SWNOVELXO Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Yelan
"You really chose a wonderful place, Mr. Zhongli," Nicholas admires the decorations of the restaurant where they are sitting. Next to him is Signora, while Childe is busy collecting money and the Sigil. They only have 4 now, and the last one is close to being his.
Zhongli just smiles and drinks the Osmanthus Wine that Nicholas brought to their meeting.
"Now that our lunch is finished. Mr Zhongli or Should I say Morax, how about a contract with The Cryo Archon." Hearing this, Zhongli's demeanor changes. He still looked the same but one can't say he was the old gentleman before but the War God who slaughtered thousands of Gods.
"Ah, So she finally is beginning her rebellion" He softly says
"Of course, the Fatui is willing to provide and do anything for the Gnosis" Signora speaks up
"As you know, I've dwelt upon this world for more than six thousand years. It is now 3,700 years ago that I founded Liyue together with the adepti." He takes a sip from his wine
"Even boulders that can withstand whirlpools will erode overtime."
It didn't take long for both of them to get the hint. They looked at each other smirking at how easy is it to get the contract for the Gnosis
"Of course we understand what you want, Morax."
And in that room the contract to end all contracts was signed by the Geo Gnosis and the representative of the Cryo Archon. Their only witness being two birds that flew by
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" What do you think of Morax's plan" Signora asks when we were both alone inside the Northland
"Both incredibly stupid and smart. If we play our cards right Fatui would be the ultimate winner." Nicholas takes the sip of the Osmanthus wine. Maybe one day he can become the one who shares the memory
"How So?, ruling by yourselves, it feels good to me—"
"It would be good but the problem is they are human. And power corrupts everyone, especially those who get it without it being unchecked. The hands and legs of Rex Lapis are already starting to rot."
"Tianji is already my puppet, with the Tianxun's popularity and the stocks of his company is dropping from the ongoing Sea King problem, he would also be great insider to have"
Signora nods satisfied with my results. She goes back to reading her romance novel. "When are you taking care of the wretch that is following you? If I was you I would have shot her down." He knew who she was talking about.
"Don't worry, I will take care of it by Tonight. By the time I'm finished, she will learn that eavesdropping is a bad habit" he smiled.
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Yelan and her team really hated this particular mission of keeping a close eye on the new fatui Harbinger. Most of the time he doesn't come out. Even if he does its for official work for which he becomes a smoke after it's done. when there isn't anyone near him.
However even though the harbinger was tight lipped, their subordinates were't, she was able to get some information on when the harbinger was going to go out.
Yelan knew she couldn't fight and win against the harbinger and she doesn't need to. Only figure what trouble the harbinger is going to cause.
As she was musing with her thoughts, one of her subordinates dressed as a hawker nearby signals her that Zanni was leaving the Northland bank with two other men. She follows them while maintains her cover
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Zanni leaves the Northland bank, His sharp black coat moved slightly in the cool breeze. His two helpers, serious as always, followed him quietly like ghosts.
"Charming place," Zanni mused, his voice smooth and soft as silk. His companions didn't reply, which was just as well; he preferred the sound of his own musings to their grunts of agreement.
As he walked along the central street, a subtle alteration in the breeze caressed his mind; it felt like soft silk. A shadow shifted at the edge of his vision, swift and unobtrusive. His smile broadened.
Oh, Yelan. You truly picked the wrong enemy. And Ningguang thanks for the gift
As soon as they arrive close to the lab which build by Dottore and Sandrone to research the Khaenria'hn machines, He looks at his two subordinates.
"Gentlemen," he whispered, his voice very soft. "Our little game has started. Please try to keep up, okay?"
The two men vanished into the shadows while Zanni walked independently at his leisure. Yelan was always behind him, silent in the quiet of the stillness.
Eventually, they arrived at the cavernous mouth of an abandoned warehouse near the harbor. Zanni stepped inside, his fingers brushing the edge of a control panel hidden in the shadows. The space lit up with a dim, mechanical glow showing dormant Ruin Guards lined against the walls like forgotten titans.
He turned, his arms outstretched in a theatrical flourish. "You can come out now, Lady Yelan. No need to skulk in the dark like a common thief."
There was a pause—a long, tense moment—before Yelan emerged, her bow drawn, an arrow shimmering with Hydro energy aimed directly at his heart.
"You've been busy, Zanni," she said coolly. "This little secret of yours won't stay hidden for long."
Zanni raised an eyebrow, and his smile stayed the same. "Oh, Yelan. It's very unkind of you to sneak around like this. Couldn't we have just had a drink and talked instead?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You're coming with me. The Qixing will really want to know what you've been doing."
"Ah, but there's the problem," Zanni replied, his voice dipping into a hypnotic rhythm. He took a step forward, and her bow faltered for just a fraction of a second. "You see, I'm not inclined to leave. And you…" His eyes locked onto hers, dark and gleaming like a midnight sea. "…are inclined to stay."
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Yelan tensed up, holding the bowstring tighter, but her eyes lost focus. His words were like music, getting past her defenses quietly.
"Now, now," Zanni said gently, moving closer.
"Let's not cause a fuss. You've put in so much effort, right? You should take a break."
The bow fell to the ground with a clatter.
Zanni bent closer, his voice low by her ear. "Let me show you something… interesting."
And she followed him deeper among the shadows.
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Yelan's heart thundered within her chest as a strange fog settled in her mind. She followed Zanni deeper into the huge, empty ruin, her instincts screaming at her to stop and fight back, but his voice—soft and sweet—wrapped around her like soft chains.
The dim, flickering light in the building showed many Ruin Guards being put together. Some were taken apart, with their mechanical bodies hanging from complex machines. Others were complete, their dull red eyes dark but still looking threatening even though they weren't moving.
It was a lab. A secret lab for making Ruin Guards, hidden right under Liyue's nose.
"This… doesn't make sense," Yelan murmured, her voice weak but her trained eye sweeping the room. Each detail lodged in her memory despite the strange haze clouding her mind. "Why would the Fatui?"
Zanni turned to face her, the ornate mask obscuring all but his glittering eyes. They watched her intently, a predator savoring his prey. "Our ambitions are far-reaching, Lady Yelan. Surely you've figured that out."
She shook her head, trying to clear the fog. "This… technology is ancient. Dangerous. You can't control it."
"Ah, but control is what we excel at," Zanni said, his voice dripping with amusement. He gestured grandly to the nearest Ruin Guard, its hulking frame looming like a silent sentinel.
Yelan narrowed her eyes, fighting to reclaim her thoughts.
The fog in her mind thickened, Zanni's words threading through her resistance like a needle through silk. She stumbled slightly, catching herself on the edge of a console.
"I know what you're doing," she said quietly, her voice shaking with both anger and doubt.
Zanni moved closer, his actions careful, almost like a hunter. "Do you?" he whispered, his voice gentle like a feather. "Or are you just starting to see what you've always known? That some fights… are better not fought."
Her vision blurred, and the sounds of the lab grew indistinct. For the first time, Yelan experienced a tiny prick of doubt—and fear.
Zanni moves towards her, slowly until he touches her chin gently. Yelan could see the eyes that were deep as Abyss itself, one look and she could fall into it deeper, despite knowing this she still looked at his eyes falling into his control. Her very mind felt like breaking telling her to serve him as her Master
She doesn't know when she blacked out but she woke up in an inn close to Yujing Terrace, her first thought instead of reporting the lab was to serve him, her Master, everything else comes second