Genshin Impact: I, the Winter's Executor, am forced to work.

The situation in the Mondstadt wilderness has indeed been unusual lately.

The Fool also clearly stated that he came to Mondstadt with a purpose...

He also explained with great disdain that he had no improper thoughts about Mondstadt, and the reason was irrefutable—he was more pleased with the riches and honors he enjoyed in the winter than with leading a completely incompetent country again.

Thus, it can be analyzed that, even if one does not want to admit it, the Fatui did indeed help Mondstadt in some sense, even if that was not the fundamental reason, but rather the ultimate goal achieved after the information from all parties was gathered.

But as long as the outcome aligns with one's interests, it's better than a direct conflict, isn't it?

Just as he hesitated for a moment, a familiar figure appeared in Diluc's sight.

Arecino, the Executor of the Fools.

At this moment, he understood that his servant, a master of intelligence, would never reveal a flaw so easily, especially since he discovered it outside Mondstadt. Such a flaw was a rare occurrence that he would hardly encounter in either of his two lifetimes.

So this is 100% a well-prepared trap, a trap specifically designed for him.

But that's not important.

In his view, the servant and the fool must have a secret connection, so there is an 80% chance that the plan was devised by the two of them together.

Since the Fool had specifically spoken with him, he naturally wouldn't take his life so easily.

He understands the masses too well; they won't do anything without profit, and they won't leave until they've squeezed every last drop of profit out of them.

So Diluc finally made his choice—to follow behind the [Servant].

Even if some special circumstances arise, he can still get away unscathed.

Strategic retreat when outmatched is one of the sophisticated skills that intelligence gathering has learned over the years.

Arecino, running at the forefront, displayed an admirable level of skill, controlling her pace as if fishing.

When Diluc's pursuit began to falter, she slowed down slightly to reveal herself. Once she regained her strength, she displayed unparalleled counter-tracking skills, repeatedly outmaneuvering Diluc.

And every time Diluc feels he has lost track of someone, he inexplicably finds new traces on the ground, trees, and even rocks.

"..."

He's just as awful as the Fool. He's clearly crushing his opponent, yet he pretends to be a weak scholar. There are no normal people among the Fools' executors.

Diluc sped from Mondstadt, gradually moving from the main road in the southern Windrise to the mountains, eventually arriving near Dadaupa Valley.

"It looks like we've reached our destination."

He stroked his chin and began to survey his surroundings.

Why was he so certain...?

Because now the servant's whereabouts are completely unknown.

Does that mean that whether someone is friend or foe depends on my judgment?

This also coincides with the Fool's laissez-faire attitude towards him.

That saves him the trouble of wasting time investigating later.

With his knees bent and half-squatting on the ground, Diluc carefully moved his body, weaving through the bushes on the hillside, his gaze gradually sharpening.

"Hylocereus..."

He frowned, temporarily setting aside his speculations about the Fools' motives.

Dadaupa Valley was once considered a retirement haven for Hilichurls. Regardless of whether they committed any acts of violence, the Hilichurls there were generally well-behaved and kept to themselves, living in harmony with Mondstadt.

The Hilichurls in this area rarely leave the valley, as the Mondstadters do so to save trouble...

It was a slip of the tongue. In order to avoid conflict with them and respect their right to live freely, the Mondstadt people naturally wouldn't approach this place, so they let them live.

If there were a curling king among the Hilichurls, then the curliest ones in Dadaupa Valley would probably be the ones who chase and play around, while the rest mostly sit on the ground sunbathing.

But at this moment, it's completely different.

The patrolling Hilichurls were led by Wood Shield Hilichurls, with Rock Shield Hilichurls bringing up the rear, and Hilichurl mobs wielding fire axes and thunder axes on both sides, escorting the Shaman and the Abyss Mage, patrolling the road in an orderly fashion.

The archers on the watchtowers, who should have been sleeping with their legs crossed, sat up straight, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily for any movement.

The important thing is not this arrangement, nor whether the Abyss Mage can lead or command Hilichurls to do things for them.

For Diluc, what matters more is that such a team certainly wasn't assembled out of nowhere.

If the army suddenly expanded to 200,000 men in winter, claiming it was a self-defense force to prevent attacks from Mondstadt or Nata, how many people would believe such nonsense?

The same applies to Hilichurls. You're saying this kind of team is just there to defend Dadaupa Valley?

I can only hope so.

Before setting off to follow them, he learned that Qin already knew about this matter, which was probably also the work of the "Fool".

only...

