Chapter 25: Tartaglia's Way of Making Friends
Over the past few weeks, Tartaglia had undergone a subtle transformation—something even he himself hadn't noticed.
The Fatui Harbinger who once thrived on chaos and battle had, for the first time, started trying to improve his reputation in Liyue. The once-feared "Childe" was now the man funding temple repairs, buying meals for orphaned children, and paying off fishermen's debts.
And all of it stemmed from his strange friendship with Kael.
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The Fatui's Reputation Makeover
Of course, Ningguang noticed this immediately.
To her, it was a golden opportunity wrapped in irony.
If Tartaglia wanted to redeem the name of the Fatui and the Northland Bank, she would happily play along—especially since every "charitable donation" he made flowed directly through her accounts first.
If the Fatui wanted to build a better reputation, then they could pay the Tianquan's toll to do so.
Still, it wasn't something that could be achieved overnight.
Even if Tartaglia's smile had become more genuine, the Fatui's reputation was carved in cold Mora and blood—two things not easily forgotten in Liyue Harbor.
But, curiously enough, his reputation was improving.
When he strolled through Feiyun Slope or the busy markets near Chihu Rock, the street vendors and dockworkers now greeted him with cautious respect rather than thinly veiled fear. Children even called out "Big Brother Childe!" when he passed.
He didn't understand how it had happened so fast—but he didn't question it either.
After all, a little kindness never hurt business.
Of course, what Tartaglia didn't realize… was that every one of those "friends" he had made lately had been personally planted by Ningguang.
Every merchant, worker, and civilian who spoke to him had been handpicked to guide his image, report his activities, and keep him under subtle observation.
The entire "reformation" was an illusion—an elegant trap crafted by Liyue's most cunning woman.
And Kael had helped design it.
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A Chance Encounter at Wanmin Restaurant
After finishing his meeting with Ningguang, Kael sighed. He could tell she was drowning in responsibilities these days. The Tianquan barely had time to breathe, much less entertain personal visits.
As her silhouette disappeared down the marble steps of Yujing Terrace, Kael decided to head toward Wanmin Restaurant. He could use a decent meal before his upcoming journey.
Sure enough, as if summoned by fate, Tartaglia appeared at the street corner just ahead.
"Kael! What a coincidence!" The Harbinger waved energetically, his usual easy grin plastered across his face. "Heading to Wanmin too?"
Kael smirked. "Seems like we think alike. Let's eat together, then."
The two men stepped inside the warm, bustling restaurant. The aroma of Xiangling's famous Black-Back Perch Stew and Golden Shrimp Balls filled the air.
Once they'd ordered and settled into a private room on the second floor, Kael let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Ah… this might be our last meal together for a while."
Tartaglia blinked, chopsticks pausing midair. "Oh? Why's that?"
"Lady Ningguang's sending me to Mondstadt," Kael said, feigning exhaustion. "Stormterror's still raging, the ley lines are unstable—it's pure chaos. Throwing me into that mess feels like punishment!"
He let his tone dip conspiratorially. "Maybe she found out about me and Keqing?"
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Tartaglia's Wild Imagination
"Keqing?" Tartaglia repeated, nearly choking on his drink.
Wait—he calls the Yuheng by name?
His mind began racing, spinning elaborate possibilities faster than an Abyss Mage's incantations.
Could it be that Kael was Ningguang's personal advisor… but secretly involved with Keqing?
And now Ningguang had discovered their affair and was exiling him to Mondstadt as punishment?!
But that didn't fit either. Ningguang and Keqing worked together far too smoothly.
Then… could it be that both women were sharing him in some kind of secret agreement?!
Tartaglia barely kept a straight face.
Liyue's high society really is more dangerous than the battlefield.
When he first arrived in Liyue, a few wealthy merchants had offered him their concubines as "tokens of goodwill." He'd turned them all down, of course—romance was a distraction from combat. But clearly, this city's politics ran deeper than he thought.
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Of Dragons and Chaos
"Mondstadt isn't safe right now," Tartaglia finally said, tone softening.
Kael smiled faintly. "You're telling me. If Stormterror decides I look tasty, I might not come back in one piece."
That earned a laugh from the Fatui Harbinger. "I'd love to fight that dragon. Now that would be a real challenge!"
But then his expression grew thoughtful. "Unfortunately, I can't leave Liyue. The Tsaritsa gave me orders to oversee Northland Bank's reconstruction and monitor local trade. Besides…"
He leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly. "The Harbinger stationed in Mondstadt and I don't get along. If you run into her, best not to mention my name. La Signora doesn't forgive easily."
Kael's golden eyes sharpened. So she's already there.
That meant the Fatui's plan to steal the Anemo Archon's Gnosis was already in motion.
If he waited too long, Signora would succeed—and taking it back later would be far more complicated.
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A Subtle Game of Manipulation
"What a shame," Kael sighed, sounding genuinely regretful. "I was hoping you could arrange for someone to escort me safely to Mondstadt."
Tartaglia tapped his chin. "Hmm. I can have some men accompany you partway through the route, but once you're there… you'll be on your own. The Fatui aren't exactly welcome beyond Liyue's borders."
"Understandable." Kael forced a sigh of disappointment. In truth, he hadn't expected Tartaglia to take the bait so easily—but it had been worth the attempt.
As they ate, Kael subtly shifted the topic. "By the way, have you met Zhongli yet?"
Tartaglia tilted his head. "Zhongli? The one from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Kael nodded. "That's the one. He's a good friend of mine. Knows everything about Liyue's history and culture—probably more than anyone else alive."
The Harbinger's interest sharpened instantly. "So the rumors are true. They say even Ningguang and Keqing consult him."
"They do," Kael confirmed. "They tried hiring him as an advisor once. He refused. Said he doesn't work for Mora."
That amused Tartaglia greatly. "A man who refuses Mora? Now that I have to see. Kael, would you introduce me to him?"
Kael smiled faintly. "I can arrange that. Though I can't guarantee you'll like the answers he gives."
"Ha!" Tartaglia grinned. "Then I'll pay for the privilege of finding out."
He slipped a check across the table with casual ease.
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The Price of Friendship
Kael picked up the piece of paper and glanced at the amount written on it.
10 million Mora.
He blinked. "That's… quite a bit for a meal recommendation."
Tartaglia shrugged, his smile bright and disarmingly sincere. "Call it a token of friendship. Think of it as travel expenses for Mondstadt."
Kael chuckled softly, slipping the check into his coat pocket. "You really do have your own way of making friends, Childe."
"Of course." Tartaglia's grin widened. "Back home, we say that the best friendships are forged through combat. But here in Liyue? I suppose Mora works just as well."
Kael looked at him for a long moment—his expression unreadable—before lifting his teacup in a silent toast.
"To new friendships," he said.
Tartaglia clinked his cup against Kael's. "And to battles yet to come."
Outside, the lanterns of Liyue Harbor shimmered against the dark waters. Two men—one a Harbinger of the Tsaritsa, the other the embodiment of Celestia's will—shared a quiet meal.
Neither could imagine how soon their paths would cross again… not as allies, but as rivals standing on opposite sides of Teyvat's fate.