The video began. A bird made entirely of flames danced through the wind and snow.
The scene shifted to a chessboard—a chessboard for international chess. However, two pieces on the board gleamed with dazzling light.
A voiceover began: "The sage, who believes himself to know everything, is nothing but a fool. We, instead, understand the righteousness behind those foolish acts."
[Paimon: Gnoses! The two glowing pieces on the chessboard are Gnoses.]
[Lumine: Playing chess with Gnoses... who is the player?]
[Tartaglia: This is our Harbinger's director. His name is Pierro. It is said he possesses power on par with a god.]
[Keqing: A god?]
[Tartaglia: A god? I do not think so. He should be human.]
[Zhongli: Five hundred years ago, in Khaenri'ah, I saw him.]
[Lumine: A human who has lived for five hundred years.]
[Yae Miko: Opening with such interesting news?]
In the game, there were no abandoned pieces, because for this chess match, checkmate was not the end.
As Pierro spoke, pieces clashed on the board, one after another falling.
The scene shifted, and the vast hall appeared on screen.
A short man in a tall hat spoke in a sharp voice: "We gather here today to commemorate our good companion. Her sacrifice is worthy of half a day's shutdown from all of Snezhnaya in remembrance."
[Paimon: I see. This is Signora's memorial service.]
[Signora: ... Outrageous, insolent! I will not die! And only half a day?! Pulcinella, face my flames!]
[Lumine: The Fatui are about to fight among themselves.]
[Pulcinella: Half a day's shutdown for the entire nation of Snezhnaya is already the utmost respect for your sacrifice.]
[Signora: Then, if you die, how long will the shutdown be?]
[Pulcinella: Ahem. That is not a question for me to consider.]
The scene shifted to a man as tall as Zhongli, draped in a luxurious feathered cape and wearing glasses. He said, "Only half a day. They say the Northland Bank deals in tears and wails, but Lord Mayor, your values are even more twisted than us bankers."
Arlecchino also attended in luxurious attire, showing her regard for the gathering. "Rosalynde fell in a foreign land. For you wealthy merchants and politicians who lack empathy and only make excuses to huddle away in Snezhnaya, it must be beyond imagination."
"If that is the case, just shut your mouths."
[Paimon: Arlecchino is standing up for Signora!]
[Lyney: Father has always valued loyalty and righteousness. Otherwise, she would not have taken us in.]
[Lynette: The children of the Hearth are all homeless infants. Father teaches us, raises us. Even if we lack talent, we never hear a word of blame from Father.]
[Zhongli: The Hearth... a warm corner. Good. Very good.]
[Lumine: Arlecchino gives her true heart, and in return, she receives true hearts.]
[Ningguang: It is quite rare for the Fatui to scheme to help ordinary people.]
Tartaglia, wearing the same coat as Pantalone and a thick scarf, leaned in a corner and spoke, "Hey, hey, even I think this is not a suitable occasion for conflict."
A young woman in a lolita dress chuckled, "Absurd and ridiculous..."
Capitano, wearing a mask that revealed no skin, said, "Though her methods stained her honor, Lohefalter's sacrifice is still lamentable. Her departure will not halt our progress. But Dottore, what about Scaramouche and the Electro Gnosis?"
The scene shifted to a man gently shaking a test tube. He took over the conversation. "Common sense suggests that divine knowledge is sacred knowledge that reason cannot perceive."
"After conquering the gaze of the divine, he will take a new step."