Chapter 1: Chapter 1: The Twelfth Harbinger
"Have you heard? The Twelfth Harbinger…"
"The Twelfth Harbinger? Is the news true?"
On the carriage heading toward Mondstadt at the Snezhnaya border, a male Fatui diplomat named Mikhail was whispering to his female companion, Ludmila. The topic of their conversation was the recent announcement made by the Tsaritsa.
After a long period of inactivity among the Fatui Harbingers, a new member had finally joined their ranks as the Twelfth.
The appointment of this Twelfth Harbinger came as a surprise to everyone.
He was known as "Instructor," originally a teacher of combat and debt collection techniques for the Fatui's Pyro Agents—a special unit within the Fatui. It was rumored that the Pyro Agents' ability to cloak themselves was taught by him.
For reasons unknown, he had been promoted to the rank of Harbinger, which stirred quite a bit of controversy in Snezhnaya. After all, the reputation of the Pyro Agents wasn't exactly stellar, neither in Snezhnaya nor across Teyvat, leading to widespread skepticism about the Instructor himself.
However, no one dared to defy the Tsaritsa's orders.
As for the Twelfth Harbinger himself, Bai Luo was still in a state of bewilderment.
"This doesn't make any sense. Aren't the Harbingers supposed to be the strongest in the Fatui? How did I get picked?"
Bai Luo's heart was still pounding as he glanced back at the imposing palace, as cold and fierce as the Tsaritsa herself. It wasn't because of her icy beauty that his heart raced—it was pure fear.
Unlike the other eleven Harbingers, Bai Luo was thrust into this position with no preparation whatsoever. The suddenness of it all made him feel like he was dreaming. It wasn't until Pierro, the First Harbinger, personally bestowed upon him the Delusion that symbolized his new rank that Bai Luo realized it was all real.
He really had become the Twelfth Harbinger.
But Bai Luo wasn't originally from this land. His very name revealed that fact. In fact, he wasn't even from Teyvat.
In his world, Snezhnaya was merely a nation in a game he had played. One winter, while passing by a river, Bai Luo had noticed a child drowning. Although he didn't consider himself a hero, he couldn't stand by and watch the child die in the freezing water. So, he jumped in to save the child, only to find himself falling into the icy depths due to the cold and exhaustion.
When he next awoke, he was in this strange world—in Snezhnaya. His heroic act had earned him the favor of the Fatui, and he was recruited as a special case.
As the rumors suggested, Bai Luo's unique ability to turn invisible earned him a position as the Instructor of the Pyro Agents. However, unlike the agents' abilities, his power was even more special.
To put it simply, his power was inherited from a character in another game—a character known as Hei.
Although inspired by Hei from the anime Darker than Black, Bai Luo's abilities were a bit different. Or rather, it was the game version of Hei—a digital representation of that character.
To conceal his special abilities, Bai Luo had even obtained a fake Vision from a local merchant. The fake Vision, allegedly from the far-off land of Inazuma, was so convincing that even those with real Visions had trouble telling it was a counterfeit. This Vision was of the Anemo element.
By relying on this unique ability, Bai Luo had climbed to the position of Instructor within the Fatui. But still, it didn't seem like enough to justify his appointment as a Harbinger.
Even Childe, the Eleventh Harbinger, had real strength to back up his position. What did Bai Luo have?
Could it be that the Tsaritsa had taken a liking to him?
"What are you thinking about?"
A heavy hand clapped Bai Luo on the shoulder, startling him. With his abilities, there were few in Snezhnaya who could approach him so silently.
Unless…
Bai Luo turned to see a man wearing a large fur-lined cloak. He instantly recognized him.
"Master Rooster!"
Instinctively, Bai Luo saluted and called out the man's codename.
Yes, this man was the Fifth Harbinger, codenamed "Rooster."
"There's no need for formalities now that we're colleagues. Follow me; I have a new mission for you."
"Yes, sir!"
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Bai Luo still wasn't accustomed to his new identity.
As for Rooster…Bai Luo wasn't very familiar with him. In his previous role, he had mostly dealt with Childe and hadn't interacted with the Fifth Harbinger much.
But Rooster seemed alright—at least he wasn't looking at Bai Luo like he was ready to devour him, unlike Childe, who had already challenged him to a duel in the palace shortly after Bai Luo received his Delusion from Pierro.
If not for the Tsaritsa intervening, they might have had a duel on the spot.
Following Rooster to what looked like an office, the Fifth Harbinger placed a feather-covered document in front of Bai Luo.
"What is this?"
Bai Luo knew it was for him, but he wasn't sure what it was.
"It's your appointment letter. Starting tomorrow, you're Snezhnaya's envoy to Inazuma, responsible for all matters related to Inazuma."
"???"
Bai Luo was about to take the document, but upon hearing Rooster's words, his heart sank.
Inazuma?! That's not a place anyone in their right mind would want to go! He hadn't forgotten how badly things went for the Fatui's Lady in the game—her death had even been mocked by players who repeatedly insulted her after her demise.
"Master Rooster, I don't think I'm qualified to take on such a heavy responsibility!"
Bai Luo knew he couldn't outright refuse. Rejecting his first mission right after being appointed, without a good reason, might get him killed by the Tsaritsa herself. It seemed he only had two options: be killed by the Raiden Shogun or be killed by the Tsaritsa.
"If you've been made a Harbinger, that means you're more than capable of handling this mission."
Rooster's tone was firm as he took a seat. Inazuma was where the Instructor had to go.
"Can I go to Mondstadt instead?"
Mondstadt would be great—Klee is adorable, Diona is there, and most importantly, it's safe. No need to worry about being struck down by Baal.
"Mondstadt is already under the Lady's watch. Are you sure you want to challenge her?"
Rooster didn't outright refuse, but he asked with a playful smile.
The Lady wasn't the strongest among the Fatui Harbingers, but she was definitely not someone Bai Luo could provoke.
"Then…how about Liyue? Although Morax is one of the oldest Archons, I think I can manage."
Bai Luo wouldn't mind going to Liyue either—who could resist the charm of Keqing? And as long as he was careful around the Adepti, he figured he'd be fine.
Besides, he was originally from Liyue in this world, so going there would be perfectly reasonable.
"You'll have to take that up with Childe."
Rooster chuckled. Everyone in the Fatui knew that Childe was eager to test his skills against the newly appointed Instructor. Going to Liyue would be like walking into a lion's den.
"So…"
"According to our information, Inazuma is currently in a state of isolation, and the situation in Tenshukaku is unstable. It's the weakest of the Seven Nations right now and the most suitable destination for you."
"So I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"No."
"…"
Weekly Power Status
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