"Childe, what is the meaning of this?"
Signora's expression was very unpleasant. Her own subordinate had been injured right in front of her—this was a direct slap to her face. If word got out, how would her underlings look at her?
Whispering behind her back was one thing, but if rumors spread that she couldn't protect her own people, finding new subordinates would become difficult. For both personal and professional reasons, Signora couldn't let this slide.
"Hah, Signora, did you not see that your man struck first?"
"No matter what, my subordinate did nothing wrong. If anything, you should discipline your people better. Daring to draw a blade on a Harbinger—that takes courage."
"Brave, perhaps, but not too bright. No wonder your subordinates are always jumping ship to join me."
Childe demonstrated what it meant to make Signora's Pyro energy erupt in just a few sentences. The scorching heat distorted the surrounding air. The Pyroslinger behind Childe gripped his gun tightly. If necessary, he would apply Pyro to Signora so Childe could trigger a Vaporize reaction.
Unfortunately, Signora didn't give him the chance. A whip made of flames lashed out and struck the Pyroslinger hard. Caught off guard, he didn't even have time to raise his shield before being seriously wounded.
"Signora, what do you think you're doing?"
"Are you alright? Can you stand?"
Childe's gaze turned cold. This Pyroslinger had been with him for many years—one of his most trusted men. He was the one who personally delivered the things Childe sent back home.
If not for Childe's upcoming plan, this Pyroslinger might already be on a ship to Snezhnaya, carrying letters and a pile of toys.
"Cough, cough. Lord Childe, I'm fine. I let my guard down. Next time, I'll dodge it."
The Pyroslinger coughed up blood but still tried to stand, leaning on his gun. He couldn't embarrass Lord Childe in front of outsiders.
But Signora's enraged strike was not so easily endured. Pyro energy continuously corroded his body. He felt his internal organs burning. After several attempts, he stumbled and fell forward.
Childe reacted quickly, catching the falling Pyroslinger. After briefly checking his injuries, Childe grew angry. Signora had struck far too harshly.
If not for the Pyroslinger's gear having some resistance to Pyro, he would have been shouting "For the Tsaritsa" right then and there. Wounding his trusted man like this in front of him—did Signora think he was a pushover?
"Just a little punishment. You don't mind, do you, Childe?"
"Heh, I don't mind?"
Signora crossed her legs, looking completely indifferent. Childe laughed coldly, then picked up his teacup. Under his control, the tea transformed into a sharp water blade and flew toward the Agent.
Signora, never expecting Childe to retaliate, couldn't block it in time. She could only watch helplessly as the water blade severed the Agent's arm. Blood instantly stained the floor.
"Ahh! My arm!"
The Agent screamed in pain, panicking as he tried to stop the bleeding, but it was no use. Blood continued to gush from the wound.
Childe nodded in satisfaction at the sight. The scent of blood made his own blood begin to boil. Hearing the wails, Signora gathered a ball of flame and hurled it at Childe. Childe wasn't one to back down—he used Electro to detonate the incoming fireball.
"Childe, do you want to fight me?"
"A fight? I was thinking the same thing. But it's too cramped here. I'll wait for you in the clearing in front of Wangshu Inn."
Liyue was his territory. Any bills from Wangshu Inn would definitely be sent to Northland Bank. Remembering how Andrei always made a sour face whenever he withdrew Mora, Childe figured he should save the man some trouble.
Signora followed behind Childe with a stern face. Her rank was several positions above his. Even if Childe had Pulcinella backing him, she wasn't afraid. Besides, she had already obtained one Gnosis for the Tsaritsa. Pulcinella had no justifiable reason to move against her.
Upstairs, Su Bai, his fox ears twitching as he eavesdropped, smiled with satisfaction. His original plan had only been to create some friction between Childe and Signora to annoy her and make them part ways unhappily. He never expected Signora's own subordinate to hand him such a big assist. It seemed the Goddess of Fate also loved a good show.
"That Agent brother, since you've helped me so much, when you die, I'll personally put your ashes in a box."
Xiao wasn't interested in the Agent. Instead, he was curious about Childe and Signora. Based on his perception, these two were just ordinary humans. Yet they could manipulate two elements each. Since when could ordinary people control two elements? Had he fallen so far behind after years of ignoring worldly affairs?
"Su Bai, can ordinary mortals now control two elements? Or can every person possess two Visions?"
Xiao gently patted Su Bai's shoulder and asked a question that left Su Bai utterly confused. What? Since when had ordinary people become this powerful? How did he not know?
Following Xiao's gaze to Childe and Signora taking the elevator, Su Bai finally understood. So Brother Xiao was asking about those two Harbingers.
"Brother Xiao, that's not controlling two elements naturally. Those are counterfeit Visions the Fatui created. They're called Delusions."
"Such a remarkable device. Why isn't it being promoted in Liyue?"
"Brother Xiao, Delusions are not something to be used lightly. Though they allow ordinary people to wield elemental power, the cost is enormous. After using a Delusion just a few times, an ordinary person's life force is completely drained."
Hearing Su Bai's explanation, Xiao understood the danger of Delusions. If such an unnatural, evil object could be used without consequence, Teyvat would already be in chaos.
"What is the creator of such a thing plotting? This object should not exist in this world."
"Brother Xiao, that's Snezhnaya's business. As long as Liyue is safe, we don't need to meddle too much. After all, we're only Liyue's adepti, not guardians of the whole world."