"Heh—come to think of it, we should thank you, Childe. Without you releasing the Vortex Demon God, the Liyue Qixing might not have grown under such pressure."
Signora looked at the ashen-faced Childe, mocking him haughtily.
She found his actions utterly stupid.
Though both Harbingers, they often vied with each other—this was a perfect chance to jeer.
Childe was already fuming. Seeing her cold mockery made him angrier.
But the anger quickly faded. He didn't snap back; instead, he smiled, pulled a brand-new book from his Delusion space, casually opened a page, curled his lips, and read aloud: "Heaven and earth dimmed. Wind element whipped up raging gales. The Lady's beautiful body was covered in wounds—heavy lash marks even across her chest. She screamed…"
"Childe!!" Signora exploded, icy pressure surging through the bank. "What are you reading?!"
Moments ago, she'd felt superior, thinking Childe foolish.
When he took out a book, she thought he'd lost his mind.
But the contents turned her face pale.
Though he'd only read two lines, she was instantly taken back to the time Ken whipped her in Mondstadt.
The humiliation and fury made her tremble.
"Where did you get that?!"
She stared at Childe, scarlet eyes brimming with killing intent.
Shards of ice spun in her hand as she tried to tear the book apart.
She'd finally managed to forget that nightmare in Mondstadt—
The aloof Fair Lady lashed into the dust. It was a mortal wound to her pride.
She thought it would fade after leaving Mondstadt.
Who knew Childe would find a book—who wrote it… was it Ken?!
Her reason frayed; she trembled.
Childe quickly stowed the book, smiling. "Lady, how can you lose composure in front of Morax? It's just a little leisure reading for a Harbinger. How did it offend you?"
His greatest gain in Liyue was this book:
"The Unspoken Tale of the Fatui Harbinger Lady in Mondstadt."
He'd planned to use it to disgust her someday when she crossed him.
He hadn't expected her to start jeering at him in front of Morax—
He'd been played by Morax—fine, he couldn't beat a god. But could he not disgust Signora in return?
"Bastard! Where did you get that book?"
The Mondstadt incident was her nightmare.
The exalted Lady, lashed to the ground—an unbearable insult.
She thought it would fade after leaving Mondstadt.
But Childe found a book. Was it written by Ken?!
Signora shook with rage.
Childe was fearless, grinning. "Why so fierce, Signora? Is the heroine in this book really you? I thought it was fiction—but judging by your reaction, it's real."
"Mr. Ken really did a gre—went too far. Not at all pitying a beauty, even lashing her with chains. No lasting scars, I hope? Want me to talk to him for you?"
Childe loved the spectacle.
He'd long disliked her; seeing her lose composure was delightful—the more she lost it, the happier he felt… Signora didn't expect this day, did you?
"Ken… If I see him, I'll tear him limb from limb!"
Signora was almost hysterical. Only Ken could have written such a book.
And Childe had gotten it—she was livid.
But as her threat fell, a gust of wind rose, and that familiar, teasing voice came, mocking: "Hm? Tear me limb from limb, really?"
Signora: "???"
The hated voice froze her in place.
A second later, Ken arrived with the wind, saw everyone present, and sighed in relief. "Good—didn't miss it."
Zhongli set down his teacup. "Tea?"
To Zhongli, Childe and Signora's confrontation was a farce. He was enjoying the show when Ken arrived—perfect timing.
"You two Harbingers, go on." Ken sat by Zhongli, took the cup, and sniffed. "Nice tea. But Miss Signora, you just said you'd tear me apart—itching for another whipping?"
Itching for another whipping…
Light as a feather, the words made Childe burst out laughing. "Pff—hahaha!"
He'd worked with Signora for ages—this was the first time he'd seen someone talk to her like that, and she couldn't do anything. After suffering once, she wouldn't be dumb enough to court death.
Signora ground her teeth.
What rotten luck!
If she'd known Ken would come now, she would have taken the Gnosis and left instead of arguing with Childe—only to run into this plague god.
"Morax… since the deal is done, I'll take the Gnosis."
Signora forced herself calm, looking to Zhongli.
Her arrogance was gone. She just wanted the Gnosis and to leave.
Otherwise, with Ken's character, he might just whip her again in Liyue.
After losing face in Mondstadt, she wouldn't risk it again.
Zhongli lifted his hand; a golden-brown device—the Geo Gnosis—floated out.
"The contract is sealed. As agreed, I grant you what you're due."
His voice was calm, golden eyes tinged with distant majesty.
The lofty tone annoyed Signora, but one look at Ken's wicked smile—and she said nothing, took the Gnosis, and said, "Farewell. I'm returning to Snezhnaya to report to Her Majesty."
In truth—
She had prepared many eloquent lines to conclude a perfect deal.
Praise Morax's plan, which allowed Liyue, to mature under pressure.
