Takumi brought Childe into the office and motioned for him to sit.
"What do you want to talk about this time?"
"What's the matter?"
While speaking, Takumi made tea for him.
Hearing the question, Childe nodded and stated his purpose.
"Snezhnaya hopes to obtain network access authorization from Liyue."
"We've already made mobile phones in Snezhnaya, but they can't connect to your network."
"So…"
He hoped they could join Liyue's network.
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
"You came for this?"
"I thought it was something serious. This is easy."
"No problem."
He thought Childe was here for something complicated.
He never expected it was just for internet access.
If that was the case, there was no issue.
In fact, Takumi wanted Snezhnaya connected.
The more advanced each nation became, the stronger Takumi's own ability became.
If Snezhnaya joined the network, that left only two nations—
Fontaine and Natlan.
If those two connected as well—
Then Takumi could oversee everything happening in Teyvat through the network.
So Snezhnaya wanted access?
No problem.
Of course, there would be a fee.
Takumi looked at Childe seriously.
"About the access permit."
"We can approve it, but there is one requirement."
Childe raised a brow.
"Say it."
He wasn't afraid of requests—only demands without terms.
"For every mobile phone that connects, you must pay us one thousand mora."
"You pay based on how many devices access the network."
Takumi smiled.
One thousand mora per device.
Whatever Snezhnaya earned beyond that didn't concern him.
Childe stared, confused.
Good grief, wouldn't this mean endless payments to Takumi?
"That won't work!"
He refused instantly.
They wouldn't make any profit; everything would go to Liyue.
Even if Childe was discouraged lately, he wasn't stupid.
Takumi sighed.
"You don't want that?"
"Well, there's another option—buy the access license directly."
"Five billion mora."
He quoted a lion's price.
Childe paused.
"Permanent?"
"If it's permanent, it's acceptable."
If it was forever, he could accept it.
If not, impossible.
All earnings would vanish into Liyue otherwise.
"Of course it's permanent."
"Once you buy it, I'll authorize it for you. Whether computers or phones—"
"All can connect to Liyue's network."
"Even if Snezhnaya builds its own network, we'll allow access from our side."
"It's a good deal, isn't it?"
"Five billion mora for a permanent license."
After thinking, Childe nodded.
"Fine."
"I can pay right now."
He didn't even negotiate.
He immediately agreed.
Takumi was pleased.
"That works."
"I'll give you the bank account. Transfer the funds, and I'll set everything up."
He handed over an account number.
Childe nodded, took out his phone, and sent instructions for the money transfer.
After finishing, he told Takumi:
"It's done."
"It should arrive soon."
"We're finished here. I'll leave first."
"I need to return and report."
His expression became subtle.
Spending that much money at once…
The Tsaritsa would definitely call later.
He wanted to avoid trouble.
If money could solve it, he would spend it.
It wasn't coming out of his pocket anyway.
Takumi twitched his mouth slightly.
So he made this decision without even asking permission?
No wonder he was so fast.
"All right."
"Go do your work."
The money was his now, so Takumi didn't care.
Childe nodded, drank his tea, and left.
As soon as he stepped outside the General Affairs Department, his phone rang.
He didn't need to guess—it was from the Tsaritsa's side.
Because the transfer was under her account.
Seeing such a massive expense, she acted immediately.
When Childe heard the irritated voice from the other side, he replied casually:
"The matter is settled. Whether computers or phones, we can connect to Liyue's network now."
"It cost six billion."
"I paid one billion myself. You don't have enough in your account."
Silence.
"Six billion?"
"That's… acceptable."
"I thought there were conditions."
So the money went here?
That was fine.
Childe continued smoothly:
"At first, the condition was one thousand mora per device."
"But I refused."
"So we only had the option of paying six billion mora."
"If possible, reimburse me."
"That's my personal funds."
He had exaggerated by one billion on purpose.
A deserved bonus.
"Ajax… are you lying to me?"
"You used a billion for yourself?"
Suspicion filled the Tsaritsa's voice.
There was no proof—but she guessed it.
Childe kept calm.
"Why would I lie?"
"If I wasn't afraid he'd change his mind, I'd have asked you beforehand."
"Hurry and reimburse me."
"Or you can be the diplomat instead."
The Tsaritsa was frustrated.
But after thinking, she felt Childe wasn't that type.
He was a warrior.
Corruption didn't suit him.
So she replied:
"I understand. I'll transfer it later."
Then hung up.
And Childe, after ending the call, became excited.
Nice.
He earned a billion instantly.
Huge profit.
Maybe next time…
He could do the same.