Chapter 1: The Twelfth Harbinger
Tn: This chapter is re-written at 5 / 19 / 2025
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"Did you hear the news? We got a new Harbinger..."
"A new Harbinger? Is it true?"
Inside a carriage bound for Mondstadt, two Fatui diplomats—Mikhail and Lyudmila—whispered urgently to each other as they traveled along the snowy borders of Snezhnaya.
They were discussing the latest announcement from the Tsaritsa herself.
After what felt like an eternity of silence from the Fatui's highest ranks, a new Harbinger had finally been appointed.
But no one expected who it would be.
The newly appointed Twelfth Harbinger was called "The Ausbilder."
He was formerly a combat instructor for the Fatui's elite debt collection unit, the Pyro Agents—training them in both combat and the art of, well, collecting debts.
It's said the Pyro Agents' signature stealth ability—the power to vanish without a trace—was something he personally passed down.
And yet, for reasons unknown, this man had been promoted—to the highest echelon of the Fatui.
Naturally, the entire nation of Snezhnaya was thrown into an uproar.
After all, the Pyro Agents didn't exactly have the best reputation... not in Snezhnaya, and certainly not across Teyvat.
By extension, their instructor—The Ausbilder—wasn't viewed much better.
But regardless of public opinion, no one dared question the will of the Tsaritsa.
As for the Twelfth Harbinger himself? He was just as confused as everyone else.
"There's no way… Aren't the Harbingers supposed to be the strongest in the Fatui? Why me?"
Standing before the frosty grandeur of the Tsaritsa's palace, Bai Luo felt his heart thundering in his chest.
Not from awe, or admiration.
But from pure, unfiltered panic.
He wasn't like the other Harbingers—people like Pulcinella, Arlecchino, or Tartaglia. He hadn't been trained, prepared, or even warned.
This was thrust upon him. Out of the blue.
He had genuinely thought it was a dream... until Pierro, the Director of the Harbinger, personally placed a Delusion into his hand—proof of his new title.
Only then did it sink in.
He really was the Twelfth Harbinger now.
But here's the thing.
He wasn't even from this world.
One look at his name would tell you that much.
To be precise, he wasn't from Teyvat at all.
In his original world, Snezhnaya was nothing more than a fictional country in a game he'd played.
One winter day, while walking by a frozen river, he spotted a child who had fallen through the ice.
He didn't think of himself as a hero, but he couldn't just walk away.
So he saved the child—dragged them out of the freezing water.
But in doing so, he fell in.
Too cold. Too tired. He sank into the ice.
And when he woke up... he was here.
In Snezhnaya.
His selfless act of heroism hadn't gone unnoticed. The Fatui, impressed by his bravery, had offered him a place in their ranks.
Just like the rumors said—his unique stealth abilities earned him the title of instructor among the Pyro Agents.
But here's a twist the rumors didn't mention:
His stealth power wasn't the same as the Pyro Agents'. Not even close.
His ability came from an entirely different source—from another game.
A character named Hei.
More specifically, the digital version of Hei from a game inspired by the anime Darker than Black.
To hide the origins of his abilities, Bai Luo even bought a fake Vision from a street vendor—said to be imported from Inazuma. It was so well-crafted, not even real Vision holders could tell the difference.
His was an Anemo Vision, supposedly.
Also, fun fact: he was pretty tall—definitely not the kind of guy who'd trip over a flowerbed.
Using his unique power, he worked his way up through the Fatui's ranks, eventually becoming the Pyro Agents' instructor.
But...
That still didn't explain why he was chosen as a Harbinger.
Even someone like Tartaglia—the Eleventh Seat—had proven strength to back his position.
So why him?
Could it be... the Tsaritsa likes him or something?
"What nonsense are you thinking now?"
A heavy hand landed on Bai Luo's shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. He flinched in surprise.
For someone of his skill level, there were few in all of Snezhnaya who could sneak up behind him without a sound.
Unless...
Bai Luo turned and immediately recognized the man by his thick, fur-lined cloak.
"Lord Rooster!"
He reflexively stood at attention and called out the man's codename.
That's right—this was the Fifth Harbinger, codenamed "Rooster."
"No need for formalities—we're colleagues now. Come with me. There's a new mission for you."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Bai Luo still wasn't used to his new identity.
Rooster… He barely knew the man.
His previous position hadn't warranted interactions with anyone beyond Tartaglia, the Eleventh Harbinger.
Let alone someone from the top five.
But now, standing next to Rooster, he seemed... surprisingly approachable.
At least, he wasn't looking at Bai Luo like he was a piece of meat to be carved up.
Unlike a certain Eleventh Harbinger.
The moment Pierro had given Bai Luo his Delusion in the Tsaritsa's palace, Tartaglia had practically challenged him to a duel on the spot.
If the Tsaritsa hadn't stepped in to diffuse the tension, there might've been a duel right then and there.
Rooster led him to what looked like an office. Once inside, he pulled out a strange-looking paper covered in… chicken feathers?
He placed it on the table in front of Bai Luo.
"What's this?"
He had a vague idea of what it is, but still asked anyway.
"Your appointment letter," Rooster said plainly. "Starting tomorrow, you're Snezhnaya's envoy to Inazuma. You'll be in charge of all operations in the region."
"...What?"
Bai Luo had been reaching for the letter, but the moment he heard Inazuma, his entire body went cold.
Inazuma?! Wasn't being placed on there basically a death sentence?!
He hadn't forgotten what happened to La Signora in the game—how badly she was killed, and then how her grave was stomped on by half the player base. Her ashes could probably circle Teyvat five times!
"Lord Rooster, I… I don't think I'm qualified for such a major responsibility!"
He knew better than to outright refuse.
Turning down his very first assignment right after being appointed? Without a damn good excuse, he'd be "reassigned" by the Tsaritsa—likely into an urn.
He had two choices.
Get destroyed by Raiden Shogun…
Or get destroyed by the Tsaritsa.
"The fact that you were chosen to become the new Harbinger means that you can handle this," Rooster said, taking a seat and folding his arms with a calm but firm tone.
Inazuma wasn't just a mission—it was non-negotiable.
"Then… can I go to Mondstadt instead?"
Mondstadt would be great! Klee's there! Diona's there! Most importantly—it was safe! No chance of getting electrocuted into oblivion by Baal.
"Mondstadt is already Lady Signora's assignment. You sure you want to fight her for it?"
Rooster didn't deny the idea outright—he just smiled, amused.
Signora might not have been the strongest Harbinger, but even so, Bai Luo, as a newly appointed Harbinger, was in no position to challenge her.
"O-Okay— What about Liyue, then? I mean, Morax is one of the oldest Archons, sure, but maybe I could try my best."
Liyue didn't sound half bad. Keqing was there, after all. He could deal with some immortals if it meant getting to see her.
Besides, according to the records, he was originally registered as a Liyue native in this world. It would be a logical reassignment.
"You'll have to take that up with Tartaglia."
Rooster's smile widened.
Everyone in the Fatui already knew Tartaglia was dying to fight the new Twelfth Harbinger. Sending Bai Luo to Liyue now would be like tossing a sheep into a tiger cage.
"I see…"
Rooster didn't give him a chance to argue further.
"According to our intel, Inazuma is in a state of isolation. The Shogun's mental state is also… unstable. It's currently the weakest among the Seven Nations."
"In other words… I don't have a choice?"
"Correct."
"...Damn it."