Goth Grand Hotel — Noon.
The lobby was unusually quiet, but Childe's thoughts were anything but.
The Knights of Favonius… What exactly are they searching for? They mobilized practically half their forces…
Seated in a velvet armchair, he reread the stack of intel his subordinates had compiled. His brow tightened, expression shifting between concern and irritation.
He had been out on assignment all of yesterday, only returning this morning. And because of that—he missed the entire Knights' operation.
Something he very much regretted.
Report #1:
"Mid-day: Knights initiated a search and questioning operation near Knight Headquarters. Pattern suggests they're looking for a suspicious individual."
Report #2:
"Afternoon: Knights conducted a full sweep around Cider Lake, including questioning nearby residents about any suspicious activity or figures approaching from the lakefront."
Childe tapped the paper with his knuckle.
Someone stole from the Knights. That much seems certain. And whatever was stolen… must be important. Important enough for them to cause this kind of stir.
But what?
What exactly did the Knights lose that forced them to turn the city upside-down?
Creak—
A door opened and a familiar subordinate entered.
"Lord Childe."
"Mikhail. Any progress?"
The Harbinger didn't look up immediately—still scanning the intel pages—but his tone clearly expected disappointment.
"Our men found nothing significant."
As expected.
Childe set the documents down and rose to his feet.
"Any new movement from the Knights?"
"None since the search yesterday."
"I see. Good work. Go rest."
Childe straightened his coat, expression relaxing only slightly.
He would head to Cider Lake himself.
Not because he expected to find anything—but because he didn't trust leaving everything to subordinates. And… maybe, just maybe, it would help him finally erase the lingering trauma of being repeatedly crushed, humiliated, and financially robbed by a certain group of terrifyingly dangerous women.
He needed to heal his heart.
Meanwhile — Rooftops Across the Street
"He's finally out!"
Perched atop a rooftop overlooking the hotel, Venti—currently disguised as Wendy—leaned forward in excitement.
He had waited the entire morning. If Childe didn't come out soon, he genuinely considered smashing straight into the hotel to drag him out.
"Then it's time," said Fu Hua—disguised as the raven-haired version of herself—beside him, eyes calm and sharp.
The hunt began.
Cider Lake — Lakeside Path
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Childe sighed inwardly as he walked along the lakeshore, scanning the ground and waterline.
Well… at least it's peaceful. Not a bad place to clear my mind.
Just as he relaxed—
"Hey. Human."
A voice he recognized all too well suddenly echoed behind him.
Childe's entire soul nearly fled his body.
No way… no way… HOW is she here again?! Is she here to— to— extort money again?!
His spirit cracked.
If he turned around, was he going to see that little demoness who once robbed him of millions?
He didn't dare look.
"Are you ignoring me?"
The voice grew sharper—exactly the same tone Wendy used.
With dread in his heart, Childe slowly turned around.
As expected—
Wendy.
And beside her—
Fu Hua.
Both stood there like living embodiments of trauma.
Help. Somebody. Anybody. I want to go home.
But he forced a smile.
"Of course I heard you, Ms. Wendy… and Ms. Fu Hua. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
He was already preparing himself mentally for another robbery.
"Windy's mount," Wendy said bluntly. "It was stolen. Was it you Fatui people?"
"…Mount? You mean the Stormterror?"
Childe blinked.
Stormterror… stolen? By us? Impossible.
"I… have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. The Fatui never attempted such a thing, and Stormterror is hardly something we could capture even if we tried."
"You're lying."
Wendy narrowed her eyes.
"I'm not!! I swear on— on— on my next paycheck!"
Honestly, he was too traumatized to lie.
Fu Hua stepped forward, voice cold:
"I can see thoughts. If you lie, I'll know."
Childe stiffened.
So she CAN do that?!
But then—
That meant he had a way to prove his innocence.
"Then go ahead," he exhaled. "Search my thoughts. I genuinely don't know anything."
Fu Hua pretended to concentrate deeply for several seconds.
Wendy watched nervously.
Finally, she spoke:
"…He's telling the truth."
Wendy grimaced.
That meant the trail was officially dead.
"Unless," Fu Hua added, "he doesn't know what his own organization is doing."
Childe immediately cut in:
"Then let's go. To Goth Grand Hotel. I'll gather every Fatui operative inside. You can scan them all."
Wendy blinked.
Fu Hua blinked.
This… was unexpectedly cooperative.
"Lead the way," Fu Hua said coolly.
Goth Grand Hotel — Lobby
Dozens of Fatui operatives stood in neat rows, trembling under Fu Hua's impassive gaze.
After a thorough scan—
"They're clean," Fu Hua declared.
"Which means," Wendy muttered, "it wasn't Fatui."
Finally, Relief.
Childe exhaled, shoulders sagging—
Only for Fu Hua to suddenly add:
"Before we go… I heard from a maid that a certain 'stinky maid' took several million mora from you here."
Wendy's eyes sparkled.
"Right. She said she got millions in compensation. We can't be losing to a maid, can we?"
The child froze.
Wait— WAIT— HOLD ON—
"Stop," he whispered brokenly. "Please…"
But it was too late.
Five minutes later—
Wendy and Fu Hua walked out of the hotel, each hugging a massive chest of mora, humming in perfect satisfaction.
"Thanks for your generosity, Lord Childe," Wendy said brightly. "Let's do this again sometime. Bye-bye~"
Childe sat back in his chair like a corpse.
His soul was gone.
His wallet was gone.
His dignity was gone.
These women… Are they broke?! Why is it ALWAYS me?
He stared blankly at the ceiling.
I left Snezhnaya to broaden my horizons… but all I've broadened is how thoroughly a man can be robbed by pretty women.
Then a thought struck him.
Wait… if the Knights lost something… and Stormterror is missing… then maybe—
He stood up abruptly.
I must investigate this. At the very least— those millions of mora better not be wasted.
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