Slippery Wu: "Esteed sir... please wait a mont. Let the few of us discuss this among ourselves."
The Treasure Hoarders huddled together, whispering.
Sneaky Wu: "To be honest, with his skills, the three of us are no match for him."
Slippery Wu: "Are you saying... we're being robbed?"
How absurd—Treasure Hoarders getting robbed? If they had money, would they even be in this line of work?
Sneaky Wu felt sothing was off. Even if it were a robbery, why target Treasure Hoarders? Could there be a hidden aning?
Slick Wu: "Snezhnaya... three months... six hundred thousand... I get it now! This is 'thieves' cant'!"
"The boss borrowed six hundred thousand from that bank in Snezhnaya three months ago and still hasn't paid it back!"
Finally, the Treasure Hoarders realized—this was a debt collector.
Slippery Wu: "A debt collector... why all the roundabout talk?"
Slick Wu looked smug at Slippery Wu's confusion.
Slick Wu: "Ah, you wouldn't know. Many professions use 'thieves' cant' to protect clients' privacy."
Sneaky Wu: "So professional! Absolutely top-tier!"
After their discussion, the Treasure Hoarders sohow arrived at the right conclusion—though their reasoning was entirely wrong.
Slippery Wu: "Um... Mister Salesman, sorry, but we can't let you join the Treasure Hoarders."
In the story, Tartaglia was mildly shocked. Were the Treasure Hoarders' entry standards this high? Even a Fatui Harbinger wasn't qualified?
The Treasure Hoarders quickly clarified that they now understood the "toy's" value and promised to deliver the six hundred thousand soon.
Seeing the issue resolved so easily, even the real Tartaglia was surprised.
"These Treasure Hoarders... dumb but kinda clever," Tartaglia mused.
In the book, Childe was busy—just finishing one mission when another arrived.
With no ti to spend with his brother, he entrusted Teucer to the Traveler and left to complete his task.
But the Traveler failed to keep an eye on Teucer, who secretly followed Childe.
Childe: "From this day forth, you shall uphold Her Majesty's oath, securing victory for Snezhnaya at all costs."
"Like the blizzards of the far north, like the eternal ri of the Zapolyarny Palace—let the cold pierce our enemies to the bone!"
Childe's speech was stirring... until he spotted Teucer.
"As for our enemies... ahem... like kites and toy drums... they'll beco fierce competitors for 'Mr. Cyclops' in Liyue's markets."
The new Fatui recruits were baffled. It started so passionately—they were ready to dedicate everything to the Tsaritsa!
But then it suddenly shifted to kites and toy drums? Did Her Majesty have such childish tastes?
Childe knew this wouldn't work. Unable to bluff his way through, he opted for brute force instead.
A quick "physical persuasion" later, the recruits finally understood the spirit of Snezhnaya!
As the Traveler and Teucer approached, Childe feigned surprise.
"Teucer, what are you doing here?"
Lumine: "Nice fight, but you weren't going all out, were you?"
Childe: "You an Foul Legacy: The Abyssal Havoc?"
"The strain on my body is imnse. The injuries from the Golden House last ti haven't fully healed yet."
"Besides, I'm not like Signora—I'd never use my trump card on new recruits. Hahaha!"
He still couldn't resist mocking Signora.
The real Tartaglia was pleased. Yes, yes—mock her more.
Then he smirked knowingly. The "prophet" (Lucian) had already foreseen his Foul Legacy.
anwhile, Rosalyne (Signora) was furious reading this. I wouldn't do that to recruits either!
In the story, Childe wanted Teucer to return to Snezhnaya—if this continued, the truth would co out!
But Teucer had a condition: he'd go back only after fulfilling one wish.
He wanted to explore the "Toy Research Institute"—a place rumored to house Ruin Guards.
The doting older brother couldn't refuse. Reluctantly, Childe agreed.
So he took Teucer to one of Dottore's research facilities.
Inside the "Toy Research Institute," Teucer suddenly looked dejected.
"Big brother... soone said 'Mr. Cyclops' is a machine for killing."
Childe imdiately refuted it:
"Nonsense! You're too young to be talking about violence."
After comforting Teucer, the boy happily rushed inside to play with "Mr. Cyclops."
The mont Teucer entered, the door slamd shut, forcing the others to take another path to catch up.
After a perilous chase, Childe finally reunited with Teucer.
Ahead lay a vast chamber—filled with dangerous "Mr. Cyclops" (Ruin Guards).
Childe sighed helplessly, then said:
"Such a big space... how about we play hide-and-seek?"
Teucer: "Huh... now?"
Childe: "Big brother needs to prepare... um, a surprise for you."
"Close your eyes, turn around, and count to sixty."
Teucer: "Okay... sixty is so long."
As Teucer began counting, Childe summoned his Hydro blades and charged at the Ruin Guards.
50...
His blades flashed, Hydro energy bursting from the Ruin Guards as one collapsed.
40...
Two Ruin Guards attacked simultaneously. Childe rged his dual blades into one and slashed—
Cleaving them in two!
30... 20... 10...
Childe destroyed every last Ruin Guard.
But then, chanical claws delivered even more.
3... 2... 1...
Teucer: "Ready, big brother?"
Facing the approaching Ruin Guards—each step shaking the ground—Childe only smiled gently.
"Give ten more seconds, Teucer. I'm not hidden yet."
"Hmph, big brother's cheating again! Fine... ten more seconds..."
Behind him, a Ruin Guard's massive fist swung down.
But Childe paid it no mind, offering Teucer an apologetic grin.
10...
Foul Legacy: The Abyssal Havoc activated instantly, lightning engulfing the Ruin Guards.
The battlefield was a blur of thunder and steel.
5...
Childe destroyed every Ruin Guard's core, even posing them in playful positions.
3... 2... 1...
He glanced at Teucer one last ti.
Teucer: "I'm opening my eyes!"
Turning around, he saw his beloved "Mr. Cyclops" arranged like toys in a whimsical display.
This was his brother's surprise—a "Mr. Cyclops" toy wonderland.
anwhile, Childe hid in the shadows, gasping for breath. Activating Foul Legacy while injured had drained him completely.
The Traveler found him first—he was too weak to stand.
Lumine: "Was it worth going this far?"
Childe: "A child's dreams are the most fragile things. Left alone, they'll shatter on their own one day."
"So... soone has to protect them, right?"
"Promises must be kept. Mistakes must be atoned for."
"And the dreams we give them... must be safeguarded to the very end."
The real Tartaglia frowned. How can I protect him like this?
At least Teucer wasn't old enough to read yet—otherwise, the truth would be out.
Lucian... another reason to cross blades with you.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Tartaglia: About "Monoceros Caeli Chapter"
"That book? Teucer must never see it! Co on, comrade, help keep an eye out, will you?"
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