Old Wu Er: "This master... please wait a moment, let us discuss it."
Several Treasure Hoarders huddled together, whispering.
Old Wu Qi: "To be honest, with his skill, the three of us are no match for him at all."
Old Wu Er: "Are you saying... we're being robbed?"
How fresh! Treasure Hoarders being robbed? If we had money, would we be doing this job?
Old Wu Qi felt something was off. Robbery wouldn't fall on their Treasure Hoarders. Could there be a hidden meaning in his words?
Old Wu Wu: "Snezhnaya... three months... six hundred thousand... I get it, I get it! This is 'code'!"
"It seems the boss borrowed six hundred thousand from that bank in Snezhnaya three months ago and hasn't paid it back yet!"
Only then did the Treasure Hoarders realize that he was here to collect a debt.
Old Wu Er: "A debt collector... why be so roundabout?"
Regarding Old Wu Er's question, Old Wu Wu looked like he understood perfectly.
Old Wu Wu: "You wouldn't know this, but many professions have a custom of speaking in 'code' to protect the client's privacy."
Old Wu Qi: "Professional! This is simply too professional!"
After a round of discussion, the Treasure Hoarders actually understood correctly. The process was completely wrong, but the answer was right.
Old Wu Er: "This... um... Mr. Salesman, I'm sorry, we can't let you join the Treasure Hoarders."
Tartaglia in the story was slightly surprised. Is the entry barrier for Treasure Hoarders so high? Even a Fatui Harbinger isn't enough?
The Treasure Hoarders quickly stated that they already knew the value of the 'toy' and would send the six hundred thousand over soon.
Seeing the problem resolved just like that, Tartaglia in reality was also a bit surprised.
"These Treasure Hoarders... they're silly but quite clever," Tartaglia sighed.
Childe in the book was very busy. He had just completed one mission, and a new one had already arrived.
With no time to accompany his younger brother, he entrusted Teucer to Traveler and went to complete the mission.
As a result, Traveler couldn't keep an eye on Teucer, and he had secretly followed Childe.
Childe: "From today onwards, you will begin to uphold Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's oath, bringing victory to Snezhnaya at all costs."
"Sweep like the bitter cold of the far north, like the millennia-old unmelting rime of the Zapolyarny Palace, permeating the enemy's bones with extreme cold!"
Childe spoke very well, but then he saw Teucer.
Our enemies, for example...
"Ahem... for example, kites, rattles... in the Liyue market, they will all become strong competitors to the 'Ruin Guard.'"
The Fatui recruits looked bewildered. It started out quite passionate; I was ready to dedicate everything to Her Majesty.
Why did it suddenly turn into kites and rattles? Is Her Majesty's taste so childish?
Childe also knew this wouldn't work and he couldn't fool them, so he simply chose to resolve it with force.
He physically enlightened the Fatui recruits, making them understand the Snezhnaya spirit!
Traveler and Teucer walked over from the side, and Childe pretended to be surprised.
"Teucer, why are you here?"
Lumine: "Good fight, but you didn't seem to use your full strength, did you?"
Childe: "Are you talking about Devil King Armed?"
"It puts a great strain on the body, and the injuries from the Golden House last time haven't fully healed yet."
"Moreover, I'm not like La Signora. I wouldn't use a trump card on new recruits, hahaha."
He still couldn't forget to mock La Signora.
In reality, Tartaglia was very satisfied. Yes, yes, mock her more.
Then Tartaglia revealed an 'as expected' expression; the Prophet already knew about his Devil King Armed.
Rosalyne, upon seeing this, was quite angry. I wouldn't do that to new recruits either!
In the story, Childe hoped Teucer would return to Snezhnaya, otherwise, it would be impossible to keep it a secret much longer!
Teucer, however, said he had a wish, and once it was fulfilled, he would obediently go back.
He wanted to explore the 'Toy Research Institute,' which is a place where Ruin Guards appear.
Childe, who doted on his younger brother, naturally couldn't refuse and could only agree to Teucer's request.
Then Childe took Teucer to one of Il Dottore's research institutes.
As they entered the 'Toy Research Institute,' Teucer said somewhat dejectedly.
"Brother, it seems someone said that 'Ruin Guard' is a machine for killing."
Childe immediately refuted: "How could that be? You're still young, don't talk about fighting and killing."
Childe soothed Teucer's emotions, and Teucer happily rushed into the 'Toy Research Institute,' planning to find a Ruin Guard to play with.
As soon as Teucer went in, the door there closed, and Traveler and the others could only take another path to chase Teucer.
Chasing all the way, adventuring all the way, Childe finally reunited with Teucer.
The room in front of them was incredibly spacious, but dangerous 'Ruin Guards' were placed inside.
Childe first sighed helplessly, then said:
"It's a very spacious area, why don't we play hide-and-seek?"
Teucer: "Eh... now?"
Childe: "Brother is going to prepare some... um, surprises for you."
"You need to close your eyes obediently, turn around, and count down sixty."
Teucer: "Okay... sixty counts is so long."
Teucer began to count down, and Childe, with Hydro Blades in hand, charged towards the Ruin Guards.
50...
Childe's Hydro Blades swung several times, Hydro element erupted on the Ruin Guards' bodies, and one Ruin Guard fell.
40...
Two Ruin Guards attacked Tartaglia simultaneously, but Tartaglia combined his two Hydro Blades into one and swung his sword!
One strike, two halves!
30...
20...
10...
Tartaglia cleared all the Ruin Guards.
However, more Ruin Guards were sent over by mechanical claws.
3... 2... 1...
Teucer: "Are you ready, brother?"
Facing the slowly approaching Ruin Guards, whose every step made the ground tremble, Tartaglia merely said gently:
"Give me ten more seconds, Teucer, I haven't hidden properly yet."
"Hmph, brother is cheating again! Alright, then the last ten seconds..."
Behind him, the Ruin Guard's heavy punch had already swung over.
However, Tartaglia didn't care, only giving Teucer an apologetic smile.
10...
Devil King Armed instantly formed, and the lightning-infused attack swept through all the Ruin Guards in an instant.
On the field, besides the Ruin Guards, only a few flashes of lightning could be seen.
5...
Tartaglia destroyed the core of all the Ruin Guards, and also arranged them into various poses.
3... 2... 1...
Tartaglia glanced at Teucer.
Teucer: "I'm opening my eyes!"
Looking back, his favorite 'Ruin Guards' were indeed arranged in various poses like toys.
This was the surprise his brother had prepared for him, a toy world of 'Ruin Guards.'
And Childe was panting, hiding in the shadows. Activating Devil King Armed while injured was still too exhausting for him.
Traveler found Childe first; he was already too weak to stand.
Lumine: "Is it worth fighting so hard?"
Childe: "A child's dream is the most fragile thing. Even if left alone, it will eventually break on its own one day."
"So, someone must protect it, right?"
"Promises made should be kept well, and mistakes made should be apologized for properly."
"The dream given to him should be cherished well until the end..."
In reality, Tartaglia couldn't help but worry, how can I cherish it like this...
Fortunately, Teucer isn't old enough to read yet, otherwise, it would have already been exposed.
Lin Qiu, I have another reason to fight you now.
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Character Voice Line · Tartaglia: About Monoceros Caeli Chapter
"You mean that book? You absolutely cannot let Teucer see it! Please, partner, you help me keep an eye on it too."