This was Tartaglia's answer.
In truth, his time in Liyue had been relatively smooth. Though some of his actions had skirted Liyue's taboos, they had never crossed the true bottom line. At least, not until now. Whatever Dottore had done in secret had clearly alarmed Liyue's upper echelons, to the point that even Tartaglia himself was now being watched.
If this matter were not resolved, the Fatui's future operations in Liyue would inevitably be constrained—perhaps even crippled.
That was something Tartaglia could not tolerate.
Thus, he made his stance unmistakably clear: if Dottore's actions truly harmed the Fatui's interests, then he would personally deal with that reckless madman.
Of course, that was contingent on one premise—that Dottore had genuinely endangered the Fatui.
"I see." Futsu Mitama naturally grasped the weight behind Tartaglia's words. He spoke evenly, as if stating a trivial fact. "Then it's nothing serious. He simply cooperated with the Abyss Order."
Those few casual words caused Tartaglia's expression to change at once.
He stared at Futsu Mitama, eyes sharp and incredulous. "Are you joking? How could Dottore possibly cooperate with the Abyss Order?"
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
The Fatui—no, Snezhnaya as a whole—held only one principle regarding the Abyss: eradicate it.
There was no room for reconciliation. One might exploit Abyssal power, or manipulate the Abyss to achieve a goal, but outright cooperation? That crossed a line that could never be forgiven.
Every Harbinger had fought the Abyss. Tartaglia himself had trained within it, slaughtering countless Abyssal monsters.
"You don't believe me?" Futsu Mitama smiled faintly.
He was lying, of course. He understood perfectly well that Snezhnaya was unlikely to openly cooperate with the Abyss Order. Yet from his current vantage point, Dottore's actions aligned all too neatly with that conclusion.
"Yes." Tartaglia nodded without hesitation. "I can believe Dottore would sacrifice Fatui assets in Liyue for his experiments."
"But I will never believe he's foolish enough to work with the Abyss Order. That would be tantamount to declaring himself an enemy of the Seven Nations."
Anyone who sided with the Abyss ceased to be one of them. No matter how powerful such a being was, they would be useless—and better off dead.
"After I finished speaking with him yesterday, the Abyss Order attacked," Futsu Mitama continued calmly, lying without the slightest flicker of guilt. "They seemed to take an interest in my maid. And Dottore also asked me for her before."
He paused, his gaze sharpening slightly. "I don't know what the Fatui were thinking, but my maid—is an Adeptus disciple. She is highly regarded by the Liyue Adeptus."
"Eight or nine years ago, she was abducted in Liyue Harbor by an unknown individual. Later, she drifted to Inazuma by chance, where I rescued her. Only then did she become my maid."
"During that time, both the Qixing and the ancestral talisman of everlasting morality were used by her parents."
At the mention of the talisman of everlasting morality, Tartaglia's eyes flicked upward.
That was the key item he had been searching for since arriving in Liyue. If one wished to establish ties with the Adeptus, that talisman was indispensable.
Zhongli had once admitted to possessing one—only to add, regretfully, that it had already been given to Aila.
Upon hearing that, Tartaglia had rushed to find Futsu Mitama, only to discover that Aila had since become an Adeptus disciple. At that moment, he had understood: Zhongli's talisman had already been used.
It had left him wanting to cry.
But now, learning that this maid had not one, but two talismans invoked upon her. This was no ordinary fate. This was destiny itself—one that brushed against immortality.
And then another realization struck him.
The little girl abducted in Liyue all those years ago—was the very maid standing beside Futsu Mitama now?
Outwardly, Tartaglia remained composed. Inwardly, shock surged like a rising tide.
When Dottore had spoken to him yesterday, he had casually mentioned Futsu Mitama's maid. Tartaglia had dismissed it at the time.
Now, however—
Had Dottore truly cooperated with the Abyss Order just to seize this girl? Or was this connected to that madman who had once fled Snezhnaya?
Tartaglia's thoughts raced, weaving possibility after possibility—until they abruptly collapsed under their own weight.
It was too troublesome.
Tartaglia despised trouble. In the past, he resolved such matters with force. Now, however, brute strength was no longer an option.
After a long silence, he spoke again, his tone conflicted. "So…you believe Dottore colluded with the Abyss Order to frame you and your maid?"
He hesitated, then stopped himself.
He had wanted to ask whether the Abyss Order might simply be targeting Futsu Mitama—after all, the Primo Geovishap had fallen by his hand, and the Abyss had long coveted that creature.
