Keqing wasn't the type to abandon her ideals over minor setbacks. But after witnessing Mondstadt, a nation "forgotten" by its god for millennia. She hoped to learn something new to refine her approach to governing Liyue.
"I see. I can share some of my insights, though I wouldn't call it 'teaching.' Think of it as an exchange," Jean said warmly.
"Mm!" Keqing straightened her posture, attentive.
With the Knights of Favonius back to normal operations, Jean wasn't as swamped as before. So, the next afternoon, Keqing returned for another round of discussions. By the time they finished, the clock had struck seven.
Keqing flushed. "I'm sorry for keeping you so long. We even missed dinner."
"Don't worry. I enjoyed our talk. Some of your ideas were fascinating. I might even test them in Mondstadt," Jean replied.
The two shared a smile.
"Come on, let me treat you to dinner at Good Hunter as thanks!" Keqing looped her arm through Jean's.
Jean nodded but discreetly pulled free once they stepped outside.
Keqing winked and whispered, "I get it, maintaining the Acting Grand Master's dignity. I do the same in Liyue."
Laughing, they headed to the restaurant. Mid-meal, Tartaglia finally arrived in Mondstadt and strode in, ordering a quick dinner.
He wolfed down his food and leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
'Honestly, two straight days on a hoverboard is exhausting.'
But rest would have to wait, he had more pressing business.
….
….
Twenty minutes later, he pushed open the door to Cat's Tail. The tavern was even more packed than during his last visit with Shen Qin. Spotting the long line at the bar, he sighed and queued up.
Luckily, Diona's dual-wielding mixology skills kept the line moving fast. Soon, it was his turn.
"One Misty Sparktea," he said, copying the previous customer's order.
Diona slid the drink across the counter, then stood there, glaring.
"Uh… Miss Diona? Something wrong?" Tartaglia stiffened under her scrutiny.
"Hmph. You are Shen's friend, right?"
"Sure…?"
"Then why hasn't he shown up in two weeks?! An-and don't get the wrong idea! I just need him to test my new drinks!" Her ears twitched defensively.
The bartender cat, Yuumi, sauntered past. "Diona, you used that excuse last time."
"Sh-shut up!"
Flustered, Diona stomped off to serve other customers, leaving Tartaglia without an answer.
He took a tentative sip, then his eyes lit up. Downing the rest in one gulp, he left Mora on the counter and called out, "I'll let Shen Qin know."
…
…
After checking into the prearranged guesthouse (courtesy of the Knights' hospitality, though no one greeted him—typical Mondstadt wariness toward the Fatui), Tartaglia pulled a folded note from his pocket.
Intel on Shen Qin's recent activities, discreetly passed to him at the tavern.
'Obviously, I went for the mission—not that drink!'
'Stormterror's Lair… large-scale survey commissions…'
He disintegrated the note with his Hydro and pondered the note to tomorrow's conference. The Fatui's Mondstadt intel went straight to Snezhnaya, so this was news to him.
"Ugh—headache. I'll figure it out tomorrow." He gave up.
He was a warrior, not a schemer like the other Harbingers. Deciphering convoluted plots was harder than soloing five Ruin Guards in ten seconds.
…
…
The next morning, after breakfast, he headed to the Knights' headquarters. A guard ushered him into a conference room—already packed with familiar faces:
Xu, retainer of the Feiyun Commerce Guild.
Kuan, foreman of the Blackcliff Forge.
Herbalist Gui, pharmacist of Bubu Pharmacy.
Cyrus, branch head of Mondstadt's Adventurers' Guild.
Goth, owner of Goth Grand Hotel.
Margaret, proprietress of Cat's Tail.
Sara, chef of Good Hunter.
… Essentially, every major business figure from Liyue and Mondstadt.
Xu's eyebrows shot up at Tartaglia's entrance. The Feiyun Guild had dealings with Northland Bank—they knew the Eleventh Harbinger well.
'If the Fatui are involved in this venture, we'll need to tread carefully. Shen Qin's products are lucrative, but the Fatui bring complications.'
Tartaglia slunk into a corner seat. Goth sidled over.
"Young man, you're from Snezhnaya?"
"Yep. Name's Tartaglia." He could be polite to elders.
"Snezhnayans… Hah! Some folks from your country rented my entire hotel recently, then vanished after the dragon crisis. Breached the contract but paid hefty compensation. Profit's profit, but in business, trust matters more." Goth clapped his shoulder, clearly unimpressed with Snezhnayan reliability.
Tartaglia nearly facepalmed. 'Right—Pantalone booked the Goth Hotel as a Fatui base, but the Skyward Shield and Sentry systems forced them out.'
"Got it, sir." he said blandly.
Eavesdropping revealed none of the attendees knew Shen Qin's agenda either. But with this lineup, the opportunity had to be monumental.
As murmurs filled the room, the doors swung open.
Shen Qin strode in, flanked by Diluc, Jean, and Keqing, with the Knights trailing behind.