A strange sight appeared in the corner of the tavern: a male patron leisurely savored a glass of wine, while the female patron sitting opposite him was half-slumped on the table, glaring at him through gritted teeth.
The wine glass Miyashiro held was reminiscent of a medieval German beer stein; its capacity was certainly not small. However, the tavern's Dandelion Wine was not a high-proof liquor, but rather a type of beer with a sweet taste and a hint of Wheat aroma.
When brewing this wine, dandelion seeds are added, giving it a slightly bitter yet sweet aftertaste. Furthermore, as a symbol of Mondstadt's freedom, the dandelion holds a very high status, hence the name Dandelion Wine.
How long does it take to drink a glass of iced beer? Ten seconds at the shortest, ten minutes at the longest.
Clearly, Miyashiro was not so deranged as to force Eula to make a choice within ten seconds. He drank his wine slowly, but for Eula, this time felt like an eternity.
In the first few minutes, she had tried various ways to break free in her mind, but after several struggles, she saw no hope of escape. The rumors about this Inazuma Regent having slain The Vortex Vanquisher in Liyue seemed to be true.
If the Lawrence Family could truly gain the assistance of a God-level being, replacing the currently vacant Knights of Favonius would indeed be highly probable. However, was this truly what she wanted to see?
Hadn't she completely fallen out with her family when she joined the Knights of Favonius precisely because she could no longer tolerate the actions of the Lawrence Family? She wanted to use her own methods to change the Mondstadter's perception of the Lawrence Family.
To bring the Lawrence Family back into the Mondstadter's view. Although in the few years since she joined the Knights of Favonius, she had made countless contributions and put in countless efforts for Mondstadt, her reputation in Mondstadt was still not good. Yet, she had gained close friends like Ann and the recognition of her Reconnaissance Company teammates.
This showed that her efforts were not in vain; she just needed a little more time.
And now, if she were to choose the Lawrence Family, she would become an informant for the family, infiltrated into the Knights of Favonius. Wouldn't this mean that all her efforts in the Knights of Favonius over the past few years were just to gain the trust of the Knights of Favonius?
If Ann and the Reconnaissance Company members knew what kind of person I was, could they still be my close friends? Would I still be worthy of being their close friends?
No! Then I wouldn't be worthy.
At this thought, Eula gave up resisting, closed her eyes, and quietly awaited her judgment.
Miyashiro saw her completely give up resisting, looking as if she had made her choice, and a relieved smile involuntarily appeared on his face. However, Miyashiro felt that this was not enough; if she didn't speak her true thoughts, it wouldn't be safe enough.
Miyashiro: "Oh dear, there's only one sip left. Have you thought it through? I suddenly want to change my approach. After I finish this glass of wine, if you don't respond, I'll assume you've chosen the Lawrence Family."
Before he finished speaking, Eula suddenly opened her eyes and roared directly at Miyashiro: "Uchiha Miyashiro, stop wasting your breath! I choose the Knights of Favonius."
Miyashiro sighed, "It seems your uncle was indeed right; you truly are a rebellious monster."
Eula: "Hmph! From then until now, when have I ever followed the family's will? I haven't experienced the glory the Lawrence Family speaks of, nor do I understand their fanatical pursuit of it. But I have the ability to judge right from wrong, and I deeply understand the meaning of freedom for the Mondstadters. The Lawrence Family will not, and should not, become what those elders envision.
The actions of the Lawrence Family are completely wrong, Uchiha Miyashiro. Even if you have the ability to let the Lawrence Family regain power in Mondstadt, remember, they will surely be overthrown again by the Mondstadters who yearn for freedom, and this time, the overthrow will be very swift.
I will wait in hell for the Lawrence Family to be utterly destroyed. Enough, more words are useless, do it!"
With that, Eula closed her eyes again. Even while slumped on the table, she still held her head high, displaying her pride as a member of the Lawrence Family.
Miyashiro picked up his wine glass, drank it in one gulp, and then slammed it heavily on the table. This sound made Eula realize that the last moments of her life were approaching.
A tear fell from her eye, and she murmured, "Ann, if there's a chance, let's be friends in our next life too. I hope in the next life, I won't be a Lawrence Family member, but just an ordinary little girl."
Bang!
Eula only heard a loud bang, and then she felt the power restraining her disappear, causing her body to slide uncontrollably to the floor.
Eula was sitting on the ground in a duck-sitting posture. She didn't feel any pain. Hmph! That Uchiha Miyashiro was quite considerate of women, letting me die without feeling any pain.
However, Eula then heard a round of applause. The sound was very real, not at all like the life review described by the elders. She tremblingly opened her eyes.
She found Miyashiro, who was sitting opposite her, smiling and clapping continuously. The loud bang just now was only the sound of firecrackers, and many of the colorful ribbons sprayed from the firecrackers were still hanging on her.
Eula: "What… what's going on?"
Miyashiro: "Congratulations, you passed the test. It seems you are the best candidate to truly make the Lawrence Family rise again."
Eula: "Wh-what do you mean? Weren't you going to help the Lawrence Family regain control of Mondstadt? You… aren't you going to kill me anymore?"
Miyashiro: "What's the point of investing in a family that has remained unrepentant for a thousand years? Just as you said, even if they regain power, they'll probably be overthrown by the Mondstadters soon. How much benefit could Inazuma gain then?
It's better to honestly establish equal diplomatic relations with Mondstadt, which allows for a steady, long-term flow of benefits. That is the right path. As for killing you, that's even more absurd. You are the Captain of the Reconnaissance Company of the Knights of Favonius; killing you would only bring trouble, wouldn't it?"
Eula's face first showed relief, then turned into indignant anger: "So, you've been toying with me this whole time?"
Miyashiro completely ignored Eula's death glare and said, "It's not exactly toying with you, just wanting to see your attitude. After all, you are both the last descendant of the Lawrence Family and a Knight of the Knights of Favonius. You are the biggest variable, and I just wanted to confirm it in advance.
Don't think everything I said just now was false. At least the current situation in Mondstadt, the rebellious ambitions of the Lawrence Family, and even the aid from the Snezhnaya Delegation are all real.
Perhaps in the coming days, you might experience this kind of choice again. However, it might be the elders of the Lawrence Family forcing you to declare your stance. I hope you can stand firm in your original intentions.
Mondstadt is about to descend into chaos!"
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