Chapter 83: Tsaritsa

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"Right, right, put it back there…"

Shajin was directing the Fatui vanguard squad to move the Geo Archon's Exuvia to the rear deck of the giant Snezhnayan warship.

Under his guidance, they carefully secured the artifact with specially forged chains, anchoring it firmly to ensure it wouldn't shift during their voyage.

Under the sunlight, the artifact's golden glow glinted against the steel hull of the ship, a curious harmony of ancient and modern.

Shajin looked at his prize with immense satisfaction.

His eyes twitched.

He suddenly remembered that "Dottore" still owed him a favor…

A sly smile crept onto Shajin's face as a bold idea quickly took shape in his mind.

Shajin: "Heh~ I've got a plan!"

But just as he flopped onto his bed in his room, a knock echoed from the door.

Rosalyne's cool voice rang from outside.

"Adventurine, get out here and play chess!!!"

Shajin rolled his eyes with exasperation and refused to budge.

"I don't wanna~"

BANG!

Rosalyne kicked the door open without hesitation.

"Hmph, it's not up to you!"

And so, with a look of pure despair, Shajin was dragged out by Rosalyne.

"Hey hey hey… Let go, Rosalyne! I'll walk on my own! People are watching out there…"

…

Off the ship.

Shajin followed behind Rosalyne, who stomped forward in brooding silence.

"Come on, Rosalyne, are you seriously still holding a grudge?"

"You were the one who invited me to play chess~" he added, trying to ease the tension.

"Think about it. It's not like this is the first time you've lost to me," he joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Shut up!!!"

Rosalyne stopped and turned to glare at him, her eyes filled with fury and indignation.

"Adventurine, are you trying to humiliate me in front of everyone?!"

Shajin sighed and shook his head. He knew how much pride Rosalyne carried. Losing at chess was more than a simple loss for her—it was a blow to her dignity.

"Alright, alright, I get it. My bad, Rosalyne. But seriously, you can't hold onto this forever."

Her expression softened slightly, though the anger in her eyes hadn't completely faded.

"Hmph. You just got lucky this time. Next time, I'll win for sure."

Shajin gave her a helpless smile. He had to admit—Rosalyne's chess skills were among the best in all of Snezhnaya.

Unfortunately…

She was up against him~

"Fine, I'll be waiting for your glorious comeback, Miss Rosalyne~"

With that, Shajin turned and continued walking.

Rosalyne stared at his back, her cheeks puffed slightly in frustration.

She clenched her fists and made a silent vow.

"Next time… I'm definitely going to win!!!"

…

Inside the Zapolyarny Palace, the air was solemn and reverent.

"Well done~"

The voice of the Tsaritsa echoed from the elevated throne, tinged with a rare hint of approval.

Yet to Shajin, that voice still sounded a bit too soft and delicate—almost childlike, carrying an innocence that didn't quite match her reputation.

In Rosalyne's hands, the Geo Archon's Gnosis slowly floated toward the Tsaritsa's open palm.

The Tsaritsa didn't linger on it. She simply placed it into a crystalline container beside her desk.

As the Gnosis settled in, the glow inside the container shifted once more.

Following the glimmers of ice-blue and teal-green, a vibrant yellowish-gold now began to swirl within.

Rosalyne, having completed her mission, gave a respectful bow and prepared to take her leave.

But then she noticed something strange—Shajin wasn't moving.

He caught her glance and waved with a smile, signaling her to go ahead.

"Rosalyne, I have some important matters to discuss with Her Majesty. You go on ahead."

Rosalyne furrowed her brows slightly but nodded in understanding.

She gave a slight shrug and turned with graceful steps, departing .

As her footsteps faded into silence, the grand palace doors closed with a deep thud.

Bang!

As the doors sealed, a throne of pure Imaginary Energy emerged behind Shajin.

It radiated a powerful and mysterious aura, perfectly mirroring the Tsaritsa's own throne.

It shone with radiant golden light.

Shajin sat down casually, crossed one leg over the other, and his expression turned serious, his gaze deep and penetrating.

His eyes pierced through the icy mist, locking onto the enigmatic Tsaritsa.

Her presence was like a dream—ethereal and mesmerizing, a beauty so transcendent it could shake the soul.

Their eyes met In the air—neither speaking.

"Now then, Your Majesty," Shajin began, his voice edged with a trace of anticipation, "I've acquired two of the Archon Gnoses for Snezhnaya. Isn't it time you told me more about this so-called Third Cycle you mentioned in your letter?"

His voice carried a weight of expectancy that couldn't be hidden.

Yet the Tsaritsa gave no immediate reply.

She simply gazed at Shajin in silence, her eyes cold, detached—as if sealed behind an impenetrable wall of frost.

Shajin narrowed his eyes. His index finger tapped lightly against the armrest of his throne, producing a crisp, rhythmic click.

The sound echoed in the vast, silent chamber like a warning shot.

His voice hardened, laced with subtle threat.

"I'd prefer you not put me in a difficult position, Your Majesty~"

His tone was firm and unyielding—no room for negotiation.

Tension instantly flooded the hall like a rising tide.

The atmosphere between Shajin and the Tsaritsa turned explosive.

"Seems you really want to do this the hard way~"

As he spoke, a wave of sheer pressure burst from Shajin's body, sweeping outward like a storm.

The ice mist surrounding the Tsaritsa's throne was blown away, revealing her true appearance.

Shajin paused, surprised.

What he saw was completely different from the imposing image he had imagined.

Seated atop the throne was a silver-haired girl.

Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, the ends curled into four turbine-like spirals. An ice-blue gown wrapped elegantly around her, exuding an aura of regal nobility.

But in that moment…

The Tsaritsa looked nothing like the sovereign of a cold, ruthless nation.

A tiny, shimmering teardrop clung to the corner of her eye, like a pearl of sorrow.

Yet her gaze never wavered—she stared back at Shajin with unflinching resolve.

"I… I can't tell you!"

Her voice trembled, fragile yet defiant.

Shajin groaned and pressed his fingers to his forehead, utterly exasperated.

What the hell is going on now?!

He had expected a fierce battle. A clash of ambition and force. A confrontation worthy of legends.

But this?

This was something else entirely…

_

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