Tartaglia: I'll Remember This Grudge

When they arrived at the island where the adeptal artifacts were kept, Tartaglia and the Fatui Debt Collector Viktor, who had brought him there, were both stunned.

Viktor, especially, rubbed his eyes in disbelief, as if afraid he was seeing things.

The island was completely empty, with nothing on it.

Where were the shelves?

The books?

The artifacts?

No, wait, where was even the shelter that was supposed to block the dust?

I remember the items being placed right here!

Viktor was on the verge of tears.

What kind of world was this?

Tartaglia was also taken aback for a moment when he saw the situation.

"Is that 'The Doctor' playing a prank on me?"

he said with a smile, but Viktor didn't feel relieved at all.

"No, no, no, 'The Doctor' definitely left something behind. He is..."

Viktor stammered nervously.

He really couldn't figure out why.

"If he's not here to toy with me, then is it you?" Tartaglia pressed closer to Viktor, narrowing his eyes at him. The immense pressure forced Viktor to his knees, his legs buckling beneath him.

"Although I have a better temper than 'The Doctor', but..."

He paused here. Viktor nervously awaited Tartaglia's judgment.

"I don't like being fooled!"

Tartaglia declared, and a Water Arrow shot from his hand, heading straight for Viktor's side.

I don't know how you snuck in, but I only know you're my enemy.

Tartaglia thought to himself.

He had initially been a little angry, feeling fooled by 'The Doctor', but a moment's thought made him realize 'The Doctor' wouldn't be so bored as to play a joke on him. So, with a brief observation, he noticed something unusual. While chatting with Viktor, he searched for signs of activity.

When he found the right moment, he fired an arrow.

However, after firing, his expression changed.

The sound of the Water Arrow hitting its mark wasn't the impact of striking a human body.

He quickly dodged with a roll.

Just as he rolled away, a Crossbow Bolt whizzed past his clothes.

And Viktor, the Fatui Debt Collector not far from him, wasn't so lucky. A Crossbow Bolt pierced both of his lower legs, pinning him firmly to the ground.

Bai Ye then emerged from the other side, holding a Handheld Crossbow.

He reloaded the Handheld Crossbow in his hand and looked at Tartaglia.

"Quite a quick reaction,"

Bai Ye said with a joking tone.

He didn't believe he was inferior to Tartaglia, the eleventh of the Fatui.

"Not as quick as your cunning."

Tartaglia replied with a smile as well.

As he spoke, he continued to size up Bai Ye.

This young man before him looked not much older than his own sister, Tonya, yet his strength was enough to contend with him.

It was truly unexpected.

"So, can you tell me your identity and your purpose for coming here?"

Tartaglia silently adjusted himself to the optimal combat state.

"Naturally, it's to capture someone."

Bai Ye pointed at Viktor.

"I don't care how Fatui Debt Collectors kill people in Snezhnaya. But in Liyue, you will abide by Liyue's laws."

"Then, you'll have to defeat me first."

Tartaglia said with a smile, and simultaneously lowered his body, charging at Bai Ye.

What had just been destroyed was an automaton.

Tartaglia judged Bai Ye to be a master of the Art of Automata, so closing the distance was the best approach for combat.

As Tartaglia advanced, Bai Ye opened both hands, his handheld crossbows firing continuously at Tartaglia.

His Anemo Element Genshin Eye activated, and all five handheld crossbows shot at Tartaglia, imbued with Anemo Element power.

The wind force temporarily prevented him from getting close to Bai Ye.

Tartaglia dodged left and right, not particularly anxious.

The crossbow bolts would eventually run out, and once they did, what other tricks would he have?

Seeing Tartaglia dodging with ease, even closing the distance, Bai Ye narrowed his eyes and said:

"Since you can defend against ground-to-ground attacks, how about air-to-ground?"

As he spoke, Bai Ye reached out and shook his collar, releasing five wooden kites that flew out.

Tartaglia narrowed his eyes, contemplating how these wooden kites would attack him.

Then, he saw several chains emerge from the tails of the wooden kites.

Bai Ye grabbed the chains.

Using his Anemo Element Genshin Eye again, he was lifted into the air by the wooden kites.

Simultaneously, the wooden kites flew towards another island.

"Bye-bye now!"

Bai Ye waved goodbye to Tartaglia with a smile.

His objective had been achieved; while fighting Tartaglia, he had already notified Ganyu to launch an attack.

With everything taken and the Debt Collectors unlikely to escape, Bai Ye saw no need to risk his life fighting Tartaglia.

He wouldn't engage in a dangerous "robbing the tiger's den" scenario.

Grabbing the items and making a run for it was the best option.

Bai Ye's rapid departure, aided by the wooden kites and Anemo Element, gave him great speed.

Tartaglia watched, initially intending to give chase on foot.

But as soon as he moved, he saw Ganyu charging in from the entrance of the base in the distance.

As the secretary of the Seven Stars, Tartaglia knew of Ganyu's capabilities from his mission intel.

Seeing her enter now, Tartaglia lost his nerve.

In a one-on-one fight, Tartaglia felt neither Bai Ye nor Ganyu was weaker than him.

In a two-on-one, he would definitely lose.

He was fond of fighting, but not stupid.

He gave Bai Ye a deep look.

"Fine, I'll remember this grudge. I'm preparing to steal the Geo Archon's Gnosis now. Once I succeed, I'll settle the score with you."

Tartaglia immediately retreated towards a hidden cave entrance.

Before leaving, he looked at the fallen Fatui Debt Collector, Viktor, reached out to scoop him up, and left with him.

Bai Ye arrived on another island.

Ganyu had already used her arrows to pinpoint and take down the Fatui Debt Collectors one by one.

Seeing Bai Ye return safely, Ganyu was delighted.

"These individuals were indeed much stronger than ordinary Debt Collectors. Fortunately, I was observing the enemy's situation the whole time. Otherwise, they really would have caused us a lot of trouble. Bai Ye, do you know what's going on?"

Taking off the hood of a Debt Collector, Bai Ye pointed at the headpiece and said:

"These guys have combined Fatui technology with Adeptal magic."

"Can they be mass-produced by the Fatui then?"

Ganyu pondered the possibility, frowning.

"Probably, the chances are not small."

Bai Ye replied.

At the same time, he swung his handheld crossbow, taking down several Fatui members.

At this moment, Ganyu thought of a question and asked Bai Ye.

"Oh right, where's Hu Tao?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Ye slapped his forehead.

"I completely forgot about her."

Inside the maze diagram, Hu Tao walked along, humming a song.

"Big Whopper is sick, Little Whopper checks..."

As she said this, she felt like she was about to be set free.

Her spirits immediately lifted.

Is it finally my turn to act?