Mr. Pantalone has no crazy plans today.

The reunion at the negotiating table after several days was anything but joyful for Grand Master Falga.

There was no other reason; he simply didn't want to talk much with that troublesome and difficult man, because he never gained the upper hand or any advantage whenever he spoke with him at the negotiating table.

This made Pantalone the person Grand Master Falgar least wanted to face and most feared, but no matter how much he didn't want to talk to that troublesome and difficult man.

However, as the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, the other party visited the Knights as an envoy of Winter.

As the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, considering the diplomatic relations between the two countries, he could not refuse to attend the diplomatic and dialogue sessions with the Winter Ambassador.

It wasn't that he didn't want to refuse, but as the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, if he ignored Winter's diplomacy, he would eventually give them leverage.

If Mondstadt had a strong diplomatic voice, that would be fine, but for Mondstadt, which is currently extremely weak diplomatically, it simply doesn't have the right to directly challenge the Fatui.

If the Fools were to give them a handle to use against Mondstadt, they would instead use this opportunity to put pressure on and attack Mondstadt himself.

That would be a complete loss for Mondstadt, so as the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, he couldn't afford to give the Fatui a handle to use against him in such a situation.

Although he didn't know why the Fools would suddenly visit again at this time, he could vaguely guess what it was all about.

If there is anything that would warrant such a large-scale attack by the Fatui, it would be the recent Blackfire attack on the Mondstadt border. If nothing unexpected happens, the Fatui's actions are precisely for this reason.

In the conference room lobby, Pantalone, dressed in black, sat in the main seat with his hands clasped together on the table, smiling as he looked at Falgar, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius.

"Grand Master Falgar, I have heard that a mysterious attacker has recently appeared on the Mondstadt border.

"As far as I know, this mysterious attacker, whose identity is unknown, was surrounded by black flames and possessed extremely formidable strength. Even the Knights' fully armed elite squad was wiped out, resulting in numerous casualties."

"Regarding this matter, considering our status as an ally of Mondstadt and my role as the Winter's Messenger, we Fools are willing to offer our meager assistance to help Mondstadt resolve this incident, provided Mondstadt allows it."

Upon hearing what Pantalone had said, Grand Master Falga's thoughts began to stir.

Just as he had predicted, the Fools had indeed come for this very reason.

He couldn't believe that the Fools would be so kind as to help Mondstadt solve his problems.

Given the Fools' style, it would be good enough if they didn't take this opportunity to kick someone when they're down; they would even help Mondstadt through its difficulties.

He felt that the possibility of daydreaming was probably much higher than that.

Although he didn't know what Pantalone was planning, even he could tell that there was definitely some conspiracy he didn't know about.

While pondering Pantalone's plans, he looked at Pantalone sitting on the other side of the table and replied.

"As Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, I am deeply grateful for the help and goodwill extended by the Fools. However, I believe that the people of Mondstadt can resolve their own problems and there is no need to trouble the emissaries of Winter."

Although the words were phrased very euphemistically, the meaning was quite clear.

To put it simply...

Mondstadt can handle this himself; it's not up to the Fools to meddle.

Pantalone, upon hearing this, was not annoyed; he simply chuckled.

"Grand Master Falgar, you are being too polite. It is common knowledge that Winter and Mondstadt are on friendly terms. Offering help in this matter is simply our duty."

"Moreover, this matter is not just a matter for Mondstadt alone. In fact, to tell you the truth, this powerful attacker is actually part of my own property."

"Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we failed to properly safeguard and secure the property, which led to the other party's escape and this incident. I deeply regret this."

"Considering that whether it's making up for our own mistakes or lending a helping hand to Mondstadt, it's simply our duty as the Fatui. As long as Mondstadt cooperates with the Fatui's capture operation and leaves the city's defenses to the Fatui."

"Then we can apprehend the attacker as quickly and efficiently as possible. Mondstadt can solve a big problem, and we Fools can reclaim our property. Isn't that a win-win situation?"

Pantalone's words made Grand Master Falgar's heart sink.

He had been pondering what kind of conspiracy Pantalone was plotting, but now it seemed that the other party was no longer pretending and had completely revealed its fangs.

As Pantalone said, if the attacker himself had escaped from the Winter Solstice, then it would be difficult for him to interfere with the Fools' involvement.

But that wasn't the main point of what Pantalone said.

The so-called recovery of assets while helping Mondstadt resolve this matter is a pretense; the Fatui's true intention is to use this opportunity to interfere in Mondstadt's internal affairs.

If I were to agree to let the Fatui take over the defenses of Mondstadt and cooperate with their capture operation, then without a doubt, the nature of this matter would become one where the Fatui were in control.

Once the Fools take control of everything, whether they will let go afterwards is another matter entirely.

At least in Grand Master Falgar's view, once the Fools had this opportunity, they would absolutely not let it go; such a condition was practically rubbing Mondstadt's face into the ground.

In any case, this is something that cannot be agreed to.

This is a red line that Mondstadt absolutely cannot back down from.

Grand Master Falgar responded with a smile to everything Pantalone had said.

"You jest, sir. Taking over the city's defenses is absolutely impossible, especially considering the numerous casualties the attacker caused to the Knights."

"Since this attacker is the property of the fleeing Winter, I think we have a lot of room for negotiation. Please give us some time, and we will give the Fools a satisfactory answer."

"Grand Master Falga, the property of Zhidong must be recovered no matter what, absolutely no matter what. This is a fundamental principle of Zhidong's. You should understand what I mean, right?"

Faced with Grand Master Falgar's evasive and manipulative tactics, Pantalone gave his own response.

Beneath his seemingly gentle exterior, his words carried an undeniable air of authority.

This unyielding attitude gave Grand Master Falgar a headache and a difficult situation. If the Fools were determined to reclaim their property, then the Knights would have no power or reason to stop them.

However, if the Fools were to get involved, the nature of the matter would be completely changed.