Mr. Pantalone has no crazy plans today.

While he was focused on keeping a close watch on Pantalone, Pantalone couldn't help but smile slightly upon seeing him.

Looking at the carefree-looking young man before him, Pantalone uttered a playful remark, and then, amidst the boy's shocked gaze, revealed his true identity.

"The Chief of Staff of the Knights of Favonius, Kaya Albury? Or should I call you Kaya Albury, a descendant of the Albury clan who once ruled the ancient kingdom of Kanria, now extinct?"

Pantalone's words, which revealed his true identity, were like a cold, sharp blade.

It coldly and ruthlessly tore away the seemingly cynical exterior, revealing the cunning and calculating nature beneath.

This caused a huge uproar in Kaia's heart, who had originally wanted to avoid a direct confrontation with Pantarone. He had not expected that Pantarone would see through his true identity at a glance.

Even Falgar, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt, didn't know his true identity, yet this Executor from the Fools of Winter saw through his true identity at a glance.

He couldn't understand how he had given himself away, that Pantalone had recognized him so easily.

Or perhaps the other party came prepared?

Did you investigate his identity beforehand?

Otherwise, how can one explain that Pantalone, despite it being their first meeting, immediately recognized his true identity?

Kaiya, whose smile could no longer be maintained, stared at the figure of the man in the black robe with cold, sharp eyes.

"You investigated me? Your real target isn't Diluc, but me?"

"Investigating you?"

Pantalone chuckled upon hearing Kaiya's reaction and reply.

As if he had heard something, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He hadn't expected the other party to interpret it that way, but upon reflection, it was indeed a normal thought.

After all, for a normal person, it's hard to imagine that the other party had investigated him beforehand if they could recognize a complete stranger and know his identity at first glance.

However, Pantalone did not intend to explain anything, since he had no obligation to explain anything to the other party.

Rather than saying that the other party found a reason to explain it, it actually saved him a lot of trouble. Pantalone smiled noncommittally.

"If that's what you think, then that's fine too, because I really did come here specifically to wait for you."

"It seems you've discovered something unusual. No wonder you're a descendant of the Kanria Regent Clan."

Pantalone's words made Kaia instantly realize what the other person was referring to.

Thinking of what he had discovered, Kaiya looked at Pantalone with a gloomy face.

"You did those things... What are you planning to do with Diluc?!"

"Don't put it so harshly, as if you didn't have any plans to use Diluc. I don't think it's a coincidence that a descendant of the Albrecht family, the former regent of the ancient kingdom of Canria, was adopted by the Legnfender family."

With a warm smile, Pantalone casually revealed what Kaia had been trying so hard to hide.

This made his heart sink; what Pantalone had revealed was something he least wanted to tell outsiders.

Kaiya has a side that is not widely known.

Just as Pantalone said, he was a pawn that Canria had planted in Mondstadt.

For the sake of restoring Canria's kingdom, he was abandoned in a foreign land by his biological father and, through a carefully planned conspiracy, became the adopted son of Cripps Legenfind.

No matter how much he tried to forget or stop thinking about it, Pantalone's words forced him to confront the issue.

The reason he was planted in this foreign land to serve Kanria was the ancient conspiracy he had been trying so hard to hide. This was precisely the meaning and mission of his existence in this country.

Even if he didn't want to admit it, Pantalone's words made it clear.

Even he had to admit that, burdened by that ancient conspiracy, he was indeed no different from Pantalone in essence.

That's why, after hearing those words, Kaiya's expression turned extremely ugly.

From this perspective, he has no reason to condemn Pantalone; ultimately, they are all just using Diluc.

Even though he tells himself that he is different from Pantalone and that he actually has good intentions towards Diluc, his sworn brother, it still cannot change the conspiracy and scheming behind his back.

Even his self-perceived goodwill could not serve as a reason for refuting Pantalone's remarks in the face of the cold, hard truth revealed by Pantalone.

He didn't continue the conversation with Pantalone on this topic, because he knew he couldn't possibly refute Pantalone's words.

"So what exactly is your purpose? Are you planning to use this opportunity to get rid of me?"

“The Alberridges are indeed a troublesome and obstructive force to my plans. I did intend to eliminate you while I was at it, but I have suddenly changed my mind.”

Pantalone placed his hands in front of him, fiddling with and tapping them, while giving Kaia a meaningful look and chuckling.

"Since you can be a pawn planted by Kanria in Mondstadt, then... you probably wouldn't mind becoming a pawn planted by the Fatui in Mondstadt, would you?"

Upon hearing Pantalone's words, Kayah wanted to refuse outright, but just as he was about to give his answer...

Pantalone's next sentence, however, made him unable to utter the words he was about to say.

"Of course, you can refuse, but when you make this decision, you must also bear the consequences. You can choose Mondstadt, but the price you pay is that your identity as a pawn planted by Kanria in Mondstadt will be exposed."

"And the price you have to pay is nothing more than betraying your father's expectations and betraying your homeland—Kanria."

Pantalone's words struck him like a heavy hammer, and a sudden pressure made it hard for him to breathe.

The words of refusal that were originally intended to be uttered could no longer be uttered, leaving one trapped in inner torment and struggle.