Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

The Fatui, hailing from Snezhnaya, was an organization whose influence spanned the continent.

Among its ranks were the Eleven Harbingers, the most powerful and fearsome members of the Fatui.

Now, one of these Harbingers, "The Marionette," had made her way to Inazuma.

But for what purpose?

"A letter…?"

The girl's interest was piqued as she lifted her delicate face.

She had been stationed in Inazuma on orders from the Tsaritsa, tasked with overseeing operations here.

It seemed, however, that the plan in this nation had run into some obstacles.

That said—

Having no desire to involve herself in such trivial disputes, she had immediately set up an experimental factory upon her arrival.

Her focus? Scientific research.

In other words, she had begun slacking off the moment she took up her post.

What the Tsaritsa might think of this… was another matter entirely.

"Bring it here."

She tilted her snowy chin upward.

Her current experiment had been stagnant for some time, and reading something different might be a nice break.

Hopefully, it was news about Ren…

In this dreary place, he was one of the few things she found genuinely intriguing.

"Yes, Harbinger."

The Fatui soldier approached with the letter, his demeanor respectful.

Yet, in the shadows, his eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings.

The factory was oppressive, its atmosphere dominated by the hulking presence of dormant Ruin Guards.

The heavy weight of the machinery seemed to press down on everything.

At the heart of this cold, mechanical expanse stood the girl, clad in a pristine white lab coat.

Her slender figure contrasted sharply with the industrial behemoths surrounding her, creating a jarring yet mesmerizing image.

"..."

The soldier inhaled deeply, steadying his nerves.

This was his chance to get close to The Marionette.

As he took a step forward—

Clank.

From the shadows, a mechanical arm shot out, snatching the letter before the soldier could react.

"!"

His heart leapt, and he quickly bowed his head.

"I told you not to approach."

The Harbinger known as The Marionette, or Sandrone, spoke softly.

As she spoke, she unfastened the buttons of her coat with measured ease.

The lab coat slipped from her shoulders, revealing a finely crafted, elegant dress underneath.

Several mechanical arms hovered around her, cradling her slight frame as they gently lowered her to the ground.

"Harbinger, your legs… are they still injured?"

The soldier's eyes flickered with curiosity as he probed cautiously.

In the darkness behind him, shadows seemed to shift and writhe.

Even if the injury was temporary, the girl's limited mobility made her vulnerable. If something were to happen now…

"You've forgotten the rules."

"I-I apologize."

Her icy blue eyes glinted faintly, but Sandrone did not pursue the matter further.

Instead, a faint smirk played across her lips as she unfolded the letter in her hands.

Whatever it contained was far more worthy of her attention.

Moments later—

"Ren…"

"As I thought, you're truly special."

"I can hardly wait to have you."

Sandrone's gaze drifted to the massive machinery beside her.

It was one of her personal creations, a mechanical guardian.

Regret flickered briefly in her eyes as she reached out a hand to touch it.

"You're still far from perfect."

"But that's fine."

"I've already found the ideal 'material.'"

Her voice grew soft as she removed the core from the machine.

In her arms, she cradled an exquisitely crafted puppet—a replica of Ren, down to the finest detail.

Her eyes sparkled with an unusual excitement, a feverish gleam dancing in their depths.

A powerful body.

A miraculous mastery over multiple elements.

The mere thought of these qualities made her cheeks flush with exhilaration.

What a perfect "material" he was…

She could hardly wait to savor this delectable treat.

"Harbinger, your guardian has malfunctioned," the soldier's voice called out coldly from the shadows.

"Ha, it doesn't matter."

Sandrone's tone was indifferent, her attention fully absorbed in her plans.

Sandrone blinked slowly, her gaze shifting to the shadows that had quietly surrounded the factory.

"Well then," she said, her voice soft but laced with authority. "Which Harbinger sent you?"

Internal conflict within the Fatui was nothing new.

Even after distancing herself from Snezhnaya, she had still been targeted.

The soldier before her drew a Delusion from his uniform, his tone chilling.

"Apologies, we're simply following orders."

"Offense intended!"

From the darkness, assassins emerged, their blades gleaming as they closed in on the frail, unguarded girl.

"How crude," Sandrone murmured with a cold sigh.

Her voice carried an icy detachment, cutting through the tension like frost on a winter morning.

---

"Hmph."

Yoimiya turned her face away, her pout practically reaching the sky.

"I swear, this wasn't a gift from some other girl," Ren said helplessly, feeling as though he was defending himself against baseless accusations.

"Hard to believe!"

Yoimiya cast him a sharp glance.

How many girls had he captured the hearts of without even realizing? She gripped the puppet tightly and darted toward the two noblewomen, fully prepared to report her findings.

"..."

Ren rolled his eyes, deciding not to bother explaining further.

As if there were truly a legion of beautiful girls secretly watching him.

"Interesting," came a thoughtful voice.

Just then, Kamisato Ayato approached, his gaze contemplative.

Ren's instincts flared.

"Lord Commissioner, do you know something about this?"

"You may simply call me Ayato," the man replied, casting a glance at Tenshukaku.

His tone grew serious.

Ren hesitated. What's with the sudden formal atmosphere?

"Well then… Brother Ayato…"

Why does this feel like a generational gap just opened up?

"Harbinger, 'The Marionette,'" Ayato said after a moment of thought.

He looked directly at Ren. "You've been marked."

"..."

Ren took a deep breath, his mind racing.

So, someone really was watching him from the shadows.

His encounters with the Fatui weren't exactly few and far between.

It wasn't surprising that a Harbinger had taken an interest in him.

But this "Puppet"…

Now that the Vision Hunt Decree was over, perhaps it was best to let things unfold naturally.

"What's your plan from here?" Ayato asked, his gaze alternating between Ren and Tenshukaku.

"Well, I suppose…"

Before Ren could respond, the girls approached.

It seemed they had reached a unanimous decision.

"Let's go to the Komore Teahouse," Kamisato Ayaka said softly, holding up the "Little Ren" puppet.

Her tone was gentle, but her words carried a firm edge.

"There's something we need to ask you."

Such a finely crafted gift…

The girl who made this must be very adorable, right?

It seemed an interrogation was unavoidable.

My dear master.

"?"

Ren suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.