Chapter 134. What to do about Futsu Mitama?
"Wait…"
Dottore seemed greatly shocked. He said with disbelief,
"Was it a day ago?! And La Signora died in Mondstadt?! How is this possible!"
A day ago was when the three Harbingers were defeated.
One must know that even at his "peak," he hadn't yet run back to Snezhnaya from Sumeru, although part of the reason was his severe injuries.
But he was still a Demon God Realm existence. No matter how severely injured, his travel speed would be relatively fast.
Yet, even he couldn't possibly travel from Sumeru to Snezhnaya in just a few hours.
Did Futsu Mitama use The Anemo Gnosis to travel at full speed?
After such a major battle, did he still have the stamina to activate The Anemo Gnosis?
Or did Buer exert her power in this? Did both parties use The Anemo Gnosis back and forth to increase speed?
But this also seemed unrealistic. The only possibility was that Anemo Archon Barbatos personally arrived, and with his strength, personally activating The Anemo Gnosis, could achieve this.
But how did they communicate?
Dottore was a smart man. He inferred a lot of information just from a few words from Her Majesty the Tsaritsa.
But his deductions made him shake his head.
Although there were several possibilities that could allow Futsu Mitama and Buer to take La Signora to Mondstadt.
No matter which possibility, it was a thankless task, and the timing didn't even match up.
For example, after they took La Signora to Mondstadt, who would bring Scaramouche back to Inazuma?
According to Dottore's informants in Inazuma, he had also received information about Scaramouche being captured and taken back to Inazuma for trial at the first opportunity.
He didn't care about this point, because it was a normal thing for Futsu Mitama to take Scaramouche back to Inazuma for trial by the Inazuman people.
But now, he had to care, because how did Futsu Mitama take Scaramouche back to Inazuma?
Or, was it a split operation? Anemo Archon Barbatos personally came to Sumeru and took Futsu Mitama, Buer, and La Signora together.
Later, Beelzebub personally arrived in Sumeru and took Scaramouche back to Inazuma for trial?
If one had to say, there was only one such possibility.
But based on Dottore's understanding of Futsu Mitama, how could he miss the opportunity to witness Scaramouche's trial firsthand?
So, in that instant, Dottore felt his brain was overloading. He wanted to organize a logical timeline.
But no matter how he organized it, it felt completely illogical, unless Futsu Mitama possessed something that could freely travel between major nations.
But this was impossible! Even the Abyss Order couldn't do that!!!
Unless that "Forbidden Figure," the Shades wielding the spatial power, actively intervened, such a thing could not happen.
"Is he free?"
Compared to Dottore pondering these matters, Tartaglia stroked his chin and said with interest,
"But The Anemo Gnosis isn't on him anymore, so there's no need to offend him."
Saying this, Tartaglia glanced at Dottore. He had kept this information hidden for quite a while.
The information that The Anemo Gnosis was on Futsu Mitama was probably known to him half a year ago when he went to Inazuma to seize The Electro Gnosis.
However, since Her Majesty the Tsaritsa and Pierro said nothing, he wouldn't say much either, because his goal was The Geo Archon's gnosis, not the anemo gnosis.
Arlecchino narrowed her eyes slightly. She suddenly had a bad premonition.
Barbatos's sudden escape, and her being called back from Fontaine, could it be that Her Majesty the Tsaritsa wanted her to go to Mondstadt?
If so, what excuse would be best to refuse?
She naturally knew the situation in Mondstadt very well, because under the "troublesome actions" of La Signora and Dottore.
Mondstadt would not harbor goodwill towards the Fatui for at least a hundred years, at least not this generation.
Now, Mondstadt from top to bottom rejected the Fatui. If she took over there, while not impossible, the plan in Fontaine would have to be postponed.
But currently, among the Fatui, besides herself, only "Marionette" Sandrone, and Columbina was free, but both of them were not good at diplomacy.
"Yes."
Pierro spoke, his tone calm.
"The Anemo Gnosis and Electro Gnosis can be temporarily ignored."
"Because Futsu Mitama will understand our plan sooner or later. He will not refuse, because our interests are aligned."
"But the Gnosis acquisition plan must be accelerated. We have lost two colleagues, so the plan must be pushed forward faster."
Although Pierro was reluctant to give up Scaramouche, he was very useful; many dirty and laborious tasks were handed to him, and he handled them beautifully.
