Genshin, No sad stories

Zhongli met Childe's resentful gaze with a twinge of guilt.

But then he remembered Hu Tao's delighted face when he brought home those gifts—

And the guilt vanished instantly.

As a doting father figure, what could be more important than his daughter's happiness?

"This was a contract with the Tsaritsa."

"My apologies."

It was all just business.

He hadn't meant to deceive him.

Hearing this, Childe's mood soured even further.

What an honor—scammed by the Geo Archon and betrayed by his own queen.

Maybe he should just quit being a Harbinger and go back to selling toys.

The urge to resign grew stronger.

"There's nothing left to say at this point."

"Morax, it's time to hand over the Gnosis."

Signora cut straight to the chase.

No more delays—she wanted the Gnosis now, so she could return to Snezhnaya as soon as possible.

After all, Jiang Chen was here.

Who knew what fresh hell he'd unleash next?

Her gaze flicked toward him—

And then froze.

Because she finally noticed the Gnosis spinning between Jiang Chen's fingers.

Wait, what?

Morax just gave it to him?!

Her stomach dropped.

A terrible premonition crept into her mind.

"The Gnosis is right here."

Just as she thought this, Jiang Chen spoke up, twirling the chess piece with a grin.

Signora's heart sank.

"Morax, what is the meaning of this?"

Her eyes burned into Zhongli.

Was he breaking the contract?

"How dare you speak to Rex Lapis like that?"

Jiang Chen slammed the table, glaring at Signora.

Silence.

The atmosphere turned awkward.

Especially for Zhongli, who gave Jiang Chen a sideways glance.

Since when was this guy so respectful toward him?

What the hell?

Meanwhile, Childe—still emotionally scarred—quietly backed away, subtly nudging Signora forward.

No particular reason.

He just didn't want Jiang Chen to kick his kidneys again.

They still ached from last time.

One more hit and he'd die.*

Signora noticed Childe's retreat but ignored it.

She took a deep breath, her gaze locked onto Jiang Chen.

"A contract must be honored. Those who break it shall be punished by the weight of stone."

"Those were your words, Morax."

"Do you intend to violate them now?"

She was this close to snapping.

These people were pushing her limits.

How dare they treat the Fatui like this?!

"Break the contract? Eat salt?"

"What salt?"

You actually believe verbal promises?

Ever heard of loopholes?*

Jiang Chen's blatant wordplay left Signora stunned.

But before she could react, he flipped the Gnosis in his hand and smirked.

"You've got the Anemo Gnosis, right?"

"Mind if I take a look?"*

"I'll give it back with this one."

Signora's brain short-circuited.

What kind of nonsense was this?!

Not only was he refusing to hand over the Geo Gnosis, but now he wanted to see the Anemo one too?

Wait—how did he know she had it?!

Her eyes narrowed.

"How do you know the Anemo Gnosis is in my possession?"

"Did Barbatos tell Morax?"

Her mind instantly constructed a conspiracy.

Barbatos must have ratted her out after handing over his Gnosis!

Otherwise, how would Jiang Chen know?

This was top-secret intel—even most Fatui agents weren't aware.

Yet Jiang Chen casually dropped it like it was common knowledge.

"Because I've seen the future~!"

"Barbatos didn't say a word."

Jiang Chen spun the Gnosis, spinning lies with equal ease.

It wasn't his first time claiming future sight, after all.

"The future?"

"Prophecy?"

Signora frowned, recalling astrologists and their methods.

So that's it.

"Exactly~!"

"I've seen it all, Rosalyne."

"Do you want to seize your future?"

Jiang Chen's grin widened, oozing malicious amusement.

Signora shivered—was that a threat?

No, just her imagination… right?

Zhongli, meanwhile, looked puzzled.

What was Jiang Chen getting at?

"Rosalyne~!"

"You're too arrogant, so you won't live long."

"And your death will be gruesome."*

"So bad, there won't even be ashes left."

"Just a mask sent back to Snezhnaya."

"That's all I'll say."

"So hand over the Anemo Gnosis, yeah?"

"I won't keep it—just wanna look."*

Jiang Chen dangled the future in front of her like a carrot and stick.

Hopefully, she'd wise up and avoid getting sliced by a certain country girl.*

Signora's mind blanked.

She dies?

Because she's too arrogant?

Is this for real?

Her thoughts raced, leaving her frozen.

Childe, meanwhile, studied Signora with newfound interest.

She gets killed?

But the more he thought about it, the more plausible it sounded.

She was insufferably arrogant—even among the Harbingers, she looked down on almost everyone.

No wonder someone would snap and murder her.

Probably in Inazuma, right?

Childe quickly pieced it together.

If it was the Raiden Shogun…

Would killing Signora really be that surprising?

The Tsaritsa had already briefed them on the other Archons.

Inazuma's ruler was a second-generation god—

And an exceptionally combat-focused one at that.

Given Inazuma's current turmoil… yikes.

If the Shogun snapped, the Fatui would be toast.

Damn, Inazuma sounds dangerous.*

Maybe he should request a transfer to Fontaine next time?

Their Archon seems easier to deal with!

Yeah, that's the plan.

As for Sumeru?

Hard pass.

He refused to work with that disgusting colleague.

Plus, Sumeru was too close to Liyue.

If something happened there, Jiang Chen might show up—

Just like he did in Mondstadt.*

Who knows where he'll pop up next?

So, Fontaine or Natlan it was.

Right now, Childe just wanted to stay far away from Liyue—

And far away from Jiang Chen.

That kidney kick had left him traumatized.

If he hadn't been in Foul Legacy form, his organs might've exploded.*

Just thinking about it made his kidneys throb again.