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If we meet again our fight will be legendary. Childe could almost taste it.
Well, that's what he thought at first, but the jerk was nowhere to be found inside and after bidding goodbye to Aether and leaving the labyrinth, Childe spent another week roaming around Inazuma in search of the Ballader with little to no vain. There were no traces he could track or any clues to follow.
Scaramouche has disappeared into thin air.
Well, Childe wasn't to give up so easily, either. He had matters he wished to settle with the missing harbinger and he wasn't someone who loved being indebted to anyone.
But certain orders did restrict him, so as of now he couldn't go into Sumeru territories yet. That didn't stop him though as his target was another region - without anyone knowing.
So here he was his eyes set on Mondstadt's grass fields as he scanned the scenery in front of him.
Unlike in Inazuma, where he had to avoid getting struck down by the thunder numerous times - not like he didn't enjoy the extra challenge- or in Liyue, where everything was surrounded by mountains gave him an extra workout.
Mondstadt had the feel of "freedom" to it. It was a fresh breath of air after aimlessly roaming around in the Electro Archon's territory - all those islands were just a tidbit annoying to get to.
Here in "Mond" the wind playfully flew by Childe, giving him a sense of independence. He didn't know if Scaramouche was hiding here, but even if he didn't - he would make the most of this trip.
He did say that, but he didn't expect to meet Anemo Archon himself first. He did get to Mond through Dragonspine (he just enjoyed the cold weather a lot), and after walking relatively aimlessly he found himself at Windrise.
He knew about the identity of "Venti" - as he read reports about the Archons before. Well, he knew he would encounter him sooner or later
but he was surprised just how soon it happened.
Childe watched Venti playing on his harp - letting a blissfully soothing melody escape the instrument under his talented fingers. He had a gentle smile on his face as he played with his eyes closed probably envisioning a story in his head.
Childe had to snort, Signora was very proud of herself for grabbing the Gnosis from Venti... Of course, that witch didn't have a problem taking his Gnosis, with one glance he could tell this archon cared about it as much as the other two did.
Childe couldn't help breaking down laughing when he was informed that Baal had sliced Signora down in just one move. He wasn't sure if that witch was dead or not, but it was still a nice blow to her narcissism. She gained too much ego, this was a nice reminder for her not to be too confident - well, or a cause of her death.
He was bold and wasn't afraid to stir up battle anytime, but just leaning against the tree and listening to the song was perfectly fine once in a while. He wasn't a complete idiot to try facing an Archon who was not interested in fighting with him.
Well, he might not go against the bard - but he was more than up for a fight against the hilichurls who willingly started nearing them. Childe summoned his Polar Star with a smile on his face.
Hey, they might not the strongest opponents ever, but he would never back down from a fight, not even from small ones. He was ready to jump into action by unleashing Raging Tide but what he didn't expect was that the boy behind him also fires off an attack. Countless coalesced winds formed a huge void that kept the enemies in place, not letting them escape.
Childe gave out an amused chuckle, as he was slaying down each of them one by one with great efficiency and speed. By the time void disappeared there was nothing just a bunch of shiny loot laying on the ground.
Childe let out a whistle in satisfaction, now he just needed a few more waves in repeat and he will be ruling, but no hilichurls dare to approach now - as the field was clear.
"You are kind of cool yourself little bard" turned Childe to Venti.
"Ehe" winked the boy. "I couldn't slip out on the opportunity."
After having a small chat with the smaller boy, who let him know that no other Fatui was in Mondstadt, Childe thanked him, waved goodbye, and decided to just go around leisurely. Scaramouche can hide as much as he wants - he will catch him later. Right now Childe was just set on enjoying himself for the rest of the day.
He was around Wolvendom when a bunch of Righthounds surrounded him.
"Now this is a much more exciting challenge," he stretched his arm moving it in a circular motion, his other arm rubbing his shoulder. "Come at me, you dogs!" he yelled, his hand extended invitingly before he clenched his fist, ready to kick some butt.
-
"Weaklings" he sighed, as he took a bite from his apple.
Even though he said that he was sulking. One of the wolves was fast enough to scratch him and without healing food or potions his energy would slowly deplete - giving them the perfect entry to kill him. Heh, how bold.
He was a trained warrior with great stamina and very strong senses. So after that one mistake, with a regained boost, he was able to take them out like they were just flies. They did move a lot, it was very annoying.
With the apple in his mouth, he was checking out the loot the wolves dropped. Collecting loot always had its pros - getting certain pieces of information by selling rare drops was very common in Teyvat. He had Mora with him all the time, but he loved using other means of payment just for the fun of it.
As he was sorting through his finds, he heard some sort of rustle coming from the nearby bushes. So when a boy popped out suddenly, he is ashamed to admit, he dropped the apple from his mouth in shock.
Tattered with past scars and bandages. Long white hair. Childe almost thought he met a feral. And he was stunned when the newcomer started speaking.
"You... killed enemy. You are f-friend."