But the timing was too precise. Too coincidental.
The Abyss Order and Dottore had both acted against Futsu Mitama on the same day.
Who would believe that was chance?
Someone was manipulating events from the shadows, calculating both Dottore and the Abyss Order alike.
Yet even as suspicion flickered, Tartaglia dismissed the notion that Futsu Mitama himself was behind it. There was no need for him to place himself in danger merely to orchestrate such a scheme.
With a weary sigh, Tartaglia raised a hand. "I understand. I'll handle this. If I obtain firsthand information regarding Dottore, I'll inform you."
"As for the Abyss Order—this does seem like a setup. I'll report to the Ministry of Civil Affairs that the Fatui are willing to assist Liyue in clearing out Abyssal forces and residual demon gods during this period."
If he couldn't deal with Dottore yet, then he would deal with the Abyss.
That, at least, was well within his expertise. It would placate the Qixing, serve as training for new recruits, and give him something to do besides waiting.
After exchanging a few more words, Tartaglia departed in a hurry, heading straight for the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
"Oh my~" Futsu Mitama sighed once Tartaglia's figure vanished from sight.
Tartaglia, it's not that I lied to you, he thought mildly. I merely left out a few—unimportant details. Whether you go after Dottore or the Abyss Order next, it benefits me all the same.
With that, he returned to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—only to find that Hu Tao and Klee had completely recovered, now animatedly discussing something with great enthusiasm.
"Sister Hu Tao! Can we really blast fish on Wuwang Hill?" Klee's eyes sparkled, her excitement impossible to hide.
"Yes," Hu Tao replied solemnly, nodding with utmost seriousness. "Not only fish—you can blast mountains, blast ghosts."
"You can blast whatever you want there. I say so."
She paused, then added thoughtfully, "Mmm—just don't blast the graves. That's not allowed."
Hu Tao spoke these terrifying words with a perfectly straight face, while Klee nodded fervently, stars practically shining in her eyes. It was clear she had developed an intense fascination with Wuwang Hill—so much so that she looked ready to skip the Rite of Descension entirely and rush there at once.
It was simply that Wuwang Hill lay too far away. If they set out now, by the time they returned, the Rite of Descension would already have ended.
So even though Klee was clearly brimming with excitement, she obediently held herself back. With sparkling eyes, she promised that after the Rite of Descension, she would go "to work" together with Director Hu.
"Mm! Good!" Hu Tao laughed, nodding vigorously. "When the time comes, Director Hu will personally attach a spirit charm to your Jumpy Dumpty. That way, you'll be able to hit vengeful spirits directly. Then we'll act together."
"We'll send them straight—ah, no, no," she corrected herself solemnly, "we'll politely escort them into reincarnation."
Klee jumped up and down in delight. "Yay!!! Director Hu is a saint!!!"
Hu Tao nearly stumbled on the spot. She hurriedly waved her hands. Absolutely not—she was not a saint not that old! That was not a word a teen like her should be using so casually!
Nearby, Albedo, Shenhe, Kuki Shinobu, and Aila all wore expressions that were—complicated, to say the least. The reason was simple. All four of them understood, to varying degrees, what ghosts and vengeful spirits truly were. Yet Hu Tao and Klee were discussing them as if they were firework targets.
For some reason, the four of them could already envision the scene: two red shadows racing across Wuwang Hill, flames erupting everywhere, accompanied by shrill screams as unwilling spirits were forcibly "sent" into reincarnation.
"..."
A thin sheen of sweat appeared on Futsu Mitama's forehead. He could naturally guess what the four of them were imagining.
This made him suddenly realize something unsettling—if Hu Tao and Klee acted together, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor might truly be turned upside down. He could only hope that Mr. Zhongli would still be holding on by then.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, a notification abruptly appeared in the group chat. Someone had @mentioned him, giving him an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
[Albedo: "@Futsu Mitama, how are things? That Fatui Harbinger didn't cause you trouble, did he?"]
[Azhdaha: "Hm? What's wrong with the Fatui now??"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Why is another Fatui Harbinger looking for Futsu Mitama? There are already two in Inazuma, and now another one?"]
[Kuki Shinobu: "This time there are two as well. One is Tartaglia, and the other is Ill Dottore. I've been busy lately and forgot to mention it."]
