Undercover in Snezhnaya, My Teyvat Spy Life [57]

Artem and Eula didn’t linger long at the Church of Favonius.

No sooner had they stepped outside, they spotted the scorch marks left behind near the Knights’ headquarters.

Looking around, they could see black smoke still rising in other parts of the city.

The once-relaxed Knights of Favonius were now on full alert, patrolling every street and alley with utmost vigilance.

A few steps toward the Goth Grand Hotel, they noticed a fresh notice pinned to the city bulletin board:

The Lawrence clan has rebelled and has been apprehended in full by the Knights of Favonius. Citizens, do not panic—do not believe in rumors.

After reading it,

Eula’s expression turned uneasy.

“Varka isn’t holding back, is he?”

Artem had already expected this.

This announcement would do little to the Fatui, but for Eula, it meant she had lost all footing in Mondstadt.

Because the notice said nothing about the Fatui at all—just simply labeled the Lawrence clan as traitors.

The message was clear:
The Lawrence clan had betrayed Mondstadt, and as a member of that family, Eula Lawrence was implicated.

With Eula now walking side by side with Artem, there was no need for further explanation—Mondstadt’s people would automatically brand her a traitor.

Varka’s moves were swift.

Once it was clear there was no way to mend ties with Artem, he immediately turned his attention to those around Artem.

If open means failed, he’d use underhanded ones.

His intent was obvious:
As long as Artem stayed in Mondstadt, Eula wouldn’t even be able to step outside.

And it was already working.

“Eula Lawrence? Isn’t that Eula Lawrence?”

“Didn’t the whole Lawrence clan get arrested? What’s she still doing in the city!”

“And that guy with her—isn’t he a Fatui envoy?”

“Yeah, that’s the one. Damn, so she found herself a powerful backer. No wonder she hasn’t been arrested!”

“Hmph, I knew the Lawrences were no good. Bet the whole rebellion was orchestrated by the Fatui behind the scenes.”

“It’s like one pile of dog shit found another—they stink the same, ptooey.”

The crowd around the bulletin board made no attempt to hide their malice toward Eula.

Venomous curses and insults spilled from their mouths.

In the past, the Eula who had always been blameless would have stepped forward, swung her greatsword, and shouted, “I will have vengeance!”

But now, having already raised her blade against the Grand Master, all Eula could do was silently endure the jeers and shame.

“Hmph—”

Artem shielded her, glaring coldly at the crowd.

Right in front of them, he smashed the bulletin board to pieces with a sweep of his hand.

Then, squeezing the splintered wood into sawdust, he fixed the onlookers with a vicious grin.

“Either get lost on your own, or I’ll help you!”

Thanks to Artem’s infamous, high-handed reputation in Mondstadt, the crowd needed no further encouragement.

The onlookers scattered in terror.

Even the Knights on duty nearby shrank back, not daring to intervene.

As for Artem, he openly took Eula’s hand, and strode straight up to one of the stationed Knights, jabbing him in the chest and snarling,

“What are you even doing here?”

“Varka told you to guard the bulletin, and this is how you do it?”

“When you see me smash it, you’re supposed to be angry—furious! Not stand there like a lump of wood, understand?”

The poor Knight had no answer, shrinking under Artem’s glare.

Seeing that, Artem quickly lost interest in tormenting a minor Knight.

He tossed out a final contemptuous “Coward,” then left with Eula.

And for some reason, even after Artem had walked away, the Knight and the distant Mondstadt citizens could still clearly hear him grumbling:

“A bunch of bullies who only pick on the weak.”

“If someone dared insult the Fatui like this in Snezhnaya, even a common soldier would draw his blade.”

“Hmph. The Knights really are a pale shadow of what they used to be.”

...

On their way back to the Goth Grand Hotel, Artem kept trying to comfort Eula.

“Don’t let their words get to you.”

“As long as we know we’re in the right, that’s all that matters.”

Eula managed a wry smile.

“I’m fine. After so many years, I’m used to it.”

“These insults don’t bother me anymore.”

But her desolation was plain to see.

Just as she’d said back at the church:

She was born and raised in Mondstadt.

Even after a lifetime of malice, she’d always tried to fit in—she’d never truly resented Mondstadt.

So now, faced with this situation, she suddenly felt utterly lost.

Artem draped an arm over her shoulders, his voice gentle.

“Just bear it for a few more days. Once things here are settled, I’ll take you away from all this.”

“Okay.”

Eula bit her lip and nodded.

The Goth Grand Hotel was close by.

It didn’t take long to reach it.

As they approached, they heard a commotion up ahead.

When Artem saw what was happening at the door, his mood soured even further.

Diluc Ragnvindr.

His old rival, the one he’d competed with since childhood.

He was back again.

Not just him—the whole Cavalry Squad Artem had once beaten up was fully assembled at the entrance.

And not just them; Artem could spot several other [Vision] holders from different squads, too.

Clearly, they were all here to back up Diluc.

Leonid stood at the door, weapon in hand, staring down Diluc and his men.

Between the two groups, several corpses lay sprawled.

A closer look revealed they were none other than Krupp and a few of his guards—the ones Artem had sent out to die.

“The Fatui Deputy Envoy attempted to murder my father.”

“This is a political incident that seriously endangers peace between our nations.”

“Today, the Fatui will give the Knights of Favonius an explanation, or don’t blame me for using force.”

Diluc’s righteous, cold voice rang out.

Artem just sneered. So he’s already mastered the art of making wild accusations.

Leonid’s reaction mirrored Artem’s.

He glared back, full of contempt. “Explanation? For what?”

“Just because you say so? Maybe you killed your old man and are framing our Deputy Envoy!”

“Yeah, that must be it.”

“You Knights have got guts, killing our Deputy Envoy and then coming here to provoke us.”

“Just wait till the Inspector comes back—he’ll skin you alive!”

Not bad at all, Artem thought, a bit surprised.

That kind of shameless bluffing wasn’t something he’d expected from the old Leonid, who used to know nothing but fighting.

Clearly, quitting mist grass had brought his brain back online.

On the other side, Leonid’s outlandish words made Diluc’s face turn stormy.

He snapped, voice icy, “I see you’re determined not to shed tears until you see the coffin.”

With a wave of his hand: “Fatui, violently resisting arrest—evidence in hand. Take them!”

At that, the entrance to the Goth Grand Hotel became a powder keg—one spark away from exploding into all-out battle.

Seeing this, Artem elbowed through the crowd with Eula in tow.

Under Diluc’s astonished gaze, Artem beamed.

“Good job, Leonid.”

“When it comes to people who come looking for trouble,” he grinned, “don’t hold back. If you kill them, I’ll take responsibility.”

He even pointed directly at Diluc, voice cold:

“Especially this one. Make sure he learns what happens when you cross the Fatui.”

---

This is a fan translation of 提瓦特之我在至冬做臥底 by 曉風殘月聽荷 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!