Or display the envoy dignity of Snezhnaya, chatting as an equal.
But seeing Ken, she wanted only to leave.
"How rude—to see an old friend and not say hello? We'll meet again, Miss Signora."
Ken set down the cup. A wave-like pressure washed over her; at the door, her knees buckled, and she fled the bank.
Watching her flee, Childe laughed. "Mr. Ken, that was brilliant… I never thought you could make her show that face—truly delightful."
Ken raised a brow. "Mm? Don't laugh too soon, Childe. I've a question. I hear you fought Lumine in the Golden House…"
Childe rushed to explain. "A mission—had to. Aside from that unavoidable clash, I've always regarded the Traveler as a friend. I hope we meet in Snezhnaya one day."
Thinking of being interrupted in the Golden House still gave him PTSD—he feared his Foul Legacy would wilt mid-transformation next time.
He didn't dare offend Ken either—he hurried to apologize.
"In that case, farewell."
With no more drama, Ken didn't linger.
But seeing the opulent bank, he decided to have his Treasure Hoarders visit more often.
…
Leaving the bank, Ken and Zhongli strolled down the avenue.
The breeze stirred their clothes. Unburdened, Zhongli felt light. "I never imagined laying down this weight would feel so pleasant. The busy crowd becomes… leisurely."
Ken smiled. "Even gods need a break after working too long."
Especially after three thousand seven hundred years of guarding Liyue.
The dream of the god-protected land is long.
But only without divine shelter can a child grow on their own.
"Would you like to come to Jueyun Karst for tea?"
Seeing the throng, Zhongli invited Ken.
With things resolved, the truth needn't be hidden from the Qixing and the Adepti; he'd inform the Qixing in a dream, and as for the Adepti… better to go in person.
He missed carefree drinks at Jueyun Karst.
"When?" Ken asked.
"The day after tomorrow," Zhongli mused. "Don't miss the funeral parlor's performance tomorrow—I hired a vocalist."
Ken: "…"
Thinking of Xinyan and Hu Tao's performance, Ken felt… complicated.
But he didn't warn Zhongli—better to let him witness the surprise.
They walked in silence, just feeling Liyue's wind and the lively people—from Feiyun Slope to Chihu Rock, then the docks and the gates—everything as beautiful as ever, perhaps more so.
Ken remained quiet; he understood Zhongli's mood.
Casting off a burden borne for 3,600 years brings ease… and a touch of solitude.
Neither used elemental power; they walked till dusk. Then Ken parted ways, slipped back to the Golden House for surveillance footage, and took Lumine, Klee, and Paimon to Blue Star.
…
At the villa—
Eula was in the garden planting roses with Yaoyao.
Her family's castle had many roses before; at sunset, the fields of roses were at their most romantic.
Since leaving her clan, Eula's life had been focused on growing stronger—rarely such quiet times.
"You're back?"
Sensing a familiar ripple behind her, Eula turned—
Ken arrived with Klee in his arms, with Lumine and Paimon.
"How did things go in Liyue?"
Eula asked curiously.
When Ken came to pick up Klee, time had been tight—she hadn't asked much.
"It was super big and super big! There was a humongous fish in the sea… I should've taken Sister Eula and Sister Yaoyao to see—it was so lively!"
Before Ken could answer, Klee was already waving her hands.
The little one loves bustle most.
Yaoyao giggled. "A bit of a pity, but it's okay… Sister Eula took me out to play—we had great food and bought lots of roses to plant in the garden."
Yaoyao didn't know about Osial—not too interested.
To her, she'd gotten to know Liyue Harbor—Blue Star was a brand-new start she wanted to explore.
"Alright, plant whatever you like. I'll head to the study—see if there's company work."
The garden was large; Ken was too lazy to tend it.
Seeing Eula and Yaoyao interested, he let them be.
Klee and Paimon soon joined the planting fun.
The carefree day was lovely; everyone basked in it.
Only Lumine seemed absent-minded.
With Liyue's matter over and the Rite handled by Zhongli, her biggest task now was to win Ken.
But how?
Lumine sat on the swing, troubled—unafraid of monsters, yet a blank slate in love, clueless how to act.
"Right! I can read Blue Star romance novels."
After thinking it over, she decided to learn from novels.
Returning to her room, she grabbed her phone, opened the Webnovel app, and quickly sifted through romance titles.
With strong purpose, she read fast.
Soon she realized—
"Sure enough, Webnovel was right. When facing an excellent man, a girl shouldn't be coy or hesitant—hesitation leads to defeat. If you don't seize your chance… you won't get one later."
"Hm? 'Clothes' to enhance mood and charm? And a little wine to set the tone?"
Lumine muttered while taking screenshots.
She felt the site's novels were helpful. Since she'd decided to win Ken, she should act.
Those interest-boosting outfits… must prepare them.
Tonight, the plan goes into action!