Chapter 3: Chapter: 3 The Tsaritsa’s Invitation

The Captain surveyed the carnage around him before fixing his gaze on Su Ran.

“I do not like men such as you. But Her Majesty the Tsaritsa wishes to see you.”

Just earlier, he had received the Tsaritsa’s transmission:

bring this outsider to the city of Snezhnaya.

The Tsaritsa wanted to personally meet this foreigner— this outsider whose strength was terrifying beyond measure.

The Fatui did not reject outsiders, but as a Harbinger, the Captain felt no fondness for Su Ran.

To him, the man before him was a disgrace to honor, a reckless wretch.

But that very power was also what the Fatui, and the Tsaritsa herself, needed.

“Perfect timing. I’m rather interested in her myself.”

Su Ran produced a small ring and swept it across the cave.

In an instant, the piles of supplies and scientific instruments vanished into it.

It was a storage ring he had crafted himself— far more convenient than lugging things around when moving.

The Captain’s heart stirred.

Such storage devices were priceless!

Perhaps Liyue’s adepti possessed similar arts,

but here in Snezhnaya, they could not be obtained.

With such a divine tool, waging war would be far easier— no more tedious supply convoys.

But something this precious could not be asked for, especially from a man who had just been his enemy.

Su Ran, of course, could not read his thoughts.

With that helmet hiding his face, it was impossible to guess at his expression.

Still, if the Captain wanted one, Su Ran would not mind giving it to him.

The device looked precious,

but in truth, he had no use for more than one.

During his experiments, he had already produced several defective versions.

While inferior to the one he now wielded, they would be more than sufficient for the Fatui.

With his belongings packed, there was no reason to linger in the cave.

His long experiment was complete.

And truthfully, he preferred people to solitude.

At heart, he was still a creature of emotion, not some cold, all-rational being.

As they left, the Captain struck the cave mouth with a single punch, collapsing it entirely.

“They were proud soldiers of Snezhnaya. Since they died here, let them rest here as well.”

By sealing the entrance, no one would disturb their slumber.

“…Unnecessary.”

Su Ran gave him a casual glance.

“Someone like you will never understand how precious honor and peace are to a warrior.”

“Oh.”

The Captain’s disdain meant little to him.

He was no warrior. Why should he care about honor?

If it couldn’t be exchanged for something tangible, what was the point?

To be remembered?

Often, villains were remembered more vividly than heroes.

The Captain had left with a troop of men,

and returned with only one— a man who was neither Fatui, nor even a citizen of Snezhnaya.

Inside the Tsaritsa’s palace, several Harbingers were already waiting.

There stood the proud La Signora.

The indifferent Arlecchino.

The ever-curious Il Dottore.

The aloof Scaramouche.

And the inquisitive Tartaglia.

Five Harbingers were gathered.

Above them stood Pierro, the Jester, expressionless at the foot of the throne.

In that moment, he looked very much like a school principal about to deliver a speech.

And on the throne beyond—the god who ruled all of Snezhnaya.

The Tsaritsa.

Su Ran’s eyes traveled upward:

Crystal shoes, white silk stockings.

A lavish gown of pale blue, white, and black threads.

Gray hair coiled in four spiral drills.

(???)

There was no mistaking it—another “duck.”

He hadn’t met Star Rail’s “Duck,” but to encounter one here in Teyvat…

not a loss at all.

Though he couldn’t tell if this one was the silly type or the stern type.

“Duck butt’s a treasure…”

He muttered under his breath, staring at the throne.

A few Harbingers glanced at him with curiosity, but he ignored them.

The duck was far more interesting.

“I’ve brought him, Your Majesty.”

The Captain knelt on one knee before the Tsaritsa, a soldier’s show of absolute loyalty to his liege.

Other Harbingers might do the same, but none with such solemnity.

“You’ve done well, Capitano. You may rise.”

Her voice was cold, detached.

So the core isn’t stern—it’s silly, after all…

The Captain withdrew, standing among his peers.

Curiosity flickered among them, but with the Tsaritsa present, none spoke aloud.

Su Ran locked eyes with the goddess.

The two stared for a long while.

At last, the Tsaritsa broke first.

“Will you join the Fatui—become one of my Harbingers?”

La Signora’s brow furrowed.

Tartaglia’s arched in surprise.

“How amusing~” murmured Dottore, intrigued.

Even Arlecchino’s eyes filled with suspicion.

Another figure shrouded in story?

To become a Harbinger was never just about strength.

One needed both power and… a tale.

Arlecchino thought so, knowing the pasts of her peers.

[New Task: Accept or Refuse the Fatui’s invitation.]

The system’s voice rang out again at last.

“But my strength lies only in my mind and my research. I can hardly fight. Even so, you would have me?”

Su Ran posed as nothing more than a powerless scholar.

Tartaglia lost interest instantly.

Pantalone sneered with disdain.

La Signora’s face twisted with disgust.

Arlecchino’s eyes sharpened with wariness.

Behind his mask, Capitano’s lips twitched.

And Dottore… smiled ever wider.

“Of course.”

Did he think she did not know his strength?

Had she not spoken up swiftly, the Captain would already be dead here in Snezhnaya.

“Very well, then.”

Su Ran agreed.

He was a scientist, but even scientists needed to eat.

Funding was important.

And one couldn’t rely on pillaging forever.

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