Claude slightly raised his head, looking at the imposing, massive building before him, momentarily stunned.
He turned his head slightly, looking at the confident, white-clad young girl beside him with a hint of disbelief, and asked with a trembling voice:
"The person you're taking me to find... they're not in Palais Mermonia, are they?!"
When Lumine and Paimon brought him to Palais Mermonia... he realized something was wrong.
Someone who understands ancient Fontaine history, and has research on classical Fontaine Opera... besides the three major figures of Fontaine, who else could it be?!
Thinking of this, another layer of doubt appeared in Claude's eyes.
What was the background of these two outsiders? They could meet the three major figures just like that?
However, this was not to blame Claude for being out of touch.
Because on the morning of the day Lumine and Paimon first arrived in Fontaine... he had locked himself in his room and started continuously poring over various documents and compiling scripts.
—He had no channels for news to flow in, so how could he be considered out of touch?
As if sensing Claude's shocked emotions, Paimon's mouth curved slightly upward, and then she said:
"That's right~ He's in Palais Mermonia, don't worry~ We never take on commissions we're not confident in, just follow us~"
With that, Paimon quickly floated into the Palais Mermonia, while Lumine gave Claude an apologetic smile and then followed after her.
As for Claude... after a brief moment of stunned, he sighed softly, muttering under his breath:
"I hope I don't go bankrupt just from meeting them once…"
After saying this, Claude quickened his pace and followed them.
The stairs of Palais Mermonia were not as long as imagined. Led by Lumine and Paimon, the three arrived at Sedna, who was patrolling the Palais Mermonia.
"Miss Sedna, hello~ Is Yuto available to see guests right now? We have something we'd like to ask him~"
Paimon said quite airily.
Hearing this, Sedna slightly raised her head, her adorable, innocent eyes blinking, and then she naturally nodded.
"Although Lord Yuto is still discussing business with the Ritou envoy, he did say that if you came, I should inform him…"
"Please wait for me a moment, I'll go upstairs to find Lord Yuto now."
With that, Sedna bounced away and went up to the second floor of Palais Mermonia, disappearing from the three's sight.
...
Meanwhile, in the reception room on the second floor of Palais Mermonia, Yuto and Gan Yu had completed the most basic contract renewal work.
For Fontaine, represented by Yuto, Ritou, which values contracts and operates with integrity, is the best partner in all aspects.
In contrast, the Sumeru Akademiya, which is greedy and profit-driven, seems less important.
After all, no one wants a business partner who inflates prices, refuses to contribute, yet demands high returns.
Thinking of this, Yuto slightly raised his head, looking at Gan Yu, who seemed to be tasting the difference between Fontaine tea and Ritou tea, and gently asked:
"Forgive my presumption, Miss Gan Yu, but I would like to ask... where have the other members of the Ritou envoy team gone? Are they conducting commercial inspections as they did last time?"
Hearing this, Gan Yu quickly swallowed the tea in her mouth and hastily replied:
"Yes, Mr. Yuto, last time Miss Ningguang came to Fontaine, she saw many promising industries, and indeed gained considerable returns after investing."
"This also sparked a strong interest in Fontaine's industries among the other Seven Stars, but this time... the Seven Stars are tied up with various matters and cannot personally come to inspect."
"However, each of the Seven Stars has dispatched a business secretary from the Yuehai Pavilion to inspect the conditions of the corresponding industries, thereby expressing their sincerity for further cooperation with Fontaine."
At this point, Gan Yu paused slightly, then produced a small notebook from somewhere and placed it on the table.
"Mr. Yuto, these are a few questions compiled by Keqing, the 'Yuheng Star,' and Uncle Tian, the 'Tianshu Star,' after hearing about your work efficiency and governance strategies from Miss Ningguang. We hope you can answer them in your free time."
"Of course, there are also their personal insights on people's livelihood and land planning and construction, which we hope will be helpful to you."
With that, Gan Yu displayed a characteristic smile and pushed the small booklet towards Yuto.
Sitting beside them, Furina, who had been behaving herself, now showed a proud smile, as if the praise was directed at her.
Of course, in a sense, it was indeed praising her.
After all, if she hadn't dragged Yuto out of that small cake shop back then...
Perhaps there would be no Assistant Administrator Yuto of Fontaine today.
Looking at the meticulously bound booklet in front of him, Yuto smiled gently, then said:
"Of course, Miss Gan Yu. After all, a significant portion of Fontaine's land still lacks construction planning. Ritou has many mountains, and compared to Fontaine's hilly terrain, there are indeed many commonalities."
"I will provide you with the answers to the corresponding questions before you leave Fontaine, please rest assured."
Hearing this, Gan Yu smiled and nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked softly:
"Oh, by the way, does Mr. Yuto have something to discuss with the Traveler after this? I saw you and the Melusine when you entered…"
Gan Yu winked suggestively, not continuing, confident that with their common understanding, Yuto would grasp her meaning...
Right?
Hearing this, Yuto blinked slightly, then shook his head with a wry smile.
"Although it might sound impolite, I... I don't have anything to discuss with the Traveler. Rather, I am…"
"I am fulfilling the promise I made to them back then."
Hearing this, not only did a look of confusion appear in Gan Yu's eyes, but even Furina, sitting nearby, looked at her Assistant Administrator with some bewilderment.
"Hearing that… why do I know nothing?"
Furina tilted her head slightly, thinking to herself.
"Pro...mise?"
Gan Yu repeated the two words with a hint of uncertainty, seemingly waiting for Yuto's subsequent explanation.
"When this Traveler first set foot on Fontaine's soil, Lady Furina, Clorinde the Duel Proxy, and I set out to welcome this Traveler."
At this point, Yuto paused slightly, a somewhat awkward smile on his face.
"Miss Gan Yu should also know that wherever this Traveler goes, things are never peaceful, so we went to greet them as soon as we received the news, to prevent any unnecessary trouble."
"And when we finally saw them off… I said this to them."
"'If you encounter any difficult problems in the future… feel free to come to Palais Mermonia to find me, I am always here.'"
"To fulfill this promise, I mentioned it to Sedna, the Melusine guarding the Palais Mermonia gate, to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings."
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