[Location: Liyue Harbor – Kite Stall]
[Time: 6:00 PM]
"The intricate patterns of the butterfly kite signify freedom and transience," Zhongli explained, holding up a delicate paper frame. "Whereas the tortoise signifies longevity. For the Rite of Parting, we require seven of these, specifically painted with powdered Noctilucous Jade."
"Seven?" Paimon's jaw dropped. "And powdered jade? That sounds expensive!"
"Indeed," Zhongli nodded gravely. "I have ordered them."
"And the money?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Zhongli stared into the middle distance. "A minor detail."
I sighed. "Great Sage, calculate the probability of Childe showing up to pay for this."
[Great Sage]
As Zhongli continued his lecture on kite craftsmanship, I turned my attention to the other customer at the stall.
It was Ganyu. The Half-Qilin secretary of the Liyue Qixing.
She was standing perfectly still. Too still.
Her eyes were open, but glazed over. She was swaying slightly in the breeze, like a stalk of wheat.
"Um... Miss?" I waved a hand in front of her face.
"Must... finish... the tax reports..." she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. "Three thousand... audit requests..."
She pitched forward.
Reflexes kicked in. I caught her before she hit the pavement. She was surprisingly light, smelling of sweet flowers and cold mountain dew.
[Great Sage]
Adeptal Energy is critically low due to overwork.>
"Does no one in this city take a break?" I frowned. "This is just sad."
I adjusted my hold on her, supporting her shoulders. I decided to test out a lower-output version of my [Lust] skill. I didn't need to drain her; I needed to give.
"Active Skill: [Kiss of Love] (Modified: Vitality Transfer)."
I didn't kiss her. That would be harassment. Instead, I placed my hand gently on the base of her horns (a conduit for Adeptal energy) and pulsed a warm, golden light from my palm.
Hummmm.
My energy flowed into her. It wasn't just stamina; it was a conceptual "Refresh."
Ganyu gasped. Her eyes snapped open, losing their glaze instantly. The dark circles under her eyes vanished.
"Hah!" She stood up straight, blinking rapidly. "I... I feel awake? No, I feel... incredible. Like I just slept for a week in a bed of Glaze Lilies."
She looked at me, her purple eyes wide. "Did... did you do that?"
"You looked like you were about to pass out," I shrugged, withdrawing my hand. "Just a little pick-me-up. I'm Raiden."
"Raiden..." She tilted her head. She sniffed the air near me. "You smell like... an ancient beast. But not a scary one. You feel warm." She bowed deeply. "I am Ganyu, secretary for the Qixing. Thank you for saving me from embarrassed sleeping in public."
"Oh? Acquaintances of yours, Raiden?"
We turned. Childe (Tartaglia) was strolling toward us, clapping slowly. A fake smile was plastered on his face.
"And Miss Ganyu as well. What a rare honor."
Ganyu stiffened immediately. Her demeanor shifted from confused sleepyhead to professional secretary. "Master Childe. The Qixing is keeping a close watch on the Fatui's movements regarding the bank."
"Scary, scary," Childe laughed, waving his hand. "I'm just here to pay for my friend's kites. Speaking of which..." He tossed a heavy bag of Mora to the terrified kite seller (Granny Shan). "Keep the change."
He turned to me, his blue eyes losing their shine. "Raiden. You've gotten stronger since yesterday. I can smell the Ozone on you. Did you fight something big?"
"Just an old lady in a teapot," I smirked. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"I believe you," Childe grinned, a battle-lust spark appearing. "We should spar later. But first... news."
He lowered his voice.
"The Golden House has been seized by the Millelith. They've moved the Exuvia—Rex Lapis's body—inside. The Qixing are locking down everything."
Ganyu frowned. "That is standard protocol. The Lady Yuheng insisted on it."
"The Yuheng?" I asked.
"Keqing," Ganyu explained. "She is... very skeptical of the divine. She believes Liyue should be ruled by humans, not gods. She is currently inspecting the defenses personally. She has been working even harder than I have."
My ears perked up.
Keqing.
The workaholic skeptic. The one who tries to do everything herself.
[Great Sage]
Her skepticism aligns with the current power vacuum. Establishing an alliance with her is optimal for navigating Liyue politics.>
"If she's working harder than you," I looked at Ganyu, "She probably needs a recharge too. Maybe I should meet her."
"I would advise caution," Ganyu warned. "Lady Keqing does not trust... 'magical' solutions. Or Dragons. Especially not Dragons."
