Chapter 27: The Grand Heist in the Basement
Mondstadt Cathedral, Underground Palace.
The underground palace was extravagantly decorated, and its security was just as tight. Luxurious chandeliers and warm golden lamps hanging from carved pillars bathed the hall in brilliant light. Walking through it felt no different from standing beneath the sun at noon.
Paimon's little mouth fell open in astonishment. "Wow, there are so many people here! Hmph, Venti's words really aren't reliable at all."
Watching the knights patrol back and forth below, Lumine couldn't help but furrow her brows. If they were careful enough, infiltration wasn't impossible.
But even with a ninety percent success rate, she didn't dare to gamble. If they failed, the good relationship they had painstakingly built with the Knights of Favonius would completely shatter.
Lumine: "Su Han, do you have any ideas?"
[Option 1: Use Shunpo to avoid the guards' line of sight and lead them to the deepest part of the underground palace.
Completion Reward: (Bakudō No. 1: Sai).]
[Option 2: Seize the opportunity to throw a Cherry Bomb into the center of the crowd. While the guards are in chaos, make your way to the deepest part of the underground palace.
Completion Reward: (Cherry Bomb ×10).]
[Option 3: Charge in headfirst, defeat every guard who intercepts you, and bulldoze your way through.
Completion Reward: 50% increased chance of being attacked by monsters in the wild, +10% damage against monsters.]
[Option 4: Without engaging the guards in battle, walk straight past all of them in broad daylight and retrieve the Skyward Harp.
Completion Reward: (Bakudō No. 30: Three Flashing Beaks), Effect: Condense spiritual power into three massive beak-shaped beams of light, pinning the target to an object and sealing their movements.]
Aside from the third option, the rewards were all appealing—especially the second. After all, who could resist Cherry Bombs that spark and hiss?
Su Han beckoned the two closer, gesturing for them to lean in. He whispered his plan in a mysterious tone.
The more Paimon listened, the more shocked she looked. Lumine, meanwhile, frowned deeply.
Lumine: "The risk is too high. What if—"
Su Han interrupted, calm and assured. "Trust me. Watch how I lead you in openly and with dignity."
Paimon blinked. "Eh? Did you bribe them or something?"
A strange feeling welled up in Jean's heart.
She had long suspected that after rejecting the Fatui's proposal to subjugate Stormterror, they might target the Skyward Harp to seize the Anemo Archon's power instead.
That was why she had temporarily reinforced the patrols here.
Though not all of them were battle-hardened veterans, Jean believed they wouldn't be so easily bribed.
Su Han: "Stay behind me. Don't say a word. Leave everything else to me."
With that, he set down the acting Grand Master from his arms, grasped her slender wrist, and descended the black-and-white marble steps.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance, then covered their mouths as they stifled laughter. Still, out of trust in Su Han, they followed.
Just as Jean had expected, they hadn't taken more than a few steps before running straight into a plump Knight of Favonius.
Su Han halted, clasped his hands behind his back, and barked first, "You there, Knight—what's your name?"
Seeing his stern expression, the knight's vigilance melted away. Instead, he stammered nervously, "Br… Bruce…"
Su Han frowned. "Very well, Bruce. Let me ask you—where is your sword?"
Lumine and Paimon looked at each other and turned away, shoulders shaking. He was really putting on the act of a superior officer.
Bruce's face flushed red. "My sword… I… I lost it…"
Su Han reprimanded coldly, "As a knight, you lost your most important weapon. If you were to encounter an enemy, losing your life would be no more than you deserve."
Bruce blushed even harder and tried to defend himself. "W-What's the problem? Mondstadt's peaceful and quiet these days. It's not like they need one more… uh… freely active knight like me."
"Wait—who are you, anyway?"
Su Han clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Young man, how can you be so resistant to correction? Never mind. Go fetch the person in charge here."
Perhaps intimidated by Su Han's imposing aura, Bruce reluctantly complied.
Before long, a dignified young knight approached Su Han and bowed slightly.
"Respected Mr. Su Han, Honorary Knight—may the Anemo Archon bless you. I am Hoffmann, temporarily assigned as captain of the squad overseeing the underground palace."
"May I ask what brings the three of you here tonight? And this… person wearing a hood?"
Su Han shook his head faintly and sighed. "I never expected the Knights of Favonius to be so lax—no organization, no discipline."
"Does your code not clearly state that a knight must carry his sword at all times?"
Hoffmann nodded seriously. "It does indeed. As for Bruce's case, I will report it strictly to the higher-ups and handle it according to regulations."
Paimon whispered, "As expected of a squad captain. He feels way more reliable than Bruce."
Hoffmann gave a modest nod. "You flatter me, Lady Paimon."
Su Han lowered his voice. "Hoffmann, conduct a full inspection of the knights stationed here. Check for unfamiliar faces."
"According to the latest intelligence from Kaeya, members of the Fatui have infiltrated tonight disguised as Knights of Favonius. They intend to steal the Skyward Harp."
"Acting Grand Master Jean has entrusted me and the Honorary Knight to assist you in investigating the matter—and in protecting the Skyward Harp."
"You see, the one behind me is a Fatui agent I just apprehended. To avoid alerting the others, I cannot remove her hood for now."
Jean: ?
Hoffmann's expression turned solemn. "Understood. I'll escort you to where the Skyward Harp is stored."
Out of trust in the Honorary Knight, he did not question Su Han's words.
After all, both Mr. Su Han and the Honorary Knight's strength were evident to all.
If they truly harbored ill intent, the knights present wouldn't be able to stop them anyway. Why would they need to resort to deception?
…
Under Hoffmann's guidance, the group proceeded without obstruction and soon arrived at the chamber where the Skyward Harp was kept.
[Congratulations! You have obtained an S-rank item: (Mysterious Wrench (3/3)), 100 Shop Points, and (Bakudō No. 30: Three Flashing Beaks).]
[(Mysterious Wrench (3/3)): A wrench that looks extremely mysterious. It seems capable of turning things that cannot normally be reached.]
Hoffmann said, "The Skyward Harp is of vital importance to the Knights of Favonius. I'll leave it to you. I'll go outside to investigate the infiltrators within our ranks."
Su Han nodded gravely. "When entrusted with a task, one must see it through faithfully. Leave it to us."
Hoffmann bowed once more before exiting the room.
At that very moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside.
"Enemy attack!"
Thick smoke of unknown origin rapidly spread through the underground palace. Startled, the knights drew their swords and searched frantically for the enemy.
Su Han and Lumine exchanged a silent glance. Just as they were about to step forward and take the Skyward Harp—
A flash of purple darted in an instant.
A graceful figure arrived before them, snatching the Skyward Harp away first.
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