Chapter 43. Kicking out Anastasya Feodorovna Snezhnaya
Why did it turn out like this?
He had checked in and obtained items again, and the group level had also increased—two joys overlapping. These two pieces of good fortune should have brought him a moment of happiness like a fleeting dream. Yet, why had it turned out like this?
Looking at the ID that had suddenly appeared in the chat, Futsu Mitama stood there, completely stunned.
Because he had once considered this possibility—if someone from Snezhnaya, especially one of that caliber, were to join the Chat Group, what would he do?
At that time, his answer had been simple and decisive.
He would remove them without hesitation.
Since obtaining the Chat Group, he had never once used the kick function. Every member within it was not only an ally but also someone who had contributed in their own way. No one was merely a burden.
Even Paimon, who appeared to do little, still contributed through daily check-ins, providing experience that steadily strengthened him.
But now—the one who had entered was the Tsaritsa.
It seemed that the function he had never used before was about to be activated for the very first time.
Futsu Mitama's gaze shifted subtly toward Tartaglia not far away, his expression becoming particularly complex.
How should this even be handled?
Your Archon has joined my Chat Group—what exactly am I supposed to do?
For a brief moment, even his thoughts felt disordered.
At the same time, Tartaglia was also staring at Futsu Mitama with an equally strange expression.
Moments ago, Futsu Mitama had claimed he needed to rest. And yet, in that instant, his aura had undergone a qualitative transformation. Standing there now, he exuded an indescribable pressure that could not be ignored.
"Archon/Demon God."
The word surfaced instinctively in Tartaglia's mind.
Because what he sensed now was fundamentally different from before.
Previously, no matter how powerful Futsu Mitama had been, there had always been a boundary—something distinctly human. Even if he possessed Archon authorities and inheritances, that strength had felt external, layered upon him.
But now, that boundary had been crossed.
Even without those external powers, Futsu Mitama himself had stepped into that level.
Tartaglia understood this distinction clearly.
Among the Fatui, there were those who had, through their own means, reached this threshold. According to Dottore, it was a feat that belonged solely to humanity—using a mortal body to step into the realm of gods. (Isn't it just Pierro and Dottore? Columbina was an Archon to begin with.)
Before, Futsu Mitama had the capability to contend with an Archon/Demon God, but it had relied on borrowed power.
Now, it was different.
Now, even stripped of all external authority, he possessed the strength to stand against an Archon/Demon God through his own existence alone.
And what made it even more absurd—
He was not even twenty.
Just in a year and a half since his rise, and he had already reached such a realm.
Tartaglia had seen prodigies before. He himself was considered one within Snezhnaya, a Harbinger at such a young age. Throughout history, there had been others like him, but those who matched his level were exceedingly rare.
Yet compared to Futsu Mitama—what he felt was no longer pride, but a mixture of astonishment and something far more complicated.
Silence lingered.
Nearby, Xiao was equally taken aback. He had not expected that someone so young could reach a realm that even Adeptus had yet to attain after thousands of years.
Even he himself, after enduring countless battles, had only reached a level comparable to an Archon/Demon God—able to contend, but never to surpass.
(It is such a hassle to place "Archon/Demon God". Archon is just a title belonging to Demon God who win the Archon War and govern a Nation. Thus, in case of this power level for the future references will be decided as Demon God)
This was the difference.
The true weight of an Demon God's domain.
Not far away, Lumine watched Futsu Mitama, a subtle light flickering in her eyes. With the group's level increasing, his strength had risen once more.
Perhaps this was the true meaning behind his position as Group Leader.
At this rate, surpassing all others in Teyvat was only a matter of time.
For a fleeting moment, she seemed to understand why the Archons within the group had all shown varying degrees of interest in him.
A presence both modest and steadily ascending in power—such an existence was impossible to ignore.
Meanwhile, Yelan frowned slightly. She could sense that Futsu Mitama's aura had changed, but the deeper implications remained beyond her understanding. To her, it simply seemed that he had recovered.
"Futsu Mitama," she said, her tone measured, "have you recovered? Should we move?"
Remaining here was not a solution.
Even without enemies, the slow erosion of their mental state posed a greater danger.
Futsu Mitama shook his head.
"No. Wait a little longer."
Without drawing attention, he stored the two newly obtained cards away, his expression turning serious.
"I haven't fully recovered yet."
Hearing this, neither Xiao nor Tartaglia spoke further.
Yelan also gave a slight nod, choosing not to press the matter.
To those unaware, his current state appeared more than sufficient. In fact, after stepping into the Demon Gods Realm, his very presence carried a completeness that made him seem fully restored.
But only Futsu Mitama himself understood—this pause had nothing to do with recovery.
It was because the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived. And now, he had to deal with something far more troublesome than exhaustion.
[ Albedo: "The Tsaritsa? Not using a divine name?" ]
[ Yae Miko: "For Snezhnaya, or for the Fatui, the identity of the Tsaritsa might be even nobler than that of a god. This might also be why the Tsaritsa didn't choose her divine name, but instead uses this title." ]
[ Aila: "..." ]
[ Kuki Shinobu: "The Cryo Archon? The Chat Group is going to be lively now." ]
[ Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Futsu Mitama has already gone silly." ]
[ Venti: "If it were me, I'd probably be silly too @Tsaritsa, hi Long time no see How have things been lately" ]
[ Venti: "Things aren't so good on my end. I'm stuck on The Nameless Island every day, living a life exposed to the elements. It's really tough." ]
[ Rukkhadevata: "It seems this encounter might not be particularly pleasant. Because there are quite a few here who are hostile to the Fatui." ]
[ Keqing: "Although I respect the Archons, I absolutely cannot tolerate what the Fatui have done." ]
[ Klee: "Klee doesn't like the Fatui. They're all bad guys." ]
[ Zhongli: "The actions of the Fatui certainly do not bring joy, but...Cryo Archon, how do you feel seeing this scene?" ]
[ Lumine: "Another Archon?" ]
[ Paimon: "Ah ah ah!!! Traveler!!! With this one!!! Doesn't that mean!!! There are Archons in the Chat Group?!" ]
[ Guizhong: "Four, four?! You don't consider Demon Gods as gods, do you, little one!!!" ]
[ Paimon: "Ah! I was talking about The Seven Archons. Because looking at it that way, there's the Anemo Archon, the Electro Archon, the Dendro Archon, the Cryo Archon. See, four Archons." ]
[ Guizhong: "Demon Gods are also Archons! Overall! Those Demon Gods also fought their way out of the Archon Wars." ]
[ Azhdaha: "That's true, but now—Guizhong, don't speak for now." ]
[ Tsaritsa: "Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Baal, Beelzebub, Barbatos, Maha Rukkhadevata, Azhdaha, God of Dust, Futsu Mitama, Kreideprinz, Aila—My Harbinger Candidate." ]
[ Tsaritsa: "Is this the Akasha System of Sumeru? No...the Akasha System doesn't have the ability to forcibly pull me in, not even the Heavenly Principles could do that. This is an existence that transcends the Heavenly Principles. You...some of my doubts are finally cleared. Why Futsu Mitama received the inheritance of two Archons." ]
[ Tsaritsa: "Why Futsu Mitama could rise in such a short time, I finally understand." ]
[ Raiden Makoto: "She comes with ill intentions." ]
[ Raiden Ei: "Can I interpret that as you wanting to make a move against Futsu Mitama?" ]
[ Tsaritsa: "We have the same stance, don't we, Beelzebub?" ]
[ Raiden Ei: "That was merely a transaction." ]
[ Venti: "Don't have any dangerous thoughts, or your plan will end before it even begins." ]
[ Azhdaha: "The Cryo Archon? Do not attempt to harm Futsu Mitama. If you have such a thought, then Morax and I will personally make a trip to Snezhnaya." ]
[ Raiden Ei: "I will also personally make a trip to Snezhnaya." ]
[ Venti: "I~ I'll be responsible for cheering you on." ]
[ Tsaritsa: "..." ]
[ Tsaritsa: "@Futsu Mitama, are you willing to become a Fatui Harbinger?" ]
[ Futsu Mitama: "Sorry, I'm not willing. I cannot tolerate what your Fatui have done, and Tsaritsa, do you have anything else to say? If not—" ]
[ Futsu Mitama: "Then I should politely ask you to leave." ]
When these words were spoken, everyone in the Chat Group understood his intent.
