In the office, the Tsaritsa looked at Bai You, the faintest flicker of emotion passing through her ice-blue eyes.
"Heavenly Principles."
She repeated the words softly, but they carried a heavy weight.
"Do you know what you're saying?"
"I do." Bai You tilted her head up, her little face serious beyond her years.
"Your Majesty, I don't need you to believe me completely. But time will prove everything. When the time comes, many things will begin to change."
The Tsaritsa was silent for a long time.
So long that Bai You began to wonder whether she had failed to fool her.
That wasn't right. That was how the game's story went.
But just as Bai You began to doubt herself, the Tsaritsa rose and dismissed the barrier.
"Come." Her voice returned to its usual coolness. "The Harbingers' meeting is about to begin."
Bai You froze. "Huh? We're having the meeting now?"
"Did you think I mentioned the twelfth seat on a whim?" The Tsaritsa glanced at her.
"Your seat must be formally announced in front of all the Harbingers."
Bai You swallowed, suddenly feeling a little panicked.
Eleven Harbingers... She was just a little girl, and they were going to announce her as the twelfth seat in front of them all. Even imagining it felt ridiculous.
[What are you afraid of?]
The system finally appeared.
[You sent Tartaglia flying with one punch, and you're afraid of a meeting?]
You've got some nerve! Bai You cursed inwardly. Where did you run off to when the Tsaritsa was questioning me?
[Well, I believed you could handle it.] The system spoke with a cheeky air. [And look, didn't you handle it? Come on, let's go to the meeting and show them what our twelfth seat is made of.]
Bai You: ...
"Also, what codename would you like? All the Harbingers have one," the Tsaritsa suddenly asked.
"Oh no, I forgot to prepare one in advance."
Bai You thought for a little while, then remembered Varesa. "Then let's go with Water Nymph."
Hearing the name, the Tsaritsa was a little speechless, but she did not object. "...Very well, but once it's decided, you can't change it."
Bai You nodded gently in response.
Then she followed the Tsaritsa out of the office on her short little legs.
In the audience chamber, Tartaglia stood before the damaged wall, staring at the gaping hole in a daze.
Hearing footsteps, he turned and saw the Tsaritsa emerging with Bai You.
His gaze fell on Bai You, his expression complicated-there was shock, awe, and a trace of curiosity he couldn't quite put into words.
"Your Majesty." He dropped to one knee.
"Rise." The Tsaritsa walked over to the throne and sat down.
"Come, let's convene the Harbingers' meeting."
"Yes." Tartaglia stood, unable to resist another glance at Bai You.
This little girl... She was about to become his colleague. It all felt so inexplicable. Half a day ago, he had thought she was a lost little girl, and now...
They left the audience chamber together and ventured deeper into the palace.
After an unknown amount of time, they arrived at a vast, magnificent conference room.
News spread quickly.
Within half an hour, figures began passing through the conference room doors one after another.
Apart from the three of them, the first to arrive was an elderly man in a heavy, dark-purple robe, his features marked by the passage of time.
He was the Fatui's director, The Jester-Pierro. As the Fatui's original founder, he always wore a calm expression, with an obsession hidden in his eyes that no one else could fathom.
The second to arrive was a tall man with a stern face.
He wore heavy black armor and a mask that covered his entire face, and an aura of battlefield severity surrounded him.
The first seat, The Captain-Capitano.
He strode into the audience chamber, then looked at the Tsaritsa seated on the throne at the conference table and dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty."
Right behind him came a middle-aged man in a white robe and a monocle.
His smile was gentle and refined, but his eyes were as deep as an ancient well. He carried a faint scent of medicine and an inscrutable air.
The second seat, The Doctor-Dottore.
His gaze swept around the conference room before finally settling on the tiny Bai You standing beside the throne. A glimmer of inquisitive interest flashed in the eye behind his monocle.
Next, a young woman entered quietly. She looked gentle and soft, like a pure-hearted singer.
The third seat, The Damselette-Columbina.
Her expression was indifferent. She looked at Bai You with a hint of curiosity and not the slightest hostility, quietly observing the little girl who had appeared so suddenly.
Then came a striking, aloof woman in a fitted silver robe and tight black trousers.
Her hair was silver-gray, and her gaze was as sharp as a blade. Not a speck of dust touched the hem of her outfit as she walked, and a chill that warned strangers away surrounded her.
The fourth seat, The Knave-Arlecchino.
