ׂ╰┈➤ 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 : ❝𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐈'𝐋𝐋 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐔𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔.❞
The beautiful Queen of Thorns. A descendant of a ruler of Celestia, yet never fought for it's divine seats laid for the false gods in the mortal...
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chapter twenty-three: “discerner of enigmas.”
(n/a: :> I'm a menace to society.)
—
“NORTHLAND BANK?”
THE FLOATING EMERGENCY FOOD commented, staring at the door behind the harbinger. This bank was opened by Snezhnaya in Liyue since the latter was said to be resourceful, but the first option is almost the same...
Paimon huffed and crossed her arms, "Well, poorer nations don't seem the type to have diplomats that come around acting the way yours do to the Knights of—"
(Name) immediately shut the little one's mouth, "My dear, that's rude. Enough," she chided. Childe chuckled nervously, making the Queen bow at him as an apology, "Forgive me. Dear Paimon quite has the sharp mouth when she loathes someone," she told the male.
"It's alright, Ms. (n/n). Also, take this," he handed them a piece of parchment. The former spouse of Rex Lapis knew it at once, "I'm not entirely sure about what this is. All money can buy things, but not a name for oneself. All I'm sure of is that's a sigil—something to avoid the mighty and illuminated adepti from harming you."
"Adepti... Hm," the Queen hummed as if another memory returned to her thoughts. "If I'm not wrong, if we went to the path through Jueyen Krast then it's believed that's the abode of the adepti." That was a lie, she was aware it was their abode for she always visits them during her married days.
"Isn't that a legend?" Lumine questioned, raising a finger.
Childe shrugged, "Legend or not, they believe it. Offerings to the adepti are made to its borders since nobody dares to venture in," he explained. "But I do not need believing—not when I know the adepti truly exist."
"Hate to admit it, but your Fatui Intel might be right. But why would we go to the adepti?" Paimon questioned, confused.
Tartaglia patted the floating child's head, "Oh, my little friend, there are reasons why mortals seek an adeptus's blessings. Money, health, love, etc..." He told them. "However, you three... You'll go for justice."
"Justice?"
(Name) nodded, "Judging from the Millelith's actions earlier, I'm sure the Liyue Qixing has been searching for the assassin among the individuals during the Lantern Rite. Lady Ningguang has her eyes on me," she uttered. "I doubt any mortal has the power to kill a god like him. I'm not sure what their motive is, but they're trying to hide something from the citizens of Liyue."
"I see that you two have radical thinking. Wonderful!" Childe praised, clapping his hands. "The Northland Bank can only hold the Millelith for a short amount of time, so it's best to find the adepti to clear your wrongdoing," he told them.
"What should we do exactly?"
"Paimon, you're seriously ticking me off."
(Name) grabbed the small child, placing her above her head, "I assume we need to report our versions to prove our innocence before the Qixing does. It's better safe than sorry," she stated. "After all, Liyue was created by him and the adepti. Built it with force."
Childe snapped his fingers, "Ms. (n/n)'s right! The only ones who can help us are the mighty and illuminated adepti."
—
"You lost them?" Ningguang questioned the Millelith, disappointed and lost for words. The one that caught her eye is currently missing on her radar, "Report to me if you managed to find that woman. I want any kind of things related to her, even in the smallest bit," she ordered.
The Tianquan stared at her board, filled with her findings and suspicions alike. There was quite a lot of it ever since the arrival of the disguised Queen of Thorns, with problems and chaos spreading in her wake. There was this book that caught her eye—a book related to the lover of Rex Lapis, (Name) herself to be precise...
... she deceived Rex Lapis that she was a mere handmaiden and charmed him, triggering him into making her his lover. Their relationship is fruitful, with unparalleled love between them. However, her grandmother—said to be one of the rulers of Celestia, the Flame Archon—ruined all of it. All of their memories turned into dust...
The author of this book is unknown, for it has been hiding under Ganyu's care for a long time and Ningguang only retrieved it the day before the Rite of Descension. Since there's nothing that restricts half Qilin from telling anyone what was the name and title of her guardian before, Ningguang is aware of the Thorn Archon's existence and the features of her disguise were...
... a woman with (h/c) hair, reaching (h/l). A pair of (e/c) eyes that can charm anyone, even the Archon himself. She was wise, but naive, and hiding her identity from him was truly a feat no one could parallel. She was, after all, someone related to Celestia. However, she was dubbed as the Archon full of mysteries and this book is one of many that relates to her...
"This book isn't helping me find her," the Tianquan sighed before ripping it from the board. "I need someone reliable to find her. She's my main suspect of Rex Lapis's death," she added.
"You seem to require my help, Lady Ningguang," someone entered her office. She smiled, "The one who dubs themselves as Ms. Dragon, isn't it? The one you believe to be a descendant of the Thorn Archon is out to get revenge for her ancestor's betrayal."
... it's said, “The Thorn Archon was betrayed by both her lover and her grandmother alike. One broke her heart due to an affair and one forced her to break their marriage for good.” The charming Archon loathes both of them...
Ningguang nodded, "I believe so. I hope you won't fail me, Yelan. I'll be counting on you to find that woman," she said. "Since she might be a descendant of an Archon, we'll be needing some help from Ganyu and the Millelith. Proceed her with caution and return if you're injured," she instructed.
