Kidnapped to Snezhnaya

[Actually, there were supposed to be three chapters yesterday, but after thinking it over, I decided to save this one for today awa]

[Just so you know, I don't know the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya's name, so I just borrowed Bronya's name from next door (]

The Tenryou Commission's combat drills were several times more brutal than Baichen had imagined.

He knelt on one knee, his knee sinking deep into the training ground's sand, as if the merciless sand were about to swallow his entire body.

Sweat poured from his forehead like a bursting flood, mingling with blood as it ran down his cheeks and dripped onto the scorching sand, where it instantly evaporated.

His armor was battered beyond recognition. Its once-hardened shell had become so fragile that it seemed it would shatter into countless pieces at the slightest touch.

Cracks and scratches covered the armor. In some places, marks left by enemy attacks still remained, gaping wounds that spoke of the ferocity of the battle just now.

The practice tachi in his hand was in even worse shape.

Its blade was riddled with cracks, as though it had been struck by countless bolts of lightning.

The cracks had not only greatly reduced the tachi's power, but also left it in danger of breaking at any moment.

Yet none of that was the worst of it.

Baichen looked past the sand before him and fixed his gaze on Kujou Sara across from him.

Her wings were spread wide like a bird of prey soaring through the sky, and she radiated an aura that made his heart tremble.

Electro gathered wildly on the longbow in her hands, forming a dazzling arrow of light. Its radiance was so brilliant that Baichen could barely look straight at it.

"Final strike," she announced calmly. "Are you ready?"

Baichen gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand.

Two weeks of intense training had pushed his body to its limits, but his will was firmer than ever.

The instant Kujou released the bowstring, he instinctively rolled to the side. The arrow of light grazed his cheek and blasted a huge hole in the stone wall behind him.

"Nice!" The Okuzumeshuu watching the fight burst into cheers.

Kujou put away her weapon and gave a rare hint of a smile. "Remarkable progress, Mr. Baichen. The Shogun will be pleased."

[Combat drill complete]

[Overall combat strength increased to B- rank]

[Raiden Shogun's favorability +2%, current: 67%]

Just as Baichen was about to thank her, a bone-chilling cold suddenly swept across the entire training ground.

Thick frost formed on the ground, and moisture in the air condensed into tiny ice crystals. An elegant, icy female voice came from the gate:

"This is Inazuma's rising star? He looks... ordinary enough."

Everyone instantly went on combat alert.

Standing at the entrance was a tall woman-the Fatui Harbinger La Signora. She wasn't wearing her signature mask today, revealing a beautiful yet cold face.

Cryo swirled around her fingertips, instantly freezing several approaching Okuzumeshuu into ice sculptures.

"How dare you!" Kujou immediately nocked an arrow and drew her bow. "You trespassed on the Tenryou Commission's training ground. Are you trying to start a war?"

La Signora chuckled. "I only came to deliver an invitation."

She elegantly flicked out an ice-blue letter. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya invites this... Mr. Baichen to attend next month's Winter Capital Celebration."

The letter drifted to Baichen, the gilded Snezhnayan national emblem on it radiating a bone-chilling cold.

He cautiously refrained from taking it. "I've never met Her Majesty the Tsaritsa..."

"But Her Majesty is very interested in you." La Signora cut him off and suddenly took a step forward.

The movement prompted a chorus of weapons being drawn, but she paid it no mind. "Especially... that special affinity for Electro you possess."

Kujou had already drawn her bow to its fullest. "Leave at once, or else..."

"Or else what?" La Signora's smile turned dangerous. "You'll kill me? Then Snezhnaya's fleet will appear off Inazuma's coast tomorrow."

As they stood at an impasse, the training ground's gates were pushed open once more.

The Raiden Shogun appeared in the doorway, lightning flashing fiercely in her violet eyes.

"La Signora." Her voice was frighteningly calm. "You've overstepped."

La Signora curtsied gracefully. "I merely delivered Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's invitation. Why are you angry, Shogun?"

Ei ignored her and walked straight to Baichen, lightly touching the wound on his face. Electro flowed through it, and the bleeding immediately stopped as a scab formed.

