The Imperial Abyss - Genshin Impact Childe

Chapter 1

You could cut the tension with a knife.

"No no that will not do, that doesn't seem fair now does it?" Zhongli drawled, "Only 10% of the sales of anyone that uses my trade route? "emphasizing the my, "which may I add, is one of the only connections to the icy lands which remains a secret to the Cryo Alliance."

"Now of course we know that 'Alliance' couldn't hold a candle to what it was before the war, but it's best not to be seen when pillaging sacred artifacts from right under their nose." He chuckled as he imagined a bunch of rebels raising rusted swords, without her they fell apart.

Childe brushed away a stray wisp of hair from his face, his expression stern.

"On average 25000 to 20000 is successfully pillaged in value per trip, that means 2500 mora for you every time a domain raiding party crosses via your trade route." He pointed towards a partially blank map tracing the route they would take with his finger, "Any party that used the route would be taxed 10% from whatever spoils they pillaged on their return trip."

Childe continued confidently "And again on average 14 raiding parties crossing a day in peak season, that is.."

"35000 mora a day." he finished

"I don't think that will work, the maintenance costs for the route is about.." Zhongli stopped and thought for a moment.

Childe noticed movement from the shadowed figure in the corner.

Sitting stiffly on a leather armchair observing them from the corner of the room, she heard Zhongli stop talking and she knew his memory had failed him again. She got up out of the chair, swiping a book from the dark walnut bookshelf as she walked towards the matching wooden desk.

"Here you go"
Ningguang handed him a book which she had tucked under her arm.

Zhongli nodded thanks to her.

He began quickly flipping through the pages until he found at the geographical costs section, Childes mind began to wander as he waited. The book was filled with coloured fabrics sticking out, to mark important pages Childe assumed. He thought about his library back home, all neatly organised by the name of the author. He never read those dusty books; it was just tradition of the current King to keep the books of previous kings, something about passing down wisdom. He was expected to write one of those books at the end of his reign, he hoped he died before the librarians pestered him to write it. Childe was beginning to think about how he would most likely die as a monster, feared by his people.
Zhonglis stern voice brought him back to reality.

"Road upkeep in that area alone per year, due to its location being far from the city, is approximately about 500,000 mora"

Childe looked surprised, he had not assumed a road would cost so much. He knew a merger 10% would not satisfy the Geo Emperor if upkeep alone would cost twenty raiding parties tax, and Childe had only given the raiding statics of peak season, in the winter it would plummet to not even half of the Mora as less and less adventurers would want to brave the cold of the Cryo Kingdoms domains...

He prayed Zhongli hadn't worked out that he was twisting the facts in his favour.

"I'm sure you have already worked out I wont accept 10%?" He read Childes mind like an open book, "Now your thinking how to offer more without angering the Hydro branch of the Adventurers Guild, i assume?"

"You assume correctly, oh wise Geo Emperor" Childe sarcastically retorted back.

The sheer curtains ,which covered the open air windows, danced behind Zhongli as a slight gust of wind blew through the room.

"25% is as low as I will go," he said grinning, holding out a pen for him to sign the contract.

Ningguang spoke briskly "that's 87500 mora a day" she smiled at Childe with a gaze that was setting off his fight or flight.