Yes, Lady Funina!

"You two must be the heroes who fought against the dragon scourge that Commander Jean mentioned, the strangers who were awarded the title of Honorary Knights of Favonius?" Richard said with a smile, his voice unhurried and pleasant to listen to.

"Yes, that's right. Hello, my name is Paimon, and this is my best friend, Luminous. May I ask what brings you here?" Paimon, the Mouth of God, asked politely.

“Paimon and Luminous, is that it? It’s nice to meet you. There’s nothing important, but I just felt it wouldn’t be right not to say hello since I’ve run into comrades who will be fighting alongside me against the Abyss Order.” Richard said.

"The Abyss Order, did Master Jean even tell you this?" Paimon was surprised that Jean would trust the man in front of him so much. This was a matter of great importance concerning the safety of Mondstadt. Was it really okay to tell a high-ranking official from a foreign country?

Although he had heard the news that the Knights of Favonius were going to cooperate with the Fontaine Mission and that the water god would also intervene, Paimon realized that it was not a rumor when it happened in front of him.

But why would a foreign water god get involved in Mondstadt's affairs, and where is the wind god of Mondstadt?

All of this troubled Paimon and Ying, but there was no doubt that the man in front of them knew more inside information than they did, and perhaps they could get answers to many questions from him.

However, Richard only came to say hello and had no intention of having a deeper conversation.

"Yes, after all, I am half a Mondstadt person, having grown up in Mondstadt since childhood. Naturally, I don't want my hometown to suffer indelible trauma because of the schemes of those with ulterior motives. Let's talk about the specifics later. Miss Charlotte is still waiting here. I believe we will meet again soon."

Richard had indeed only come to say hello, and after speaking, he left with Charlotte.

However, the other party's riddle-like remarks left Ying and Paimon completely confused.

Paimon couldn't help but complain, "Why do all these important people talk the same way? Why can't they just be clearer? We'll meet again soon, but how long is 'soon'?"

“At least for now, they seem to be ‘friends,’ rather than ‘enemies’ like the Fatui,” Ying said.

“That’s true. To gain the trust of the leader of the troupe, he must be on our side. And this Lord Richard seems quite extraordinary; he looks very reliable!” Paimon recalled the man’s extraordinary demeanor earlier. With such an assistant, the journey ahead should be much easier.

Thinking of this, Paimon felt inexplicably at ease.

Meanwhile, Charlotte followed Richard to his home...

Book 1: Chapter 50 Charlotte's Double Life (4K)

Richard's home in Mondstadt is a villa located in the inner city of Mondstadt, just one street away from the city's central terrace.

The villa's exterior is rustic yet elegant, exuding a sense of calm. It features a high sloping roof, gable walls, and exquisite brick and stone carvings. In the sunlight, the villa's ancient stone walls gleam, the moss and stone patterns standing out vividly. Those bricks and stones, weathered by time, have witnessed countless springs, summers, autumns, and winters that this villa has endured.

For five hundred years, the owner of this villa has never changed, but his neighbors have been changing constantly. Thinking of his childhood playmates, whose descendants, separated by countless generations, are now all old and gray, even Richard would feel a pang of sadness.

Perhaps this is what every immortal being has to face.

"Come inside." Richard didn't show his emotions outwardly. He never exposed his inner feelings to outsiders, because doing so would be tantamount to revealing his weakness to others.

Charlotte, with a curious gaze, stepped into the quaint villa. She discovered that, contrary to its exterior appearance, the interior furniture was mostly the latest style and not as retro as she had imagined.

Richard saw through Charlotte's thoughts and said, "Furniture is replaced every once in a while. Times are constantly progressing, and furniture will become more and more useful. There is no need to compromise yourself for a little historical sentiment. Besides, in my opinion, five hundred years is not a long time."

Charlotte turned her gaze to Richard's ear, without any doubt about what he said. Perhaps five hundred years was just a growth period in his eyes, like the time it takes for a human to transition from childhood to adulthood.

Charlotte's answer was even more straightforward: "You're right."

She just wants Richard to make his demands as soon as possible; she'll do what she can, and if she can't, she'll fight to the death!

She went to jail, while Richard went... to continue being the second-in-command of his city hall, enjoying a high position and generous salary, constantly swamped with official duties, keeping him incredibly busy!

No, this isn't some kind of desperate, lose-lose situation!

unfair!

Charlotte thought with some resentment that she had never felt so wronged when she was a freelance journalist before being recruited by Editor-in-Chief Ou Fu, even when facing unreasonable interviewees.

"Would you like something to drink?" Richard led Charlotte to the sofa in the living room and gestured for her to sit down, while he went to the water station and got two glasses.

However, Charlotte was clearly wary of Richard, saying that she had already drunk water before coming and was fully hydrated, so she didn't need to drink any more.

