Koji and Lumine went to Angel's Share, where Diluc happened to be. He wore a bartender's uniform, his long red hair tied into a high ponytail, exuding both noble elegance and striking charm.
"Two Honorary Knights. What business do you have?"
Diluc polished a glass and looked up at them, his voice calm.
He hadn't interacted much with the two of them, so he couldn't guess why they had come.
"Boss Diluc, word is you're very wealthy. We're here to make a trade," Koji said directly.
"Oh?"
Diluc's interest was piqued. Everyone in Mondstadt knew of his wealth.
But there weren't many trades that could capture his attention. With Mora, he could buy nearly anything.
"What is it that you want to sell to me?"
"I heard you're very interested in Dandelion Wine, is that right?" Koji smiled faintly.
In Mondstadt, only Diluc could pay a price worth considering.
Diluc nodded. He had collected Dandelion Wine before, but most of them were fakes.
It was normal. Ordinary people who didn't even know the Anemo Archon could hardly get their hands on such a thing.
But if Koji brought it, that was different. After all, Koji and Lumine actually knew Barbatos.
"You have it?"
"I do, I do. Take a look."
Koji produced a jar of wine thick with Anemo energy. Diluc's eyes lit up instantly. He could clearly sense the aura of the Anemo Archon.
He had collected many items tied to the Archon, but none carried such a strong resonance.
At a glance, he knew it was real.
"Where did you get this?" Diluc asked, curious.
By now he was convinced. This was indeed wine brewed by the Archon himself. It was priceless and aged as well.
Such wine truly tempted him. He had already decided to buy it.
"The Anemo Archon generously gave it to us as a reward," Koji said righteously.
Venti: ?
Lumine covered her mouth to stifle laughter. He had stolen it himself, and yet he claimed Venti had gifted it.
So shameless.
If Venti heard that, he'd probably flip out in rage.
Reading the atmosphere, Diluc guessed what had really happened. He gave the Archon three seconds of silent mourning.
That drunkard would never give away his favorite wine. At most, he'd share it while drinking. To gift an entire jar? Impossible.
"Well then, Diluc, do you want it or not?" Koji asked with a grin.
"Don't worry about the Archon. He won't come asking you for it."
"I'll take it." Diluc nodded.
Even if the Archon came later, the act was Koji's, not his. For him, this was a normal transaction.
Dandelion Wine was a treasure worth collecting.
"Follow me."
Diluc led them to his office and poured them apple juice.
"How much are you asking?" He folded his arms, unconcerned about cost.
Even if the Archon brewed more, it wouldn't leave his hands. Koji's jar was still unique.
"We all know each other. How about one hundred million Mora? I think that price befits Barbatos's Dandelion Wine," Koji said evenly.
Lumine raised her brows. One hundred million. That was countless commissions' worth of pay.
"Fine."
Diluc nodded. For genuine Dandelion Wine, the price was fair. He could accept it.
Paimon's jaw dropped. Just like that, they'd earned a hundred million Mora?
Was the Archon's stuff really worth that much?
If Venti knew his wine had been sold for such a price, he'd probably cry himself dizzy in the washroom.
Shhhk—
Diluc quickly wrote out a check, pressed his seal, and slid it across. He wouldn't carry such sums personally. They could collect it themselves.
"Boss Diluc, so straightforward. This jar is yours."
Koji pushed the wine over. Money for goods. A smooth deal.
Diluc nodded and examined it closely. The wine had aged for centuries at least.
One hundred million Mora. He even felt Koji had asked for too little. Even more wouldn't have been unreasonable.
With the deal done, Koji and Lumine left. With that kind of money, they had to celebrate.
"Hm?"
Unconcealed now, Venti suddenly felt it—one of his jars was with Diluc.
Damn. Really?
They had taken his wine and sold it to Diluc. Too shameless.
In the end, he got nothing while someone else reaped massive profits.
Selling his wine for money without giving him a cut? Outrageous.
"No, I have to ask Diluc about this."
He became a gust of wind, vanishing. The next moment, he appeared before Diluc.
"Ah, the Archon himself. To what do I owe the honor?"
He wasn't surprised. With the wine here, Venti's arrival was inevitable. But he also knew the Archon wouldn't take it back.
With a half-smile, Venti asked, "May I know who sold this jar to you?"
He already had his suspicions. The only one in Teyvat capable of swiping his wine so easily was that inscrutable Koji.
"Heh. I believe you already know," Diluc replied with a slight grin.
Thinking of what they'd done, even he couldn't help but laugh.
No wonder they were foreigners. They had done what no Mondstadter dared.
In Mondstadt, the Archon was faith itself. Who would dare steal from him?
Koji: A scholar's work can't be called stealing.
"By the way, how much did you pay?" Venti asked, curious.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Diluc said strangely.
"Yes." Venti nodded.
Diluc raised one finger.
"Ten million Mora?"
"No. One hundred million."
Venti's eyes widened. He clutched his chest. He never knew his wine could fetch so much. His heart ached even worse.
"How despicable…"
He stormed off. He would confront Koji. Selling his wine? At least share the Mora.
Diluc chuckled and shook his head slowly.
"Ah… so this is what being rich feels like?"
Lumine ate the finest dishes. Such indulgence was intoxicating.
Now she too knew the feeling of wealth.
No matter how much they ate, they could never finish a hundred million Mora. With bulging purses, confidence came easy.
"Mhm, it feels amazing."
Paimon was thrilled, able to eat freely. She loved it.
"Good. While you feast, did you spare a thought for me?"
(End of Chapter)
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