Chapter 103: Party
"For our valiant and beautiful heroine that got rid of Ursa and our friends from Snezhnaya. Cheers!" Someone declared.
""Cheers!"" Everyone shouted excitedly as they drank their wines, all their gazes turned over Allen who lifted her own cup with a smile.
She was in her Columbina's mode, wearing a tight blue kimono that wouldn't disturb even when fighting and her usual white coat that represented her status as a Harbinger, all of it while hiding her eyes with a white headband, using it as a part of her training and getting used to the blind state.
Ursa the Drake had been a terrible monster with a great number of destruction behind it, running havoc for over 1000 years. So, of course, the death of it was an occasion to celebrate. The Favonius Knight, governors of Mondstadt, celebrated a party over Barbatos' statue where everyone was invited. Full of alcohol and food to enjoy it.
Of course, as the heroes that slayed the monster, Allen and Dottore were invited as guests of honor. But as Dottore has left completely uninterested in it, it all fell over Allen who represented Snezhnaya as Columbina.
"I am truly thankful for my warm welcome at Mondstadt" Allen smiled, her beautiful smile enchanting the most inexperienced and younger ones "But I truly do not reserve such a grand treatment. We simply faced an ill-bearing creature that stood in our way. We as Fatui, protectors of this land, only did what everyone would have done to help, slaying such a foul monster."
"For a peaceful future and a good relationship between Mondstadt and Snezhnaya. Cheers!" Allen lifted her cup.
""Cheers!"" Everyone followed her, but Allen could see that there were some faces between that did not look too happy, especially one from the Knights. 'As expected' Allen purred 'I'm simply stating the obvious thing, showing their uselessness. Telling to everyone that I and Dottore were able to achieve easily what they were unable to do in 1000 years. But I'm really curious of how exactly Dottore did it and what are his powers and Delusion.'
A lot of people, either Knights or normal residents approached Allen, telling their thanks for slaying the vile drake.
Allen interacted amicably but kept her refined movements with everyone, causing a good feeling to most of them who thought of her as a warrior princess.
As she met more people, she truly found how little information about Mondstadt truly she had from the game, not knowing most people with the exemption of some random NPC or the managers of some shops. That was especially true over the Knights of Favonius who she didn't know most of them.
'I suppose that's normal as most of them left from an expedition.'
"Such a fine toast" A blond man with long hair who wore white ecclesiastic robes, approached Allen.
'Seeing that neutral look on his face, he has doubts about me' Allen thought seeing him 'He must be quite the rank in Mondstadt.'
"I am Seamus Pegg, Seneschal of the Church of Favonius. I am extremely honored to meet such an honorary guest as miss Columbina."
"A pleasure" Allen smiled lifting the palm of her hand, Seamus doubting for a second. That was a simple show of power, Allen showing that her prestige was far higher than his and there was no need to ever lower her head, all of it while keeping the minimum pleasantries.
"The rumors of your beauty were certainly true" Seamus lowered his head taking her hand and kissing it.
"You flatter me, Seneschal. But I am ashamed to say that the rumors were not about me" Allen answered "It has not passed even a year since I became one of the Eleven. So those rumors about Columbina should be from my predecessor." This of course was the way to say, you failed moron.
That caused Seamus to freeze for a moment, not really knowing how to continue.
"Do not worry about it, the gesture is the important. You can call me Colleen in the future." Allen smiled brightly as she put emphasis on important.
"It is a wonder how someone achieved such great achievements being so young" A young man with blue hair and primogen-shaped iris stepped forward "The youngest ever of the Eleven, if I am not wrong." The young man directly made an excessive reverence, taking Allen's hand and kissing it "I am Kaeya, a humble Knight."
"He is one of our most promising youngsters" Seamus explained.
"A pleasure, Kaeya" Allen nodded 'One that I can really recognize' "It is a great fortune that every region has a so promising young generation."
