Undercover in Snezhnaya, My Teyvat Spy Life [48]

As agreed, Artem Vetrovski had organized a team to set up a secret base outside Mondstadt, a hidden spot for contact with the Lawrence family.

The place was so well concealed that Schubert Lawrence had to circle the mountain several times before finding it.

“Hmph, savages from foreign lands, just as I thought,” Schubert sniffed, glaring at the sentries. “To think you’d put your camp in such a rundown place. Not a trace of noble taste to be found. If you people weren’t useful to us, you’d never be allowed an audience with me.”

Schubert’s indignation was clear for all to see. The so-called Fatui base was laughably barebones—just a few guards, a handful of equipment scattered carelessly in a cave, and, worst of all, he’d had to sweat under the sun to even find it.

His face powder was already melted into sticky clumps by the time he arrived. For someone who worshipped noble etiquette, it was a mortifying indignity.

Yet the Fatui guards simply obeyed orders, their expressions dark as they escorted him inside.

And when Schubert spotted Artem reclining lazily in a chair, making no move to greet him, his anger only grew.

The Lawrence family’s noble training might have numbed the Knights of Favonius, but it had also produced arrogant zealots like Schubert—people who genuinely believed themselves above others.

Even facing someone as powerful as Artem, they dared to be openly disrespectful.

Like now...

“Hmph. Barbaric foreigner. Not only do you fail to kneel at the arrival of a noble, you can’t even stand up to greet me? In the old days, that would have been a grave offense—I’d have decided your fate with a single glance.”

Artem glanced around, saw that it was only the two of them, and pointed to himself. “Are you talking to me?”

Schubert’s expression darkened further as he looked down his nose at Artem. “Where are your manners? Is this how you address a noble?”

But Artem only laughed. “Is there something wrong with your head?”

“Cut the nonsense—where’s the city defense map?”

“You—!”

Schubert flushed, outrage written all over his face.

Back at the Lawrence estate, this Fatui envoy had been all elegance and politeness, perfectly versed in old noble etiquette. Clearly someone genuinely eager to cooperate.

And now, just a few days later, he was acting as rude as any Mondstadt commoner, wallowing in disgrace.

“What, cat got your tongue? Hand over the map.”

“If you keep dragging your feet, is your family even serious about ruling Mondstadt again? Or are you just stalling for the Knights of Favonius?”

As Artem stepped closer, smiling, he dropped a heavy accusation right on Schubert’s head.

Schubert’s face went crimson with fury, shaking with outrage.

“You…! That’s a lie! I—I—”

He was so worked up he broke into a fit of coughing, then, in a huff, yanked the map from his coat and slapped it into Artem’s hand—a clear show of loyalty.

“Oh? Looks like I misjudged you,” Artem replied with a lazy smile, showing not the slightest hint of apology.

Schubert struggled to calm his breathing, hands pressed to his chest.

Artem ignored him and spread out the map.

The scrawled lines and crude shapes caught his attention, but the contents made his eyes widen.

The patrol routes, shift changes, barracks locations, city defenses—even the placement of weapons and other details—everything was laid out, every little detail carefully marked.

These Lawrences actually have some real skill…

Artem could tell at a glance it was all accurate, nothing left out.

Good thing I was just using them as a pawn. If a truly hostile force got their hands on this map, with the Lawrences’ help they could bring down Mondstadt’s defenses in half a day.

It might look rough, but it’s worth a fortune. Deliver this to another nation and the Lawrences would be richly rewarded. Even the position of the Knights’ logistics and Church support units is marked.

With subordinates like these, it wouldn’t matter if Varka and Seamus worked themselves to death—Mondstadt would still be a mess.

After looking over the map, Artem felt a mix of emotions.

For Schubert to gather such complete information—this wasn’t just a slip by a couple of soldiers. It meant the entire Knights of Favonius were clueless. Not one of them saw Schubert as a threat, even as he sketched their defenses right in front of them.

Honestly, makes you wonder: even if I gave my life for Mondstadt, would it ever be enough to make this city stand on its own?

And even if I could—would it be worth it?

Is a debt to “Old Man” Coulson really worth my life?

“Is there something wrong with the map?” Schubert asked, suddenly anxious at Artem’s dark expression.

He muttered nervously, “I checked every spot myself, walked every patrol route, compared the schedules over and over—there shouldn’t be any mistakes…”

Artem shook himself from his thoughts and managed a smile.

“No, you did great.”

“Go back and tell your family: three days from now, there’ll be a grand banquet at Dawn Winery. Most of the top Knights will be invited.”

“The assault begins at eight o’clock that night.”

“I’ll lead the Fatui to your estate to command the operation. You’ll be our guide.”

Schubert’s scowl melted into a grin. By the end, he was nodding so hard his powdered wig nearly fell off. “No problem!”

“Good.”

Then Artem added, “One more thing—I heard your family’s got a Knight of Favonius among you?”

Schubert’s face went black.

He answered, barely containing his fury, “To be frank, yes—there is such a disgrace in our bloodline.”

“Then keep her quiet. If anything leaks—”

“It won’t be the Knights who wipe out the Lawrence family. It’ll be me.”

The killing intent in Artem’s voice sent a chill down Schubert’s spine.

Forget etiquette—he beat his chest and swore there’d be no mistakes.

The Lawrences would keep their black sheep locked up tight. She’d never get a chance to spill their secret.

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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!