"My Lady."
"Diluc of Dawn Winery, and that man who stays by Jean's side."
"They've left the city."
Goth Grand Hotel.
A Debt Collector knelt on one knee, speaking with utmost respect.
And before him, a proud figure lay in an extremely languid state on a soft sofa, her foot resting on the battered Anastasia.
Despite the burning pain radiating from all over her body, Anastasia dared not show the slightest hint of defiance in the face of the Lady so close to her.
Her rather pretty face was filled with a soul-deep terror, and with every casual movement of the other, her entire body trembled, utterly terrified.
"Oh? Where are they going?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Upon hearing information about Diluc and that man, the Lady immediately kicked Anastasia aside.
Then she slowly rose, a mysterious smile on her face.
"The specific target has not been identified."
"However, their direction of travel is Springvale, and according to speculation, their objective is likely the stronghold there."
"The stronghold in Springvale..."
Fatui activities within Mondstadt were previously handled by the Doctor.
Although the Lady had only come for certain special missions, she had clearly gained full control over the Fatui situation within Mondstadt.
"That stronghold is quite well-hidden; how could it be discovered?"
The Lady's face was as cold as frost.
Under this aura, even the Debt Collector who came to report felt a slight tingling in his scalp, completely daring not to meet her gaze.
"Forget it."
However, after only a moment, the pressure that enveloped them suddenly vanished.
Immediately after, the Lady slowly stood up, as if she had thought of something amusing, a slight curve forming at the corner of her lips.
"Since Jean's man has left the city... if we don't treat him well, it would seem like we Fatui are too impolite."
The reporting Debt Collector was slightly stunned, unable to resist looking up.
Generally, if a stronghold was discovered by outsiders, the usual course of action would be to dispatch a certain number of Fatui soldiers to help the stronghold deal with the intruders.
But now... listening to what this Harbinger meant, the Debt Collector on the ground was instantly filled with surprise, his tone changing.
"Are you going to..."
"I'll go personally, and gather all the Fatui soldiers within Mondstadt."
The Lady finished speaking and walked directly out of the room.
Just as she was about to leave, as if remembering something, she suddenly stopped.
"Anastasia."
"Here!" the kneeling woman replied, her voice trembling.
Hearing the Lady's call, she scrambled to her feet and rushed to her.
"It would be a pity to ruin your pretty face like this."
"Given that you still have value to the Tsaritsa, I will spare you this once."
"But if this situation happens again..."
"My Lady, I will never make such a mistake again."
Anastasia kowtowed repeatedly, utterly terrified.
"Then... get out!"
"Thank you for your clemency, My Lady!"
...Meanwhile... on the outskirts, on the way to Springvale.
The effects brought by Stormterror, though gradually disappearing due to the efforts of the Knights of Favonius, still left behind undeniable traces.
Looking around at the desolate wilderness, Kai, who was currently on his way, couldn't help but exclaim, "It's really hard to clean up."
"It seems that clearing the trade route from Springvale to Mondstadt within a day is even more difficult than imagined."
"Hmph, let the security guards of Mondstadt deal with these tasks; it's just right."
Diluc snorted.
He clearly wasn't very concerned about these issues.
"But what about the pursuers behind us? Have you noticed them?"
"Of course."
Kai smiled faintly.
Although he was rushing at full speed, he could easily detect what was happening behind him.
"There are three groups of people chasing us."
"They're all quite strong; it seems there are quite a few Fatui within Mondstadt."
"Then let's take this opportunity to perform a major 'operation' on them."
Diluc sneered.
In the faint lamplight, the outlines of Springvale were vaguely visible in the distance.
"We're almost there."
"Avoid the area of Springvale, so as not to involve innocent residents."
Kai said, then suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Diluc, do you know where the entrance to the stronghold is?"
"I don't know; Fatui entrances are usually set in extremely boring places, making them hard to find."
Diluc shook his head.
Although he knew the general location, he wasn't quite sure about the specific entrance.
"It seems we'll need someone's help."
Nodding slightly, Kai suddenly increased his travel speed... "They've disappeared!"
Near Springvale... under the Lady's remote command.
Three teams of Fatui soldiers, following Kai, had already arrived in the nearby area.
According to intelligence, more Fatui soldiers were also converging on this area.
They aimed to completely eliminate these two enemies who dared to actively attack the stronghold.
Looking at the wilderness before him, which was already completely dark.
His gaze swept towards Springvale in the distance.
The three Fatui pursuit teams all stopped.
They looked at each other, clearly not knowing how to proceed.
"Could it be that they have already entered the stronghold?"
"There are quite a few soldiers guarding the stronghold, it won't be breached in a short time. If that's really the case, rushing over now might allow us to encircle and eliminate those two guys."
As planned, these three Fatui teams were merely the pursuit force.
More soldiers were still slowly approaching the stronghold from behind.
Even if a battle were to commence, they would have to wait for everyone to arrive before attacking.
This was to prevent the invaders from breaking through the encirclement and escaping.
However, looking at the entrance of the stronghold in the distance.
After a slight hesitation, the three teams of men.
Finally made a decision.
"Then let's... go straight in!"
Although they were a pursuit force.
Even so, everyone present was an elite soldier.
In this situation.
If they suddenly acted in conjunction with the defenders inside the stronghold.
It would be easy to directly annihilate the invaders.
On the other hand, if they dragged out the time, and the other party successfully took down the stronghold.
Then they would definitely not escape the Lady's punishment afterwards.
"Go!"
With the agreement reached, the three teams of soldiers no longer hesitated.
They all rushed towards the Fatui stronghold.
However, what they had completely failed to anticipate was.
Under the nearby trees.
Staring at these gradually disappearing Fatui soldiers.
Kai rested his chin in his hand, sighing leisurely.
"So now, we know the entrance to the Fatui stronghold."
"Where it is."
---