"Go back and tell your Tsaritsa," Ei said coldly. "Baichen belongs to Inazuma. He will not go to Snezhnaya."

[Raiden Shogun's favorability +3%, current: 70%]

[Note: A strong declaration of protection]

La Signora shrugged dismissively. "What a shame. But..." Her gaze swept between Baichen and Ei. "Her Majesty also asked me to pass on a message: 'It's time to honor your promise to an old friend.'"

The words struck Ei's heart like a sledgehammer. Her pupils abruptly contracted, and the Musou Isshin hummed in her hand.

"You..."

"Think it over carefully~" La Signora had already turned to leave. "My ship will be waiting at Ritou in three days. If he doesn't show up... Hehe."

She dissolved into a flurry of ice and snow, leaving only a room full of cold and ice sculptures scattered across the ground. Ei waved a hand to free the Okuzumeshuu from the ice, her expression frighteningly grim.

"Back to Tenshukaku," she ordered curtly. "Now."

Inside a secret chamber in Tenshukaku, Ei showed a rare sign of fatigue. She sat by the window, moonlight tracing a silver edge along her profile.

"The promise to an old friend... What is it?" Baichen asked carefully.

Ei was silent for a long time before she finally spoke. "Five hundred years ago, when I had just established Inazuma, the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya offered her assistance."

Her fingers brushed gently over the blade. "In exchange, I agreed to grant her one request in the future."

The astonishing secret left Baichen at a loss for words.

Ei turned to him, her violet eyes filled with emotions he had never seen in them before. "I didn't expect... her to ask for you."

"What do you plan... to do?"

"I don't know." Ei was unusually frank. "Inazuma cannot go to war with Snezhnaya, but..." Her hand suddenly clenched. "I don't want you to leave either."

[Raiden Shogun's favorability -5%, current: 65%]

[Note: Struggling with a dilemma]

Over the next two days, the atmosphere in Tenshukaku grew tense to the extreme.

Ei dealt with documents almost without sleep or rest, occasionally summoning trusted aides for private discussions.

Baichen was effectively confined to his room, and even Ganyu's elemental lessons were canceled.

On the morning of the third day, Kujou brought him Ei's decision. "The Shogun has agreed to let you go to Snezhnaya... but there are conditions."

The conditions were strict: he could stay for only two weeks, he had to be accompanied by Tenryou Commission guards, and he had to report to Ei every day through special talismans.

"This is the greatest concession the Shogun can make." Kujou handed Baichen a purple magatama. "Keep it on you. It can save your life at a critical moment."

[Item obtained: Electro Archon's Talisman]

[Effect: Releases one full-power strike from the Raiden Shogun]

The farewell was calmer than he had imagined.

Ei stood at the highest point of Tenshukaku, gazing into the distance toward the docks. She did not come to see him off, but entrusted Kujou with a letter for him.

The letter contained only a brief sentence: "Grow stronger, then come back. -Ei"

[Raiden Shogun's favorability -3%, current: 62%]

[Note: A restrained farewell]

When Baichen stepped aboard the Snezhnayan ship, he couldn't help feeling a surge of amazement.

The ship was even more luxurious than he had imagined, its hull gleaming with a cold light, as though it had been fashioned from some mysterious ice crystal.

Yet in stark contrast to its magnificent exterior, the entire ship radiated a hair-raising chill.

He entered the cabin and found tiny snowflakes drifting even inside, as though this were a world of ice and snow.

The snowflakes danced through the air, giving the place a dreamlike quality, but also making it feel unbearably cold.

La Signora led him to a passenger cabin on the uppermost deck, her manner unexpectedly courteous.

She smiled as she explained the cabin's facilities and services to Baichen, then quietly left, leaving him alone in the strange, cold surroundings.

"Don't be so tense." She handed him a steaming cup of tea. "Her Majesty only wants to meet you."

Baichen cautiously left the tea untouched. "Why me?"

La Signora smiled without answering, instead asking, "Do you know why women have held the dominant position in Teyvat since ancient times?"

The sudden question caught him off guard.

"Because of Elemental Power," she answered her own question. "Women's affinity for Elemental Power is generally ten times higher than men's.

