Inside Angel's Share, everyone stared in disbelief at the utterly bewildered Su Bai. Not a single person present believed that he could be the one giving advice to the Treasure Hoarders.
"That can't be right," Lumine said after a moment of shock, quickly speaking up in Su Bai's defense. "Su Bai isn't that kind of person."
Paimon nodded along vigorously. Even though Su Bai had just kneaded her cheeks earlier, she still didn't think he looked like a bad guy at all.
Even Diluc, who had initially been suspicious of Su Bai's purpose for coming to Mondstadt, had come to the conclusion—after his own investigation—that Su Bai was not the sort of person who would do something like this. In Diluc's view, a Liyue adeptus cooperating with the Treasure Hoarders was simply impossible.
"Whether it was me or not can be discussed later," Su Bai said calmly. "Diluc, I think there's something wrong with your tavern."
Diluc froze. Something wrong with his tavern? This place had just been renovated—how could there be a problem?
"This tavern just doesn't get along with me," Su Bai continued. "I've come here twice, and both times I've been taken away by the Knights of Favonius. What the hell—this is ridiculous."
"I suspect someone here is deliberately targeting me. I just don't have evidence yet."
Diluc's mouth twitched. The first time really had been his doing—but this time had nothing to do with him. Still, his dead-fish stare was already perfected, and he managed to maintain a blank expression under Su Bai's suspicious gaze.
"Mr. Su Bai," one of the knights urged, "please come with us to the Knights of Favonius."
With no other choice, Su Bai took a key out of the Vision's storage space and tossed it to Lumine.
"Lumine, if you don't have anywhere to stay, you can stay at my place for now. You can use the bedding if you don't mind—I haven't used it much anyway."
"Eh? Why haven't you used it much?" Paimon asked curiously. "Do you also roll around in your sleep like Lumine and fall off the bed? If that's the case, Paimon can hold your tail while sleeping and help you fix that habit!"
Paimon put her hands on her hips, looking like she was sincerely thinking things through—only to have her chubby cheeks immediately grabbed by an embarrassed Lumine.
"Haha, that won't be necessary," Su Bai said with a laugh. "I have our Anemo Archon, Lord Barbatos, to thank for that."
"I've been in Mondstadt for less than ten days, and I spent six of them in confinement. Out of those six days, three were personally contributed by Lord Barbatos."
He ground his teeth as he glared at Venti, who looked equally aggrieved. This time really wasn't his fault.
"Cough," Diluc said, feeling a bit guilty. "Su Bai, once you're released, I'll treat you to a drink."
Only after Su Bai was escorted out of Angel's Share did Paimon finally manage to rescue her poor cheeks from Lumine's grip.
"Lumine, you're awful! You pinched my face all swollen!"
"And you still dare complain?" Lumine snapped. "You told Su Bai something that private about me!"
"That's nothing! I didn't even mention your—mmph!"
Lumine covered Paimon's mouth without hesitation. After saying goodbye to Venti and Diluc, she left Angel's Share with Paimon tucked under her arm.
On the way, Lumine hurried toward the house Su Bai had mentioned at lightning speed. She hadn't bathed in days—she could finally take a hot shower. Su Bai really was a good person.
Inside the interrogation room, unaware that he had just been labeled a "good guy," Su Bai sat expressionlessly on a chair. Across from him, an unfamiliar nun lazily toyed with a small knife.
"So you're the 'young boss' those Treasure Hoarders were talking about?" she said indifferently. "You've got a decent face, but a pretty dark heart. Aren't you afraid of karma for doing something this despicable?"
"Get the person in charge to talk to me," Su Bai replied coolly. "If I remember correctly, nuns don't have the authority to handle matters like this."
"All right, all right, Rosaria," another voice interrupted. "Leave this to me. Lord Su Bai and I are old acquaintances."
Kaeya stepped in just in time, cutting off the confrontation. Rosaria snorted, shot Su Bai a warning look, and left the room with a click of her heels.
"Kaeya," Su Bai said with a sigh, "tell me—where did you find my fox fur this time? This is the third time the Knights have arrested me. Isn't this just bullying an honest man?"
Kaeya smiled awkwardly. By all rights, a Liyue adeptus like Su Bai should have been considered an honored guest in Mondstadt. Yet Mondstadt's 'hospitality' clearly hadn't been reflected in how he was treated.
"Lord Su Bai," Kaeya said, clearing his throat, "it's not that we wanted to bring you in. It's just that this incident is… far too serious."
"Well, that makes sense," Su Bai said lazily, stretching. "After all, having your headquarters robbed is a pretty big deal. If word got out, the other six nations would laugh themselves to death."
Kaeya's smile stiffened.
"That's not why we brought you here."
"…Not that?"
Su Bai frowned. He had been nothing but law-abiding in Mondstadt, and he hadn't even used a clone to stir up trouble. He genuinely couldn't think of what he'd done wrong.
Seeing Su Bai's confusion, Kaeya dismissed the two knights standing guard outside. After checking to make sure no one else was around, he leaned forward and lowered his voice.
"Lord Su Bai, before robbing the Knights' headquarters, the Treasure Hoarders did something else."
"They robbed the tomb of one of Mondstadt's noble clans."
"The Lawrence Clan."