The Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers, formerly known as Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, a Mondstadter, is approximately five hundred years old. Her Vision is Pyro, and she is known as the Crimson Witch of Embers.
It's a pity that her witch persona has no connection to the famous Hexenzirkel founded by Alice. Ultimately, her status was too low, and she didn't receive an invitation from Alice.
Rosalyne was a magical genius, a rare sight in Mondstadt for a century. For this, she even went to Sumeru to study. However, during her studies, the Cataclysm descended five hundred years ago. Mondstadt suffered heavy losses from this disaster, and most critically, Rosalyne's lover, the Knight Rostam, died in battle.
When she returned to her ravaged homeland and learned of Rostam's death, she was overwhelmed with grief. She shed all the tears and blood in her body, replaced by an endless, searing flame like molten iron.
It was for this reason that Rosalyne harbored extreme hostility towards Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, believing that as Mondstadt's Lord Barbatos, he failed to protect Mondstadt. This indirectly led to the death of her beloved. When the Crimson Witch of Embers pierced Barbatos's heart, she was absolutely venting her fury.
This life-fire, which burns with one's own body as fuel, is something the human body cannot endure for long. If allowed to continue Burning, let alone living for five hundred years, even living five more days would be a problem. It was at this moment that the First of the Fatui appeared before her, introducing her to the Tsaritsa.
The Tsaritsa bestowed upon her the clearance of ice, suppressing her constantly Burning flames. In exchange, she joined the Fatui, becoming a Harbinger, and under the Tsaritsa's leadership, prepared to overthrow this ancient world.
The Gnosis of the other Six Archons were indispensable. After successfully obtaining the Gnosis of the Anemo Archon and the God of Geo, the Crimson Witch of Embers rushed to Inazuma without stopping. After more than a year of meticulous planning, she was on the verge of obtaining the third Gnosis, but the duck that was almost in her mouth flew away.
On her way to the Tenshukaku, the Crimson Witch of Embers constantly pondered other plans. Using the future of Inazuma's populace as a bargaining chip to retrieve the Gnosis was definitely a viable approach. However, since the Vision Hunt Decree had completely failed, what method could she use to make Inazuma show signs of national collapse?
Perhaps, she could ask Dottore for some plague-inducing medicine?
Although the Fatui's reputation in Inazuma had completely soured, and there were no Fatui members even in Inazuma City, the identity of a Snezhnayan envoy was still very useful. In any country, Teyvat's strongest nation would be shown some deference.
Although she was pointed at and whispered about along the way, the Crimson Witch of Embers' psychological resilience was very strong. Moreover, in her eyes, the soldiers and civilians of Inazuma were merely ants. Do you pay attention to what the ants under your feet are doing when you walk?
When the Crimson Witch of Embers entered the Tenshukaku, she saw only two figures sitting on a high platform in the vast space. They were currently playing a game of chess. However, the legendary Raiden Shogun was frowning deeply, staring intently at the board, as if lost in thought, contemplating her next move.
As for the other person playing against the Raiden Shogun, he was a black-haired young man. His face was full of ease and relaxation, making him seem quite comfortable. He must be the new Inazuma Regent mentioned in the intelligence reports—Uchiha Mikage, right?
Watching them both intently focused on the chessboard, the Crimson Witch of Embers felt intentionally ignored. Furthermore, according to the intelligence she had gathered, her meticulously planned scheme had been ruined by Uchiha Mikage, who had also used this opportunity to become Inazuma's Regent. This made the already displeased Crimson Witch of Embers even more annoyed.
"The Snezhnayan diplomatic envoy, the Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers—the Crimson Witch of Embers, greets General Raiden Shogun and Regent." Even if she was annoyed internally, the necessary courtesies had to be followed. The Crimson Witch of Embers greeted the Raiden Shogun and Yuto neither obsequiously nor arrogantly. However, let alone kneeling, her bow was extremely perfunctory.
Unfortunately, the Crimson Witch of Embers' demeanor and words did not attract the attention of the two on the high platform. They remained engrossed in their game, whether intentionally or accidentally.
The Crimson Witch of Embers, having received no response, was somewhat angered, but after careful consideration, she suppressed it. Losing one's temper is human instinct, but being able to suppress it is a skill.
However, when the Crimson Witch of Embers looked up at the chessboard where the two were playing, a certain object on the board made her eyes widen instantly, and her breathing became rapid. That chess piece on the board, could it be... a Gnosis?
The Crimson Witch of Embers looked closely. As someone who had personally touched two Gnosis, the Gnosis was an all-too-familiar item to her. Yes, it was indeed the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis that she had been longing for.
After planning for so long in Inazuma, she finally saw the real thing. She never expected the Raiden Shogun to use a Gnosis as a chess piece on the board; it was truly a waste of precious resources.
The Crimson Witch of Embers had just had a very crazy idea—to directly snatch it—but ultimately, reason triumphed over greed. Sitting before her was the Raiden Shogun, one of The Seven. To snatch a Gnosis in her presence, wouldn't that be like an old man hanging himself—seeking death?
After seeing the Gnosis she had been pursuing, the Crimson Witch of Embers' mood began to calm down. She stood by, quietly waiting for the two to finish their game. However, when the Crimson Witch of Embers saw the Raiden Shogun pick up the Gnosis and manipulate it on the chessboard, her emotions also fluctuated.
Finally, Yuto, with a steady and solid play, captured all of Raiden Ei's other pieces, leaving only the piece represented by the single Gnosis. He smiled and said, "Checkmate, General Raiden Shogun, you lose."
The Raiden Shogun picked up her Gnosis, sighed helplessly, and said, "Yes, I lost. I'll honor the wager. This piece is yours."
The Raiden Shogun tossed the Gnosis to Yuto like a pebble. Yuto casually put it into his pocket, without the slightest reluctance, which made the Crimson Witch of Embers, who was observing from the side, practically pop her eyes out!
Wh-what's going on? Such a precious Gnosis just given away like that? Is it that simple? Then all her painstaking efforts and troubles in Inazuma for so long... she felt like she had been played.
"Hmm? Who is standing below the platform? The Tenshukaku is an important place in Inazuma. Those who trespass here should be immediately eliminated!"
"Wa-wait, I am the Snezhnayan diplomatic envoy, the Eighth of the Fatui Harbingers—the Crimson Witch of Embers. I received an invitation from the Regent and came to the Tenshukaku by invitation, not as a trespasser."
"Is that so? Regent?"
"Ah? Oh! It seems there was indeed such a matter. Alas! My memory, I completely forgot about it."
-------------------------
Thank you for following my story. If you want to read it first, please visit my Patreon — there are about 40 chapters waiting there. Your support really motivates me to continue to release more stories!
👉[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]