Undercover in Snezhnaya, My Teyvat Spy Life [44]

Night had fallen.

Even without moonlight, Mondstadt remained as lively as ever.

The free-spirited people of Mondstadt kept to their work schedules with surprising precision, but once off the clock, they unfailingly flocked to the city’s many taverns and amusements.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Artem Vetrovski, dressed all in black and masked, slipped through the city’s backstreets, avoiding the crowded business districts and bars, darting between rooftops.

A moonless night was perfect camouflage.

In moments, he had pried open a window at the Knights of Favonius headquarters and vaulted into the Grand Master’s office.

He looked up, and found Varka watching him with an oddly mixed expression.

Beside him sat a familiar face: Jean Gunnhildr, the Dandelion Knight.

Judging by the scene, Jean was in the midst of learning how to handle Mondstadt’s affairs.

“Well, looks like I’m interrupting. Should I come back later if this is a bad time?”

Artem hesitated for a moment upon seeing Jean. He remembered that Varka’s office was usually off-limits unless there was something serious going on.

What a coincidence.

Varka shot Jean a look and chuckled. “Jean is one of us. There’s nothing inconvenient about her being here.”

“Oh?”

Artem let out a soft “huh,” then casually took off his mask and dropped onto the sofa, grinning. “So the Lion of the South is about to take the reins. Congratulations, Grand Master.”

Jean’s jaw nearly dropped when she realized the “cat burglar” was actually the Snezhnayan envoy who had butted heads with the Knights so many times.

And judging by how friendly he and Varka seemed, they were clearly old acquaintances.

What is even going on?

Jean’s mind spun.

Varka quickly made introductions. “This is Albert. He’s the Church’s mole in Snezhnaya and has done Mondstadt countless favors. The intelligence report you studied—the one in code? That was his work.”

Varka made no effort to hide Artem’s undercover identity.

That left Jean utterly stunned.

She’d reviewed the file on the Snezhnayan envoy countless times. One of the Fatui’s twin stars, master of all weapons, famed for both strength and cunning, currently vying with Ajax for the Eleventh Harbinger seat.

And now Varka claimed he was actually Mondstadt’s own agent, embedded in Snezhnaya?

The sheer amount of information was dizzying.

A Fatui high official with a shot at becoming a Harbinger—a Mondstadt spy?!

No wonder the city always seemed prepared for the Fatui’s moves these past years.

“Hello, Miss Jean Gunnhildr,” Artem said, crossing his legs and waving in greeting. “Nice to see you again.”

Jean snapped out of her daze and hurriedly returned the greeting.

“What’s happened?” Varka asked, his brow creasing.

Artem’s identity was top secret—being seen here was a massive risk.

So Varka’s mood darkened. For Artem to appear so openly, something big had to have happened.

But Artem just smiled, unbothered.

“Oh, nothing major. The Fatui’s Second Harbinger, The Doctor, will be coming here in person. He’ll arrive early next month.”

Artem glanced at the calendar on the wall. “Let’s see, that’s about half a month from now.”

“!!!”

Varka shot to his feet in shock, peppering Artem with questions.

“The Doctor’s coming? For what?”

“Do we have any details?”

Artem shrugged. “No idea.”

“But just in case he tries anything in Mondstadt, I need your cooperation on a few things.”

“Name them,” Varka said quickly.

Artem didn’t answer right away. Instead, he pointed at Jean. “Some of this is top secret. Can she listen in?”

Varka nodded without hesitation. “Jean is Mondstadt’s Lion of the South. She’s cleared for everything.”

He turned to Jean, “Get paper and pen. Write down everything Albert says.”

“Understood.”

With that settled, Artem finally got to business.

“First—ten days from now, have Crepus hold a banquet at Dawn Winery.”

“The Fatui’s deputy envoy, Krupp, will attend with the intent to assassinate Crepus. Krupp is The Doctor’s top hatchet man.”

“If he dies, The Doctor will have no choice but to rely on me, giving us far more room to maneuver.”