"And exceptions like you and me..." Her fingers suddenly tipped up Baichen's chin. "Always attract particular attention."

[Fatui Harbinger: La Signora]

[Current favorability: 15% (motivated by interest)]

The voyage lasted five days. La Signora occasionally came to chat, discussing everything from elemental mastery to the customs of different nations, displaying a wealth of knowledge.

If Baichen hadn't known her true identity, he might almost have thought this was an ordinary trip.

On the morning of the sixth day, the outline of Snezhnaya's capital finally appeared on the horizon.

It was a city built entirely of ice crystals, refracting the morning sun into a rainbow of colors.

Ice-sculpture guards stood in neat ranks at the harbor to welcome their arrival.

"Welcome to the Winter Capital." La Signora made an exaggerated gesture. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa has been waiting for a long time."

Zapolyarny Palace was even grander than he had imagined.

Beneath an enormous ice-crystal dome, a long red carpet led straight to the throne.

All sorts of people stood on either side. Judging by their clothing, they were probably all high-ranking members of the Fatui.

Baichen's gaze was drawn irresistibly to the figure on the throne-

Bronya, the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya, looked much younger than she had in the game. Her long, ice-blue hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and the crystal crown on her head gleamed brilliantly.

Most striking of all were her eyes. They were an almost translucent pale color, as though they could see through souls.

"At last we meet, Baichen." Her voice was ethereal and distant, yet carried unquestionable authority. "I have waited a very, very long time."

Before he could bow, she suddenly descended from the throne and personally helped Baichen up under the astonished gazes of everyone present. "You must be tired from the journey. Rest first. We can talk in detail at the banquet."

The excessive favor set off waves of whispers.

La Signora wore a meaningful smile at the side, while the other Harbingers' expressions varied-some were curious, some jealous, and others... seemed to have known this would happen all along.

[Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya's first appearance]

[Current favorability: 25% (a fateful interest)]

Baichen was led through winding corridors and magnificent halls, finally arriving at the most luxurious guest room in the palace.

When he pushed open the door, a wave of warmth greeted him, a stark contrast to the snow-covered royal garden outside the window.

He walked to the window and gazed at the beautiful, silver-clad scenery, unable to suppress a feeling of awe.

Just then, a soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

He turned and saw a maid enter, carrying a set of exquisite clothing.

"Her Majesty had this prepared especially for you," the maid said with a smile. "Please change into it. The banquet begins at seven, and someone will come to escort you then."

Baichen took the outfit and examined it closely.

It was a set of Snezhnayan formalwear, with soft fur lining the silver-white outer robe and delicate snowflake patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. Every stitch revealed extraordinary refinement and luxury.

After changing into the formalwear, he stood before the mirror and looked himself over.

The outfit seemed tailor-made for him, fitting his figure perfectly and lending him an even nobler, more elegant air.

The Electro Archon's bite mark on his right ear had been deliberately left visible, like a silent declaration.

When Baichen arrived at the banquet, he was stunned by the sight before him.

The entire hall of ice and snow had been decorated in dazzling splendor. Brilliant crystal chandeliers cast a soft light over the delicacies covering the long table, making his mouth water.

Her Majesty the Tsaritsa had long been waiting at the head of the table. She smiled and beckoned Baichen over, indicating the seat to her right.

The honor drew looks of surprise and envy from the high-ranking Fatui present, their expressions growing even more varied.

"Pay them no mind," Bronya said softly, personally pouring him a glass of wine. "Try this. It's snowberry wine, a Snezhnayan specialty."

The wine was cool going down, with a hint of sweetness, nothing like the biting chill its name suggested.

Bronya watched his expression with satisfaction. "Do you like it? This was my favorite flavor when I was little."

Halfway through the banquet, she suddenly suggested taking Baichen to see the royal garden.

Under everyone's complicated gazes, he followed her outside.

Snezhnaya's night sky was exceptionally clear, and the aurora danced across it like ribbons of color.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" The Tsaritsa tilted her head back to gaze at the aurora. "Whenever I see this, I think of a prophecy I heard as a child."

"A prophecy?"

"About the arrival of an outlander." She turned to Baichen, the aurora reflected in her pale eyes. "Someone who could change Teyvat's fate."

