They then successfully entered the Snezhnaya Palace.
Varesa stopped at the entrance to the palace gate and reached out to brush her slightly cool cheek:
"I'll go sit in the waiting room for a while and wait for you there. Take your time, no rush."
"Mm." Bai You nodded, took a deep breath, and then said goodbye to Varesa and walked inside.
The corridor was long and deep; she couldn't help but walk softly through it.
The air here carries a solemn chill, completely different from the warm and lively atmosphere inside the theater.
After walking for about fifteen minutes and receiving some directions, Bai You stopped at a heavy and solemn door and gently knocked on it with her finger.
"Come in."
The voice coming from inside the door was clear and calm.
Bai You straightened her clothes, pushed open the door, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty."
The eunuch stopped in front of the study door and gently knocked on the heavy wooden door with his finger.
"Come in."
A fireplace burned in the room, Tsaritsa stood before the huge French windows, her back to the palace, gazing at the endless snowfields outside.
Her long white hair cascaded down her shoulders and back, the ends glistening with shimmering light.
Hearing the voice, she slowly turned around, her icy eyes falling on Bai You, her tone carrying a knowing indifference. "You've arrived? Going to Mondstadt, or some other country?"
Bai You's dangling fingertips twitched, and she nodded obediently:
"Yes. Go to Mondstadt. Come and inform His Majesty."
She spoke softly, a little embarrassed.
She felt that her position as Harbinger was a sinecure, and that she had come all this way specifically to ask for a definitive answer.
The Queen's voice was very soft:
"Go ahead and do whatever you want. Your position is just a title anyway, so don't stand on ceremony. Go whenever you want, and come back when you're done."
"Oh, right," the Queen paused slightly, then remembered something else.
"You don't need to worry about the expenses on the road. Just go to the Northland Bank and find Pantalone, he'll take care of everything for you."
Just as Bai You was about to say that she had Mora, the Queen said calmly again:
" Capitano also specifically told me this when he came to report on his work a few days ago."
"He said if you come to the palace, go to his office; he might have something to discuss with you."
Bai You was taken aback for a moment, then quickly agreed:
"Okay, I understand. I'll be there shortly."
The Queen waved her hand, then turned back to look out the window. "Go. Be careful on your way to Mondstadt."
"Then I'll take my leave," Bai You replied softly, backing out of the room.
The moment she closed the door, she breathed a long sigh of relief, her heart finally settling back into place.
My steps were much lighter as I walked along the corridor and turned the corner to see Varesa sitting on a chair by the window.
Holding a cup of hot tea, he lowered his eyes to watch the steam rising from the rim.
Hearing footsteps, Varesa looked up, put down her teacup, and stood up. "So fast? What did His Majesty say?"
"Granted." Bai You walked to her side, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy, and added.
"Oh, by the way, His Majesty said that I should go to the Northland Bank to see Pantalone for travel expenses, and Lord Capitano also told me to go to his office, saying he needs to see me."
Varesa raised an eyebrow slightly:
"Actually, you don't need to look for that Harbinger, Pantalone. The lovely me in front of you is quite wealthy."
"Have you forgotten that I'm a big star?"
Bai You blinked upon hearing this, then puffed out her cheeks, gently poked her forearm with her fingertip, and spoke with a serious and stubborn tone:
"That's different. His Majesty specifically gave the order; it wouldn't be appropriate to directly reject the decree. Besides... how can a trip be entirely paid for by you?"
Varesa chuckled softly, leaned over, and pinched her soft cheek, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalant indulgence:
"You're all mine now, if I don't give you my money, who else will I give it to?"
"What else? The performance a few days ago earned you enough Mora to make ten round trips to Mondstadt and still not spend it all."
Seeing Bai You wrinkling her nose and still wanting to argue, she smiled and took a half step back, gently touching her little cheek with her fingertips:
"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. Since His Majesty has given the order, you just need to go and go through the motions."
"The people of Pantalone value their word highly. Since it is His Majesty's will, he will arrange everything properly."
"If he doesn't give me enough, I promise I won't let my Little Bai You go without Mora flowers."
"Okay, my cute little star, I understand."
"I'll be right back, wait for me a little longer."
Bai You nodded, tugged at her sleeve again, and moved her feet toward the door.
"She's clearly a big star!!!!"
"Oh, and Capitano too. He was quite concerned when you were injured. In that case, I'll go with you."
"No need, it shouldn't be a big deal." Bai You shook her head.
"Wait here for a bit, I'll be right back, very soon."
