Upon receiving Mondstadt’s diplomatic dispatch, the Palais Mermonia responded swiftly, issuing a public statement: “Fontaine fully supports Mondstadt and once again demands that Snezhnaya consent to an investigation into human experimentation.
Otherwise, we will implement counter-measures identical to Mondstadt’s!” The news quickly reached the Winter Capital.
To everyone’s surprise, Snezhnaya, long renowned for its unyielding stance, chose silence at the first instance.
Granted, Snezhnaya possessed formidable strength that overshadowed the other six nations.
However, faced with joint pressure from both Mondstadt and Fontaine, even they had to proceed with caution.
Moreover, it was a critical moment for seizing divine authority.
If relations deteriorated completely, carrying out their operations would become nearly impossible.
Yet yielding now carried an equally heavy price—the fruits of their human experimentation would go down the drain, and Snezhnaya’s prestige would suffer a devastating blow.
For a time, they were trapped in an unprecedented dilemma.
…………….
On the Snezhnayan border.
Upon the desolate tundra stood a heavily guarded Fatui camp.
Azure banners snapped fiercely in the howling wind.
At the camp gate, two young soldiers stood erect, muskets held tight in their hands.
Suddenly, a heroic, powerfully built figure emerged in the distance.
Recognizing his face, the soldiers froze.
One of them quickly snapped back to his senses, turned around, and rushed into the camp to report to the Captain.
A moment later, Capitano strode out through the main gates, his gaze burning bright as he stared at the familiar silhouette.
The newcomer was none other than the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius—Varka.
Burly and tall, his short blonde hair drifted lightly in the chill wind.
His expression was resolute, a faint smile hovering at the corner of his lips.
Stopping roughly twenty paces from the camp, Varka calmly pulled a metal flask from inside his coat and flicked his wrist, tossing it over effortlessly.
“Have a taste of Mondstadt!” Capitano caught it with one hand, but didn’t open it.
He flipped it back.
“Varka, I don’t drink.” “Pity.” Varka carefully slipped the flask back into his coat, his expression turning serious.
“Capitano, you must already know about Mondstadt’s mandatory draft.” Capitano nodded in silence.
“Snezhnaya must extradite those responsible to Mondstadt to stand trial,” Varka said calmly, yet with unmistakable authority.
“Snezhnaya accepts no threats!” Capitano replied solemnly.
He paused, his voice softening slightly.
“However, I do not condone methods that stain our honor.” A gleam flashed through Varka’s eyes.
Between heroes, few words were needed.
“In that case, the expeditionary force will wait here for Snezhnaya’s response.” With that, Varka turned around and walked away without looking back.
If he didn’t receive a satisfactory answer, he had no qualms about going to war with the Fatui.
Without dignity, what use was freedom?
Capitano stood in place for a moment before summoning his adjutant.
“Report the situation here to headquarters, and recommend the abolition of human experimentation and the punishment of Dottore.” ………..
The afternoon sunlight was bright and lazy, spreading a pleasant warmth.
Dressed in plain, inconspicuous clothes, Ye Xun strolled through the streets of the Winter Capital.
It was a rest day, making the streets livelier than usual.
Families walked together with their children, enjoying rare moments of leisure and warmth.
Watching these scenes, Ye Xun’s thoughts drifted back to several years ago.
Back then, his kind, gentle adoptive parents had also held his hand as they walked along these very streets.
Regrettably, tragedy struck before he could grow up and awaken his system.
Even now, Ye Xun could not forget the freezing chill of that winter morning.
Unwittingly, he arrived in front of a children’s toy shop and slowed his steps.
Outside the shop, a little boy with short auburn hair was boasting proudly to his companions: “I’m telling you, my big brother Tartaglia is the best toy salesman in all of Snezhnaya!” “Teucer, what toys does he sell then?” another child asked curiously.
“Mr.
Cyclops!” Teucer’s eyes sparkled.
“It’s the best toy in the entire world!” “Nonsense!” the other child retorted immediately.
“The Super-Duper Mecha Bear my dad gave me is the best!” “Mr.
Cyclops is the best!” “Mecha Bear is the best!” “…” The two boys argued until their faces turned red, nearly coming to blows.
Just then, a handsome young man with the same auburn hair walked over quickly.
“Teucer!” he called gently.
Hearing his voice, Teucer abandoned the argument at once and sprinted toward him, cheering, “Brother!
Brother!
You’re finally back from your business trip!” Tartaglia squatted down, laughing as he ruffled the boy’s hair, then lowered his voice conspiratorially.
“This time I went to Inazuma and sold tons and tons of Mr.
Cyclopses!” “Really?” Teucer stared at him with admiration.
“But isn’t Inazuma under a decree that closed its borders?
How did you get in?” Tartaglia froze for a second, then cleared his throat and declared with utmost seriousness, “Ahem…
that’s a trade secret.
You can’t go blabbering about it.” “Don’t worry!” Teucer patted his little chest.
“My lips are sealed!” “Then let’s head home,” Tartaglia said, taking his hand.
“Tonia and Anton are waiting for us.” “Okay!” Teucer turned to wave at his playmates, then skipped along beside his brother.
The tall and short figures quickly vanished down the end of the street.
Ye Xun withdrew his gaze and turned away in silence.
A child’s dream was innocent and fragile, deserving of gentle protection.
Yet even more in need of protection were those innocent children who had silently vanished, robbed of even the chance to dream.
The pyre was prepared.
Next— It was time to light the blaze that would burn away the darkness!