"Lucian has really given a difficult problem," Zhongli sighed lightly.
Although people hadn't yet guessed that he was the Geo Archon Morax, they already treated him as an adeptus.
Earlier, when he went shopping, the rchants refused to take his money—this was not what he wanted.
A transaction is a form of contract—how could it be treated as an exception? So, he still sent the bill to the Northland Bank.
"The contract is set..." No matter what, 'Rex Lapis' must 'die.'
At the end of the second act, Ganyu went to search for the Traveler, but in reality, Ningguang was in no hurry to do so.
She wasn't anxious. After all, both the Fatui and the Rite of Descension site were under her control. No matter what, she would be the first to make contact with the Traveler.
The ones who should be worried were the Fatui.
Over the past month, Yelan's operatives had gathered so intelligence. While information on the Fatui was scarce, they had collected plenty on other matters.
Regarding the Fatui, they only knew that their factory was researching sothing related to the adepti.
The specifics remained unknown, as did the progress of their research.
This couldn't be helped—after all, the Fatui were, first and foremost, the intelligence organization of Snezhnaya. A month was far too short a ti to gather much.
However, based on the prophecy book, Ningguang had a guess: the Sigils of Permission.
These things clearly shouldn't be in the hands of the Fatui, yet Childe had them—even handing one to the Traveler and telling them to seek out the adepti.
From this, it seed that Childe likely had more than just one Sigil of Permission.
Ningguang speculated that the Fatui wanted the Traveler to seek out the adepti so that the adepti would restrain the Qixing, thereby creating room for the Fatui to maneuver.
But as for why they had the Traveler befriend Zhongli, Ningguang couldn't figure it out.
Did Zhongli know where the Exuvia was but refuse to tell Childe? Was that why they sent the Traveler to fish for information?
In any case, all Fatui movents within the harbor were under surveillance—they wouldn't get to the Traveler first.
Whether the Fatui changed their plans or not, Ningguang would still make contact with the Traveler before they did.
So Ningguang wasn't worried at all. She just needed to stay steady.
"Speaking of which, have Ganyu and Keqing t that prophet yet?" Ningguang asked.
Lucian had stayed in Liyue for a few days. Once the Qixing learned of his presence, Ganyu and Keqing volunteered to et him.
"Why didn't you let go too?" Beidou scratched her head, staring at the chessboard in front of her.
Ah, wouldn't eting the prophet be more interesting than playing chess here?
"You rarely return—won't you keep company for a ga?" Ningguang smiled faintly.
"How can I focus on chess when the Archon's assassination is imminent?" Beidou spread her hands, finding an excuse for her impending loss.
"All the necessary moves have already been made," Ningguang tapped a chess piece in her hand.
Behind her, the wall was covered with notes, photographs, and even a mind map.
"If the Archon still passes, I must be prepared to face a future without him."
"Liyue Harbor has stood for millennia—it cannot halt its progress just because the Archon is gone." Ningguang placed her piece, checkmating Beidou.
"As a citizen of Liyue, I grieve for the Archon's passing. But as one of the Qixing, I cannot afford to indulge in sorrow." Ningguang picked up her long pipe, smiling at Beidou.
"Can't out-talk you, can't out-play you—I give up, I give up." Beidou waved her hand and slumped back into her chair, surrendering completely.
Now, let's shift our focus from the Qixing to the Fatui.
"Still couldn't invite the Traveler?" Tartaglia asked.
"No," the Debt Collector bowed his head, looking as if he had failed.
The Qixing's arrangents were too thorough—forget inviting the Traveler, even eting them was difficult.
Tartaglia waved his hand, signaling for the other to leave.
Just as written in the book, Tartaglia wanted to draw the Traveler into the ga.
In fact, from the Fatui's perspective, the Traveler was a key figure in breaking the stalemate.
The Qixing's surveillance of the Fatui was extrely tight—Millelith patrols constantly circled the Northland Bank.
If they couldn't bring in soone like the Traveler—who had no affiliations but possessed strength—then operating in Liyue would be nearly impossible.
By sending the uninford Traveler to seek the adepti, the adepti's arrival would restrain the Qixing.
Then, having the Traveler and Zhongli run around Liyue Harbor would divert the Qixing's attention.
This would give the Fatui room to maneuver and carry out their plans in secret.
But operating on foreign soil ca with an information gap—the Fatui didn't know that the adepti had already contacted the Qixing.
Tartaglia felt sowhat pessimistic. Now that the Qixing knew the future, they certainly wouldn't issue a warrant for the Traveler. So how could he win them over?
Most importantly, Lucian was like a sword of Damocles hanging over Tartaglia's head.
He had no idea just how much Lucian knew. If his entire plan was exposed before he could obtain the Gnosis, then he'd likely lose his chance for good.
Unsealing Osial was the kind of act that would get him expelled from Liyue—even if it never actually happened.
But unsealing Osial was originally his bargaining chip for negotiating with the Geo Archon. Now that the Archon was dead, was there even a point to it?
Sigh. He couldn't et Lucian, nor could he contact the Traveler. How was he supposed to break this deadlock?
Tartaglia clutched his head, deep in thought.
"What's wrong? Got a headache?" Signora looked at Tartaglia, who was rubbing his temples.
How rare—Tartaglia was actually thinking!
This battle-crazed simpleton, whose limbs weren't even particularly strong, was actually using his brain!
"Do you need my help? I have a way to get the Geo Archon's Gnosis," Signora smirked arrogantly.
"I've told you, Signora—stay out of my affairs." Tartaglia's voice was low but firm, his hand still pressed to his head.
Even if he died in Liyue, he would complete Her Majesty's mission.
"Hmph, stubborn." Signora stepped closer, looking down at him.
"Is your pride more important, or the Tsaritsa's mission?"
She even took out Venti's Gnosis, waving it tauntingly.
"As your senior with experience, I can help you."
"Toy Salesman."
She was doing this on purpose. Tartaglia couldn't stand her, and the feeling was mutual.
The Geo Archon's Gnosis had already been secured by Her Majesty through a deal—Tartaglia just didn't know yet.
In fact, Tartaglia's entire plan and actions were part of the transaction—a test set by the Geo Archon for Liyue.
Tartaglia clenched his fists, electricity crackling around him. He nearly activated his Foul Legacy right then.
"How about a bet?" Tartaglia asked.
"If I get the Geo Archon's Gnosis, you fight ! It won't count as infighting."
Signora's interest was piqued. Wasn't this a guaranteed win for her?
"And if you lose?"
"If I lose, I'll introduce you to Lucian."
"Haven't you always wanted to et him? He's my comrade!" Tartaglia declared.
"Deal!" Signora agreed imdiately.
She had been wanting to et Lucian but never got the chance.
Lucian had been back in Liyue for a while, but the Qixing got to him first!
Given the current situation, unless Lucian actively sought out the Fatui, they'd have no opportunity to et him.
Damn you, Childe! The last few tis you went out, Lucian was right there—why didn't you tell ?!
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Beidou: About the Prophecy Book
"Oh, that book? It's quite interesting. I'd love to have the author aboard the Crux soday—he must know so many stories. That'd keep things from getting boring!"
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