While Baiwen and her staff were occupied with restoring order in Liyue Harbor and Ryen's household was engrossed in reviewing the recordings of divine dismay, Zhongli and the commanders remaining within the block world were working without rest.
Within the Snezhnayan outpost, the Tsaritsa sat at the head of the long table.
To her left sat Rosalyne, and to her right sat Arlecchino.
Seated further down the benches were Tartaglia and Scaramouche.
The Tsaritsa spoke in a gentle, warm tone, inquiring after the well-being of Rosalyne and Arlecchino.
Neither of the two women had fallen during the long campaign, though minor injuries had been unavoidable along the battlements.
As for Tartaglia and Scaramouche, who had met authentic deaths on the field...
They were already sitting upright, full of boundless vitality.
They required no coddling.
Both men had long grown accustomed to their Archon's distinct partiality toward the women of the court, and neither harbored the slightest complaint.
"Arlecchino, you were thrown straight into a campaign of that magnitude the moment you stepped through the threshold," the Tsaritsa said with patient warmth. "You bore a heavy burden over these past weeks. Steady your mind, and do not let the exhaustion cloud your thoughts."
Arlecchino inclined her head, answering in a calm, respectful cadence.
"You need not worry, Your Majesty. The vanguard regiments utilized this period to acclimate to construction logistics, and I directed them to study under the other allied units during every spare hour. They are fully capable of assisting with Snezhnaya's colonization efforts now."
The Tsaritsa offered an approving nod, her lips curving into a soft smile.
"There is no immediate rush. Urban reconstruction commences tomorrow, and broader developmental expansion will follow Ryen's formal arrangements. Erecting our permanent city is not our sole priority, particularly when over twenty thousand workers from Liyue are assisting our foundation crews."
"Moving forward, I intend to deploy your divisions to develop the Genshin Impact module."
Hearing those words, Arlecchino hesitated. After a few moments of silence, she voiced her inner conflict with visible difficulty.
"Your Majesty... must we truly strike down the world boss bearing the designation of Barnabas?"
"Naturally. To harvest the strategic resources of the Genshin Impact module, clearing that encounter is essential."
The Tsaritsa smiled calmly, her expression entirely free of discomfort.
"When the hour arrives, I shall detail my combat habits and ability parameters to your strike teams. So long as you observe my rotations, neutralizing the target will present little challenge."
Arlecchino's brow furrowed slightly.
"Yet... that feels exceedingly..."
"Unless you would prefer foreign divisions entering the arena to strike down my likeness?" the Tsaritsa teased lightly.
Arlecchino waved her hands in immediate denial.
"No, absolutely not! I harbored no such intent, Your Majesty!"
"Be at peace; it was merely a passing jest. Do not be so excessively solemn, Arlecchino."
The Tsaritsa reached out, resting a gentle hand over Arlecchino's fingers. That familiar warmth brought a quiet comfort to the Harbinger's chest.
"Our strategic strength is more than sufficient to shatter Celestia whenever the battle is joined. The Heavenly Principles no longer represent an insurmountable peril, so you need not drive yourself so ruthlessly. Take a lesson from Tartaglia; he has shed every shred of worldly anxiety."
The Tsaritsa turned an amused glance toward Tartaglia, who was staring blankly at the ceiling with an absent-minded grin.
Tartaglia blinked, sitting upright with an aggrieved laugh.
"Your Majesty, you do me a grave disservice! Having the crushing weight of Celestia lifted from my shoulders simply left me momentarily unsure of where to direct my spear."
"If you lack purpose, find a way to lighten Her Majesty's burdens!" Rosalyne snapped, shooting him a frigid glare.
"Celestia may no longer pose a hazard, yet our homeland depleted immense strength preparing for that ancient reckoning. You ought to devise ways to restore our national prosperity, rather than wandering around provoking senseless brawls like a stray hound!"
"The Khaenri'ahn commanders lodged another formal complaint only days ago! While the siege raged outside the walls, you actually slipped away to challenge their duelists! Have you no shame whatsoever?"
Tartaglia scoffed, folding his arms across his chest with an irritated huff.
"What business is it of yours? Must you constantly act as though you alone revere Her Majesty? How have I failed to share her burdens? The Snezhnayan Dragon Knights are commanded by officers from my own personal ranks!"
"You insolent..."
Rosalyne pushed back her chair, rising to her feet and pointing an accusatory finger at him.
The Tsaritsa raised a hand, gesturing for calm.
