Chapter 63: Showdown With Childe

Lumine and Paimon made it into the Golden House without any resistance.

"Waaah—this is the Golden House?!"

Paimon's voice trembled slightly as her eyes darted around the vast, golden hall, searching for something.

She gawked at the opulent scene around her.

"It looked fancy from the outside, but the inside's even more extravagant! And… and the floor is covered in Mora!!!"

Paimon started counting on her fingers.

"With this much Mora, how much delicious food could we buy?!"

With that thought in mind, she floated over to Lumine's side.

"Traveler, if all of Teyvat's Mora is minted here… then, wouldn't it be hard to notice if a little more or less went missing?"

But Lumine remained calm. She understood this place wasn't just a symbol of wealth—it was a nest of power and secrets.

She rubbed her temples.

"Paimon, do you really think the Liyue Qixing would leave this much Mora unguarded?"

She tugged lightly on Paimon's sleeve, reminding her not to let greed cloud her judgment.

"Eh?!"

Paimon gasped.

"So it's a trap?! A bait-and-snare kind of deal?!"

"Whew, close call! Thank goodness you're here, Traveler!"

Still, she pouted with reluctance.

"But even if we can't take any, it should be fine to just look, right?"

"If I could, I'd love to nap right in that pile! Sleeping with Mora for a blanket… I bet I'd even dream sweeter, hehe…"

Lumine could only shake her head helplessly.

Suddenly, Paimon spotted a few people lying on the ground out of the corner of her eye.

"Eh?! Lumine, look over there—what is that?!"

Lumine's expression darkened.

"This is bad. It's the Millelith! Looks like they've already been here."

Without hesitation, Lumine rushed toward the Rex Lapis' corpse ahead.

…

But a water-element arrow forced her to a halt.

"Looks like you're the opponent my informant mentioned… Traveler."

A familiar voice echoed out.

The Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui—Childe, Tartaglia—stepped out from behind a pillar, a cocky smile on his face.

"But… as a guide, your mission was already over. So why come looking for more trouble?"

Lumine rolled her eyes inwardly.

'You think I want to be here?!'

Childe spread his hands in mock regret.

"If you had joined the Fatui, you might've earned quite a reward from Her Majesty."

"But unfortunately…"

His gaze sharpened.

"You're just a useless obstacle now."

Lumine didn't answer. She knew words were pointless here. Only strength could settle this.

She raised her Dull Blade, pointing it straight at Childe. She was ready.

But Childe only tilted his head.

"Trying to stop me now? Don't waste your energy."

With a light hop, he landed before the Rex Lapis' corpse.

"Heh… shutting down Mora production just to hide the corpse of the Archon… The Qixing really spared no expense."

Lumine didn't move. She needed to confirm something first.

"So you really are after the Gnosis hidden within the body of the Geo Archon?"

Childe smiled again.

"As one of the Fatui Harbingers, it's my duty to carry out the Tsaritsa's will."

"What Her Majesty desires—we take."

"Or rather…"

A bow suddenly appeared in his hand.

"The real question isn't who will let me, but who can stop me?"

He glanced down at the Rex Lapis's body.

"All the posturing and negotiations are finally over… Not that I ever liked those underhanded tricks. But as a Harbinger, I don't get to pick my methods."

"It's like kids being forced to eat their carrots. You may not like it, but it's good for you."

"But for Her Majesty's sake—I can endure."

Crackling with Electro energy, Childe thrust his hand directly into the corpse.

"Now then, the Geo Archon Morax's Gnosis—I'll be tak… huh?"

He blinked.

It was empty.

A twitch crept into the corner of his eye.

Where's my Gnosis? Where the hell did that massive Gnosis go?!

"ADVENTURINE! YOU TRICKED ME AGAIN!!!"

Lumine and Paimon stared blankly at Childe, watching him have a breakdown atop the high platform.

"Huff…"

Childe took a deep breath and calmed himself.

"Fine. At least the opponent part wasn't a lie."

He raised his bow and aimed it at Lumine and Paimon.

"Now we can move on to something simple and pure…"

"And that is…"

"Combat!"

Lumine raised an eyebrow.

"Combat?"

Childe let out a wild laugh.

"Ever since I became a Harbinger, my greatest joy has been crossing fists with strong opponents."

"Come on, give it a try! I won't kill you, Traveler. I just want to enjoy the thrill of battle. So humor me a bit, will you?"

"You won't win. And that's fine. Just enjoy the fight like I do. You understand, don't you?"

Lumine narrowed her eyes.

"Looks like you're really underestimating me."

Childe shrugged.

"Well then! If you're ready to play, don't let me down!"

His bowstring drew taut, launching three Hydro arrows imbued with a chilling aura. They shot toward Lumine's face like lightning.

Her eyes flashed with surprise, but her reaction was swift.

With a single swipe of her Dull Blade, she deflected the arrows with precise timing. But Childe wasn't done yet—he charged straight in for close combat.

Twin blades of water shimmered in his hands, striking like venomous snakes. Lumine sidestepped and blocked with her blade, the two weapons clashing in a spray of sparks.

Childe's attacks came in an unrelenting storm.

His water blades clashed repeatedly with the Dull Blade, each blow ringing out with force. It was a fierce dance of steel and water.

Lumine weaved through the onslaught, twisting her body and counterattacking.

She swung at Childe, but he leapt back, dodging with ease.

The two clashed again and again, neither giving an inch.

Suddenly, Lumine spotted an opening and thrust forward. Childe was caught off guard and staggered back a few steps.

"Not bad, Traveler."

He laughed, excitement gleaming in his eyes as he reset his stance.

"A single opening… can vanish in a blink."

He muttered, his gaze sharpening.

Then, with fluid motion, Childe merged his twin blades into a dual-edged polearm.

He spun it like a tempest and swept it across—striking Lumine and sending her flying.

She twisted midair and landed with steady footing, determination blazing in her eyes. She braced for the next wave.

Meanwhile, Paimon peeked out from behind a stone pillar.

"Traveler! I'm cheering for you!!!"

Lumine: "..."

_

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