Seeing her relaxed expression, Varesa couldn't help but smile.
"Okay, then I'll wait for you here. No rush, take your time."
Bai You walked along the corridor to the other side. After a while, the air was filled with a faint scent of saltpeter and cold iron.
Following the signs, we turned two corners and finally saw the office with guards still standing at the entrance.
Upon seeing her, the guards immediately bowed in salute.
"Lord Water Nymph, the Captain instructed us beforehand that you should go straight in upon arrival."
Bai You nodded, and then gently knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The voice from inside the door was deep and resonant, carrying a hint of seasoned experience.
She pushed open the door and went in, raising her hand in a gesture of greeting. " Capitano."
The office was a bit colder than the rest of the room. In the center stood a huge tactical sand table, and Capitano stood in front of it, still wearing standard armor, the cold iron patterns on his shoulder armor gleaming coldly.
Hearing the voice, he turned around, his gaze falling on her from behind his mask. His tone was flat, which served as a greeting:
" Bai You, sit down."
"You're welcome."
Bai You stood there, stunned for a moment, and said, "I heard from His Majesty that you wanted to see me, so I came over."
Capitano didn't speak immediately. His gaze lingered on her for two seconds, scanning her from head to toe, as if assessing something.
Then he slightly raised his right hand, which was hanging by his side, his knuckles glowing with a pale blue light, and a ball of ice-blue light slowly rose from his palm.
The ball of light was about the size of a fist, with fine, peculiar patterns flowing inside. It was slowly rotating, carrying a chilling aura.
The air in the room seemed to quiet down a bit. Capitano flicked his finger, and the ball of icy blue energy slowly floated to Bai You's side, hovering in mid-air and gently spinning.
Bai You subconsciously took half a step back, staring at the ball of light with wide eyes, her face full of confusion.
She knew the Captain was an upright person, but she really couldn't figure out what his intentions were in suddenly bringing this up.
The two had little interaction and no prior grudges; surely he couldn't have come to challenge her to a duel?
"This is...?" She looked up at Capitano.
Capitano withdrew his hand, placing it back behind his back, his voice steady and straightforward, characteristic of a soldier:
"Primal energy, which I've condensed, is for self-defense."
Bai You was even more confused, and blinked:
"Self-defense? I'm quite strong too... Giving me your primordial energy, that's against the rules, isn't it?"
Capitano gave a low hum and began to explain:
"I felt your use of your power was somewhat unstable before, so please accept it."
Bai You looked at the floating ball of light before her, still feeling uneasy. Just as she was about to decline, Capitano frowned and cut her off.
Don't try to pass the buck with me.
As if seeing through her inner turmoil, he added:
"Don't worry, this is my pure, original energy; there are no monitoring marks on it."
"I, Capitano, don't have the time or inclination to use such limited knowledge to spy on my colleagues."
Capitano spoke bluntly, and Bai You felt a flush of embarrassment.
"I'm sorry. But... this gift is too heavy for me; I don't deserve it."
"It's just some energy, nothing to me. It can at least keep an eye out for dangers like the Doctor before."
Capitano said calmly, looking back at the sand table, "Just consider it... a favor from colleagues."
Having said all that, to refuse would seem pretentious and ungrateful.
Bai You had no choice but to stop refusing and carefully reached out her hands to gently catch the ball of energy.
The energy ball landed in my palm, and I felt surprisingly secure.
She looked down at the pulsating icy blue energy ball in her palm and whispered:
Thank you very much. I'll remember this kindness.
"Alright, enough with the formalities," Capitano waved his hand impatiently.
"Understood." Bai You carefully gathered the energy in her palm and bowed to him again.
"Then I won't disturb your military affairs any longer. I'll take my leave now."
Capitano didn't turn his head, only hummed in response, and his gaze returned to the sand table.
After Bai You left, Capitano looked out the window into the distance and muttered to himself.
"I gave almost half of my energy to the new Harbinger, which should also improve her control over her power."
"Sorry, I can't give you the rest. This is what's needed to weave the ley lines..."
"I have quite a few students, all of them are very talented, and recently a new Harbinger joined us..."
"The future Snezhnaya... it's a pity I probably won't see it..."
Natlan... The Night Kingdom...
"My comrades... it's time for them to rest in peace..."
Updates will be slower these next couple of days; I need to work hard to get the Varesa weapon.
Then go through the plot again and refine the settings.
Thank you everyone for your support! If you like it, please give it a five-star review! つ♡⊂