Chapter 84: Cycles

Shajin furrowed his brow, rubbing his temples as he lightly tapped the back of his head.

He couldn't help but mutter inwardly.

Although he'd already noticed the Tsaritsa's voice sounded somewhat childish, seeing her small, delicate frame with his own eyes still left him genuinely surprised.

Shajin tried to soften his tone, speaking gently.

"So, Your Majesty, would you kindly explain the true meaning behind this 'Reincarnation' to me?"

Yet the Tsaritsa remained silent, as if she hadn't heard his question at all.

Shajin sighed helplessly and shook his head.

"Actually, even if you don't tell me, I can probably guess the gist of it."

"In the first two cycles of 'Reincarnation', there probably wasn't anyone like 'me' or my clan involved… was there?"

"How do you know… mmph!"

The Tsaritsa blurted it out reflexively, only to realize her slip a second too late. She immediately covered her mouth with her tiny hands, eyes wide in alarm as she stared at Shajin in shock.

Shajin smiled faintly, spreading his hands in a resigned gesture.

"My dear queen, I am the variable in this cycle of 'Reincarnation'~"

"If you're willing to talk things through with me, perhaps we can finally shatter this false sky~"

The Tsaritsa's small face twisted with turmoil, as if some invisible force were pressing down on her. She was clearly locked in fierce inner conflict.

Her eyes flickered with pain and confusion too complex for words.

Time seemed to freeze. The whole world fell silent. Only a faint breeze blew by, carrying a chill that did nothing to soothe the Tsaritsa's turmoil.

After a long pause, she finally opened her mouth. Her voice was low but resolute.

"Alright…"

The Tsaritsa wiped the corner of her eye and slowly let out a long breath, as if a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

She muttered softly, her tone tinged with resignation.

"I never intended for you to get caught up in this power struggle among the gods. You're too unpredictable."

"Bringing you into the Fatui was just a way to keep a closer eye on you."

The Tsaritsa turned her gaze to Shajin, eyes glittering with thought.

"But your strength… far exceeded my expectations."

"In fact…"

She suddenly stopped, a complex emotion flashing through his eyes, before continuing.

"You're no weaker than that one…"

Shajin listened in silence. His expression didn't shift even a little—he was like a cold statue, his silence almost suffocating.

"As I wrote in the Letter, this is already the third 'cycle'."

The Tsaritsa' voice was thick with weariness and exhaustion.

"Unfortunately, the first two both ended in failure."

"And this one… is our last chance."

"As for the power of 'Reincarnation', it was entrusted to me by the previous Cryo Archon before his death. Along with it came a Script, urging me to forge a 'New World' for Teyvat."

"It supposedly came from some kind of [Finality]. I don't fully understand it either—only that it came from a being beyond the skies."

The Tsaritsa curled up, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"The Script said this 'Reincarnation' would definitely succeed. But… it didn't mention you. Out of all three cycles, this is the first time the Script has encountered a deviation."

'[Finality] and the Script, huh…'

Shajin took mental note, then shook his head.

"I don't care about the plot in your Script."

"I just want to know what the Letter meant when it said, 'Your clansmen didn't truly die.'"

The Tsaritsa leaned on her hand.

"Haven't you already figured it out? According to the rules, there should only be one variable in each cycle."

She pointed to herself, then to Shajin.

"But now, there's you as well."

"I am under the protection of [Finality], and you—and your clan—must've been sent into this cycle by an existence at least on par with [Finality]."

"There is no place for outsiders in the skies of Teyvat. You shouldn't exist here, and the World Tree cannot record you."

Her voice was calm and firm, as if relaying a law of nature.

"Dust returns to dust, earth to earth. The Avgin Clan was never meant to exist in Teyvat. After death, they merely returned to the place they originally belonged."

The Tsaritsa continued.

"As for where that is—I don't know. All I can say is, they're still alive. Perhaps somewhere beyond the 'Sky'."

Shajin exhaled deeply, as if releasing the weight in his heart.

"'That remote little planet,' huh?"

He recalled the words spoken by that other 'Shajin' in the space between realities.

"Seems… it really is far away~"

Shajin stood up and waved his hand.

At his gesture, the throne behind him dissolved into motes of glowing light, like a fading dream.

"Oh, one more thing. That traveler from beyond this world—Lumine. You're familiar with her, aren't you?"

The Tsaritsa nodded.

"She wants to join the Fatui. Was that in your Script too?"

Another nod.

"Yes, but not yet."

"And do you agree with it?"

The Tsaritsa thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"Even though the Script has deviated somewhat, its overall direction still appears to be on track. That traveler's time to join the Fatui hasn't come yet."

Shajin narrowed his eyes.

"Is it because of the 'Tenth Seat'?"

The Tsaritsa gave no answer either way.

Shajin nodded slightly and closed his eyes.

"I see."

"You really are gentle, Your Majesty~"

"You must be tired."

"This form… is your way of resisting erosion, isn't it?"

The fatigue in the Tsaritsa' eyes was impossible to hide.

"Yes. 'Erosion' is a rule imposed by the 'Sky'. The toll from three cycles is heavier than I expected."

"I had to shrink myself—make myself 'smaller'—to reduce the mental strain. It's the only way I can fight it off."

"Though I haven't lost much actual power, this childish form—both outside and within—makes it hard to make the right decisions."

"So I usually rely on Pierro to speak on my behalf."

Mist reformed around the Tsaritsa, shrouding his figure once again. Her voice was steeped in exhaustion.

"You've already heard everything you should—and shouldn't. I'm tired. Please leave."

Shajin stood silent for a moment, then pushed open the gates of the Palace of Snezhnaya.

Staring out into the snow-covered world, he spoke softly.

"As for your 'New World'—I'll help you, Your Majesty~"

Bang!

The door closed behind him.

The Tsaritsa on the throne stood frozen.

Then, her lips curled slightly upward.

"Thank you…"

"Shajin…"

_

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