Why is he so concerned about this matter?

The situation below clearly shows that the Abyss Order has taken control of the Hilichurls. Does the Fool have a grudge against the Abyss Order?

Or perhaps...

With whom did he reach an agreement? The Grand Master?

Impossible. Although that person is detestable, he still possesses the virtues of a knight.

Wind God?

Diluc chuckled self-deprecatingly.

To this day, people have not seen the Wind God return to his place for nearly a thousand years. Thinking of it is probably just a way to comfort themselves if they see this scene.

He slowly stood up and, to the astonishment of the archer Hilichurl, dashed out, taking a few steps up the wooden steps of the watchtower, flames burning fiercely on his greatsword.

With a single strike, Diluc's small body was cleaved into two almost symmetrical halves, his gaze unwavering.

I will protect my country in my own way.

Chapter 171 Heroes Appear

"Why is it Hilichurls again?!" Paimon stomped his foot angrily, his tone quite indignant.

"I've already taken care of so many." She glared at the Hilichurl in the distance, then turned to Luminous: "The rest is up to you!"

"You didn't contribute at all!" Ying adjusted her breathing, gradually calming it down.

"Where did Miss Fool go at this hour?"

Ying stood at the entrance to Dadaupa Valley, fighting and retreating, constantly pursued by numerous Hilichurls.

"Luckily, this time they came one by one to their deaths. Otherwise, if we had been surrounded like last time, we really wouldn't have been able to escape without Wendy's help."

Paimon frowned, seeing the enemies surging forward, and shrank behind Luminous, only his small head peeking out: "Good luck, Traveler!"

"So you should at least put in some effort!"

The "Fool" took me to the Land of Wind to enjoy the scenery and a feast prepared by the executive himself.

I'd like to give a separate review here: it tastes so much better than what I make myself. I almost fainted from happiness because of it.

I thought the next task would be taking some good photos with the phonograph camera, but I was wrong...

You fool, a young lady with thick eyebrows and big eyes, how could you do such an inhuman thing?

She gripped the bladeless sword tightly, and elemental power surged forth.

"Go with the wind!"

On the distant mountain cliffs.

"Tatiana".

"Yes, Lady Arecino, I'm here."

The servant silently watched the disheveled figure being chased below, and... not knowing what it was, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Promise me, you're fine as you are now, you don't need to learn any more from your brother Qin Ye."

This classic approach of offering a sweet treat followed by psychological manipulation is exactly the same as Qin Ye's.

When I first met Tatiana, she was a healthy, sunny, and positive girl.

“You…” Tatiana hesitated for a long time, not wanting to say anything that would affect Qin Ye’s relationship with the other executives.

"Now that it's just you and me here, there's no need to be so formal."

Arecino didn't give Qin Ye a friendly look because he was completely unrelated to the word "human," but at other times he was... probably quite approachable, right?

Tatiana looked at the servant's face, which never showed a smile, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"You're right, but the gap between me and Brother Qin Ye is like a firefly compared to the bright moon, so I still need to continue learning until I catch up to even the slightest bit of that person."

"..."

I don't think it's necessary.

Arecino shook her head inwardly. It was really difficult for her to have a friend with whom she could have a casual conversation. People of lower rank than herself could only be polite or extremely respectful when they met her.

And of the same level...

They used to get along well, but recently she's been trying to accumulate enough merit to start a duel in order to improve her standing among the Fatui, which has made her relationships with the others more strained.

She now understands why Dionysus remained a resident of the twelfth seat.

Even the "Young Master" has the ambition to climb higher. If the "Fool" were to fight with others, the already complicated relationships would only be further complicated.

Now, as the twelfth seat, he is capable of doing just as much as anyone else, and his influence even surpasses that of the "Rooster" and the "Rich Man".

All I can say is that the young master is a smart man. If he can't climb up, he'll cling to a powerful figure. Sooner or later, he'll make it big.

"So your role in the plan was to save the day?"

Arecino took a step back and stood shoulder to shoulder with Tatiana, asking in a low voice.

"You're right. Brother Qin Ye was thinking of me and didn't want me to deal with the Hilichurls who were in their most frenzied state, which is why we're in this situation now."

Follow the girl's gaze downwards.

"Whoa! Traveler, charge! Yes, right there! A right roundhouse kick! A left jab! Great, I've deflected all your attacks!"

The shouts of the white, highly intelligent floating assistant unit, which was floating in mid-air, echoed through the valley, making it barely audible to the two people on the cliff.