Chapter 453: The Tsaritsa — "The Genius Must Have Had His Reasons!"

Chapter 453: Chapter 453: The Tsaritsa — "The Genius Must Have Had His Reasons!"

"Who gave you permission to sit there? The Genius?"

Rosalyne’s loyalty to the Tsaritsa was unquestionable. There was no way she would tolerate someone else occupying that throne.

"The Tsaritsa herself."

"...Then it’s fine."

If Her Majesty allowed it, then surely she had her reasons.

"I have an important report for Her Majesty. Where is she?"

The Hydro Gnosis had already been obtained, though it wasn’t meant to be handed directly to the Tsaritsa—it would go to Pierro instead.

The real matter that needed reporting was the Heavenly Principles’ Sustainer.

"She’s at the boss’s workshop."

The Genius’s Creative Workshop had become one of Snezhnaya’s most mysterious places.

Thanks to the enormous commotion Su Ran had caused across Teyvat, even his personal workshop had gained an air of mystery.

Those who actually knew the place understood the truth: aside from a few combat puppets, there wasn’t much inside.

Only two people visited regularly.

The Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya.

And the Damselette, Columbina.

Wooden Doll had gone there once too—but stormed out in a huff afterward. She’d never set foot inside again.

No one knew what she had seen.

Many guessed Su Ran’s inventions had shattered her pride as a scientist.

Strangely enough, she had never denied the rumors.

"That guy’s workshop is practically empty. Only those little puppets are left there. He really is an irresponsible father."

Rosalyne frowned.

He had personally created those girls, yet rarely spent time with them.

Meanwhile, the women they were modeled after visited them far more often.

"...I feel the same."

Arlecchino agreed.

Little Arlecchino had said before that just receiving emotional support from Su Ran was enough.

Even so...

"He really should spend more time with those children."

If he truly had no time...

She could always bring them to the House of the Hearth.

After all, Su Ran spent plenty of time there too.

The combat puppets would get more chances to see him.

Those puppets weren’t weak, either.

None were as strong as Harbingers, but they surpassed the vast majority of Fatui soldiers.

The only reason no one knew was because they almost never left the workshop.

The two entered.

The puppets were startled for a moment, then relaxed upon recognizing them.

"Arlecchino? Rosalyne? What brings you here?"

The Tsaritsa and Columbina were both inside.

The reason was simple.

This place possessed the highest level of technology in Snezhnaya.

Su Ran’s workshop was filled with equipment far beyond anything Teyvat possessed.

Connected to the space station’s network...

It could browse the interstellar internet.

Movies.

Music.

Online forums.

It was easily the best entertainment spot in the entire nation.

No wonder Columbina and the Tsaritsa loved coming here.

"I have something to report, Your Majesty."

Compared to the blizzard outside, the workshop was pleasantly warm.

"The Heavenly Principles’ Sustainer has awakened."

The Tsaritsa: ???

Rosalyne: ???

Columbina: ???

"The Sustainer woke up?!"

What kind of disastrous news was that?

Had their rebellion failed before it even began?

"N-No problem!"

The Tsaritsa immediately straightened herself.

"We have the Genius!"

With Su Ran backing them, what was there to fear?

The Heavenly Principles weren’t worth worrying about.

"...The Genius is the one who woke her up."

The Tsaritsa: ???

Rosalyne: !!!

Columbina: !!!

The room fell silent.

The Tsaritsa coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem..."

"He must have had his reasons."

"It’s probably fine."

Her trust in Su Ran remained rock solid.

Even if he had awakened the Sustainer...

Surely he had done it intentionally.

Surely there was some deeper purpose.

"Your Majesty... have you..."

Rosalyne suddenly felt an emotion she never imagined she’d direct toward the Tsaritsa.

Helpless exasperation.

The Genius had literally awakened the enemy they’d spent centuries preparing to overthrow.

And Her Majesty was still defending him?

Had she completely stopped thinking rationally?

"Arlecchino."

The Tsaritsa ignored Rosalyne’s expression.

"Is that all you came to report?"

The Sustainer awakening was already unbelievable enough.

Yet Arlecchino had delivered it with frightening calmness.

"There’s something else."

Arlecchino glanced at Rosalyne before continuing.

"The Genius granted me power."

"I now serve him."

"I’ve returned this time because I intend to challenge Dottore."

"I think he’s occupied the Third Seat for long enough."

Columbina: ???

Wait.

Did she say Dottore?

Not me?

Dottore had only recently become Third.

Meanwhile I had only just become Fourth!

Was I about to get pushed down to Fifth already?

"Dottore is very powerful."

The Tsaritsa frowned.

"If you’ve merely obtained power comparable to a god, I don’t recommend challenging him so soon."

Even Tartaglia, after receiving Su Ran’s blessing, hadn’t immediately challenged a higher-ranked Harbinger.

He understood he still needed time to grow.

Arlecchino, of all people, was usually far more composed.

Why was she suddenly so impulsive?

"It isn’t power comparable to a god."

Arlecchino spoke calmly.

"It’s one-seventh of a Lord Ravager’s power."

Rosalyne: ???

Columbina: ???

Neither of them truly understood what a Lord Ravager represented.

The Tsaritsa, however...

Her pupils contracted.

A Lord Ravager.

A genuine Emanator of Destruction.

And Arlecchino had inherited one-seventh of that power?

That sounded absurd.

"...Then you’re certain you want to challenge Dottore..."

The Tsaritsa looked at her strangely.

"...and not Capitano?"

With that level of power...

Forget Dottore.

Arlecchino might be capable of fighting the Heavenly Principles herself.

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