Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Forty-Three: The Competition

Wriothesley and Clorinde weren't worried about the fighting portion of the competition—they knew they could handle that without a problem. Their real concern was the trivia segment. Both of them had spent their free time immersing themselves in topics they previously lacked knowledge in, constantly meeting to exchange what they had learned and strategize for the upcoming event.

"I'm sure the people from Sumeru will be tough to beat in the trivia," Wriothesley said as he stretched, his muscles stiff from hours of sitting and studying.

Clorinde looked up from a book on Mondstadt's history, her expression thoughtful. "Let's hope they aren't as skilled in combat. But I have to admit, this has been more enjoyable than I expected. There's something fascinating about learning what other nations read and study. Mondstadt's literature is filled with such free-spirited tales."

"I'm glad one of us is enjoying this," Wriothesley sighed, rubbing his temples. "The Liyue codex of law is overwhelming. It's so dense. I thought I could just skim through and get an overview, but it feels like it's never-ending."

Clorinde chuckled softly, finding his struggle amusing. "That sounds rough. I've been getting some firsthand insights about Inazuma from Chiori. She's been incredibly helpful, and Kirara's experiences traveling between regions have given me a good understanding of the geography and customs."

"Not a bad idea," Wriothesley nodded. "I should tap into the knowledge of some of the people at the fortress who aren't from Fontaine. I bet there's a wealth of information I haven't considered."

"Make sure to get reliable sources," Clorinde teased, flipping a page in her book. "We need all the help we can get to beat the Sumerians in this."

With the trivia fast approaching, they both knew they needed to be as prepared as possible.

The other contestants were just as determined, eager to represent their nations and showcase their knowledge and skills. As the competition drew closer, the streets of Fontaine were filled with unique and colorful characters from all over Teyvat, each one bringing their own blend of culture, tradition, and talent.

Hotels quickly filled to capacity, and the once calm city was now buzzing with excitement. Street vendors sold food and souvenirs, while musicians played melodies that blended the sounds of different nations.

In the quiet depths of the Fortress of Meropide, far from the bustling streets of Fontaine, Vire and Maria sat in the infirmary, poring over papers filled with contestant information. Vire, ever the strategist, had enjoyed collecting data on the other competitors, but knowing Clorinde and Wriothesley wouldn't approve of an unfair advantage, he didn't bother bringing it up to them. Instead, he, Maria, and Sigewinne were having fun analyzing the various teams.

"So, who's your money on?" Vire asked, leaning back with a smirk as he glanced at both Maria and Sigewinne.

"I mean, of course, I'd like our people to win," Maria replied, tapping the names of Wriothesley and Clorinde on the list.

"Yeah, but I think there are some teams here that could really give them a challenge," Sigewinne chimed in, looking at the profiles of other strong contestants from around Teyvat. She pointed to one particular team from Sumeru. "These guys look sharp. If they make it past the trivia, they'll be tough in combat."

"I agree," Vire said, thoughtfully. "Wriothesley and Clorinde might struggle more than they expect, but we can hope the other strong contenders are more brawn than brain. After all, trivia is the key to advancing to the combat stage."

Maria nodded. "I'm glad they structured the competition this way. It gives a different group a chance, not just the strong fighters."

"It does," Sigewinne agreed, "and it'll make the combat part more interesting. It's not just about brute strength anymore—it's about strategy and smarts, too."