As expected—anyone capable of becoming a Harbinger could never be simple or pure.
And among them, the most dangerous was the Genius.
Because his allegiance was the least firm.
Others who might betray Snezhnaya would weigh many things: pursuit, divine punishment, or their family's safety.
But he? As long as someone else offered him greater benefit, he could betray without a second thought.
In some ways, he was even more dangerous than the Doctor.
Watching Su Ran leave with Rosalyne, Arlecchino fell into thought.
If mere funding was enough to put him on their side, then his true ambitions must be vast.
For Mora was all the Fatui could give—yet surely that wasn't his real goal.
So what exactly was his purpose?
"…Interesting man. You've succeeded in catching my attention."
Unfortunately, she wasn't destined for a Dragon King's script.
Though in her homeland, there was a Dragon King.
If he truly meant to test her in Fontaine someday, then she'd best start preparing now.
Still, one thing bothered her:
"He's a Descender. Not a native of Teyvat. How could he possibly know Inazuman literature?"
With that puzzle in her heart, Arlecchino returned to the House of the Hearth.
Perhaps the children, who sometimes dabbled in those imported Inazuman light novels, might give her clues.
Meanwhile, in Mondstadt.
Inside the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius, a blonde knight sighed as she read a letter in her hands.
Beside her lounged a violet-haired witch, ever nonchalant.
"...Sigh."
Acting Grand Master Jean was utterly exhausted.
Not long ago, one of the Four Winds—Dvalin, the East Wind Dragon—had awakened.
By rights, this should have been cause for celebration.
He was, after all, a favored child of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon.
But Dvalin had awoken in madness.
And so he descended upon Mondstadt again and again, leaving disaster in his wake.
The people now called him the Stormterror Dragon.
And Barbatos? No sign of him.
The Knights of Favonius lacked the strength to stop Dvalin.
Mondstadt was forced to suffer dragon calamity after dragon calamity.
But that wasn't the only crisis.
News had already reached Snezhnaya.
And so the Fatui declared they would dispatch two diplomats—to "aid" Mondstadt in its time of need.
Protection, they called it.
But everyone knew it was a pretext for stationing troops, and gaining leverage over Mondstadt.
And yet Jean couldn't refuse.
For the Fatui had brought supplies—supplies Mondstadt desperately needed.
She could say no to their soldiers, perhaps.
But she could not say no to food, medicine, and goods that might help her people survive.
A naked stratagem.
And one she had no choice but to walk into.
Her closest friend, Lisa Minci, the Knights' librarian, understood her turmoil well.
But even she had no solution.
For the Knights might resist.
But the common folk? They would never accept turning away aid when dragonfire already scorched their homes.
Thus, the two women had already made their decision—though neither spoke it aloud.
"…Lisa, have you heard the names of those sent? One is called the 'Lady.' The other, the 'Genius.' Do you know anything about them?"
Jean's voice was taut with worry.
The Grand Master and the bulk of the order were away on expedition.
Mondstadt was hollowed out.
If the Fatui entrenched themselves now, even the Grand Master's return might not dislodge them.
Lisa only smirked. "Well, I'd guess the Lady is a lady. And the Genius must be… smart."
Jean only gave her a weary glare.
"This isn't a joke. The Genius is a newly-appointed Harbinger. And rumor has it—he killed the former Second."
Few knew the truth of the Doctor's many segments.
To most, the previous Second was simply dead.
And why the other Harbingers' ranks had shifted—no one knew.
But it was enough to prove one thing: a ruthless new player had entered their ranks.
And soon, that player would be walking Mondstadt's streets.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Lisa said lightly. "I heard the previous Second was a terrible man."
Jean only furrowed her brow deeper.
Everyone knew Fatui's ambitions were immense.
Otherwise, they wouldn't send Harbingers abroad at all.
"For Mondstadt to be so weak, and for them to send two Harbingers—one of them the Second… That means they value this place greatly. Isn't that reason enough to worry?"
Unless… perhaps Lisa's joke might come true.
Perhaps the Second wasn't here to meddle at all.
"Rosalyne, I want to see a fox!"
Su Ran's complaint echoed as they strolled leisurely toward Mondstadt.
"…A fox? Mondstadt has no foxes."
Rosalyne frowned.
Snezhnaya had its snow foxes.
But Mondstadt had none.
"Not Mondstadt. Inazuma! I heard they have a pink-haired fox there. I want to see her."
His gaze drifted to the snowcapped Dragonspine in the distance.
If he kept heading past those mountains, across the sea, he'd eventually reach Inazuma.
"…"
This is your first mission… and you're already planning to skip work?
Aren't Harbingers supposed to set an example?
Rosalyne ground her teeth.
"Didn't you agree to go with me to Mondstadt?"
"What's fun about the starter village? That green-hatted bard who's always begging for drinks—that's the Anemo Archon. Just grab his Heart of God when you get the chance. I'm going to see the pink fox."
Su Ran waved dismissively.
After all, wasn't Barbatos wracked with guilt toward the Lady?
No matter what she did—so long as she spared Mondstadt's people—he would endure it.