In the meeting room.
When she finished speaking, the Tsaritsa raised her hand, and a pale blue badge formed at her fingertips.
The badge was carved entirely from frost crystal in the shape of a blooming ice lotus, with an ice-blue gemstone set at the center of its petals.
Intricate Fatui insignias were engraved around its edges, glinting faintly in the cold light.
"This is the token of a Harbinger." The Tsaritsa raised her hand slightly, and the badge floated over to Bai You.
Bai You reached out with her little hands and carefully took the badge.
It felt cool to the touch, but not bitingly cold. Instead, it had a gentle warmth, like holding a handful of melted snow.
She looked down at the badge in her palm, her eyes sparkling.
Wow-
So this is a Harbinger's token?
It's so pretty!
She held the badge in her palm and examined it from side to side, nodding in satisfaction.
Mm, it suits me.
[Not bad, not bad. You really look the part.]
The system suddenly popped up in her mind again, clicking its tongue in praise.
[As of today, you've got an official position.]
What official position? Bai You said in her mind. System, you've seriously lost it, haven't you?
System, you're really useless. You're always spouting nonsense. If I hadn't improvised in front of the Tsaritsa, right now...
[Yes, yes, our Whatsit Bai You is the greatest,] the system said cheekily.
Ignoring the stupid system, Bai You raised her head and looked earnestly at the Tsaritsa on the throne.
The Tsaritsa sat back down, sweeping her gaze over the Harbingers assembled before her. Her voice returned to its usual cool tone:
"Now that the new seat has been settled, let us discuss the arrangements for the near future."
All the Harbingers immediately composed themselves and listened attentively.
"La Signora." The Tsaritsa looked at Rosalyne, the Eighth Harbinger.
"At your service." La Signora stood, stepped forward, and bowed.
"Tomorrow, you will go to Mondstadt." The Tsaritsa's voice was even, but carried unquestionable authority.
"Your target-the Anemo Archon Barbatos's Gnosis."
A burning light flashed in La Signora's eyes. "Understood. This time, I will bring the Gnosis back to Snezhnaya."
The Tsaritsa nodded, then looked at Tartaglia, who stood to one side.
"Tartaglia."
"At your service!" Tartaglia stepped forward. Though his clothes were still torn, he had recovered much of his energy.
"In one week, you will go to Liyue," the Tsaritsa said. "Your target-the Geo Archon Morax's Gnosis."
"Liyue?" Tartaglia's eyes lit up, excitement sparkling in his blue pupils.
"I've heard Liyue has plenty of adepti, not to mention the Geo Archon Morax, an old fellow who's lived for thousands of years... Interesting. I won't let Your Majesty down!"
As he spoke, he couldn't help glancing at Bai You.
If only I could get this little girl to come to Liyue with me. She's seriously strong. With her there, the mission would be a lot easier.
But as soon as the thought surfaced, he dismissed it himself.
Forget it. She's just become a Harbinger; she definitely won't come with me.
The Tsaritsa continued, "In addition, the Harsh Winter Plan will enter its second phase."
Her gaze swept across the room, and her tone grew more forceful.
"Step up the implementation of the Harsh Winter Plan, gather as much energy as possible, and reduce the external supply of Keshnik Crystal Ore."
"The Regrator."
"At your service." Pantalone stepped forward, closing the ledger in his hands.
"You will have full responsibility for allocating funds for the Harsh Winter Plan."
"Whatever amount of Mora you need, draw it directly from the treasury. There is no need to report it," the Tsaritsa said.
The Regrator adjusted his glasses, a smile appearing on his face. "Understood."
The Tsaritsa then looked at The Jester, Pierro. "The Jester, you will remain in charge of the overall coordination of the Harsh Winter Plan."
"Understood." The Jester bowed slightly, his voice deep. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. The plan will proceed step by step."
"The Rooster." The Tsaritsa looked at Pulcinella. "Allow no mishaps in Snezhnaya's domestic affairs or the people's welfare."
Having arranged everything, the Tsaritsa stood. "Very well, this meeting is over. Go and make your preparations."
"As Your Majesty commands."
The Harbingers bowed in unison, then began to leave.
La Signora left the fastest, vanishing in a flash of red.
Tartaglia followed behind, flexing his wrists as he walked and muttering, "Liyue, Liyue. I wonder if there's anyone there worth fighting."
The Doctor walked at a leisurely pace. As he passed Bai You, he stopped and stared at her intently through his monocle for several seconds before leaving, seemingly still wanting more.
As The Balladeer left, he made a point of looking at Bai You. He merely snorted, then turned and vanished at the end of the corridor.
In the blink of an eye, Bai You was the only one left in the vast audience chamber.
Oh, wait, no. The Tsaritsa's here too.
The Tsaritsa glanced at her. "You may leave. If there is anything you do not understand, ask the Captain. You should not have any assignments for the time being."
With that, she turned and left the meeting room through another door, which closed behind her.
Bai You stood in the empty meeting room, at a loss for a moment.
Where... should I go now?
Should I go find Varesa? But Varesa's rehearsing. Would I disturb her if I went over now?
Bai You stood where she was, looking left and right, her little face full of confusion.
[Host, host!]
The system's voice suddenly popped up in her mind, sounding somewhat excited.
"What?" Bai You said irritably. "Why didn't you come out earlier?"
[Meetings are so boring. I took a nap,] the system said without a hint of shame.
[But now I have a great suggestion!]
"What suggestion?"
[Go find Columbina!] the system said.
[Besides, look, Columbina is the Third Harbinger. She's gentle and pretty, so she must be much easier to get along with than those icy Harbingers!]
[You've just joined the Fatui, and you need someone to show you around. Columbina is the perfect choice!]
[And Columbina is Varesa and Odette's idol. If you could trick her into coming with you and bring her back to the theater... Just imagining it is exciting.]
"What are you talking about? Varesa's the only one in my heart. You shitty system, you're trying to shake my resolve."
Bai You thought about it and decided that, aside from the tricking part, the system had a point.
"You're pretty right about the rest. So, system, do you have anything tasty? Preferably some fruit, bread, or something. Columbina likes simple food like that in the game."
[Whatsit You has finally come to her senses again. Then I, the system, will be kind and give you some.]
[Congratulations, host, you have obtained 100 apples, 100 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of grapes, 100 strawberries...]
"...System, when are you going to give me 100 divine artifacts?"
[In your dreams.]
I'm starting to slowly make up the extra chapters for gifts now. There are still 11 chapters to go ˃ ˂