“The plan is simple: Krupp will invite Crepus to a secluded spot during the banquet, then try to kill him. Have Diluc secretly guard Crepus and make sure to strike first—kill Krupp before he can act.”

“Got that?”

That last part was aimed at Jean.

She nodded quickly. “All noted.”

While Varka mulled over the plan, Artem pressed on.

“Second, I’ve contacted the Lawrence family. We’re conspiring rebellion together.”

There was a loud snap from across the room.

Both Artem and Varka turned to look at Jean.

“S-sorry, I’ll get a new pen…”

Flustered, Jean hurried to fetch another, having just snapped hers in two in her excitement.

Varka just shook his head, then turned a frown on Artem. “And the Lawrences?”

“They agreed—happily, I might add,” Artem said with a wry grin. “Once Schubert Lawrence gives me the city defense plans, you’ll go in person to the Lawrence estate and round up everyone involved. Throw them in the dungeons and keep them there until they rot.”

“Ungrateful wretches,” Varka muttered, nodding his approval.

“And the third thing.”

Artem stood and stepped right up to Varka, staring him down with uncharacteristic gravity.

“When you’re rounding up the Lawrences, I want you to kill me—publicly—on the charge of trying to take over Mondstat.”

“Don’t hold back.”

“Hit me with everything you’ve got. Make it look like you’ll never rest until I’m dead.”

“And do it in front of Eula Lawrence.”

Snap.

Jean broke her pen again.

This time Varka didn’t spare her a glance. He just studied Artem in silence, as if searching for something in his expression.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. “Why?”

His voice was flat, ice-cold. The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

“Why?”

“Simple,” Artem answered, a dazzling smile on his face.

“I want Eula Lawrence.”

He said it openly, without the slightest hesitation.

“Honorable Grand Master Varka, didn’t you say you’d give me Eula as a wife?”

“Well, I happen to want her.”

“So I’m going to make sure she has a perfectly reasonable excuse to leave with me.”

“What’s that got to do with me trying to kill you?” Varka pressed, clearly still at a loss.

He could understand Artem wanting to take Eula away, but why insist on Varka going all out to kill him? What if he couldn’t pull his punches and actually killed him?

But Artem’s next answer nearly made Varka explode.

“That’s none of your concern. I’m just informing you, not asking your permission.”

“You can do as I say—or not. Doesn’t matter. I’ll just keep being the Fatui’s Inspector, and you can keep being the Grand Master.”

“We’ll stay out of each other’s way.”

A threat—blatant and undisguised.

Varka’s face flushed red with anger, and he slammed his hand on the desk, glaring at Artem.

His worst fear had come true.

With his last tie to Mondstadt cut, Artem really was drifting toward betrayal.

The atmosphere in the office was suddenly electric.

Jean was so anxious she broke out in a cold sweat, desperate to say something but unable to find the words.

As Varka’s fury grew, Artem remained unshaken.

“Don’t try to scare me. I’m not that easy to intimidate.”

“I started killing for Mondstadt when I was eight.”

“Ten years of blood on my hands.”

“And I’ve brought back more intelligence for you than you could ever count.”

“If I haven’t earned some consideration by now, then what have I been doing all this for?”

“So, Grand Master, all I’m asking for is one woman. Is that really too much?”

At that, Varka’s anger melted away in an instant. His expression grew almost gentle.

“Of course, no problem. I’ll see to all your requests.”

“Good.” Artem nodded, satisfied. “One last thing—Eula’s parents and siblings are off-limits. Even if they revolt, you’re to keep them safe and sound.”

“That’s my leverage with you. You can use their lives to keep me in check.”

“Grand Master, make sure you protect that leverage.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. Knowing Varka would agree, Artem turned and strode to the window.

Just before he leapt out, he turned back.

“Oh, one more thing—a bit of good news.”

“The Dragon of the East Wind will return soon.”

“In the next few years, most likely.”

“When the time comes, Barbatos himself will return to Mondstadt as well.”

“I learned this after wiping out the Abyss Order at Starsnatch Cliff.”

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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!