Not at all. She was interviewing Ying and Paimon when her throat was practically burning from all the questions. She was just about to order a drink at the Deer Hunter when Richard showed up.

Even so, Charlotte did not intend to drink beverages prepared by a man when they were alone in a private, enclosed space, especially if she was forced to accept the invitation.

Richard sensed that Charlotte seemed to have a deep misunderstanding about him, but he didn't say much. He simply poured her a glass of water.

Whether she drinks or not is her business; whether she, as the host, has acted politely is her own business.

He is a very particular person.

"From my observation, Miss Charlotte's interview was quite methodical, not at all like what an intern reporter should do. I suppose you've been in the industry for quite some time, haven't you?"

“Yes, before I went to Steambird News, I worked as a freelance journalist with my father.” Charlotte didn’t hide anything; for Richard, finding out this kind of thing would be a piece of cake.

"Have you ever encountered a situation where an interview report couldn't be published?" Richard then asked.

"Of course there are! Some big shots have even threatened to 'blacklist' me!"

Charlotte said this kind of situation is all too common. She is a journalist dedicated to pursuing the truth, adhering to the principle of "the closer you are, the more truthful your report will be." She is always in various places, capturing the "truth" of one thing after another in her camera.

Finally, the information was compiled and written into a report, which was published in the newspaper to bring the 'truth' to the people of Fontainebleau. Naturally, there were countless stakeholders who wanted the 'truth' to disappear, and even hoped that she herself would disappear along with it.

For Charlotte, keeping quiet was a common occurrence.

"So how did you do it?" Richard sat on the sofa, leaning forward, becoming a proper listener.

"Of course we'll stick to releasing it!"

Aren't you afraid of being blacklisted?

“Of course I’m afraid, but if I don’t report the truth because I’m afraid of being ‘blacklisted,’ wouldn’t that be the same as being ‘blacklisted’ permanently?” Charlotte said matter-of-factly.

However, what Charlotte couldn't understand was why Richard was asking her such irrelevant questions. Did she have offended him in the past, or did she have evidence against him that she was unaware of?

After hearing Charlotte's meticulous logic, Richard was amazed. Could she really be a genius?

"I see. It seems I didn't come to the wrong person." Richard nodded.

“Mr. Richard, you might as well speak your mind. Why would someone as important as you make things difficult for a small reporter like me?” Charlotte said with a sour face.

“It’s just a small matter about the interview. Of course, if you’re not interested after I’ve finished speaking, you can refuse directly. I won’t cause you any trouble. After all, you’ve already prepared a backup plan, haven’t you?” Richard smiled.

Richard could obviously see why Charlotte revealed their relationship in front of the camera and implied in her words that they were friends.

This would prevent Richard from using his own address to sue Charlotte for spying on 'state secrets'.

After all, it's perfectly normal for friends to know each other's addresses.

"Is that so... then I refuse!" Charlotte refused without even listening.

She clearly knew that sometimes knowing too much wasn't a good thing.

Richard wasn't annoyed by Charlotte's refusal; he simply smiled and said, "Won't you listen to my request? It might be of great help to your career."

"I am very satisfied with my current career!"

Help? Staying away from you right now is the best thing that can do for my career! Charlotte sneered inwardly.

She simply couldn't believe that Richard would be so kind as to help her for no reason.

You should know that she is sitting here now only because she is under the tyranny of Richard's "legal stick".

Even assuming Richard's threat didn't exist, Charlotte still advocated for "independent" and "autonomous" news reporting and rejected all forms of publicity stunts!

In other words, even if Charlotte has no news, no interviews, and is fired from Steambird, she will not allow Richard to interfere with her news!

“Really? That’s a pity. I was hoping Miss Charlotte would join the team and participate more deeply in the ‘Slaying the Dragons and the Abyss Order’ mission… Well, since Miss Charlotte isn’t interested, we’ll just have to find another reliable, fearless, and truthful reporter.” Richard sighed.

Charlotte froze, the words Richard had spoken of "slaying the dragons and the Abyss Order" echoing in her ears, so much so that she didn't hear what he said after that.

He just said he wanted to find a reliable journalist who wasn't afraid of authority and dared to speak the truth, right?

Those kinds of reporters are hard to find... Maybe we shouldn't bother looking, let me handle it.

Charlotte felt that sometimes, no matter what people do, they have to accept some external opinions. News interviews are all about objectivity. If you can't listen to other people's opinions, how can you be considered objective?

Furthermore, Lord Richard hasn't said anything yet, so it would be rather impolite to refuse him like this.

“Since Miss Charlotte isn’t interested in this, let’s just forget about it.” Richard picked up his teacup, took a sip, and started counting to three in his head.

'three……'

Charlotte looked conflicted; in her mind, two little figures, one black and one white, were constantly fighting.