"Enough, Rosalyne. Do not let your temper flare. What Tartaglia says is true enough; administrative governance has never been his forte. Every soul possesses distinct talents, and his desire to sharpen his martial edge is hardly a flaw."
Tartaglia lifted his chin with open smugness.
"You see? Her Majesty is wise and reasonable, unlike certain people who air their private romantic grievances in public assemblies, screaming at others over petty squabbles."
"Utter another syllable!"
Flames flared in Rosalyne's eyes, her gaze locking onto him with murderous intent.
"Do you imagine I fear your temper?!"
Tartaglia slammed his palms onto the timber, rising to his full height with a sharp grin.
"You single me out every single day as though you have nothing better to manage! If you wish to meddle in everything under the sun, why don't you move your quarters to the ocean shore?"
"It so happens I have sparred regularly with Zhongli and the adepti over these past weeks. Come, then! Shall we test our steel right here?"
Rosalyne gritted her teeth, crimson embers swirling around her fingertips. Just as her elemental power was about to burst forth, the Tsaritsa struck the table with a sharp, flat palm.
"Silence! Bickering and posturing like unruly children: where is your decorum? Other courts coordinate their strength in seamless harmony, while you two squabble at every turn!"
Both Tartaglia and Rosalyne froze, hastily lowering their heads with sheepish, chastened expressions.
The Tsaritsa rubbed her temples, letting out a soft, tired sigh.
"Very well. Tartaglia, Scaramouche, take your leave. We shall deliberate on the Genshin Impact module tomorrow."
"Arlecchino, you should retire and rest as well."
Recognizing that their Archon wished to speak with Rosalyne in private, the three offered respectful bows.
Tartaglia and Scaramouche departed side by side, though Tartaglia immediately threw a heavy arm over the puppet's shoulder, presumably dragging him toward the training yard for another bout.
Arlecchino hesitated near the threshold, shifting uncomfortably before speaking in a low, cautious voice.
"Your Majesty... regarding... Fontaine..."
The Tsaritsa looked up, understanding dawning across her features.
"The ancient prophecy?"
Arlecchino nodded silently.
The Tsaritsa waved her hand with reassuring grace.
"I no longer hold any strategic need for their Gnosis, though whether that vessel could genuinely dissolve such a calamity remains uncertain. In the immediate term, our work here demands your presence, meaning you cannot depart for Fontaine just yet."
"However, this universe holds countless reality-bending wonders; discovering an alternative solution to the waters will hardly prove difficult."
"Remain here and observe our progress. The Traveler will undoubtedly resume her journey before long, and you may accompany her party when she departs."
"Her unique standing across the continent will grant you smooth passage and shield your operations from foreign interference."
Arlecchino nodded in deep agreement.
Lumine's pedigree across Teyvat was peerless.
A companion of Ryen, the Princess of Khaenri'ah, the Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, and an intimate peer to the Lord of Geo.
Any single one of those titles was sufficient to deter any mortal court from daring to cross her path.
The Fatui remained deeply unpopular within Fontaine. Though Arlecchino had distanced herself from the primary organization, the title of the Knave still clung to her name.
Traveling beneath Lumine's banner would afford her immense tactical freedom.
Offering a final bow of gratitude, Arlecchino stepped out into the night.
Soon, only the Tsaritsa and Rosalyne remained within the quiet room.
Rosalyne kept her gaze lowered, unable to meet her Archon's eyes.
The Tsaritsa sighed softly. She had originally intended to outline the resource distribution of the Genshin Impact module and assign boss farming duties among the Harbingers.
While other nations possessed only a handful of personalized bosses, nearly every major figure within Snezhnaya had generated as a target.
Properly dividing the rosters required meticulous planning, yet the heated atmosphere had made such work impossible.
Looking at the quiet woman before her, the Tsaritsa spoke in a low, gentle drawl.
"Rosalyne, your thoughts have been scattered all day. Yet no matter how turbulent your heart may be, lashing out at your own comrades is unbecoming of your station. Do you understand?"
Rosalyne lowered her head further, her voice barely audible.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty."
"What occupies your mind so heavily? Was it Venti mentioning Rostam, or..."
The Tsaritsa paused, fixing her with a deep, knowing look.
"Was it Ryen?"
Rosalyne's frame trembled slightly, keeping her eyes fixed upon the floorboards to hide the turmoil swirling in her eyes.
Yet the Cryo Archon was perceptive; a single glance was enough to lay bare the truth.
Her foremost executioner, her most steadfast follower, had fallen completely.
Yet Rosalyne's path was far steeper than that of any other woman in his circle.
