Childe, real name Ajax.
Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, envoy of Snezhnaya, codename Childe. Ostensibly in Liyue as part of the Fatui diplomatic mission—but in truth, sent for the Geo Archon's Gnosis.
A battle junkie who disdains intrigue, he loves testing himself against the strong.
That he was here did not surprise Taro.
After all, the Pearl Galley itself was opened in Liyue only after a contract between the Fatui's "Rich Man" and the Liyue Qixing.
It was more than just a pleasure barge; it was also a hub of intelligence exchange.
A den of all sorts. Efficient for gathering information.
But to set sights on him this quickly?
The Fatui's channels were a little too fast.
"You want to be my friend?"
Taro smiled. "Interesting. But not just anyone qualifies. I'm very picky."
"Picky's good!" Childe grinned, sweeping a hand to his waist. A blue Hydro Vision floated free.
"This enough?"
"Not nearly."
Taro shook his head.
In this world, wielders of Visions were hardly rare.
Having one didn't mean being strong. Plenty of Vision bearers had been beaten by warriors without.
At the end of the day, a Vision was no more than an external organ for channeling elemental energy.
Take the Millelith of the Archon War. Any one of them plucked from the ranks was a fighter among fighters.
Even a common Vision holder back then might not last a single exchange against them.
The Millelith bound together, marshaled their souls, and formed battle lines strong enough to stand against gods.
That was no legend—it was history.
But times had changed. The Millelith of old were gone. The Millelith of today… lacked their forebears' strength.
"Interesting."
Childe tightened his grip, but his grin only widened. "Then I'm set on it. Let's spar sometime, friend."
"No interest." Taro shook his head flatly.
"Don't be like that!"
Childe pressed on, relentless. "In Liyue they say 'the more friends, the more roads.' I like that. Don't you?"
"I treat my friends well, always."
"Oh—and I don't know your name yet. Care to share?"
This duck was even pushier than Xingqiu.
But unlike Xingqiu, this one wasn't simple.
"You want to be my friend? Fine." Taro waved. "But only if you meet one condition."
"Say it!" Childe leaned in, eager. "I'll do it."
"Good." A smile tugged at Taro's lips.
"Go spar with Zhongli. Then we'll talk."
"Go on. I'll wait for good news."
Childe froze. He scratched his jaw.
Spar with Zhongli, huh.
Couldn't he have picked something else?
He'd been in Liyue a while now. Always wanted to fight the famed guest consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
But every time he challenged, Zhongli smoothly sidestepped. To this day, no luck.
Forcing it was impossible. Wangsheng had too much pull in Liyue. Picking a fight with their guest consultant would be a nightmare.
Was this kid just making things hard on him?
"Friend, so you know Zhongli too?" Childe's eyes flashed. He tried to twist the situation.
"Perfect! Zhongli and I are old friends. That condition? Already done. We sparred. I lost, just slightly."
A spar at the dinner table counted, didn't it? Who said it didn't?
Competing with chopsticks… Well, he'd lost that, fair and square.
"See?"
Childe flipped his hands, producing a pair of ornate dragon-and-phoenix chopsticks.
"After our match, Zhongli gave me these. Proof!"
"Condition fulfilled. Now, friend—your name?"
A pair of chopsticks?
Seriously?
That was a spar?
Taro stared at him, speechless.
"…I'm Taro."
"Ah! Brother Taro, an honor indeed." Childe beamed, victory flashing across his grin.
"How much of an honor?"
"Uh…" Childe froze, words failing.
But in Liyue, wasn't 'an honor' the standard first-meeting line?
Unable to answer, he shifted topics quickly.
"You must be new here. Since you're on the Pearl Galley tonight, allow me to host. All expenses on me—as a welcome to Liyue."
A willing patsy?
Perfect.
Why say no?
"Hospitality like that, I won't refuse. Bring the best food and drink."
So far, he'd only had Zhongli's tea and two snacks. Plus a grilled fish from the street.
Not once had he eaten properly.
He wasn't hungry, but his mouth watered.
If someone wanted to foot the bill, he'd be a fool to refuse.
"Now that's more like it!"
Childe clapped happily and called out:
"Steward Luo Xia, full banquet. Tonight we treat my friend right!"
"Coming."
The steward, Luo Xia, stepped from the shadows with a bright smile.
"Ah, a friend of Childe's. Please, accept this Jade Spring Wine as a gift. The dishes will follow shortly."
Her eyes lingered briefly on Taro, committing him to memory, then she left without fuss.
Inside, though, her mind was racing.
Childe's friend? Hardly.
Not here to cause trouble, either. Not Snezhnayan, but linked to Zhongli.
That was not for her to decide.
Especially since Tianquan Ningguang herself was eager to recruit Zhongli.
She had to tread carefully.
"Don't bother shadowing the new guest. Keep eyes on Childe. Write everything down and send it to Lady Ningguang."
"Leave specialized matters to specialists."
"Yes, Steward."
The Rite of Descension approaches, Luo Xia thought.
The Fatui's movements needed watching closely.
As for whether this man was friend or foe—Lady Ningguang would decide.
(End of Chapter)
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