Mr. Pantalone has no crazy plans today.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that everything she experienced during the nearly one year since the beginning of winter had already changed her thinking to some extent. She knew that she couldn't stop her father from doing what he wanted to do.

For her cheap, opportunistic father, his initial purpose in adopting and raising her was to use her as a tool, and now it was simply a matter of her having to give up the power she had gained.

Of course, she didn't have any complaints about it.

Although Pantalone raised her as a useful tool, he did fulfill his responsibilities as her nominal adoptive father in other aspects and gave her everything he had promised.

Her adoptive father didn't delegate the task to anyone else; instead, he chose to entrust it to her and told her everything so she could make the decisions herself.

This was both a way for me to prove my determination to him, and also a small act of tenderness he showed me.

His permission to carry out this task implies that, as long as it doesn't fundamentally contradict his plans and will, he can do other things within permissible limits.

In a sense, this was her adoptive father allowing her, to a certain extent, to protect Mondstadt, the land she was born from, in a way that was acceptable to her.

She knew that this was the best possible outcome.

Having experienced this period of winter, she knew better than anyone else.

Given how ruthless and indifferent the Fatui are, it is an unimaginable act of mercy that Pantalone, as their executor, was willing to grant such leeway.

Especially after learning what kind of person her adoptive father really was, she understood even more clearly how incredible this was. For him, this was already the maximum leeway he could offer.

Upon seeing Yura's determination, Pantalone nodded slightly and smiled.

"Since you understand, then I don't need to say anything more about this matter."

And just as Pantalone and Yura were talking to each other like this.

At the same time, the Fools' messengers, who were in charge of receiving and managing Pantalone's trip, arrived just in time.

Anastasia was the counselor who had previously been in charge of the Fatui delegation, which was responsible for managing all matters related to Mondstadt. She was the one who had once managed everything and was the one who had single-handedly turned the old Mondstadt nobles into pawns and bargaining chips in the hands of the Fatui.

As Anastasia had been in charge of almost everything in the last mission, she naturally couldn't be unaware that all of this was thanks to the wise Lord Pantalone.

Only the wise Lord Pantalone could have calculated and manipulated the entire Mondstadt with the flick of his finger.

This terrifying strategy and intellect made Anastasia almost tremble with fear upon hearing of Pantalone's arrival. She immediately dropped everything and came to pay her respects without pausing for even a moment.

The sense of awe she felt for the "rich man" Pantalone, the controller of the Northern Bank and the ninth seat of the Fools' Executive, far exceeded that for the "lady" who held the eighth seat.

Because while "Lady" may be powerful, she is ultimately no match for Lord Pantalone, one of the most cunning executives. His plans are undoubtedly of paramount importance to the entire Winter Solstice.

Lord Pantalone's thoughts and ideas were not something someone like her could easily fathom.

Therefore, she did not make any rash decisions. Instead, after learning that Lord Pantalone was about to arrive in Mondstadt, she truthfully reported all the information she had to Pantalone.

"Lord Pantalone, we have already booked the Goethe Hotel as your annex for this trip. In addition, Grand Master Falgar of the Knights of Favonius is also ready to welcome you. Now we are just waiting for you to go there in person and discuss these matters with the Grand Master."

“You did a good job. I will personally deal with the Knights of Favonius.”

Pantalone nodded slightly, acknowledging Anastasia's professional competence.

This made Anastasia, who was feeling nervous, secretly breathe a sigh of relief after receiving Pantalone's affirmative reply.

But Pantalone's next sentence made her heart jump into her throat again.

After a slight pause, Pantalone continued.

"More than that, I'm concerned about the experimental subject who escaped from the 'Doctor's' containment facility, the one I asked you to keep an eye on."

“That escaped experimental subject is an important asset to Winter, and cannot be left unattended outside. As the representative of the Mondstadt delegation, I need you to give me a definite answer.”

Even Yura's expression changed slightly upon hearing those words.

She had also heard a little about the experimental subject who escaped from the containment facility of the "Doctor" executive officer.

She wasn't very clear about the details, only that the executive officer known as "Doctor" seemed to be working on some kind of experiment, which seemed to be related to the remnants of the demon god.

This resulted in the creation of seemingly out-of-control entities that could wield demonic power but were unable to control themselves effectively.

Even her adoptive father's side purpose on his trip was to find the escaped test subject, and one of her purposes in coming to Mondstadt was to act as her adoptive father's mole.

Another option is to use the power he gained from undergoing the 'Fusion Warrior' modification surgery to retrieve the escaped experimental subject.

From Zhidong's perspective, it's about resolving the escape of the experimental subjects or recovering Zhidong's assets.

The experimental subjects were all unavoidable subjects and issues that had to be addressed during this visit to Mondstadt.

This made her focus her attention after hearing about the escaped experimental subject, and she intended to learn as much information about the subject as possible.

Upon hearing Pantalone's question, Anastasia, as the advisor of the Fools' delegation, immediately answered Pantalone's question and reported to Pantalone on the current status and intelligence of their tracking of the experimental subjects.

"Our personnel are currently tracking down the escaped test subject. However, due to the overwhelming power of the demonic remnants within her, even our advance teams of the Fatui have been unable to successfully capture her."

"But we now have a complete grasp of the escape trajectory of the escaped experimental subject. If nothing unexpected happens, she will arrive in Mondstadt in the next few days and come under our surveillance and jurisdiction."

"Regarding the escaped experimental subject, please provide the next steps and instructions, Lord Pantalone."

After listening to Anastasia's report, Pantalone glanced at Anastasia, who was asking him for an answer, and said calmly.

"I've already discussed this with the 'Doctor.' Let's put aside the matter of the captured test subject for now; you don't need to clash with her for the time being."

"Leave her alone for now. Once she enters Mondstadt territory, just hand her over to the Knights of Favonius to deal with."

Anastasia was taken aback after hearing Pantene's words.

I don't quite understand why Pantalone said that.