution: silence Anastasia permanently. That way, all responsibility could be placed upon her.
As La Signora lifted her chin, an extreme cold pierced Anastasia's body like icy spikes, spreading through her in an instant.
Anastasia's mouth hung open helplessly, her expression twisted in agony. But the suffering lasted only a brief moment.
Thud.
She collapsed onto the floor, eyes wide and lifeless.
La Signora dusted off her hands, utterly bored. "Hmph. Useless trash. That is the price for acting without my permission."
"From this moment on, all Fatui agents within Mondstadt City are to cease their current operations."
"Strictly monitor the movements of those foreign Travelers. I have ample reason to suspect the disappearance of the Skyward Harp is connected to them."
"Yes!" The agents present felt as though they had been granted a reprieve from execution.
"Barbatos…"
"Where might you be at this moment?"
La Signora murmured softly, her pupils gradually losing focus as the chill radiating from her intensified without restraint.
Guys, if you want more chapters, subscribe to my YouTube channel here.
For every 10 subscribers, you'll get one extra chapter.
If no one subscribed, I would stop posting chapters.
Here is the link.
htt(p)s://youtube.com/shorts/bMOodEURFWM?si=UU7yZ0iMeEEUnpXo
Just delete the () from the p, ok.