Kapitel 111: Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [111]
Kaeya took a sharp breath, inwardly sympathizing with the Harbinger. Right about now, Childe's internal temperature probably matched his Cryo Vision.
"Keep going!"
Weapons flashing, Childe changed forms five or six times, each strike and thrust slicing toward Gu Sanqiu with relentless speed.
Kaeya watched, a shadow of concern in his eyes. Gu Sanqiu might've looked unscathed, but the true marvel was Childe—switching flawlessly between techniques, applying both his Vision and Delusion with masterful precision.
In all seven nations, it'd be hard to find another as skilled as him.
But unfortunately for Childe, his opponent today was Gu Sanqiu—who, with his enhanced Geo powers, was entirely unorthodox in battle.
Right when his shield was about to break, Gu Sanqiu would nudge Childe back with a perfectly timed push, then calmly activate his ability again.
"Unshakeable as rock."
Seeing the barrier reform, along with Gu Sanqiu's utterly calm expression—thin mint stem poking lazily from his mouth—Childe finally gave in. Scowling, he jabbed a finger at Gu Sanqiu.
"You win."
"A bet's a bet," Gu Sanqiu replied with a grin, letting his shield drop.
"Bring me your letter, and I'll make sure it gets delivered."
"Appreciate it," Gu Sanqiu replied, retracting his shield. "See? I told you a little spar like this wouldn't be too loud. We could do this more often."
"More often?"
Childe's eyes lit up at the suggestion.
"True, even if I can't break your shield, this does give me a place to cut loose." He was already thinking ahead; with a tanky sparring partner like Gu Sanqiu, he'd get plenty of practice with both his Vision and Delusion—plus his fighting techniques.
Finding someone who could keep up with him in Liyue, let alone Snezhnaya, was near impossible.
Wait…
Hang on, am I just the training dummy here?
Gu Sanqiu's face darkened. "Don't get too comfortable. Constantly shielding against your attacks still takes a toll on me."
"Oh, don't be like that," Childe replied smoothly. "Think of it as training your concentration! You have to monitor your shield and stay alert for cracks—doesn't that hone your awareness and mental focus?"
Ever so thoughtfully, Childe added, "And meanwhile, I'll be getting all kinds of practice on my end. Isn't that a win-win?"
"Gee, thanks," Gu Sanqiu deadpanned, fishing a potion from his belt and tossing one to Childe.
Kaeya cleared his throat with a knowing smile. "Whatever you two decide, I'd suggest heading back for now. Tonight's the formal banquet for Mondstadt, Snezhnaya, and Liyue—and given who you are, showing up for at least part of it is non-negotiable."
Kaeya had seen enough. Despite Childe's warrior's heart, he was refreshingly easy to get along with, worlds apart from the usual Fatui. As for Gu Sanqiu...well, Kaeya wasn't about to stop keeping a close eye on him anytime soon.
After all, on the very first night, he'd waltzed straight into Angel's Share for a drink. Though he'd had a few words with Kaeya's adoptive brother, nothing of note had come of it.
For Kaeya, at least, that kind of approach put Gu Sanqiu at the top of his mental watchlist—even above the Harbinger himself.
"Agh, formal events," Gu Sanqiu groaned, flopping to the ground with a lollipop he'd pulled from his pocket. "Why does socializing have to be this dull?"
"Clearly, you haven't learned the joys of adulthood," Kaeya replied with a chuckle, raising a brow at his laid-back posture. "These events may seem like a facade, but they're also about influence. The circles you enter and the attention you attract represent your power."
Childe snorted, crossing his arms. "Believe me, I'm no fan either. But for your own goals, you sometimes have to wear a mask and deal with the people you can barely stand."
"A mask, huh?" Gu Sanqiu replied, whipping out a gaudy street-vendor mask and slipping it on.
…
Childe sighed, no longer amused.
He'd known Gu Sanqiu wasn't oblivious to the real meaning of "wearing a mask," yet here he was, pushing buttons just for laughs.
He's toying with me.
"Fine, let's just get it over with. At least the Mondstadt specialties are decent. As long as it's not a drinking-only affair, I'll survive."
Kaeya gave a sly smile. "I promise, you won't be disappointed."
Under the evening glow, the Goethe Hotel's banquet hall brimmed with guests in elegant dress, swirling to the music's rhythm, courtesy of Mondstadt's famed bards. And at the center of it all was none other than Barbara Gunnhildr, the West Wind's star deaconess.
Both Gu Sanqiu and Childe stood against the wall, faces darkened as they watched the guests glide across the dance floor.
In Childe's case, he was still recovering from a few missteps—a few young ladies had noticed his good looks and asked him to dance. That was, until he accidentally stepped on each of them. Once, and he could've maybe walked it off. But twice, three times? It wasn't long before the whole friend group had red-flagged his name.
As for Gu Sanqiu, while every bit the picture of a dashing young gentleman, the dark clouds hovering over him kept any admirers from getting too close. Especially as he downed drink after drink beside Childe—no one wanted to risk getting stomped on by his heavy shoes.
"Captain Kaeya of the Knights," Childe muttered. "I'm betting he can fight. I'll have to find a way—or even exchange information—if that's what it takes to get a match with him."
Gu Sanqiu's mood, meanwhile, was clouded for simpler reasons: while he could hear the music of Mondstadt's bards, his hopes of catching sight of a certain someone had been dashed.
No Venti.
None.
---
T/N: my reaction when no venti 🥺
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein