"Miss Ningguang, you and that Harbinger…"
Ganyu, standing nearby, had listened quietly to their conversation.
As secretary to the Liyue Qixing, though she was subordinate to the seven, her status was above any of them.
The Qixing came and went like flowing water— but Ganyu was the bedrock of Liyue Harbor, unchanging, steadfast, eternal.
Yet now, hearing Ningguang barter with a Fatui Harbinger, agreeing to trade the Jade Chamber itself for information— and even for a single chance at his intervention— she could scarcely believe it.
Especially after that man claimed that with one strike, he could kill the Geo Archon himself.
And Ningguang had agreed.
Decisively.
Because it was worth it.
A chance to borrow such a terrifying power, even once, even at the cost of the Jade Chamber… that was a bargain beyond imagining.
The Jade Chamber could always be rebuilt.
But such an ally? Priceless.
Not even Rex Lapis could be begged for such aid.
If this "genius" truly had the power to kill even the Archons, then his intervention could resolve whatever calamity lay ahead.
To Ningguang, the order of priority was clear:
Liyue first. Mora second. The Jade Chamber third.
But to Ganyu, it looked… like betrayal.
"Do you suspect I harbor ill intent toward the Archon, Miss Ganyu?"
Su Ran's claim chilled her to the core.
And Ningguang's willingness to exchange the Jade Chamber—
for him, and his "strike capable of slaying gods"—
looked dangerously close to treachery.
Yet Ningguang only shook her head softly.
"If I told you, you might not believe me.
Truth be told, even I found it difficult to accept at first…"
She recounted everything Su Ran had told her the very first time they met.
"This is impossible!"
Ganyu's eyes widened in disbelief.
The Archon, trading with the Fatui?
Plotting to overthrow Liyue?
Never.
To Morax, Liyue was his beloved child.
How could he ever lift a hand against it?
"At first, I too refused to believe.
I wanted to dismiss it as the Harbinger's fabrication. But…"
Ningguang's gaze turned heavy.
"Before the Rite of Descension, the Archon himself bore witness to a contract.
'The oathbreaker shall suffer the punishment of the oath.'
He invoked divine power to seal a wager between Su Ran and Hu Tao.
When I learned that… the seed of doubt sprouted in my heart.
And then, within mere days, we summoned him again— but he never appeared."
That was when Ningguang's fear took root.
"Even such a thing occurred…?"
For even Ganyu, sworn devotee of the Archon, the revelation shook her faith.
If Rex Lapis had still been upholding contracts mere days ago, why then had he not come to the Rite of Descension?
Was there some hidden reason?
Some deeper plan?
"Miss Ganyu, if one day the Archon himself stood against the people of Liyue…
which side would you choose?"
Ningguang's question struck like lightning.
Ganyu fell into silence, torn.
Meanwhile, in the Northland Bank…
"What a headache.
All these preparations for the Rite of Descension, and Rex Lapis doesn't even show?"
Childe slumped in his private office, looking utterly dejected.
Rosalyne, sipping her tea with quiet grace, wore a matching look of doubt.
According to the plan, Morax was supposed to stage a false death during the Rite, giving Childe the perfect opportunity to act.
But now?
Where was he?
Her gaze slid toward Su Ran.
Could it be… that there was another contract, one unknown to them?
Was the "genius" playing a hidden role in all this?
"What do you two think?"
Childe finally spoke, looking between them— and intentionally ignoring the Raiden Shogun.
Best not to count her.
She only cared about him.
Her Archon's Heart would probably fall into his hands without effort.
"I'm not tasked with handling Archons' Hearts.
Beyond aiding you in opposing Celestia, the Tsaritsa gave me no orders."
Su Ran's tone was casual, almost detached.
Among the Harbingers, his position was more like an honored guest than a subordinate.
The Jester never assigned him tasks.
Others could request his aid, and he might accept—or not.
No one could compel him.
Not even the Tsaritsa herself.
"…So it's just me and the Lady, then?"
Childe was dumbfounded.
Wasn't there supposed to be a grand plan?
Where was it?
Had it been eaten?
"You've already made contact with the Traveler, haven't you?"
Childe nodded.
When Rex Lapis failed to appear, he sought out the foreign visitor.
"She doesn't trust me much."
He had wanted to use her, but she wouldn't bite.
"Her goal is to meet the Archons.
Use that as bait.
Draw the Adepti out.
Then we strike from the shadows.
And if Morax still doesn't show…
don't you have a contingency plan?"
Su Ran's eyes gleamed, as if he already knew.
"You—how do you know about that?"
It was exactly Childe's backup strategy.
Even down to the details.
Was the so-called genius a mind-reader?
"I can't read minds.
I just know the future."
"…"
Childe would sooner believe in mind-reading than in someone who could see the future.
"Then what are you even doing here?"
All the grunt work was falling on him.
What were the "genius" and the Lady here for?
"Obviously?
To watch the show.
And when it's over— to clean up."
Su Ran shot Rosalyne a sly wink.
Leaving her to wonder uneasily:
Did he… already know the true terms of her contract?
~~--------------------------------------
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