"Oh, she wants to meet me? What, to claim my Delusion as her own under the title of Fatui Harbinger?"
Hearing it was La Signora, Gu Sanqiu put away his spear and stepped outside.
She was someone worth meeting, after all.
He had accepted the idea of elements like Electro and Hydro blending together, and even of Pyro being contained by Geo. But he was deeply curious about how La Signora managed the coexistence of Cryo and Pyro within her body.
Or maybe it's simpler than I think—does she just seal one element away with her Delusion until she needs it in battle?
"Excellent! I knew you wouldn't disappoint me," Childe exclaimed with delight. "Come on, we're meeting at Liuli Pavilion. She's probably already waiting for us there."
"She's 'that person'? Is that how you usually refer to your coworkers?"
"Coworkers? Ha."
Childe smirked. "I've already told you about my relationship with the Doctor. Let me add, it's not unique. You can think of it as the norm among the Harbingers."
"Outside of the first Fatui Harbinger, relations between us are far less friendly than you'd imagine."
"I've heard as much."
Gu Sanqiu nodded. "What about Scaramouche?"
"Scaramouche? You know about him?"
Childe blinked in surprise before breaking into a grin.
"Ah, I see. Someone in the visiting delegation from Liyue told you, didn't they?"
"Something like that," Gu Sanqiu replied vaguely. "Are you close with him?"
"Not exactly. There was a bit of a misunderstanding when we first met."
Childe shrugged, still smiling. "I thought he was a literal kid and nearly made him mad enough to kill me. For the next half-month, I was constantly worried about my drinks being spiked with something weird."
Undoubtedly, Childe's fondness for children had caused that awkward misunderstanding.
"What, is Narukami Shrine suddenly interested in your Nation-Destroying Scaramouche?"
"Somewhat. You Harbingers, aside from you, all seem shrouded in mystery, which piques curiosity."
Zheping is still alive, so I'm not particularly invested in making Scaramouche reveal his true colors, Gu Sanqiu thought.
"We're here."
Childe personally opened the door. "Brought him."
"Gu Sanqiu. Mr. Gu, have a seat."
In the room's main seat sat a white-haired woman, elegantly holding a wine glass, her legs crossed. She barely looked up as she addressed the two entering—but only greeted Gu Sanqiu.
"Well, straight out of the Chasm and inviting me to dinner. Should I be flattered, or does Lady Signora have ulterior motives?"
"Please, don't misunderstand, Mr. Gu."
La Signora set her glass down. "Given that you've been recognized by a Delusion, and one personally gifted by the Doctor, you've earned the right to converse with me as an equal."
"So, a Delusion is your equivalent of a certification? Should I stamp myself with 'Inspected and Approved' while I'm at it?"
Gu Sanqiu pulled out a chair and sat unceremoniously. "Whether I qualify to speak to you is your business. Now, why are you here?"
"No special reason. I just wanted to see you."
La Signora's eyes narrowed slightly. "To see what weight the Geo Archon's chosen one carries, and what kind of judgment Morax possesses."
"Weight? Sorry, my weight's perfectly normal. You're not seeing any signs of obesity."
Gu Sanqiu tapped the table. "Besides, you think you can gauge Rex Lapis's judgment? That's hilarious."
"A god? So what?"
La Signora uncrossed her legs and rested her chin on her hands. "Gods aren't omniscient or omnipotent. And they're not all wise, either."
"To take their place is not impossible."
"So far, it seems Morax's judgment isn't much to write home about."
"Mind your words. Otherwise, your death today will be particularly unpleasant."
Gu Sanqiu's smile was razor-sharp. "And for the record, I've had enough cryptic nonsense from old-timers lately. If you want to be my punching bag, go right ahead."
"Oh, resorting to brute force, are we? Just like the one beside you."
La Signora chuckled disdainfully. "A god? Liyue? Such petty concepts. Fire and frost will herald the future, and the light of Snezhnaya will..."
Boom!
Gu Sanqiu made his move. A surge of raw power shot forth from his right arm as his clawed hand reached for La Signora.
Childe's expression twisted in shock. This guy's strength has grown again! It's like he has no bottlenecks!
"Insolent fool, back off!"
Feeling the overwhelming pressure from Gu Sanqiu, La Signora's demeanor turned serious. Frost energy condensed into a barrier before her, while countless ice spears and needles launched toward him.
"Heh. That's it?"
A mocking laugh echoed as Gu Sanqiu's palm unleashed a powerful suction force, dragging La Signora helplessly toward him.
"Fighting here costs money. I'll take you somewhere scenic for a more dignified burial."
With a grin, Gu Sanqiu flew out the window, dragging an enraged but restrained La Signora along.
Childe glanced at the wreckage of the private room, his face full of resignation.
"Didn't even get to eat much," he muttered. "But seeing how far that guy's progressed is always interesting."
Slapping a few silver notes onto the table, Childe followed Gu Sanqiu out of Liyue Harbor.
---
Boom!
Gu Sanqiu flung La Signora into the ground, creating a deep crater in the dirt below.
"I'll give you five minutes to sort yourself out. Don't say I didn't give you a chance to tidy up before your final moments."
Suddenly, he clapped his hands as if struck by a thought.
"Actually, no need. I know someone who's great at that sort of thing. She'll make sure you look perfect even in death."
"Or, if there's no body left, a grave marker will do just fine."
With a smile, Gu Sanqiu raised his palm, condensing an enormous hand of Geo energy and slamming it toward La Signora.
Talking trash about the old man in front of me? Don't blame me for going all out.
"Damn it!"
Grinding her teeth, La Signora stood, summoning a barrage of ice spears and arrows before launching them forward to clash head-on with Gu Sanqiu's attack.
"Hehe, forgotten how elemental properties work? You must be a fool who doesn't know how to fight."
Gu Sanqiu flicked his sleeve, sending out a resonance of Geo energy that rippled outward. Within moments, most of La Signora's attacks were transformed into crystalline shards.
"Impossible!"
La Signora's face twisted in shock. While Geo resonance could indeed crystallize uncharged elemental energy, her attacks carried her will.
He can neutralize my attacks?
Or is my control over my own element so much weaker than his?
---
T/N: lmaooo she always gets humbled
...
Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.
Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.
WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it… or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.
If you had fun, you know what to do:
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Heads up—Patreon's 50% off for all tiers during May. So if you were on the fence? Now's the time.
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Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.
—Leaf