He was going to use the authority he had never exercised before—to remove the Tsaritsa from the group.
The Chat Group possessed both the ability to invite and to expel. And from the very beginning, Futsu Mitama had made his stance clear: as long as those who entered were not enemies, he would never use that function.
But now, the Tsaritsa's presence placed him in an extremely delicate position.
Whether she was friend or foe had yet to be determined. Yet precisely because it was uncertain, it made the situation even more dangerous.
He had long considered such a scenario.
If it were merely a Fatui Harbinger, the answer would have been simple—removal, without hesitation. Not to mention figures such as Dottore or La Signora, even someone like Tartaglia, who could fight alongside them and offer assistance, would still ultimately choose Snezhnaya when a matter of allegiance arose.
Friendship and cooperation could exist.
But when it came to stance, there would be no hesitation.
And the Tsaritsa stood above them all.
The Fatui's actions across the nations—experiments in Mondstadt, chaos in Liyue, interference in Inazuma, and what was yet to unfold in Sumeru—were not things that could be easily overlooked or accepted.
Even if their ultimate goal lay in opposing the Heavenly Principles, the means they employed were not something he could condone.
Thus, the conclusion remained unchanged.
She could not stay.
—
Far away, in Snezhnaya.
Upon the frozen throne, the Tsaritsa slowly opened her eyes. Her veil obscured her expression, yet her gaze remained fixed upon the words spoken within the Chat Group.
"Pierro."
Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight.
"Record this."
The man below—Pierro—raised his head slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes. The Tsaritsa only commanded records when matters of great significance occurred across Teyvat.
Had something happened?
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He did not question. He simply prepared to write.
"Chat Group."
A brief hesitation appeared in his gaze, but his hand moved nonetheless.
"Morax, Baal, Beelzebub, Barbatos, Maha Rukkhadevata, Azhdaha, God of Dust, Futsu Mitama, Kreideprinz, Aila."
As each name was spoken, Pierro's expression subtly changed.
Shock flickered across his eyes. Some of these names—should not exist.
And yet, he recorded them all.
"This is both an accident and a pleasant surprise."
The Tsaritsa raised her hand. Frost gathered, condensing into form.
A faint cracking sound echoed through the silent hall.
Within her palm, a snowflake-shaped fragment materialized—cold, pure, and unmistakable.
A fragment of authority.
"A new Harbinger?" Pierro asked, unable to suppress his confusion.
"Yes and no." Her tone remained steady. "He may not become a Harbinger. But if he accepts this power—"
A pause.
"then perhaps I will return to that place again."
Her gaze lifted slightly, as though observing something beyond the present world.
"An existence that transcends the Heavenly Principles and yet remains unnoticed."
Pierro's hand did not stop moving. Though his heart trembled, the words were still recorded faithfully.
But even as he wrote, a thought surfaced—would these records truly remain?
—
Back within the Chat Group.
Futsu Mitama offered one final opportunity.
[ Tsaritsa: "I want to stay." ]
[ Futsu Mitama: "No, absolutely not possible. Is that your last words? If so, then I should ask you to leave." ]
[ Yae Miko: "I didn't expect the first one to be removed would be the Cryo Archon." ]
[ Raiden Makoto: "Not surprising." ]
[ Azhdaha: "Indeed…though she was not always like this. War changes many things." ]
[ Venti: "Since you're already here, why not leave something behind? For example—your authority." ]
[ Raiden Ei: "Hmm?" ]
[ Guizhong: "Anemo Archon, what are you doing?!" ]
[ Albedo: "Leaving behind authority—what does that imply?" ]
[ Venti: "Think of it like collecting cards~" ]
[Cyno: "TCG Invocation Card?" ]
[ Futsu Mitama: "I don't think that's necessary. And—welcome, newcomer. The situation is a bit tense right now. We'll speak later." ]
[ Rukkhadevata: "It may not be impossible. Authority is, after all, a portion of power. If she is willing to give it, it can be accepted—though not necessarily now." ]
[ Zhongli: "This method is feasible." ]
[ Keqing: "Mr. Zhongli…perhaps now is not the time." ]
[ Tsaritsa: "I still wish to remain." ]
[ Futsu Mitama: "No. That is not possible." ]
Ding! The Tsaritsa has been removed from the Chat Group.
