"So the first thing you did after coming to Fontaine was look for girls here?"
Arlecchino suddenly pushed the door open.
Her cold gaze swept across everyone in the room—
Lingering on Navia for a few seconds.
Just those few seconds alone brought Navia overwhelming pressure.
Compared to Su Ran, this Fifth Harbinger named Arlecchino felt far more like a true Fatui executive.
Because her danger—
Was visible to the naked eye.
"Can't you be a little gentler? You're scaring the kid."
Su Ran reached out and gently patted Little Arlecchino's head.
But the look he gave Arlecchino herself was filled with provocation.
"I don't believe something modeled after me would be that easily frightened."
Little Arlecchino wasn't the focus of her attention.
Though she did acknowledge her ability.
Being able to secure the Hydro Archon's Gnosis before her—
That strength deserved recognition.
"Sigh… So what did you come to see me for?"
Arlecchino didn't know what that sigh was supposed to mean.
But was her purpose really that hard to guess?
Hadn't they already discussed it before he left Snezhnaya?
"You tell me."
"See? Your people skills really are worse than hers. When asking someone for help, is that the attitude you use? Navia's approach is much better than yours."
Su Ran carried Little Arlecchino over to the sofa and sat down.
Navia gave an awkward smile.
This Fifth Harbinger—
She fit her image of a Fatui executive much more closely.
"Perhaps I should leave?" Navia asked carefully.
This clearly looked like an internal Fatui discussion.
As an outsider, she felt out of place.
The Spina di Rosula had dealt with the Fatui plenty over the years.
Even if she had a good impression of "Genius," that didn't mean she trusted the entire Fatui.
"It's fine. They don't include me in any truly sensitive internal matters anyway, so there's no risk of secrets leaking."
Su Ran waved dismissively.
Navia blinked in confusion.
The Second Harbinger—
Not involved in important internal affairs?
Was he being sidelined because he was too kind?
"Don't make it sound like Fatui is full of internal oppression. You're the one who refuses to participate. Pierro has always been willing to assign you missions."
Arlecchino felt he was slandering their organization.
Who exactly wasn't letting him "play"?
When he was sent with Signora to Mondstadt to retrieve the Gnosis—
Wasn't he the one who ran off?
If not for that stunt, Pierro wouldn't consider him an uncontrollable headache.
When problems arise, maybe examine yourself instead of blaming others.
In Inazuma, he trapped everyone in a dream.
In Liyue, he imprisoned the Geo Archon and granted Childe power at the level of a god.
He personally annihilated a god in a single strike.
Now everyone in the Fatui knew:
The "Genius" was the strongest.
And the most reckless.
Who would dare order him around?
Even Her Majesty the Tsaritsa treated him with extreme tolerance.
"Fatui has serious internal exploitation. Look at how many Harbingers are constantly on foreign assignments—running around in the sun and wind. Meanwhile, those rich officials sit comfortably at home enjoying themselves. And we don't even get overseas hardship pay."
"And then there's Dottore—turned himself into multiple segments for work. Has he ever received multiple salaries?"
Su Ran listed grievance after grievance.
Navia listened and genuinely began to feel that Harbingers had it rough.
But those complaints might fool outsiders.
They didn't work on Arlecchino.
Snezhnaya was the true frozen wasteland.
Which of the other six nations had harsher weather?
Even Natlan was more hospitable than Snezhnaya—
At least it had flowing water and greenery.
Snezhnaya?
Just endless snow.
"Those lines might fool others. You think they'll work on me?"
Arlecchino crossed her legs, unmoved.
She had been a Harbinger longer than he had.
She knew perfectly well how things operated.
Those officials "hiding" in Snezhnaya managed logistics.
Foreign assignments were tiring—
But Harbingers stationed in other nations lived quite comfortably.
Take Childe, for example.
How many extravagant expenses in Liyue did Pantalone constantly complain about?
Was the funding ever cut?
No.
"…Probably won't work."
"Ah?"
Navia stared.
So all that complaining earlier was nonsense?
"The Hydro Archon's Gnosis is already secured. Logically, our mission here should be complete. But what you told Lyney and Lynette—you haven't forgotten, have you?"
The Fontaine prophecy.
Arlecchino wasn't Fontaine-born.
But she had lived here long enough.
More importantly—
The children of the House of the Hearth were here.
If the prophecy came true, their lives would be in danger.
That was something she would never tolerate.
Which was precisely why she needed Su Ran's help.
She still didn't know the full truth behind the prophecy.
But judging by his track record—
If anyone could overturn fate itself, it was him.
That was why she came immediately upon hearing he had arrived.
If it were another Harbinger—
She wouldn't have been nearly this proactive.
Of course, she hadn't forgotten the medical aid he had once promised for the House of the Hearth either.
"So in the end… you're here because of the prophecy too."
Su Ran wasn't surprised at all.
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