Chapter 65: Hospitality

Leo popped his head out of the carriage window as their caravan approached the gates of Mondstadt. Some knights stood vigilantly while others inspected the travelers and their wares and recorded the names and identities of the travelers arriving.

Leo's eyes gleamed with excitement. His heart pounded, and his thoughts swirled uncontrollably. I'm finally entering Mondstadt after nine years! Well, I was born in Snezhnaya, so I guess it's normal.

"Polochko!" he called out at the carriage behind him.

Polochko popped his head out and replied. "What is it, young master!" his eyes immediately widened at the sight of Leo leaning dangerously. "Get inside!"

"Come here!" Leo responded nonchalantly.

The carriages paused momentarily, and other guard switched places with Polochko.

"I thought you were not going to talk to me, young master?" Polochko teased.

"Enough of that! I have a few questions."

"Ask away,"

He cleared his throat before speaking. "First, what's the relationship between Mondstadt and the Fatui?"

"We have a cooperative relationship, and as of late, I believe the Fatuus deployed in Mond had a joint physical training with the knights. Though I'm not sure about the details but I know the person in charge of our forces here in Mond."

I can't believe the Fatui and the Knights of Favonius got to the point of cooperation. It's crazy how they got to the point of antagonizing each other. If I remember correctly, Mondstadt is the least affected by their schemes, I don't even think I heard of the Fatui having an interest in this land to begin with.

He looked at him and asked. "And who would that be?"

"It's Mr. Krupp, a newly appointed overseer in this region. A part of Dottore's faction, and a young man."

Wait, I think I've heard about that man before.

Leo bobbed his head and continued, "Second, is there a place we can stay?" Polochko was about to answer, but he added, "I prefer a clean place that is not noisy."

"I believe we can just stay at the hotel where most of the Fatuus and delegates stay. Do you still have the identification card that Lord Pantalone gave you, young master?"

Leo pulled a piece of fine card from his pockets. "You mean this ID?"

"Yes, that one, we can show that to the knights and the Fatuss stationed here and we'll be treated well."

Leo looked at the paper once more and held it protectively. This thing can give me VIP privileges? I didn't know it came with that?!

He held out the card to Polochko and gave it to him. "Can you hide this somewhere it won't get lost? I'm not sure if I won't lose it."

A smile appeared on Polochko's face as he accepted. "As you wish." 

The carriage stopped and Leo popped his head out once more, prompting Polochko to pull him back in. "Stop doing that young master, it's dangerous!"

"What are you? My mom?" Leo rolled his eyes mockingly.

A knight pulled open the curtains of the carriage. He wore light silver armor, colored with white, and had golden engravings of the Anemo archon—showing their affiliation.

"Welcome to Mondstadt, strange yet respectable guests! Please state your identity and intended destination. The Knights of Favonius are here to ensure your safety." 

Polochko stepped outside as Leo followed suit.

"We are from Snezhnaya, and we are intending to stop here for a few weeks before we head to Liyue. We hope that we can take part in the Windblume festival." Polochko summarized.

"If that is all you need, then you and your companions are welcome to stay in Mondstadt. We hope that you will have a great time during your stay."

The knight's eyes drifted across everyone, and his gaze landed on the insignias embroidered on the uniforms of Leo's guards. A frown emerged from his face as he continued. "I believe you are part of some group, probably not merchants, but if you could please state your identities, we would be delighted to have your stay accommodated."

Polochko replied. "We are part of Fatui, but we are not here for official business, we are merely escorting the young master in his travel."

The knight's eyes widened as the gazes of all the knights present were now directed towards their group. "My apologies!" the knight exclaimed, as he bowed his head in apology. "I did not realize it was you, our dear allies!"

Polochko waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright. As I said, we are not here for official business."

The knight raised his head. "Really? Thank the Anemo Archon,"

Suddenly, a female knight stepped forward and bumped into his shoulder—forcing him to step aside.

"My apologies," she started, "but would you like to proceed? The knights would be delighted to have you go first."

Woah! Corruption!

Polochko's mouth opened when Leo stepped forward, stopping him from answering midway. "There's no need, as my guard here has said. We are only here for sightseeing; there's no need to give us preferential treatment."

Her face twitched as she replied, "I-I see,"

A few minutes have passed. Multiple carriages of different merchants and people were inspected one by one, including Leo's carriage.

Gladly enough, there were no problems and they were able to enter the gates with ease. As they entered, Leo could not help but exclaim.

The city was bustling with energy, people decorated the streets, kids played merrily without a care in the world, adventurers completing tasks left and right, knights helping people out, and store owners advertising their wares.

"What do you think, young master? It's quite different than in Snezhnaya right?" 

"Yeah!" Leo exclaimed, his eyes gleaming. "It's very different than back home."

As the carriage passed through the streets, Leo's eyes darted from one place to another. Unlike the cold, desolate streets of Snezhnaya or the strict, orderly ones of Fontaine, Mondstadt was a vibrant contrast.

Streets full of life and people's smiles were in the air. The festive feeling of the city was intoxicating to Leo. In his nine-year-long life, this was his first time seeing a lively city, as if they were living in a dream without a care for what others had to say. A true city of freedom.

Their carriage arrived at a green building with the signage "Goth Grand Hotel". They stepped out of the carriage and knocked on the door. 

"What is it!" a grumpy guard yelled. The smell of alcohol covered his entire body, making Leo flinch. "Huh? Who are you guys?"

The corners of Polochko's mouth twitched. "My apologies if we... interrupted your merry time but we would like to talk to Mr. Krupp."

The man eyed Polochko from head to toe before doing the same to Leo and his guards. "And who do you think you are, Huh?!"

"Please do as I say, before things escalate." Polochko angrily replied.

"Heh," the man scoffed, "and what are you gonna do? Beat me up? With those skinny bones of yours?" the man laughed. "Are you courting death? Picking a fight with the Fatui?!"

Polochko exhaled, his face slowly turning red. "We do not want trouble, we merely want to speak with the person in charge."

The man scoffed at him once more before spitting at his face. "And if I say no?"

At the basement of the hotel, Krupp was looking at the papers, and reports of his most recent experiments. His face distorted with disappointment as he read them.

"Another failure."

An assistant appeared behind him and handed him a cup of tea. "Mr. Krupp, here's the tea you ordered."

The hot tea filled his throat, making his disappointed face calm. "It is fine, I have more opportunities to impress Lord Dottore, I just need more lab rats."

Suddenly, a huge noise exploded at the top of the basement. The sound of wood splintering and distant yelling made Krupp's hand tremble, spilling tea onto the report in front of him. "Curse the seven are they drunk again!?"

The assistants cleared the path as Krupp quickly left the basement. "I swear, if they break another furniture I'm going to make them my next lab rats!"

As he opened the door, his eyes widened. Around were destroyed debris and scorching wood. In the middle, a man with a spear stood, holding one of his men by the neck.

"Ah, are you Mr. Krupp?" Leo said, sipping tea on the side. "There's something we would like to discuss with you."