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

The Goethe Hotel is the most magnificent hotel in Mondstadt, a fact that Faynes was certain of the moment he stepped through its doors. (There's no way to deny it; Mondstadt's infrastructure needs improvement!)

The six-story main building stands on the east side of the central square of Mondstadt, with several ivy vines climbing on its off-white exterior walls and pots of flowers blooming in full glory on the windowsills.

The lobby was even more spacious than that of the Northern Bank, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the high dome, casting a warm glow on the marble floor. Behind the reception desk stood a row of waiters in uniform, their smiles so perfectly synchronized they seemed to be cut from the same mold.

But that's not what Fanes noticed.

What caught Fanes' attention were the few "waiters" standing against the wall in the corner of the hall—they were a size bigger than the ordinary waiters, stood straight, and the bulging outline of their waists looked like they were hiding weapons.

There was also a man sitting on a sofa in the rest area reading a newspaper, which was held high and covered most of his face, but Fanes caught a glimpse of a section of the Fools' standard wristband peeking out from under his cuff.

(What if you think this is unprofessional! If the entire hotel was staffed by your own people, I guarantee you'd dare discuss confidential information directly with your colleagues. See Mikhail and Lyudmila for details.)

The entire Goethe Hotel, from top to bottom, from the front desk to the kitchen, from the doormen to the cleaners, has been completely replaced by the Fools.

Fanes stood in the center of the lobby, looked around, then turned to Rosalind, who was gracefully walking over from the front desk, and lowered his voice: "Sister Rosalind, does this entire hotel belong to us now?"

Rosalind strolled over unhurriedly, took his hand, and led him toward the elevator: "The Fools' operations in Mondstadt need a relatively low-profile base. The owner of the Goethe Hotel was thinking of retiring, so I took it over for a price he couldn't refuse. It's still nominally a luxury hotel in operation, but in reality... you know the answer."

As Fanes was led into the elevator, he silently murmured, "The power of money." Before the elevator doors closed, he took one last look at the lobby—the Fools soldiers disguised as waiters gave him a subtle but precise nod, clearly professionally trained.

Dinner was arranged in a private restaurant on the top floor of the hotel. Only one table was set up on the entire floor for Fanes, Jakoda, and Rosalind. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was a panoramic view of Mondstadt sinking into twilight, with the blades of windmills slowly turning in the sunset in the distance, and the hillsides outside the city walls being dyed a warm gold.

The table was covered with a snow-white tablecloth, and the silver cutlery gleamed in the candlelight. One dish after another was served and arranged—Mondstadt-style baked flatbread with three kinds of jam, honey-glazed roasted pork chops, cream of mushroom soup, and a plate of potato cakes piled high, with a small dish of ketchup on the side.

Yakoda's starry eyes never dimmed from the moment the first course was served. Holding her fork, she charged toward the waffles like a pony released from its reins after Rosalyn said "Eat."

Fanes was a little more reserved than her, but only for about three seconds—when he put the first scones covered in sunset jam into his mouth, the crispy crust, the soft and chewy interior, and the sweet and sour jam all blended together, and he felt as if he heard the bells of heaven.

Rosalind sat opposite them, slowly cutting the steak on her plate, occasionally glancing up at the two little ones engrossed in their food, a smile never fading from her lips. She reached out and pushed the plate of hash browns toward Fanes: "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

With his mouth full, Fanes mumbled a reply, but his hands didn't slow down at all. Meanwhile, Yakoda had already devoured three flatbreads and was now attacking the second honey-glazed roast pork chop, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster that had stolen a nut.

As the meal progressed, Fanes leaned back in his chair, cradling his round belly, feeling as if someone had stuffed the entire food reserves of Mondstadt into his stomach.

The sky outside the window had completely darkened, and the lights of Mondstadt twinkled in the night, looking out from the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor like an unfolded golden embroidery.

Fanes let out a burp. "Sister Rosalyn, you've chosen a great base. There's food, lodging, and a beautiful view. It's much better than that tiny room in the Northern Bank in Liyue."