"I am truly awe-inspired by your greatness. Would you be able to delight us with your noble epic of slaying the evil drake? I will love to know more about it." Kaeya requested.
'Is it simply curiosity or does he know something?' Allen hid her doubts with her smile "I am sorry to say that I have quite a little job in it, mostly supporting my senior Dottore in the fight. And I would not like to talk about his exploits. I am aware of how he prefers to keep away from rumors, preferring to not even attend this party due to his busy schedule."
"Quite the pity, Colleen" Kaeya's smile became bigger.
"Where are your manners, Kaeya? You should leave some space for breathing to the miss." A powerful voice resounded and Kaeya stepped back from Allen, letting the newcomer step before Allen.
He was an imposingly tall man over two meters with short brown hair and a beard with some white hair over it and deep dark eyes full of resolves and experience, his left hand having a scar cutting over it.
"I am Varka, the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius" The man put his left hand over his chest. "From all Mondstadt, I thank your help with Ursa."
"It is an honor to finally meet the famous Boreas Knight" Allen made a little curtsy, showing a little respect for the first time.
'So he is Varka, the missing Grandmaster in the game, who should be the strongest in Mondstadt' Allen looked at him attentively but with his mere presence and aura, it was clear that he was strong 'I can't really tell his actual strength, meaning that he has quite the huge one.'
"It's an honor to be known by you" Varka kept his pressure while his face did not show any change or weakness.
'It's like being closely analyzed in search for the minimum fail' Allen thought as she kept her cool 'It's similar to when I face Pierro, but at the same time quite different. I can say than he is at a lower level.'
"How could I not know?" Allen stated "Your exploits are well known among my colleagues. I know one that truly desires to meet you." 'Yes, Ajax would really love to fight him, the titan of Mondstadt.'
"Truly my honor" Varka nodded "The city truly has a debt with you and we will help you in anyway possible" Varka stopped for a second "within our capabilities."
'So the test has finally appeared' Allen kept her light smile 'He is not someone who likes to indulge in pleasantries, but has enough manners. With this, he wants to truly know the Fatui's and my intention with Mondstadt and that silence for a second should be alert to not demand too much.'
"I would like to take that help" Allen smiled "I have some hobbies and your people would certainly be able to help me with them." this caused Seamus to tense, preparing for the worst.
"What would it be?" Varka said without avoiding his inquisitor's gaze.
"That would be history and swords" Allen answered 'I haven't truly asked anything from the Fatui, so at least I want to win something for me.' "I have listened about the Favonius' great swordsmanship and I would love to see the real thing. I am quite a fanatic about swords. I also would like to know more about this beautiful region's present and past."
Varka blinked for the first time as he nodded "If that's all. We will gladly help you with it. I will prepare some open training for you while giving you full access to our library. I am sure that our great librarian would help you in your thirst for knowledge."
"I am truly thankful" Allen answered.
After that, Varka left and the party returned to normal, with everyone cheering while drinking and eating until night when Allen excused and returned to Goth Hotel, a hotel fully reserved by the Fatui delegation by Pantalone and which Allen had a full floor all for herself.
...
"What do you think of her, Varka?" Just as they returned to Varka's office, Seamus asked.
"I don't really know what to think" Varka said doubting the young girl he had just met "I can't truly discern her objective. The Fatui are quite active these years and I am aware of their eagerness to recruit young people from everywhere that's why I kept the youngsters away from the party. But that didn't seem to be her intention."
"What do you think she wanted with that request?" Seamus asked.
"That's what worries me more, I think that she was being truthful about it, without no hidden meaning behind" Varka explained "It would be good if it's only that, but if not, I can't read her at all, meaning that she is quite the dangerous foe."
"Shall we keep a gaze on her?"
"Yes, but at a distance, never risking to be found." Varka answered "While I am sure that I am stronger, she has quite the power, better not directly antagonize her for the moment. Let's wait for now. That training will be a good opportunity to unmask her."
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