DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based

FICTION

Genshin Impact is owned by MiHoyo.

Please support the official release.

Chapter 28: Trialed Timer

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c

Also Pxtreon: P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin

"Do you understand the purpose of this meeting, Ser Holmes?"

Ningguang's silky voice was perhaps the most damning detail of this awkward reunion with the Liyue Qixing. I had expected this to happen- the news of the ship's finalization had gotten the attention of a rather paranoid governing body that was facing quite the unprecedented crisis.

So, I was 'chosen' by Nahida to take care of this little 'misunderstanding' before it became a bit too problematic in the long run. So, here I was, standing before the very group that didn't listen a single fucking word of my warnings when I made it clear the Fatui were up to no good.

It was tempting to just give them a piece of my mind, but I wasn't planning to do this just now. No, this was the springboard to give them an enemy to focus upon. But I had to work this carefully as... I didn't have any 'personal' allies.

Keqing didn't know it was me, and she looked a bit miserable. She clearly thought I was wounded heavily or something, but she held strong. What a brave trooper- she is definitely getting a lot of love after this whole ordeal. Out of those I had the chance to be intimate about, the Yuheng was second only to Venti.

Ganyu was still a priority, but I didn't know her enough to really put her on a pedestal on the same 'category' as the rest.

"I was made aware of this, Lady Tianquan. Hence why Mr. Bukharin had taken great consideration to provide a most exhaustive and most convincing argumentation based on two notions- one, the respect of Liyue's laws and, second, the understanding that resistance to any sort of common sense can be found within these chambers."

A light jab, one that Ningguang seemed to perceive in the fullest from the tiny scowl on her face.

"Due to the circumstances, we may also find this sort of sarcasm particularly 'unwarranted'. We have to address matters of greater relevance for Liyue."

I nodded. "True, true. But, understandably so, I have a script I was provided. I was told, specifically so, that I should start this defense with four words which, from my understanding, may be the most vexing of this text."

Ningguang was biting a growl at this, a hand already pressing against her eyes and nose. Still, she nodded and allowed me to speak what she had already deciphered from a man that was willing to be the pettiest bastard ever despite the situation.

"He wishes to starts this with 'I told you so'. The point here is that, at this very time, Liyue is being endangered by the Fatui as they have orchestrated a plan that... wasn't about killing Rex Lapis."

"This is not inherent to the circumstance you have been brought up to the council-" The Kaiyang lamented, but it was Ningguang that stopped the councilor.

"It actually is," The businesswoman argued. "The case of the defense for the contruction of a reported warship is centered around the 'factual and confirmed Fatui buildup for a potential hostile takeover'. Said 'case' further confirmed by two strong elements of evidence from this report. Is that so?"

"It is correct."

"And what... evidence is Mr. Holmes talking about?" Keqing asked, checking her own papers and frowning at those as she didn't have any copy of those. "We were not provided any of those."

"That's because one of the pieces is currently under my personal care, and I was instructed to provide this within this urgent circumstance, while the other one is already in the hand of Lady Tianquan."

At first, my comment stirred annoyance at this lack of decorum within the context of law, but the latter bit turned attention back to Ningguang and... she was staring right back to me. The woman wasn't trying to defend herself, her intense glance holding a degree of curiosity and interest.

"Explain."

"The former is a report I was hired to style after going through a brief investigation through my unique means to secure information. This piece is a report on what the Fatui are truly up to," I said as I retrieved a document I wrote with Nahida's assistance to make it appear as lawful as possible. "It is an extensive account of seven witnesses that can all attest to the Fatui securing through their Bank some specific buildings within the harbor that have not been designated as they should be- the previous owners having been bribed to allow this accomodation at the expense of also telling the Millelith the relocation of large Shnezhnayan troops within those facilities."

A secretary helped me bring the document to the table, with Lord Tianshu taking the papers and giving them a long read, nodding at those before offering them to Ningguang. She spared those a brief glance, but could see why Uncle Tian was fine with those.

"You mentioned a second burden of proof that I owned. Which, truth be told, sounds quite... sketchy."

I smiled. "And yet you yourself don't find it as such considering you praised the two that gave you their sworn testimony in regard to the events tied to the Fatui and their intention to free Osial from his prison."

The entire council erupted in shock at this claim, with many aiming this surprise at the Tianquan and... she smiled.

"I do consider the source trustworthy, you are correct in this regard. But... why?"

I blinked. "The reason behind the attack is not to kill Rex Lapis, but to use the odd circumstance as a way to secure his Gnossis. As of recent times, the Tsaritsa has started an aggressive campaign to secure all Archons' Gnossis, with Rex Lapis' perplexing passing allowing her to make moves to secure where said item is currently stored."

"The Golden House," Ningguang remarked, the council looked quite alarmed by this topic, but the woman holding her calm pushed on it. "You are calm about this, I suppose there's reason to it."

"The source for the second proof is currently on the way to stop this attack. Right now, however, I believe the point is one and the same."

My words matched by a quake, making me scowl.

"We are running a bit late on time."

This was happening a bit faster than I had predicted, and I turned to Ningguang. "Lady Tianquan, I understand this is not within legal precedence but-"

"The meeting is adjourned until the emergency is solved."