The Tsaritsa harbored no desire to meddle in the private romances of her subordinates, but watching Rosalyne suffer in silence left her no choice.
She let out a soft, helpless breath.
"Rosalyne, I hold no objection to your personal affections, yet... Ryen's nature... and your past..."
Pressing her lips together, the Tsaritsa chose her words with gentle caution.
"Ryen perceives you strictly as a grieving widow. I have come to understand his principles rather well."
Ryen's personal boundaries were unshakeable.
He refused those who appeared underage, regardless of their chronological years, and he harbored zero interest in widows.
Were it not for that absolute discipline, Nahida's undisguised adoration would hardly have remained unanswered for so long.
He was a man governed by rigid personal tenets.
"Your Majesty, you know my heart, I..."
Rosalyne took an anxious step forward, looking up with desperate urgency.
The Tsaritsa raised a hand, gently halting her words.
"I understand your heart, certainly. Yet that does not mean he understands, nor does it mean he possesses any desire to understand. Toward matters that hold no personal interest for him, he will never expend effort to inquire."
"Rosalyne, you were among the very first to accompany me into this realm. You have observed Ryen for months. Do you truly fail to comprehend his character?"
The Tsaritsa rose from her seat, resting her hands firmly upon Rosalyne's shoulders as she looked directly into her eyes.
"Your Majesty..."
Beneath that steady, compassionate gaze, the barb Lisa had planted earlier flared with agonizing precision.
The silent shape of Lisa's lips echoed through her memory like a brand upon her soul.
You stand no chance.
A wave of profound, suffocating grievance washed through Rosalyne's chest.
The Tsaritsa pulled her gently into an embrace, whispering softly against her hair.
"It is alright. Do not torment yourself."
"Your Majesty... I cannot let it go..."
Rosalyne pressed the back of her hand against her eyes, her voice trembling.
"These past months have been the happiest, most peaceful days I have known in five centuries. It felt... just as it did back then..."
The Tsaritsa sighed quietly. A subtle thread of divine cryo energy seeped gently into Rosalyne's back, soothing her frayed nerves.
"Rest now. Close your eyes. A long slumber will ease your mind. You have carried too much for far too long."
Drowsiness rose alongside the cool, comforting energy, and Rosalyne's eyelids fluttered shut, drifting into deep, uninterrupted sleep within moments.
Lifting her gently, the Tsaritsa carried her to the adjacent bedchamber, settling her beneath the blankets.
She sat beside the bed for a long time, gazing down upon her sleeping subordinate before letting out a soft, lonely breath.
In truth, it was not merely Rosalyne. Given Ryen's presence and boundless capabilities, even the Tsaritsa felt subtle ripples within her own ancient heart.
A man who held absolute mastery over an entire reality, who bantered and laughed freely with everyone during quiet afternoons, yet transformed into an unshakeable pillar of absolute safety the moment crisis descended.
Orderly in governance, boundless in power.
Having laid down the crushing burden of Celestia, the Tsaritsa had found herself contemplating mortal warmth once more.
Yet virtually every prominent woman who walked this world carried similar thoughts, differing only in how openly they displayed them.
Jean and Keqing were already struggling to mask their feelings, dropping subtle hints in their daily interactions.
Even the more reserved figures, such as Nilou, danced with eyes that shone like brilliant stars whenever Ryen watched from the pavilion.
Rosalyne held no strategic advantage among them.
Her tragic past stood as an impassable chasm. Even if the Tsaritsa understood her sorrow completely, that did not mean the world would bend to accommodate it, nor did it mean Ryen would ever care to peer across that divide.
Perhaps part of the blame lay with the Tsaritsa herself.
When they had first crossed the threshold into this realm, she had looked upon the allied courts with an eye for political leverage.
Liyue commanded Ningguang, Ganyu, Hu Tao, and Guizhong.
Mondstadt leaned upon Lisa, Inazuma held Yae Miko and Ei, and Sumeru had Nahida.
Furthermore, Klee and the young girls were cherished as Ryen's adopted daughters.
The other four nations were woven deeply into Ryen's inner hearth, prompting the Tsaritsa to subtly encourage Rosalyne to forge closer ties with him.
By the time she realized that Ryen held no geopolitical favoritism and treated the alliance with impartial generosity, the seed within Rosalyne's heart had already taken root.
She had influenced her subordinate, and that truth left a lingering ache of guilt in her chest.
Letting out one final, quiet sigh, the Tsaritsa turned and walked softly out of the chamber.
Matters of the heart were far more tangled and vexing than war against the heavens.