The blacksmith would first collect a ten-billion Mora deposit.
The remaining ninety billion would be advanced by the smithy itself.
To the owner, this was a guaranteed, risk-free deal.
With the Snezhnayan Prince's reputation, default was impossible—and once a blade forged with one hundred billion Mora was born, the smithy's name would echo across all of Teyvat.
The only problem was that ninety billion Mora was far beyond what a single blacksmith shop could raise.
"This matter will require cooperation with the Liyue Qixing," the owner admitted honestly.
"Only they possess enough liquidity. Your Highness may need to wait for some time."
"That's fine," Severin replied.
He finished his tea, left the forge, and returned to the diplomatic residence.
Inside the residence, Pantalone was already waiting.
"How did it go?"
"As you said, Your Highness… my brother Baizhu truly has his reasons."
Pantalone exhaled slowly.
"The white snake he keeps—Changsheng—accidentally swallowed a Delusion in the wild. The mutation awakened its intelligence. My brother often ventured deep into the mountains to gather herbs and test medicinal properties. Once, he was poisoned so badly that he nearly died."
"That time, Changsheng used the Delusion's power to purge the toxin. My brother survived—and soon after, he obtained a Dendro Vision and successfully ascended to the position of Tianxuan Star."
"But Delusions are tightly controlled in Snezhnaya and outright contraband in Liyue. My brother feared someone would exploit this—against him, or against me. So he deliberately kept his distance."
If word spread, no one would believe the Delusion was obtained by accident.
In Snezhnaya, it would look like abuse of authority.
In Liyue, it would look like collusion with the Fatui.
Silence was the only safe solution.
"Pantalone," Severin said calmly, "your family matters are settled. Now focus on your work."
"Thank you for giving us a chance to reconcile," Pantalone replied solemnly.
"But I know the difference between personal feelings and duty. In private, we are brothers. In public, we will always be rivals."
Then he straightened.
"Your Highness—about the commercial war against the Liyue Qixing. Please give the order."
A Mirror Maiden poured tea as Severin spoke.
"Morax has announced his 'seclusion.' Without his Geo authority, the Golden House will halt production. Do you know what that means?"
"Yes," Pantalone answered immediately.
"No new Mora will be minted. Liyue's total money supply becomes fixed."
Severin walked to the window, overlooking the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor.
"My plan revolves around this."
"Mora is currency—formed from Morax's flesh and blood, backed by his authority and Liyue's contracts. Once issuance stops, supply directly impacts prices."
"In simple terms—deflation and inflation."
Pantalone's eyes lit up.
"A currency war… That's it. Brilliant, Your Highness."
Currency warfare did not violate contracts.
In fact, Liyue had no legal framework for such a thing—no one had ever attempted it.
To Liyue, this was a dimensional strike.
"But how do we execute it?" Pantalone asked.
Severin explained patiently.
"The Golden House only mints Mora. The institution that makes Mora circulate is the Northland Bank—your bank."
"Teyvat uses a unified currency. No exchange rates. That means the only leverage lies in your two core functions: deposits and loans."
"Once minting stops, prices fall, wages shrink, and Liyue enters deflation."
"Your task is to raise interest rates aggressively. Absorb as much circulating Mora as possible. Worsen the deflation."
Seeing Pantalone hesitate, Severin elaborated.
"Lower wages mean less spending. Merchants can't sell goods, can't buy materials, can't hire workers—so they cut wages and lay people off."
"Which means even less spending."
"A vicious cycle."
"Commercial depression. Mass unemployment. Economic collapse."
Pantalone felt as though a new world had opened before him.
"I have one concern," he said carefully.
"The Golden House has strategic reserves. If deflation worsens, the Ministry will release reserve Mora to stabilize the market."
Severin smiled.
"That's called quantitative easing."
"But reserves are finite. Once exhausted, the Northland Bank—flush with deposits—becomes Liyue's de facto economic center."
"Supply and demand tilt irreversibly."
Pantalone trembled—not from fear, but from exhilaration.
"But then the Qixing will pressure us to rescue the market," he said.
"They'll demand loans."
"And we'll give them," Severin replied calmly.
"Loans to failing merchants. Loans to struggling families."
"But at high interest."
"To increase leverage."
Pantalone frowned. "Wouldn't lending ease deflation?"
"You release credit—then abruptly tighten it," Severin said softly.
The room fell silent.
"Pantalone," Severin said, lifting his teacup, "tell her the outcome."
Pantalone swallowed.
"Prices will crash overnight. Borrowers—merchants and civilians alike—will default."
"Under Liyue's contracts, failure to repay high-interest debt means forfeiture."
"Houses. Shops. Gold. Assets."
"All transferred to the Northland Bank."
His voice shook.
"In one night… thousands of years of Liyue's accumulated wealth will vanish—
and become Snezhnaya's profit."
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