Qiu Bai followed Lumine footsteps to the entrance of the Golden House.
The atmosphere here was eerie—outside, the Millelith Army soldiers lay collapsed on the ground.
"Quick… hurry into the Golden House."
"Someone is trying to steal Rex Lapis Molted Husk!"
A fallen Millelith soldier suddenly spoke, startling both Lumine and Paimon.
The next moment, the soldier lost consciousness again, falling completely still.
Qiu Bai furrowed his brows. He extended his hand, emitting a soft white glow, channeling energy into the surrounding fallen soldiers.
"It looks like that guy, Childe, hasn't been here for long either!"
"We need to hurry inside!"
Paimon glanced around at the unconscious Millelith soldiers before turning back to Qiu Bai and Lumine, urging them forward.
Qiu Bai nodded, then quickly led the way inside with Lumine and Paimon following.
As they pushed open the doors of the Golden House, an endless sea of Mora stretched before them, scattered like grains of sand.
The air was warm, and the surroundings resembled the grand palace of an emperor. Several golden ancient lamps burned ahead, illuminating the vast chamber.
More Millelith soldiers lay motionless on the floor. At the very center of the grand hall lay the body of the Geo Archon—his Molted Husk of the Geo Archon.
"Whoa! So this is the Golden House!"
"The exterior already looked grand, but the inside is even more luxurious—Mora everywhere!"
Paimon flew forward, glancing around excitedly. Seeing the towering piles of Mora glistening like golden sand dunes, her eyes sparkled.
"If all of this belonged to Paimon…"
"Then I'd never have to worry about food or money ever again!"
As she fantasized, Paimon happily stomped her feet in excitement.
Lumine, however, shot her a disapproving glance.
"Paimon, did you already forget why we came here?"
Hands on her hips, Lumine looked at Paimon with exasperation.
"W-why are you being so serious?"
"If all the Mora in Teyvat is made here, taking just a little wouldn't even be noticed, right?"
Paimon pouted, looking at Lumine in protest.
"If it were that simple, things would've fallen into chaos long ago, little Paimon."
Standing beside her, Qiu Bai chuckled as he patted Paimon head, watching her act like a little money-grubber.
After all, for this much Mora to be left out in the open, something was definitely off.
"So it's a baited trap… That was close! Good thing Qiu Bai warned me!"
Hearing Qiu Bai words, Paimon thought about it again—after all, she wasn't actually stupid.
"I won't take any! But just looking should be fine, right?"
"If possible, I'd love to lie on that pile of Mora. Even sleeping would feel better!"
Paimon turned to Lumine and Qiu Bai, grinning cheerfully.
"For now, let's check on the state of the Molted Husk of the Geo Archon."
"Looking at these Millelith soldiers… things don't seem good."
Lumine glanced around at the Millelith soldiers lying unconscious on the ground, her delicate brows furrowing as she sank into thought.
"Right, right. We have more important things to do."
With that, the three of them strode toward the Molted Husk of the Geo Archon.
"I've never really taken a close look at this thing before."
"Didn't expect it to be this small."
Standing before the husk of Morax false body, Qiu Bai stroked his chin as he examined it.
"Though... it seems like someone familiar is approaching."
Qiu Bai turned around, looking toward the staircase ahead.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed through the vast Golden House.
"As guides, your mission should have ended already."
"So why have you come looking for trouble?"
Lumine and Paimon turned their heads in confusion.
"Huh? Who's there?!"
Lumine drew her six-star Nameless Sword, her gaze sharpening.
Likewise, Qiu Bai unsheathed his ten-star Yin-Yang Chaos Sword. He suppressed his divine power to near nothingness, he didn't want to accidentally kill Childe.
A figure with a duck-like hairstyle—no, a brown-haired man gradually emerged from the shadows.
It was none other than the Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers Tartaglia, also known as Childe.
"If you were Fatui, perhaps you'd receive a generous reward from Her Majesty."
"But right now, you're nothing more than worthless obstacles."
Childe's gaze had long since locked onto Qiu Bai, standing beside the Traveler.
"There's still time to stop you!"
Lumine gripped her sword, her eyes fixed on Childe.
"Liyue's Qixing really went all out halting the minting of Mora just to hide the Molted Husk."
"But don't you think it's a little too late to stop me now?"
Childe smirked as he assessed the three standing before him, then turned his gaze toward Qiu Bai.
"Didn't expect to see you here as well, Mr. Qiu Bai. I don't particularly like fighting my own allies..."
"But for the Gnosis of Morax, I'll have to apologize in advance."
He eyed Qiu Bai, who stood unwaveringly with a black-and-white sword in hand, exuding an air of calm confidence. A fierce battle intent flickered in Childe's eyes.
"So you really are after the Gnosis hidden within the Molten Husk!"
Paimon gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
"This is blasphemy against the gods!"
"As the Eleventh Harbinger, I must uphold the will of the Tsaritsa."
"What Her Majesty desires, we shall take!"
Qiu Bai nodded slightly. At least Childe was loyal—an invaluable subordinate. Unlike the others…
Scaramouche ran off. The Doctor was insubordinate.
Qiu Bai lips twitched slightly at the thought. The Cryo Archon... who knew what she was planning?
"We won't let you near the Molted Husk."
Lumine raised her sword, ready for battle.
"The question isn't who allows me, but who can stop me?"
"The time for bargaining and scheming is over."
"Though I despise underhanded tricks, for Her Majesty, I can endure."
After saying this, Childe looked at the three before him.
"Now then, let's indulge in something truly simple and enjoyable and that is a fight"
A fiery battle intent surged in his eyes.
"Fight? So you're the type who enjoys picking fights?"
Paimon tilted her head, staring at the high-spirited Tartaglia with a hint of confusion.
Childe glanced at her, chuckling softly.
"In Mondstadt, Signora insulted the gods right outside the cathedral. The moment she got what she wanted, she fled in haste."
"She preferred to seal you in ice rather than fight you head-on—not because she feared you, but because she didn't want the knights to intervene."
"When facing the strong, she prioritizes calculating profits, weighing victory and defeat, and considering the consequences of making a move."
He explained slowly, unbothered by the time passing—his confidence in his own strength was unwavering.
"Pfft."
Hearing this, Qiu Bai couldn't hold back a laugh.
Childe frowned slightly, confused by Qiu Bai amusement.
If Signora truly calculated benefits, weighed her chances, and considered the consequences of battle… she wouldn't have been reduced to ashes by the Raiden Shogun.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. Go on, Childe, keep saying your lines."
"I just thought of something funny."
Qiu Bai waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for Childe to continue.
Childe, now even more bewildered, glanced at the still-smiling Qiu Bai, wondering if he was being mocked.
"I won't kill you."
"Let's simply enjoy the thrill of battle together."
"If you're here to play…"
"Then don't disappoint me!"
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