Undercover in Snezhnaya, My Teyvat Spy Life [4]

Back at the embassy, Leonid, still on guard in the room, hurried up to ask, “Sir, did you catch the rat?”

“Killed it,” Artem replied offhandedly.

“As expected of you, sir!”

“Enough with the flattery. Go gather the men. We’re heading to the Knights of Favonius.”

“Huh?”

Leonid blinked in confusion. “Sir, it’s the middle of the night.”

“And?” Artem shot back. “Does it matter whether an assassination attempt on a Snezhnayan envoy happens by day or night?”

“Understood, sir.”

A light sparked in Leonid’s eyes as he ran out to rally the troops.

Look at him—can’t wait for trouble. What kind of people did The Rooster assign me?
Not only are they dumb, but they’re all violence junkies!

Ask them to do anything serious, and they’re scratching their heads for ages. Tell them to stir up trouble? Instantly excited—one more eager than the next.

Sometimes I wonder if The Rooster suspects my identity and deliberately sent me this pack of muscle-brained idiots.

...

The Fatui squad’s efficiency was frightening.

Even in the dead of night, it took less than five minutes for all sixty soldiers to assemble.

Everyone was in full uniform, no trace of confusion or panic.

At Artem’s command, the squad marched out in force toward the Knights’ headquarters.

The thunderous rallying cries and synchronized footsteps quickly woke the sleeping citizens of Mondstadt.

When people realized it was the Fatui again, they threw on their coats and followed to watch the chaos unfold—after all, who didn’t enjoy a good spectacle?

The commotion inevitably alarmed the Knights of Favonius.

By the time Artem and his men arrived, Grand Master Varka and Bishop Seamus Pegg were already waiting.

“What’s the meaning of this, Snezhnayan envoy?”

Varka gestured at the intimidating squad behind Artem.

“Hmph. You must be Grand Master Varka?”

“That’s right. I am.”

“Good. Then answer me this: I arrive in Mondstadt as the official Snezhnayan envoy, and the moment I settle in, someone tries to assassinate me. How do you intend to resolve this?”

Artem’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried perfectly for all the gathered townsfolk to hear.

News that the Snezhnayan envoy had been attacked at the embassy spread like wildfire, and soon everyone was whispering in shock.

Varka’s face tightened. While ordering his knights to keep order, he invited Artem, “Envoy, let’s discuss this inside.”

“Hmph. Fine.”

Artem turned to Leonid. “Wait here. And remember—not a sound until I come out.”

“Yes, sir!”

Leonid snapped a textbook Snezhnayan salute.

Artem followed Varka all the way to the Grand Master’s office.

Five people were already waiting.

Two of them, familiar faces.

One was Kaeya Alberich, the quartermaster he’d encountered at the city gate.

The other—the reconnaissance captain Leonid had stripped naked back in the woods.

But as soon as Artem entered, that old man’s face flushed deep red and, with a thud, he fainted right there in the office.

The room erupted in chaos as people rushed to get him to the infirmary.

He’s totally faking, Artem thought, struggling not to laugh. Just trying to avoid anyone bringing up what happened earlier.

When the old knight was finally carried out, Varka cleared his throat and introduced everyone:
“This is Bishop Seamus of the Church of Favonius, Inspector Eroch, the Dandelion Knight Jean, Cavalry Captain Diluc, and Quartermaster Kaeya.”

Artem nodded to each in turn.

When the introductions were over, he leaned back in his chair, tone languid:
“Grand Master Varka, let’s hear it. How are you planning to resolve this?”

“If you can’t satisfy me today, you’d better be ready for the wrath of the Tsaritsa.”

The open threat made everyone’s expression darken.

After all, the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya was one of the Seven who still ruled.
And Mondstadt’s Archon had vanished for centuries.

Besides, Snezhnaya had not only the Fatui and their ten powerful Harbingers, but an army beyond counting.

There was no comparing the two nations in military might.

It was a threat that couldn’t be ignored.

“Envoy, perhaps there’s some misunderstanding here?”

Kaeya, ever the diplomat, stepped in with a smile.

“I’m talking to your Grand Master. Who asked for your opinion?”

Artem shot him a dismissive glance and fixed his gaze on Varka.

Kaeya froze, words stuck in his throat, but Varka raised a hand to cut him off.

“We’ll conduct a thorough investigation and give you a full account.”

At this, Artem drummed his fingers on the chair arm, dissatisfied.

“Don’t you people have any other script?”

“You said the exact same thing this morning. Now you’re still repeating it?”

He stood, waving his hand impatiently.

“If this is how little the Knights care, then the Fatui will investigate ourselves.”

“Wait!”

Varka rushed to stop him.

Is this a joke?! This is Mondstadt!

If the Fatui start their own investigation, what happens to the Knights’ dignity?
If I didn’t know this brat was on our side, I’d have given him a beating already!

Artem paused, looking back at Varka with a half-smile. “What, Grand Master—got more to say?”

Varka stared at that infuriating face, his blood pressure spiking, but with all eyes on him he could only grit his teeth and say, “To show our good faith, we’re willing to offer you some compensation.”

“Now that’s more like it.”

Artem’s grin widened.

“Ten million Mora. Then we’ll call it even.”

“You might as well—”

Varka cut himself off mid-sentence, swallowing the rest with a stony face.

“Fine. The amount stands.”

“Grand Master!?”

An immediate outcry from the others.

Who knows if this Snezhnayan is just here for a payout?
If we pay him off today, what’s to stop him coming back with a new excuse tomorrow?

“I know what I’m doing.”

Varka raised his hand again, silencing everyone.

“We’ll continue to investigate the assassin. You’ll be kept informed.”

“Fine. But there’s one more thing.”

“You—!”

Varka was about to explode.

You’re not done squeezing us for money yet?!

“This morning, a boy named Timmie blocked our squad at the city gate and insulted us. That’s slander and emotional distress—surely you’ll compensate me for that? Not much, just another ten million Mora.”

Artem shot Kaeya a sly look.

“The quartermaster here was present. He can vouch for me.”

The moment the words left his mouth, every eye in the room turned to Kaeya.

With all those hungry eyes on him, Kaeya felt a powerful urge to curse out loud.

---

T/N: LMAOO POOR KAEYA also varka looks is hot but disappointing i was expecting a hot beefy bear not a hot blonde twink smh

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!