"No—this is the Sigil of Permission." Ganyu's words came out in a rush. "Ningguang mentioned it to me. The Fatui have one, and if Ryou took people to the Northland Bank… he could be walking into something deadly."
Worry tightened in her chest. She grabbed Keqing's wrist. "I'm coming with you. We'll go to the Northland Bank together."
"Okay—wait." Keqing stopped mid-step and stared at her. "Ganyu… my husband went to the Northland Bank to arrest people. Why are you more panicked than I am?"
Ryou getting into trouble? Sure—she was his wife. Of course she'd be anxious.
But Ganyu was acting like her own house was on fire.
What was this?
Do you like my man?
I mean… I do want you to like him, but—were you planning this?
"I… I'm not worried about your husband—no, I am worried," Ganyu blurted, then tripped over her own words. She sucked in a breath and forced herself steady. "Listen. If the Sigil of Permission gets activated, the entire Northland Bank could blow apart. The Ministry of Civil Affairs would get caught in it too. And with the Rite of Descension drawing in crowds lately… if something happens there, the fallout would be unthinkable."
Keqing's fingers tightened around Ganyu's sleeve. "...That's true. Then we don't have time to waste."
Keqing swallowed, then lowered her voice. "Ganyu… we'll go together. But, uh… can you treat me first?"
"Mhm." Ganyu nodded, relieved Keqing had finally stopped drilling into her reaction.
Adeptal power gathered around Ganyu's hands and threaded outward. It didn't take long—warmth flowed through Keqing in steady waves, and the lingering pain eased out piece by piece.
Within minutes, the injuries were gone. Keqing straightened, breathing easier.
"Ganyu-onee-san… you're incredible." Keqing's eyes lit up. "If you help me like this from now on, I won't end up in such a sorry state."
The idea hit her all at once—if Ganyu could share the load, she wouldn't get stuck at home again, unable to even step into the Ministry.
Ganyu waved both hands immediately. "No, no—absolutely not. I can't just heal you whenever you want. And… you should watch yourself a little, okay? I didn't understand why you stopped coming to the Ministry before. Now I get it. You weren't avoiding work—you just couldn't show up."
"Ganyu-onee-san…" Heat climbed into Keqing's ears.
Ganyu cleared her throat and kept her tone firm. "I'm not laughing at you. But… you two need to be careful. Know when to stop. If you overdo it, it's bad for you. If you want this to last, you can't chase short-term thrills."
Keqing's shoulders hunched. "He's already being really gentle with me… If he wasn't, I wouldn't even be able to leave the house." She bit her lip. "And that was only two hours. If it was… cough—no. We're not talking about that."
Keqing cut herself off, flustered.
Ganyu's mind flashed back to the first time she visited Keqing's home—things Keqing had said back then. She'd thought it was just talk.
So it was true…
"Right." Ganyu looked away. "We're not talking about it. Let's move. Northland Bank—now."
They hurried out.
On the way, Keqing leaned in and whispered a few things she really shouldn't have been saying out loud. Ganyu's steps almost tangled, and she stared straight ahead like her life depended on it.
I healed you, and this is what you decide to discuss right next to me?
Have some mercy.
…
Inside the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ryou returned alone and immediately told the staff to call up the Millelith and have them assemble outside.
Minutes later, the courtyard filled.
A staff member stepped up beside him. "Ryou-sama, the Millelith are all here. What are we doing?"
"Good." Ryou swept his gaze across the line. "Everyone—move."
He set off toward the Northland Bank without another word.
The Millelith didn't know what was going on, but they followed in disciplined silence.
At the bank's entrance, two guards moved to block the way.
One of the Ministry staff started forward. "We're from the Min—"
Ryou didn't bother with explanations.
He strode up and drove his foot into the door.
The entrance crashed open.
Ryou looked over the stunned crowd inside. "Ministry of Civil Affairs investigation. Nobody move!"
[End of chapter]
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