[Futsu Mitama: "It's nothing serious. I just misled Tartaglia a little—made him think Dottore has teamed up with the Abyss Order."]
[Futsu Mitama: "But that kind of provocation won't do much. At most, Tartaglia will become suspicious of Dottore and refuse to support him. Next, he'll probably focus on dealing with the Abyss Order instead."]
[Yae Miko: "Oh? Dottore? That man went to find you?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Dottore? According to reports, after Scaramouche and Signora, he should be the third Harbinger to have appeared in Inazuma."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "But didn't he just leave Inazuma? How could he reach Liyue so quickly and cause trouble?"]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "That is strange. His movements are far too fast. Could he have mastered some form of spatial technology?"]
[Aila: "There's no need to overthink it. The title 'Fatui Harbinger Dottore' is shared by multiple 'slices'—versions of himself from different points in time."]
[Aila: "Just like my own 'self' They are all Dottore, sharing original memories and names, but each has a different body and personality."]
Everyone in the group was already familiar with Aila's situation. The existence she would eventually have to confront was her own "self"
That "self" longed to merge and become whole.
Aila did not reject that outcome. Becoming complete would grant her greater power. But the problem lay in whose will would dominate afterward. She wanted her own consciousness to take precedence—and the other "Black Aila" thought the same.
After her brief explanation, everyone quickly understood how the Dottore in Liyue and the one in Inazuma could exist simultaneously.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "To do such a thing—it feels deeply unsettling. He has desecrated life itself."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "I can't imagine someone doing something like that to themselves."]
[Yae Miko: "It's normal. Most Fatui Harbingers are lunatics anyway. If Futsu Mitama hadn't intervened—"]
[Yae Miko: "Honestly, I'd rather not deal with them. If they found out Ei's Gnosis was with me, I'd probably be forced to hand it over."]
[Raiden Makoto: "With your personality now, without sufficient benefit, making you surrender anything would be nothing but wishful thinking."]
[Yae Miko: "Hehehe As expected of dear Makoto"]
[Azhdaha: "So Dottore is stirring trouble in Liyue? Then he's finished. With Cloud Retainer and the others there, no matter what he does, it's a dead end."]
[Azhdaha: "More importantly—tomorrow's Rite of Descension!!! Mitama!! Please!!! This is my lifelong request!"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Alright, alright. If I get close to Morax, I'll try to pull him into the group."]
[Futsu Mitama: "@Zhongli, Mr. Zhongli, what are you doing now? Something's about to happen at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—please come back quickly."]
[Zhongli: "What happened?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Nothing major. Director Hu is preparing to take Klee to Wuwang Hill to blow up ghosts."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "Ghosts?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Blow up???"]
[Zhongli: "I can't handle those two children. Let Albedo take care of it. Also, I have matters to attend to over the next two days. I must accompany an old friend, so I likely won't be able to attend the Rite of Descension."]
[Zhongli: "During this time, I'll have to trouble Albedo and Futsu Mitama to keep a close watch on Director Hu and Klee."]
[Albedo: "I—I'll do my best, Mr. Zhongli."]
[Futsu Mitama: "I really can't handle this. One of them alone is manageable, but both together? Mr. Zhongli, you should be the one dealing with this."]
[Yae Miko: "Oh my, so there is something you can't handle How interesting"]
[Yae Miko: "What a pity. As Guuji, I can't leave Inazuma for long. Otherwise, with this newly issued exit permit—"]
[Yae Miko: "I'd love to visit Liyue myself. I wonder what fried tofu tastes like there."]
[Zhongli: "@Futsu Mitama, my apologies. An old friend is visiting, and I truly can't spare the time. When I return, I'll teach you some of the elemental techniques I know."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Really?"]
[Zhongli: "Naturally. Just a brief demonstration—time is tight."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Busy at a time like this?"]
[Azhdaha: "Normal. During the Rite of Descension, countless people come to Liyue Harbor. Zhongli's friend is probably here to see Morax."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Mm…that's likely."]
This was Zhongli's promise. He truly couldn't get away. Between overseeing the Adeptus and preparing for the Rite of Descension—where he himself would appear—his schedule was packed.
Though he possessed adeptal arts similar to clone techniques, such methods worked only on mortals and ordinary Vision holders.
Against Futsu Mitama's group, they would not suffice.
Futsu Mitama wielded Electro Archon Authority and could sense anomalies with ease.
Shenhe, as an Adeptus Disciple, was keenly sensitive to adeptal arts and would likely notice immediately.
