Yujing Terrace was on edge.
The impact of Rex Lapis' falling Exuvia had thrown the entire city into panic and fury.
And Lumine and Paimon—foreigners who had appeared at the worst possible place and time—had instantly become the Millelith's prime suspects.
"Stop!"
"Drop your weapon!"
More than a dozen spears closed in from every direction, their tips glinting coldly.
"We didn't do anything!" Paimon cried, hiding behind Lumine.
Lumine's hand tightened around her sword.
She knew explanations were meaningless right now. In the hearts of Liyue's people, their god had fallen. Someone had to be blamed.
Force their way out?
Impossible. This was Yujing Terrace—the Millelith elite surrounded them.
"…Troublesome."
Just as tension peaked—
Whoosh—
Several water-blue arrows sliced through the air with pinpoint precision, striking the shafts of the soldiers' spears.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The force knocked the weapons aside, forcing the Millelith to stagger back.
"Well now," a playful voice called out, "ganging up on two girls isn't very sporting."
Lumine turned.
An orange-haired young man leaned casually against the railing, twirling a bow formed of pure Hydro.
"You?!" Paimon gasped. "Tartaglia!"
"It's 'Childe,'" he corrected cheerfully.
In a blink, he appeared before them, placing himself between the girls and the Millelith.
"Gentlemen," he spread his arms lazily, "do me a favor. These two are friends of mine."
The captain of the Millelith stiffened.
"Fatui Harbinger… Childe! The Geo Lord has been assassinated! Everyone is suspect—especially Fatui!"
"Step aside—or you'll be detained as well!"
"Oh?"
Childe's smile thinned.
A flash of killing intent flickered in his blue eyes.
"…Detain me?"
Hydro blades formed in his hands.
"Feel free to try."
"Wait."
Lumine pressed a hand to his shoulder.
Escalation would only worsen things.
"We'll go with you," she said quietly.
Childe grinned instantly, weapons dissolving.
"Smart choice."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"I know you had a little disagreement with Signora in Mondstadt. I'm not like her."
"Right now, the whole harbor wants a culprit. Two outsiders? Perfect scapegoats."
He gestured subtly at the angry crowd.
"Want to clear your name?"
He smiled brightly.
"Come somewhere safe."
"—The Northland Bank."
Northland Bank
Inside, the chaos of Liyue felt distant.
Lavish carpets.
Golden lighting.
And mountains of Mora.
"W-Wow…" Paimon stared at the coin piles.
Childe laughed.
"Not plunder. Contracts. The pride of Snezhnaya."
He led them into a private chamber.
"Listen carefully," he said, lounging in his chair.
"In Liyue, strength alone won't save you."
"Qixing isn't the most urgent problem right now."
"Then who is?" Lumine asked.
"The Adepti."
His tone sharpened slightly.
"They dwell in Jueyun Karst. Once they learn Rex Lapis has fallen… what do you think they'll do?"
"They'll descend to avenge him," Lumine replied immediately.
"Exactly. And they won't bother with 'evidence.'"
He stood and withdrew a small object.
An ancient jade talisman carved with intricate sigils.
"This is…"
"'Sigil of Permission.'"
"A friend gave it to me. It's a token used by Adepti."
In the chat:
[Cloud Retainer]: …?! The Sigil of Permission?!
[Mountain Shaper]: How does Fatui possess such an object?!
[Ganyu]: Th-That is an Adeptus token…
"Take it," Childe said, pressing it into Lumine's hand.
"If you run into any very angry illuminated beasts…"
He smiled faintly.
"Show them that."
"It might save your life."
Lumine felt the cool jade in her palm.
Questions churned.
The Fatui.
The Adepti.
The assassination.
And Childe—
Who had just obtained Foul Legacy: Untainted from the System.
What role was he truly playing in this storm?
Ally?
Instigator?
Or something far more dangerous?