"Liyue and Mondstadt both plan to arm one thousand Dragonriders. With only seven hundred n… we won't even be able to establish two full bases.
For us, this kind of progress will be greatly delayed."
The Tsaritsa lowered her head slightly. After a long silence, she sighed.
"I understand. But Snezhnaya can't spare many more people.
Most of our fighting strength lies within the Fatui — and the Fatui, for the most part, are under the Jester's control.
The Jester's influence extends far deeper than I ever imagined…
When I went back to observe him this ti, I realized he had gained so unknown power. He even gave the feeling of a mortal threat.
In the short term, the situation will not improve."
Just ntioning it soured her mood again.
It was also one of the reasons she had been so angry earlier.
The Fatui were an organization she herself had built…
And yet, in the end, they obeyed the Jester instead of her?
What did that make her — the Cryo Archon?
Rosalyne let out a complicated sigh as well.
Back when she was in the Fatui, she was one of the few who could et the Tsaritsa freely.
But in most matters, in fact in many major missions, the orders did not co from the Tsaritsa at all — they ca from the Jester.
Even the construction of the experintal base in Inazuma — that was a direct order from him.
Later, when she asked the Tsaritsa about it, she learned that she had never given such commands.
Thinking carefully, wasn't that just part of the Jester and the Doctor's collaboration?
The Jester had already seized authority, and his own strength was formidable.
And on top of that, he had allied himself with the Doctor.
Two powers on the level of the Seven working together — even the Tsaritsa could hardly act against them.
The Fatui… were no longer hers.
The more she thought about it, the more enraged she beca.
"Pardon , let interrupt."
Venti suddenly raised his hand curiously.
"This Jester, isn't he from Khaenri'ah?"
The Tsaritsa shook her head.
"Not only that. He was once the strongest court mage of Khaenri'ah…"
"There you go!" Venti spread his hands helplessly.
"What were you even thinking, letting him join the Fatui?"
"At that ti, all I cared about was resisting Celestia. I didn't concern myself with such trivial matters."
The Tsaritsa let out a rather wistful sigh.
"But now that I've made new plans, when I wanted to reorganize the Fatui, I found that the Jester's power had already beco entrenched.
He's not just aiming to resist Celestia. He seems to be plotting sothing even more dangerous."
Zhongli set down his teacup and said directly:
"So, you were simply being used by him."
The Tsaritsa didn't feel the least bit embarrassed — it was, after all, the truth.
Nodding calmly, she admitted:
"Exactly. Back then I was eager for quick results. The Jester was powerful, deeply knowledgeable about Celestia, and we had a common enemy.
He also demonstrated his own thods."
"At the ti, I thought we were rely using each other. But I never expected his sches to run so deep.
Five hundred years… was more than enough for him to hollow out my authority."
Venti shook his head helplessly.
"The situation in Snezhnaya is even more complicated than I imagined."
The Tsaritsa sighed and didn't want to dwell on it any longer.
"The matters of Snezhnaya, I'll find a way to handle. Don't worry, these issues won't affect our cooperation.
Now then—how are your preparations? How much certainty do you have when facing Celestia?"
Zhongli pondered for a mont before replying softly:
"Without considering Ryen's involvent, the chances of success remain slim.
Although we now have many powers on the level of Archons, and even our base-level strength is quite high…
You've seen her yourself. You should understand — re Archons cannot pose any real threat to her."
The Tsaritsa gave a slight nod and sighed.
"So it still isn't enough…"
"Do not be troubled," Zhongli shook his head.
"Our strength is growing at a rapid pace. For that limitless world, surpassing Celestia is only a matter of ti.
She still slumbers. We still have plenty of ti."
Hearing this, the Tsaritsa finally let out a small breath of relief.
As long as there was ti, everything else could be worked out.
"In that case, I'll go et with Mr. Ryen today, and arrange for those seven hundred n to be stationed in that world.
But before that…"
She paused, turning her gaze toward Zhongli.
"Have you truly let go of Liyue, leaving its affairs entirely behind you?"
Zhongli gave a small nod.
"Then in that case," the Tsaritsa said softly, "I shall go speak with the Tianquan Star."
With that, she rose and left with Rosalyne at her side.
As they passed by, Rosalyne cast a aningful smile toward Tartaglia.
Once the two figures vanished, Tartaglia finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
He smashed a fist into the ground angrily.
"That woman! Damn her!
All she ever does is tattletale!"
Venti cheerfully patted Tartaglia on the shoulder.
"Ehe~ Don't take it so hard! After all…"
He paused, then looked at Tartaglia with mock sympathy.
"Soon enough, she'll be holding your very life and death in her hands. Whether you get to keep staying in that world… depends entirely on her.
So, learn to flatter people, oh pitiful Tartaglia~!"
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