Her steps faltered slightly when she saw Bai You, and a trace of surprise flashed through her blood-red eyes.
Next to arrive was a short, stout old man dressed in fine formal clothes. A genial smile was always on his face, making him look like an ordinary grandfather from the neighborhood.
The fifth seat, The Rooster-Pulcinella.
He gave Bai You a smiling glance and stroked his beard, saying nothing.
Next came a young woman in exquisite clothing who looked like a noble young lady. Her gaze was indifferent, as though nothing could hold her interest. A large robot accompanied her, and she sat in its palm.
The seventh seat, The Marionette-Sandrone.
Her gaze lingered on Bai You for two seconds before she looked away and continued fiddling with some parts in her lap.
A figure descended through the air at the side of the hall.
The sixth seat, The Balladeer-Scaramouche.
Black clothes fluttered around him, his features defiant and cold, an icy aura of detachment and world-weariness surrounding him.
Next to arrive was a breathtakingly beautiful woman in a long red dress.
Her hair was golden, and her gaze was proud, like a burning flame. A scorching aura radiated from her.
The eighth seat, La Signora-Rosalyne.
As she entered, her gaze swept across the room before settling on Bai You. Her brows furrowed slightly, clearly full of questions about the little girl who had suddenly appeared.
The last to arrive was a refined middle-aged man in a black suit, holding an account book with a calculating smile on his face.
The ninth seat, The Regrator-Pantalone.
He looked at Bai You and adjusted his glasses, seeming to calculate something.
Meanwhile, Tartaglia was straightening his clothes to make himself look less disheveled.
All eleven Harbingers had assembled.
The eleven Harbingers stood together in the audience chamber, their auras mingling until the air itself grew heavy.
Bai You stood beside the throne, feeling the many gazes-some inquisitive, some puzzled, some indifferent-all falling on her at once. Her legs instinctively went a little weak.
[Don't chicken out, Host.]
The system suddenly appeared in her mind to cheer her on.
[You're the one who sent Tartaglia flying with one punch. Show some presence!]
Presence, my foot, Bai You thought, feeling like crying but having no tears.
[Relax, the Tsaritsa's right beside you.]
The system said.
[Besides, they don't know your true strength. Being looked down on like this will make the face-slapping even louder when they find out how strong you are! Doesn't that feel great?]
Bai You: "..."
Why did this system love face-slapping scenes so much? Had it watched too many short dramas?
On the throne, the Tsaritsa looked at the assembled Harbingers and slowly spoke:
"I have summoned you all today to announce a matter."
Her gaze swept across the room before settling on Bai You.
"From this day forth, a twelfth Harbinger seat shall be established among the Fatui."
"Bai You shall assume the twelfth seat, under the codename Water Nymph."
The moment she said this, the entire audience chamber erupted.
"What?!" La Signora was the first to speak, disbelief written all over her beautiful face. "Your Majesty, you're establishing a twelfth seat? And giving it to this... child?"
She looked Bai You up and down, her eyes full of doubt.
The Doctor adjusted his monocle, an amused smile on his face. "Oh? The twelfth seat? How interesting. Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness, but this little girl looks... as though she isn't even of legal age."
The Rooster stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Naturally, Your Majesty has your reasons for your decision. I am merely curious: what extraordinary qualities does this young friend possess to earn Your Majesty's favor and be appointed a Harbinger directly?"
The Regrator adjusted his glasses, his tone somewhat calculating. "An additional seat means additional salary, authority, and resource allocations. Your Majesty, the accounts for this..."
"Enough."
The Tsaritsa's voice was not loud, but it instantly silenced the discussion.
The conference room fell quiet again.
"Anyone who objects may go and fight her."
At those words, a deathly silence fell over the room.
All the Harbingers turned to look at Tartaglia in unison, then turned back to Bai You.
La Signora's eyes went wide, and she looked as though she had seen a ghost.
The Regrator's glasses nearly slid off his nose.
The Marionette finally raised her head, her indifferent eyes showing a flicker of emotion for the first time.
The Captain's brows knitted tighter behind his helmet. His gaze fixed intently on Bai You from behind his mask, as though he were reassessing the little girl's strength.
The Doctor's eyes lit up, and he stared fixedly at Bai You as if he had discovered some priceless treasure.
His gaze behind the monocle was so intense it seemed ready to bore through her. "...How fascinating. Little girl, would you mind letting me study your body? I'm very interested in you right now."
