In the palace of the Tsaritsa, ruler of Snezhnaya, a solemn ceremony was underway.
"From this moment forth, Afurola, you are the Twelfth Harbinger of the Fatui. Codename: Dark Shepherd."
A soft yet aloof voice drifted through the heavy curtains. Upon hearing it, the gathered crowd dropped to one knee in reverence—save for the girl at the center, who merely gave a slight nod and responded, "Understood."
No one criticized her apparent breach of decorum. They were already used to it.
The girl's real name was Saphir. According to her own claims, she hailed from another world—what the locals would call an "Outlander." Unfortunately, her arrival brought her straight into the frozen lands of Snezhnaya. Harsh weather nearly claimed her life, until the Tenth Harbinger of the Fatui, codename "The Servant," Arlecchino, found her on the brink of death and took her back to the House of the Hearth.
After joining the Fatui and proving herself with both outstanding results and exceptional merit, she was granted the name Afurola by the Tsaritsa herself and was promoted exceptionally to become the Twelfth Harbinger.
As Pierro, the First Harbinger and "The Jester," once remarked about her:
"She seems born without a sense of reverence. A flaw, perhaps—but also a strength. The world she came from likely lacked the many rules and restraints that bind us. That makes her freer than any of us. I believe, even in the face of the heavenly order, she would never lower her proud head. It's arrogance etched into her very bones. She calls it 'self-respect'—brash, yet fascinating."
Now, this brash yet fascinating girl stood with a radiant smile, scanning the familiar faces around her. The name of the Twelfth Harbinger—Dark Shepherd—began spreading across Teyvat, tagged and archived by intelligence agencies everywhere.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by a grand banquet. The most famous drink in Snezhnaya was a high-proof spirit called "Firesap." As toasts flew and cups clinked, even Saphir began to feel the buzz of alcohol. Forcing herself through two more glasses, she finally excused herself from the hall and stepped out onto the second-floor balcony, gazing down at the bustling cityscape of Snezhnaya's capital.
Footsteps approached from behind. Saphir didn't turn, merely sipped her drink in silence. She knew that gait well—it belonged to the Eighth Harbinger, codename "The Lady," Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter. Of all the Harbingers, Rosalyne was one of the few she was genuinely close to—not just because of longer work history, but because Saphir could feel it: beneath that cold and twisted exterior was a warmth like the sun in winter.
Rosalyne, at her core, was a gentle soul.
"The glory of the capital is built on Her Majesty's blood and sweat. Our duty is to protect it for her," Rosalyne murmured, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush of drunkenness. "Today wasn't just your induction... It also marks the opening of the Harlequin's Play. Pierro should be announcing the mission soon."
Though it sounded like idle musing, Saphir knew it was a reminder: don't forget to check your assignment.
"Got it. Thanks for the heads-up. I just came out to get some air—I'll head back in now."
Downing the last of her drink in one go, Saphir grinned at Rosalyne in thanks.
Rosalyne merely gave a quiet hum and turned to leave.
Left alone, Saphir sighed softly as the cold wind tousled her hair.
"So gentle… and yet she hides behind a mask of ice. Why?"
She placed her empty glass on the balcony rail, wiped her lips, and straightened her outfit before slowly returning to the grand hall.
Once she reentered and all Harbingers had taken their seats, Pierro no longer delayed. Clearing his throat, he called for silence and began his speech.
Saphir sat in her seat, utterly bored. Pierro's speeches were always long-winded and convoluted, with half of it barely making sense. She gave up trying to understand, focusing only on what truly mattered—her assignment.
Finally, the meeting ended, and tasks were assigned. This time, the focus was on extending existing operations in Mondstadt and Liyue. Saphir had already heard bits and pieces of these plans and had even taken part in the groundwork laid in Inazuma.
After the meeting, Tartaglia (Childe) left immediately to carry out his mission in Liyue. Rosalyne, in charge of Mondstadt, didn't rush. Liyue, after all, was a land that still walked with its god—Morax. Anyone seeking the Gnosis there would inevitably have to confront the oldest of the Archons. Difficult, certainly—but still more straightforward than Mondstadt.
Barbatos hadn't shown himself in a long time. To find a god who had vanished, especially one as elusive and free as the Anemo Archon, was no easy task. But from Rosalyne's composed demeanor, it seemed she had a plan. Saphir wouldn't pry.
As the other Harbingers trickled out, Saphir was the only one left without an assignment. She looked over at Pierro, lounging with his usual air of mystery, and immediately knew—he was waiting to give her orders in private.
"Afurola, originally, your task was to accompany Tartaglia to Liyue," Pierro said slowly, his voice muffled by the half-mask covering his face.
Saphir raised a brow. "Liyue? I figured I'd be sent back to Inazuma. That's where I've been stationed, after all—it's basically my home turf."
"I've reviewed the Inazuma situation," Pierro said with a sigh. "According to Scaramouche, the current Raiden Shogun is not Beelzebul—but she wields power equal to hers and clings obsessively to the concept of eternity. To wrest the Gnosis from her would be near impossible. She's not someone we can reason with, nor easily defeat. So the Tsaritsa has deemed it unfit for a newcomer like you."
He paused meaningfully.
"The Empress wishes for you to begin in Mondstadt. Work alongside the others to retrieve the Anemo Gnosis. She wants you to make contact with the other gods."
The moment he said "The Empress wishes", Saphir understood.
The whole "not suitable for a rookie" excuse was just a smokescreen. There was something more at play—something well above her level. Pierro, ever tactful, had merely hinted at it. The Empress's will was not to be guessed—nor could it be.
But Saphir didn't mind.
She had a secret—even the Empress didn't know it. About the world of Teyvat, she knew far more than anyone expected. Because once, she had been a Traveler.
She had lived through three Lantern Rites. Explored the Golden Apple Archipelago twice. Helped Klee chase down Dodo-King. Battled Stormterror alongside Venti. Helped Nahida reclaim the Akademiya. Became the first sage of Buer. And fulfilled the wish of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata:
"To let the world completely forget me."
Now, in a new identity, she had returned to Teyvat. Everything excited her anew.
"Alright, I understand. I'll get ready and head to Mondstadt. Could you pass a message to Rosalyne for me? Just let her know—I'll be waiting for her in Mondstadt."
Without waiting for a reply, Saphir vanished on the spot.
Even after seeing it multiple times, Pierro's eyelid twitched at the sight. He prided himself on his power, yet still couldn't unravel the technique behind her disappearances. Shaking his head, he gave up thinking about it, pulled his heavy fur cloak tighter, and left the hall.
The Harlequin's Play had begun.
The Fatui's long-laid schemes were now in motion. With the arrival of the Harbingers, their soldiers in every nation would become their sharpest weapons—driven to fulfill the Empress's mournful wish.
Just as the Mirror Maiden once said:
"For Her Majesty's glory."