The office fell quiet.
Jean looked at the pinkish-blue ice crystal with a serious expression.
“The Tsar’s legacy?” she asked.
“Are you referring to the first Cryo Archon?”
“Yes,” Filins said.
“After the late Tsar passed away, the unique ice crystals formed from his remains became our greatest shield against the Abyss.”
His gaze fell upon the ice, his voice softening.
“This is also why Ice VI only appeared five hundred years ago. Every winter, the rifts of the Abyssal invasion are repaired by these ice crystals, entering a weakened phase. This is the only time the Lantern Bearers can recuperate and prepare for battle, giving them a brief respite for a quarter of the year.”
He raised the ice crystal in his hand.
“Ice VI is divided into three types—skeletal ore, overgrown ore, and fragmented ore. And this piece here is skeletal ore.”
Lisa cast aside her lazy demeanor and listened intently.
Albedo’s eyes never left the ice crystal.
“Skeletal ore?” he asked.
“How does it differ from the other types?”
“That traces back to the cataclysm of five hundred years ago,” Filins said.
“When the Abyss invaded Teyvat, the nations won a pyrrhic victory, though many of the Archons fell. The same was true for the late Tsar, His Majesty Monomakh. The white ice and snow swallowed the black tide, but the Abyss also claimed the minds and lives of many fairies.”
His voice was low, and his slow, measured storytelling drew everyone back into the annals of history.
“Back then, the Abyss eroded the land, carving wounds into the earth like malignant tumors. Monsters poured out of them relentlessly, threatening the safety of the people above. The late Tsar knew he was beyond saving, yet the power unleashed by the death of a god was immense enough to repel the black tide of the Abyss. His remains scattered far and wide, sealing most of the Abyssal rifts in the northern lands. These remains became the skeletal ore that allowed Ice VI to form in Teyvat.”
Filins held the ice slightly higher.
“Skeletal ore can grow on its own, generating thick layers of ice that block the Abyssal rifts. This derivative is called overgrown ore. Wherever skeletal ore exists, it can repair the damage caused by the Abyss and seal its rifts. It possesses a natural suppressive effect against Abyssal power and all of its derivatives. And what is chipped off from the overgrown ore is the fragmented ore. Fragmented ore loses the vitality to grow on its own, retaining only the most basic properties.”
Albedo stared at the beautiful crystal, which looked like a work of art.
The ice inside was not perfectly clear; one could faintly perceive something encased deep within its heart.
“Allow me to ask you all a question,” Filins countered.
“What is the Abyss?”
Jean pondered for a moment.
“The common enemy of humanity in Teyvat, and the source of countless tragedies and disasters.”
Lisa’s answer was highly academic.
“A scourge from beyond this world. It possesses the ability to access Teyvat’s memories by eroding the Ley Line system, executing targeted destruction. Its characteristics lean toward both disorder and destruction.”
Albedo, owing to his connection with the Hexenzirkel, had a deeper understanding of the Abyss.
“The essence of the Abyss is the resentment of all ‘unrealized destinies.'”
Filins nodded.
“You are all correct. The Abyss can be abstractly summarized as a sort of highly toxic, filthy ‘memory’.”
He looked at the ice crystal in his hand.
“And as you know, the Tsar of White Sands can manufacture Light Cones that store memories. One of the raw materials for Light Cones is Ice VI. The purer the Ice VI, the more memories it can accommodate. When it comes to fighting the Abyss, this translates to sealing and storing the Abyss within the crystal.”
Albedo became lost in thought.
*So that’s how it is.*
As a member of the Hexenzirkel, he possessed knowledge passed down from his mother, Rhinedottir.
For instance, the late Tsar Filins spoke of was a Descender.
Unlike the Fifth Descender—the Honorary Knight Lumine, who can directly purify the Abyss—the Fourth Descender, Monomakh, relied on storing it.
*How interesting.
Aunt Alice and Miss Nicole seem to have known him.
I hope to learn more from them when I get the chance.*
Jean looked at Filins.
“The Lantern Bearers are willing to share such a resource with Mondstadt?”
“Of course,” Filins said.
“What I hold is a precious piece of skeletal ore.”
He generously handed the ice crystal over to Jean.
“In addition, the Lantern Bearers are willing to share the technology for containing and utilizing this resource. Our members have developed a method to seal the Abyssal corruption using these crystals over the years, prolonging their containment effects. By supplying the skeletal ore with enough energy to let it produce overgrown ore, the fragmented ore chipped from it can be fashioned into portable amulets.”
He pointed to the small lantern at his waist.
“The glass of a Lantern Bearer’s lantern is mixed with fragmented ore. When we encounter the Wild Hunt, it glows red as a warning.”
“Thank you for the generosity of the Lantern Bearers, and for being willing to entrust such a precious item to us.” Jean rose, placed her right hand over her heart, and performed a standard knight’s salute.
“On behalf of the Knights of Favonius and Mondstadt, I express our deepest gratitude to your organization. And thank you, Mr. Filins, for escorting it all this way.”
Filins waved his hand.
“Please, there is no need for such formalities. Transporting this is my duty and obligation.”
His tone shifted, however.
“But if I may offer a word of advice—if possible, I hope the Knights will place this in the hands of someone highly reliable.”
Filins’s tone grew solemn.
“The skeletal ore must be hidden away with the utmost care. Snezhnaya tolerates the outflow of small amounts of fragmented ore, but they maintain extremely strict control over overgrown ore, and they absolutely forbid skeletal ore from leaving their borders.” This chapter was copied from NovelPing without permission.
Lisa arched an eyebrow.
“Is it because of the value of Ice VI? I’ve studied the Delusions produced by the Fatui; they seem to contain traces of Ice VI.”
Filins shook his head.
“To be precise, it’s out of the selfishness of the fairy nobility in Snezhnaya.”
He sighed softly.
“The Tsaritsa and the late Tsar… they were like father and daughter. She places immense value on the whereabouts of the skeletal ore. Yet, due to certain historical reasons, she sometimes compromises with the fairy nobility.”
He looked at the three people before him.
“This skeletal ore is something she tacitly permitted Nod-Krai to gift to Mondstadt. Whether by law or as family, Her Majesty Anastasia holds the right of disposal over the late Tsar’s remains. This serves as compensation for the aggressive diplomatic actions of the Eighth Harbinger in Mondstadt. However, the Snezhnayan fairies are fanatical about collecting the relics of the late Tsar scattered outside Snezhnaya, let alone a physical piece of his remains. Nod-Krai has been separated from Snezhnaya for many years. In the early days, the Tsaritsa granted autonomy to the ancestors of the Lantern Bearers.”
His voice dropped.
“But nowadays, a major reason the Tsaritsa wants to reclaim Nod-Krai is because most of the skeletal ore is scattered here, and many fairies have petitioned her to annex it.”
Jean’s expression grew grim.
With the Knights of Favonius’s expeditionary force already stationed in Nod-Krai, she began to worry for their safety.
“Perhaps you have some understanding of Snezhnaya’s movements,” Filins said.
“You know what they are plotting, and you are well aware of the Fatui’s attitude. I’ve heard that the Knights of Favonius have quite a strained relationship with the Harbingers. The Tsaritsa’s actions have grown increasingly urgent in recent years. She does not share her ‘love’ with those who leave Snezhnaya’s protective nest. The Fatui have also grown increasingly restless lately, causing widespread panic. We Lantern Bearers are even more worried that once the Fatui reclaim Nod-Krai, they will simply seize the skeletal ore without sending anyone to suppress the Wild Hunt. The home in the hearts of the people of Nod-Krai should be defended by themselves.”
Filins looked at Jean and the others present.
“In comparison, the Lantern Bearers would much prefer to cooperate with the Knights of Favonius and receive supply and material support. To borrow a phrase from some of my colleagues—after all, Mondstadt’s wine, meat, eggs, and milk are simply too delicious.”
The last remark drew a chuckle from Lisa, and even the corners of Jean’s mouth curved upward.
This gentleman certainly possessed a sense of humor.
“That won’t be a problem,” Jean said.
“To our allies, the Knights can provide long-term, stable material support.”
She stood up.
“Mr. Filins, you have traveled a long way. Please rest for the night, and tomorrow we can discuss the technical details in depth.”
Mika stepped forward to escort Filins out of the office.
“Then I shall trouble you, Mr. Mika.”
After the door closed, the office fell silent for a moment.
Jean turned her gaze to Lisa and Albedo.
“Do you think Mr. Filins was telling the truth?”
Lisa leaned back in her chair, twirling a strand of her auburn hair around her finger.
“The Ice VI is real. That pinkish-blue luster isn’t something ordinary ice crystals can replicate,” she said.
“As for the skeletal ore and the technology, we won’t know for sure until we talk in detail tomorrow.”
She paused, then added.
“Besides, the historical details he mentioned, as well as how Ice VI interacts with Abyssal corruption, align perfectly with documents preserved in the Akademiya.”
Albedo nodded.
“I’ve seen similar accounts in the archives of the Hexenzirkel. After the first Cryo Archon fell, his remains indeed transformed into a unique crystal that sealed the Abyssal rifts of the northern territories.”
He looked at Jean.
“But the problem isn’t whether he is telling the truth.”
“Then what is it?” Jean asked.
“It is that the value of this thing is far higher than we imagined.”
Albedo walked to the window.
“Think about it. The Fatui’s Delusions are made with merely fragmented ore, yet they already grant power that transcends normal human limits. Even though the price is burning through one’s own lifespan, the maturity of the technology proves they have been researching it for a very long time.”
He turned around.
“And skeletal ore is the source of all fragmented ore. It is the primordial substance capable of growing on its own and sealing Abyssal rifts.”
Lisa chimed in.
“Which means certain restless elements within the Fatui will absolutely covet it.”
Albedo nodded.
“Not just the Fatui. Snezhnaya’s fairy nobility will want it too. As will those fairies who still worship the first Cryo Archon; they will view this as a holy relic.”
He looked at Jean.
