"Genius, I have something to tell you in private."
Rosalyne's expression was solemn. She wasn't sure what exactly this dinner was meant to be, but what she carried was critical—the matter of the Geo Archon's contract.
Unlike that brute-force simpleton Tartaglia, the Genius might actually do something rash enough to ruin it.
Su Ran glanced at Tartaglia.
The Harbinger was quick to take the hint.
"I still have business to attend to, so I'll excuse myself."
He was curious about what the Lady had to say.
But if this was truly a secret, he had no choice but to withdraw.
If it were related to Morax, surely they wouldn't have dismissed him.
It had to be private matters.
Comforting himself with this reasoning, Tartaglia left without a burden on his heart.
Rosalyne's gaze lingered on Raiden Ei.
No—she would not speak of this in front of the Electro Archon.
The last thing she wanted was to provoke this goddess further, only to see her meddle, delay their plans, or even snatch the Geo Gnosis for herself.
"How about stepping outside for a moment?"
Su Ran tentatively suggested.
Even during the entire meal, Ei had never once let go of his hand.
"What do you think?"
…Right. So that was settled.
"Alright then."
If she wanted to play conjoined twins, he'd humor her.
"Go ahead," he said to Rosalyne. "She won't cause trouble."
The Lady still doubted.
She trusted no god save for the Tsaritsa.
Least of all this unfathomable Raiden Shogun.
"You do realize how important the Gnosis are to us Fatui, don't you? And yet you so casually allow an outsider to eavesdrop?"
The Gnosis were the very tools Snezhnaya sought to overturn Celestia.
No one beyond their ranks could know.
Morax, bound by contract, was an exception.
But other Archons?
They had no ties to the Tsaritsa and would never keep her secrets.
"Actually, I didn't know that," Su Ran replied.
Even after some time among the Fatui, he hadn't cared enough to learn why the Gnosis mattered.
Power from the remnants of the Third Descender to resist Celestia?
Why not rely on themselves instead?
Did they truly understand so little of their own strength?
"Only the Tsaritsa, the Jester, and the Doctor know the true secret of the Gnosis. But I do know this—collecting them is essential. It is our one chance of defying Celestia!"
Her eyes flickered toward Ei, wary.
After all, Inazuma's Gnosis was not yet in their grasp.
If they could claim both the Geo and Electro Gnosis here in Liyue, all the better.
"So, in other words, you don't actually know the secret yourself?"
Su Ran nearly laughed.
Didn't know, yet still slavishly collecting them?
What was the point?
"I don't," Rosalyne admitted.
Even Raiden Ei, overhearing this, found her rather foolish.
Reckless—like a hotheaded child.
"But this concerns Morax's Gnosis!"
At that, Ei cast a glance at Su Ran.
Morax's Gnosis had long since left his hands.
It now resided with one of their own— a former Harbinger, who now belonged to Inazuma.
"Then you needn't remind me. I know exactly what to do. Kill Morax, and the Gnosis will be ours."
Since the Gnosis was already in his possession, why should Su Ran trouble himself over Liyue's?
All he had to do was wait and watch the coming show.
"Kill Morax? You? And with the Electro Archon at your side?"
Rosalyne couldn't help but laugh aloud.
She had come in good faith to warn him.
But this Genius, arrogant as ever, repaid her kindness with scorn?
And dared to boast of felling the oldest of the Archons?
Morax—who had single-handedly fought multiple gods in the Archon War?
Even battered by time, he was still a ruthless force.
Compared to Liyue's blood-soaked battlefields, Inazuma's struggles had been tame.
Even if this Genius possessed Archon-level might, did he and Raiden Shogun truly think they could bring down the Geo Archon?
"I don't need her. I alone am enough."
If a Star Rail Emanator couldn't handle one world's Archon, what a disgrace that would be.
Besides, they had already fought.
Without even lifting a hand, Su Ran's creation had toyed with Morax.
When he did strike, the Geo Archon fell instantly.
Of course, even if he said this, Rosalyne wouldn't believe him.
Not unless he pulled out the Gnosis right here and now.
But no—that would ruin the fun.
Far better to wait, to reveal it later and watch her face collapse.
"I see. Then I'll be waiting for the day you face Morax. I do hope it comes."
Her voice dripped with ridicule.
She wouldn't reveal what she knew.
She'd rather wait until the deed was done, until the Gnosis was in her hands, and then humiliate this so-called Genius before Morax himself.
Not everything in this world could be solved with brute force.
For one who styled himself a "genius," his thoughts seemed little more than fists.
"Don't worry. You'll be shocked when the time comes."
Just as she longed to see Su Ran's pride crushed, he longed to see her slap her own face in disbelief.
"Then I look forward to seeing you shocked as well."
Stubborn met stubborn.
"If an Aeon suddenly appeared, perhaps then I'd be surprised," Su Ran smirked.
"Otherwise—even Celestia itself, I'd only put it back to sleep."
Rosalyne rose, long legs striding, chest held high, and swept from the room with icy grace.
"So this is how you Harbingers usually get along?"
Ei's eyes narrowed with amusement.
Not at all the harmony she had imagined of servants under the Tsaritsa's banner.
"But I am curious," she added.
"What is an Aeon? Why would their arrival surprise you?"
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