Chapter 18: Childe's Way of Making Friends
"Your imagination really is something," Kael said with a wry smile, arms folded. "Aren't you even a little worried that I might be lying to you?"
Keqing met his gaze head-on, her eyes steady and sharp like amethyst. After a long moment, she smiled faintly. "That's possible. But even so, I'll choose to believe you."
She tilted her chin slightly. "Putting aside my position as Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing… as Keqing, I trust you."
Her words carried no hesitation—just that familiar confidence that defined her.
Then, with a teasing smirk, she added, "Besides, I don't think we possess anything worth deceiving you for."
Of course, there was something she didn't say aloud: Even if you tried, you wouldn't be able to deceive the Geo Archon anyway.
She wasn't foolish enough to voice that.
Still, deep down, Keqing had her own reasons for trusting Kael.
He was arrogant. Infuriating. Recklessly mysterious.
But he was also interesting.
And that, to her, was reason enough.
Kael sighed softly, shaking his head. "You're too trusting, Yuheng."
Then, before she could respond, his hand rested lightly on her shoulder—
—and the world blinked.
In an instant, the mountains around them vanished, replaced by the familiar serenity of Yujing Terrace.
---
Teleportation
Keqing blinked rapidly, her eyes darting around her living room. "Wait… how—? We were an hour away from here!"
She turned toward Kael, her astonishment barely contained.
Instantaneous teleportation wasn't possible for ordinary Vision wielders. Even Adepti couldn't travel that far in a heartbeat without draining themselves.
"What kind of technique was that?" she demanded. "It's nothing like elemental manipulation."
Kael only gave a faint smirk, brushing off her question. "Just one of many ways to make my life easier."
She frowned, both annoyed and intrigued. If I could learn that… I'd finish my paperwork before lunchtime.
Still, she chose not to press him. She knew from experience that if Kael didn't want to explain something, no force in Teyvat could make him talk.
"Alright," Kael said, lowering her gently onto a chair. "You should rest. Your ankle will heal by morning."
He straightened his coat. "And Keqing—keep your eyes open. You'll start seeing what you've been seeking."
Before she could even ask what that meant, he vanished again—fading into golden light as effortlessly as he'd arrived.
"…This bastard," she muttered under her breath, crossing her arms. "He just leaves without saying goodbye?"
Her frustration simmered. Still… her heart wasn't angry. If anything, it was restless.
Because deep down, she knew he was right.
Things were changing.
And under the watchful gaze of Rex Lapis himself—whether he hid as Zhongli or not—Keqing felt that for once, Liyue's future might truly be in mortal hands.
---
Wanmin Restaurant — Evening
The scent of sizzling meat filled the air as Kael stepped into Liyue's most beloved eatery.
He smiled as he took a seat by the window, calling out, "Master Mao, one stir-fried meat, one mint meat roll, and one crab roe tofu, please!"
The familiar voice of the chef echoed from the kitchen. "Got it! Please wait a moment!"
Kael leaned back, glancing out at the lively harbor. The evening light painted the waves gold as people bustled across the docks, their laughter echoing through the streets.
This—this was the essence of Liyue. Order, prosperity, and human warmth.
He sighed contentedly, though a hint of melancholy tugged at his chest. It's been a while since I've had a simple meal.
He paused, then added, "Oh, and one order of golden shrimp balls—takeout."
Master Mao chuckled. "For the Yuheng, perhaps?"
Kael smiled faintly. "Something like that."
He knew Keqing wouldn't admit it, but she'd been exhausted lately. A good meal would do her more good than meditation ever could.
---
As Kael waited, a shadow loomed over his table.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Kael looked up.
A tall man stood there, dressed in a sharp beige coat with gold-trimmed cuffs, his orange hair tied loosely behind him. A wolfish grin played on his lips as his icy-blue eyes met Kael's.
A black half-mask rested casually on his head.
Tartaglia—the Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers.
Kael leaned back, his expression unreadable. "You certainly don't waste time introducing yourself."
Childe chuckled as he slid into the opposite seat. "Oh? You know who I am already? I'm flattered."
"Hard not to," Kael replied calmly. "Your reputation precedes you. Few people can singlehandedly wake a sea god and survive the fallout."
For a brief second, Childe's grin twitched. "Ah… so you've heard that story."
Kael smirked. "Hard to forget a man who tried to drown an entire city just to find an Archon."
Childe raised his hands in mock surrender. "To be fair, I was under orders—and it worked, didn't it?"
Kael couldn't help but laugh. "True enough."
---
A Dangerous Conversation
The waiter arrived with two teacups, quietly placing them down before hurrying off.
Childe poured himself a cup, his every motion smooth, practiced—like a noble playing at civility. "You're an interesting one, Kael. Ningguang doesn't bring just anyone into her inner circle. Especially not a foreigner."
Kael arched an eyebrow. "You've done your homework."
"Of course," Childe said, flashing a sharp grin. "Ever since you became her consultant, I've had my people gathering information. I like to know who I'm dealing with."
He leaned back, swirling the tea in his cup. "And when I heard you'd be dining here, I just had to meet you myself."
Kael met his gaze steadily. "You came all this way just to talk? Somehow, I doubt that."
"Oh, don't get me wrong." Childe chuckled, his tone easy—but his eyes glimmered with challenge. "I came to understand you. Ningguang's new advisor, Keqing's mysterious neighbor, the man who appeared out of nowhere and got himself a mansion near Yujing Terrace."
He placed a folded check on the table and slid it across.
"Of course, if my curiosity has offended you… let this serve as my apology."
Kael unfolded the check—and blinked.
Five. Million. Mora.
He looked up, half amused, half impressed. "You're not called the Walking Wallet for nothing."
Childe grinned wider. "You can't put a price on diplomacy."
Kael snapped a picture of the check and sent it through his chat group interface before slipping it into his coat. "Apology accepted. I think we'll get along just fine."
For a heartbeat, Childe's smile faltered. This guy… isn't taking the bait at all.
He had expected pride, suspicion—maybe even hostility. Instead, Kael was calm, amused, unreadable.
Childe hated unreadable people.
Still, he leaned back with a wolfish grin. "Friends, then?"
Kael lifted his teacup. "Friends."
Their cups clinked.
But beneath the polite veneer, both men were sizing each other up.
Kael could feel the faint pulse of Childe's elemental energy—fluid and wild, like a storm barely contained behind a smile.
Childe, in turn, felt something he couldn't describe radiating from Kael. Not elemental energy, not Vision power—something deeper. Older. Heavy enough to make his instincts scream.
What are you?
For the first time in a long while, Childe felt the same thrill he only got before a real fight.
He grinned, teeth flashing. "You know, Kael… the best way I make friends is through combat."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—by nearly killing them?"
"Exactly."
The air between them thickened, the faint hum of elemental energy rising like static.
Master Mao glanced up nervously from the counter. He'd seen that kind of tension before—and it usually meant repairs.
---
Kael smiled slowly, resting his chin on his hand. "Then maybe we should get to know each other very well, Harbinger."
Childe's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Oh, we will. Don't disappoint me, Consultant."
Outside, thunder rumbled faintly over the harbor—despite the cloudless sky.
And for the first time since arriving in Liyue, Kael felt something stir inside him.
Not anger. Not hostility.
Excitement.
Because at last—someone was finally worth testing his strength against.
---
✨ End of Chapter 18