Chapter 128

In the end, following Nathan's suggestion, Cloud Retainer and the group split into two teams. 

One team would go to the site of the conflict between the adepti and the Liyue Qixing to resolve the misunderstanding. 

The other team would seek out Tartaglia, who was stirring up trouble behind the scenes, to prevent the Fatui Harbinger from reaping the benefits of the chaos. 

Naturally, Cloud Retainer, being an adeptus, would handle the adepti side. 

Meanwhile, Nathan and Lumine headed to the wealthiest place in all of Liyue. 

"Wow—this is the Golden House?" 

As soon as they stepped inside, Paimon was captivated by the opulent surroundings. 

"It looked impressive from the outside, but the inside is even more luxurious! And... and the floor is covered in Mora!!!" 

This was the Golden House, essentially the mint of Teyvat. 

All the Mora in the continent of Teyvat was produced here. 

"Paimon, I advise you not to touch that Mora." 

"Huh???" 

Hearing Nathan's warning, Paimon stopped just as she was about to reach out. 

"Don't touch it. If you do, you'll definitely get caught!" 

Lumine also lectured Paimon. If the place were truly unguarded, it would have been looted long ago. 

"Oh, right, right! It's probably a trap. That was close!" 

The little creature patted her chest in relief, though her petite frame was as flat as a board. 

"Let's go. If nothing's gone wrong, the guards inside should already have been dealt with." 

The three continued forward, and just like in the game's storyline, the Millelith guarding the Golden House were all unconscious. 

"Traveler, look over there... it's that bad guy, Childe!" 

As they ventured deeper, they reached the most spacious room in the Golden House. 

Paimon immediately recognized Tartaglia, who was reaching out toward the Exuvia of Rex Lapis. 

"No, we can't let him succeed!" 

Before the words had fully left her mouth, Lumine had already charged at Tartaglia at top speed. 

Wielding her dull blade, she leaped into the air and brought it down on him. 

Clang! 

The strike was effortlessly blocked by Tartaglia's bow. 

Though he parried it with ease, Lumine had achieved her goal—she had successfully interrupted his actions. 

"Heh, I knew it wouldn't be that easy. In the end, you found me." 

Tartaglia chuckled, then increased the force in his arms, sending Lumine flying backward. 

"Hmph, so it really was you, Childe, using us all along!" 

Paimon flew to Lumine's side, pointing at Tartaglia and scolding him. 

"How can you call it 'using'? It was just a friendly exchange! Though I must say, I'm a bit surprised to see you here too, Mr. Nathan!" 

Tartaglia shifted his attention from Lumine to Nathan, genuinely surprised by his presence. 

In his interactions with Lumine, Nathan had never shown up before. 

Tartaglia didn't even know how the Honorary Knight of Mondstadt had gotten involved with Nathan. 

"No need to be surprised. Since you're trying to lay hands on the Exuvia, we naturally have to stop you." 

Nathan shook his head as he spoke. 

In reality, according to the game's storyline, even if Tartaglia managed to touch the Exuvia, it would all be for nothing. 

The Geo Archon's Gnosis had always been with Zhongli. 

"Well, since you're here, this is the perfect chance to fulfill my wish of sparring with you, Mr. Nathan!" 

Tartaglia muttered, his desire to spar with Nathan unwavering since their first encounter. 

Now, he finally had the opportunity. 

"Wrong. There's no need for me to step in." 

"Huh? Mr. Nathan, are you trying to back out?" 

Tartaglia's gaze turned to Nathan. After finally getting this chance, especially without the interference of Ningguang, Ganyu, or the other women, he wasn't about to let Nathan off the hook. 

"Because I don't need to fight. Lumine is more than enough!" 

Nathan stated his reasoning. With Lumine, the ultimate fighter, by his side, he could just sit back and relax. 

"That's right. With me here, you won't lay a finger on my brother!" 

"Huh? Did I hear that right? Mr. Nathan, is she really your sister?" 

Tartaglia gave them a strange look, genuinely surprised by the sibling relationship between Nathan and Lumine. 

"...That's none of your concern, Childe." 

"Of course, it's not my concern. But Mr. Nathan, that doesn't mean others won't care, you know?" 

"Others? Are you talking about Ningguang and the others?" 

Nathan thought for a moment. If Tartaglia was referring to Ningguang and the others, there was no need for him to worry. 

"Of course not the Tianquan and her group. I'm talking about... someone even closer to you, Mr. Nathan." 

"Someone even closer to me?" 

Tartaglia's cryptic words left Nathan puzzled. 

In the Fatui Harbinger's mind, who else was closely connected to Nathan? And why did he use the term "closest"? 

"Mr. Nathan, no need to ask. You'll find out soon enough. I'm really looking forward to that scene!" 

"You're just talking in circles!" 

Nathan said with dissatisfaction. In the end, Tartaglia's words were as good as saying nothing. 

"Let's get back to the main topic. Attack me... as long as you defeat me, Mr. Nathan will have to step in, right?" 

With that, Tartaglia assumed a fighting stance, ready to face Lumine. 

"Don't even think about it. I'll never let you lay a hand on my brother!" 

Tartaglia's desire to fight Nathan crossed a red line for Lumine. 

Power surged around her, doubling her usual combat strength. 

The battle between the two was about to begin, and Paimon retreated to Nathan's side. 

"Hey, hey, big meanie, is it really okay to let the Traveler fight that bad guy, Childe?" 

Paimon's voice was filled with concern. Back in Mondstadt, they had already faced a Fatui Harbinger once. 

That time, they had ended up losing. 

"Don't worry. Have faith in Lumine's strength." 

By the time they reached Liyue, Lumine had already mastered two elemental powers, making her far stronger than she was in Mondstadt. 

This battle with Tartaglia was a test of Lumine's growth! 

"But..." 

"It's fine. If things get dangerous, I'll step in." 

Before Paimon could finish her sentence, the two combatants had already clashed... 

Unlike in the game, because Tartaglia wanted to fight Nathan, Lumine's brother-complex had been triggered, giving her an ultimate power boost. 

The first phase of Tartaglia's battle was quickly overwhelmed by her attacks. 

"Hmph, you don't think you've won already, do you? Do you dare defy me, the Harbinger of Chaos, with my Delusion unleashed?" 

The power of Tartaglia's Delusion manifested, and the real battle had only just begun. 

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