Capítulo 7: Chapter 7 Slaughter
Lumine adjusted the hem of her traveler's cloak, brushing off the last bits of stone dust from the preparations for Rex Lapis's funeral. The grand ceremony, organized by Zhongli, had been quite the spectacle, leaving her both impressed and utterly drained. Beside her, Paimon floated, arms crossed and a hint of impatience on her face.
"Paimon still doesn't understand why we had to do all the heavy lifting," she grumbled. "Shouldn't the people of Liyue be taking care of their own Archon's funeral? It feels like they're just using a traveler's goodwill!"
Lumine smirked. "Goodwill? I remember you negotiating for extra payment at every opportunity."
"Paimon was just being smart about our expenses!" Paimon retorted, clearly unfazed. "Anyway, it's finally over. Now we just need to figure out why Ningguang wants to see us in the Jade Chamber. Ooh, maybe she wants to thank us for all our hard work!"
Lumine shot her a look but remained silent. Deep down, she suspected Ningguang's invitation wasn't just about gratitude. That woman didn't seem like the type to waste time on niceties.
They entered the office of Zanni, the secretary outside letting them in due to them coming here often. They find Zanni in his deck signing paperwork
"Ah, Zanni!" Paimon exclaimed, waving excitedly. "Long time no see! Did you miss us?"
Zanni gave them a small smile. "I always miss you, Paimon. The silence is too peaceful without you."
"Hey!" Paimon pouted. "Paimon is delightful company! Right, Lumine?"
Lumine rolled her eyes but managed a faint smile. "Delightful, sure. Like a fireworks display in the middle of the night."
Ignoring the playful banter, Zanni focused on Lumine, his gaze sharp despite the relaxed demeanor he projected. "I heard about your adventures with,helping Mr Zhongli prepare the funeral of Rex Lapis, quite the achievement. Did you enjoy planning and being the errand runner for the Geo Archon's funeral ?"
Lumine crossed her arms. "I would be glad if I never have to carry another bag of Noctilus Jade again."
Paimon added, "It was tough work, but nothing that the great Lumine and her loyal guide couldn't manage! And now, we're going to the Jade Chamber! Ningguang herself asked us to come. That must mean something important, right?"
Zanni looked the same, but Lumine noticed a slight change in his eyes—a hint of amusement, or maybe understanding. "The Jade Chamber, huh? That's a big honor. Ningguang doesn't invite just anyone there."
"Paimon knows! She's probably going to thank us and give us gifts for everything we've done," Paimon said, her voice full of excitement.
Lumine looked at Zanni, frowning. There was something in how he spoke that suggested he knew more than he said. "You seem very calm about this. You know something, right?"
Zanni smiled, a sneaky smile that made her even more suspicious. "Who, me? I'm just watching and enjoying the sights and stories of Liyue." He paused, leaned in a bit, and spoke quietly. "But I will say this—be careful up there, Lumine. The view from the Jade Chamber is amazing, but the air can get… thin."
Paimon, not noticing, was already focused on something else. "Thin air? Paimon will be okay as long as there's food! Do you think they'll have snacks, Lumine?"
Lumine smiled and shook her head. "Only you would think about food at a time like this."
Zanni chuckled, "Enjoy the Jade Chamber, travelers. I'm sure it'll be a meeting to remember. Oh and take this" He throws them both a card. "Its a voucher card for the restaurants in the Yujing terrace. Think of it as a thank you for your hardwork for Liyue." He puts a hand on their shoulders and slip a note into Lumine's cleavage.
Lumine blushes but doesn't say anything, it felt good when his hand grabbed her boobs.
"W-W-will see you later" Lumine runs out of the room, she has never been groped so brazenly by a person and worst part is that she liked it.
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While Lumine and Paimon were busy with Ningguang, Nicholas along with his team goes to Mt Tianheng, and the Guyun Stone forest to mess with the newly repaired Guizhong Ballista, Of course he could have sent Childe, but Nicholas wanted to catch some break and low level enemies. He and some of his subordinates arrived there in disguise. They could see large squad of millelith soldiers guarding them
They probably increased it after the more recent Treasure Hoarder Attacks led by Childe
Yes, he sent Childe to make the Treasure Hoarders around Liyue a more of a fighting force and loyal to the Tsaritsa. It didn't take much to make them loyal to the Fatui.
