"Oh my~ I never expected little Bai to be able to patch up a seal set by a god. You know, that Rex Lapis was quite something during the Archon War."
"Hah, I don't recall us being on such good terms, Scaramouche."
Su Bai shot a sidelong glance at the figure who had appeared beside him, his tone carrying little warmth. A bolt of lightning crackled and streaked toward Scaramouche, who sidestepped it with a faint smile.
"Still as mischievous as when you were a kid. I still remember you using a cannon on Kannazuka to shoot at pigeons, only to accidentally hit a Ruin Guard and get chased all over."
"It's been a while since we've chatted like this, hasn't it, little Bai? Have you missed me? I've missed you."
Ignoring Su Bai's darkening expression, Scaramouche slung an arm around his shoulder in a familiar gesture and whispered in his ear.
"I've got good news. The situation in Liyue Harbor is under control. Those Millelith are fighting with ease."
"Really? You're not lying to me?"
A flicker of hope crossed Su Bai's face, but he quickly dismissed it. The monsters empowered by Osial's divine energy had grown far stronger. The Millelith shouldn't have been able to turn the tide so easily. He had hoped to deal with Osial quickly and go help them.
"Lie to you? Why would I lie? When have I ever lied to you after all this time?"
"Little Bai, let me tell you why the Millelith have taken control so easily. It's because they've accepted my gift."
"Your gift? You mean Delusions?!"
Su Bai's pupils contracted. A wave of dread washed over him. He had studied Delusions before. They were nothing but shortcuts that drained one's life force for temporary power. They should never have been created.
Scaramouche chuckled and released Su Bai's shoulder. He neither confirmed nor denied it. But his expression told Su Bai everything he needed to know.
"Scaramouche, do you have no feelings at all? When I was little, you used to..."
"Enough. Don't say another word. Little Bai, you need to understand that those who are ruled by emotion are nothing but failures."
Scaramouche cut him off sharply. He was no longer the person he used to be. He didn't need feelings anymore. All he needed was power.
"Failures? Scaramouche, do you want to become a monster without feelings?"
Su Bai's eyes held a trace of sorrow. There was a time when they had squatted together at the docks eating Fisherman's Toast, caught Onikabuto in the forest, brewed tea with Hydro Slimes, and trained Abyss Mages to swim. Had he really forgotten all that? Or had he simply never cared?
"Don't look at me with those eyes. Creating conflict and letting power naturally attract those who chase it—all of that was done willingly by the weak. It has nothing to do with me."
"Of course, I'm not the one who started this conflict either."
Seeing the fury on Su Bai's face brought Scaramouche immense satisfaction. That was the look he had once worn, watching Su Bai hide behind Yae Miko. Go ahead, be angry, be resentful. Let me see just how far you can go.
"Trading one's life for supreme power. Isn't that a fair deal?"
"Fair? In your view, is everything worth sacrificing for power?"
"Don't look at me like that. Without Delusions, they would have died in this battle anyway. But now, the Delusions at least give them a chance to fulfill their wishes. So from another angle, maybe you should be thanking me."
Scaramouche toyed with a Delusion in his hand. He had always wanted to find an opportunity to give it to Su Bai. Unfortunately, Su Bai had already left Inazuma by then. Perhaps now was the perfect chance.
Su Bai scoffed at Scaramouche's words, but he couldn't afford to lose focus now. One wrong step, and all his efforts would be wasted. Fortunately, Scaramouche didn't seem intent on causing trouble.
"In this floating world, human life is as fragile as blades of grass. Those who now possess Delusions are like bubbles on water—brilliant, but destined to burst. Don't you find that amusing? Hahahaha!"
"Where is the amusement? What is there to laugh about? What do you take life for?!"
A burst of Electro energy erupted around Scaramouche as countless wind blades formed around Su Bai and shot toward him. Scaramouche tilted his head and dodged with ease.
"Little Bai, don't be so worked up. You're drawing talismans right now. If you make a mistake, things could get troublesome."
"Scaramouche, I've never wanted to kill anyone as much as I want to kill you right now."
"Really? Then I'm truly honored. Unfortunately, little Bai, you can't."
Watching Su Bai grit his teeth, Scaramouche was visibly delighted. The show was about to reach its most spectacular moment—the part he had been waiting for.
"Little Bai, the spirit fox you sent to scout Liyue Harbor has already shown you everything, hasn't it? Quite a few Millelith soldiers using Delusions, wouldn't you say?"
"The more they lose, the more they want. The more powerless they are, the more they struggle. Isn't this farce just delightful? Hahahaha!"
Su Bai no longer had the energy to argue with Scaramouche. The Millelith had gone berserk. When one fell, another would take their Delusion and keep fighting. Monsters were being cut down before they could even reach the front lines.
Liyue Harbor was showing signs of a counterattack. The defensive lines had expanded considerably. But Su Bai felt no joy. Every Millelith soldier was burning through their life force. If this continued, they would all die.
"It seems you already know what's happening in Liyue Harbor. I won't disturb you any longer."
"Oh, I almost forgot. Take this Delusion. It grants its user tremendous power. Make good use of it."
Scaramouche tossed the Delusion toward Su Bai, who caught it with his tail. The sinister energy emanating from it made him deeply uncomfortable.
"Using it is simple. Just focus your will and draw on its power. There are some side effects, of course. Farewell, fox adeptus of Liyue."
Scaramouche turned away, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth. Rex Lapis was gone now. The contract binding Su Bai to protect Liyue had ended.
'Little Bai, let me see how you choose now that you have no ties binding you. I can't wait to find out.'