From the dark shadows, Tartaglia slowly emerged, greeting Bonanus with a deceptively friendly expression, like a caring older brother.
"So why are you following me? As a diplomat from another nation, that's not exactly proper, is it?"
Bonanus pretended to be at ease, shifting into a more comfortable stance and speaking with a hint of confusion. After saying that, she couldn't help but size him up. Tall and handsome, he was undeniably striking.
She had to admit, in this real world, Tartaglia's appearance was top-tier—breathtakingly so. He radiated warmth and charm, spoke with charisma and conviction, and carried a hint of playfulness and wit. No wonder so many girls in the other world fell for him.
As a high-ranking Harbinger, Tartaglia's looks were unmatched. He still had a youthful air, but don't let that fool you. Beneath that sunny exterior lay something far darker.
He served his nation's queen and lived for battle, constantly seeking stronger opponents to sharpen his skills.
Tartaglia was tall and lean, wearing gray clothing with rolled-up sleeves and his shirt slightly open at the abdomen. A Hydro Vision hung from his belt. A metal pauldron adorned his left shoulder, and a scarf-like sash was fastened across his chest, trailing behind him. His Delusion mask was tilted on his orange hair, and his eyes matched the blue of his Vision.
"Sharp senses, Lady Bonanus." Tartaglia lowered his head slightly, maintaining that cold smile.
Bonanus looked up at the man towering over her. Why did he look at her like she was a child? So annoying.
As a seasoned, thousand-year-old Yaksha, she had to do something about it.
With that thought, she pulled a chair out of her storage space and stood on it. She still wasn't taller than him, but at least her view had improved.
"You're quite amusing." Tartaglia continued.
"Get to the point. And answer my question. Why were you following me?" Bonanus crossed her arms and pressed.
Bonanus wasn't a stranger to Tartaglia. If anything, they were somewhat familiar. After all, her funds came from him. Zhongli certainly wouldn't be buying women's accessories. Since her spending had increased severalfold, he had to investigate, even if he and Zhongli were business partners.
In the end, Tartaglia agreed to fund her, and they formed a loose, optional alliance. What he was really after, Bonanus had no idea. But as long as she had money, it didn't matter.
"To put it simply, I wasn't following you. My target was the Traveler. Unfortunately, you beat me to it." Tartaglia shook his head lightly, his tone apologetic.
"Ah... I'm warning you, don't do anything bad." Bonanus pretended to be angry.
As an adeptus of Liyue, even knowing the original plot, she had to play her part. After all, Liyue's adepti were not fond of the Fatui.
"Don't be like that. We're friends, aren't we? I've been funding you for quite a while now. That's a lot of 'blood' I've shed." Seeing her cold attitude, Tartaglia put on a hurt expression, his voice tinged with grievance.
"Fine, since you put it that way, I'll drop it. But remember, don't do anything to harm Liyue." Seeing an out, Bonanus softened her tone.
After all, she had taken his money. "Short hands, soft mouth" as the saying went.
"Of course not. I love this place." Tartaglia spread his hands, his tone so sincere it sounded almost real.
If Bonanus didn't know what was coming, she might have believed him. But she knew Tartaglia would eventually summon a god.
She shook her head, turned, and left without another word.
Tartaglia didn't linger either. With the nuisance gone, he returned to his own business.
Bonanus knew he would seek out Lumine and Paimon, but that wasn't her concern now.
Instead of worrying about things that were already fated to happen, she might as well have some fun—like teasing Ningguang.
Even though she was going to tease her, Bonanus didn't expect much. Ningguang was a high-ranking official and a seasoned politician. She would just play around casually, not try to outsmart the wise woman.
With that thought, she returned to Yujing Terrace. Ningguang stood beside a floating stone, arms crossed, listening solemnly to a Millelith soldier's report.
Bonanus casually walked over and leaned against a nearby pillar, waiting.
Once the soldier finished and left, only the two of them remained.
"What can I do for you, Lady Adeptus?" Ningguang played with her slender fingers, her voice lazy and indifferent.
"You know exactly why I'm here." Bonanus brushed her hair back, staring directly at the woman.
Ningguang closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again.
"This is an unfortunate incident. We will handle it. You can rest assured."
"May I ask how?" Bonanus asked, curious.
"I've ordered increased surveillance on the Snezhnayan delegation, led by the Yuheng personally. I believe they are involved."
"I've also tightened domestic control and border security to prevent any surprises."
"This is a complicated matter. But with the Qixing, it will be resolved."
Ningguang explained calmly, but Bonanus raised her hand to stop her.
"Does that include the moves you've made?" Bonanus said, her tone unfriendly. Her words were deliberately vague—a common tactic.
In truth, she didn't know exactly what Ningguang had been up to, nor if her comment would land. But it didn't really matter. Ningguang was good for Liyue, not bad.
Ningguang was one of the ideal rulers—shrewd, calculating, well-informed, powerful, and without ill intent toward her nation. Bonanus genuinely liked her. She was the kind of woman every girl could look up to.
In the game, whether facing internal threats or external dangers, Ningguang had shown what a leader should be. Nearly perfect, really.
"What do you mean by...?" Ningguang's expression hardened. Were the adepti already moving to stop her?
The age of humanity was near, and these old relics wouldn't let go. Liyue had to stand on its own, not rely on the adepti's protection.
"You know what I mean. You know the adepti's stance. When something like this happens, you don't even inform them."
"As the most influential and wisest of the Qixing, you know the consequences."
"Handle this poorly, and you'll anger the adepti. The nation could split. Adepti and mortals could turn on each other. Brothers could become enemies." Bonanus locked eyes with Ningguang, her voice low and dark.
"A split is something no citizen of this nation would tolerate. Do you want to be branded a traitor?" Bonanus pressed.
But the moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had escalated things to a national crisis. She had only meant to joke around and have some fun. How did she end up here?
Once spoken, words couldn't be taken back. She would have to see how this played out.
Ningguang clenched her jaw. Her usual lazy demeanor was gone, replaced by fierce resolve. She spoke each word deliberately.
"I love Liyue. Everything I do is for this nation."
"The people need to stand on their own. Relying on the Archon and the adepti for protection only makes them weak."
"And now, with Rex Lapis's assassination, the truth is plain. No matter what, we will try."
Ningguang suddenly felt drained, the weight of it all pressing down on her. But she didn't show it.
"We should continue this on the Jade Chamber. It's not safe to talk here. Who knows what 'ears' might be listening." Ningguang rubbed her brow, surprised the adepti had caught on so quickly.
"Lead the way." Bonanus nodded. It had been a while since she'd last visited the Jade Chamber.
And so, with the tension still thick between them, the two stepped onto the floating stone and ascended toward the Jade Chamber.