Omniscius II [Genshin Impact]

51: Until One Wears Down

Muddy splashes soiled the boots of Fatui Agents as they sprinted across the turquoise blades of grass adorning the path to their temporary headquarters.

The terrains of Tsurumi Island were dark and foreign, but it was the creed of the Fatui to learn to adapt. Running accordingly where the winds howled and the rain swayed, the head of the small group directed everyone swiftly towards the tents barricaded with torches and Fatui banners.

Javert stood by the tent entrance to greet the newcomers first. Greeted with subtle nods, Javert led them in, no one paying attention to the water droplets splattering against the tilled grounds.

"This place is far too open. We'll need to relocate somewhere else," Childe said as he leaned against the desk. In her chair, reading upon a hand-drawn map, Soleil nodded in agreement.

"We might be subjected to open fire," she said and pointed at a point in the map and showed it to Childe, "The canyons seem suitable."

Childe held his chin and hummed in thought. "It's well hidden. The problem is, this is extremely disadvantageous should they find us and decided on a raid. It's not possible to map out an escape route in a canyon. It's like a one-way entry," he pointed out.

"There's no problem, then. Our adversaries are not very good with full-scale assaults."

"Hm... If you say so. I'll have a recon team sent to cover nearby grounds and find a suitable spot."

"Lord Harbinger. Miss Soleil," Javert spoke from the doorway and bowed his head, "The surveyance team has returned."

"Send them in," Childe commanded while Soleil tucked her map neatly. The drenched soldiers knelt before Childe in sync, bowing their heads.

"Master Childe, your thoughts were correct. The soldiers under Sangonomiya Kokomi have several camps stationed all over the beaches leading into Seirai Island. A few of their ships have also blocked off the paths leading to Seirai Island from here," the head reported promptly, "They have the entrances surrounded."

"Any sign that they plan to follow us here to Tsurumi?" Childe asked. "No, sir. It seems that after forcing our troops down here, they've ceased their chase and returned to Seirai," the head replied.

"They must have centralized their forces in guarding the entrance," Soleil muttered seriously, "They couldn't have set up those camps and ships in such short notice with their manpower."

"Which means they've been there for quite some time already," Childe's eyes glimmered. "Most likely," Soleil mused, "They were just waiting to welcome us."

"Huh... I'm not acquainted with Seirai's topography, so I can't tell if there's any back route or the likes," Childe said and turned to Soleil, "Your thoughts?"

"Seirai Island is similar to a crater formed after a large meteor struck. It doesn't seem very far off with the congested Electro energy in the center, so aircraft is not suitable," Soleil said, "The southwestern side is mountainous and could be accessed from here within two days' time. However, I don't recommend it. The altitude will wear us down before we can even step in."

"Then the only way is 'through'," Javert muttered thoughtfully. "If that is the case, then why don't we just push through them with force?" an agent inquired, "It's not like we're short on firepower, anyway."

"You did mention that they aren't good with full-scale assaults," Childe glanced at Soleil, who frowned in displeasure.

"Exactly, Master Childe. It wouldn't take half a day for us to open fire on them from the ships. Their technology is too poor to even match us at all," another agent urged, "We'd make short work of them!"