"Ugh... it's so dark here... Without Paimon to talk to, it feels a bit scary... Come to think of it, I've always been afraid of the dark..."
Ying, who had been here for an unknown amount of time, shivered as she spoke.
"Damn Scaramouche, he just left without me, and he even turned off the lights... Well, maybe there weren't any lights to begin with. After all, even though it was a lot brighter when he came in, that was probably just the energy emanating from him..."
"Come to think of it... I think I saw a screen in front of me just now? And when he came in, I didn't hear the sound of a door opening, it was like he just appeared inside..."
"Yes, there's no door here," Scaramouche suddenly emerged from the darkness, startling Ying, who was lost in thought.
"Waaah?! You, you, you! When were you there?!"
"Hehehe... Guess."
"Hmph! As if I'd guess with you!"
"Mhmph... If you don't want to guess, fine. In any case, abandon any thoughts of escape. This room has no exit."
"Tch~ If there's no exit, how did you get me in here? I don't believe you (￣へ￣)"
"Hahaha... I naturally have a way to get you in. After all, you are an important pawn in my plan, and I must protect you well..." Scaramouche waved his hand, shortening the length of the chains on Ying's wrists back to their original state.
"Hmph... What about the food I wanted?"
"Heh... You actually dare to ask," Scaramouche shook his head helplessly and handed Ying the bread and water he had brought.
"There are many things I dare to do. The first thing I'll do when I get out is beat you up." Ying took a small bite of bread and chewed, speaking as she ate.
"Hehehe... The gunpowder smell has gotten stronger. Do you think someone will come to rescue you soon?"
"Hmph~ Paimon will tell you (￣へ￣)"
"Tsk tsk tsk... Since you're unwilling to say, let me tell you."
"Mhmph?" Ying stared suspiciously at Scaramouche, trying to figure out what he was up to.
"Your sister is already on her way. I estimate it won't be long before they enter this base. What do you think? Aren't you happy to hear this news?"
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Hehehe... Because it's amusing. Your sister, who cares about you so much, didn't get angry with that Childe fellow after hearing of your death, but quickly calmed down... which ruined my original plan... Truly worthy of being the Honorary Knight of Mondstadt~"
"Hmph~ Good that you know. I advise you to surrender as soon as possible!"
"Oh? Are you sure she can defeat me?"
"Of course... can..."
(Damn it... Lumine only has two elements mastered now. It's quite possible she's not his match...)
"Mhmph... Your hesitation has betrayed you~"
(Damn it... This guy is not only powerful but also cunning. Although there's Paimon, a powerful secret weapon, I probably can't command her in my current state...)
"Phew... Don't get cocky. We don't know who will win yet!"
"Hahahaha... Such a tough mouth, yet you have no confidence in your heart."
"Oh? They're here quite fast."
Scaramouche waved his hand, and the screen in front of Ying suddenly lit up, revealing three figures entering the base: Lumine, Paimon, and Paimon.
"This is... surveillance?"
"Hehehe... Now, please enjoy the show I've prepared for you sisters..."
"What do you mean? Huh?! My bread!"
Scaramouche took the half-eaten bread, a slight smile playing on his lips. "A hostage should act like a hostage. If they see you doing so well, they won't be angry~"
With that, he snapped his fingers again, and the chains quickly shortened, leaving Ying with almost no room to move.
"Hey! Don't run! At least let me finish this half of the bread! Come back here!"
Ying struggled with all her might, but was controlled by the chains and could only watch as Scaramouche disappeared into the darkness.
"Damn it... I feel so uncomfortable, like I'm being torn apart... Hey! Is anyone there? Can you hear me?"
The scene shifts to Lumine...
"This is where Ying marked the location..." Lumine said with certainty, comparing it with the map.
"The main gate is smashed, how is this sneaking in...?"
"Hmph... that idiot deserves to be taught a lesson."
"Cough, cough, anyway, let's go in first~" Paimon quickly comforted Lumine from the side.
The group soon infiltrated the Fatui base and arrived at the place where Ying had fought.
"This... what did Ying go through..." Paimon said in surprise, looking at everything around them.
"Hmm... there are many traces of Anemo blades on the walls. Judging by the pipes that fell, they were also cut with Anemo blades. There's a lot of water on the ground too..." Lumine tidied up the gathered clues.
"Fighting those small soldiers wouldn't be this intense." (Looking at the host's condition, she probably encountered an Harbinger...)
"Long time no see, my friend."
Scaramouche walked in from the opposite door, looking happily at the group.
"Scaramouche?! What are you doing here?!" Lumine immediately drew her Wind Glider Sword and took an offensive stance.
"Hehehe... Of course I'm here. After all, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have heard from Childe that Ying had died... Huh?!"
Before Scaramouche could finish speaking, he sensed an Anemo blade flying rapidly towards his head. He quickly dodged the fatal attack.
"Phew... I say, if you kill me directly, you might never find your sister again~"
"What?! Ying is in your hands?! Wasn't she defeated by the Signora?!" Lumine immediately stopped her advancing steps, her voice full of surprise.
"Hehehe... To be precise, she was defeated by Signora and me together."
With that, Scaramouche drew a circle in the air beside him, and a ring formed of energy appeared in the sky.
"Let's take a look at your sister's current state~"
"Ying?! You bastard!" Seeing Ying tied tightly to the bed, Lumine's heart was filled with rage, and she wished she could kill the scoundrel in front of her on the spot.
"Tsk tsk tsk~ You should thank me. I didn't kill your sister immediately."
"Release her!"
"Hahahaha~ Asking your enemy to release their precious hostage? Don't you find that ridiculous? However, I can give you an opportunity. As long as you can defeat me, I'll release her~"
"Hey! Scaramouche, do you keep your word?!" Paimon immediately stepped forward and asked loudly.
"Hehehe... I always keep my word. Come, let me test your strength!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Scaramouche took the Skyward Blade he had taken from Ying and charged towards Paimon...