Was he really going to die here today? A hint of despair flickered in Childe's eyes. It seemed Teucer wouldn't get to see him on this trip to Liyue.
Did he regret it? Perhaps. His beloved little brother had traveled so far to see him, only to bring his corpse back to Snezhnaya. Maybe he should never have joined the Fatui selection all those years ago. Then he wouldn't have met Pulcinella. He wouldn't have become a Harbinger. He could have watched his siblings grow up.
As the sword tip drew closer, Childe smiled bitterly and stopped struggling. Even now, he didn't think he had done anything wrong. Of course, he didn't think Su Bai was wrong either. Their different positions meant different judgments of right and wrong. If their roles were reversed, Childe believed he wouldn't have let Su Bai go either.
Thinking of the intelligence his men had gathered on Su Bai, Childe felt that if they had been on the same side, they might have become good friends. But no matter what, they were enemies now.
He wondered if anyone would bully Teoker and the others after he was gone. He hoped his subordinates would be smart enough not to tell Teoker about his death too soon. The Mora he had left behind should last them a long time.
Su Bai didn't know what Childe was thinking, nor did he care to know. The crimes Childe had committed meant death was already a mercy.
Just as his sword was about to strike, an ice wall suddenly rose before Childe. A sharp clang echoed, and Cryo energy began creeping up the blade toward Su Bai's hand.
Startled by the sudden intervention, Su Bai quickly dispelled the ice with Electro. Seeing Su Bai forced back, Childe let out a long breath. It seemed he wouldn't die today.
"Well, if it isn't Childe. Look how far you've fallen in just a few days. Weren't you so eager to fight me to the death not long ago?"
La Signora walked slowly to Childe's side, her tone dripping with mockery. If not for the favorable terms Pulcinella had offered, she wouldn't have bothered saving him.
"Cough... Signora, you're no match for these two. Let's retreat."
Despite their earlier conflicts, she had come to save him. Childe didn't give her attitude. In fact, he was genuinely concerned for her safety. If she lost too, he was done for.
Su Bai gripped his sword tightly, eyeing the sudden arrival with hostility. That Cryo attack had given him a sense of her strength. Though powerful, it wasn't something he couldn't handle. At least his Electro could counter it.
"Signora? What are you doing here? I thought you were in Mondstadt."
Lumine tightened her grip on her Blackcliff Longsword at the sight of Signora. Clearly, the Harbinger had left a strong impression on her. In response, Signora sneered.
"Well, if it isn't the Traveler who hangs around that little mouse. What, trying to avenge him?"
Signora's words made both Lumine and Childe's expressions sour. Lumine from anger, and Childe from worry that she would get him killed.
"Signora, let's go. Now's not the time to fight."
"Tch. You don't get to lecture me, Childe. Just sit back and watch."
Ice lances formed around Signora. Lumine raised her guard, ready to defend. Paimon shivered and hid behind Su Bai. She vividly remembered being frozen solid by Signora. She never wanted to experience that again.
With a flick of her hand, Signora sent the ice lances flying at Su Bai and Lumine like arrows. Su Bai swung his sword, wreathed in Electro, at the lances. The Superconduct reaction between Cryo and Electro made him shudder. Lumine used Anemo to resist while shattering the lances with Geo.
"Su Bai, don't underestimate her. Signora's rank among the Harbingers is higher than Childe's. Let's attack together."
Following the principle of calling for backup when outmatched, Su Bai and Lumine stared down Signora. She was now in an awkward position. If she fought, Childe wouldn't last. If she didn't, she'd look like a coward.
"Signora, hurry. If we wait any longer, I really will die in a foreign land."
Childe forced a bitter smile and urged her again. Without the Delusion clouding his judgment, his wits had returned, giving Signora an easy out.
"Hmph. I'll let you off this time."
Signora didn't hesitate. She took the escape route he offered. The truth was, she knew this was all an act. She didn't want to waste more time tangling with them.
Childe's injuries were severe. Without immediate treatment, he might get to experience Liyue's funeral services firsthand. And if he died here, Pulcinella wouldn't let her off easy.
Though she and Childe weren't close, if a Harbinger died on her watch, even her contributions wouldn't spare her from the Tsaritsa's wrath.
"Adeptus Su Bai, as a gesture of goodwill between us, I suggest you go see Liyue Harbor for yourself. Otherwise, I fear you may never see it again. Or rather, the next time you see it, it might be nothing but ruins."
"What do you mean? Have your Fatui attacked the adepti?"
"Hmm? It seems Childe didn't tell you everything."
Signora cast an approving glance at Childe. At least the fool had known what not to say. If he had revealed everything, he would already be dead.
With her flame whip, Signora coiled around Childe. The searing heat made him cry out. He strongly suspected she was taking revenge, since the whip had wrapped right around his wound.
Ignoring his screams, Signora revealed the truth to Su Bai and Lumine.
"Childe didn't do much, really. He just used the Hundred-Eyed Talismans to release the gods sealed beneath Guyun Stone Forest. Nothing too serious."
"What?! The gods beneath Guyun?!"
Su Bai was stunned. He never expected Childe to release the sealed gods beneath Guyun. Cloud Retainer had mentioned them before—they were ruthless killers.
Looking at Signora's smug expression, Su Bai knew he couldn't kill Childe today. He couldn't waste more time here. Liyue Harbor needed him.
"Childe, remember this. I'll remember this grudge. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
"Lumine, let's go."