Chapter 19: Bewitching Tartaglia
To be honest, after seeing Kael's relaxed demeanor, Tartaglia's excitement quickly faded.
This guy… is this really Ningguang's secret weapon?
He had imagined a cunning strategist, maybe even a hidden warrior with an aura that screamed danger. Instead, the man before him was calm, almost lazy—smiling easily, unbothered, and apparently satisfied after accepting a bribe of five million Mora.
For a Fatui Harbinger, it was underwhelming.
So this is Ningguang's consultant? Tartaglia thought, tapping his fingers against his teacup. If he's really this easy to buy off, then this city is softer than I thought.
Still, appearances could be deceiving—and the Harbinger didn't rise to his position by judging too quickly. There was always a chance Kael was playing a deeper game.
---
Kael broke the silence with a smile that could have belonged to a noble diplomat—or a snake in silk.
"Ningguang's told me a bit about the Fatui before," he said casually.
Tartaglia's brows arched. "Oh? And what did she say about us?"
"Let's just say she wasn't… flattering." Kael chuckled, swirling his tea. "But after meeting you, I think I might have to reconsider. It's foolish to form an opinion before truly understanding someone."
His golden eyes lifted, sharp and curious. "You seem far more reasonable than the rumors suggest, Tartaglia."
Childe's grin widened immediately. "Haha! Now that's more like it. You're one of the few who gets it."
Leaning back, he gestured expansively. "The Fatui is often misunderstood. We're not villains. We serve the Tsaritsa—Her Majesty's goal is peace, even if her methods are… unconventional."
He took a slow sip of tea. "But of course, in every organization, there are a few bad seeds. Their mistakes stain the rest of us. People see their corruption and think it defines us all."
Kael smiled faintly. "So the Fatui are victims of misunderstanding?"
Childe nodded earnestly. "Exactly! Not everyone is as open-minded as you. Most people see our banner and stop listening altogether."
Kael's expression softened. "That's unfortunate… but not irreversible."
"Oh?" Childe tilted his head. "And how would you fix it, Consultant?"
"There's an old saying where I come from," Kael said, his tone suddenly thoughtful. "Distance tests a horse's endurance. Time reveals a person's heart. If the Fatui want to improve their image in Liyue, words won't do it. Deeds will."
Tartaglia's eyes flickered. "Go on."
Kael leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering, smooth as honey.
"I've heard that the ley lines around Liyue have been fluctuating abnormally lately. Monsters are appearing more frequently—and they're stronger than before.
If the Fatui were to help deal with these outbreaks, publicly and visibly, the people's perception of your organization would start to change.
No one can hate the hand that saves them."
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An Idea Takes Root
Tartaglia went silent, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
The disturbances in Liyue's ley lines weren't news to him—he'd read the reports from the Northland Bank—but he hadn't considered them important. Still, Kael's words made sense.
Monster purges were routine training for the Fatui soldiers stationed here. If he turned that into a public service campaign, it would kill two birds with one stone: strengthen the troops and polish the Fatui's image.
And if it made Ningguang's Liyue indebted to them, even slightly… that was a strategic victory.
"This could work," he said slowly.
Kael smiled. "And if you want to go a step further, you could use the Northland Bank to sponsor reconstruction projects. Infrastructure, bridges, trade routes—Liyue's foundations are strong, but there's always room to improve.
I've heard the Yuheng Keqing wants to expand road networks between the harbor and the plains. The problem is, the funds are tight.
If the Fatui steps in to support her… well, even the sharpest critics would find it difficult to accuse you of ill intent."
Tartaglia's smile thinned. "Funding construction, huh? That's… bold. But I can already hear the whispers: 'The Fatui must be plotting something.'"
"Let them whisper," Kael said with a shrug. "If you act with transparency and consistency, doubt will fade over time.
After all, even the most suspicious minds can't ignore tangible good."
