Hearing Amber's words, Luya nodded and followed her.
Inside Mondstadt City, street vendors called out as they sold all sorts of local specialties. People came and went from taverns, while others gathered in the cathedral to pray with quiet devotion.
The architectural style of Mondstadt was strikingly different from that of Liyue Harbor. If one were to classify them by Blue Star's architectural schools, Mondstadt's buildings were refined and western in design—elegant and solemn—while Liyue's were steeped in the classical grace of the east, ancient yet meticulously crafted.
Amidst the bustling crowds, Amber lightly raised her right hand and tugged at the corner of Luya's clothes, guiding him toward an empty, recently closed shop.
Pointing at the vacant storefront, Amber's lips curved into a small smile. "This shop just went out of business recently—you're in luck."
"Then my timing couldn't be better."
Luya frowned slightly. "Hmm... why did this shop close down? Bad feng shui or something?"
Amber thought for a moment before answering softly, "I think the owner ran off with his wife's sister... I don't know all the details."
"Anyway, the place is empty now," she added with a laugh.
...
Luya inspected the shop carefully. It was quite spacious—about three hundred square meters from the outside.
However, he wasn't particularly concerned about its size. With the Shop Renovation function, he could expand the interior infinitely without actually occupying more space.
Money wasn't an issue either. Even after setting up factories in The Chasm and Guili Plains, he still had one billion Mora left. Opening a branch in Mondstadt would be simple.
"This shop looks good. How much Mora does it cost?" Luya asked, confidence shining in his expression.
Amber found herself momentarily dazed by Luya's handsome face. She had met plenty of people before, but it was the first time someone had captured her attention so quickly.
After witnessing Luya's Duel Monsters firsthand, she knew he wasn't just any ordinary person. If Duel Monsters could take root in Mondstadt, it would certainly be something remarkable.
"Amber?" Luya waved his hand in front of her, raising his voice.
"Ah!" Amber quickly patted her flushed cheeks. "You mean the price of the shop!"
"Well, this property... actually belongs to Master Diluc."
"He's the one renting it out—let me take you to him!" Amber said brightly, flashing a grin.
Just as she was about to lead Luya toward Dawn Winery to find Diluc, a tall man with flame-red hair tied in a ponytail appeared before them.
Luya looked up—it was none other than the shop's owner himself: Diluc.
Diluc's skin was pale as snow, almost luminous. His deep crimson eyes glimmered lightly with gold, like smoldering embers.
He wore an elegant black-and-gold formal outfit over a crisp white shirt, exuding both dignity and refinement. A shining Vision hung from his belt, giving him a quiet but commanding aura. His gloved hands—black on the outside, red within—rested easily at his sides. He wore fitted black trousers, a white-ringed leg strap on his right thigh, and boots adorned with gleaming buckles.
As a city renowned for its poetry and wine, Mondstadt's wine industry was legendary—and Master Diluc, owner of Dawn Winery, controlled half of it. That meant he held influence over both the flow of money and the whispers traded across the taverns.
In many ways, he was the uncrowned king of Mondstadt.
The air of the city always carried the fragrance of wine, and following it to its source would lead one to Dawn Winery. Its wooden sign proudly bore the name of the estate, with smaller words beneath: Never forget your beginning.
Some believed the phrase meant the winery's flavor had remained pure and consistent through the years—like the hopeful light of dawn. The more pragmatic Knights of Favonius saw it as a symbol of the enduring partnership between the winery and the city itself.
Occasionally, the estate hosted banquets, where amidst the mingling of nobles and merchants, someone would always joke, "It's thanks to Master Diluc's marriage to his business that we get to drink wine this fine!"
No matter who approached him or what was said, his composure never faltered.
In every sense, Master Diluc was an impeccable gentleman.
Though he managed Mondstadt's wine trade, Diluc himself rarely drank. At his request, Dawn Winery had developed several nonalcoholic beverages. Those in Mondstadt who couldn't—or preferred not to—drink found these drinks refreshing. Among them, the fruit beverage Apple Cider nearly rivaled Dandelion Wine in monthly sales.
Some said that because of Diluc's discerning standards, he refused to indulge in the brews others enjoyed. Others whispered that alcohol only reminded him of his father, so he avoided it altogether.
When asked directly, Diluc would simply reply that alcohol dulled his focus and interfered with work.
Still, people often wondered: what could make a man like him—owner of a grand winery—never touch a drop?
...
Amber smiled brightly at Diluc. "This outlander here wants to rent the shop, Master Diluc!"
At her words, Diluc offered a faint smile. "A pleasure to meet you. I am Diluc of Mondstadt."
"I'll skip the small talk—for now. But if you're planning something ambitious, you have my attention."
"Hahaha, of course I am!" Luya replied enthusiastically.
Amber chimed in, eager to help. "Master Diluc, I can vouch for him—he's definitely aiming for something big!"
"Oh? Is that so... Then I'll have to see for myself," Diluc said calmly, meeting Luya's gaze with quiet interest.
...
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