While Koji was enjoying Eula's lap pillow, he suddenly remembered something: Kiana didn't have any of Teyvat's local currency—Mora—on her.
"What's wrong?"
"I brought a friend back from another world, but she doesn't have any Mora on her."
Eula couldn't help laughing. She understood—without Mora, you couldn't even buy food.
"My connections are still pretty solid. If she gets hungry, she'll come back on her own. Besides, Teyvat's wilderness has no shortage of food," Koji said.
There was no need to worry at all. Back when he first arrived, he'd survived in the wild himself—food wasn't hard to come by. Fruit on the trees, fish in the water, game on the ground…
And during the time Kiana was searching for Siegfried, her wilderness survival skills weren't bad either.
Eula nodded. Food really was easy to find out in the wild. Back when she'd been a guerrilla squad captain, whenever their rations ran out, they'd just sourced what they needed on the spot.
…
Snezhnaya—ice sealed for a thousand miles, snow drifting for ten thousand.
The Cryo Archon's realm of ice and snow lay in the northern reaches of Teyvat. Its military technology was highly advanced. Its stance was resistance against the Heavenly Principles, and the Fatui under its command had spread their reach across every nation in Teyvat.
Snezhnaya was also called the snow country unloved by the gods.
"Achoo… damn, it's really cold. Feels like opening a chest on Dragonspine all over again."
Lumine and Koji were wearing Fatui Harbinger cloaks, which insulated them well from the wind and snow.
They had to admit—the Fatui's aesthetic was seriously on point. This outfit really did a great job of bringing out a person's vibe.
"What kind of god do you think the Tsaritsa is?" Lumine asked curiously.
Their next stop should've been Natlan to see the Pyro Archon, but since Snezhnaya had called all the Harbingers in, they didn't mind coming over for a look.
"Probably not what you'd call a particularly proper god. Snezhnaya's stance is to oppose the Heavenly Principles—basically, to stir up trouble," Koji said.
"Heh. Maybe don't say that in front of Her Majesty," Arlecchino said. She'd hurried over from Fontaine and happened to run into them here. "Otherwise, the Tsaritsa won't be happy."
"Is she going to cry and throw a tantrum?" Koji asked, amused.
Lumine pressed her lips together hard to keep from laughing. How many Yae Miko lines had he eaten to be able to say that so smoothly?
"Of course not," Arlecchino said, exasperated. "How could our Tsaritsa possibly cry and throw a tantrum? What god would be that embarrassing?"
"Speaking of which—if I took out a few of the Doctor's segments, is he going to come after me?"
"He won't. Of course… if he wants to die, then sure, he'll come at you," Arlecchino said with a playful edge.
Honestly, she'd love for the Doctor to make a move. That way, he'd lose a few more segments.
As they talked, they arrived at the Tsaritsa's palace. The temperature in the city was still low, but compared to outside, the wind wasn't nearly as brutal.
"Hey, partner. Long time no see."
Tartaglia had returned to his winter capital. As one of the few Harbingers who was actually from Snezhnaya, he spent most of his time traveling and running missions in other nations.
"Long time no see, Tartaduck. I'll give you this—wearing that, you actually look pretty damn handsome," Koji said with a grin.
"Tartaduck? What kind of nickname is that? You might as well just call me Childe," Tartaglia said, rolling his eyes.
"So? Snezhnaya's not bad, right?"
Koji and Lumine nodded. It was their first time here, but the scenery really was spectacular.
"After the meeting, I'll take you two around Snezhnaya. I know this place like the back of my hand."
"Sure. We could use a tour guide," Koji said.
If Tartaglia was offering, there was no reason to refuse. They could enjoy the snow country's views properly afterward.
"That one's the Captain. Ridiculously strong. I'm not his match," Tartaglia said.
At the entrance stood a tall man, wearing a mask that hid his features. Koji knew why: that face of his had long since been ruined beyond recognition.
He was a man with overwhelming personal charisma—using the immortality curse on his body to stand in open defiance against the Ruler of Death.
A hero shouldn't be left without a home.
After Natlan, the Captain would sit on that throne forever.
At first, plenty of people online claimed they'd avenge the Captain. But the moment they saw what the Ruler of Death really looked like… plans changed instantly. Some even switched sides on the spot, saying the Captain could sit there a little longer. Five hundred years had passed—everyone was tired, too.
"Tartaglia, your talent is excellent. One day, you'll stand shoulder to shoulder with me," the Captain said, acknowledging him.
Before that, Skirk had also recognized Tartaglia's talent—he was still young, with plenty of room to grow.
And on top of that talent, Tartaglia was a battle maniac. Someone like that would never stop getting stronger.
"Captain. First time meeting you—my respect," Koji said with a smile.
"Koji… you carry her aura," the Captain said meaningfully.
He'd crossed paths with the Ruler of Death too many times. He could sense it. He'd also seen the information Arlecchino had passed along.
"You mean Ronova? Yeah, I've met her plenty of times. Want me to introduce you?" Koji asked, already knowing who he meant.
"No need. Not now," the Captain said, shaking his head as he turned and walked into the palace.
Even if he stood face-to-face with Ronova, Ruler of Death, what could he do? He couldn't win. It wasn't the right time, and it wasn't the right place.
Inside the palace—besides their group, the other Harbingers had already arrived.
Aside from the ones Koji recognized, the rest studied Koji and Lumine with probing looks.
Columbina, the Damselette, watched Koji with open curiosity. This human… somehow carried the aura of a Seelie—and not a weak one, either.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Koji. As for my Harbinger title…" Koji said, pausing like he was about to announce something world-shattering. "Aotian."
He was observing them, too.
Most of them were pretty good-looking—except that "mayor rooster" guy. The Tsaritsa's taste really was excellent.
"I'm Lumine. Codename: Traveler," Lumine said, hands on her hips, confidence blazing—like she was declaring her crown to the world.
With her husband Koji here, forget Snezhnaya—she could stroll sideways even on Celestia. Pure, unashamed borrowing-power swagger.
"So… Harbinger infighting," the Doctor said calmly, swirling the test tube in his hand. "How should we handle that?"
Here came the accusation. The other Harbingers said nothing, content to watch the show.
"And about Scaramouche—shouldn't you give an explanation?"
"Scaramouche?" Koji blinked, looking innocent. "Wasn't he killed by the Raiden Shogun, Beelzebul, with a single strike?"
"Doctor, if you don't believe me, you can go ask the Raiden Shogun in person. Maybe she'll clear up your doubts," Koji added, still wearing that perfectly harmless expression.
Doctor: "…"
Dottore was speechless.
Go question the Raiden Shogun? That was a death sentence. She didn't do negotiations—she did Musou no Hitotachi (Musou no Hitotachi) and turned you into ash.
And judging by the mood in the room, more than a few people would love to see him try… and die for it.
(End of Chapter)
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