Walking along the street, Childe felt deeply irritated. He had grown up taking things from others, never expecting to be the one getting robbed today. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He wished he could find someone to fight right now to vent his frustrations. But he was in Liyue Harbor, with countless eyes watching him. He couldn't afford to make any big moves; otherwise that Yuheng lady would be interrogating him again.
"How frustrating. That bastard. Don't let me see you again, or I'll make sure you learn that my things aren't so easy to take."
A fierce look flashed in Childe's eyes but quickly returned to normal. His public persona in Liyue was approachable and friendly. If anyone saw that side of him, his cover would be blown.
"Sigh, dealing with Mr. Zhongli is so much more comfortable. Entertaining those rich people is pure torture."
Childe felt like tearing his hair out. He had to go drink and socialize with those wealthy individuals again tomorrow. But for the sake of obtaining enough Sigils of Permission and ensuring the plan proceeded smoothly, he had no choice.
"Mr. Zhongli is so knowledgeable. I'll find a chance to ask him for more detailed information about the Sigils of Permission."
The Sigils of Permission were first mentioned by Zhongli. He had casually remarked that they possessed incredible power, and Childe had taken note.
After some research, the Fatui made a startling discovery: with enough Sigils of Permission, they could release the sealed gods beneath the sea that Rex Lapis had imprisoned.
Hearing this, Childe immediately devised a plan to seize Rex Lapis's Gnosis. But this required him to personally attend social gatherings at the homes of wealthy collectors who possessed the Sigils. He had tried sending Andrey to attend on his behalf, but they simply wouldn't let him through the door.
"Hey, watch where you're going, you idiot?"
At a stairwell corner, Childe rubbed his sore shoulder and cursed under his breath. Looking up, he saw a fat and a thin Fatui agent walking down the stairs from above Northland Bank. This strange pair made him do a double-take. He didn't recall having anyone like this under his command.
"Wait, who are you? Why are you wearing Fatui uniforms?"
Childe blocked the stairwell, trapping Su Bai and Lumine on the stairs. Lumine's expression turned cold, her body immediately ready for battle. Anemo energy flowed through her. At this point, anyone trying to stop her would not end well.
"As members of the Fatui, what's wrong with us wearing Fatui uniforms?"
"Judging by your tone, sir, you must also be a member of the Fatui. Don't you know that except for special missions, Fatui agents must wear their uniforms?"
"I didn't expect Lord Tartaglia's subordinates to be so undisciplined. I will definitely report this matter to Lady Signora."
Su Bai shifted slightly, positioning himself in front of Lumine. He was worried that this impulsive girl might decide to start a fight right here. If the Millelith got involved, that would be trouble.
By now, Lumine had also calmed down. She knew this wasn't the place for a fight. She memorized Childe's face, thinking to herself: don't let me catch you out in the wild, or I'll make you regret it.
"You don't know who I am?"
"Why would I know who you are? Is your figure better than Lady Signora's, or are you stronger than her?"
When it came to verbal sparring, Su Bai had studied under Yae Miko for years. Childe couldn't help but laugh at his words. So that old woman Signora actually had such interesting people under her command. How rare.
He remembered that whenever he met Signora, her subordinates always had stern faces, as if they owed someone money.
"Little brother, following that old woman Signora won't get you anywhere. Why not come work for me?"
"A few days ago, a debt collector left her to join me. Now he's been entrusted with an important mission in Inazuma."
"If you join me, I will definitely value you."
Childe grew increasingly appreciative of this plump Fatui agent before him. His own eloquence was lacking, so he often had to resort to force when words failed. Unfortunately, this had earned him a rather strange reputation: "brainless violent maniac," "warrior with zero emotional intelligence."
He didn't care about his own reputation, but he worried it might reach his younger siblings. How would he explain it to them?
This agent had excellent verbal skills—exactly the kind of talent he had been dreaming of. It wasn't the first time he had poached from Signora, so he felt no guilt.
Behind Su Bai, Lumine was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected this young man to be Childe, one of the Fatui Harbingers. It seemed Signora and Childe didn't get along.
"Lord Tartaglia, I cannot join you. Lady Signora has been incredibly good to me. She is gentle, refined, considerate, and generous. I will never betray her."
Childe's expression grew complex. For some reason, he felt like he had been... No, that wasn't important right now. He shook his head, clearing away strange thoughts, and asked uncertainly.
"Are you sure your boss is Signora?"
"Yes, Lord Tartaglia. Is there a problem?"
Su Bai's tone was filled with certainty. Childe was baffled. Had Signora changed in the months he hadn't seen her? Last time they met, he had accidentally bumped into her, and she had chased him for two miles with her Pyro whip.
"Signora is gentle and refined?"
"Yes."
"Signora is considerate and generous?"
"Absolutely."
"Oh... then never mind. You may go."
Childe sighed. How had such a promising talent ended up brainwashed under Signora's command? If she didn't appreciate him, she could have sent him to Childe instead. He would have cherished someone like this.
As the youngest Harbinger, though valued by Pulcinella, Childe's faction still had the weakest management. Many of his subordinates were fresh recruits straight out of training. He vividly remembered leading them on a mission to Inazuma, only to watch them scatter in panic before a group of Nobushi and Kairagi, suffering heavy casualties.