"Well... I have a question. Bullying Paimon like this—aren't you worried that after you die, she'll sneakily eat all your grave offerings? This little one holds grudges, you know."
Su Bai pointed at Paimon, still trapped in the ice. La Signora laughed as if she'd heard the world's funniest joke, her body swaying gracefully, her impressive chest trembling without pause.
"Haha! I didn't expect Liyue's adeptus to have such a sense of humor. Me, die? Before I accomplish Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's great mission, I will not die!"
"You never know. Maybe one day you'll be struck by lightning."
Su Bai's words only made La Signora laugh harder. Nearby Mondstadt citizens were drawn by her laughter; several young girls glanced at her trembling chest before quickly lowering their heads and hurrying away, puzzled why she was so... endowed.
As for the seasoned onlookers, they couldn't tear their eyes away from the sight before them. If not for La Signora's fearsome reputation, many might have approached to strike up a conversation.
Su Bai, however, felt nothing special toward her. The liquid fire flowing within her could easily roast him into fox jerky—he had no masochistic tendencies. Still, he had to admit, at this moment La Signora did resemble a beautiful flower.
'Pity. No matter how beautiful, a flower watered with blood still carries a bloody stench.'
With a faint sigh, Su Bai pushed aside such thoughts. He didn't know why Barbatos allowed Signora to slap him, but he was certain the Archon had some kind of plan. If Signora ever dared act so presumptuously before that old hag Ei, she'd be met with the Musou no Hitotachi.
"Since this matter is between you and Barbatos, I won't interfere as an outsider. But can you tell me why you want the Gnosis? Do you aspire to become the next Anemo Archon?"
Su Bai was genuinely curious why Signora had spoken those 'heartfelt' words to Venti. After all, gods weren't called gods because they possessed Gnoses. What made a god a god was their own inherent strength.
This was evident from that old hag Ei and Sister Miko. Even if Sister Miko held a Gnosis, her strength was still far inferior to Ei's.
"Hah, the Anemo Archon? I have no interest in that position. I am loyal only to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa."
At the mention of her queen, fanaticism flickered in Signora's eyes. She could finally obtain eternal youth—how wonderful.
"As for what purpose the Gnosis serves... when the time is right, you'll naturally understand. Hahahaha!"
Laughing heartily, La Signora departed. The Cicin Mage behind her let out a long sigh of relief. Just hold on a little longer—soon she could rest. Su Bai, meanwhile, was utterly bewildered.
'Indeed. Riddle-speakers are the most detestable. Riddle-speakers should be banished from Teyvat!'
At first, Signora's words made Su Bai worry about his own Geo Archon. But then he reconsidered—could that lazy, good-for-nothing Barbatos even compare to their Rex Lapis? The Geo Archon was a God of War. A few measly Fatui Harbingers? He could wipe them out with a wave. Why fear some insignificant Signora?
"Venti? Lumine? What happened here, Su Bai?"
Jean rushed out from the Cathedral, halting at the sight of Lumine and Venti lying on the ground. 'Holy... should I declare 'Anemo Archon attacked, seal the scene' right now?'
"Oh, I don't know what happened either. They were already on the ground when I arrived."
Su Bai—now known as Su the Brazen Liar—maintained his composure without batting an eye. If Jean learned that Barbatos's Gnosis had been stolen by La Signora, she'd never let the Harbinger leave Mondstadt so easily. Then Barbatos's plan would be ruined.
Hearing that Su Bai knew nothing, Jean hurriedly helped Lumine and Venti into the Cathedral to find Barbara for treatment. Su Bai glanced at Paimon still frozen in the ice block beside him. 'Well, little Paimon's been ignored again.'
"Poor little Paimon, forgotten once more. Perfect timing—I was going to see Bennett anyway. Let him use his Pyro to thaw you out."
Su Bai picked up the ice block and headed into the Cathedral. Inside, Barbara was treating Lumine and Venti, though Venti 'regained consciousness' after just a few heals.
After learning what happened, Jean rushed to Knights headquarters to review recent intelligence on the Fatui. If Signora dared openly attack the Anemo Archon, the Fatui might be planning something major.
"Bennett, you cannot play with fire indoors anymore. It's extremely dangerous. If I hadn't been here today, the two of you would have burned down the entire Cathedral."
"Hehe, okay, okay. I promise not to play with fire in the infirmary again."
In the sickroom, Barbara sternly lectured Bennett. Apparently, Bennett's bad luck had struck again—a breeze through the window had tilted the flame he was using to thaw Paimon, igniting a nearby blanket.
If Barbara hadn't arrived in time, the recently frozen Paimon might have experienced being roasted instead. After lecturing Bennett for a while, Barbara left to tend to the unconscious Lumine. Paimon sighed with relief and patted her chest.
"I never imagined the usually gentle Barbara could be so imposing. Unbelievable."
"Yeah, yeah. I've had Barbara treat my injuries so many times, but this is the first time I've seen her scowl like that."
"Hey, little one, did you also wander into a Cryo Regisvine's cave and get frozen like me?"
Bennett gave Paimon an understanding look. Paimon scratched her head. Cryo Regisvine? Isn't that just one of Xiangling's ingredients? Since when could a Regisvine freeze people? This guy was way too pathetic.
"Oh, right—you two don't know each other. Let me introduce you."
"Paimon, the young man who saved you is Bennett. He's a very resilient and warm-hearted person, and Razor's best friend. Last night at the banquet, Razor packed up food specifically for him."
"Bennett, this tasty-looking little one is Paimon—emergency food for a friend of mine."
"Hey! Paimon is NOT food!"
Ignoring Paimon's protests, Su Bai continued drying her with a towel while introducing them. Bennett grinned sheepishly and lowered his head shyly. He hadn't expected Razor to think of him while dining out—truly a good brother.
"By the way, hasn't Razor brought you food yet? I remember him saying last night he'd reheat those dishes for your breakfast."
"Huh? No, not yet. Maybe something delayed him on the way."
Su Bai's eyes narrowed slightly. That didn't seem like Razor's style. But Bennett had a point—perhaps he'd encountered some trouble. Better wait a while longer.