On the road back to Mondstadt, Diluc and Su Bai discussed what had just happened. Su Bai now roughly understood the situation. He hadn't expected the Fatui to be so brazen—trying to forcibly purchase the Dawn Winery in broad daylight.
"If I remember correctly, Lady Ningguang once tried to acquire your Dawn Winery as well. Even with her methods, she didn't succeed. That Signora woman clearly doesn't have Ningguang's brains, which is why she resorted to such strong-arm tactics."
Diluc tacitly agreed with Su Bai's assessment. He stared ahead with dead fish eyes, deep in thought. If his memory served, the Dawn Winery was one of the Knights of Favonius's key protected assets. Yet now, after all this time, he hadn't seen a single Knight show up. That was utterly ridiculous.
"Hmph. It seems even with the parasites within the Knights eliminated, the organization remains as unsalvageable as ever."
"You can't say that. Look—isn't there a Knight walking toward us right now?"
Diluc followed Su Bai's pointing finger and indeed spotted a Knight in armor heading in their direction. Judging by his demeanor, however, he didn't seem to be heading to the winery to help—more like he was just wandering around.
"He might be a bit weak, but at least he's going to assist you."
"Save it. I wouldn't stoop to accepting help from the likes of him."
Before Su Bai could continue, Diluc snorted coldly as he got a clear look at the approaching Knight, cutting him off mid-sentence. As they passed by the man, Su Bai keenly noticed Diluc's pupils shift sideways to glance at him.
That single glance contained multitudes—frustration, anger, disappointment. The complex emotions in Diluc's eyes piqued Su Bai's interest in this particular Knight.
"Diluc, do you know him?"
"His name is Godwin. He's a Knight who participated in the expedition."
"Expedition? Was the Knights' expedition destination Windrise?"
"No. He just... fell behind."
Diluc stopped walking, gazing at Godwin's retreating figure. The honor of knighthood had made this man forget the Knights of Favonius's primary purpose: defending Mondstadt. At a time when Mondstadt desperately needed personnel, Godwin had chosen avoidance. He was now merely a puppet controlled by honor and so-called face.
"Godwin, Godwin... That name sounds familiar. He left quite an impression on me."
"His fiancée often whispers his name on that bench. It's normal you've heard it. Let's go—no more time to waste."
As Diluc turned and walked away, Su Bai wanted to ask more but had to hold his tongue. He could tell Diluc's mood had soured. Thinking of that blind girl, Su Bai could only sigh at Godwin's retreating back.
"Ah... I hope he wakes up soon. That girl doesn't care if her fiancé is a legendary hero or if he has knightly honor. She just wants him to return safely and live peacefully with her for the rest of their lives."
Along the way, Su Bai asked Diluc about Sucrose's residence. Perhaps due to lack of interaction, even Diluc didn't know where she lived—which surprised Su Bai. Diluc's information network, even if it didn't cover all of Mondstadt, certainly covered seventy to eighty percent of it.
Though he didn't know her address, Diluc shared what he'd heard about Sucrose—her habit of buying bones, her shy nature, anything he could remember. He also cautioned Su Bai that these were merely rumors, unverified.
For now, Su Bai naively assumed the shy Sucrose bought bones because she enjoyed the meat attached—after all, he himself loved meat clinging to bones. It wasn't greasy and had an surprisingly intense flavor.
(A/N: Meat on the bone is genuinely delicious. Some bones are just too big—a pain to gnaw on.)
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Back at Mondstadt's gate, Eula had been waiting for Su Bai for quite some time. Having never been entrusted with a task by a friend before, Eula was thrilled when she saw Su Bai's note. She immediately rushed to Lisa's place to ask about Sucrose's residence.
Seeing Eula's sudden interest in Sucrose, Lisa teased her mercilessly—comments about Sucrose being young and frail, not to play too rough, etc.—making Eula blush furiously.
Only when Eula was on the verge of real anger did Lisa finally reveal Sucrose's address. Eula threw out her signature "I'll remember this grudge" before heading to the city gate to wait for Su Bai, eager to share the information.
Diluc, ever the emotionally intelligent gentleman, wisely took his leave. Though curious about Su Bai's business with Sucrose, the winery's affairs demanded his personal attention.
"Su Bai, what do you need from Miss Sucrose? Timaeus is also an alchemist, and his rates are especially cheap."
Walking toward Sucrose's home, Eula curiously asked why Su Bai specifically sought out Sucrose. Though Timaeus's alchemy skills were mediocre, he could manage small projects.
Su Bai smiled wryly and recounted Bennett's misfortune. Hearing his tragic tale, Eula struggled to suppress her smile while expressing concern. Though amusing, noble etiquette dictated she shouldn't laugh at such moments—but she was losing the battle.
"Go ahead and laugh. That unlucky kid Bennett..."
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA! I'd heard rumors about that Bennett boy before. Always assumed they were exaggerated. Now it seems, people actually held back!"
Su Bai bitterly smiled inwardly. He'd boasted that with one of his omamori, Bennett would be safe unless facing overwhelmingly powerful attacks.
Now Bennett was bedridden. This incident made Su Bai reconsider—perhaps he should create disposable detoxification talismans. For unlucky kids like Bennett, even without external harm, they might get food poisoning from eating.
"Here we are. This is Sucrose's place. Hmm? The door's open—she must be home."
Eula raised her hand to knock but noticed the door wasn't fully closed. After calling Sucrose's name several times with no response, both grew concerned. Alchemy might be amazing, but carelessness could genuinely cost lives.
"Su Bai, let's go inside. If something's happened to Sucrose..."
Noble etiquette forgotten, Eula pushed through the door. Not finding Sucrose immediately, they began searching the house.
"Split up. Be careful—alchemists' homes might have dangerous items lying around."
Before separating, Eula reminded Su Bai to stay alert. He hadn't searched two rooms when Eula's scream pierced the air.
Hearing her cry, Su Bai rushed toward the sound, fearing she'd encountered danger. When he found her, his pupils contracted at the sight before him.
'Rex Lapis above... I hope this alchemist isn't equally interested in human and fox bones.'