Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
"So… it wasn't Fatui."
Lisa held her chin thoughtfully. "Then the only major suspect left is… the Abyss Order?"
If it wasn't the Fatui, then the list of organizations in Teyvat capable of abducting the Acting Grand Master and Stormterror was extremely small.
Then—
A thought struck her.
"Rita, didn't you mention… a few other organizations before? Could it be them?"
Rita paused, then answered with her usual gentle smile:
"I cannot be certain—after all, I am merely a humble maid. But… I can write a letter and request my Lady to come take a look. She has fought against such organizations often. I believe she'll be able to identify traces we cannot see."
Everyone stopped.
Your lady?
Lisa blinked. "Rita… are you certain? Your lady doesn't know us, after all."
In Lisa's eyes, Rita's competence already far exceeded the scope of "maid."
So… what kind of monster would her employer be?
Kaeya folded his arms, eyebrows raised.
"So Miss Rita isn't just polishing floors and brewing tea all day, hm? Somehow that… doesn't surprise me."
Rita chuckled softly.
"My lady enjoys adventuring—and she is fond of delivering justice. As long as time allows, I am certain she will come."
Of course she would. Rita knew Ulandelle would come at once, especially if Rita called.
"Well then," Venti spoke suddenly, "I'll head to Liyue to find help as well."
Everyone looked at him.
"I need to ask Zhongli about this. If that girl is a foreign god… or a serpent-associated archon… he might know something."
Rita bowed. "Then I will write and deliver my letter immediately."
She left the room.
Kaeya stretched. "Lisa, you still have mountains of paperwork. Let me and Diluc handle the Abyss Order investigation."
Lisa glanced at the tower of documents and sighed helplessly.
"…Alright. Be careful."
Just like that, everyone split up to focus on their respective tasks.
Liyue — Wanmin Tea House
Zhongli lifted his cup, savoring the tea as he listened to the storyteller recounting his own ancient legends.
Then—
A gust of wind brushed his senses.
Barbatos? At this time?
He set the cup down.
"It seems he seeks me."
He rose smoothly.
"Waiter, please send the bill to the North— ah… to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Old habit.
Public funds formerly covered by Childe could no longer be used—he had to remember that.
Childe, it has been long. I do miss you—mainly your wallet.
Stepping outside, Zhongli was immediately greeted by a frantic Venti.
"Zhongli! I need to ask you something important!"
"Of course. Come with me."
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor — Zhongli's Study
Venti recited the description:
Green hair.
Odd forehead ornament.
Black-and-white bodysuit.
Serpentine attachments.
Snake-pupiled eyes.
A floating mechanical case.
Green-black liquid used as portals.
And… the ability to summon massive green lightning.
Zhongli fell silent, pacing slowly while recalling ancient records.
"No such god among the Seven. Nor any I have met. But the power you described… the lightning, the serpentine features… it does suggest a serpent-associated divinity."
Venti rubbed his temples. "Then she's really a foreign god…"
"Do not worry," Zhongli said calmly. "I will assist you."
As expected, the old friend never refused.
Venti grinned. "I knew you would! Let's go!"
"Wait. Allow me to change my appearance."
Zhongli preferred not to show himself as the Geo Archon casually—so he rearranged his look to the "consultant" form he used last time in Mondstadt.
Back in Mondstadt
Rita walked alone toward the city gates.
"Letter delivered… or at least, the illusion of one."
Of course, no letter had been sent. She simply needed to act like it. Her job wasn't to call Ulandelle—it was to maintain the performance.
On the way back—
She noticed someone leaving the city.
Childe? Heading toward Stormterror's Lair?
Rita tilted her head.
He was the type of person who attracted calamities simply by walking.
"Curiosity," she murmured, "can be fatal to mortals~"
She followed at a distance.
Stormterror's Lair
"Hah… the traces here are incredible."
Childe looked around the ruined structures—charred ground, shattered stone bridges, gouged walls.
Even by Teyvat standards, this was a catastrophic battlefield.
But instead of fear, his blood began boiling.
What sort of opponent could unleash such devastation?
He had to suppress the urge to smile.
Then—
"Ahhh~ Another adorable little test subject arrives."
A soft, chilling voice behind him.
Childe spun around—
And froze.
A girl.
A tiny girl.
Standing on a floating tool case.
Snake eyes.
Green-black aura.
A smile more terrifying than any monster he had ever faced.
And before he could even react—
He realized something horrifying:
He didn't sense her arrival at all.
His scalp tingled.
I… I'm being toyed with again?!
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