Inside the palace of Snezhnaya,
Bronya wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
Across from her, Columbina lay on the table, quietly staring at her.
The silent gaze brought Bronya considerable pressure.
Over the past few days, she had learned quite a bit about the history of this nation.
As a result, she had developed immense admiration for its god.
Not only did they possess a powerful deity as their ruler, their people were united as one.
Furthermore, there were countless capable individuals serving beneath that ruler.
Bronya couldn't help feeling envious.
Belobog had never been so fortunate.
There weren't nearly as many talented officials there.
Of course...some of the Fatui executives' working styles might be a little questionable.
But that didn't stop her from envying this nation.
"Is something the matter, Miss Damselette?"
Although she hadn't been here long and hadn't met many people,
Bronya remained somewhat wary of this seemingly youthful girl whose true age was unknown.
She could clearly sense an extremely frightening power emanating from her.
As the former commander of the Silvermane Guards, she had seen battle.
Because of that, she could tell that Columbina's harmless appearance was merely a disguise.
As for whether she was actually some bloodthirsty beast underneath, that remained to be seen.
But there was no doubt that she was dangerous.
"Why do you think the Genius took Her Majesty away with him?"
"Why didn't he take me along?"
Columbina looked deeply troubled.
Although she and the Tsaritsa had known Su Ran for roughly the same amount of time, it was obvious that she interacted with him more often in daily life.
So why had Her Majesty suddenly become the person closest to him?
Columbina was genuinely distressed.
"Maybe..."
Bronya lowered her head slightly and glanced at her own figure.
The Boss couldn't possibly be that shallow, right?
"...I don't know. But are you perhaps jealous of your superior?"
Hearing that, Columbina honestly nodded.
She really was a little jealous of the Tsaritsa.
Besides, it was Her Majesty herself who had promised freedom to the Harbingers.
So surely being a little jealous of the Tsaritsa wasn't a problem, right?
"Maybe they have more important matters to deal with."
"Isn't your Archon carrying an important mission?"
Overthrowing the god who ruled the world.
How much courage would that require?
During these days,
Bronya had also learned from those around her about the gap between Celestia and Snezhnaya.
The difference in strength was enormous.
Practically impossible to overcome.
Unless Su Ran's power was factored in.
However, based on her observations, his status here didn't seem particularly high.
Did these people have poor judgment?
Bronya was beginning to question the Tsaritsa's discernment.
Could it be that the Tsaritsa was just like her former self—someone who couldn't recognize true talent?
After all, the two of them looked remarkably alike.
Having a few similarities wasn't impossible.
Back then,
Bronya herself had opposed Su Ran's rule over Belobog.
Only after witnessing miracle after miracle had she been completely convinced.
"Can you tell me more stories about the Genius in your world?"
Columbina looked at Bronya expectantly.
Seeing those eager eyes, the Silvermane Guard commander could only sigh helplessly.
"Ever since I arrived here, I've already told you seven times."
Seven times.
And it wasn't even a bedtime story.
Was there really a need to hear it that many times?
Bronya respected Su Ran deeply and was more than willing to spread stories of his achievements.
But telling the exact same story to the same person seven times...
was honestly irritating.
Even if it was being treated as a bedtime story,
Miss Damselette wasn't a child.
Bronya felt Columbina was probably older than her own mother.
"Tell it one more time."
"As payment, I'll sing for you."
Columbina clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture.
She didn't have many things she considered herself particularly good at.
Singing for Bronya was one of the few things she could offer.
"...Fine. One more time."
Bronya had to admit,
Columbina's singing voice was extraordinarily beautiful.
Far more pleasant than the music she'd heard from Aunt Serval.
Perhaps it was simply a matter of generations.
She couldn't really appreciate Serval's older music.
By contrast, she had become quite fond of Columbina's pure singing voice.
So she began once again.
She recounted how she first met Su Ran.
How he had threatened her.
How she had attempted a coup, only to be arrested as a rebel.
How her world had ultimately been freed from eternal winter, finally welcoming spring.
She told the entire story from beginning to end once more.
Including this retelling, it was now the eighth time.
Clearly,
Columbina truly loved listening to stories.
"The Genius is such a good person!"
After hearing the tale again, Columbina was moved.
"Yes..."
As someone who had personally lived through it, Bronya was naturally moved by the story as well.
She couldn't help sharing the same sentiment.
If not for Su Ran,
Belobog would still be trapped beneath endless ice and snow.
"When he comes back, I'm going to make him turn Snezhnaya into spring too!"
Columbina solemnly made her declaration.
She wanted the people of Snezhnaya to experience the beauty of spring.
Instead of spending their entire lives surrounded by winter.
Snezhnaya's circumstances weren't as dire as Belobog's.
Unfortunately, the nation itself was built upon frozen lands.
And its ruling deity was the God of Ice.
As a result, snow and frost were the natural state of the country.
It had been a very long time since Columbina had experienced truly warm weather.
Yet she was also something of a homebody and didn't particularly like traveling far away.
So she hadn't seen much of the outside world in ages.
"But when is he coming back?"
Bronya looked at the stack of documents on her desk and couldn't help feeling miserable.
The Mayor was here, so she wasn't required to personally manage many affairs.
There wasn't much she could actually do.
Especially since she wasn't the real Cryo Archon.
Certain decisions technically belonged to her position, yet she wasn't truly authorized to make them.
She found the work unbearably dull.
Fortunately, everything outside of work had been quite enjoyable.
When was the Boss coming back?
"I imagine..."
A familiar voice suddenly sounded.
"...right now."
The Tsaritsa had returned to her palace.
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