Okay. Let's take a second. Childe took his sweet time to glance at the boy again - he made the following discoveries, first, he was just a teenager, second, he kinda looked like a wolf, and third, he kinda wanted to adopt him.
Childe cleared his throat. "Hello, lad."
The boy just looked at him, tilting his head by the side. "Lad?" he repeated back. "Name is Razor... Razor don't know lad..." the boy - apparently named Razor - looked at him helplessly and he was really close to just grabbing him and taking him with him as his "finds".
"Razor" addressed Childe correctly this time. "I'm Tartaglia" he pointed at himself, he figured that might not be as confusing as "Childe".
"Tart-tart..." he tried to repeat after him, but he was struggling.
"Tar-tag-li-a."
"Tar...tag...? Li..."
Childe couldn't decide if felt sorry for the boy or if the urge to take him with him felt stronger. "Tart is enough," he said at long last.
"Tart" the boy's face lit up with happiness and Childe just hid his face in his hands.
Too adorable. Too cute!
-
Turns out Razor was raised by wolves. He didn't speak too much, but the half-sentences were just enough for Childe to piece together the story. Also to his surprise, the boy had sharp instincts and was quite good with a claymore.
He even was able to practice with him a little, he was able to handle a claymore just fine and Razor was quite excited to learn a few of them.
-
They were sparring for a while now, and Childe was right, Razor had incredible senses and his reflexes were also on point. But he was still lacking stamina.
He had him kneeling in front of him after just thirty minutes, he was panting heavily and couldn't move a muscle more. Childe had a satisfied grin on his face. The kid was talented.
"What are you doing to Razor?!" came a shout behind his back and he had seen another teenage boy charging up at him and he was ready to block but...
He couldn't believe his very eyes, the boy literally fell backward in a great arc and landed further away than he was before. Childe stood there with utter shock on his face, he didn't know if he was supposed to laugh. It was hilarious and terrifying at the same time.
And it didn't help when the other boy was back on his feet it was a boar who started charging at him, but before it could attack him Childe shot down the boar with a well-aimed shot.
'It was slightly off though...' he thought as he walked up to the now-dead animal.
"What's your name asked?" asked Childe the boy who was sitting on the ground looking at him with a curious look.
"Bennett," he said shyly. Maybe he was ashamed of what had just occurred.
"Bennett, are you a friend of Razor's?" he asked getting out his pocket knife. The boy looked at him with great interest, before nodding.
"I see" hummed Childe.
' Another one!' he screamed in his hand, trying to keep a composed face. What was this region? He found two candidates for potential little brothers in less than an hour. Was this some kind of jackpot?
"I am Tartaglia. Nice to meet you." he introduced himself and now with raw meats in his hands he stood up. "Let's discuss this misunderstand next to some food, what do you say?"
-
As Childe had learned - Bennett was a very unlucky boy. He was a magnet for trouble. Even during the conversation, they were interrupted on numerous occasions. Random hilichurls, crazy birds... ' Damn... I want to take him home with me even more now. '
It was getting late and he would have felt bad if he kept boys to himself - at this point he was fighting hard not to turn into a kidnapper. They said their goodbyes and after Childe made sure from afar that both of them were fine, he was already furious he wasn't sent to Mondstadt in the first place.
He will come back and spoil them to death. Just let him choke that jerk first and foremost.
Childe was already close to the borderline that separated Liyue from Mondstadt when a shot of fire went past by him, he had his weapon in his hands in the same instant.
His sudden intruder was nowhere to be seen and for a second he thought it was just a rebelling Fatui Agent playing a prank on him, but he caught a glimpse of fiery red hair in the corner of his eyes.
And soon enough the person showed himself.
Childe was looking straight into the other's man's face as he was blocking his attack with a water blade.
"What does a Fatui Harbinger doing here?" he said with blazing eyes.
And Childe loved to see this expression very much as a twisted grin appeared on his face.
"Oho?" he teased. "And who might you be?"
But instead of an answer, it was another wave of rapids attacks and Childe felt the adrenaline building up in him. This mysterious man was fast and strong.
Even stronger than Aether.
Damn, he was excited. He felt his whole body shaking in thrill. Finally a worthy opponent!
But Childe's joy couldn't last long as an underling appeared, sabotaging his battle, by throwing a smoke attack and being dragged away in between curses.
And by the time Diluc regained his vision neither of the Fatui was around anymore.
He just clicked his tongue in frustration. With a last glance to the direction they fled to, he turned around and started walking back to the manor.
"Master, I apologize for suddenly stepping in, but orders came and you are needed in Liyue," said the Agent, who felt very uncomfortable over Childe's deadly stare.
They were currently riding a cargo back to Liyue.
Childe didn't listen to these empty words. He didn't care. His blood was boiling.
He just found a worthy opponent, yet he was dragged back to work.
'Red-head man with the ponytail. I do not know your name, but...'
If we meet again our fight will be legendary. Childe could almost taste it.