Genshin Impact: Watch me turn the tables and kill my servants at the start!

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Fanes disassembled the grill, wrapped the remaining crab meat in a waterproof cloth, tied it to Xiao Hei's back, and then walked along the waterway towards Fontaine, stopping in front of the side gate of the Mo Mang Palace.

When Funina pushed open the side door, the guard on duty only bowed slightly in her direction, his gaze lingered for a moment on Hu Tao who was following behind her, and then looked away without asking any questions.

Hu Tao stepped across the threshold with a lighter pace than usual. She stood in the foyer and looked around, her gaze moving from the pillars on either side to the huge map of Fontainebleau on the wall, then to the slowly rotating crystal chandelier on the ceiling. Then she turned to Funina: "You usually work from here?"

Furina closed the side door again and led them along the corridor a short distance inward. They stopped at a double doorway, pushed it open, and a side room was revealed. The side room was small, but well-lit, with windows facing the main street of Fontainebleau, and the silhouettes of pedestrians on the street were projected onto the floor through the semi-transparent curtains.

Funina pulled out a chair and sat down: "I usually handle paperwork in the front hall, this is for resting."

Walnut sat down on the chair by the window, her gaze still moving across the room, like a machine scanning the space, slowly and attentively recording every detail.

As Navelette walked from the other end of the corridor, he was holding a scroll that had not yet been unfolded. He saw that the door to the side hall was open, slowed his pace, glanced inside, and saw Kurumi and Fanes sitting by the window. His gaze lingered on Kurumi for a moment before shifting to Funina.

Navelette stood in the doorway, as if using that brief silence to complete a confirmation process. Then he spoke: "It seems you have guests today."

Funina, sitting in a chair, looked up at him and said, "Hu Tao and Fanes spent the day in Fontainebleau and stopped by for a visit."

Navelette stood in the doorway, her gaze lingering for a moment between the walnut and the windowsill before returning to its original position. "If you feel comfortable, you can stay in the lounge a little longer. The tea set in the tea room next door was just changed today."

Funina nodded: "Okay."

Navelette left without looking back. The documents in her hand tightened as she crossed the threshold, her back resembling a door closing. She walked a distance along the corridor, her footsteps making even, steady sounds on the floor, gradually fading into the width and material of the corridor and finally disappearing at the corner.

In those few seconds, Villette's mind quickly checked, confirming that the figure's visit did not violate any ongoing regulations, nor did it require his personal recording or intervention. Then the door closed behind him.

Hu Tao sat by the window, watching Vilette's figure disappear before turning to look at Furina: "Was that the High Inquisitor of Fontaine?"

Funina leaned back in her chair: "Yes."

Walnut's fingers were still gently twirling the edge of the drooping tassel, as if using the edge of that tassel to measure the width of a conversation that had not yet fully unfolded: "He doesn't seem like the type to invite someone for tea."

Furna picked up the freshly brewed cup of tea on the table and took a sip: "He doesn't usually say things like that. But you're wearing Liyue's clothes today, so he probably feels that guests from Liyue should receive appropriate treatment."

Fanes sat in the chair next to him, the terminal panel resting on his lap, the screen lit but no applications open. He glanced out the window at the sky—dusk was sinking along the edge of the city walls, and the streetlights were gradually coming on.

Then the terminal panel vibrated. A message popped up, sent from the Winter's Emergency Communication Code. The message was short, saying that a dispute had arisen between the Winter's Army and a certain unit of the Fools over the distribution of logistical supplies, and the conflict had escalated to the point where an executive officer needed to intervene. He was asked to return as soon as possible to handle the situation.

Fanes read the message from beginning to end, then read it a second time, then put the panel in his pocket and stood up.

Funina noticed his movement, put down her teacup, and looked at him: "What's wrong?"

Fanes pulled up the collar of his coat: "Something's happened at Winter's End, I have to go back and deal with it. The Winter Clan and the Fools have some logistical issues, someone needs to go and mediate."

Hu Tao had already reached the door, slung her backpack back over her shoulder, and adjusted the straps with both hands simultaneously: "Then be careful on your journey. Fu Fu and I will stay in Fontainebleau for another two days, and contact you again when you're done with your work."

Furina also stood up and walked up to Fanes: "How long will this take?"

Fanes thought for a moment, then glanced at the darkening sky outside the window: "Not necessarily. It depends on how complicated the situation is there. I'll confirm when I get there."

Fanes turned and took two steps toward the door, then stopped and looked back at them: "If I find the situation more complicated than I anticipated when I return, I might stay a few more days until winter. I'll let you know in advance."

As Fanes walked out of the side door of the Moman Palace along the corridor, Little Black had already glided down from the roof and landed on the open ground in front of him, where he squatted and waited.

Fanes mounted the dragon's back and sat down. After making sure he was settled, Little Black flapped its wings and rose into the twilight.

The city of Fontaine below was lit up, and the waterways reflected a warm glow in the night. He glanced down to confirm the information and signature on the terminal panel, put the panel in his pocket, then looked down at the receding silhouette of the Mo Mang Palace. He then pulled his coat collar tighter in the night breeze and turned his gaze back to the course ahead.