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The present Harbingers regarded this new colleague with a mix of differing thoughts. Judging by his opening remarks, it was clear he belonged to the logistics camp rather than the frontline combatants.
"Have you considered a suitable codename?" Pierro finally spoke after Su Ran gave his consent.
Every Harbinger possessed a unique codename. As the very first Harbinger, he was known as The Jester.
"Let me think. How about The Genius? After all, there is no one in this world more intelligent than me."
To have captured the attention of Nous, to have become an Emanator of The Erudition, and to have joined the Genius Society, was proof enough that his talents were not confined by a small place like the Teyvat continent.
"Are you implying that everyone in Teyvat is stupider than you?" Dottore asked, his tone steady and unhurried. It sounded like an inquiry, but it carried a hint of provocation.
It seemed the new colleague was quite arrogant.
"Isn't that obvious? You are all fools who cannot even step beyond the planet beneath your feet."
Su Ran walked up to Dottore. He held no affection for the man. Although his newfound wisdom allowed him to understand Dottore's science-first philosophy, it did not mean he could identify with him. Sometimes, sacrifice was inevitable to achieve certain results, but the one thing he could not accept was how wasteful this man was.
After committing so many inhuman acts, the results he obtained were pitifully small. The input and output were completely disproportionate. Furthermore, why rely on the fleeting utility of god-like power by forcing humans to pay the ultimate price? Why not simply command a god directly? Was it because he didn't want to, or was he simply incapable?
"A fool like you doesn't even have the qualifications to cross the threshold of the Genius Society. What is it? Do you still wish to be mentioned in the same breath as a genius like me?"
Su Ran reached out and cleanly detached the head of the Doctor. He tossed it aside with indifference.
The other Harbingers stood frozen. They had just watched him kill the second-ranked Dottore with such ease. Even if it was merely a segment, the strength of that piece was already at the top tier. Even Tartaglia did not believe he had the confidence to defeat any of the Doctor's segments.
"You... you aren't supposed to be skilled at combat?" Tartaglia finally recovered after a long moment of shock. He stared at Su Ran, his face full of disbelief.
Taking down the second seat so effortlessly, without even giving anyone time to react—did this look like someone unskilled at combat?
"I get it! While you aren't skilled at combat, you are an expert at killing, right?" Tartaglia felt he had grasped the truth.
This interpretation also won the silent agreement of Arlecchino. Killing and combat were indeed two different things.
Su Ran shook his head. "Has your brain been deprived of oxygen? You are starting to spout nonsense."
"Compared to my intelligence, my talent, and the creative potential I possess, the martial prowess I command is not worth mentioning." He pointed at Dottore's severed head and looked at the others. "I am taking this guy's seat. Does anyone have an objection?"
No objections. Of course, there were none. Both The Captain and The Tsaritsa were well aware of Su Ran's strength. He had just killed a segment of the Doctor today, and on a previous occasion, he had nearly crushed the skull of The Captain. His raw violence already placed him far ahead of the other Harbingers. Even the formidable Captain had been suppressed without any room to resist, let alone the Harbingers in lower-ranked positions.
***
"Truly terrifying. To possess such immense power, though it did cost me an important segment."
Located within Snezhnaya, another segment of the Doctor learned of the death of the one who attended the meeting. He realized that the Fatui had gained a colleague with terrifying power, one whose role even overlapped somewhat with his own.
"I hope this new compatriot will produce something that actually interests me."
He was not particularly concerned about his rank being demoted. On the contrary, as a researcher, he looked forward to the existence of someone who could hold a conversation on his level. Sandrone was barely passable, but unfortunately, her cognitive patterns clashed too heavily with his own. She could never keep up with his pace. Therefore, he could only hope the newcomer would provide him with a pleasant surprise.
***
The Fatui added a new Harbinger, codenamed The Genius, Su Ran. He defeated the Harbinger The Doctor and secured the second seat. Effective immediately, all Harbingers from The Doctor downward have been demoted by one rank.
Poor Damselette, who hadn't even shown her face once, had already been squeezed out of the top three seats.
Columbina: "..."
***
"Hey, friend!"
Tartaglia called out to Su Ran as they exited the palace of The Tsaritsa. Su Ran stopped and looked back at the young Harbinger, even though their ages were not all that different.
"Can you tell me how you met The Captain? I saw that his helmet looked like it was about to shatter. Did he run into some kind of danger?"
Tartaglia made no effort to hide his curiosity. The man before him was a powerful existence. It was a pity, however, that Tartaglia did not yet possess the qualifications to challenge him, as there were still several Harbingers ranked above him.
"He broke into my residence. I almost crushed his head, but your Tsaritsa begged me to spare him. That was how he got the chance to bring me here. It is as simple as that."
Since he was asked, Su Ran answered truthfully. He did not feel as much animosity toward Tartaglia as he did toward Dottore. After all, Tartaglia was never a researcher, and Su Ran was not a completely condescending scientist. He still treated those in other professions with equality. The young man before him did not belong to the category that required any special judgment.
"Really?"
Tartaglia did not quite believe it. The Captain lost? Was that even possible? And Her Majesty begged you to spare The Captain? It sounded like he was bragging.
Arlecchino, who was passing by, paused as well. She found the truth hard to believe. The Captain's strength was widely known to be at the peak of humanity.
"He is right there. If you don't believe me, why don't you ask him?"
Su Ran pointed to The Captain, who was walking nearby. The Captain stopped and answered the question.
"It is true. The strength of the second seat is far beyond my own."
"Huh?"
Tartaglia was completely stunned. At this rate, if he wanted to face Su Ran, he would have to defeat The Captain first.