He met Tartaglia's eyes. "You have Mora. You have soldiers. You have reach. Use them wisely—and you'll gain more than just a better reputation."
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Two Strategists, One Game
Tartaglia stared at him for a long moment before suddenly grinning.
"You're dangerous, Kael. I like you."
He clapped a hand on Kael's shoulder with surprising familiarity. "You think like a diplomat, but you talk like a warrior. I can respect that. I'll give your idea a shot. If it works, I'll owe you one."
Kael chuckled softly. "No need. Consider it advice between friends."
"Friends, huh?" Tartaglia said, still smiling—but his eyes gleamed coldly for just an instant.
Friends, sure. Until I figure out what you're really after.
To Kael, the feeling was mutual. He could practically feel the predatory curiosity radiating from Tartaglia.
The man was a hunter—one who'd learned to wear a charming mask.
Still, Kael didn't mind. Hunters could be useful.
Besides, manipulating the Fatui into working for Liyue's good was far more entertaining than fighting them outright.
"Friends it is," Kael said at last, raising his cup.
Tartaglia raised his own. "To friendship—and opportunity."
The porcelain cups clinked softly, a deceptively simple sound that carried the faint crackle of lightning beneath it.
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Dinner With a Devil
When the food arrived, Tartaglia wasted no time ordering extra dishes, grinning like a carefree traveler rather than a war-hardened Harbinger.
"Liyue's food is incredible," he said between mouthfuls. "Rich, flavorful, and cooked with such precision. But these—" He frowned at his chopsticks, fumbling with them. "These are a nightmare."
Kael laughed lightly. "Think of it as training. Chopsticks test dexterity, focus, and patience—qualities every fighter needs."
Tartaglia's eyes lit up instantly. "You're right! I'll just treat it as practice. I've been neglecting fine control lately."
He held the chopsticks again, this time concentrating as if they were weapons.
Kael watched in silence, amused. Only Childe would turn table manners into combat training.
Master Mao's cooking, as always, was excellent. The stir-fried meat sizzled with just the right amount of spice, the crab roe tofu melted like silk, and the mint meat rolls balanced flavor and freshness perfectly.
Wanmin's dishes lacked the refined elegance of the Liuli Pavilion, but they carried something far rarer—heart.
If Xiangling had been here, Kael was certain the food would've been even better. Her passion for cooking was something even Ningguang admired.
---
When they finished, Tartaglia wiped his mouth with a napkin and rose, tossing a generous pouch of Mora onto the counter.
"Keep the change," he said cheerfully.
Kael leaned back, arms folded, watching the Harbinger depart. So quick to act, so quick to decide. Impulsive, but not foolish.
Would Tartaglia actually follow through with his "good deeds"?
Knowing him… probably.
And if he did, Liyue would benefit from his pride alone.
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The Aftermath
Later that evening, Kael opened the chat group.
Keqing and Ningguang were in the middle of their usual debate—one that had quickly escalated into complaints about the Fatui.
> Keqing: "The Fatui are schemers. They'll exploit any opportunity to infiltrate Liyue's systems. Don't let your guard down, Kael."
Ningguang: "Agreed. They're useful traders, but their motives are never pure."
Kael couldn't help but grin. He typed casually:
> Kael: "Funny thing about that—I just had dinner with Tartaglia."
The chat went silent.
Then both messages appeared almost simultaneously:
> Keqing: "…You what?"
Ningguang: "Excuse me?"
Kael continued, utterly unbothered:
> Kael: "Relax. We just talked. I might've… convinced him to have the Fatui clear out monsters and fund some new infrastructure projects for Liyue."
Another pause. Then:
> Keqing: "You… tricked the Fatui into working for us?"
Ningguang: "Good grief. You turned a Harbinger into a construction worker?"
Kael leaned back, smirking.
> Kael: "No. I just gave him a new way to train."
A beat passed.
Then, finally, Ningguang replied:
> Ningguang: "Remind me never to play chess against you."
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✨ End of Chapter 19