"Good. I'll leave these matters to you for now."
The Cryo Archon very generously handed her duties over to Bronya.
Although this "Land Duck" lacked experience,
She had at least grown up exposed to such matters.
Snezhnaya's situation was far better than Belobog's.
As long as nothing major happened, even without prior experience, maintaining the current state wouldn't be an issue.
So the Cryo Archon calmly entrusted her throne—temporarily—to this girl who looked exactly like her.
"…Huh?"
Even after leaving her own world, she still had to work?
"Anything you don't understand, ask Pierro. He can handle it. If something even he can't solve, pass it to him anyway. If he's not around, shelve it for now."
The Cryo Archon pointed at Su Ran.
If even Pierro couldn't solve it—
Then it would naturally fall to Su Ran.
And he could handle anything.
"Then what about you?"
This was her first time leaving her world.
She thought it would be some kind of grand adventure.
Instead, she was here to… take over someone else's job?
Bronya stared blankly at Su Ran.
"This is training for you. Think about it—your mom's not exactly young anymore. Do you really expect her to keep working forever?"
Cocolia was getting older.
Still elegant, sure—but it was time to consider a successor.
Bronya was the only real candidate.
It wasn't like Serval could take over.
This trip wasn't just about Bronya—
Su Ran also intended to help the Cryo Archon.
After all, he had neglected her for quite some time.
This was his base of operations,
Yet he hadn't done much here.
As a Fatui Harbinger, he should at least bring some benefits to his faction.
"But I don't have any experience…"
Bronya had grown up under Cocolia's guidance.
She had seen these matters—
But actually handling them was another story.
Snezhnaya was nothing like Belobog.
No food shortages.
Plenty of manpower.
Ample funding.
Strong military.
Unlike Belobog, constantly on the brink of survival.
"That's exactly why you need training. This is how you gain experience."
Su Ran set Clara down,
Then picked up Little Bronya (the younger one) who had been watching the show,
And placed her on the table.
"If you don't understand something, ask her. I've loaded her with plenty of knowledge about governance."
The Cryo Archon's gaze immediately sharpened.
She locked eyes with Little Bronya.
Oh?
Wasn't she supposed to be "just a child who understands nothing"?
Even deceiving your own mother?
What a filial daughter.
Little Bronya shot her "dad" a resentful look.
Getting a stepmom was one thing—
But now she had to help with this too?
Even slacking off was no longer an option.
She was already planning her escape.
Snezhnaya was clearly not a place for humans to live.
"That child…"
Bronya looked at Little Bronya with a strange expression.
It felt like looking into a mirror—
Except much younger.
"Then what about you, Boss? And this… lady?"
Bronya glanced between Su Ran and the Cryo Archon.
Seeing the Archon, she was genuinely startled.
They looked exactly alike—
Like reflections in a mirror.
Except the other one didn't have the triple hair swirl.
"We're going abroad."
The Cryo Archon hadn't left Snezhnaya in a very long time.
She had always been preoccupied with Celestia.
Leaving had never even crossed her mind.
Especially now, during such a critical period—
If the Archon disappeared, it would cause massive upheaval.
Unlike Barbatos or Morax,
The Cryo Archon appeared frequently in Snezhnaya.
There was even a palace dedicated solely to her.
Every citizen knew she resided there.
Even ordinary Fatui soldiers occasionally caught glimpses of her.
If she suddenly vanished—
The news would spread like wildfire.
Although being thrust into such responsibility caught Bronya off guard,
She wasn't opposed to it.
Unlike certain other "ducks,"
This Bronya had a strong sense of responsibility.
She wasn't driven by leisure or fun.
All she wanted was for her homeland to improve.
So instead of resisting,
She chose to accept the opportunity to grow.
Compared to "playing,"
She cared far more about becoming capable.
In Su Ran's eyes—
This duck had been "raised wrong."
No wonder her personality differed so much from the others.
"You're so young, yet you manage such a large nation?"
After leaving the palace with the Cryo Archon, Serval struck up a conversation.
The Archon showed no signs of age—
She looked young.
"…It's fine. My subordinates are capable. I don't actually do that much."
Being called "little sister" felt a bit strange,
But considering Serval might be from another world—
Possibly even much older—
The Cryo Archon let it slide.
"Knowing how to use people well—that's the mark of a wise ruler! Not like the one back home… she nearly led the whole world to destruction."
Serval couldn't help but feel envious.
Especially after learning about Cocolia.
A good ruler made all the difference.
Just look at Snezhnaya.
Also covered in ice and snow—
Yet far better off than Belobog.
At least the people here genuinely admired their ruler.
"Where are we going?"
The Cryo Archon looked at Su Ran.
"The Xianzhou Luofu."
"…What's that?"
She frowned slightly.
Weren't they supposed to be going "abroad"?
What kind of place was that?
"Beyond the stars."
The Cryo Archon paused—
Then, inwardly:
I knew it. He really does have me in his heart… taking me off-world and everything.
—------------------------------
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