As Diluc announced the start of the banquet, the atmosphere reached its peak.
Servants filed in, bringing fine wine and delicacies to the venue.
Unlike the guests, they couldn't join in the festivities, but after the banquet, Master Diluc would give them ample time for a private party, which kept them motivated.
Even the usually reclusive head maid, Adelinde, made an appearance to oversee the event.
It might have been a trick of the eye, but Adelinde bore an uncanny resemblance to Katherine from the Adventurers' Guild.
A chilling thought.
"It's been a while, Master Diluc. What a splendid evening. Oh... wait, I should call you 'Master' now, since Crepus is no longer with us. Hahaha."
"..."
Crepus was Diluc's father.
Klober's words were like pouring oil on a fire. Even Diluc, who had been smiling slightly, now wore an expression of displeasure.
Based on his investigations, his father's death was somewhat connected to the Fatui and this very Klober.
For the past three years since his father's death, Diluc had continuously sent invitations to Klober, hoping to extract some information about what had happened back then.
"Your bishop is here too, isn't he? I need to speak with him. Bring him to me!"
If Klober had come alone, he wouldn't have dared to be so brazen.
After all, the bishop of the Church of Favonius wasn't someone a small fry like him could order around.
He was one of the most influential figures in Mondstadt.
"If your rudeness is backed by the Fatui, then as the owner of Dawn Winery, I'll have you thrown out to feed the slimes, Mr. Klober."
Diluc's ruby-like eyes now carried a hint of anger. However, despite his rage, he maintained some composure. At the very least, he didn't act in the name of Mondstadt.
The icy glare instantly wiped the arrogance off Klober's face.
"O-of course, it's not me who wants to see Bishop Seamus."
Considering the gap between himself and Diluc, as well as the latter's wealth, Klober ultimately backed down.
He stepped aside and introduced Bai Luo.
"Young Master Diluc, allow me to formally introduce you. This is the guardian of the entire continent—one of the Twelve Harbingers of the Fatui, the Instructor."
Given Klober's nature, he would have normally spouted a long list of titles to boast.
Unfortunately, before becoming a Harbinger, Bai Luo had been involved in shady dealings.
Even after becoming a Harbinger, he hadn't done anything particularly earth-shattering.
The only thing worth mentioning... was his title as a Fatui Harbinger.
But that title alone was enough to make Mondstadt take him seriously.
"What an honor."
Frowning slightly, Diluc's gaze toward Bai Luo was now filled with wariness.
Though far removed from Mondstadt, Diluc knew more about the Instructor than Klober did.
He also understood that having such a figure in Mondstadt City was nothing short of a disaster.
If Bai Luo decided to target someone in power...
The consequences would be unimaginable.
"No need to trouble the Master, Mr. Klober."
Just as Diluc was hesitating whether to let the bishop meet such a dangerous individual, Seamus Pegg, the highest bishop of the Church of Favonius, known as the "Cardinal of Daybreak," had already made his way through the crowd.
Yes, his surname was Pegg.
Incidentally, his two daughters were named Jean and Barbara.
As the bishop of the Church of Favonius, Seamus was naturally on Diluc's guest list.
"Bishop."
Frowning slightly, Diluc shot a questioning look.
But Seamus simply shook his head slightly, signaling that he would handle it.
As the bishop of the Church of Favonius, he wasn't so weak as to need a winery owner to protect him.
"I've long heard that the Fatui have appointed a new Twelfth Harbinger. It's truly an honor to meet you today. Unfortunately, at Master Diluc's banquet, I cannot overshadow the host. Otherwise, I would have hosted you properly and presented you with generous gifts."
"G-generous gifts?"
Hearing this, Klober couldn't help but swallow hard.
A gift from the head of the Church would surely be worth a fortune, right?
"You flatter me. Among the Harbingers, I am the most insignificant."
Bai Luo gave a slight bow, though it was in the Snezhnayan style.
His demeanor, far from putting Diluc and Seamus at ease, only heightened their wariness.
As Alice once said: "When a madman learns to maintain elegance, he becomes extremely dangerous."
In their minds, Bai Luo's level of threat had just skyrocketed.
"Since the Instructor has graced us with his presence, there must be important matters to discuss. But discussing such things at a banquet would disturb the guests' enjoyment. Perhaps we could borrow a more private space from the Master..."
Adjusting his glasses, Seamus glanced at Diluc.
But before Diluc could respond, Bai Luo spoke first.
"Bishop Seamus, Master Diluc, I think you've misunderstood something."
Casually picking up a glass of wine from a nearby table, Bai Luo smiled.
"I've come to Mondstadt for the Ludi Harpastum Festival. As for the banquet, I'm here purely to enjoy myself. There's no important matter to discuss. Hmm... the one who really wants to talk to you should be Klober."
Diluc: "..."
Seamus: "..."
Klober: "???"
Holy crap! He sold me out!
After Bai Luo made his stance clear, Klober's legs nearly gave out.
Having always relied on the backing of others to act boldly, he had managed to maintain his composure in front of Diluc and Seamus mainly because Bai Luo was behind him.
But now, Bai Luo wasn't giving him any face at all.
"I-Instructor! The mission! Don't forget Il Dottore's mission!"
Klober quickly leaned in close to Bai Luo, whispering so only the two of them could hear.
He was essentially trying to use Il Dottore's name to pressure Bai Luo.
"I know. But I have other tasks. And before coming, Il Dottore didn't say I had to assist you with your mission. Or... are you trying to order me around?"
When Bai Luo uttered the last sentence, a hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
If it weren't for the fear of making a scene, Klober would have probably wet himself right then and there.
"Thank you again for the invitation, Master Diluc. You two go ahead and discuss your matters. Don't mind me; just treat me as an ordinary guest."
With a casual wave, Bai Luo, holding his glass of fine wine, re-entered the banquet.
He had already locked onto a target—a certain knight sitting alone in a corner, drinking in solitude, seemingly ignored by everyone else.
After Bai Luo left, Seamus breathed a sigh of relief.
Being around a Fatui Harbinger, especially one skilled in assassination, was undeniably terrifying.
Now that the man was gone, the remaining Klober was at their mercy.
"Mr. Klober, I heard you wanted to speak with me? Please, let's head to the meeting room prepared by Master Diluc and discuss in detail."
Adjusting his glasses, Simon's face once again wore a confident smile.
As for Klober...
He was starting to regret his earlier arrogance.