Tingyun: "This matter involves the Stellaron, the Astral Express, and the Stellaron Hunters. It seems highly unusual."
Tingyun: "I'm only a messenger; I can't handle this myself and would normally report it up the chain."
March 7th: "Ah—so this is what they call 'when the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up,' right?"
Tatsuki: "I don't recommend you do that."
Tingyun: "May I ask why?"
Tatsuki: "First off, Luofu really is a mess right now. It's not just the Stellaron, the Astral Express, and the Stellaron Hunters."
Momonga: "Boss, do you know anything else?"
Nami: "Here it comes—Tatsuki's hint!"
Tatsuki: "Mm. For example: the Ambrosial Arbor, the Denizens of Abundance, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, the Vidyadhara, the High-Cloud Quintet—they're all entangled in this chaos."
Tatsuki: "Others might not get it, but Miss Tingyun should know what these are."
Tingyun: "..."
Hearing those names one after another, Tingyun's instincts told her this was already very thorny.
Tatsuki: "Secondly, there's a heavyweight involved."
A heavyweight too? Everyone in the group was surprised.
Those names alone weren't simple—and there was yet another figure, someone Tatsuki himself called a "big deal."
Tingyun: "Please enlighten me."
Tatsuki: "The Ashblazing Grand Duke."
Tingyun: "!!!"
Silver Wolf: "???"
March 7th: "Huh? The Ashblazing Grand Duke? Isn't that the terrifying Messenger of Destruction Uncle Yang talked about? A powerful Grand Duke of Extinction can even burn a galaxy!"
Kiana: "Burn a galaxy… isn't that too exaggerated?"
Esdeath: "Exaggerated? Tatsuki's power is likewise enough to annihilate a galaxy."
Kiana: "When you put it like that… fair."
Mikoto Suoh: "Mr. Tatsuki's strength is indeed astonishing."
Saiki Kusuo: "Very impressive."
Tingyun: "…I feel like I just heard something unbelievable."
She needed a breath.
Never mind The Ashblazing Grand Duke.
Not long ago, the gentleman who had stood beside her and displayed that peculiar power—he was actually on par with The Ashblazing Grand Duke?
That calm, unhurried aura of his simply didn't connect in one's mind to such terrifying power.
March 7th: "Th-Then… should we just run? An entity like The Ashblazing Grand Duke is obviously not someone the Astral Express can handle, right?"
Silver Wolf: "I'm surprised by what Tatsuki said too, but if Elio's prophecy points that way—if that's your fate—you aren't escaping it."
March 7th: "Ugh!"
Tatsuki: "Don't give up, Little March. This is when you shout, 'My fate is mine to decide, not Heaven's!'"
March 7th: "'My fate is mine to decide, not Heaven's'? Sounds cool—some kind of spell?"
Tatsuki: "Nope. Just a really cool line."
March 7th: "Tatsuki! Is this really the time to joke around?"
Tatsuki: "Haha, it's to keep you from overthinking. Worst case, come to me. Even if The Ashblazing Grand Duke is truly as strong as they say, it's not like we can't fight. And if it's even stronger—if we really can't win—I can get you all out easily."
Emilia: "With Tatsuki-kun's assurance, March 7th can relax a little."
March 7th: "Hmph—I'm not scared."
Tingyun: "Mind if I jump in?"
Saeko Busujima: "No need to be so formal in the chat group. Just say it."
Tingyun: "Right. Since this involves a dangerous figure like The Ashblazing Grand Duke, shouldn't I be even more obligated to report it?"
Tatsuki: "Tingyun, you're rattled because you care. Where did that sharp wit of yours go?"
Tingyun: "You jest, sir. I'm… not that sharp."
Tatsuki: "You're far too modest. The key problem is—how would you explain where you got the information?"
Vivi: "Yeah, that's the crucial point."
Mumei: "Information from the chat group can't be shared with outsiders."
Tingyun: "I see—so the chat group has such a restriction."
Furina: "Everyone, would someone explain what a 'galaxy' is to me?"
Kisara Tendou: "You don't know what a galaxy is? Have you heard of planets, outer space, the universe?"
Furina: "Never. Are those regional names?"
Kisara Tendou: "..."
Aqua: "Are you really the Hydro Archon? How do you not know that? That's so lame!"
Maybe because of the "Hydro Archon" title, Aqua paid her special attention.
Furina: "I am, of course, the Hydro Archon of Teyvat. I've simply never heard of the universe or galaxies."
Exusiai: "Teyvat? Is it like our Terra?"
Tatsuki: "Mm… conceptually there are similarities, and certain features overlap—like both having a kind of false firmament. But there are real differences."
Tatsuki: "That said, Teyvat should have the concept of a starry sky."
For example, Xingqiu's science-fiction stories; Mona being an astrologist; and the title "Liyue Qixing."
But maybe "starry sky" and "stars" are just broad ideas there.
Words like "universe" and "galaxy" might not be widespread—or might not exist at all.
Given Furina's special circumstances, it's not guaranteed she'd know any of this.
Tatsuki: "Someone fill Fufu in."
Furina: "Fufu? Is that meant for me?"
Tatsuki: "Mhm. I think it's an adorable nickname."
Furina: "!!!"
Furina's eyes widened.
That was an address for the Hydro Archon Focalors—for Fontaine's superstar Furina?
Fufu… It really was a cute nickname.
Her gaze dimmed. A performer has no right to receive such a name.
While someone began explaining the meaning of the universe to Furina, Tatsuki opened a private chat and sent a message to Tingyun.
Tatsuki: "Miss Tingyun, you might want to be a bit more cautious."
Tingyun was startled by the sudden reminder.
Tingyun: "What do you mean, sir?"
Tatsuki: "I think The Ashblazing Grand Duke may set its sights on you. If you run into danger, come to me at once."
Tingyun: "..."
Tingyun: "I don't know why someone as ordinary as me would draw attention from a figure like that, but your concern is crystal clear to me."
Tingyun: "If I truly face something I can't handle, I'll ask for your help."
Tatsuki: "No problem."
He closed the chat group.
Only then did he turn his attention back to Annie.
"Tatsuki, how should we deal with this person?" Kanae Kocho asked as soon as she noticed him refocus.
Naturally, she meant Annie Leonhart.
Kanae knew the woman wasn't one of theirs—merely a captive.
....
For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]