Chapter 253

***

The Wangshu inn that stood at the southern end of Dihua Marsh seemed to serve as something more than just a resting place for guests.

Folk stories had it that even ones as august as the adepti sometimes basked in the moonlight in this very place.

"People say that Wangshu Inn is a haven for lovers' moonlit rendezvous. It's a perfect place for us, my Assistant!"

"Is it though? So far I'm not quite happy with the place."

After the group left the elevator area, the main goal was to find a reception of some sort but before they could do so, they met a well-dressed woman.

"Greetings! My name is Yuhua, a waitress here at the Wangshu Inn. Are you in need of a meal, or a room for the night? If you are, you're welcome to use our dining room if you would like."

The young woman standing next to the elevator spoke up.

"We don't intend to stay here tonight, but we can certainly eat. Please find us someplace private we can talk alone. Money's not the issue."

Yuhua bowed before she continued to speak.

"I have a lovely place in mind! But first, we need to speak to the Boss. Follow me please."

The group did as she asked and walked into the inside of the inn. Funnily enough they went down to the second floor.

By using stairs...

'So you're telling me I had to use the elevator to get to third floor and then all of a sudden there are stairs here to the second one? Why don't they just repair the other stairs then!?'

"Hey Boss, these people wish to speak to you about staying somewhere private for a dinner."

As Yuhua finished her sentence, a fairly attractive woman in her late twenties welcomed them in the reception.

Her face looked rather youthful, her smile and eyes friendly.

"Welcome to the Wangshu Inn, you may call me Verr Goldet. Hmm... A distinctive but elusive clothing, a tall gentleman with defined yet atypical facial features and darker skin tone, followed around by several women and a flying animal. If it isn't Yomite Hissha. What an honor, I've heard so many great things about the the hero of Mondstadt."

"Eh...how do you...know me..?"

Yomite was taken aback.

He was surprised when he saw someone recognize him from his fame.

But before he got a chance to think too much, Verr Goldet explained herself.

"Oh! Pardon me, I'm from Mondstadt myself. You're famous after all." She smiled and added, "And I must apologize. It's been such a long time since I've seen you in person that I barely recognized you. I am truly honored to see you again."

"Oh...thank you."

Yomite smiled back, slightly embarrassed.

This lady was too kind. He didn't know what to say.

He was used to being recognized in Mondstadt but he never really interacted with any of the people that praised him like this, which left him in a difficult spot.

Luckily, Verr Goldet seemed to have noticed his discomfort, "I have the perfect place for your conversation, if you wouldn't mind following me."

She turned around and began walking up the stairs, all the way to the fifth floor.

Everyone followed behind her in silence, but it seemed that Mona had something to say but didn't want to say it out loud yet.

Once they arrived, an open terrace with a few tables and chairs welcomed them.

"We're here." Verr Goldet announced and gestured towards one table on their right, "Please sit here and chose what you wish to eat from this menu. Yuhua will return soon." She straightened her clothes before heading off.

Everyone took a seat. Hu Tao and Barbara both sat down next to him, while Mona and others were sitting at the opposite side of the table, facing each other.

"Well that was a pretty warm welcome, wasn't it..." Yomite spoke up once Verr Goldet left.

"She seemed like a huge fan of yours, Yum-Yum."

"Yeah...I'm pretty bad with people like this. They usually go away immediately after saying hello, but she was different..."

"She was lying." Mona bluntly spoke out of nowhere.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Mona sighed deeply, "She's not from Mondstadt and I highly doubt she's from Liyue either but she does have connections with both. I haven't properly read her as I require time to do that, but I assume she's either from Fontaine or Sumeru."

"...That doesn't sound like it could be a good thing..." A look of worry appeared on Yomite's face, "How are you so certain and why should I believe you?"

Mona answered immediately, "Because I'm intelligent and I have the ability to observe people. Both of which you mostly lack."

"Why do you have to be so rude to me, Monika. Still, that's a nice conspiracy you've got there but you haven't explained how exactly you're gaining this much information out of nowhere."

"Stop calling me Monika! Tch," Mona crossed her arms in front of her chest, "You already know my name and what I am proficient in. Astrology is a divine art where divination is a fundamental part of it. That being said, I combine Astrology with Hydromancy and it brings forth great results."

"Haah...this again..." Yomite sighed and shook his head.

He still couldn't exactly believe her since astrology was akin to a joke in his old world.

To think he would meet someone who could utilize astrology in such a manner...

He couldn't help but feel slightly awed despite her being rude to him from the very beginning.

"...Hmmm...nice tights and a big butt..."

"Hey, hey, stop staring at me like that, that's sexual harassment," Mona interrupted him from his thoughts, "Can't we get past the formalities now? I've answered your questions regarding how I gather intelligence, now it's your turn to be my disciple!"

He blinked a few times, taken aback by her statement.

"Oh, Monika...I thought you were joking back then. What makes you think I'm going to accept your offer? I already have a much hotter, more developed and mature teacher that could pamper me whenever and wherever, why would I want you?"

"Are women the only thing that's on your mind, you dirty Casanova!? Just accept already, would you!? Even if it's pretending! I'll go to Mondstadt in a few weeks and I desperately need a disciple that would represent me and help me! And who else would I, the great astrologer Mona Megistus pick as my disciples, if not the two people from another world! You should be honored I am inviting you!"

Yomite sighed in exasperation, "...You did it again..."

Mona raised an eyebrow.

"Did what?"

After the previous events, the party completely forgot about Mona's declaration that he and Lumine were from another world.

He thought it could be salvaged but she brought it up again in front of them...

'Damn it...'