"From Snezhnaya, huh…"
Paimon looked at Teucer with surprise.
"Oh right! At times like this… here, take this!"
Teucer suddenly remembered something and pulled out a small pouch, handing it to the three of them.
"Hm? What's this… it's pretty heavy…"
"Wait…!?"
Paimon opened the bag and her eyes widened.
"So much Mora!"
Lumine stared at the golden coins inside in shock.
"My brother told me to carry it with me."
"He said if I give it to good people, good people will treat Teucer kindly."
Teucer explained innocently.
"Th-that actually makes a lot of sense…"
"Is that how you made it all the way from Snezhnaya to Liyue…?"
Paimon muttered.
"His brother certainly has a… unique teaching method."
Qiu Nian said with a helpless gesture.
"Very unique…"
Lumine nodded.
The livestream chat exploded.
[Case closed. Teucer's brother is definitely Childe]
[The walking wallet himself]
[That makes way too much sense]
[The legendary power of money]
[Childe is going to spoil this kid rotten]
"Teucer, there's a saying in Liyue: don't flaunt your wealth."
"It means you shouldn't reveal your valuables in front of others."
"If someone with bad intentions sees it, something could happen."
Qiu Nian said gently.
To be honest, Teucer was truly impressive.
He had traveled all the way from Snezhnaya to Liyue alone, even reaching this remote wilderness.
If anything had gone wrong along the way, the consequences could have been disastrous.
At that moment, Qiu Nian's gaze subtly shifted toward the distance.
"Big brother is a good person!"
"I'll remember what good people say!"
Teucer nodded earnestly.
"In that case, we'll hold onto this for now."
Lumine took the Mora.
Once they found his brother, she planned to return the money.
"Then let's make a pinky promise!"
Teucer stretched out his hand.
Lumine hooked her finger with his.
"Pinky promise, never break it."
"If you break it, you'll be thrown into the glaciers."
"Glaciers are cold, snowfields are cruel—"
"Liars' tongues will freeze solid!"
Teucer sang a chilling nursery rhyme.
"That's… a pretty brutal rhyme."
"Very Snezhnayan."
Paimon shivered.
"Well, looks like we'll be babysitters for a while."
"But where do we even find his brother?"
"Let's go to the Northland Bank."
"In Liyue, that's probably the only place connected to Snezhnaya."
Qiu Nian suggested.
"That's a great idea!"
Paimon nodded excitedly.
"Are we going now?"
"Teucer can finally see his brother again!"
Teucer jumped happily.
"Mm…"
"You two go ahead first."
"I have something to take care of. I'll catch up later."
Qiu Nian said.
"You always do this…"
Paimon said with a teasing look.
"Then we'll head off first."
Lumine waved before leading Paimon and Teucer back toward Liyue Harbor.
After the three of them disappeared into the distance—
Qiu Nian's pupils shifted slightly to the right.
Moments later, a tall man stepped out from behind a wall nearby.
He had long black hair, wore a military cap, and a silver-trimmed black mask that completely covered his face.
The mask concealed everything about him—his age, his origins, even his expressions.
"As expected…"
"A being who slew more than a hundred gods during the Archon War."
"You must have noticed me long ago."
A firm, righteous voice came from behind the mask.
He knew the being before him was that ancient god of legend.
Though he felt no fear, there was a hint of respect in his tone.
"An immortality curse…"
Qiu Nian turned slightly, surprised.
"And why have you come?"
He asked calmly.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
"I am the First of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, the leader of the diplomatic corps of Snezhnaya."
"You may call me The Captain."
The masked man spoke.
"Fatui Harbinger…"
"I should warn you—I do not hold much fondness for the so-called Fatui of this era."
"Yet armed with only the Immortality Curse of the Sovereign of Death, and a fragment of the Cryo Archon's authority, you still dared to meet me alone."
"Your courage is commendable."
Qiu Nian said calmly.
In his previous life he had played through Natlan's story, yet he had never actually encountered the Captain.
So he hadn't expected the man to bear the curse of immortality.
A Khaenri'ahn…
That would explain the face hidden beneath the mask.
"Her Majesty the Tsaritsa permits each Harbinger to pursue their own meaning."
"When the moment arrives, freedom may stand above command."
"All Harbingers serve the same queen and share the same ultimate goal."
"But our methods differ greatly."
"So I am not the same as my colleagues."
As he spoke, the Captain slowly walked closer.
"Rosalyne brought the Geo Gnosis back to Snezhnaya."
"She also told Her Majesty everything she witnessed in Liyue."
"That was when the Tsaritsa first spoke to me about you."
"So I know well that I am not your opponent."
The Captain stated calmly.
"I carry with me Her Majesty's invitation."
"…And also my own personal will."
"That is why I have come here."
He lowered his head slightly and placed a hand over his heart.
Qiu Nian's eyes showed a hint of curiosity.
"That's right."
"You are a powerful ancient god who does not belong to the Seven Archons of this world."
"That is precisely why Her Majesty wishes to invite you."
"To join her… in completing that plan."
"The Tsaritsa also said—"
"You would certainly understand why she chose this path."
The Captain explained.
"Haha…"
"That is quite a simple and pure reason for an invitation."
Qiu Nian chuckled softly.
Then he turned and began walking down the road.
A gentle wind passed through the birch trees, scattering yellow leaves that shimmered in the sunlight.
"I quite like the impression you give."
"So tell me…"
"What is your personal wish?"
Qiu Nian asked without turning around.
The Captain fell silent for a moment.
Then he stepped forward and walked beside Qiu Nian.
The two of them continued along the birch-lined path together.
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