Aila had comprehended the Mind's Eye; in a calm state, she could easily detect flaws.
As for Albedo—the Kreideprinz—there was no need to elaborate.
Only Kuki Shinobu was somewhat unfortunate. Though exceptional among ordinary people, she was clearly outmatched here.
Zhongli's offer tempted Futsu Mitama greatly. He agreed at once, resolving to keep watch over the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor during this period.
As for whether he could truly restrain Hu Tao and Klee—even he wasn't confident.
Later, reflecting on Raiden Makoto's words, Futsu Mitama couldn't help wondering whether the First Electro Archon had already perceived something.
But he didn't dwell on it. If Makoto had noticed, she wouldn't expose Morax—she would help conceal him.
Just as everyone was about to say goodbye to Hu Tao and leave the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to return home and pack, two graceful figures appeared at the entrance.
"Eh? Ganyu? Keqing? Why are you here?"
Futsu Mitama looked at the two women in surprise.
"Ganyu came with me," Keqing said.
She looked at Futsu Mitama, visibly relieved. After learning he had entered the city, she had come immediately—last night's events demanded clarity.
"Senior Sister," Shenhe greeted politely.
"Senior Sister," Aila echoed, mimicking her.
Though Cloud Retainer had never formally taken Ganyu as a disciple, in a sense, she was indeed their senior—her legends were well known on Mt. Aocang.
"Mm." Ganyu blushed faintly, replying a little awkwardly. "Miss Keqing and I came to find Mr. Futsu Mitama. Since you're here, would you like to sit in the front row for tomorrow's Rite of Descension? I believe the Geo Archon would be very pleased to see you both."
From Ganyu's perspective, the appearance of two Adeptus Disciples meant the continuation of the lineage. Over thousands of years, such disciples had been exceedingly rare.
"Alright."
"No problem."
Shenhe and Aila nodded.
Futsu Mitama then turned to Ganyu and Keqing. "You're here because of last night's incident, aren't you?"
Keqing nodded. "This isn't the place. Come outside—we need to ask you something."
With that, she and Ganyu stepped out.
"Love is in the air~" Hu Tao teased cheerfully. "A beauty inviting you—don't keep her waiting too long."
Before she could continue, Futsu Mitama fled outside.
At the entrance, Keqing spoke directly.
"Last night, several more ruins were uncovered. The Millelith sealed them immediately. Fortunately, there were no Demon God Remnants inside—but all valuables were taken. Based on your information, we suspected the Fatui. But after investigation, they showed no abnormal activity."
Her gaze sharpened. "So I want to know—what exactly did that 'Prince' tell you last night?"
This time, the matter was no longer trivial.
Antiques could be recovered.
But Demon God Remnants were another matter entirely.
Some had briefly leaked before sealing. Several Millelith soldiers were contaminated. Those lightly affected survived—at the cost of their health. Those heavily affected died on the spot.
The terror of divine remnants was absolute.
And it was only after witnessing this that Keqing truly understood how fragile peace really was.
Regardless, humans had their limits. If the Adeptus had not fought to suppress these hidden calamities over the years, the people of Liyue would never have been able to enjoy such enduring peace upon this land.
But setting those reflections aside for the moment, Keqing's purpose was clear. She hoped to obtain more information from Futsu Mitama—to determine whether the source of the recent turmoil lay with the Abyss Order, or with the Fatui.
Futsu Mitama did not conceal anything. He calmly recounted his encounter with Aether, including the moment Rex Lapis had appeared.
Even in places unseen by all, Rex Lapis continued to safeguard this land.
"Lord Rex Lapis—" A trace of unmistakable pride welled up in Ganyu's heart when she heard that Aether had ceased his attack because of the Geo Archon's presence.
If not for Lord Rex Lapis, Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu would likely have been placed in grave danger.
"It matches last night's report," Keqing said, frowning slightly as she listened.
At the Qixing meeting the previous night, it had already been determined that the Abyss Order could not be openly sanctioned. As such, the only party the Qixing could act against—at least on the surface—was the Fatui.
Yet now, even after hearing the account again from the person directly involved, Keqing still could not identify a breakthrough.
The Rite of Descension was fast approaching. Beyond that, sealed ruins outside Liyue Harbor were being disturbed, the Abyss Order was acting in the shadows, and the Demon God Remnants posed a lingering, deadly threat.
Her thoughts tangled together, leaving her with a dull ache in her head.
