Chapter 118. The Harbinger's Recruitment for the Nth Time
The next morning, Futsu Mitama woke up with a yawn. After a quick wash, he ate the breakfast Kuki Shinobu had bought for him, then leisurely flipped open "Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine" reading as he ate.
He had lost again last night.
Even with strength that had stepped into the Adeptus level, Futsu Mitama clearly felt how vast the gap between Adeptus still was. After all, he had only just entered that realm—and even then, it was with the aid of external forces: the Electro Archon Authority, the Anemo Archon Authority, and the lingering memory of dust.
His power had surged explosively, but his technique and martial mastery had not kept pace. As a result, his current state felt…awkward.
Previously, his rapid growth had not caused such imbalance. That was largely thanks to "Raiden Style · Martial Arts," as well as the weekly, direct guidance from both the Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei.
On the journey to Mondstadt, Zhongli had also offered occasional pointers, calmly identifying flaws and even demonstrating techniques himself. Even so, the speed of his ascent had been too fast. He needed time—time to settle, to temper, to truly make this power his own.
"When are you heading out today?"
Kuki Shinobu asked calmly. She already knew his plan, but still wanted to confirm the timing.
"Judging by what happened at Mt. Aocang last time," Futsu Mitama replied after some thought, "the Shogun should arrive around noon."
He remembered that day very clearly.
Back then, he, Kuki Shinobu, and Aila had gone to Mt. Aocang together. That was their first encounter with Cloud Retainer—and Shenhe. If nothing unexpected occurred—though, given the Raiden Shogun's personality, unexpected was unlikely—she would arrive around noon again.
Thus, Futsu Mitama planned to head out close to midday, deliberately wandering beyond Mondstadt's walls to "fish" for the Harbinger. In theory, if she saw him swaggering about so openly, she would definitely follow.
Of course, that was only theory.
The other Harbinger was not like Scaramouche. If Scaramouche were provoked, he would charge in immediately, seeking a fight to the death. The other Harbinger, however, was far more calculating. If she sensed something amiss—or deemed the situation unprofitable—she might not take the bait at all.
Still, the plan was set.
And even if the Harbinger didn't appear, today's private guidance from the Raiden Shogun would allow Futsu Mitama to solidify his foundation further. With that, Musou no Hitotachi would grow even sharper. At that point, perhaps he truly could replicate the Harbinger's demise.
"Mhm." Kuki Shinobu nodded, then spoke evenly. "I won't be going out with you today. I'll remain in Mondstadt to gather intelligence on the Fatui. Those people never stay idle. Investigating them early might yield unexpected gains."
If it were anyone else, knowing that the Raiden Shogun herself was personally guiding Futsu Mitama, they would shamelessly try to tag along—hoping to witness the clash of a god and her retainer.
After all, such a scene was priceless.
But Kuki Shinobu wasn't "anyone else." If she truly wanted to experience the Raiden Shogun's blade, it would be far simpler to download "Raiden Style · Martial Arts" from the group files and fight her head-on there.
Though she would die swiftly—and be mentally exhausted for an entire day afterward. More importantly, she understood her own limits.
This time, Futsu Mitama had his own plan. If she followed him, she would more likely become a liability than support. Thus, she chose to remain in Mondstadt, focusing on uncovering what the Fatui were truly planning.
In Inazuma and Liyue, this kind of work had always been her specialty.
"Alright."
Futsu Mitama agreed without hesitation.
He continued reading "Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine" as Kuki Shinobu finished her meal and departed. By the time he finally left the house, noon was approaching.
Futsu Mitama headed to Good Hunter and ordered a generous spread. Just as he was about to begin eating, his gaze lifted.
The Harbinger had arrived—accompanied by two Electro Cicin Mages.
"Hmm?"
Futsu Mitama frowned slightly. He hadn't expected her to show up like this.
"Still eating so leisurely?" The Harbinger's voice was cold and level. "You truly have no sense of urgency. Knowing the Fatui have their eyes on you, yet you still sit here enjoying lunch. I must admit, I'm impressed."
Futsu Mitama picked up a drumstick, regarding her calmly. "What else would I do? I eat when I'm hungry. Don't you?"
He took a bite, then added indifferently, "Enough nonsense. You know exactly what our relationship is. Why are you here?"
Good Hunter stood at the heart of Mondstadt. People bustled all around.
Nearby, Knights of Favonius stiffened, watching the two with visible tension.
They were deeply afraid that a fight would erupt.
One was a Snezhnayan Harbinger. The other—a retainer of the Raiden Shogun. Since last night, the Knights had learned enough about Futsu Mitama's identity to understand just how dangerous this situation was.
If these two clashed, only Acting Grand Master Jean could possibly intervene. Yet both Futsu Mitama and the Harbinger knew—
They couldn't fight here.
Each had their own plan.
Futsu Mitama intended to lure her out—and let the Raiden Shogun end it. The Harbinger, meanwhile, believed Barbatos was likely to appear in Mondstadt soon. Until then, she needed to remain here.
Teaching Futsu Mitama a lesson could wait. Compared to the Anemo Archon, his value simply wasn't high enough.
"Nothing," she said calmly, taking a seat across from him. "Just taking a walk. Though I did hear you cooperated with Tartaglia."
Her gaze sharpened slightly. "I was surprised. I didn't expect you to actually work with the Fatui."
That surprise was genuine. After all, Futsu Mitama's relationship with the Fatui was openly hostile. Neither Scaramouche nor she herself would let him off easily.
The Fatui in Inazuma feared and resented him deeply. Only after seeing him yesterday did she bother reviewing his latest intelligence. Arrogant though she was, she never neglected preparation.
Yesterday's provocation had been deliberate—to draw his hatred and divert the Knights' attention. Her true objective had always been Barbatos.
Yet after learning of Futsu Mitama's cooperation with Tartaglia, her thoughts shifted. If Tartaglia could work with him—
Why couldn't she?
She was a Harbinger, second only to Il Dottore. And even Il Dottore had acknowledged Futsu Mitama's value. Now, she had to admit it. He stood on equal footing with her. Thus, if conditions allowed, she could suppress her anger—temporarily—and cooperate.
Whether it succeeded or failed didn't matter. Either way, it would serve as a distraction.
"?"
Futsu Mitama stared at her, chewing slowly, his expression one of mild concern—as if looking at a fool.
He wiped his mouth and asked calmly, "What are you trying to say? You want to cooperate?"
She crossed her arms. "You left Inazuma in a hurry. You must be on a mission. Since you've come all the way to Mondstadt, why not work together?"
In her eyes, his purpose was obvious. Whatever excuse he'd given Tartaglia—weapon forging or otherwise—was laughable. If that were truly his goal, he would never have left Inazuma. Which meant—
Futsu Mitama had something else to accomplish. And she intended to find out exactly what it was.
Futsu Mitama frowned slightly at the Lady, just as he was about to speak. However, before he could utter a word, the Lady continued on her own accord.
"I know you harbor many misunderstandings toward me and the Fatui," she said calmly. "But since you were willing to cooperate with Tartaglia, you should understand the extent of the Fatui's intelligence network."
"Whatever it is you seek, the Fatui can help you obtain it. Lost histories buried across Teyvat, kingdoms long erased by time, or any truth concealed within the shadows of this world."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Whatever you desire, I will grant it—on behalf of the Fatui—so long as you cooperate with me. And also—"
Before she could finish, Futsu Mitama raised a hand, cutting her off.
"There's no need to continue," he said evenly. "I won't cooperate with you."
For the first time, displeasure surfaced on the Lady's face. The conditions she had offered were, by all accounts, far more generous than Tartaglia's. And yet—he had rejected them without the slightest hesitation.
Why?
"I believe I've already made myself clear," Futsu Mitama continued, his gaze steady and serious. "You know very well what our relationship is—We are enemies. If this weren't Mondstadt—if this were anywhere else—you would already be dead."
His voice carried no anger, no provocation—only calm certainty. Yet both the Lady and the two Electro Cicin Mages behind her heard it clearly.
He meant every word.
If this were not territory under the Knights of Favonius, he would have struck without hesitation and ended her life on the spot. There was no room for cooperation between them. Unless Futsu Mitama truly needed something from her—but that was impossible.
The Lady was nothing like Tartaglia.
She was a madwoman through and through. Cooperation with her would bring no real benefit, only endless vigilance against betrayal. Since that was the case, why cooperate at all?
Better to make his stance unmistakably clear.
"Surely die?"
The Lady laughed—a sharp, frigid sound. Though she had repeatedly told herself to remain calm, Futsu Mitama's words ignited the fury she had been suppressing.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
Frost spread outward from her feet, freezing everything in its path.
"I was merely defeated once," she said coldly, her icy gaze locking onto him. "What gives you the right to speak with such arrogance? I'll return your words to you. If this were not Mondstadt—but outside—you would surely die."
The sweet madame on the table froze solid. At the same time, violet lightning flickered within Futsu Mitama's eyes. He slowly raised his head and met her gaze. Electro and Cryo authorities collided in silence. Divine pressure surged outward, instantly enveloping the plaza.
The Knights of Favonius who attempted to intervene felt their breath catch.
They couldn't draw any closer. There was no way to approach either of them.
Sara, who managed the Good Hunter, staggered backward, her face pale as the overwhelming aura pressed down upon her.
Neither Futsu Mitama nor the Lady moved. They simply stared at one another—waiting. Waiting to see who would strike first. Because whoever acted first within Mondstadt would leave the Knights of Favonius no choice but to respond.
"Enough!"
Jean arrived at that moment, having sensed the clash of powers from afar. As she stepped in, both Futsu Mitama and the Lady withdrew their Archon Authority almost simultaneously.
"Hmph."
The Lady cast Jean a cold glance, snorted, rose from her seat, and turned away—leading her subordinates off without another look.
Jean's anger surged. She immediately stopped the Lady, suppressing her fury as she spoke.
"Lady, what exactly do you think you're doing by releasing Archon Authority within Mondstadt? Even as a Snezhnayan Diplomat, you've crossed a line. If you don't give the Knights of Favonius a proper explanation today, you will not be leaving."
Even when the Lady had stormed into the Knights' headquarters the day before and openly confronted her, Jean hadn't been this furious. At that time, no attack had been made—and Jean herself bore some responsibility.
But this was different.
The Lady had openly displayed divine authority within the city, showing complete disregard for Mondstadt's laws. And according to reports, it was she who had approached Futsu Mitama unprovoked.
Jean naturally stood her ground.
"Me?" the Lady replied lightly, waving a hand. The frost melted instantly under a burst of heat.
"I didn't do anything." She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Is there anything else you wish to say, Acting Grand Master?"
Jean stared at her shameless composure, fingers tightening around her sword as Anemo gathered along the blade.
"Oh?" The Lady's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Are you planning to attack me? Did I injure anyone? Damage a single flower, blade of grass, or tree in Mondstadt? If you intend to act—then you'd best be prepared. The Fatui will not let Mondstadt off lightly."
A threat. Blatant and unmasked.
Jean hesitated.
The wind around her sword wavered.
At that moment, Futsu Mitama stepped forward.
"Leave this to me," he said calmly, positioning himself before Jean. "Don't act impulsively."
"Futsu Mitama…"
Jean looked at him, recalling his earlier words. For a brief moment, she wanted to dissuade him.
Mondstadt's matters should be resolved by Mondstadt. But the Lady's threat left her bound. The Grand Master was absent. She could not declare war on the Fatui on her own authority. Before she could speak, Futsu Mitama turned to the Lady.
"I'm leaving Mondstadt," he said evenly. "Didn't you say you wanted to kill me? I'm giving you the chance."
With that, he strode toward the city gates—his heart already anticipating her loss of control. The Lady's expression twisted as she stared at his retreating figure.
She wanted nothing more than to tear him apart. But she didn't move.
This was not the moment. A battle to the death now would introduce too many variables into her plan. And—
Her gaze flicked toward Jean and the surrounding Knights of Favonius. If she pursued him now, the situation would spiral beyond control. There was a time to be conspicuous—and a time to endure.
"Hmph!"
The Lady snorted sharply and turned away, leading her subordinates off in another direction. She had no intention of leaving the city. Though retreating like this would damage the Fatui's image, she would endure—for the greater objective.
Jean watched her go, releasing a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
Relief—or perhaps regret.
She knew all too well what would have happened if the Lady had followed Futsu Mitama beyond the gates.
There would have been only one outcome.
The Raiden Shogun would descend upon Mondstadt. And once an Archon's wrath fell, even someone like the Lady would not survive.
"No…not again."
Jean's gaze hardened.
Three strikes.
The first time, she had been at fault.
The second, the Fatui had used political pressure.
But the third—
She would stake her faith in Barbatos himself.
She would not allow the Fatui to continue acting with such impunity in Mondstadt. That night's meeting would gather every available combat force. If the Fatui dared cross the line again—
Then the Abyss Order, the Dragon Crisis, and the monsters could wait. The Fatui would be driven out first.
They were a tumor.
And tumors had to be excised.
"Ah—choo!" High atop the Statue of the Anemo Archon, Venti sneezed. "Huh?"
He rubbed his nose, sighing.
"Is Beelzebub coming? If she finds out I handed the Anemo Archon Authority to Futsu Mitama, she won't really come knocking, right?"
"Was that why the old man never gave Geo Authority back then? Oh dear~ I really was careless."
Venti scratched his head, visibly troubled. He didn't want to face Beelzebub. Her strength was no joke—and rumor had it she'd created a puppet rivaling her true body. If reason failed—
Would she really resort to force?
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