The backlash from his Foul Legacy: Havoc Form hit fast.
Tartaglia couldn't even stay standing—he collapsed with a heavy thud.
In that moment, it felt like every fiber of his being was being torn apart.
But as a seasoned battle maniac who'd danced on the edge of life and death more times than he could count, this kind of pain? He was already used to it.
Compared to ordinary people who burn through their life force when activating a Delusion, this—just some searing pain and internal damage—was barely a side effect.
Gritting his teeth, he fumbled in his coat and pulled out a vial of regeneration elixir.
He winced.
This thing was a life-saving treasure—and yet here he was, drinking it just because he overexerted himself running.
Huge loss!
He could only hope that the Geo Archon, Lord Morax, would at least recognize his effort and reward him with some goodies in return…
With great difficulty, he opened the alchemy elixir and downed it in one gulp.
In an instant, an overwhelming vitality surged through his broken body, flooding his limbs like an unstoppable tide.
Just like Rosalyne had said—it was a principle of creation from nothing.
Almost like reversing time itself, it forcibly restored his body to its pre-damaged state.
Within the span of just a few breaths, Tartaglia was fully recovered. He sprang up with a dolphin-like leap.
He clenched his fists and threw a few punches—each strike slicing through the air with a sharp howl.
It was his first time drinking a regeneration elixir, and honestly, he was stunned at how absurdly effective it was.
Not only did it erase the backlash from his Havoc Form, even old lingering injuries were healing.
He felt lighter than he ever had before.
As he basked in this newfound vitality, Tartaglia pursed his lips thoughtfully.
"In this state… I could probably unleash the final stage of my Foul Legacy with zero side effects… and for longer, too…"
He smiled, clearly impressed—but a moment later, the reality hit him.
He'd just downed one of the rarest, most powerful restorative treasures available. Not only could it boost his strength, but it also healed everything.
And he drank it for… travel.
His heart ached again.
"Sigh…"
Tartaglia let out a bitter sigh.
"Mister Zhongli… I've really gone all out this time. You'd better keep track of the work I'm doing for you…"
"At the very least, give me a few more elixirs. Or even an enchanted weapon—I'd be fine with that!"
Shaking his head, Tartaglia picked up his pace, heading toward the experimental base.
Unlike other regions, Liyue's research bases were all built underground.
No one dared conduct shady work on the surface here.
Even so, Tartaglia had no doubt that the adepti—and especially Lord Morax—already knew what was going on beneath their feet.
As the oldest of the Archons, Morax's mastery of Liyue's leyline network was virtually perfect.
While he may not control them directly, using the leylines to observe the entirety of Liyue was child's play.
Which was exactly why the Doctor didn't dare establish any of his more morally dubious facilities here in Liyue.
After passing through multiple layers of security, Tartaglia entered a wide, factory-like facility.
Unlike those used to manufacture Ruin Guards, the conveyor belts here were stacked with neatly arranged talismans.
"Lord Harbinger."
A Debt Collector rushed up to greet him.
Tartaglia nodded and asked calmly:
"How many All-Taboo Talismans have we stockpiled?"
The Debt Collector did a quick mental count and replied confidently:
"At present, we have enough to attempt the release of Osial. But… the quality still falls short of true All-Taboo Talismans."
"It's unlikely we'll fully break the seal."
Tartaglia didn't seem bothered by this. He nodded slightly.
"Quantity is enough. Forget the rest. Stop the production lines. Pack up every talisman and have the advance team deliver them to Guyun Stone Forest."
The Debt Collector froze for a second, startled.
"You mean… it's time? But we still don't know where the Geo Archon's avatar is—"
Tartaglia shot him a sharp glance, instantly making the man break into a cold sweat and lower his head in panic.
"I overstepped!"
"If you know it's overstepping, then don't say things you shouldn't."
Tartaglia gave a seemingly friendly pat on the shoulder—which nearly made the man collapse in fear.
"Just have the advance team deliver them. By noon tomorrow, Osial will be unsealed. The rest? Not your concern. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
The Debt Collector didn't dare say another word. He quickly turned and dashed off.
The advance team weren't exactly normal humans. In truth, they were barely sentient.
Even if they had some sliver of cognition left, it was fading fast.
They were suicide troops created by the Doctor. To put it bluntly—they were expendable.
Though they could still wield elemental powers, they weren't exactly strong.
Once Osial was unsealed, they'd be the first to die.
And if Tartaglia got annoyed… who's to say he wouldn't assign that job to him instead?
With the Osial matter taken care of, Tartaglia breathed a sigh of relief. But there was more to do.
He hopped on a small boat and began sailing from Yaoguang Shoal toward the open sea.
Out there lay a small island, not far from Liyue Harbor, where nearly a thousand advance team members were stationed.
He had to give them orders—once Osial was unleashed, they were to attack Liyue Harbor alongside the sea beast.
After that, he still needed to find a way to summon Bache.
So really…
In this grand "retirement ceremony" for Zhongli, he, Tartaglia, was doing the most work of anyone!
With that in mind, if Zhongli didn't give him at least a few more regeneration elixirs, it would be straight-up robbery!
As for those cannon-fodder advance team units and whether they'd survive the attack on Liyue?
Not his problem.
They belonged to the Doctor anyway.
When the time came for accountability, he'd just shift the blame back onto him.
And besides, the Cryo Archon would be arriving in Liyue Harbor soon.
Chances were high that she'd use this as an opportunity to sever ties within the Fatui.