The notification rang out with a cold finality.
Only the Group Leader and administrators perceived it directly.
To the others, it was merely the silent disappearance of a name—one moment present, the next erased without trace. What remained was nothing more than the fragments she had left behind: a few lingering lines of text, and the faint imprint of the Cryo Archon's authority preserved within the group file.
Yet even that was enough.
Within the Chat Group, an unspoken tension dissipated almost instantly. No one voiced it aloud, but the collective sense of relief was undeniable.
On the continent of Teyvat, Archons stood at the apex of all existence. The arrival of one among the Seven should have been a moment of significance—perhaps even celebration. And yet, this was no ordinary Archon.
She was the sovereign of Snezhnaya. The will behind the Fatui.
Every action carried out by a Harbinger was not an isolated decision, but part of a greater design—one that ultimately traced back to her.
The Fatui understood their purpose.
The Harbingers understood their purpose. And above them all, the Tsaritsa understood everything with far greater clarity.
Such unity of will, extended across an entire nation, was a force both formidable and deeply unsettling.
But strength alone did not grant justification. It did not excuse interference in the affairs of other nations, nor the suffering inflicted upon their people.
Among those within the Chat Group, the Archons—past and present—held a more complex perspective.
They understood, to some extent, the path the Cryo Archon had chosen. Yet understanding did not equate to agreement.
Others, such as Guizhong and Azhdaha, made no attempt to conceal their disdain.
Once the Tsaritsa's presence vanished, the atmosphere shifted, and conversation resumed as though a storm had just passed.
[ Futsu Mitama: "Alright, the Tsaritsa has been removed. Everyone—resume as you were." ]
[ Eula: "I may not fully understand the situation, but was it truly wise to expel the Cryo Archon? Are you not concerned about retaliation?" ]
[ Klee: "Yay!!! Big Sister Eula!!!" ]
[ Albedo: "Eula? So you have joined." ]
[ Kuki Shinobu: "It has been a while." ]
[ Maha Rukkhadevata: "An acquaintance?" ]
[ Raiden Makoto: "It would seem so." ]
[ Venti: "Eula? A citizen of Mondstadt at last!" ]
[ Eula: "Lord Barbatos, the Lawrence Clan—the family of sinners—offers its greetings." ]
[ Venti: "Leave that title behind. They are them, and you are you. Finally, a Mondstadt citizen—it has not been easy. Do you happen to have any fine cuisine or wine to share?" ]
[ Eula: "At present, I am in the wilderness. If you wish, I can prepare something myself." ]
[ Klee: "Big Sister Eula's way of speaking changed!" ]
[ Albedo: "That is to be expected." ]
[ Futsu Mitama: "Hahaha." ]
[ Eula: "@Futsu Mitama, you dare mock me? I will remember this grievance." ]
[ Futsu Mitama: "That is more like it." ]
The tension dissolved into a far more familiar rhythm—light exchanges, faint teasing, and the steady hum of camaraderie.
Yet beneath that surface, the conversation did not remain idle for long.
Strategic considerations emerged once more.
[ Maha Rukkhadevata: "Raidens, I may need to trouble you to make a journey to Snezhnaya." ]
[ Raiden Makoto: "This is merely a probe, not a declaration of war." ]
[ Aila: "There may be no need." ]
Her words drew immediate attention.
The explanation that followed was subtle, yet decisive—the Chat Group possessed a memory-filtering effect. Those outside it, even if exposed indirectly, would fail to perceive or retain its existence.
A mechanism beyond ordinary comprehension.
The implications were profound.
Even the Archons fell silent for a brief moment.
—
Far away, in the frozen expanse of Snezhnaya, confusion took root.
