"What exactly is it?"
Something capable of influencing the climate of all of Teyvat— even the Seven Archons couldn't do that.
At best, an Archon could control the skies of their own nation, and even that depended on their elemental nature.
But the shadowy gloom now blanketing all of Teyvat what kind of existence could create such a phenomenon?
The Tsaritsa cared deeply— and after seeing the true worth of this "Genius,"
she knew clearly:
She absolutely must keep this treasure close.
Never let anyone steal him away.
Inazuma's Raiden Ei was already one example.
Even Fontaine's Hydro Archon, Furina just because Su Ran had once spoken her name—
the Tsaritsa now viewed her with special caution.
"It's just a powerful insect," Su Ran said casually.
"But don't worry—I've implanted a deep mental imprint in it.
So even if it hatches, it won't immediately harm Teyvat."
The destructive potential of a swarm?
Even Su Ran didn't want to see that disaster unfold again.
"That thing… is strong?"
the Tsaritsa asked, shocked once more.
This genius had only left her sight for a few days and he had already created such an unimaginable creature?
How was she supposed to let someone like this wander the world freely, "playing around" every day?
Who knew how anxious she felt inside?
"It's not that strong," Su Ran shrugged.
"Probably just strong enough that if you gather all past Thrones together, it would one-shot them."
He had F2P flexed (F2P = Free To Pretend) the hardest brag in history.
But among those present, only a few truly believed him.
Signora believed it— because she had witnessed Su Ran give Childe power on par with a demon god.
The Tsaritsa believed it— because of everything involving Raiden Ei and the Inazuman dream.
But others?
They found it hard to accept.
Sure, the Genius was strong but that strong?
How could someone that absurdly powerful be a Fatui Harbinger at all?
They knew their own ranks well.
How could they accept a colleague who suddenly seemed superhuman?
"Hmph. Braggart."
Other people hesitated to speak but Scaramouche was different.
He really was arrogant.
And really deserved a beating.
Especially with how short he was while still acting so aggressive it just made people want to punt him.
"Big Cannon, nobody asked you to speak.
What's wrong? After your mommy beat you up, you didn't get rebuilt into a better person?"
"You—!"
The fact that someone knew he had been beaten by Baal that shocked Scaramouche to his core.
How did he know?!
Just because the Genius had been to Inazuma?
That fast?
And to make things worse now the other Harbingers knew too.
"You what?
You think she had nothing better to do than beat you up for fun?
I told her to."
Su Ran admitted it openly.
The admission made Scaramouche's fury spike.
He actually looked ready to challenge a higher-ranked Harbinger on the spot.
Even Signora pitied him a little.
This poor child
he had no idea just who he was provoking.
"Don't be so angry.
Let me cool you off"
Su Ran released a fraction of his Emanator-level power.
A terrifying pressure swept across the entire palace.
Even the Tsaritsa, sitting on her divine throne, felt her hands tremble for a moment.
As for the rest—
Sheer horror.
Especially Sandrone.
It was her first time seeing the Genius in person.
Only now did she finally understand—
How the Doctor had been killed so effortlessly.
How Capitano's helmet ended up cracked.
Even the Tsaritsa herself…
might not compare to this power.
The Genius was this strong?!
Su Ran soon retracted his aura.
Scaramouche, who moments ago was fuming, now shook with visible fear.
He had never imagined this man was operating on such a terrifying level.
"See?
If you listened from the start, we wouldn't need this.
But no—
you just had to make me show off."
Seeing Scaramouche wilt under pressure, Su Ran lost interest in teasing him.
Originally, he even wanted to say something like:
"Even if your mommy doesn't want you, you still have me.
I can be your dad and give you the love you never had."
But this kid crumbled too fast.
Too cowardly; not even fun.
"Anyway— that insect is terrifying.
Don't even think about it.
Destroying Teyvat would be easier for it than destroying Khaenri'ah was for Celestia."
He waved a hand lazily.
"This trip home?
Just wanted to bring Duck Duck some gifts."
Otherwise she'd stay in this cold palace worrying herself sick.
A few good things would help ease her mind.
He'd only used six of the fifty Synesthetic Anchors— plenty left.
Unless the Tsaritsa wanted every citizen of Snezhnaya to have one.
"As long as you remember Snezhnaya…
that's enough for me."
The Tsaritsa smiled warmly.
As long as the Genius still thought of them still valued them—
She was satisfied.
"By the way, how many did you save for Baal?"
She asked casually.
She planned to compare.
As long as Raiden Ei didn't get more than her, she automatically won.
"I didn't plan to give her any."
"…I see."
The Tsaritsa looked up toward the ceiling, her smile growing brighter—
utterly unrestrained.
She had them.
Raiden Ei had none.
She won big.
Won HUGE.
Won to the point of insanity.
She forced herself to hold back her grin— for the sake of her divine dignity.
She only laughed for about ten minutes.
Only.
The Harbingers collectively fell silent.
Before Su Ran arrived, this woman was the incomparably solemn, awe-inspiring Cryo Archon.
Then she turned into a resentful abandoned wife.
Now she was on track to becoming a full comedy act.
This was nothing like the deity they knew.
Even Pierro was beginning to wonder if the Tsaritsa had been swapped with a fake.
Her power was real, but everything else…
Something was definitely off.
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