"Oh, right."
Seeing Keqing's furrowed brows, Futsu Mitama spoke again, his tone unhurried.
"You don't need to worry too much about this. After the Rite of Descension concludes tomorrow, the Adeptus will take action."
"They are already aware of the Abyss Order's movements—and they are extremely displeased with Ill Dottore's actions. Once Aila is settled on Mt. Aocang, they will begin."
Keqing's brows knitted even tighter.
Because what she truly wished for was to resolve this crisis through human strength.
At last night's Qixing meeting, several voices had already suggested leaving the matter to the Adeptus—specifically to the Conqueror of Demons.
As for dealing with the Demon God Remnants, neither the exorcists nor the exorcist clans had any viable solution. They could only admit their own helplessness.
This was reality.
Even Vision holders were powerless against such corruption.
Keqing herself had attempted to intervene—and all she had gained was a near-injury and the stark realization that she had no method to deal with it.
Seeing Keqing lost in thought, Ganyu could sense what weighed on her heart.
The Yuheng Star was overthinking once more—fixated on resolving everything through human effort alone.
But this was not a problem human could solve by willpower alone.
Even the Adeptus treated Demon God Remnants with utmost caution, never acting rashly as Keqing often did.
"This—" Keqing hesitated.
She had intended to declare human governance at this year's Rite of Descension. If they now relied on the Adeptus to resolve this crisis, would it not appear shameless? If humans could not even handle a matter like this, how could Liyue truly be governed by humans? Would it not become a laughingstock?
"Oh, right."
At that moment, Futsu Mitama seemed to recall something. He looked at Keqing and Ganyu and said, almost casually, "There's a surprise planned for this year's Rite of Descension. I wonder if the two of you know about it."
"?"
"?"
Keqing and Ganyu were both momentarily stunned.
One was the Yuheng Star overseeing the Rite itself. The other was the Qixing's secretary.
They were aware of all matters, great and small, within Liyue Harbor. How could there possibly be a surprise at the Rite of Descension?
Confusion was written plainly across their faces as they looked at Futsu Mitama.
"It seems you don't know yet," Futsu Mitama chuckled softly.
"To be honest, we came to Liyue Harbor this time partly to avoid attacks from Ill Dottore and the Abyss Order. Cloud Retainer specifically gathered the other three Adeptus to escort us. That's how we arrived safely."
"She said they will attend this Rite of Descension—not only to see Lord Rex Lapis, but also because of the recent unrest caused by the Abyss Order. As Adeptus, they must step forward to reassure the people—just as they did during the Archon War."
As Futsu Mitama finished speaking, Keqing's expression grew complicated. Wasn't Liyue Harbor built step by step by the hands of its people?
Yet when disaster struck, the reclusive Adeptus once again emerged—to resolve problems mortals could not.
For the first time, Keqing began to question something she had long taken for granted.
Did true human governance in Liyue truly exist? Could everything really be created by human hands alone, without reliance on the Adeptus?
No.
The answer was painfully clear.
Just as with Futsu Mitama's encounter the previous night. The Prince of the Abyss was overwhelmingly powerful—perhaps even capable of contending with Rex Lapis himself. Had Rex Lapis not appeared, Futsu Mitama's fate would have been dire.
And the Demon God Remnants?
Those were not threats mortals could confront. Even an Adeptus Yaksha would have to risk their life.
Perhaps—at this moment, Keqing experienced an epiphany. She was not one to cling stubbornly to trivial pride. Though she still believed in her ideals, the reality before her forced her to reconsider the relationship between humans and Adeptus.
While Keqing pondered deeply, Ganyu, on the other hand, froze in place.
Her eyes widened as she stared at Futsu Mitama.
"W–what?!"
"You—you—you—you mean Cloud Retainer has come to Liyue Harbor?! And she plans to attend the Rite of Descension?!"
Ganyu was visibly flustered—far more than usual.
"What's wrong?" Keqing looked at her in surprise.
This was nothing like the normally calm and composed Ganyu. Why would Cloud Retainer's arrival provoke such a reaction?
Keqing could not understand.
Futsu Mitama, however, understood perfectly.
After all, Cloud Retainer was famously incapable of keeping secrets.
If she were to bring up Ganyu's childhood stories during the Rite of Descension—
Hmm?.
Just imagining that scene was thrilling.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For anyone interested, or just want to support me. Hit the membership button to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModerateCitizens