In truth, Lisa was no less confused than Jean.
She lowered her head and pondered for a long while before finally speaking.
"Even if the Prince of Snezhnaya signed the agreement, that doesn't necessarily mean we'll actually receive the compensation. Everything went far too smoothly. Be careful—there may be a trap."
Kaeya waved it off.
"Then tomorrow I'll personally take the agreement to the Northland Bank branch in Mondstadt and withdraw the money. It has the Prince's own signature—surely they won't dare default."
Lisa shook her head slowly.
"You and I both know how the Fatui operate. They never take a loss. Even if they do, they'll reclaim it elsewhere."
"For that reason, the Fatui established an elite unit known as the Debt Collectors. Their creed is 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' Whoever harms Fatui interests will pay back tenfold."
She paused, then added casually—
"Oh, and the Prince of Snezhnaya is also a member of that organization. He's known as the 'Fire Debt Collector', and is its nominal leader."
Kaeya's expression darkened instantly.
"Then this compensation agreement has turned into a hot potato. If we don't collect the money, Mondstadt loses face. But if we do… we'll provoke them."
"If we back down now," he added angrily,
"the Fatui will laugh at us in the streets and call us cowards."
Both points were valid.
Jean exhaled softly.
"It seems I'll have to meet him in person after all. Kaeya—come with me."
Lisa raised a hand.
"No need. When the Fatui returned the agreement, they specifically instructed us—if we wish to see the Prince, we must wait until tomorrow afternoon."
Jean fell silent.
"So we've been seen through completely," she said at last.
"This Prince of Snezhnaya… is far more dangerous than I anticipated."
She sighed quietly.
What she thought would be a decisive first exchange had instead left her at a disadvantage.
Her thoughts drifted back two years.
That was the first time she had met Severin—at the Snezhnayan embassy banquet.
Sharp brows, clear eyes.
Well-read, articulate, composed.
At the time, she had sensed no danger from him at all.
Only now did she realize—
She had underestimated him from the very beginning.
This man's methods—and the threat he posed—
far exceeded even the Eleven Harbingers.
"The Prince's first diplomatic stop was Inazuma," Jean said, pressing a hand to her temple.
"Have we received intelligence from our agents there?"
All intelligence matters were handled by Kaeya.
"Yes," Kaeya replied.
"The Snezhnayan delegation stayed in Inazuma for less than a week. They signed cooperation agreements in culture and trade."
"The Prince himself attended a banquet hosted by the Kamisato Clan of the Yashiro Commission—and publicly humiliated Kujou Takayuki."
Jean frowned.
"Among the Tri-Commission, the Tenryou Commission is the one you never offend. The Prince certainly doesn't follow convention."
"Anything else?"
"He seems to favor Yoimiya, granting her exclusive distribution rights for Snezhnaya's black powder."
"But according to our investigations, the two had no prior connection whatsoever."
"Exclusive rights?" Lisa raised a brow, visibly surprised.
"She must be his concubine~ That's an absurd amount of wealth."
"Forget Inazuma," Lisa continued lazily.
"Even here in Mondstadt, major merchant families would tear each other apart for a single such contract. They've dragged us to arbitration more than once over lesser rights."
"That black powder is pure profit."
Then, with a teasing smile—
"Jean, if you'd agreed to marry him two years ago, you might be Mondstadt's richest woman by now."
Jean shot her a sharp look.
"Keep monitoring Yoimiya's contact with Snezhnaya. I want every detail of her connection to the Prince."
"If we find leverage," she said coldly,
"dealing with him will become much easier."
Kaeya nodded, then added,
"One more thing—Inazuman news, not exactly intelligence."
"Half a day after the Snezhnayan delegation left, the Raiden Shogun announced a relaxation of the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree."
"Neither policy has been fully abolished yet, but the people of Inazuma are already celebrating."
Jean's eyes narrowed.
"Inazuma's pursuit of eternity borders on obsession. For the Shogun to loosen those decrees means her stance has wavered."
"And the timing coincides perfectly with the Prince's visit."
She turned to Lisa.
"Tell me—was it Severin who changed the Raiden Shogun's mind?"
Lisa smiled faintly.
"You already know the answer."
She walked to the window in her heels.
"The wind's picked up, Jean. Look at those storm clouds."
Jean followed her gaze into the darkening sky.
"Yes," she murmured.
"A storm is coming."
Mondstadt — Night Rain
The downpour arrived swiftly.
Pedestrians and travelers scattered from the streets.
Even stray cats fled back to their shelters.
Yet a small group walked calmly beneath pitch-black umbrellas.
At the front—
Severin.
Holding the umbrella for him was the Mirror Maiden.
Suddenly, Severin halted and extended his hand.
The Fatui guards behind him thought danger had appeared and instantly drew their weapons, forming a defensive line.
"Your Highness…?" the Mirror Maiden began.
At that moment, a tiny kitten slipped from the roof above—
And landed neatly in Severin's palm.
Its eyes were still closed, its fur thin and damp—a newborn kitten.
"Your Highness is truly kind-hearted," the Mirror Maiden praised.
"You even foresaw the kitten's fall and saved its life."
On the rooftop, a mother cat panicked.
She leapt down, grabbed the kitten by the scruff, and scrambled back up into the nest.
"All things have a spirit," Severin said quietly.
"Grass and trees have hearts. All lives deserve kindness."
With that, he continued down the stone-paved street, his boots tapping rhythmically against the wet ground.
Before long, a lavish hotel came into view.
The Goethe Hotel.
This luxurious establishment was a Fatui stronghold within Mondstadt—a place for meetings, schemes, and covert operations.
In truth, it was hardly secret anymore.
The Knights of Favonius knew exactly what it was.
But compared to a hidden base, a visible one was easier to monitor.
As long as the Fatui didn't cross the line, the Knights turned a blind eye.
"Your Highness," the Mirror Maiden said, lowering her umbrella,
"we've arrived."
"Lord Lawrence—the uncle of Eula—is currently awaiting your audience."
The rain continued to fall.
And Mondstadt's storm had only just begun.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/SwritesTL