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Finally, after completing a series of intricate steps, Lumine successfully encountered her ancestral formaldehyde cast.
"Eh, Childe, what are you doing here?" Paimon asked, puzzled as she observed him.
At that moment, Childe was rummaging through the dragon corpse, raising questions about his peculiar interests!
"Ah ha, since you've discovered me, let's engage in a thrilling battle!" Childe chuckled lightly and drew a bow. He realized he had been deceived; there was no Vision to be found here.
Lumine also unsheathed her Dull Blade, turning towards Childe.
After a fierce combat, unable to overpower Lumine, Childe activated his Foul Legacy Transformation! Yet even then, he couldn't defeat her.
"Huff... Seems I underestimated you both, but do you think this is all I have?"
Smiling slyly, Childe produced a talisman and began summoning a demonic deity.
With a deafening "Rumble...", the entire Golden House shook violently.
"Eh, earthquake?" Even Paimon swayed, though it was unclear how she could sense seismic activity while floating in mid-air.
"Enjoy your time here, I'm taking my leave now!" With those words, Childe hastily fled from the Golden House.
Soon after, the sealed demonic deity manifested amidst resistance from numerous Adepti. In a decisive move, Ningguang sacrificed her Jade Chamber, crushing it onto the deity, ultimately ending the crisis...
***
"Heehee, let's hurry up—Zhongli is treating us to dinner!" Paimon giggled as she flew ahead. The Traveler had become quite popular in Liyue; many restaurants even offered her complimentary meals!
Suddenly, Childe's furious voice echoed from inside the restaurant, "You dare call this collaboration between Harbingers? In any true partnership, there should at least be open communication!"
La Signora chuckled softly, "Ah... Don't dwell on such details, Childe. Despite ignoring our schemes and calculations, you still enjoyed causing chaos, didn't you? Quite fitting for your style..."
Her eyebrows then lifted as she glanced outside, "...Wait, it seems some acquaintances of yours have arrived."
Paimon promptly exclaimed, "It's Zhongli and Childe! And...you! You're that agent of the Fatui..."
Lumine glared at La Signora coldly, "La Signora!"
With disdain, La Signora looked back at Lumine, "Heh, it's you two again. We've met once before, haven't we, in the bard's city? Not bad, remembering my name so well."
Seeing Lumine's fists clench angrily, La Signora immediately continued taunting her, "Ah—how could you forget that feeling of helplessness as your friend had something precious taken right before your eyes?"
Lumine glared coldly at La Signora, summoning the Dull Blade in her hand. Despite Venti's unreliability, he was still her friend!
Smiling slightly, Childe attempted to ease the tension and said, "Well, Traveler, this is our first meeting since everything concluded. How should I put it? The atmosphere feels somewhat... hmm... awkward?"
Paimon crossed her arms indignantly and huffed, "Hmph, we shouldn't have trusted you once we found out you were a Fatui agent!"
Childe shook his head, defending himself with a cheerful grin, "Don't be too harsh. Although I may have deceived you initially, I never harbored any malice towards the Traveler themselves..."
He chuckled and continued, "Ha ha... apart from the unfortunate fallout at the end, our previous collaboration was quite enjoyable, wouldn't you agree?
"It's merely a matter of differing positions; I won't hold personal grudges against any of you. Of course, if you choose to harbor resentment towards me, that's entirely up to you..."
Shaking his head, Childe then turned to La Signora and Zhongli with a wry smile. "On the contrary, it's you—Signora and Mr. Zhongli—who truly deceived me."
Lumine looked at Zhongli, puzzled. "Zhongli tricked Childe?"
"Actually..." Before Childe could continue, he was interrupted by La Signora.
"Don't waste time, 'Childe,'" she said coolly. "If you want to chat, wait until after I've taken care of business." She turned her gaze toward Zhongli, speaking arrogantly, "As per our agreement...I have come for your Gnosis, Morax."
"Agreement?" Lumine glanced at Zhongli, wondering if she had been betrayed somehow.
Paimon scratched her head, confused. "What are you talking about?"
After a moment of silence, Zhongli nodded. "The contract is fulfilled. As requested, here is what you deserve!"
"Heh, no need for such arrogance. Hand over the Gnosis!" La Signora extended her hand impatiently.
Zhongli opened his palm, allowing a Vision to slowly float towards La Signora's outstretched hand.
"Let's go!" With the Gnosis secured, La Signora promptly left, taking her entourage with her. Balladeer from Inazuma had already urged her to swiftly obtain the Electro Archon's Gnosis, showing some foresight.
***
After La Signora left, Paimon stared at Zhongli, astonished. "You... You're Rex Lapis!"
Zhongli nodded. "Indeed, I am Liyue's God of Contracts."
"But didn't you die? And why didn't you help during the demonic invasion of Liyue?" Paimon placed her hands on her hips, looking angrily at Zhongli.
Zhongli closed his eyes and shook his head. "With the departure of the immortals, it is time for humanity to govern Liyue. My interference must be minimal..."
"Hmph, more like you're just lazy!" Paimon wasn't buying it; she crossed her arms, tilting her head indignantly.
Zhongli remained silent, perhaps unable to refute her accusation.
"Wait, aren't you Morax? Why don't you create Mora yourself instead of freeloading all the time?" Paimon questioned, puzzled, as she looked at Zhongli.
"Cough, cough, being the God of Contracts, how could I defy its principles..." Zhongli cleared his throat, explaining hesitantly.
"And one more thing, everyone says you failed your ascension trial. What really happened?" Paimon still seemed confused, gazing at Zhongli.
Zhongli smiled. "Prior to this, I secretly revealed my survival to the Seven Stars and other immortals, prompting them to hastily conclude matters."
"However, failing my ascension trial was unexpected, ha ha..."
"How did you tell them?" Paimon asked curiously, gazing at Zhongli.
Suddenly, a buzzing sound emanated from Zhongli's person.
He promptly retrieved his phone and opened it to find yet another harassing text from Cloud Retainer:
My Emperor, would you care to visit my cave? I have a new tale to share with you...
Zhongli's lips twitched slightly before he swiftly added Cloud Retainer to his blocked contacts list...
"A cell phone?" Paimon looked at Zhongli, somewhat surprised. In her eyes, Zhongli seemed like a relic from ancient times.
"How did you get your hands on a phone?" Lumine also turned to Zhongli, intrigued.
"Cough, cough, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor recently acquired a batch of phones for distribution, so I took one to examine..." Zhongli cleared his throat, appearing slightly embarrassed.
"Ahem, is there anything else you'd like to know?" Zhongli casually asked after taking a sip of his dish.
"Have you ever seen my brother?" Lumine fixed a serious gaze on Zhongli, seeking an answer.