But he wasn't confident in rescuing Scaramouche from under Beelzebub's nose.
Unless they broke ties with Inazuma, and Her Majesty the Tsaritsa and the Harbingers went together, it would be impossible to rescue Scaramouche.
Even if he were rescued, the enemies they would face then would probably be more than just Beelzebub.
Morax personally descended upon Snezhnaya to question Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, which indicated that the Geo Archon was already displeased with the Fatui's conduct.
If, at this critical juncture, they tore up the ancient contract for Scaramouche, the situation would likely escalate significantly.
"Yes!"
Tartaglia didn't understand the intricacies involved. Upon hearing Pierro's words, he nodded very seriously, indicating that he understood.
He would definitely get his hands on The Geo Archon's Gnosis next!
He had already made many preparations in Liyue, repeatedly trying to get close to Mr. Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
He had already obtained the sealing location of Osial, the God of the Vortex, and with The Talisman of Everlasting Morality he had acquired, as long as he mass-produced it, and added Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's authority.
He would definitely be able to briefly release Osial, the God of the Vortex, to force Rex Lapis to act.
However, considering that one Demon God might not be enough, Tartaglia also inquired about the sealing locations of other Demon Gods from Mr. Zhongli.
In response, Mr. Zhongli stated that he would need to investigate before giving a reply, but Tartaglia was already very satisfied.
Compared to the Liyue historians who could only give vague accounts no matter how much they talked, Mr. Zhongli was truly excellent, even knowing the locations of Demon Gods seals.
"Alright."
Arlecchino also nodded, indicating that Fontaine would also step up its efforts.
Dottore said nothing, knowing that Her Majesty the Tsaritsa would never let him leave in the short term.
Because currently, on the continent of Teyvat, he seemed to have offended four nations that leaves only two and the neighbor Nod-Krai?
If he were to revisit old grudges, the situations might escalate.
Hmm~ there was no place for him on the entire continent of Teyvat.
"Dottore, you will guard the Abyss." Pierro gave Dottore his orders, his tone serious: "Recently, the Abyss Order has launched a new operation."
"That prince is a bit restless; go interrogate his subordinates and find out what they truly intend to do. And... this time, you must send a prime segment of yourself to guard it."
Pierro's implication was that the "you" going to the Abyss this time must possess Demon God Realm level strength.
"Alright."
Dottore nodded in agreement, having no reason to refuse.
In Snezhnaya, he enjoyed the best treatment, but that was no excuse for him to mess things up.
La Signora didn't have to die; it was his insistence on keeping her that led to her death.
She had wanted to leave for a long time, but he couldn't bear to lose such a convenient tool, so he leaked information, making her stay to act opportunistically.
The result was, she was finished, and he suffered as well.
As for Scaramouche? He absolutely deserved it and was useless!!!
"Then, Dottore and Tartaglia, you may withdraw."
After saying all that needed to be said, Pierro looked at Arlecchino and said,
"Arlecchino, you stay; I have something to tell you."
Arlecchino raised an eyebrow but said nothing, merely nodding silently.
Dottore showed a smile; he seemed to have guessed something, and looking at Arlecchino, he warned,
"Be careful of Aila; you will likely encounter her in your next actions. She is no longer the same person you severely injured back then."
After speaking, Dottore quickly departed; he had many things to do besides going to the Abyss.
He needed to record the lessons learned from this experiment.
Tartaglia, without further comment, bowed to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, expressing his respect, then glanced at Arlecchino and also left.
After Dottore and Tartaglia had gone far, the scene became somewhat silent.
A strange light flickered in Arlecchino's eyes; she knew Pierro was about to assign her a task.
In a sense, the task he assigned was precisely the one Her Majesty the Tsaritsa intended to give her.
This was something she couldn't refuse, so she needed to complete this task as quickly as possible, then continue with her affairs in Fontaine.
"Arlecchino."
But to her surprise, Her Majesty the Tsaritsa spoke first.
"Your Majesty the Tsaritsa, I am here." Arlecchino bowed to the Cryo Archon, stating very seriously, "Your Knave will dedicate everything to your actions."
The Cryo Archon said nothing more; she extended her hand, and the Cryo Authority condensed in her hand, then transformed into a stream of light that entered Arlecchino.
"Buzz—!!!"
