"This Client Is Way Too Nice!" ... "This Client Is Absolutely Unreasonable!"

"Did the Knights really lease the entire Stormterror's Lair to you?" Albedo asked, stunned.

"Yep! It's officially mine now!" Shen Qin pulled up photos of the contract on his wrist display, grinning as he shared them.

Unlike Shen Qin's excitement, Albedo remained composed, smiling faintly. "So, what do you plan to do with it?"

"Well… I don't have a fully fleshed-out plan yet. That's why I wanted to discuss it with all of you—how to make the most of its resources without waste. Oh, and I promised Jean to preserve most of Old Mondstadt's ruins during development."

Shen Qin laid out his vision for the research base, including long-term plans.

Albedo spread a map of Stormterror's Lair across the table. "The ruins take up a significant portion of the area—the central tower, the elevated walkways around it, the outer architectural clusters, the three guiding mechanism platforms, and scattered remnants. If we leave them entirely untouched, usable land becomes scarce and fragmented, which would actually hinder the base's construction."

His words gave Shen Qin pause. It was true—strict preservation would limit the base's potential.

So how do we retain Old Mondstadt's essence while still transforming it?

"Scholars have studied these ruins for millennia. Anything of value has long been excavated," Albedo pointed out. "Plus, with the hazardous monster populations, our most recent data is over a decade old. My suggestion: First, clear out the monsters. Then conduct a full survey. Once we have comprehensive data, we can plan properly."

Sucrose nodded. "I agree with Albedo."

Shen Qin approved the approach, though he knew the preliminary survey would be a massive undertaking.

But Sucrose saw an easy solution.

"We can commission the Knights to handle monster clearance. With Mondstadt at peace, they're not overworked. Jean would surely approve the extra income for them."

"As for the survey, the Adventurers' Guild can post the request. Many teams specialize in professional reconnaissance. They'd handle it flawlessly."

This was Shen Qin's blind spot—his stereotype of adventurers. Among their ranks were not just battle-hardened mercenaries but also scholars, alchemists, and even bards. The best talents across all fields gathered either in national institutions or the Guild.

"Alright. I'll contact Jean for the Knights' clearance. Sucrose, head to the Guild and post the survey request with Cyrus. Albedo, keep focusing on your current research. Once we have the data, we'll collaborate on the layout." Shen Qin made the call decisively.

"Got it!"

"No problem."

Shen Qin and Klee returned to the Knights. Jean assured them troops could mobilize the next day—clearance would take roughly two days, after which adventurers could begin surveying.

He then hurried to the Guild to relay the timeline to Sucrose.

Exiting the Guild together, Shen Qin sighed. "Thank the Archons for you and Albedo. I'd be lost without your input."

Compared to them, he lacked experience. Albedo had instantly identified the ruins' constraints and proposed a step-by-step approach. Sucrose had just as quickly devised solutions.

"I'm glad to help~" Sucrose's eyes curved happily. "Oh, once the research base is built… can I still be your assistant there?"

"Assistant? With your skills, you could teach those alchemists!"

"R-Really? But I still feel like I have so much to learn from you~"

The two chatted and laughed, shoulders inching closer. Behind them, Klee trudged along, pouting at her empty hands.

What gives? You used to hold both my hands when we went out!

Not long after Shen Qin's discussion, Cyrus had Katheryne post the Stormterror's Lair survey requests—instantly igniting a frenzy among adventurers.

"Wait—150,000 Mora just to estimate the ruins' total area?"

"Holy—this one's even crazier! 80,000 Mora to count and map all the pillars?!"

"This one's perfect for anglers—100,000 Mora to catalog fish species in the lakes and provide live samples?!"

The Guild erupted. The high rewards had adventurers scrambling to sign up. Fortunately, the sheer volume of tasks ensured something for everyone—team missions, solo gigs.

Some solo adventurers even formed impromptu teams on the spot. That day's new team registrations shattered records, with the surge lasting until midnight.

Cyrus watched the endless line at the registration counter, musing: Maybe we should commemorate today as "Team Formation Night."

Nearly everyone secured desirable assignments.

Except Bennett.

"Captain Bennett, my apologies. The client explicitly stated your team may take missions, but only if you personally stay in Mondstadt and avoid the Lair."

"Huh?!" Bennett's eyes bulged. "Why can my team go but not me?"

Katheryne smiled politely. "However, the client did reserve a solo commission for you. Would you like to see it?"

"A commission just for me? This client's way too nice! Let me see 「 Delegate Bennett to Musk Reef for wilderness survival until the Benny's Adventure Team returns. Reward: 30,000 Mora. 」…Uh, what does this even mean?" Bennett scratched his head.

Katheryne's smile didn't waver. "It means the client would like you to stay as far from Stormterror's Lair as possible."

"WHAT?! Who is this jerk? That's so unfair!" Bennett's hair practically bristled with rage.

Shen Qin: Ehe~

"Will you decline? I can cancel it—"

"N-No, Dont! I'll take it… 30,000 Mora is still 30,000 Mora!"