Tartaglia had long since pledged his loyalty to Her Majesty.
When the time came…
The Fatui getting crushed—what did that have to do with Tartaglia?
It wasn't until late at night that Tartaglia, utterly exhausted, dragged his weary body back to the Northland Bank.
He had used his Foul Legacy again and wasted another precious elixir.
His upfront investments were already breaking his heart—now all he could hope for was that Zhongli would at least reimburse him for the alchemy potion.
The moment he stepped onto the second floor, he saw that Zhongli and Lumine had already returned and were sitting down for dinner.
Tartaglia raised an eyebrow but didn't bother with pleasantries. He plopped himself down and immediately started venting.
"Mr. Zhongli, your job really isn't easy! I've been running around all day—Yaoguang Shoal, out to sea…"
"I even used up two regeneration potions!"
He looked at Zhongli expectantly.
Zhongli paused for a moment and gave a small nod.
"You've worked hard."
"…"
Tartaglia waited. And waited.
And waited…
But no follow-up about reimbursement came. His face stiffened.
"That's it? That's… all?"
Zhongli thought for a moment and then pointed to the spread of dishes on the table.
"This meal was delivered from Xinyue Kiosk. Five million Mora. You can cover it."
"Also, for today's preparations for the Rite of Parting, the total expenses came to thirty-two million Mora. The bill's here. Please settle it."
Tartaglia's whole world dimmed.
He sat there like a statue, staring blankly at Zhongli.
After running around all day, working himself to the bone, not only did he not gain a single Mora, he was now expected to pay out of pocket?
Tartaglia couldn't help but want to yell:
Was this man truly the Archon of fairness and contracts, or was he just a devil in disguise, exploiting others?
Before he could voice his complaints, Zhongli casually tossed four potions his way.
"These are a tier above the basic elixirs you've been using. Consider them your compensation for all your running around."
In an instant, Tartaglia came back to life, fully restored.
Seeing the potions—clearly superior in quality and aura—Tartaglia puffed out his chest, slapping it proudly.
"Come now! As if I wouldn't finish the job just because there's no reward? You really underestimate me!"
"After all, this is a contract between Her Majesty the Tsaritsa and yourself. Of course I'll see it through to the end!"
Lumine, who had been silently eating, rolled her eyes.
"Sounds like you don't want them, huh? I'll take them then."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a gust of wind swept past—the potions vanished without a trace.
Tartaglia grinned brightly and pointed at the food on the table.
"Is this enough? If not, I can order more!"
"We're all friends here, working hard for this performance. I won't let you starve while on duty!"
"And those expenses? Don't worry about it—just charge everything to the Northland Bank!"
Tartaglia knew exactly how to weigh things.
All things considered, Zhongli and Lumine's spending today wasn't even fifty million Mora.
That amount could barely buy three or four low-tier elixirs on the market.
But the ones Zhongli gave him? Four higher-grade alchemy potions. Priceless!
"Lumine, this guy has such a mercenary face,"
Paimon muttered as she looked up, scowling at Tartaglia in disdain.
What was so special about those potions?
She and Lumine both carried plenty of them.
And their production cost? Zero.
In Paimon's eyes, Tartaglia was clearly someone who hadn't seen the real world yet.
Tartaglia didn't mind Paimon's scorn. That little companion had clearly been spoiled by Ryen's generosity and didn't understand how rare such treasures were to anyone else.
Turning to Zhongli, he asked softly:
"Mr. Zhongli… the plan starts tomorrow at noon, right? I don't need to be involved anymore, do I?"
"Tomorrow at noon?"
Zhongli nodded slightly.
"Yes. It's dragged on long enough. It would be inappropriate to delay further."
Lumine wasn't about to let him off so easily and immediately shot back:
"Come on. Just admit you're the one who's eager to step down!"
Zhongli took a sip of tea, unbothered.
"If that's how you see it, then I won't deny it."
His straightforward admission left Lumine at a loss for words.
She simply focused on eating, and after finishing the meal, stretched lazily.
"I'm heading back then. So I don't have anything else to do tomorrow, right?"
Zhongli shook his head.
"There's still one final ingredient to take care of. Continue tomorrow."
Lumine frowned slightly, her gaze deep and piercing.
"You don't want me staying in Liyue?"
Zhongli neither confirmed nor denied.
"This is Liyue's trial. Not yours."
"But…"
"No buts. I believe in Liyue."
Zhongli shook his head and didn't say more. He stood and headed toward the door.
"Originally, I had Tartaglia lined up to distract you with a fight. But since you already know my intentions, there's no need."
"Tomorrow, you don't need to interfere. Everything… must be up to Liyue."
Lumine pouted, glaring at him with frustration.
"You're such a self-righteous guy!"
With that, she grabbed Paimon and stormed out ahead of him.
Zhongli sighed.
Lumine's strength hadn't recovered much yet.
But she was special—she was a Descender.
If she got involved in tomorrow's conflict, who knew what unpredictable events might unfold?
This was Liyue's trial.
No one could interfere.
Otherwise, it would lose all fairness.
Tartaglia was still happily admiring his potions when Zhongli reached the door.
"Oh, right. I forgot to mention something."
Zhongli paused and added softly:
"Of the four potions, three are enhanced versions of Strength, Agility, and Jump Boost potions."
"The last one… is not a healing potion."
Tartaglia blinked. He thought one of them looked a bit different.
"Then what is it?"
"That potion… is called Regeneration."
~~----------------------
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