Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Praise from Arlecchino

“Rosalyne, did you hear? The Genius and the Maiden already have children.”

Arlecchino came by to see her off just as the Lady was preparing to depart for Mondstadt.

Of course, she also wanted to gauge another Harbinger’s reaction.

Rumors of that sort had already been spreading for days. But those weaponized dolls never left Su Ran’s workshop, and the workshop itself wasn’t a place just anyone could stroll into.

It wasn’t like the Doctor’s labs—where people entered but never came out— but even so, who had the guts to step into the Second’s “creative workshop”?

Three nights ago, the massive crater outside the city was still enough to haunt people’s dreams.

“…What’s this, you’ve turned into a gossip?”

Rosalyne raised a brow, amused.

The Fifth—no, the new Fifth seat, of all people—turning so chatty?

“I’m just curious. Especially considering the Maiden’s… nature.”

The Harbingers each had their own motives.

But at the end of the day, they were still colleagues.

Neither the Genius nor the Maiden were the kind of universally despised figure the Doctor was.

If they truly were together— why not offer them her blessing?

“If you’re curious, you should visit the Second’s workshop yourself. You’d be shocked.”

Rosalyne’s lips curved slightly.

To her, Arlecchino was even more maternal than she was herself.

Her devotion to the children of the House of the Hearth was genuine, not a façade.

So if she saw a miniature version of herself, perhaps her maternal instincts would surge uncontrollably.

“You’ve been inside?”

Her words immediately caught Arlecchino’s full attention.

That tone—she wasn’t bluffing.

But wasn’t the Lady the one who despised such places most?

Labs in name, slaughterhouses in truth.

“Don’t look at me like that. The Genius will be accompanying me to Mondstadt to secure a Gnosis, so of course I visited his workshop. Compared to the other two, it’s… impressive.”

The Doctor’s was nothing but blood, screams, and corpses.

The Puppet’s, a cold jumble of obscure devices and incomprehensible inventions.

But the Genius’s?

Clean. Bright. Surprisingly… humane.

That alone made Rosalyne’s opinion of him far more favorable.

Add to that those adorable little creations of his, and she even found herself wishing she had more time to visit.

Perhaps she might even bring them along to Mondstadt?

Arlecchino asked no further.

If the Lady, who scorned all such places, could find it tolerable— then Su Ran’s workshop must indeed be something unique.

“The Genius is mysterious, powerful. Not even the Doctor could stand against him. He flaunts his talent openly. That makes him dangerous.”

Beating the Captain was enough for Arlecchino to place him among the strongest of their ranks.

Add to that his contempt for the Doctor’s intellect…

Yes. A stronger, sharper Doctor.

And researchers like that were the most dangerous of all.

“But at least he’s not cruel. The children like him.”

Two days ago, he had done as promised— visited the House of the Hearth with gifts to apologize for waking them that night.

That alone changed her view of him.

The Doctor saw orphans as test subjects.

The Puppet didn’t care if they lived or died.

But the Genius?

He made the effort to visit, to play with them, to make them smile.

That was worth something.

Rosalyne gave her a curious look.

“What is it?” Arlecchino asked.

“You seem very invested in the Second.”

Her answer came simply:

“The House of the Hearth is a shelter for orphans. Some arrive with ailments, especially those from Sumeru. Even the Doctor researched Eleazar, but I never trusted him.”

Her gaze softened.

“If the Genius can cure them, they might truly recover.”

Even under her care, there was always competition among the children.

The Fatui were no charity.

No matter her good will, the weak fell behind the strong.

And the weak… were discarded.

But if someone could heal them, then true fairness could be given.

The House would gain not only healthy children, but their undying loyalty and gratitude.

“You’d trust a newcomer over the Doctor, who’s researched for years?”

Even Rosalyne had to admit it: this Harbinger was too kind.

More a father than the last “Mother” had ever been.

No wonder the children raised in the House surpassed ordinary Fatui soldiers in loyalty and discipline.

“I don’t believe someone who brings gifts and plays with children can be a monster.”

No sooner had her words fallen than Arlecchino felt a sudden weight on her shoulder.

Turning slightly, she found Su Ran’s head resting there.

“How touching. So that’s the image I have in your eyes? I’m moved~”

Arlecchino’s face darkened.

Praising someone behind their back, only to be overheard by the very person— it was mortifying.

“Come now, Arle-chan, praise me more. I’d be delighted!”

“Don’t call me that. We’re colleagues, nothing more!”

His shameless familiarity left her flustered, memories of old friends stirring painfully.

She shoved his head off her shoulder.

“You’re such a shy girl. But I can feel it—you, too, look forward to my gifts, just like the children.”

Su Ran only chuckled, unconcerned by the blackened hand that had pushed him away.

Aside from its color, it was no different from any other girl’s hand.

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