“Oh my, that sounds like a great premise for a light novel, don’t you think?”

Just as the tension was rising, Bai Luo’s casual remark caused the atmosphere to shift awkwardly.

“Light…novel?”

The concept of light novels from Inazuma hadn’t spread widely on the mainland yet, so when Kaeya heard the unfamiliar term, he paused for a moment. 

Based on the word itself, he had a rough idea of what it might mean.

“That’s right. I even have a title in mind: Batman.”

“As long as it makes you happy…”

In just a few short moments, Kaeya had already gathered enough “intelligence” from Bai Luo to keep him pondering for quite a while. 

Glancing toward Diluc, who had just left the council room with a few others, Kaeya made his excuses.

“Apologies, Ausbilder. Please excuse me; my brother is not present, so it falls to me to manage the event.”

“Of course, no worries. Do inform me if there are similar events in the future. I’m quite fond of the atmosphere here.”

“As long as you don’t mind,” Kaeya replied, his expression heavy with thought as he picked up his glass and departed.

Meanwhile, Krobber, who had left with Diluc and Seneschal Seamus, was grumbling under his breath as he pushed through the crowd toward Bai Luo. 

However, seeing Bai Luo’s amused expression, he quickly fell silent.

“Did you manage to negotiate?”

Judging by Krobber’s expression, things hadn’t gone as smoothly as hoped.

“Well…for the most part, yes. They’ve agreed to our recruitment terms, but…it might take a bit of time.”

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Krobber silently cursed the situation, and it wasn’t hard to guess whom he was cursing. 

He was certain that if Bai Luo had accompanied him into the council room, the negotiations would have gone far more smoothly.

“A bit of time? You do realize how precious time is to the Doctor, don’t you? Are you really going to waste his time?”

With a faint smile, Bai Luo swirled the crimson wine in his glass as he questioned Krobber, making the man’s face turn deathly pale.

For the Doctor, obsessed with research, time was the most valuable commodity. Wasting it was asking for trouble.

“Ausbilder! Please, say something good on my behalf when you meet with Master. They can’t refuse this; I just need a little more time… just a little! By tomorrow’s meeting, I’ll apply more pressure and ensure they expedite the materials for us.”

“I don’t care when you get it done. I have my own tasks to complete. Finish it before I do, or else…you’ll have to explain everything to your Master yourself.”

Placing his glass on the table, Bai Luo redirected his gaze away from Krobber and walked out of the banquet. 

The bait had already been laid; there was no reason for him to linger. 

Now, all that remained was to see whether the big fish would take the bait.

It was a shame, though. 

A premium bait like this was hard to come by.

“Understood, sir!”

Krobber breathed a sigh of relief after Bai Luo left, but then noticed the untouched wine glass left behind.

Since Krobber had introduced himself, Diluc had instructed the servants to provide him with the finest wine and food, top-tier in quality. 

When Kaeya came by earlier, he had even brought a rare vintage that wasn’t available to the general guests at the banquet. 

The scent of the wine quickly filled Krobber’s nostrils.

After glancing around to ensure no one was watching, he greedily reached for Bai Luo’s abandoned glass.

But before he could take a sip, someone lightly tapped his shoulder.

“Hey, buddy.”

Kaeya, having already finished his conversation with Diluc, eyed the greedy man with a knowing smile, thoughts already forming in his mind.

“Hmm? Oh, it’s Master Kaeya. You startled me,” Krobber said with a nervous chuckle.

It wasn’t surprising that Krobber recognized Kaeya. 

During the days leading up to the banquet at the Goth Hotel, Kaeya had made contact with almost every member of the Fatui except for Bai Luo.

“Please pass my apologies to my brother. Shouldering the entire family’s burden at such a young age has made him impatient, and he may have acted impulsively. I hope he hasn’t offended you.”

Compared to Bai Luo, Krobber was much easier to deal with. 

A little flattery was enough to make him drop his guard and expose his weaknesses.

“Hmph, if only all the Ragnvindrs were as sensible as you, Kaeya. Perhaps Lord Crepus wouldn’t have met such an early end.” Krobber tried to imitate Bai Luo’s mannerisms, swirling the wine in his glass. 

Unfortunately, his clumsy imitation couldn’t capture Bai Luo’s elegance, and the wine spilling over the edge of his glass made him look more like a clown than a refined aristocrat.

“Let’s get to the point. The Seneschal is still considering your proposal. My personal opinion is that if your side could relax your terms a little, things would be easier.”

Despite Krobber’s offensive comment, Kaeya didn’t show any anger. 

Unlike Diluc, Kaeya had a better ability to hide his emotions. 

However, his uncovered eye narrowed slightly, revealing a concealed killing intent that Krobber failed to notice.

“Relax our terms?! I can’t agree to that!” Krobber exclaimed, clearly agitated. 

Bai Luo’s warning still echoed in his mind.

“As expected. But rest assured, this isn’t an empty proposal. The one wishing to facilitate this has prepared a modest gift to show their sincerity.”

“A gift?” Krobber’s eyes lit up with greed. 

Though Kaeya had called it a modest gift, Krobber, a man used to receiving bribes, knew better. 

If they wanted him to loosen up on recruitment, this “gift” would surely be substantial.

“Follow me, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“W-wait. Let me call a few men to join me,” Krobber said hesitantly.

While Krobber was greedy and selfish, he was also quite cautious—after all, he hadn’t survived under the Doctor for so long without that quality. 

Many who had worked for the Doctor before were long dead. 

Bai Luo had risen to the rank of Harbinger, and Krobber had lived this long partly due to his careful nature.

“No need. I guarantee this will be worth your while.”

With a mysterious smile, Kaeya led the way, though his interest in Krobber was already waning. 

After all, who would care about a man who had already outlived his usefulness?

<+>

A few minutes later, in the Dawn Winery’s underground cellar.

“Oh! Oh, this is the premier wine cellar of Mondstadt! The aroma—ah! Even the oak barrels have such a delightful fragrance!” Krobber dropped the lantern he was holding as he rushed toward the barrels, greedily inhaling the scent of the wine like a lover caressing their beloved’s body.

“But…allowing me into such a place is your fatal mistake. Do you think I’ll only take one barrel? How naïve! I’ll have the guards take as many as I can carry. These Mondstadt bumpkins are so foolish. No matter how they try to fool me, I’ll still take their people! Not just their people, I’ll take the wine! And the Mora! Everything will be mine! Let them lose everything!” Krobber laughed maniacally—until his laughter was cut short.

A dart shaped like a night owl flew through the air and pinned his right hand to the wine barrel.

His laughter turned into a scream.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep