In an average apartment block, near dawn
The Gacha God was working on his computer. On the screen was the green banner of Venti, but Venti was alone featured, and none of the 4 stars was there.
"Alright, let's see which 4 stars should I choose?"
DING DONG
"Huh, who is it?"
The Gacha God went to the door, put the key into the keyhole on the door, spinned it and opened the door.
"Ma...Madame Ping..."
"This old woman needs your help..." said Madame Ping before she collapsed.
"Wait...oh my...you're poisoned..."
===
YAWN
Alexy came down to the first floor for breakfast.
"Good morning!" Alexy
"Good morning, Brother!" Ivan
"Good morning, Alexy...Are you alright? You look pale, are you sick?" Mom
"No, Mom, I'm alright...Where's Dad?" Alexy feigned ignorance.
"Haizzz...he had some urgent business in the middle of the night and had already left." Mom
"Boys, don't get married to a girl who belongs to the military, ok?" Mom
"Yes, Mom!" both answered.
"Alright, pancake or cereal?" Mom
"Pancake!!!" both.
"...Alright!"
. . .
After putting the dishes on the table, Mrs. Tsarivich turned on the TV for the morning news.
"Good morning, everyone, I'm John Tapley, your host, and welcome to 07:00 AM news of ZZZ News!"
Then the the TV showed another scene - it was the scene of the military prison - blown up on one side, and the other side looked like it was going to collapse. Many police officers, along with firefighters and medical forces were present.
[Yesterday night, around midnight, a group of terrorists has bombed the military prison outside the city, the prison was once considered one of the sturdiest building in the country. The terrorist group called themselves the Fatui.]
Then the scene switched to the scene from last night.
"The one before you is HIS HIGHNESS ALEXEI, Benevolent and Beloved Tsarevich of Snezhnaya, Freedom Protector of Mondstadt, Contract Guardian of Liyue, Eternity Preserver of Inazuma, Wise Prophet of Sumeru, Supreme Justice of Fontaine, War God of Natlan, the Custodian of the Faith of The Seven and the Grand Master of Gnosis Chess."
"Most importantly, he's the Supreme Leader of our organization, the Fatui, the fools who stand against the corrupt order of the world!"
"...the Fatui will fight for freedom, for the fulfillment of contract, for eternity, for the wisdom and knowledge that destroy ignorance, for justice, for war that protects whom we love, and for the expansion of the Faith of the Seven. We will destroy the corrupt order of this world, starting with this country Z."
"Cough...cough..." Alexy was drinking water
"Alexy, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Mom...cough...choking on water..."
The scene on TV switched back to the host.
"Melissa, are you there?"
"Yes, I'm right here at the scene."
"Can you tell us what's the situation over there?"
"Very, very chaotic...when I came here, the wounded were everywhere, the fire from the explosion was so high that it covered the rising sun at dawn...they are still trying to dig to see whether there are still hidden bomb by the terrorist..."
"Thank you, Melissa, can we interview someone who witnesses the event last night?"
"Yes, Colonel Sanders is standing beside me!"
Melissa turned around called the Colonel, who was talking with another soldier.
"Sir..."
"Ah...thank you!"
"Good morning, Colonel!"
"Good morning!"
"Can you tell us more about what happened last night?"
"Ah yeah, yesterday night, the terrorists barged in the prison to rescue probably one of them, whom we had detained because of suspicious action. They attacked me with electric weapon, rescued the prisoner and started to throw bombs and mines everywhere. Our heroic soldiers successfully cornered them, however, they combined their electric weapon with the bomb...and caused a large explosion...I can still remember the sound of the bomb like it just happened a few minutes ago."
"Can you tell us how did they escape, Colonel?"
"I think they had some of their members staying outside and when the time came, the ones who were outside provided help..."
"How can you explain the way they escaped the scene at the end...after their leader's speech?"
"...I think they have someone who could do magic...no, I don't mean real magic, what I meant is the magic you saw at circus...but I think this guy is better than those magicians at the circus."
"Colonel, what's about the prisoners there, did they escape?"
"Many of them tried to escape but reinforcements arrived in time, among them General Tsarivich, who had gone to meet the President, so they were all captured."
"One last question, how are the wounded soldiers?"
Hearing this question, Alexy began to feel more anxious. He felt guilty and didn't want to hurt anyone, lest killing anyone.
"There are many serious wounded, some are still in serious condition, but no one died...at least yet."
"Thank you, Colonel! Sorry for taking your precious time when you're needed more elsewhere."
"You're welcomed!" Colonel turned back to his work.
(O God, please don't let anyone die!) Alexy prayed in his head.
===
Griffin Palace
Meeting room
All the people who were sitting at the table stood up as President Dukakis entered the room.
"Please sit!" said the President.
"Alright, what do you know about these terrorists?" President Dukakis
"Nothing much, even though we know some of their members' faces, but the database proves that they are not citizen of this country." said Madame Le Pen, the Minister of Homeland Security.
"And that's why it's the duty of the Ministry of Defense and the military to take care of it!" said Dupond, Minister of Defense.
"We are not entirely sure that this...Fatui group is all foreigners, and it's the Ministry of Homeland Security's job to deal with the threats from within." Madame Le Pen.
"Right now, it's cannot be proven that they have members who are citizens, so it's our job." Dupond.
"But currently the terrorist are inside the country, so it's still our job, and the Ministry of Defense and the military never know how to be discreet, which may cause unrest among the people." Madame Le Pen
"But they are not domestic enemies!"
"They're INSIDE the country!"
*sigh* General Tsarivich
BAM
President Dukakis slammed his hand on the table. Immediately, both Madame Le Pen and Dupond stopped their argument.
"Ministry of the Homeland Security will be in charge! Be discreet, Le Pen!"
"Yes, Mr. President!"
"But, Mr. President, this is unconstitutional, the Constitution says that Ministry of Defense and the military fight external enemies, while Ministry of Homeland Security fights domestic enemies." said a man in the room.
"Who are you?" President Dukakis.
"I'm Krishna Wright, observer from the Congress, Mr. President!"
"Why do you have a Western surname with an Indian first name?" President Dukakis.
"My father is of British origin and my mother is an immigrant from India...but that's not important. The important one is that your decision is unconstitutional!" Krishna Wright.
"My decision is final!"
"Fine!" Krishna Wright stood up and left the room
"Alright, that's it!" President Dukakis stood up and left the room.
. . .
"How's the market?" President Dukakis asked as he walked in the hall.
"The price of stock...went down a bit, but can be considered stable." said the secretary.
"Good, but observe the market, I don't want to see a report on economic crisis on my table."
"Yes, Mr. President!"
. . .
In another corridor
"Yes, Madam Speaker, he violated the Constitution!" Krishna Wright said on the phone.
"Alright, I will deal with it!" said the Speaker of Congress.
===
Upper floor of the system's dimension
"I greet Your Majesty, the Tsaritsa!" Viktor said as he knelt down.
"You've done very well!" said the Tsaritsa.
"Your Majesty, do we the Fatui really have to listen to him?" Viktor.
"Yes, unless I say otherwise, all Fatui members must bow to him." Tsaritsa.
"Even the 11 Harbingers!?"
"Yes!"
"Your Majesty, I..."
"Speak!"
"I can already see Harbinger Scaramouche being mad at this decision..."
"Tell Pierro to keep him and other Harbingers in check! Now go!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Viktor stood up, bowed and went out.
"I know you were behind this!"
The Tsaritsa turned around and Venti was standing in front of her, holding a lyre.
"Didn't we agree on our tests for the boy, I'll go first?" Venti.
"My test for him is a long process, so it's best that I started it first, and it will end after the tests from you and the others." Tsaritsa.
"I understand, but how about you buy me some wine and I'll keep secret, ehe? After all, in your test, the others were quite offended, you know. I and Morax can understand you, but..."
"That won't be necessary...because they will believe what I say about you than what you say about me. Morax may have his doubt but he's the minority."
"Wait...what!? What do you mean? What are you going to do to me...EEKKKKKKKK!"
***
AR: 7 (1225/2000 EXP)
Primogem count: 575
Mora count: 63,900