Spying on the Wind | Venti♡Reader

💫💫𝕋𝕎𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕐-𝔽𝕀𝕍𝔼💫💫

Y/N's POV:

"Well, I brought this on myself. I'll order some lazy bum to get the solution and do a little spying on the dishonest merchant. After all that, I can get the supposedly enchanted relic that was so important in the eyes of a commoner. Why do they even listen to or do business with ordinary folks?" I muttered under my breath as butterflies fluttered around me, serving as my only company on my way back to Mondstadt.

Though most of my tasks were in foreign lands, I did have one mission in Liyue, but collecting debts were seriously starting to get old. Toying with the idea of getting Scaramouche to do it, I made my way to the nearest Fatui campsite. Frowning at the mess, I treaded over carefully. Papers and artifacts were thrown everywhere, and the guarding fools were all in the wrong positions.

"You! The Geochanter over there! Get over here to guard the tent! Ignore all those starsilver!" I ordered in a harsh tone as the Geochanter scurried back to his position. "Since you can't even keep your stuff neat and tidy or do a simple task like guarding, do this task for me. Get a magenta solution from an alchemist in the city of Mond. It's a volatile potion, so don't you dare spill it."

After the Geochanter rushed off, I surveyed the area and snapped at the rest, chiding them about the mess and ordering them to clean everything up. They were lucky I wasn't in the mood to beat anyone up that day, but I hoped that they had half a mind and would not replicate their mistake.

After a good night's rest, I left the small camp at the break of dawn. Everything was fine and dandy and I reached the city in no time. It was written that the merchant I was after owed the Fatui five million Mora and refused to return the rare items that he borrowed. Groaning, I leapt all the way up to a rooftop and scanned the streets below. Beside the Cathedral were two suspicious-looking figures who were speaking in hushed tones. I peeled my eyes to spy on them and kept my ears open.

"Are these all the rare items you got from the Fatui?" the taller individual demanded. The shorter one with a bushy beard answered, "Yes. Remember our promise-"

"Yes, yes, I know!" the taller of the two spat almost aggressively. "I'll send my men to protect your scrawny self from the Fatui."

"Okay... T-thank you," the shorter man stammered.

"I'll get going then," the taller figure picked up two wooden crates filled with the unique, exquisite items and shoved past the other person. "Not so fast," I leapt down from the rooftop and landed in his path. Donning my mask, I glared at the both of them before knocking the taller guy out with one punch. The shorter one, whom I guessed was the merchant, quivered as I approached him.

"I'll be taking what's mine. Now, where's the five million Mora?" I demanded emotionlessly. Refusing to meet my eyes, he replied in a small voice, "I couldn't earn that much... I-I mean, I could but I s-spent it all on a gift for my wife... Please give me more time!"

Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose and replied, "That's no excuse. You sighed a contract."

"I-I get that you're from Liyue but things don't work like that in Mondstadt! I'm not used to it! I promise, just one more day!" he begged, helplessness in his caramel brown eyes.

That was why I absolutely hated collecting debts.

In the end, the broke merchant sold his lovely house and paid up obediently. All that was left was searching for the relic, of course, given that Scaramouche would agree to collect the debt from a fruitseller in Liyue for me. However, I didn't want to just run off to hunt for some relic when it would be like searching for a pin in the ocean until I knew for sure that it was my last task. I called for a special bird to send a letter to Scara for me.

Y/N's Letter:

Hey Scara,

Collect the debt from a fruitseller in Liyue for me, won't you? He owes the Fatui three million Mora and is currently broke so deal with him as you see fit. My hands are full so I can't do it myself.

I have to search for a relic the size of a pinhead and I'll have no time after finding it because I'm going to a party with an archon in the evening. Can't be late and arrive when everybody's already drunk, y'know?

Best regards,

Y/N

It only took a few minutes for Scaramouche to reply. I admired the bird's speed as it brought his letter back to me without breaking a sweat. My jaw dropped upon opening the envelope.

Scaramouche's Reply:

Y/N,

I'll do the task for you as I have nothing better to do. I was rewarded a short break because I got the Electro Gnosis so efficiently. The fruitseller'll probably be dead by the end of the day.

Good luck finding the relic and have fun at the party, Y/N. I hope you and your dear archon enjoy your evening date.

Best wishes,

Scara, Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers

Relief flooded my heart. He agreed! However, it seemed odd that he had accepted my excuse. Seriously? He couldn't have thought I was telling the truth, could he?

Thoughts ran through my mind like a bullet train. "Wow," I muttered under my breath, "The Balladeer's stupidity is no joke... He believed me?"