Yes, the big plan was to derail the trial and use the event to outright dodge it. Shady as fuck, but it was the best way to not be drowning on legal paperwork for months. I walked out of the council, and I saw Shenhe speaking with-

"Cloudy."

The crane huffed. "For the time being, this one suggest using formal terms."

I nodded. "Apologies, just surprised to find you here with the... other Adepti."

They all looked at me with mixed surprise and giddiness, clearly knowing 'me' from before but-

"I am afraid that this reunion shall be brief. Shenhe shall join us in our mission to defeat Osial."

I turned to the girl and... nodded. "I understand. I will be joining the efforts once I get at the docks. I have a little thing that I plan to use against Osial. Let's just say that it's going to be hilarious."

One of the Adepti giggled at this, but they were pushed to silence as it was time to go. Shenhe looked a tad bit sad, but she still went on to join the rest. I started to sprint down to the harbor while civilians were told to find shelter in their homes.

I was about to make it to the port, one staircase away from it and- I paused as I found an obstacle waiting there for me.

Tall, arrogant, and I had to glare at the bitch herself as this was a chance to settle the score in a way I hadn't expected. La Signora grinned at my arrival, presenting a bit of an issue as I had to get going as I saw the Jade Chamber moving towards a newly-awakened Osial.

"So, Childe was right. The missing monkey was here after all and... you are indeed him. The one that the Tsaritsa wants the most."

This was going to be a big distraction but... I knew I could handle it.

"That's flattering really, but I don't do with stalkers and fat bitches."

She snarled. "Fat?! You dare to spread such a slander?"

Touched a nerve, didn't I?

"Yep. And I will start kicking your ass now, big-boobied bimbo."

"I suppose a monkey like you can't learn what it means to fight someone superior to you!"

"Nah, but you can keep on trying to play dommy mommy as long as you want- you are still getting your ass whooped today."

I wasn't going to claim any prisoners here as I readied a boomstick I had prepared for this very occasion. Signora's ice powers were indeed dangerous, but they were ineffective before Electro Bolts. So, I created a special Electro blaster just to handle Cryo and Pyro issues.

Thus, against La Signora, in Pokemon terms, I was 'Super-Effective'.

"I am so going to enjoy this!"

She tried to keep her distance, but I kept on harassing her guard until she was put in a bad spot. Her 'passive efforts' were not giving her much of a chance as I was being 'super-aggro' with my attacks. I was getting hit a bit, but I was hammering her with so many 'Taser-hands' that I was 'cooking' bits of her outfit in the process.

Her dress was getting ravaged by the ferocity of her attacks and her early confidence had faltered enough to put her in the mood to try and switch to that power-up all Fatui had. I was not an idiot and I didn't give her the chance to fully transform as that would be a major delay and a big pain in the butt.

"Pesky monkey! You are like the rats! All of you, rats and-!"

I manifested my bonking club and slammed it on her skull with the ferocity of a vengeful monkee ready to reclaim my pride and Gamer Funni Title. It wasn't enough to kill her, but I definitely gave her a big concussion as she lost consciousness after being hit. I saw her stiffen for a moment and then slump on the ground. I grinned victoriously and pumped a fist at the win.

"Yes!"

Still, this was... not enough. I could kill her, but I have a feeling this would only urge the other Fatui to be more vicious towards me. I could beat Signora at this moment since she is so shitty in combat and... I had an idea to consolidate this victory.

I gave a twirl to the item I stole before storing it away, my smile freezing as I flinched, my body hurting for some reason as I felt that something was wrong. I felt a tug from my... vision. It was graying. It was still active but it was clear I was running out of juice.

The big battle was around the corner and I was running out of Electro energy... this could be bad.

Signora would then wake up hours later while being helped by a few minions, growling at the defeat and... the sudden lack of fabric protecting her lower body. Her panties... were gone... THAT MONKEY!

AN

Next time, we play War Thunder against the Primitive Water God, showing it that 'Plants vs Zombies' is a reasonable game and that Dendro Chaddery slays wet noodles.

P.S. I think I have to make a statement due to the recent addition of 4.0 and Fontaine. I will not add Fontaine to the story- not because I don't have ideas about it (I do, and I advise to read this comment to the very end as it relates to an idea), but rather I feel like it would stretch the story too much. I have four arcs left that I have planned: 1) Return to Mondstad; 2) a brief Sumeru one to deal with Nahida's 'inner demons', 3) The 'Inazuma Plagiarism' Arc; 4) The Italo-Russian Job.

After that, I will end the story with no plotholes and... then get a new idea currently on my Pxtreon released as an independent story. 'A Drop of Justice' is an AU story set mostly in Fontaine, and sees this very SI (without the monkee and the overreaching plot of this story, but with more dramatic twists and turns) become the most 'Law & Order' Lawyer in the entire Court. With his loyal Melusine assistant Maeve to help him, he shall solve all legal messes while tackling criminality, justice, and a non-Loli mesugaki that may have gotten a bit too into him for his own good.

P.S. The reason why I don't plan to continue is because I know I would burn myself out if I went too long on this story. It's not for some specific reason that is too complex, I just know I would mess it up in the long run if I stretched the plot too much.