Sandrone always wanted to ease Severin's burden. After a moment's thought, she said, "Your Highness, since Rex Lapis is in an unstable state, why don't we strike while the iron is hot and force him to hand over the Geo Gnosis?"
Severin didn't even lift his head. "Taking advantage of weakness is the lowest form of strategy."
Sandrone persisted. "Dottore developed a neural toxin mist. He claims that at sufficient concentration, even gods cannot resist it. I can use it to incapacitate Rex Lapis and take the Gnosis."
Severin shook his head slightly. "I taught Dottore that technique. It works to some extent on ordinary gods. It does nothing to Morax."
Sandrone frowned, quickly adjusting her approach. "Then we could replicate Mondstadt's strategy—support a puppet force to seize power, force Rex Lapis into negotiation, and make him surrender the Gnosis."
Severin dismissed it outright. "Liyue is not Mondstadt. Mondstadt's people believe they were abandoned by Barbatos. Liyue's people, on the other hand, deeply revere Morax. Any puppet regime that challenges him would be overthrown by the people themselves."
Sandrone let out a quiet sigh, her shoulders drooping. "Then… what should we do?"
Severin replied calmly, "Win the economic war against the Liyue Qixing. Then force him to hand over the Gnosis."
"…I see." She hesitated before asking, "Your Highness… is it possible Rex Lapis is deceiving us?"
Severin glanced toward the moonlight outside. "Xiao nearly died facing the 'Night of a Hundred Demons.' It was Barbatos's flute that saved him. Morax would never gamble with the life of one of his Yaksha. And he has never been fond of such tricks."
He stood up. "That's enough. I'm going to bathe and rest."
Sandrone quickly stepped forward, her voice a little cautious. "Your Highness, the Mirror Maiden is occupied tonight. Please allow me to attend to you during your bath."
A lie. The Mirror Maiden would always formally request leave.
Severin looked at her. "Where did you send her?"
Sandrone smiled sweetly. "You've attended many banquets these past few days and had quite a bit to drink. I sent her to the kitchen to prepare something light for you."
Severin sighed faintly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You should put this effort into strategy. You wouldn't be inferior to the other Harbingers."
She tilted her head slightly. "With you here, Your Highness… why should I trouble myself with such things?"
Severin let out a soft chuckle and stood. The two entered the bath chamber together.
When he wasn't busy, Severin preferred soaking in a hot spring before sleep. In its absence, a wooden bath would suffice. Since this was only a temporary residence, a bath barrel was all that was available.
Sandrone helped him remove his cloak and armor, folding them neatly and placing them aside. Though she knew his past well, the sight of the countless scars across his body—and the dark curse flowing through his veins—still made her eyes tremble.
"Don't cry."
His tone was calm but firm.
"…Yes, Your Highness."
Once he stepped into the bath, warm steam rose around him. He closed his eyes, letting his mind settle. Sandrone stood quietly nearby, holding a robe and bathing supplies, waiting for his command.
"Your Highness."
Before long, a voice came from outside. It was Pantalone.
Severin opened his eyes, but the first thing he looked at was Sandrone. She froze, completely at a loss.
Snezhnaya was not a nation that valued harmony. Its people were fierce, and among the Eleven Harbingers, rivalry and scheming never ceased. As long as it didn't cross the line, both Severin and the Tsaritsa turned a blind eye. In fact, they believed such competition kept the Harbingers sharp—and sometimes even rewarded it.
Which meant every Harbinger was always searching for another's weakness.
If Pantalone discovered that Sandrone had personally attended Severin's bath, he would undoubtedly report it to the Tsaritsa. At best, she would be reprimanded. At worst, she might lose her seat among the Harbingers. Worse still, if others learned she had taken over the Mirror Maiden's role, she would never live it down. And someone like Columbina might not let her off lightly at all.
In that instant, Sandrone understood the situation completely. So did Severin.
After a brief pause, he made his decision. "Come in."
"…Huh?"
Sandrone froze for a full three seconds before realizing his intent. Without hesitation, she gathered her skirt and slipped into the bath, taking a deep breath before sinking beneath the water.
At the same time, Pantalone knocked. "Your Highness, it's me."
"Enter."
Pantalone stepped inside with his head slightly lowered, stopping behind the bead curtain. "Your Highness, after detailed calculations, the Mora currently circulating in Liyue's market totals approximately two trillion. To maintain stability, it must not fall below one trillion. This matches your earlier prediction—the critical threshold is one trillion. Once circulation drops below that, the market will destabilize and collapse."
He continued, "As of today, Northland Bank has absorbed nearly eight hundred billion Mora from circulation. With just another two hundred billion, Liyue will enter deflation, followed by an economic crisis. However, over the past two days, the rate of deposit absorption has slowed significantly. To absorb another five hundred billion Mora may take anywhere from three months to over a year."
After reporting both progress and the bottleneck, he fell silent.
Severin gave his orders immediately. "First, strengthen cooperation with Minghua Money House. Some of Liyue's older merchants still distrust Northland Bank. Use Minghua's name to ease their concerns. Second, wait for the adepti to begin spending Mora."
"Understood, Your Highness." Pantalone bowed slightly. "I'll personally visit Minghua Money House at once… Your Highness, where is the Mirror Maiden?"
He remembered clearly—she was always present during the Prince's bath.
"I wanted a few light dishes. I sent her to the kitchen."
"Then I'll arrange another attendant."
"No need. I'm finished."
"…Understood. I'll take my leave."
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