"Haha." Tartaglia responded with a hollow laugh, offering nothing more.
Seeing that he wasn't taking the bait, Kaeya didn't press further. He led him to the guesthouse reserved for foreign dignitaries and left with a parting remark:
"Oh, by the way, your Eighth Harbinger managed to anger Master Shen Qin, so she only got a one-day ID card. If she wants to stay in Mondstadt, she'll have to report to the Knights every evening to renew it. Heh..."
Tartaglia looked in the direction Kaeya had left, unmoving for a long time.
"Ever since Grand Master Varka took the expedition team away, Mondstadt hasn't been this bold against Snezhnaya in a long time. What exactly are they relying on now...?"
He immediately contacted the Fatui's covert operatives in Mondstadt and obtained recent intelligence.
"The Skyshield System can even block Dvalin, the Dragon of the East, at full power outside the city. The Sentinel System monitors all suspicious individuals entering the city... With defenses this airtight, no wonder Mondstadt has the confidence to act like this!"
Tartaglia was shocked by the sheer power of these two systems.
If Snezhnaya were to launch an attack on Mondstadt, only a handful of elite forces could breach the Sky Shield and enter the city—everyone else would be effortlessly blocked outside without Mondstadt even needing to lift a finger.
Infiltration would also become extremely difficult. In the two days since the Sentinel System went online, 70% of the Fatui's undercover agents had already been expelled. Only those who entered through official channels were issued ID cards, permitting them to operate legally within the city.
Moreover, according to intelligence, Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, had been active in Mondstadt recently and had even made contact with Shen Qin. If Liyue were to adopt these two systems as well, his operations there would face severe restrictions.
It seems this genius alchemist has truly created something extraordinary.
Tartaglia pondered his upcoming meeting with him.
Meanwhile, the Knights of Favonius headquarters was brightly lit, with key figures gathered in Jean's office—Keqing among them, experiencing a rare Knights-style war council.
"At this point, the threat posed by the dragon crisis is negligible. Our next phase is to counterstrike—our objectives are to eradicate Abyss Order forces within Mondstadt's borders and purge the curse from Dvalin, truly freeing him!" Jean began with a decisive summary before assigning tasks.
"Shen Qin, and Sucrose— two of you will deploy small-scale Skyshield and Sentinel Systems in Springvale. A ten-man squad will assist you. Klee, you'll accompany them as their protector."
"For Albedo, and Lisa— they will lead the alchemy team in researching how to dismantle the barrier around Stormterror's Lair."
"Thirdly, Mr. Diluc, Cyrus and people from the Adventurers' Guild— they shall handle the systematic sweep of Abyss Order hideouts."
"Lastly, Eula, Amber, and Kaeya—each of you shall lead a team to clear out the Abyss Order and monster hordes in Starsnatch Cliff, Windwail Highland, and Brightcrown Mountains. Wipe out the Abyss Order and reduce their numbers to pre-crisis levels."
Jean hesitated slightly before addressing Keqing.
"Lady Keqing..."
"No need to hold back, Acting Grand Master. Since Liyue intends to ally with Mondstadt, it's only right for me, as one of the Qixing, to lend a hand in its time of need," Keqing replied earnestly.
She genuinely wanted to help—but she also had another motive: to resolve the Dvalin crisis quickly so she could bring Shen Qin to Liyue to implement the two systems.
"Very well. In that case, the Millelith under your command will serve as Mondstadt's rapid-response unit. If any team encounters a formidable enemy, we'll rely on your support."
"Understood!" Keqing nodded firmly.
Orders were swiftly issued, and everyone mobilized immediately.
This was Mondstadt's largest operation since Grand Master Varka's expedition departed years ago. Nearly every power in Teyvat was watching closely. If successful, Mondstadt's morale, public trust, and influence would surge dramatically.
Those with sharp instincts had already identified the key figure behind it all—Shen Qin.
Without his alchemical inventions, Mondstadt would have suffered far worse damage during the Abyss Order's first assault—let alone remaining unscathed in the second and mounting a counterattack.
It was the Skyshield and Sentinel Systems that secured their rear, allowing Mondstadt to concentrate its forces for such a large-scale operation.
Some continued to watch from the sidelines—while others had already begun making moves.
The next morning, Tartaglia finally met with Shen Qin and the others. The attendees remained the same: Diluc, Jean, and Shen Qin.
"First, on behalf of Snezhnaya and the Fatui, I apologize for Signora's unauthorized actions, which caused you trouble. Once she returns to Snezhnaya, she will face internal disciplinary action. As compensation..."
Tartaglia slid a 1-million Mora bank draft across the table.
"...this is a Northland Bank draft, redeemable at any branch. Please accept it."
Diluc's voice was icy. "You're not planning to lure Shen Qin into your territory with this draft and then detain him, are you?"
"Ahahaha! Master Diluc, you jest!" Tartaglia laughed awkwardly. "Though the Fatui's reputation in Teyvat is... less than stellar, the Northland Bank is a legitimate enterprise with branches across the continent. We wouldn't tarnish its name like that."
"I'll take the draft, then." Shen Qin pocketed it without hesitation, then smiled. "You said Signora acted without authorization—meaning the person Snezhnaya actually assigned to meet me wasn't her?"
Tartaglia nodded. "Correct. From the start, negotiations were my responsibility."
"In that case, her coming all the way to Mondstadt must have had another purpose, right?"
The moment Shen Qin spoke, the room fell silent. Both Diluc and Jean fixed their gazes on Tartaglia.
For a split second, Tartaglia's muscles tensed—then he burst into laughter.
"That's internal Fatui business—not something I can disclose, ahaha..."
"Fair enough." Shen Qin didn't press further. The message was clear: Whatever your plans are, we're watching.
Diluc stood. "Now that the apologies are done, Harbinger, you may leave. We have internal matters to discuss—none of your concern."
"Eh? Come on, I came here in good faith to discuss business."