His heart tightened at her words.

But Bronya suddenly smiled. "Don't be nervous. I'm not going to interrogate you."

She reached out and brushed the snowflakes off his shoulder. "On the contrary... I want to help you."

"Help me?"

"Help you grow stronger." The Tsaritsa's voice suddenly turned serious. "Strong enough to control your own fate."

As soon as she finished speaking, a system notification suddenly appeared:

[Strong energy fluctuations detected]

[Temporary skill unlocked: Cryo Affinity (basic)]

A chill flowed into his body from where the Tsaritsa had touched him, coexisting in a wondrous way with the Electro already there.

Bronya seemed to notice something, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly:

"Do you feel it? This is the first gift I want to give you."

[Reward obtained: Cryo Mastery (basic)]

[Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya's favorability +5%, current: 30%]

When they returned to the banquet hall, everyone noticed the new Cryo aura surrounding Baichen.

La Signora raised a brow with interest, while another female Harbinger wearing a mask-The Knave-walked straight over.

"Interesting." She studied him through her mask. "A wielder of two elements... Her Majesty truly has a discerning eye."

The Captain was a tall, powerfully built man. He roughly squeezed Baichen's shoulder. "Your physique is too weak. You need special training."

The most unsettling was "The Doctor." The man, who looked like a mad scientist, took a strand of his hair as a sample. "Perfect experimental material..."

[Several Fatui Harbingers make their collective appearance]

[Current affection levels:

"La Signora": 18%

"The Knave": 12%

"The Captain": 10%

"The Doctor": 5% (research interest)]

After the banquet, the Tsaritsa personally escorted Baichen back to his room.

At the door, she suddenly leaned down and placed a cold kiss on his forehead.

"Get some rest. Starting tomorrow, I'll personally teach you how to use Cryo."

The overly intimate gesture left him frozen in place.

The Tsaritsa, however, smiled like a child whose prank had succeeded. "What, didn't the Raiden Shogun teach you these things?"

[Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya's affection +3%, currently 33%]

[Note: A subtle comparison with a rival]

Back in his room, Baichen immediately checked his belongings.

The Electro Archon's Talisman and Ganyu's safety bell were still there, but the Tenryou Commission guards had been stationed outside the palace.

Worse still, the talismans used for daily reports were completely ineffective here-the Zapolyarny Palace's ice-crystal walls seemed to block all elemental communication.

Outside the window, the aurora was still dancing across the night sky.

He rubbed the bite mark on his right ear, which had become unusually sensitive from the infusion of Cryo.

In just a few days, he had gone from Inazuma's "special adviser" to the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya's honored guest. The change had come dizzyingly fast.

The system panel flickered before his eyes, displaying the latest data:

[Current ability levels:

Electro Mastery: LV.45

Cryo Mastery: LV.15

Overall combat strength: Rank B]

[Current walkthrough progress:

Raiden Shogun: 62% (long-distance concern)

Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya: 33% (special attention)

"La Signora": 18% (strong interest)

Other Harbingers: 5-12% (varying degrees of curiosity)]

Baichen slowly raised his hand, his fingers seemingly drawn by an invisible force as they gently brushed the forehead the Tsaritsa had kissed.

In that instant, time seemed to stop. He could clearly feel the lingering chill of ice and snow on his forehead, the aura of the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya.

The ice-crystal palace was like a fairyland from a dream. Its crystal-clear walls and ceilings reflected a faint light, shrouding the entire space in a cold atmosphere.

Yet beneath the seemingly tranquil surroundings, he could feel countless pairs of eyes watching him in secret. He seemed to have become the focus of attention for multiple factions.

The mysterious Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya had appeared like the brightest star in the night sky, brilliant and dazzling. The "prophecy" and "fate" she had spoken of were like a fog, leaving him unable to make sense of them.

What exactly did those words mean? More worrying still, when the two weeks were over, would he really be able to return to Inazuma without trouble?

He prayed silently, hoping everything would go as he wished.

Yet faced with this unknown journey, the unease in his heart followed him like a shadow, refusing to dissipate.

Or... was this an elaborately planned imprisonment from the very beginning?