Nicholas was watching them march head on. He thought of taking them out one by one but shook his head. He didn't wanted to waste his energy that much, he wanted to go back home and ready for Lumine.
He wore his mask and the demeanor and the aura around him changed. Unlike his other abilities, his masks allow him to copy the technique of one character, and the Character Nicholas had chosen was Kishou Arima, the Grim Reaper from Tokyo Ghoul
He waiting alone; his mask was a pale, blank face, which in the low light resembled very much a ghost. The breeze tugged at his cloak, bringing with it the tramp of boots from below: the Millelith were coming, 20 well-armed soldiers, assured of themselves. They thought he was just a lonely wanderer. They were very mistaken. The area around the Guizhong Ballista was sealed, anyone coming here likely has to be an intruder.
The soldiers spread out as they got closer, their leader shouting commands. "Surround him! Don't let him escape!"
Zanni turned his head a little, holding his sword tighter. It was a simple weapon, plain and useful, but in his hands, it became a tool for exact destruction. His voice was cold, like the winds blowing through the mountains. "20 men for one person. Such a waste of effort."
The commander growled. "Be quiet! Surrender, or die right here!"
Zanni didn't reply. Instead, he moved.
He quickly moved closer to them, his sword shining in the dim light. The first soldier had little time to lift his spear before Zanni's sword cut smoothly through his throat. Blood flew into the air as the man fell, and chaos began.
The soldiers attacked as one, but Zanni was faster. His movements were fluid, almost inhuman, as he slid between their attacks. A spear was thrust at his chest, but he sidestepped easily, his sword rising to sever the arm that held it. The soldier shouted, his cry cut off in a gurgle as Zanni spun around and drove the sword into his chest.
Another soldier swung a large weapon, a halberd, down at him, trying to cut him in half. Zanni ducked down, the blade whizzing just above his head, and struck back with a hard slash that cut the man's leg at the knee. The soldier fell over, his screams loud in the mountains as Zanni finished him off with a quick stab to the throat.
"Surround him!" the commander shouted, his voice showing fear. "Don't let him move!"
One of the soldiers leapt at Zanni, sword raised, aiming for his exposed flank. Zanni parried the attack; the steel of his sword rang against steel as he twisted the weapon from the man's grasp. At the same time, he shoved his own sword into the soldier's chest and pulled it free with a gout of blood.
The other soldiers were unsure, fear showing on their faces. They thought they would face an easy fight, not a slaughter. Zanni looked at them through his mask, his voice steady "You should run. But it's too late for that now."
Enraged by their fear, the commander charged, swinging a massive axe. Zanni dodged the first swing and deflected the second with his sword. He stepped forward, inside the man's guard, and struck with brutal efficiency. The tip of his blade pierced the commander's chest, slipping between his ribs and into his heart. The man gasped, his weapon falling from numb fingers as he collapsed.
The last few soldiers ran away, but Zanni would not stop. He chased them with the quiet focus of a hunter, taking them down one by one. The last soldier dropped to his knees, begging for mercy.
With one careful movement, he took the man's life.
As the sun went down, Zanni stood among the dead, his sword covered with blood. He wiped the blade on his cloak, and the red stains mixed with the fabric. It was cold in the mountains, and through them, the wind made its way, heavy with the smell of death. Without a word, Zanni turned and disappeared amongst the shadows, leaving only the bodies of the dead and an unearthly quiet on Mount Tianheng.
He ordered his subordinates who were scared by his brutality to destroy the Guizhong Ballista, as for the corpses he wanted the higher ups to find out about this massacare
He took off his mask, a splitting headache followed and his body became weak, that's one of the reason he doesn't use this ability that often. After the work was finished he went back to his room waiting for Lumine.
The next day when he woke up he had to bandage his Pelvis. Reports suggested that Lord Zanni was muttering,"Damn that woman"
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