The other Knights of Favonius weren't privy to Stormterror's history. They didn't know that he was once the East Wind Protector who had willingly entered slumber for Mondstadt's sake. So when they saw the corrupted dragon defeated, they felt simple relief and joy. They were surprised, even confused, by Jean's and the traveler's insistence on sparing him.
They didn't oppose the decision, but they couldn't quite understand it either.
However, all of that changed the moment La Signora opened her mouth.
Her words instantly united the Knights in silent outrage. Even if Stormterror had attacked Mondstadt, he was still part of their city's legacy—an internal matter. And besides, the dragon hadn't actually caused any casualties, just some property damage. Now that he was captured and subdued, the situation was under control. What happened next—how to handle Stormterror, what to do with the East Wind Protector—was a matter between Mondstadt's people and the ones who saved him.
Who were the Fatui to make demands?
And worse—La Signora wasn't merely making suggestions. She was calling for Stormterror's death and wanted to profit off his corpse.
This instantly shifted the knights' loyalty toward Jean and Su Mo's side. Even those who'd been unsure before now found themselves silently thinking: You want to kill him? Then we won't let you!
Even Jean hadn't expected it. The thoughts she had previously dared not voice were now shared by all, thanks to the Fatui's arrogant provocation.
Without hesitation, Jean gave a firm reply.
"Absolutely not!" she said. "What happens to Stormterror is for us and the Traveler to decide. We have no intention of killing him. Miss La Signora, I advise you to abandon that idea immediately."
La Signora didn't seem surprised by her answer. In fact, she looked amused.
"Oh? So you don't want to kill Stormterror?" she said, letting out a soft laugh.
The air around her turned several degrees colder.
Clack.
Her high heels echoed ominously as she stepped forward.
Behind her, ten Debt Collectors wearing hoods moved in unison. Alongside them were eight Electro Cicin Mages and a small squad of new recruits. They followed her like shadows, their presence bringing with it an overwhelming sense of pressure.
The Fatui's elite forces were now advancing.
The Knights of Favonius found themselves weighed down by the oppressive atmosphere. The chill from La Signora alone was enough to make breathing difficult. Some of the knights even unconsciously began to retreat.
At this critical moment, Jean stepped forward and blocked La Signora's path.
"What are you trying to do?" she asked, her voice sharp with vigilance.
"What am I trying to do?" La Signora tilted her head and gave a venomous smile. "Why, isn't it obvious? As a representative of the Fatui, I'm simply here to help our allies clean up the aftermath."
Her voice was soft, but her tone carried the cruelty of a serpent.
"Mondstadt's Knights have downed the dragon. Now it's time for a Fatui Harbinger to deliver the finishing blow. Doesn't that make for a nice, cooperative story?"
Her intentions were crystal clear. Stormterror may be incapacitated, sealed in ice, but as far as the world was concerned, he was still a threat. In that case, the Fatui had every excuse to step in, kill him, and declare it an act of aid. Far from being condemned, La Signora would be praised for helping her allies—perhaps even earning Mondstadt's gratitude.
It was a play with multiple benefits.
And most importantly—
"If that's how it happens," she said, still smiling, "then surely it's only fair for the Knights of Favonius to hand over part of the dragon's remains as spoils of war. Don't you agree?"
Her words sounded polite, but their meaning was outrageously arrogant.
Not only did she intend to kill Stormterror right in front of Jean, she wanted the Knights to thank her for it—and give her the corpse for free. Not even the pretense of a purchase now. No Mora. Nothing. Just blatant exploitation.
The sheer audacity made everyone's blood boil.
Even paying would have been better than this.
The Fatui had the resources—they could easily afford it. But La Signora clearly had no intention of offering fair trade. She just wanted to take what she wanted and force Mondstadt to smile about it.
The surrounding Knights of Favonius were furious, fists clenched and jaws tight. Many wanted to spit in her face.
But they didn't dare act rashly.
After all, the Fatui's combat strength was overwhelming. The Debt Collectors and Cicin Mages weren't enemies the average knight could handle. Even the rank-and-file Fatui recruits posed a threat. And then there was La Signora herself—a Harbinger and a powerful cryo user.
Fortunately, both Jean and Kaeya were present.
They stepped forward together, blocking La Signora's advance.
Their hands rested on their sword hilts, though they did not draw. The Fatui and the Knights were still nominally allies. Until the other side made the first move, they couldn't afford to escalate.
More importantly, Mondstadt was defenseless right now. Most of their main forces were elsewhere. They couldn't afford to provoke a conflict they weren't ready for.
Jean wasn't weak, but neither was she reckless. If La Signora drew her weapon, Jean would retaliate without hesitation—but until then, she had to endure.
That was the problem.
La Signora wasn't a swordfighter. She was a mage. She had no need to draw a blade. As long as she didn't attack directly, Jean and Kaeya had no grounds to fight back.
Clack. Clack. Clack.
La Signora took three more steps forward.
Jean and Kaeya were forced to retreat three steps in response.
The balance of power was painfully clear. In Mondstadt's current vulnerable state, Jean and Kaeya could only grit their teeth and suppress their anger.
They would endure—for now.
"Jean, you must endure!" Jean urged herself silently. But even patience has its limits.
They were already standing quite close to Stormterror. After being forced to retreat three steps, they found themselves practically at the edge of the dragon's massive claw. With Stormterror behind them, there was nowhere left to retreat.
At that moment, La Signora no longer needed them to step back. The Fatui's Electro Cicin Mages and Debt Collectors had already moved into position, forming a complete encirclement around Stormterror's head, awaiting La Signora's command.
The order came swiftly. Having successfully pinned down Jean and Kaeya, La Signora coldly commanded, "Do it."
"Yes!" her subordinates answered in unison, immediately drawing their weapons and preparing to strike at the frozen Stormterror.
Sparks of lightning flickered as the Electro Cicins buzzed eagerly, ready to attack. Jean and Kaeya's expressions shifted dramatically. Both activated their Visions, preparing to intervene.
But just as the Fatui soldiers were about to make their move, a calm, male voice rang out.
"You intend to lay hands on my spoils?"
No one had noticed when Su Mo appeared atop Stormterror's head. He spoke softly, his voice barely loud enough to carry, but no one dared to ignore it.
Because in the very instant his words fell, the buzzing Cicins disintegrated into dust.
The elite Fatui—Debt Collectors, Electro Cicin Mages, and even the soldiers—were suddenly lifted off the ground as if by an invisible force, strangled midair, suspended three feet above the ground. No matter how they struggled, they couldn't break free from the formless grip that held them in place.
In a single instant, aside from La Signora, the entirety of the Fatui present had been rendered completely powerless. With just a thought, Su Mo could snuff out all their lives.
Realizing this, everyone present turned their gazes toward the man standing atop the dragon with awe and fear. This was the one who had frozen Stormterror with a single blow. Compared to him, the Fatui were as helpless as children.
Naturally, La Signora witnessed the entire scene. Her expression darkened, and her eyes glinted with undisguised hostility as she stared at Su Mo. She didn't fear his power—she could annihilate her own troops just as easily if she wished—but what troubled her was the prospect of Jean and Su Mo joining forces. That would indeed be troublesome.
With a voice laced with icy intent, La Signora asked, "Traveler, do you intend to make an enemy of the Fatui and of Snezhnaya?"
There it was—the most typical move of a villain: trying to intimidate with overwhelming force.
Ordinarily, La Signora wouldn't even stoop to such tactics. Her own reputation and strength were usually enough to suppress any opposition. But now things were different. Although she could destroy her subordinates just as swiftly, Su Mo's strength was clearly on par with hers. Trying to intimidate him with power alone would be useless—so she opted to invoke the authority of the organization behind her.
"The Fatui…" Su Mo murmured, his interest slightly piqued by the organization's brazenness.
Seeing his casual expression, La Signora mistakenly believed he was unfamiliar with the Fatui's power. She took the opportunity to elaborate.
"I am ranked eighth among the Eleven Harbingers of the Fatui. There are ten others as strong as I am. Are you certain you wish to make us your enemy?"
She spoke with smug arrogance, as if already envisioning Su Mo's retreat. After all, the Eleven Harbingers were among the most powerful individuals in all of Teyvat's human nations. It was this formidable military might that allowed the Fatui to act so unrestrained in diplomatic affairs, even forcing nations like Mondstadt to tread carefully. If entire nations feared them, how could an individual hope to resist?
Even one who could freeze Stormterror.