"Why is everyone silent? Is no one willing to volunteer to kill Yide?"
In a secluded laboratory, Dottore's strongest segment questioned in a cold voice.
The only response was a heavy silence, filled with silent calculations and hidden thoughts.
At this moment, he suddenly regretted creating so many segments.
These segments undoubtedly provided him the convenience of observing the world from different perspectives, assisting him in exploring the world's laws.
However, too many segments also dispersed his strength.
Furthermore, they shared a common trait: extreme selfishness.
Their selfishness was so deep that when two segments needed to cooperate on a mission, their primary goal was to find every possible way to kill each other.
It was precisely because of this that he couldn't dispatch multiple segments together to carry out the mission of killing Yide.
Just as he was pondering whether he should personally undertake the assassination of Lin Yide, the laboratory door was suddenly pushed open.
The tall and imposing Pierro entered the room, his gaze lightly sweeping over Dottore's gloomy face, and asked indifferently, "You failed?"
Dottore attempted to explain, "That fellow Yide is too cunning; he saw through my disguise at a glance, and he also had Scaramouche assisting him..."
However, Pierro interrupted him before he could finish, "I don't need to know the process; the result is what matters most."
Hearing this, Dottore's voice turned cold, "Mr. Director, I will act personally this time and will surely bring back his head."
Pierro, however, slowly shook his head, "You will not have another opportunity to act. As the Director of the Fatui, I officially inform you to immediately cease all operations targeting Yide."
Dottore was filled with unwillingness, but there was nothing he could do.
"I don't understand why?"
Pierro explained in a flat tone, "Your segments are incapable of killing him. This is a confirmed outcome, an unchangeable fact."
After saying this, he turned and left without hesitation.
Dottore clenched his fists tightly, his eyes flashing with a cold light full of hatred.
He absolutely would not accept this outcome!
..........
Several days later, a shocking piece of news spread like thunder from Fontaine, quickly resonating across the entire continent of Teyvat.
"In view of the assassination attempt on a high-ranking leader of the West Factory by Fatui Harbinger Dottore (Second Seat), as well as the crime of killing a captain of the Guard team, Furina, the Hydro Archon of Fontaine, has officially announced the severance of diplomatic relations between Fontaine and Snezhnaya, and has sealed the border between the two nations.
Simultaneously, Lyney, the new Deputy Director of the West Factory, has declared the Fatui an extremist terrorist organization on the continent of Teyvat, and the West Factory will spare no effort to employ all feasible means to counter the threat posed by the Fatui.
Furthermore, Lynette, the Vice President of the Furina Foundation, has also stated her position and will use all necessary means to sanction the illegal activities of the Northland Bank!"
When this news spread throughout the various nations of the mortal realm, their leaders were all deeply astonished, some even doubting its authenticity.
This was the first time in the history of Teyvat that one of the Seven Nations decided to sever diplomatic relations with another nation and implement unprecedented severe sanctions.
What was particularly shocking was that the nation being sanctioned was Snezhnaya—the most powerful nation on the continent.
At this moment, the Tsaritsa and Pierro had not yet recovered from the shock of this sudden news.
They still found it hard to believe, questioning whether any of this had truly happened.
The West Factory's reaction was stronger than imagined; they not only severed diplomatic ties but also launched severe sanctions.
This action was almost equivalent to declaring war on Snezhnaya.
Although Snezhnaya was confident it could defeat Fontaine, the price it would have to pay was simply too high—too high for Snezhnaya to accept.
Once war broke out, Snezhnaya would undoubtedly suffer greatly.
The final outcome would be to meet its demise in the Heavenly Principles' judgment.
The Tsaritsa would fall, and all subjects of Snezhnaya, like the people of Khaenri'ah, would become irrational monsters akin to Hilichurls.
The Tsaritsa quickly convened an emergency meeting of the Fatui Harbingers.
In the heavy atmosphere of the grand palace, every Harbinger felt unprecedented pressure.
"I don't need to elaborate on the situation. Tell me your thoughts!" Pierro said in a deep voice.
Captain Capitano was the first to speak, "Dirty and despicable methods truly lead to dirty results. The solution now is all-out war with Fontaine, resolving the issue with a war."
"Absolutely not!" Pierro immediately and firmly refuted his suggestion, "Perhaps ten years ago, Snezhnaya might have had enough strength to completely defeat Fontaine, but the situation is different now. Such a war would only result in huge losses for both sides.
What's more, Mondstadt and Liyue are friendly with Fontaine. If the Knights of Favonius and the Millelith were also drawn into the war, Snezhnaya would have no chance of winning."
Marionette Sandrone interjected at the right moment, "In fact, this morning, Jean, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, has already publicly expressed support for Fontaine, and has also classified the Fatui as an extremist terrorist organization, announcing the severance of all ties with us.
Tianquan Ningguang has also expressed her support for Fontaine and convened a Qixing meeting to vote on whether to list the Fatui as an extremist terrorist organization."
"Ningguang's actions are not limited to this," Pantalone the Regrator further added, "She is maintaining close contact with the Furina Foundation, planning to collaborate on a comprehensive commercial crackdown on the Northland Bank."
Everyone present felt as though, overnight, the Fatui had become public enemies across the entire continent.
Pierro turned his gaze towards Arlecchino, "Arlecchino, as the Deputy Director of the West Factory and the House of the Hearth's Master, tell us your opinion."
Arlecchino crossed her arms, "My opinion? Solving this problem is actually quite simple. We just need to hand over the assassin to Fontaine for trial. According to Fontaine's current laws, the most severe consequence would be nothing more than life imprisonment."
As soon as she finished speaking, furious anger burned in Dottore's eyes, "Arlecchino, if you don't want the children of the House of the Hearth to become my test subjects, take back what you just said."
Dottore's threat directly touched Arlecchino's bottom line. She responded in an icy tone, "If you dare lay a hand on any child, I will personally destroy all your segments. You know I have that capability!"
"Then try me!" Dottore challenged fearlessly.
Just as the tension between the two grew increasingly explosive and a fight seemed imminent, Pierro shouted sternly, "Silence!"
Hearing his command, although Dottore and Arlecchino were still filled with anger, they merely scoffed coldly and did not continue arguing.
Pierro felt a deep headache. He realized that the assassination of Yide was the worst move he had made in hundreds of years.
If mishandled, Snezhnaya's situation would spiral towards the brink of collapse.
Just at this tense moment, the maiden Columbina, who had remained silent throughout the Harbinger meeting, suddenly spoke.