The Tsaritsa sat upon her throne, her gaze distant, her thoughts fractured. Beside her, Pierro examined a record that contained nothing at all.
Blank.
Utterly blank.
And yet, both of them knew—something had been lost.
A fragment of authority had vanished.
Not destroyed. Not transferred in any perceivable way.
Simply—gone.
Even more unsettling was the absence of memory itself.
Tsaritsa could sense the loss, yet could not trace its origin. The inconsistency gnawed at logic, resisting explanation.
Pierro's conclusion came swiftly.
Irminsul.
"Your Majesty, Dottore must have done something again. Let me go to Sumeru to warn him."
And yet, even that explanation felt insufficient.
The Tsaritsa, however, did not dwell upon it. Whatever had been taken was already beyond retrieval. What mattered was what remained.
—
Back within the Chat Group, unaware of these developments, Futsu Mitama finally allowed himself to relax.
The weight had lifted.
And with it, his focus shifted entirely.
To the reward.
At last—after an unreasonably long stretch of misfortune—he had obtained something tangible.
"Fusion." and "De-Fusion."
Simple descriptions.
Deceptively simple.
Yet the implications were immediate.
His gaze sharpened, a flicker of realization igniting within his eyes.
A solution had appeared.
Without hesitation, he rose.
"Everyone, prepare to move.
There was no longer any need to delay. Because now—at last—
The conflict between Aila and Black Aila could be brought to its conclusion.
"Alright."
Tartaglia was the first to respond, his agreement immediate and unrestrained. The impatience he had been suppressing finally surfaced, sharp and unmistakable, as anticipation burned in his eyes.
The Millelith and Exorcists that Kuki Shinobu had described, along with the long-whispered Yakshas, were no longer distant legends in his mind, but imminent opponents. As a warrior, his battle intent had already climbed to its peak, coiled and ready to erupt at any moment.
Yelan and Xiao exchanged no unnecessary words, yet both gave a slight nod.
Their stance was already decided.
Had Futsu Mitama not insisted on waiting, they would have moved out long ago. The stillness of this place was never reassuring—it was suffocating.
"Is everything alright now?"
Kuki Shinobu stepped closer, her voice lowered, controlled, yet carrying a trace of concern that did not escape notice.
Too many variables were still in motion—the newly joined members, the expanded permissions, the unseen implications of the group's advancement. And most of all, the item he had obtained. It had vanished too quickly for her to discern even a hint of its nature.
"Mm." Futsu Mitama inclined his head slightly, his tone steady, almost deliberately restrained. "For now, everything's fine. Aila should be fine too."
That single sentence was enough.
A subtle shift passed through Kuki Shinobu's gaze, fleeting yet precise, as if she had already connected the underlying implication. Nearby, Shenhe lifted her eyes toward him, her expression unchanged, yet her focus sharpened.
"Is Junior Sister alright?" she asked quietly, then, after the briefest pause, added, "Are you leaving soon?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi remained silent, but silence, in her case, was never emptiness.
She had already reached the same conclusion.
From the cadence of his words, from the subtle shift in his presence—this was not a matter of if, but when. He would leave, if only for a time, to resolve what awaited on the other side.
It was expected.
He had made that clear long before they arrived here. Escaping this place was only one objective. The other—the more decisive one—was the resolution of Aila and Black Aila.
And if resolution proved impossible—then intervention would follow.
Futsu Mitama gave a small nod, confirming what they had already understood. A full day had passed within this distorted space. Its instability no longer held the same threat it once did. Not now.
The elevation of the group's level had pushed his strength across a definitive threshold. Authority or not, he had stepped into the domain of Archons. The qualitative shift was undeniable.
With the others remaining behind, a solitary spatial traversal was no longer a gamble—it was a certainty.
Unless this consciousness could manifest power equivalent to the Seven Archons themselves, or produce a true Archon-level obstruction, there was nothing here that could halt his advance.
Nothing that could restrain him.
"Follow me."
Yelan moved first, her steps measured, decisive, as she took the lead once more. Her voice cut cleanly through the lingering stillness.
"There are three passages here. The one that leads to the The Fantastic Compass is this way."
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