Elsewhere
Lumine and Paimon had finally managed to slip out of the Jade Chamber platform's perimeter.
As long as they passed through this passage, they could avoid the first blockade.
But who could have expected it?
A dry branch hidden in the grass betrayed them.
Crack!
The moment the sound rang out, nearby Millelith soldiers instantly noticed them.
"The blonde woman is over here! And that little thing too!"
"Get over here—catch them!"
"You two, surrender immediately!"
Seeing more than a dozen Millelith soldiers charging toward them with spears raised, Paimon's face went pale.
"Lumine, what do we do?! We're going to get caught!"
At a moment like this, Lumine obviously wasn't going to obediently submit.
Who knew what would happen once they were arrested?
She preferred to keep control in her own hands—to clear her name in a way she could accept, rather than letting others interrogate her freely.
What if she ran into corrupt fools like that Lawrence clan guy from Mondstadt?
That would be walking straight into a trap.
"Fight our way out!"
As the so-called Hilichurl Terminator, Slime Undertaker, Abyss Mage Nemesis, Dragon Rider—among countless other titles—Lumine immediately threw herself into combat.
Of course, she didn't dare go all out.
If someone got seriously injured or killed, she'd end up on a blacklist even if she was innocent.
She charged forward with fists and kicks, tearing open a gap in the Millelith formation.
But because she couldn't strike too hard, she failed to break through completely.
Even more soldiers began rushing in from afar.
If they got surrounded, it would truly be over.
Just then—
A graceful figure leapt down from above.
For reasons unknown, the man suddenly joined the fight on Lumine's side.
After knocking back several Millelith soldiers, the young man—looking like a carefree noble—grabbed Lumine and swiftly led her away.
The two reached a safe spot.
Just as Lumine was about to thank him, the cheerful young man placed a hand over his chest and introduced himself.
"Hello. I'm from the Fatui diplomatic corps of Snezhnaya—
the Eleventh Harbinger, Childe.
My name is Tartaglia."
Lumine and Paimon stared at him with wide eyes.
Despite clearly standing on opposing sides, the young man greeted them casually, smiling as if nothing were wrong.
The two were stunned.
Paimon was the first to shout, blocking Lumine instinctively.
"You're Fatui?! Then why did you save us?!"
She was angry—and confused.
After all, the Fatui had committed countless atrocities back in Mondstadt.
Childe chuckled awkwardly.
"Hey, I know you don't trust me. But I'm different from the others."
Seeing their guarded expressions, he gave a helpless smile and shook his head.
"Let me put it this way—I witnessed the entire incident at Mt. Tianheng.
I know you had nothing to do with it. But right now, you must clear your names."
"At a time like this, you need confirmation from an outside authority.
Liyue was founded by Rex Lapis and the adepti. If you can get an adeptus to vouch for you, the problem will be solved."
Lumine was suspicious.
Why would this man help them out of nowhere?
What was his real goal?
But reality matched his words—if she didn't clear her name, she wouldn't be able to move freely within Liyue Harbor at all.
"What's your plan?" she asked.
Childe smiled slightly and produced a mysterious talisman.
"This is a Sigil of Permission.
With it, you can meet the adepti. It's said they dwell in Jueyun Karst, a place ordinary people can't reach."
"Given your abilities, you should be able to seek an audience.
Explain everything directly to them, and the truth will come out."
His words sounded sincere—there was no obvious trap, and he seemed genuinely concerned for them.
Still…
To say he was simply being kind?
Lumine didn't believe that so easily.
"What do you want in return?" she asked.
Childe spread his hands innocently.
"I just don't want innocent people to get dragged into this.
Sometimes the Fatui act too harshly, too recklessly—that's why we've earned such a bad reputation. I want to change that."
His expression was earnest.
Lumine hesitated.
He really did seem sincere.
She exchanged a glance with Paimon.
They had no better option anyway.
Only by clearing their names could they investigate the truth properly—rather than being led around like pawns without realizing it.
Staring at the Sigil of Permission, Lumine finally accepted it.
"I'll trust you—this once."
She put the talisman away and whispered to Paimon.
"Let's go. We're heading to Jueyun Karst to meet the adepti and explain everything."
"Okay!"
With one last glance at the seemingly sincere Tartaglia, Lumine and Paimon hurried toward the outskirts of Liyue, beyond the yet-unsealed borders.
Behind them, Childe watched with a strange smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Meanwhile—
Leaving aside the "tool duo" who had just met the Fatui Harbinger—
Luo Li and Raiden Makoto's group remained where they were.
Noelle asked carefully,
"What should we do now?"
They had come to Liyue to witness the Rite of Descension and see the Geo Archon in person.
But this sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.
Watching Ganyu depart, Eula and Noelle fell silent.
Even with Ganyu gone, Luo Li didn't reveal himself, maintaining a heavy, solemn expression.
"You all stay here. I'll go investigate something."
His acting was convincing—even Raiden Makoto couldn't see through it.
Though she felt something was off, she nodded.
"Go ahead. We'll be fine here."
No matter how thorough the investigation became, Liyue wouldn't place suspicion on them.
After all, Ganyu knew Luo Li and Makoto's identities—and they were guests from Mondstadt.
Mondstadt's Anemo Archon had just had his Gnosis stolen.
They were victims, not suspects.
Seeing the concern in Makoto's eyes, a fleeting trace of guilt crossed Luo Li's heart.
This is all Zhongli's fault. Not mine.
With that thought, his conscience instantly cleared.
"I'll look for clues. You stay at Ganyu's residence. You can go out if you want."
After giving his instructions, Luo Li turned and left without hesitation.
Descending from Mt. Tianheng—
Unlike Lumine, he encountered no resistance.
Once the Millelith learned who he was, they immediately opened the path, allowing him to pass freely into Fei