Black Man (disappointed): Charlotte, Charlotte, are you really going to let such a good opportunity slip through your fingers? This is an opportunity that many journalists would wait their whole lives for! If you just ask, Richard will definitely agree to this follow-up report.

White figure (cautious): Don't listen to it. There's no such thing as a free lunch. It might be up to something! Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious. Be careful!

Charlotte: Indeed.

'two……'

The black figure (disdainfully) (shudders) (shudders at the white figure): Come on, what would someone with such high status want from you? Besides, this is a report from a visit accompanying the Knights of Favonius and the Fontaine Mission. With so many people and Lord Water God present, what could Richard possibly do to you?

Charlotte: That makes sense!

Black little man (striking while the iron is hot) (knocks out white little man): Hurry up, he's about to serve tea and see the guests off. If you wait any longer, it will really be too late!

Charlotte was startled and quickly looked up at Richard, who at that very moment had also silently counted to the last number.

'one.'

Almost simultaneously, Charlotte blurted out:

"and many more!"

Richard also feigned confusion, looking at Charlotte with a puzzled expression and asking, "Is there anything else, Miss Charlotte?"

Because she had been too decisive in her previous refusal and hadn't left herself any way out, Charlotte was now somewhat embarrassed, a blush rising on her fair face.

"Um... reporters must be hard to find, right?"

Richard changed his posture at this moment, from leaning forward to leaning back, which also meant that the offensive and defensive roles of the two sides had changed.

"Reporters are easy to find, after all, there are staff members from Steambird Newspaper within the mission."

“But they have their own jobs to do, don’t they? They’re very busy!” Charlotte quickly said.

"Yes...it is indeed very busy." Richard pictured a middle-aged man chatting with other officials over afternoon tea.

"That's why I haven't mentioned this to Mr. Ebel yet, but I believe that if I reason with him and appeal to his emotions, he will still accept the job."

“That won’t do!!” Charlotte exclaimed, realizing she wasn’t the only option.

Richard looked at Charlotte with a puzzled expression, and Charlotte, realizing her lapse in composure, coughed slightly and said, "Ahem, what I meant was that we didn't need to trouble Mr. Ebel at all..."

"No need to trouble Mr. Ebel... then how about Ms. Sonia?"

"Who is that?"

"A reporter for the Fontaine Daily Times."

Charlotte's eyes went black. He was not as good as Mr. Ebel, at least Mr. Ebel was a senior member of the Steambird Newspaper.

If everyone at Steambird Newspaper knew that she had handed over such a big story to a competitor, she would be too ashamed to stay at the newspaper.

"Judging from your expression, it seems you have other candidates to recommend. To be honest, I'm not too satisfied with Ms. Sonia. She's too delicate and can't handle hardship." Richard threw the topic back to Charlotte.

“Yes, yes, let Ms. Sonia do some light work. Um… Mr. Richard, what do you think of me?” Charlotte nodded hurriedly, then blushed and pointed to herself, volunteering.

“You? But didn’t you just refuse?” Richard gave a strange smile.

Charlotte wanted to disappear into the ground at that smile; it was so embarrassing! She knew it was Richard's 'revenge'.

Fortunately, she has extensive experience as a journalist and is very resilient under pressure. She is not like a newcomer who gets embarrassed after being teased a few times.

Sometimes you have to learn to give yourself a way out.

"Yes, Mr. Richard. The reason I refused earlier was that I didn't understand the situation clearly. I thought you wanted to assign me to write a 'custom draft,' which would obviously violate the principles of objectivity, fairness, and impartiality in news reporting."

“But what I just said, wasn’t that a custom-made piece?” Richard asked.

"Of course not. The follow-up report you proposed is a reporting method that provides an in-depth understanding of the interviewee's situation and tracks the progress of the event."

"Especially in the current situation of Mondstadt being hit by the dragon, this kind of follow-up reporting is a very important way of conveying information, which can help people understand the latest situation in the disaster area, the progress of rescue, and the living conditions of the affected people."

“Your idea is undoubtedly wise, brilliant, and unparalleled. I apologize for misunderstanding you before, Mr. Richard.” Charlotte fully demonstrated her eloquence as a journalist.

“I accept your apology, Miss Charlotte. I also believe you are capable of being deeply involved in this operation to ‘slay the dragons and the Abyss Order.’ But before that, I have a personal request.”

“Please speak,” Charlotte said hastily. She suddenly felt thirsty and drank the water Richard had poured for her in one gulp.

"I hope you can identify the key figures in this incident."

"You mean, to portray your wise and virtuous image more prominently in the reports?"

"No, I'm just the most insignificant person in this incident. You can omit me from the list or just mention me briefly."

Charlotte asked, puzzled, "Then who is the main character?"

"Of course it's our Lady Funina. Doesn't she deserve your attention?"

"……worth."