In the darkness, Mu Yang couldn't make out the changes in Rosalyne's expression.
He had no intention of resorting to violence.
If he poured all his Popularity Points into boosting his strength, dealing with La Signora would be easy.
But he didn't want to do that.
Popularity Points had many uses.
After leaving Mondstadt, he still needed to flesh out his backstory.
They shouldn't be wasted on La Signora.
La Signora spoke in a low voice.
"Just who are you?"
Mu Yang stood up.
Slowly, he approached Rosalyne.
"Who I am doesn't matter. My proposal is this—"
"We both take a step back. You abandon your plan to sabotage the city's defenses."
"And I won't interfere with your acquisition of the Gnosis."
Mu Yang stopped right in front of Rosalyne.
"You wouldn't want the Tsaritsa to learn of your mission's failure, would you?"
Rosalyne was prideful.
Under normal circumstances, anyone who dared threaten her like this would have their mouth burned to ashes by her flames—
Or be frozen into an ice sculpture.
But the man before her—Mu Yang—was too mysterious.
His strength was like an enigma.
Sometimes present, sometimes absent.
Sometimes high, sometimes low.
There was simply no way to gauge it.
The only possibilities were that Mu Yang possessed some strange ability—
Or that his strength far surpassed hers.
That was the only explanation for this situation.
Still, Rosalyne wouldn't admit defeat so easily.
"You think you alone can obstruct our plans?"
Mu Yang: "The Knights of Favonius simply don't have the manpower to spare for you."
"The other Fatui are beneath their notice."
"My commission was only to keep you occupied."
Mu Yang paced around the room.
"I've heard that Lord Barbatos deeply loves his people."
"If he finds out you've tampered with the city's defenses and caused harm to Mondstadt's citizens—"
"At that point, forget the Gnosis. Whether you can even continue operating in Mondstadt will be the real question."
Rosalyne was clearly provoked by Mu Yang's words.
Without hesitation, she launched an icicle straight at the back of his head.
The icicle shattered just before hitting Mu Yang, dissolving into fine shards.
This was one of Mu Yang's sword techniques—
Untraceable.
A few of the shards were deflected, flying back toward Rosalyne.
She burned them away with her flames.
Mockingly, she sneered.
"What a fine way to 'love his people'..."
Mu Yang didn't even turn his head, making it clear he didn't take La Signora's attack seriously.
"I don't know why Barbatos is so lenient with you."
"But I'm not like him."
"Don't force me to go beyond the scope of my commission, alright?"
Rosalyne flicked her wrist.
"Hmph."
Having calmed down, she carefully considered Mu Yang's words.
Her primary objective was the Gnosis.
And for now, Mondstadt was still nominally an ally of Snezhnaya.
If things escalated too far, it would be hard to contain the fallout.
If she fought Mu Yang here and both sides suffered heavy losses—
She would miss her best chance to obtain the Gnosis.
That would be a losing trade.
The Tsaritsa's mission took absolute priority.
Meanwhile, in the lobby of the Goethe Grand Hotel.
Anastasia and several other Fatui agents sat together, recovering from their injuries.
They were doing much better now.
Though they were dying to know what was happening upstairs between that lone man and woman—
Why wasn't there any noise at all?
But none of them dared eavesdrop.
La Signora was their superior.
Mu Yang was a ruthless man who preferred action over words.
Neither of them was someone they could afford to provoke.
"Hey, do you think La Signora has returned yet? Why hasn't there been any movement?"
"She should have, right? She's usually back by this time."
"Then why hasn't that white-haired brat been thrown out yet?"
A skinny man grinned lewdly.
"You think La Signora and that white-haired kid are... y'know... hehehe."
Anastasia smacked him with a lantern.
"If you want to die, don't drag us into it."
She continued, "La Signora must have returned late today."
"I bet that white-haired brat won't last three moves against her."
A chubby man egged them on.
"Let's start a betting pool! Bet on how that kid's gonna die."
Excitedly, they placed their wagers.
Some said Mu Yang would be burned to death.
Others said he'd be thrown out the window and die from the fall.
Some bet he'd be frozen into an icicle.
"What's this fun little bet you've got going?"
"We're betting on how that white-haired kid upstairs dies. Wanna join?"
"Sure. I bet he'll come out completely unharmed."
The chubby man was about to mock him—
"Bro, are you just giving away money?"
—when he realized the voice sounded familiar.
Everyone turned around.
And froze in shock.
Several of them rubbed their eyes, wondering if they were hallucinating.
Because there stood Mu Yang, completely unharmed.
Exactly as he'd been when he went upstairs.
Not a single wrinkle on his clothes.
Meanwhile, La Signora stood behind him, her face dark with displeasure.
The Fatui Harbingers were synonymous with power.
Everyone in Teyvat knew that.
The Fatui agents couldn't believe it.
Someone had barged into the Eighth Harbinger's room—
And walked out unscathed.
Mu Yang used his sword to sweep the Mora on the table toward himself.
Then he stuffed all of it into a bag.
"Didn't expect an extra windfall."
"Whose idea was this? Not bad. Next time you do this, remember to call me."
With that, he left, leaving the Fatui with nothing but his retreating figure.
The agents' faces flushed red and pale in turns.
Today was a humiliating defeat for them.
And it was all because of Mu Yang.
Anastasia stood up.
"Lady Signora, we'll carry out the plan to sabotage the city's defenses now."
"Let the people of Mondstadt learn the consequences of opposing us."
Rosalyne: "Unnecessary. The plan is canceled."
No one understood.
Why cancel it so abruptly?
But no one dared ask.
The agents stood and saluted.
"Yes, ma'am!"
None of them dared breathe too loudly, afraid of incurring La Signora's wrath.
Only after Rosalyne turned and went upstairs did they finally relax.
"Phew..."
At that moment, a fiery butterfly lazily fluttered over—
And exploded right in the face of the skinny man who had joked about La Signora and Mu Yang's "activities."
It blew off half his face.
Mu Yang left the Goethe Grand Hotel in high spirits.
He headed toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters to report his success.
He'd let them focus on their defense without worrying about La Signora's schemes.
When he arrived at the entrance, he found no guards on duty.
That struck him as odd.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Not a single knight was in sight.
"Did the Hilichurls already break through?" Mu Yang wondered.
"No, no, I'd better hurry to the city gates and put on a show."
"Otherwise, when Lumine gets back, who's gonna spread the word about my 'heroic deeds'?"
Just as he was about to leave, a voice called out to him.
"Mr. Mu Yang?"
He turned around.
A woman in witch-like purple attire stood there.
"That's me. And you are?" Mu Yang pretended to size her up.
"Lisa, the librarian," she replied.
"It seems you've completed your commission. As expected of a professional."
"Flattery won't get you a discount. I just do what I'm paid for."
Lisa's expression grew serious.
"Could I ask you to take on another commission?"