Rosalind put down her knife and fork and wiped her hands. "Shall I take you around the city tomorrow? Although I can't come with you, I can have two guides with you. Mondstadt isn't big; you can see it all in a day or two."

Fanes nodded and yawned again. This yawn seemed to flip a switch, and drowsiness surged up like a tide, causing his eyelids to droop uncontrollably.

Yakoda was leaning back in her chair, staring blankly, still clutching half a pancake in her hand. Her head was bobbing up and down as if she might collapse at any moment.

Rosalind smiled and beckoned a waiter to come and lead the two children to the prepared room. Fanes was already half asleep when he was led into the room. The bed was as soft as a cloud, and he fell asleep as soon as he lay down on it, without even having time to cover himself properly with the blanket.

In his dream, he was still eating pancakes. Pancakes were piled up all over the mountains, and he was sitting on the mountaintop, able to reach out and grab pancakes covered in jam and stuff them into his mouth.

When he woke up the next day, sunlight was already streaming into the room through the gaps in the curtains. Fanes rubbed his eyes and sat up, only to find that Yakoda had gotten up even earlier than him, already dressed and sitting on the windowsill, swinging her legs and watching the street scene. Goggles hung around her neck, and her cat-ear hat was neatly placed on her head; she looked as energetic as a newly sprouted bean seedling.

"Boss! You're awake! Look outside!" She pointed out the window and waved excitedly.

Fanes got up and peered out the window—Mondstadt was bustling with activity in the morning, like a pot of boiling soup. Vendors were already setting up stalls in the square, there were queues outside bakeries, several children were chasing a plump pigeon across the street corner, and in the distance, the blades of windmills were turning slowly in the morning breeze. The whole city was filled with a lazy yet vibrant atmosphere.

When they finished washing up and came downstairs, Rosalyn was already waiting in the lobby. Today she was wearing a low-key dark dress, and her hair was simply pulled back, making her look like an ordinary wealthy lady from Mondstadt.

When Fanes saw Fanes and Jakoda come out of the elevator, he bent down to straighten Jakoda's crooked hat brim, and then took out two small money pouches from his pocket and put them into their hands.

"For going out and having fun. Don't skimp on what you want to eat or buy. My status makes it inconvenient for me to accompany you, so I've arranged for two people to go with you. Just contact them if you need anything."

Fanes, clutching the heavy money bag, looked up at Rosalind with a grin: "Thank you, Sister Rosalind! We'll be back before evening!"

"Come back early for dinner."

As Fanes pulled Jakoda's hand and pushed open the doors of the Goethe Hotel, the morning breeze of Mondstadt rushed in, carrying the fresh scent of grass and flowers.

On the street corner, a bard was strumming his lyre and singing a story about a wind dragon, his voice leisurely and melodious. In the bakery window, freshly baked buttered bread was displayed, its golden, crispy crust sprinkled with fine powdered sugar.

Yakoda tugged at Fanes' sleeve and ran towards the bakery: "Boss, boss! That looks so delicious!"

Fanes stumbled a couple of steps as she pulled him, glancing back at the closed door of the Grand de Bois Hotel behind him. Rosalind stood in the shadows of the lobby, waving at them through the glass.

Fanes waved back, then turned around and was pulled by Akoda into the morning light of Mondstadt.

They spent the rest of the morning exploring almost the entire city center of Mondstadt. Fanes bought a skewer of roasted poultry at the Deer Hunter's restaurant, while Yakoda squatted by a flowerbed next to the square, chasing a fat pigeon for most of the rounds before getting her face covered in dust from the pigeon's flapping wings.

They went to the square in front of the Church of the West to see the tall statue of the wind god. Jakoda craned her neck to look at it for a long time, then turned to Fanes earnestly and asked, "Boss, is the wind god really a drunken bard like in the legends?"

Fanes thought for a moment, then replied meaningfully, "It is said so."