Springvale Farm.
As a farm that cultivates various high-quality crops, combined with Arkz's philosophy of slacking off, the atmosphere here has always been very relaxed and comfortable. However, the atmosphere at Springvale Farm at this moment could no longer be described as serious; it was more akin to heavy.
The main gate was bolted shut. All the employees on the farm and the members of the Five-Color Squad were seated around a large table, looking with strange expressions at Acting Grand Master Jean and Master Diluc, who were seated on either side of Arkz.
"Mr. Arkz, regarding the partner for the elemental weapon—"
"Of course, we choose Dawn Winery!"
In the end, it was Jean, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, who spoke first, attempting to discuss matters concerning the elemental weapon with Arkz.
However,
Before she could even finish her sentence, she was cut off by Diluc.
A thick scent of gunpowder permeated the farm.
Acting Grand Master Jean glanced at Arkz, who sat in the main seat, then at Diluc, who was confronting her with a cold face. She felt a headache coming on.
Acting Grand Master Jean wished she could travel back to last night and drag her past self to visit Arkz immediately to finalize the cooperation details, thus avoiding the emergence of a competitor now.
Last night, Barbara and the others brought news of the elemental weapon.
Although Jean, upon understanding all the advantages of the elemental weapon, was eager to rush to Springvale Farm immediately.
Considering it was already late, Jean, after careful consideration, decided against disturbing Arkz that night and chose to pay him a visit the following morning.
At that time, Acting Grand Master Jean thought that since Arkz had already conveyed the news through Barbara and the others, it proved Arkz had a tendency to cooperate with the Knights of Favonius, so a slight delay wouldn't be an issue.
Furthermore, it was late, and disturbing Arkz's rest might leave him with a poor impression that the Knights of Favonius lacked courtesy.
As for the possibility of a competitor emerging—
Don't joke! Where was this? Mondstadt!
The Knights of Favonius were the only official force designated by the Anemo Archon and recognized by the populace. As the leading power in the nation of Mondstadt, how could they possibly find a better cooperation partner than the Knights of Favonius!
It was just that she never expected to run into Senior Diluc at the gate of Springvale Farm!
It's not Senior Diluc—although I know you dislike the Knights of Favonius, you can't snatch a partner from them, can you???
Daring to compete with the official entity for such an important weapon, are you trying to incite rebellion in Mondstadt?!
"Acting Grand Master Jean, Master Diluc, the weather is so nice today, why the bad tempers?"
"Regarding the elemental weapon, perhaps neither of you understands it too well. Allow me to introduce it."
"Currently, the first generation of elemental weapons only consists of the charging pistol and the shield ring. They are a type of alchemical tool that even ordinary people without Elemental Power can use. Moreover, mass production has already been achieved. As long as materials are sufficient, producing hundreds or thousands daily is not a problem."
"Of course, the power of these weapons is inferior to the attacks of an allogene, but they are sufficient for dealing with Hilichurls."
Hearing Arkz say this, Acting Grand Master Jean looked excited, and Diluc's eyes also began to flicker inexplicably.
The two exchanged glances, and it seemed like electric sparks were colliding in the air.
Competitor! The four words flashed simultaneously in both their minds.
Acting Grand Master Jean exchanged a look with Lisa beside her.
"Lisa, hurry up!"
Acting Grand Master Jean was extremely grateful that she had brought Lisa along; otherwise, she would have to argue head-to-head with Senior Diluc right now.
Acting Grand Master Jean sat in her chair, her high chest rising and falling as she let out a sigh of relief, then turned to look at Lisa, who sat beside her without saying a word.
She felt very troubled. Diluc had always been a very reliable senior in her mind, but unexpectedly, he had now become a stumbling block on the path forward for the Knights of Favonius.
Meanwhile, Lisa, who had been observing her cute Junior Schoolmate, paused when she heard this. She hadn't expected that she, who was just watching the drama unfold, would get dragged into it.
But she was a member of the Knights of Favonius after all, and Jean was her close friend, so naturally, she had to stand united against an outsider.
Lisa understood and smiled charmingly and seductively.
She didn't speak immediately. Instead, she first looked around at the expressions on the faces of the people present.
After a moment, she finally spoke:
"Mr. Arkz, since you told us the news, doesn't that mean you have an intention to cooperate with us?"
"After all, this elemental weapon was invented by you, Junior Schoolmate, so you are the one who should make the decision."
Arkz, seated in the main seat, nodded upon hearing this:
"Senior Sister Lisa speaks correctly."
"I personally lean towards cooperating with both of you."
"After all, your goal is the same: to protect Mondstadt, isn't that right?"
The moment Arkz spoke, the previously noisy room seemed to have its mute button pressed, and all sound stopped.
"This... is also fine."
Acting Grand Master Jean nodded. If the partner was Senior Diluc, she was relatively at ease.
If it were anyone else, she definitely wouldn't have agreed.
After all, the elemental weapon held too much significance for Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius; no amount of emphasis was too much.
Diluc hesitated for a moment before reluctantly nodding as well.
Although his impression of the Knights of Favonius was not good, he highly recognized Jean's ability and character.
So, for the sake of Jean's face, he would reluctantly cooperate with the Knights of Favonius.
Moreover, Diluc also understood that Arkz's main cooperation target this time was the Knights of Favonius.
After all, the Knights of Favonius had vast resources and a large number of personnel. Equipping those guys in the Knights of Favonius with elemental weapons would lead to a more obvious enhancement of Mondstadt's combat power.
It would also be more conducive to Mondstadt's development.
As for Diluc's Dawn Winery, although he had also trained a group of subordinates, they naturally couldn't operate openly.
Their numbers would naturally not be many.
This elemental weapon was not pursuing a high-end route but a low-end, high-volume route, so Diluc was at a disadvantage in terms of numbers.
Seeing Diluc's tacit agreement, Arkz also breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked at the two and said:
"Since we are cooperating, you must have a sufficient understanding of the elemental weapons I have developed."
"Words alone are not enough. If you draw conclusions without experimentation, it is bound to be biased. Acting Grand Master Jean, Master Diluc, why don't you first personally test these two items."
Acting Grand Master Jean:
"That sounds good. Let Senior and I try them out ourselves then."
Diluc nodded silently.
Although he had already tested them before, undermining the situation now would be too impolite.
Although Diluc maintained a cold expression, as the heir to the Ragnvindr Family, how could he be someone with low emotional intelligence?
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