“Mr. Filins made it very clear. Although the Tsaritsa tacitly allowed this skeletal ore to be given to Mondstadt, Snezhnaya’s fairies might not necessarily agree.”
Jean frowned.
“Are you saying this skeletal ore will draw unwanted attention?”
“It’s not a matter of ‘might,'” Albedo said.
“It certainly will.”
He walked back to his seat.
“I suddenly remembered something. Do you remember the attack on Master Diluc’s father, Master Crepus?”
Jean nodded.
“Grand Master Varka investigated afterward. It was the work of Dottore, the Second of the Fatui Harbingers. But unfortunately, Dottore managed to keep his own hands entirely clean. It was all carried out by his subordinates, leaving us with insufficient evidence to hold him accountable. We only determined that it was related to the experiments he was spearheading at the time.”
Albedo said, “Later, Master Diluc uncovered intelligence showing that Dottore did not have complete freedom when visiting Mondstadt. His travels were restricted by internal Fatui inspectors. He attempted to research the skeletal ore of Ice VI, for which he was severely reprimanded by the Tsaritsa, resulting in a temporary revocation of some of his authority. Although he used both threats and inducements when dealing with the Knights and the Church in Mondstadt, he never actually had the authority to establish any cooperation. All of his pressure was limited to verbal intimidation. It seems he achieved certain results with Master Crepus, returned to Snezhnaya, and subsequently had his status and privileges as a Harbinger restored.” This chapter was copied from NovelPing without permission.
Lisa spoke up.
“And recently, we’ve heard of political unrest in Inazuma, with the Fatui meddling there as well. What concerns me most is the Delusion factory…”
Albedo nodded.
“The Fatui’s production of Delusions is likely led by Dottore, who began his experimentation long ago. If mere fragmented ore can produce Delusions and amulets that sense and suppress the Abyss… And now, Mr. Filins has handed this precious skeletal ore to the Knights. I worry…”
“Are you worried that this skeletal ore will draw Dottore’s attention?” Lisa asked.
“But the skeletal ore was given to Mondstadt with the Tsaritsa’s tacit approval…”
She suddenly paused.
“Oh… I almost forgot. The Fatui in Snezhnaya are not of one mind.”
Jean understood as well.
“And Mr. Filins mentioned that although the Tsaritsa has the right of disposal over the skeletal ore, she sometimes compromises with the fairy nobility.”
She stood up and walked to the window.
“If this skeletal ore is lost while in our possession, regardless of whether it was a setup by Snezhnaya… Once Snezhnaya makes it public, we will be subjected to intense diplomatic pressure once more.”
She turned back to look at the other two.
“Furthermore, as Mr. Filins warned, the Tsaritsa cares deeply about the skeletal ore, and the fairy factions might set their sights on it.”
Lisa sighed.
“So instead of a prize, it’s a hot potato?”
Albedo spoke.
“To be precise, it is a double-edged sword. Used well, it can help us combat the Abyss and strengthen our alliance with Nod-Krai. Used poorly, it will bring pressure from Snezhnaya, and might even invite direct attacks from the Fatui.”
“What do we do then?” Lisa asked.
“Surely we can’t send it back?”
Jean shook her head.
“We can’t send it back. Mr. Filins has already delivered it to us; this represents Nod-Krai’s trust in the Knights. Returning it would be tantamount to rejecting the alliance.”
She gave it some thought.
“I propose we hold off on researching it for now, and instead entrust it to someone suitable for safekeeping.”
“Whom could we entrust it to that no one could snatch it from?” Lisa asked.
The three of them exchanged looks.
Who was the strongest fighter in the Knights?
Varka, but he was away on an expedition.
Jean herself?
As the Acting Grand Master, she had to handle administrative affairs daily; she couldn’t guard it twenty-four hours a day.
Lisa was a scholar, not a dedicated combatant.
Albedo’s alchemy was formidable, but he was busy preparing the alchemical tools requested by Varka.
All three of them simultaneously thought of one person.
Someone who spent his days drinking in taverns, appearing completely unreliable, but who in reality…
“Lord Barbatos. Though he doesn’t spend much time in Mondstadt, if he takes charge of it, no one would dare try to steal it.”
“Moreover, as an Archon, he was a peer of the first Cryo Archon. In terms of both reason and sentiment, he is the most qualified to keep this skeletal ore safe.”
Jean pondered.
“But the Anemo Archon isn’t at the Cathedral right now…”
Albedo said.
“I know where he is. I ran into him on my way here, and we chatted for a bit.”
“Where?”
“The Angel’s Share, likely? In any case, checking the taverns is always a safe bet.”
Jean pressed a hand to her forehead.
“Very well. I will go look for him.”
Inside a certain tavern.
A green-clad bard sat cradling a lyre, staring blankly at a glass of Dandelion Wine.
“Achoo!”
He let out a loud sneeze.
“Who’s thinking of me?”
He rubbed his nose and glanced left and right.
No one.
The bartender was wiping down glasses behind the counter, and a few patrons were whispering in a corner.
Venti blinked.
“Strange.”
He picked up his glass and took a sip.
“Oh well, back to drinking.”