The Northland Bank went dead quiet.
Clerks, customers, and the well-dressed patrons all stalled in place, slow to react. Something like this almost never happened in Liyue Harbor. This was the first time they'd seen Ministry of Civil Affairs staff storm in with the Millelith and start "investigating" on the spot.
More than a few people were already wondering if this guy was even really from the Ministry.
The bank manager forced his way forward, stopping in front of Ryou. His jaw tightened. "Is there some misunderstanding here? The Northland Bank has followed the law for years. We've never caused trouble. And whenever Liyue Harbor needed support, we've never held back. If this is a mistake, I hope you'll clarify it—otherwise, rumours like this won't be good for anyone."
Heads turned toward Ryou.
Ryou glanced at the manager once, then swept his eyes across the lobby. He reached out, seized the manager by the front of his collar, and hauled him in.
"I'm here because there's a case," Ryou said. "And you're threatening me in public."
"Look around. This is Liyue Harbor, not Snezhnaya. Obstructing an investigation and making threats—add another charge. Take him."
People blinked, thrown off by the jump.
The manager's words hadn't sounded outrageous at all. How did that become a "threat" in Ryou's mouth?
A merchant stepped forward, brows knit. "Young man, the manager didn't say anything wrong. You can't just grab people like this. And the way you're handling this is a problem. I'll be bringing this up with Keqing-san. You're acting lawless."
Ryou turned his head.
"And who asked you to speak?" he said. "Or are you telling me you have ties to the Northland Bank?"
He took one step closer.
"Let me spell it out. The Fatui have been colluding with locals to strike at Liyue Harbor. They've gotten their hands on Sigils of Permission—multiple of them. Those sigils were made by Rex Lapis. One is enough to wipe out the entire area around the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
Ryou paused just long enough for the words to land.
"So. Did you know that already?"
The merchant's throat bobbed.
Ryou's gaze stayed on him. "Hiding what you know. And you call yourself a man of Liyue."
He lifted a hand. "Take him too. Lock him up first. We'll sort it out after."
"W-Wait—no, I don't know anything!" The merchant lurched forward, panic spilling out of him. "I haven't sold out Liyue Harbor! I—I…"
He'd only wanted to seize a chance to curry favour with the bank, maybe borrow some Mora and push his business higher. And yes, Ryou's methods looked wrong to him, so he spoke up.
He hadn't expected the Fatui to be this reckless.
If what Ryou said was true, then even killing them wouldn't be too much.
The merchant's voice cracked. "My lord—please, give me one chance! I have nothing to do with the Fatui. I'm a Liyue merchant. I'm Liyue-born. My heart's with Liyue Harbor!"
Ryou stared at him for a beat, then let his hand drop.
"Fine. Once," he said. "Don't do it again."
He raised his voice. "Bring every Northland Bank staff member back to the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
The manager jerked against the hold, eyes wide with fury. "This is framing! We didn't do any of that! And even if something happened, it has nothing to do with regular staff!"
Ryou didn't blink.
"Whatever the truth is, it'll be made public," he said. "You keep saying you follow the law, so cooperate. Or is the Fatui in your 'backing' suddenly guilty in your own mind?"
He shoved the manager straight into a Millelith soldier's arms.
"Move."
"Yes, Ryou-sama!" the Millelith answered.
They surged forward.
Protests exploded across the lobby.
"You've gone too far!"
"When Childe-sama gets back, you'll all pay!"
"Let go of us!"
Several Millelith reached for a side door.
The moment their hands hit it, force slammed outward. The shockwave threw multiple soldiers off their feet and sent them crashing back.
A voice drifted out, calm and cutting.
"Such confidence. No evidence, and you arrest people on a single sentence."
Footsteps followed.
"And the Ministry of Civil Affairs thinks it's different from bandits?" the voice continued. "I suppose I'll need to have a proper talk with Ningguang-sama about this."
A woman stepped into view.
The room locked up.
People staggered back as if the air itself had turned sharp.
Even Ryou paused.
Because the woman standing there wasn't just anyone.
She was the Fatui Harbinger—La Signora.
And… damn.
She was absurdly well-endowed.
NOTE: I'm going to take a couple of days to decide whether it's worth continuing this fanfic, so if you want me to keep going, please support it with powerstones and reviews. Thank you guys.
[End of chapter]
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