Liyue.
Fatui Stronghold.
So much pain…
My body feels like it's falling apart…
What happened…?
Upon waking, Childe felt an intense discomfort throughout his body, unsure of what had transpired.
However, after a moment to recover, he finally recalled the events that had occurred.
That's right… I was defeated by that girl…
She's… Morax's friend?!
The thought suddenly struck him, and Childe instantly felt much more alert.
"Lord Childe… you're awake?! How are you? Are you feeling alright?"
At that moment, Ekaterina opened the door and walked in.
Seeing Childe awake, she was visibly delighted.
To be honest, she never expected such a powerful Lord Childe to sustain such severe injuries.
When Lord Childe was carried back by the Millelith today, she simply couldn't believe her eyes.
For a moment, she even suspected that Liyue had secretly ambushed Lord Childe, but she had no evidence.
Nevertheless, she had already placed all Fatui in Liyue on the highest level of alert.
"Where are we?"
Since the Geo Archon now knew about his intention to seize the Gnosis and had sent someone to give him a beating, Childe subconsciously assumed he was already in another location.
However, one thing he couldn't comprehend was why that girl hadn't killed him.
Was it out of respect for Her Majesty the Tsaritsa that she spared me?
After some thought, Childe concluded this was the only possibility.
Otherwise, he couldn't find any other reasonable explanation.
"Lord Childe, we are in Liyue."
Although she found the question a bit strange, Ekaterina still answered, then continued, "Lord Childe, what did you encounter? Was it someone from Liyue who ambushed you?"
Now that Lord Childe was awake, she wanted to understand what exactly had happened.
"We're still in Liyue?" Childe was puzzled that Liyue hadn't expelled him, but he quickly thought of a possibility.
It seems they don't want to blow this matter up…
First, the Omni-Ubiquity Talisman was stolen, then a mysterious girl gave him a sound beating. This clearly indicated a desire not to escalate the situation and make things look bad for everyone, while simultaneously teaching him a lesson.
"Yes, Lord Childe."
Although Childe didn't answer Ekaterina's question, she still respectfully responded to his.
"So, how did I get here?" Childe, sitting on the bed, continued to inquire.
"The Millelith brought you back, Lord Childe. They said they found you lying on the ground in Dunyu Ruins, unsure of what had happened."
"I see." After listening to Ekaterina, Childe became even more convinced his judgment was correct.
"Lord Childe, it was Liyue…"
"Don't ask. There are some things you don't need to know so much about. Go about your duties."
Waving a hand at the somewhat agitated Ekaterina, Childe instructed her to attend to her own affairs and not ask too many questions.
Since the other party didn't want to escalate the matter, he could only cooperate for now.
"…Yes, Lord Childe. I'll take my leave then."
Seeing Childe had spoken, Ekaterina, as his subordinate, said nothing further and then exited the room.
Morax's friend…
Sitting on the bed, recalling the girl's appearance again, a bitter expression crossed Childe's face.
That girl's strength was truly immense, so powerful that even when he activated his Foul Legacy Transformation, he couldn't put up even the slightest resistance.
That terrifying speed, those eyes that completely disregarded him, all left his battle-hungry heart throbbing with pain.
He… was still too weak…
In his current state, it was utterly impossible for him to achieve the feat of presenting a Gnosis to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa.
No matter… I'm still very young…
One day… I will defeat you…
Morax's friend!
The bitter expression on his face vanished, and Childe was now filled with renewed fighting spirit.
He knew that prolonged despair would only halt his progress towards becoming stronger. Only by steadfastly maintaining his desire to grow stronger could he remain on the path to power.
Right… it's almost time for my appointment with Zhongli…
Never mind… I'll still go…
After some thought, Childe decided to keep the appointment.
Although he no longer needed to learn about the Omni-Ubiquity Talisman from Zhongli, and his physical condition wasn't great, he could inquire about things like Morax's friends, which others would basically have no way of knowing. So, it was better to go.
Besides, if he didn't go, Zhongli probably wouldn't have money to pay the bill again.
Thinking this, Childe laboriously stood up.
-------------------------------------
Teahouse.
"Welcome, honored guest, what would you like to drink?"
As he entered the teahouse where he had agreed to meet Zhongli, a waiter immediately came forward to greet him.
"I already have an appointment."
Waving a hand at the waiter, Childe looked for Zhongli and quickly spotted a familiar figure.
"It seems you have a particular fondness for tea."
Sitting directly across from Zhongli, Childe smiled and said this as he watched him drink tea.
He had seen many people drink tea, but he had never seen anyone drink it in a way that gave him such a special feeling as Zhongli did.
Although the actions were similar, others always seemed to lack a certain something.
"You don't look very well."
Halting his tea-drinking, Zhongli said this as he looked at Childe.
"Ah… well, collecting debts always comes with a few minor troubles, nothing to worry about."
Childe smiled, stating there was nothing to worry about; he had just encountered a little trouble while collecting debts.
"I see."
After hearing Childe's explanation, Zhongli said nothing more.
"By the way, Mr. Zhongli, I have a question I'd like to ask you. I feel only you can answer me."
"What question?"
"Do you know of the Geo Archon Morax's friends?"
"Morax's friends?"
Zhongli looked at Childe across from him with a hint of surprise.
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