"Dottore." The Tsaritsa gave him a cold look.
The Doctor immediately reined in his gaze and adjusted his glasses, his smile turning refined again. "My apologies, Your Majesty. I lost my composure."
The Rooster was the first to nod with a smile. "I have no objection either. Heroes emerge from the young, after all. Though this young friend is small, her strength speaks for itself."
The Regrator picked up his account book from the floor and adjusted his glasses, his tone carrying a hint of resignation:
"Since Your Majesty has already decided, I naturally have no objection. It's just... the twelfth seat's salary and authority will need to be recalculated."
Though La Signora still looked displeased, this was the Tsaritsa's order, so she made no further objection. She glanced at Bai You, snorted coldly, and turned her face away.
The Captain was silent for a long time before he spoke, his voice low and hoarse. "I have no objection. But I will find an opportunity to personally test the twelfth seat's strength."
Bai You's heart skipped a beat when she heard that.
Test my strength?
In the story, The Captain, the first seat, had fought the Pyro Archon blow for blow. Though he had ultimately lost, the Pyro Archon was clearly just too strong.
[Don't be afraid, don't be afraid.]
The system said in her mind.
[Worst comes to worst, you can just fight him when the time comes. What's there to fear?]
Easy for you to say. It doesn't hurt your back to talk while standing, Bai You thought.
The Tsaritsa looked at the Harbingers' reactions and nodded in satisfaction. "Since none of you object, then-"
She rose, her ice-blue eyes sweeping across the room, her voice solemn and dignified:
"Bai You, codename Water Nymph, officially assumes the position of the Fatui's twelfth Harbinger today."
Meanwhile, in the theater's rehearsal room.
Varesa stood at the center of the stage, absentmindedly singing a high note while glancing every so often at the rehearsal hall doors.
"Wrong."
Odette's voice came from below the stage, carrying a hint of resignation.
"That should be a semitone higher. You sang it flat. Also, your breath control is unsteady. You've been wavering this whole time."
Varesa stuck out her tongue, jumped down from the stage, and plopped down beside Odette. "Oh, I know, I know."
"What do you know?" Odette looked at her. "You've been distracted since this morning, staring at the door the whole time. It's not as if Bai You is going to come looking for you in the rehearsal hall."
Her thoughts exposed, Varesa blushed slightly, but quickly grew indignant again:
"I just miss her! She ran off on her own, and I don't even know where she went. I thought she'd insist on coming with me. I even prepared what I'd say to the director to let Bai You stay."
"Do you think something happened to her?" Varesa frowned, looking worried.
"Snezhnaya is so big, and she's just a child. What if she gets lost? What if someone tricks her?"
"What could happen to her?" Odette said calmly. "She isn't really a child. Besides, didn't she say she had something to take care of and would come back when she was done?"
"But it's already been several hours..." Varesa hung her head like a great cat abandoned by its owner.
"I miss her so much. She should be sitting down there watching me rehearse, bringing me water and wiping my sweat..."
Odette looked at her, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.
They had only been apart for a few hours, and she missed Bai You this much already?
"All right, stop thinking about it." Odette shoved the score into her hands.
"The public performance is the day after tomorrow. How are you going to get on stage in this state? Focus on rehearsal. Once you're done, you'll see her soon enough."
Varesa took the score, but still couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
She propped up her chin and gazed out the window, muttering, "I wonder what she's doing now, whether she's eating properly, whether she misses me..."
Odette shook her head helplessly.
Little did they know that Bai You was standing in a conference room in Snezhnaya Palace, having already become an executive, and had completely forgotten that a person and a Water Nymph at the theater were thinking about her.
Sorry, I said yesterday that I'd release extra chapters, but I really didn't have time. I never keep a stockpile of chapters, and I only just finished writing these two. I've been writing since sometime after nine, so they're fresh off the press. There'll be more during the day, and I've left all the gift thank-yous for then. I can barely keep going now; I got up at six and haven't slept since. If there are any problems with the plot in these chapters, feel free to point them out, and I'll fix them during the day.
Even without these words, this chapter is long enough to count as two chapters~
The story should return to everyday life in a few chapters tomorrow.
As for the extra chapters owed for gifts, I'll make them up over the next few days. Thanks, everyone, for your support.
Thanks, everyone, for your support. Good night! ദ്ദി˶＞＜)✧