At this moment, Arlecchino felt an unimaginably powerful force surging into her body.
Her aura rapidly increased, gradually becoming terrifying.
The top three Fatui Harbingers all possessed combat power comparable to an Archon.
Now, the Cryo Archon once again bestowed her Authority upon Arlecchino, further increasing her strength by a small margin.
The current Arlecchino possessed combat power infinitely close to the Demon God Realm; if she fully unleashed the Authority granted by the Cryo Archon, she could even contend with a Demon Gods.
But Arlecchino couldn't be happy, as her heart was only heavy; Her Majesty the Tsaritsa had once again given her Authority.
This meant the situation was very dangerous, otherwise, her combat strength wouldn't have been suddenly enhanced.
The more dangerous the situation, the more troublesome it was.
"You are to go to Liyue."
The Cryo Archon continued,
"Find the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant; he is Morax. Ask him—if the contract agreed upon back then has been signed. If it has been signed, follow all his arrangements. Once the Gnosis is in hand, you may return to Snezhnaya or Fontaine."
A glint flashed in Arlecchino's eyes, as this information was quite explosive.
If she remembered correctly, wasn't Tartaglia's collaborator in Liyue Mr. Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
According to Tartaglia, much of his intelligence in Liyue was obtained through this Mr. Zhongli.
He is Morax? Interesting!
It seems that when La Signora was still alive, she was the one who spoke with that Mr. Zhongli.
Because besides Tartaglia frequently going to Liyue, only La Signora occasionally went to Liyue, for reasons unknown.
"What about Futsu Mitama?"
Arlecchino raised a question, looking earnestly at Her Majesty the Tsaritsa,
"He is the Geo Archon's successor; I suspect Morax is very likely to give him The Geo Archon's Gnosis."
She had heard about Raiden Ei causing a commotion in Snezhnaya to retrieve The Electro Gnosis.
Arlecchino was very intelligent, or rather, there were no fools among the Fatui Harbingers; with this precedent.
She asked Her Majesty the Tsaritsa what would be best if Morax handed The Geo Archon's gnosis to Futsu Mitama.
Should she replicate Dottore's actions and seize The Geo Archon's Gnosis, or... test if the Geo Archon's spear and Futsu Mitama's blade were tough enough?
The former had too high a chance of failure.
As for the latter, if she had that kind of strength, why would she still be a Harbinger in Snezhnaya?
"Give it to him."
The Cryo Archon said calmly,
"The general trend cannot be reversed; we only need to collect the Gnoses of various nations."
Currently, Futsu Mitama possessed the Gnoses of Anemo and Electro, and he had assisted Lesser Lord Kusanali in reclaiming Sumeru's rule.
In this situation, if Futsu Mitama wished, he could even "borrow" The Dendro Gnosis.
In this scenario, Futsu Mitama obtaining The Geo Archon's Gnosis would mean he possessed four Gnoses.
This was equivalent to Futsu Mitama having four nations, four "Archons," standing behind him.
Unless she decided to go to war with four nations simultaneously, she would be powerless in such a situation.
Even if Snezhnaya had three Harbingers capable of rivaling Archons—Morax, Barbatos, and Beelzebub all emerged from the Archon War.
They had shed no small amount of Archon blood, and the Cryo Archon was aware of this, so she could only prioritize appeasing Futsu Mitama.
Furthermore, the other party had reached the Demon God Realm; if there hadn't been friction between them, the Cryo Archon would have considered sending Pierro to find him and bring him to Snezhnaya.
"Yes."
Arlecchino breathed a sigh of relief; what she feared most was Her Majesty saying, "Then eliminate him."
That would be tantamount to sending herself to her death; the order Her Majesty had given now was excellent.
"Return alive."
The Cryo Archon looked at Arlecchino and said once more; she did not wish to see her "Harbingers" perish again.
"Your will."
Arlecchino smiled, bowed to the Cryo Archon again, and then strode away.
In the cold palace, Pierro also bowed to the Cryo Archon, then left the place, heading to an unknown destination.
As for the Cryo Archon on the throne, she was sensing the Authority within her; in truth, there was one thing she had never understood.
Why was a part of the Authority within her missing?
Had "He" awakened and stripped her of her power as a warning?
"I cannot delay any longer."
The Cryo Archon said so, then closed her eyes and began to rest.