"Understood," Ganyu nodded.
"Th-thank you, Lady Ningguang!" Xiang Ming's eyes widened in surprise. This promotion had come out of nowhere! Not only was he being promoted, but he was also being assigned to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This was the dream of every Millelith guard. Being stationed at the Ministry meant a smooth path to a successful career.
After all, this was the highest echelon of Liyue! If he caught the attention of a high-ranking official, his life would change instantly.
"You shouldn't thank me. Thank yourself for your actions," Ningguang waved her hand. "As a Millelith guard, you must remember your duty to serve the nation and its people. You are here to protect the citizens, not to oppress them."
"I will always remember that!" Xiang Ming stood at attention and saluted.
"Good," Ningguang nodded. "Go now. Take the notice to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to process your promotion."
Ganyu handed the stamped document to Xiang Ming.
"Understood, Lady Ningguang, Lady Ganyu. I'll take my leave now," Xiang Ming said before turning and leaving.
"Sigh…" Ningguang rubbed her forehead, feeling exhausted.
...
Akio was walking down the street, lost in thought as he turned a corner. He didn't notice the figure approaching and accidentally bumped into someone.
Akio felt the impact of a soft, voluptuous body colliding with him. As a god, he remained unmoved, but the woman on the other end fell to the ground.
"Ouch…" a voice exclaimed. Akio looked up and was startled. Well, well, isn't this La Signora? The Eighth Harbinger of the Fatui, the tragic woman who would later be turned to ash by the Raiden Shogun's blade.
Akio examined La Signora, who was sitting on the ground. There was no denying it—she was dressed provocatively. No wonder so many people called her "the Seductress." While La Signora was indeed a villain, she was also undeniably well-endowed. Even compared to the Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko, who were both quite voluptuous, La Signora outshone them.
La Signora looked up angrily. How dare someone bump into her?
Her eyes met those of a young man with white hair and golden eyes, who seemed to be shamelessly staring at certain parts of her.
"You insolent fool!" La Signora stood up, glaring at Akio. She was over 180 cm tall, just slightly shorter than him.
Before Akio could say anything, La Signora slapped him.
In the next moment, her arm was firmly caught by Akio, who looked at her coldly. This crazy woman! Has centuries of rage burned away her brain?
"Huh?" La Signora struggled but couldn't break free. She was surprised. As the Crimson Witch of Flames, her physical strength was unmatched. How could this young man overpower her?
Without a word, Akio dragged La Signora into a nearby alley.
"You're asking for death!" La Signora summoned icy winds, attempting to freeze Akio, but it had no effect on him.
Akio reached out and grabbed La Signora by the neck, lifting her off the ground and pinning her against the wall.
"Mmm~" The feeling of suffocation turned La Signora's face red as she weakly slapped Akio's arm, but it was futile.
Just as she was about to lose consciousness, Akio released her, and she fell to the ground, coughing and gasping for air.
"La Signora, the arrogant woman," Akio pinched her chin, forcing her to look up. He leaned down and said calmly, "Did your Tsaritsa not teach you to respect others?"
"Who are you? How do you know me?" La Signora asked with difficulty.
"Slap!" Akio backhanded her, leaving a bright red mark on her face. He showed no mercy. He had little fondness for La Signora, or the Fatui in general.
"Now, it's my turn to ask the questions. Who gave you the right to question me?" Akio said coldly.
"Who gave you the courage to face a god?" Akio continued. "Was it the slap you gave Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, in Mondstadt?"
La Signora didn't respond, her eyes fixed on Akio. She couldn't understand why a second god had appeared in Liyue. Hadn't Morax already made a contract with the Tsaritsa?
"Tsk~ What a detestable look," Akio slapped her again. This woman really needs to be taught a lesson!
Akio didn't particularly like La Signora, but unlike the Raiden Shogun, he wasn't cold and heartless. He was quite "gentle" with women—yes, gentle.
Blood trickled from La Signora's lips, but she remained silent. Only now did she realize how insignificant she was in the presence of a god.
She had tried to summon the power of the Crimson Witch of Flames, but in front of Akio, she couldn't access it. The power was still within her, but it felt suppressed, as if it had been sealed.
This shouldn't be possible. That was her most fundamental power—the eternal flame that constantly burned her life away until she was reduced to ashes. Why couldn't she use it?
"My power? How?" La Signora's eyes turned red as she felt the weakness in her body. She shook her head in disbelief. The usual feeling of control was gone, replaced by an empty, drained sensation.
"Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, I know everything about you. Let's have some fun," Akio leaned down and whispered to the panicked woman.
Akio continued, "Don't bother struggling. Your power, everything about you, has been sealed by me. Right now, you're no different from a mortal."
"How?!" La Signora covered her ears in agony, glaring at Akio and screaming, "Don't call me that name! I am La Signora! The Eighth Harbinger of the Fatui!"
"Is that so?" Akio sneered. "Rosalyne, that name carries all your past memories."
"No!" Rosalyne's eyes behind her mask were filled with rage and pain!
Akio reached out and gently removed Rosalyne's mask. In an instant, her beauty stunned even him. She was a classic golden-haired beauty, with skin as white and smooth as snow. Unfortunately, the two red handprints on her face marred her beauty.
"Remember this well. My name is Akio. Remember it," Akio lifted Rosalyne's chin and said, "It will be your salvation for the rest of your life."
"Even if it's sin and pain, I can redeem you," Akio said calmly.
"Before that, I'll allow you to take Morax's Gnosis," Akio turned and walked away. She would become his caged bird, but not now. After all, he was just visiting Liyue for leisure.
"I don't need salvation! I don't need it!" La Signora glared at Akio, gritting her teeth.
"Is that so?" Akio stopped and looked back at the helpless woman kneeling on the ground, a mysterious smile on his face.
"Then let's wait and see."
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