Cherreads

Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Kaeya is Tricked

On the city walls, at the Acting Grand Master's temporary office.

Jean sat formally in her chair, her eyes fixed on Kaeya before her, feeling somewhat exhausted. "So, this is your reason for kidnapping Schubert?"

Kaeya nodded without hesitation. "Indeed," he said, "Lawrence family members like Schubert, who are extremely fanatical about their family, have always been unstable factors in Mondstadt."

"Kaeya!" Jean's tone carried unmistakable anger. "Even so, you cannot openly violate the Knights' discipline like this."

Kaeya spread his hands calmly, a fearless expression on his face. "I am willing to bear all consequences," he said, "and accept disciplinary action from the Knights, even if it means being demoted to the lowest rank of Page."

Hearing this, Jean sighed helplessly. "Since things have come to this," she said, "we can only do as you say."

Just then, Page Wood hurried over. He brought shocking news—Schubert had actually disappeared.

Kaeya's expression instantly darkened considerably.

He naturally knew what Schubert's disappearance meant!

Everyone would think he killed Schubert to cover up his crime. Even if he now held irrefutable evidence to defend himself, it would probably be difficult to convince anyone.

A name suddenly surfaced in his mind.

Yide, what a masterful scheme!

Jean took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.

She knew Kaeya's character very well. Although he would use any means to achieve a result, he would never abandon his beliefs and principles.

So, there was only one explanation for all this—Kaeya had walked right into someone else's trap.

And the person behind the scheme was the Head of the West Factory, Yide.

After careful consideration, she said solemnly: "Kaeya, I will arrange for people to investigate this case. During this period, you are temporarily suspended."

Kaeya nodded silently, then turned and left without a word.

Watching his receding figure, Jean shook her head helplessly.

The speed at which the situation was deteriorating far exceeded her expectations.

Now, having lost her most capable assistant, Kaeya, she felt increasingly unable to bear the burden alone.

The only belief supporting her was the return of Grand Master Varka or Bishop Seamus.

Just as she was about to continue with her official duties, a graceful lady slowly walked over.

She wore a wide-brimmed purple magic hat, elegantly adorned with a purple rose. A light purple robe wrapped around her body, falling from the waist and showcasing her slender figure. Her legs were tightly encased in black lace-trimmed thigh-high stockings, exuding a mysterious and elegant aura.

Lisa

She spoke lazily: "It seems our Acting Grand Master Jean has run into quite a bit of trouble. Why don't you share it with your librarian? Perhaps I can offer you some assistance."

Lisa's appearance caused Jean's tightly furrowed brow to relax slightly, and she concisely and clearly summarized the current predicament to Lisa.

After listening to Jean's account, Lisa fell into deep thought.

After a long while, she raised her head and said with a serious expression: "Jean, I suggest you immediately accept the West Factory's terms."

"But if we do that," Jean said, her tone full of worry, "countless Mondstadt citizens will lose their livelihoods."

Lisa, however, was dismissive. "Mondstadt's people are too comfortable and complacent," she said, "which has led to the nation's development pace being extremely slow. Aside from being slightly stronger than Inazuma, Mondstadt's overall strength has already slipped to the bottom tier of the Seven Nations. Now, Inazuma has taken steps towards reform, and it is foreseeable that in the near future, Mondstadt might replace Inazuma and become the most backward nation among the Seven. When that happens, what will become of the Knights of Favonius?"

Jean sighed: "How could I not know what you're saying? Mondstadt is indeed in urgent need of a profound change, but if it happens at this moment, the price we would have to pay is simply too heavy."

Lisa snorted disdainfully, "It's nothing more than letting those who are lazy and lack ambition fall into poverty."

Jean shook her head with a bitter smile. "Lisa," she said, "the consequences are far more serious than you imagine. Varka's expedition has already consumed a large amount of Mondstadt's financial resources and food. Once the citizens lose their means of livelihood, what they will face will not just be poverty, but possibly the threat of starvation."

Hearing this, Lisa finally understood her difficulties.

The expedition of the Knight of Boreas, Varka, not only took four-fifths of the Knights of Favonius's elites, but also consumed the supplies and food that Mondstadt had stockpiled for years, and this consumption is far from over.

Now, Jean was facing a deadlock. Although she had done her best, it was still difficult for her to steer this tattered ship that was Mondstadt forward.

Lisa pondered for a long time, but still couldn't find a feasible solution.

Finally, she could only comfort her in a gentle tone: "Everything will slowly get better."

Just as she finished speaking, a massive black shadow appeared on the distant horizon, rapidly approaching Mondstadt.

Jean keenly detected this abnormality. She immediately stood up from her seat, gripping the Aquila Favonia, her gaze fixed steadfastly on the approaching black shadow.

As the black shadow approached, all members of the Knights of Favonius entered a state of combat readiness, prepared to deal with any potential crisis at any moment.

However, the situation this time was completely different from what they had expected.

Dvalin did not, as last time, howl and circle over Mondstadt, unleashing gale winds and destroying buildings.

Instead, it circled gracefully in the air, then scattered countless sheets of white paper covered in writing, like snowflakes, and then soared away.

The white papers fluttered down, like pure white snowflakes gently drifting onto the streets and alleys of Mondstadt.

Jean picked up one from the stone slabs of the city wall and quickly scanned its contents.

As she read further, her expression gradually became peculiar.

This turned out to be a notice demanding payment.

More Chapters