"Challenge accepted," I muttered.
[Location: Third Round Knockout Restaurant]
[Time: 7:30 PM]
After buying the kites and hiring three workers to carry them, we sat down for dinner. Childe was paying, of course.
"So," Childe twirled a chopstick. "We have the Noctilucous Jade. We have the Perfumes. We have the Bell. We have the Kites. What's left?"
"Workers," Zhongli sipped his tea. "Specifically, we need to hire assistance from the docks to transport the materials to Yujing Terrace."
"Boring," Childe groaned. "Can't we just use Fatui agents?"
"No," Zhongli and I said in unison.
"Fine, fine." Childe leaned in. "By the way, Raiden. There's a rumor going around the Fatui underground."
"About me?"
"About a 'Humanoid Vishap' that ate a Rifthound in Mondstadt," Childe's eyes narrowed. "And now, a new master of martial arts appears in Liyue. I'm connecting the dots. You're not human, are you?"
The table went silent. Even Paimon stopped eating her Jade Parcel.
I leaned back, letting my chair tilt on two legs. [Dragon's Haki] leaked out just a tiny bit—enough to make the air heavy.
"I'm a consultant," I said smoothly. "Just like Zhongli."
Zhongli didn't react. He just blew on his tea. "Indeed. Identity is a fluid concept in Teyvat. What matters is the Contract."
Childe stared at me for a long second, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Fair enough! Secrets make a man more interesting. Just promise me one thing, Raiden."
He stood up, his coat swishing.
"When the chaos starts... save a dance for me. I want to see what that 'Eradicator' motorcycle of yours can really do."
He walked away, leaving us with the bill (which he had already paid).
"He's up to something," Paimon whispered.
"Obviously," I stood up. "Zhongli, take Aether to get the workers. I have a side errand to run."
"Where are you going?" Aether asked.
I looked toward the upper terraces of Liyue, where the lights of the Qixing's offices were still burning bright into the night.
"To find a skeptic," I grinned. "And convince her to take a break."
[Location: Yujing Terrace – Near the Ministry of Civil Affairs]
[Time: 9:00 PM]
Stealth was easy with [Shadow Motion]. I slipped past the Millelith guards, blending into the darkness.
I found her on a balcony overlooking the harbor.
Keqing.
She looked exactly like her game model—twin tails, purple dress, stiletto heels. She was surrounded by stacks of paperwork, reading a report by the light of a single lantern.
She looked fierce. And absolutely exhausted. She was rubbing her temples, muttering about "inefficient structural integrity reports."
I stepped out of the shadows.
"You know, reading in the dark ruins your eyes."
Keqing didn't scream. She didn't jump.
In a split second, she drew her sword, spun around, and vanished into a blur of Electro.
Schwing!
Her blade stopped one inch from my throat.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her eyes sharp as lightning. "Assassin? Fatui?"
I raised my hands slowly. [Analysis] showed her muscles were tense to the point of cramping.
"Neither," I said calmly. "Just a guy who heard the Yuheng was working herself to death and thought she might want a midnight snack."
I opened my inventory (Stomach) and pulled out a Golden Shrimp Balls skewer (her favorite dish, thanks to Great Sage's wiki knowledge). It was still steaming hot.
Keqing blinked. She looked at the sword, then at the shrimp, then at me.
"You... broke into the Ministry of Civil Affairs... to bring me shrimp?"
"Efficiency," I smiled. "You're hungry. Hungry leaders make bad decisions. Eat."
She hesitated, then lowered her sword slightly. The smell of the food was winning.
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't arrest you right now."
"Because I'm the only one here who isn't asking you for something," I said, leaning against the railing. "Everyone wants the Yuheng's approval. I just want the Yuheng to survive the week."
Keqing stared at me. Slowly, she sheathed her sword and took the skewer.
"You're weird," she muttered, taking a bite. Her eyes lit up. "But... this is good."
"Name's Raiden," I introduced myself.
"Raiden..." She chewed thoughtfully. "Like the Shogun? That's a bold name to carry."
"I aim to live up to it," I replied. "So, Keqing. About this 'God is dead' situation. Need a hand?"
She looked at me, really looked at me.
"If you can keep up," she challenged, a smirk finally touching her lips. "I don't wait for anyone. Not even Dragons."
"Oh?" I chuckled. "She knows?"
"Ganyu told me a 'weird dragon boy' healed her," Keqing scoffed. "Don't think a few shrimp balls will buy my trust, Dragon. But... I'll allow you to stay. For now."