"So, who do you think is stronger—the Raiden Shogun or Her Majesty the Tsaritsa?"
While the two goddesses whispered in private, the three Fatui Harbingers could only find ways to kill time elsewhere.
"Naturally, it's Her Majesty,"
Rosalyne said without hesitation.
"The Raiden Shogun is nothing more than a brute—strong, yes, but lacking wisdom."
Her respect for the Tsaritsa came from the heart.
If not for the Cryo Archon's aid, she might have long since burned herself to ashes.
She could look down on the Anemo Archon, sneer at the Geo Archon— but the Ice Queen was different.
She admired that one from the depths of her soul.
"What a coincidence," Su Ran said lazily.
"In wisdom and strength, I surpass them both."
So why were they even comparing?
Wouldn't it make more sense just to praise him?
"Then why don't you take the Shogun's throne and become a god yourself?"
Childe grinned.
By now, both he and Rosalyne had long since accepted that the Descender's power was far beyond any deity's.
They just didn't know how much stronger.
Still, his existence alone had raised the Fatui's average power level by several entire leagues.
The only problem was… he didn't really fit in.
Too unpredictable.
Too… Su Ran.
"That? Nah. No need," Su Ran said with a wave of his hand.
"If I so much as send a signal to the outside world, the entire universe would recognize this planet as mine.
Why would I care about one tiny divine title?"
He chuckled.
It was like how Herta ruled the Blue Star— she didn't govern it, yet no one dared defy her.
If the Interastral Peace Company ever opened trade routes here, whose opinion would matter?
Celestia's? The Seven's?
Of course not.
It would be his.
The "genius of the club," the one with the envoy's authority.
No one would think this world belonged to gods— they'd just assume he couldn't be bothered to manage it, leaving the creatures here to free-range on their own.
"Huh? So you're saying one word from you and the entire outside world would just… accept you as Celestia?"
Even Childe, who'd seen plenty of absurd things, felt this was a bit much.
All Snezhnaya's centuries of scheming to overthrow Celestia— and this man could just say something and make Heaven irrelevant?
"More or less," Su Ran said casually.
"Once they learn where I am, they'll come find me.
Who knows—maybe someday this world will be named after me."
It sounded narcissistic— but he wasn't joking.
That was just how the universe worked.
Without strength, status, or backing, you were nothing.
His backing… was himself.
"That's insane. People out there really are that abstract?"
Childe could only laugh.
Then again— weren't the Archons themselves abstract?
"Isn't it normal? Look at them." Su Ran pointed upward.
"They started fighting just because of me. Tell me that's not absurd."
If Morax were still active, he would've had to intervene himself— two Archons turning Liyue into a battleground?
Unthinkable.
When Osial broke free, Zhongli stayed calm.
But two goddesses brawling over one man?
He'd definitely have words.
"Then which one do you choose?"
Childe leaned closer, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Her Majesty or the Shogun?"
A classic death-trap question.
No matter the answer, someone would get angry.
Pick one, lose the other.
Lose-lose.
"I choose the Hydro Archon, Furina!"
When both choices are disasters—pick neither.
Throw in a new name instead.
One that would make the other two lose their minds.
"You're sure about that?" Childe blinked.
"You might wanna think twice…"
Su Ran grinned.
"What, you want them to fight another round right now?"
Raiden Ei: That little Fontaine brat?
I'll remember her name. The next time we meet, I'm cutting her down.
The Tsaritsa: Send a message to Arlecchino. Tell her to assassinate the Hydro Archon—now.
At the Opera Epiclese, Fontaine
A solemn trial was underway, presided over by Chief Justice Neuvillette.
And at the divine seat, a girl with long, wavy hair the color of seafoam— white with faint streaks of blue— suddenly sneezed.
"Ah-choo!"
The sharp sound echoed through the silent courtroom.
Every gaze in the chamber turned toward her.
"W-what are you all staring at? My nose just itched! You don't actually think I'm sick, do you?
Don't be ridiculous! I'm Fontaine's God! I can't get sick!"
Furina puffed up her chest, trying to recover her dignity.
When everyone finally looked away, she discreetly pressed her hand to her forehead, checking her temperature.
"Weird… feels kind of warm…"
"When did you start flirting with the Hydro Archon?"
Raiden Ei narrowed her eyes.
"Since when are you interested in little girls like that?"
Even though the mention of another goddess had stopped their fight, both she and the Tsaritsa immediately turned their irritation back toward him.
The Hydro Archon, Furina?
Since when did that happen?
Ei had no idea what Furina looked like— but the Tsaritsa did.
And to her, that girl was nothing but a flashy, dramatic little brat.
Not the slightest trace of divinity.
How could he possibly be interested in someone like that?!
In the Tsaritsa's mind, she herself was the childhood sweetheart— and Raiden Ei the "golden-haired newcomer from the sky."
From Ei's perspective, though— wasn't Furina just another golden-haired interloper?
Two rivals battling for affection— and then a new competitor drops in from the heavens.
At this rate, they had to join forces—if only to deal with her.
Just then, Ekaterina, the polite receptionist from the Northland Bank, hurried in.
Sensing the dangerously tense air, she shrank her neck nervously.
"T-Tian-cai-sama, Lady Ningguang of Liyue sends an invitation… something about the transfer of the Jade Chamber…"
The real blonde had arrived.
Ningguang had finally realized just how important Su Ran truly was— and now she was ready to start digging the corner of someone else's wall.
Not a frontal assault— but a slow, graceful theft.
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