Chapter 271: Chapter 271: Even the Knave Thinks He Might Be the Crazier One

Bloody, inhumane human experimentation?

Arlecchino saw none of that.

But she found this process even harder to understand.

Compared to Dottore’s experiments—built upon mountains of corpses and rivers of blood—

This was almost... absurdly humane.

"What is this? The water that dissolves Fontainians?"

Navia touched the strange liquid on her face, her expression turning serious.

So this was the culprit behind everything?

"Where did you even get this?" Arlecchino asked.

"The Primordial Sea. The entirety of Teyvat is under my surveillance. There’s nothing I can’t obtain."

"The entirety of Teyvat?"

Arlecchino’s expression shifted instantly.

That was dangerous.

If what he said was true—

Then every action, every conspiracy, every secret across Teyvat lay exposed to him.

His intelligence network surpassed the House of the Hearth by leagues.

More importantly—

He had mentioned Irminsul before.

Which meant not only the present—

But even the past could not escape his sight.

A terrifying information network.

Fortunately—

He was still a Fatui Harbinger.

Her colleague.

At least for now, she saw no sign of him targeting the House of the Hearth.

She didn’t need to worry yet.

"So this is your base?"

Arlecchino ran her fingers along the metallic wall, feeling the cold surface.

If the entire structure was made of metal—

The cost must be astronomical.

"More or less. It’s my place, after all."

Compared to his workshop in Snezhnaya, the space station was incomparably advanced.

Back then, he had no choice.

He had just realized he was in Teyvat and had to lower his standards significantly.

"Impressive. But I don’t see any Fatui personnel. You’re managing this alone?"

A base without attendants?

Who handled supplies? Cleaning?

Surely he didn’t personally wipe the floors with a rag.

"No need to worry. The station has its own intelligent cleaning system. Cleaner than humans, more efficient than humans—and most importantly, more loyal than humans."

"Like Khaenri’ah’s machines? Or the Marionette’s puppets?"

Arlecchino glanced at the small robot that had scanned her earlier.

"Similar. But far more advanced."

If only Sandrone weren’t such a shut-in.

If she exchanged knowledge with him, she might gain access to truly advanced technology.

"Then why not apply this to Fatui’s military?"

It would dramatically increase overall strength.

Mission efficiency would skyrocket.

"Because no funding was approved. Research costs money. This space station? I freeloaded it from Herta."

Arlecchino still didn’t fully grasp what this "space station" truly was.

It looked advanced—

But not beyond what Pantalone couldn’t finance.

Until she left the laboratory.

And saw the rest of it.

Standing on the deck, she stared at the vast structure in stunned silence.

"You built... a city?"

The scale rivaled a town.

He had built an entire city for himself?

"Not just that. We’re outside Teyvat. More precisely—above the false sky. Right over Celestia."

"You built a city above Celestia? Are you insane?"

She didn’t fully understand researchers—

But constructing a city in the sky?

Was that necessary?

She had thought it was just a large laboratory.

Comparable to his Snezhnayan workshop.

But this—

This scale required unimaginable resources.

And he said he got it for free?

Did that Herta person truly give it away without price?

Arlecchino would sooner believe he paid some unknown cost.

Compared to Pantalone—

Su Ran’s lifestyle was even more extravagant.

The next morning.

Arlecchino returned to the House of the Hearth.

Lyney and Lynette had been waiting.

"Father."

She had been gone all night.

Surely she and the Genius had discussed much.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stayed away.

"The Genius is safe. If you ever encounter danger, you may seek his help."

Despite witnessing his madness—

Despite nearly glimpsing that overwhelming existence in his eyes—

Arlecchino had accepted his place above Celestia.

It was insane.

But it was within his capability.

Was she merely a frog in a well?

"Understood... Father. And the prophecy?"

Lyney couldn’t ignore it.

He was part of the House—

But he was also a child of Fontaine.

He worried.

"You needn’t rush. I now know the truth of the prophecy. The Genius will resolve it."

"Can he really? Even Lady Furina hasn’t done much..."

Based on yesterday’s impression—

Lyney had doubts.

A superior who insisted on petting Lynette’s head didn’t exactly scream "reliable."

Could he truly handle something so serious?

"Do not doubt his ability."

Arlecchino’s gaze was steady.

"At least within Teyvat—there should be no problem he cannot solve."

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