Villain Simulator, Ch 273

Faced with Lucas's sharp questioning, Tonia's expression grew visibly unsettled, her unease apparent. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for how to respond.

She had asked the Fatui countless times about her brother's death. The only answers she had ever received were vague mentions of "dying in the line of duty." Never had anyone revealed the exact details of how he died.

Lucas continued, his voice calm yet biting: "He used the forbidden 'Delusion' to release the Vortex God Osial, bringing devastation to countless innocent lives in Liyue Harbor. You tell me—shouldn't I have killed him?"

"You… you're lying!" Tonia murmured, her voice trembling. "Ajax was so gentle. How could my brother possibly have done something so terrible?"

Ajax—Childe's real name—was how Tonia remembered her loving, kind older brother, a stark contrast to the ruthless and battle-hardened Fatui Harbinger that the world had known.

"Tonia, I'm sorry to say," Signora said softly but firmly, "he's telling the truth."

"I… I'll find out the truth myself!" Tonia took two steps back, her fists clenched. Then, she turned and fled, shouting as she ran, "I swear I'll avenge him!"

Watching Tonia's retreating figure, Signora let out a faint sigh. "You've shattered the only faith she had left."

"Children have to grow up someday," Lucas replied with a smirk. Then, with a curious glance at Signora, he added, "But I have to ask—you and Childe didn't exactly get along. Why show so much concern for his sister?"

"I don't care about him," Signora said quietly, her voice tinged with melancholy. "I just pity her—a poor girl from Snezhnaya who lost her family. But you should watch out. That girl won't give up on vengeance so easily."

"If everyone who wanted to take revenge on me left 100 Mora at my door," Lucas said with a carefree laugh, "I'd surpass the Fatui's richest banker by tomorrow."

This minor drama didn't delay Lucas from his real purpose. Soon, he and Signora were standing in front of the Tsaritsa's office.

Inside, a petite young girl with delicate, doll-like features sat at a desk, poring over documents.

She looked no older than her early teens, her silver-gray hair styled into twin spiral ponytails. Due to her small stature, she had to sit on several stacked books just to reach the desk.

If not for seeing her with one's own eyes, it would have been hard to believe that this doll-like girl was the infamous and iron-fisted Tsaritsa.

"You're later than I expected," the Tsaritsa muttered to herself, setting down her quill pen and stretching her body, which had stiffened from long hours of work. "Logically, the negotiations should have concluded quickly."

Though she was forced to accept the truth of her nation's defeat, the Tsaritsa harbored no sense of shame as a loser. With her Fatui Harbingers and Snezhnaya's vast resources, she planned to bide her time and eventually seek revenge.

As the Tsaritsa indulged in a rare moment of respite, a knock suddenly sounded on the door.

"Is that you, Pierro?" the Tsaritsa asked. "Has the negotiation ended? What's the result?"

"No," came a voice from outside the door. "I am Lucas, the Tian Kui of Liyue. I've come to meet…" There was a pause before the voice continued, "The Ruler of Snezhnaya."

It's him?

Hearing the name "Tian Kui," the Tsaritsa frowned. She held no fondness for this "villain of Liyue" who had invaded her nation. In truth, she loathed him.

Still, as the ruler of Snezhnaya, she could not afford to dismiss him outright. Maintaining her composure, she responded coldly, "Come in."

Though she had seen Lucas's face countless times in the newspapers, seeing him in person stirred something strange within her—a peculiar sense of familiarity.

Where… where have I seen this man before?

But try as she might, the memory eluded her, as though a page had been torn from the book of her mind.

Meanwhile, Lucas's thoughts were similarly complex as he looked at the Tsaritsa.

He couldn't help but think back to the simulations where he had interacted with her in the past.

Most of those memories weren't exactly pleasant.

Still, Lucas bore her no particular ill will. If she didn't try to stir up trouble in this timeline, he had no intention of going out of his way to provoke her.

"It seems the negotiations have concluded," the Tsaritsa said, her tone icy. "So? Are you satisfied with the terms?"

At this point, she still believed the negotiation was just a routine agreement involving territorial concessions and reparations.

After all, such compensations could always be reclaimed later. She hadn't given them much thought.

"Very satisfied," Lucas replied with a smile. "That's why I came to personally thank the Tsaritsa."

"Typical southern barbarian manners," the Tsaritsa muttered disdainfully. "You don't even use proper honorifics. I could sentence you in my name for this disrespect alone."

"Disappointed, are you?" Lucas said, his smile unfaltering. "Well, I hate to disappoint, but from this moment on, no one will use honorifics when addressing you ever again."

The Tsaritsa's brow furrowed. "What… what do you mean by that?"

"Why don't you see for yourself?" Lucas placed a contract on the desk before her. "All nine of your Harbingers have signed it."

The Tsaritsa grabbed the document, her eyes widening as she scanned its contents. By the time she finished reading, she slammed her hand on the desk, her voice trembling with fury.

"What… what is the meaning of this?! How could they possibly agree to such terms?!"

"Anything can be negotiated, as long as the price is right," Lucas said calmly, as if he had expected her outburst. "Don't worry. After I take control of Snezhnaya, you can continue to serve as the nominal queen. You'll lose your authority, but you'll receive a generous stipend from the Northland Bank. Enough to live comfortably here in your palace. Maybe even keep a few corgis to pass the time."

"I… I can't accept this!" The Tsaritsa stood abruptly, her voice sharp with indignation. "How dare you do this to me!"

"And why shouldn't I?" Lucas placed a hand on his chest, his expression unwavering. "As you said yourself, I'm just a southern barbarian."

"Damn you…"

The Tsaritsa's voice was laced with venom as she spat, "I never agreed to surrender Snezhnaya! Don't forget—I wield the authority of the Cryo Archon. Do you think you can dismiss the power of a god?"

"Your power is indeed formidable. But so is the power of the Geo Archon," Lucas replied, matching her intensity. "If you refuse this agreement, the war will continue. Do you really want to see your people suffer further in the flames of battle?"