Li Mo sat on stage and flicked his mind.
In an instant, a complete status panel appeared in his thoughts.
[Host]: Li Mo
[System]: Hundred-Lives Reincarnation System
[Current Life]: 100th
[Current Mission]: Become a storyteller in Liyue—make Arataki Itto cry, make Zhongli cry, make Xiangling cry, make Raiden Ei cry, make the Tsaritsa cry, and make Scaramouche cry.
[Storytelling Points]: 310,000
[Characters Who Have Cried]: Makoto, Ei, Raiden Shogun, Qiqi, Barbatos, Dvalin, Shenhe, Kazuha, Xiao, La Signora, Bennett, Diluc, Hu Tao…
[Other Items]: Wish x4, Musou Isshin, Serenitea Pot, Rare Building Collection, Wish Fragment x1
[System Shop]: Staff of Homa, Vision, Musou no Hitotachi
...
Normally, after each draw, the system would prompt for fusion with a past incarnation.
So Li Mo wasn't in a hurry.
He sat quietly on stage, listening to the noise of the audience below while waiting for the system notification.
Sitting on stage, Li Mo could hear Arataki Itto's loud laughter, as well as Paimon's angry shouts.
Just as he was waiting for the system to prompt him to fuse with his past incarnation, thousands of miles away in Snezhnaya, which was perpetually covered in snow and ice, the nation was much quieter than the other six.
Amid the swirling snow, people were accustomed to lighting small oil lamps and filling their fireplaces with dry firewood.
They stayed safely inside their warm homes.
At the Northland Bank, the Ninth Harbinger, Pantalone, sat in his office and had just received a letter from Tartaglia.
After reading it, Pantalone's face showed an expression of "just as I expected," and even a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Just as I predicted, Tartaglia and La Signora have run into trouble."
"But I wonder what could have troubled Tartaglia so much and caused La Signora to defect?"
"This is becoming more and more interesting."
Pantalone knew both Tartaglia and La Signora very well.
One was a talented young man.
The other was the Crimson Witch of Flames, who had been saved by the Tsaritsa, had served her for five hundred years, and was loyal to her.
How could such a La Signora defect?
How could she betray the Tsaritsa?
Even with Tartaglia's handwritten letter, it was hard for Pantalone to believe it.
After all, the Tsaritsa trusted La Signora completely.
It was because of that trust that she had sent her to Mondstadt and Liyue to carry out the most important missions.
Not even Pantalone believed it.
Even if the Tsaritsa herself heard about this, she might not believe it.
The subordinate who had delivered the letter suddenly spoke.
"Lord Tartaglia also instructed me to give this light novel to you."
"He also asked me to remind you to take the time to read it."
"The contents are very important."
With that, the subordinate took out a light novel from his coat and handed it to Pantalone.
Pantalone took the light novel, looking confused.
When had Tartaglia started reading light novels?
And a light novel from Yae Publishing House in Liyue?
Had Tartaglia been charmed by that fox editor from Yae Publishing House?
Pantalone smiled. "Very well. If I have time, I'll take a look at this light novel. When you return, remind Tartaglia to watch his spending and not waste too much Mora."
Over the past few days, Pantalone had been receiving more and more bills.
Though each one was small, the total Mora spent from all those bills combined was an astronomical sum.
Even Pantalone, as a banker, couldn't help feeling a little pained.
The subordinate said seriously, "Understood. When I return to Liyue, I'll relay that message to Lord Tartaglia."
"Also, Lord Tartaglia asked me to make sure the Tsaritsa reads this letter as well. He also said that if Her Majesty has time, she must visit Liyue."
The subordinate repeated all of Tartaglia's instructions.
Pantalone found this very puzzling.
Ask the Tsaritsa to go to Liyue?
How was that possible?
Although the mission in Liyue was important and somewhat difficult, having the Harbingers handle it should be enough.
There was no need to trouble the Tsaritsa herself.
Pantalone didn't directly refuse. He just smiled and said, "Very well. I'll deliver this letter to the Tsaritsa. Tell Tartaglia not to worry."
"And when you return to Liyue, have Tartaglia explain clearly what happened with La Signora's defection."
La Signora's status was the same as theirs—a Harbinger under the Tsaritsa.
She was very important to the Tsaritsa.
How could she be branded a traitor based on a few words?
The details had to be clarified.
The subordinate hesitated for a moment, then said, "Lord Tartaglia said that once you read that light novel, you'll understand why Lady La Signora defected."
Pantalone: "I'll understand just by reading a light novel? Very well, I'll take a look."
After giving the subordinate some additional instructions, he sent him back to Liyue to assist Tartaglia with the mission.
After the subordinate left, Pantalone looked at the letter in his hand and felt somewhat conflicted.
Should he trouble the Tsaritsa with this matter?
Forget it. He would investigate further before reporting to Her Majesty.
By the way, there was also that light novel, which Tartaglia seemed to place great importance on. Could it be hiding some secret?
Just as Pantalone was about to open the light novel and see what was inside, another subordinate entered the bank office with a stack of bills.
"Lord Pantalone, here are Lord Tartaglia's latest expense bills."
Pantalone looked confused. "Didn't I just process a batch yesterday?"
The subordinate said cautiously, "These are today's new bills."
Pantalone: "???"
In just one day, so many bills had accumulated?
Tartaglia was becoming more and more excessive.
Pantalone could only take the bills and go through them one by one.
But the items on the bills were very strange to him.
Three jugs of fine wine: 60,000 Mora.
One pot of fine tea: 10,000 Mora.
Three servings of sweets: 40,000 Mora.
A whole stack of bills, all for wine, sweets, tea, and various dishes.
Pantalone was very confused.
When had Tartaglia become such a big eater? When had his tolerance for alcohol become so good?
Forget it. He'd set that aside for now.
He'd first see what secrets were hidden in that light novel that Tartaglia seemed to care so much about.
Pantalone slowly opened the light novel.
The moment he read the first story, his brow furrowed.
A story about the Raiden sisters?
Could the secret of La Signora's betrayal be hidden in these stories?