Undercover in Snezhnaya, My Teyvat Spy Life [70]

While Jean was agonizing over Mondstadt’s future, Artem was issuing new orders from the Goth Grand Hotel.

At all costs, assassinate Crepus Ragnvindr, master of Dawn Winery, and his son Diluc Ragnvindr.

The Fatui had never been ones to waste time. As soon as the order was given, Leonid led a team out to lie in wait near Dawn Winery, hoping for an opening to take Crepus’s life.

That wasn’t the end of it.
No sooner had Leonid left than Artem rattled off several more commands:

Go to Ginsborough Port. Sabotage the reconstruction—especially any ships belonging to Dawn Winery. Destroy them all.

Take the new mechanical birds and Leyline stabilizers out, lure monsters to attack the trade route to Stone Gate.

Keep spreading rumors about the Knights of Favonius’s incompetence—not just in Mondstadt City, but in every outlying village.

When aiding refugees, do twice as much as the Knights. If the Knights hand out one loaf of bread, give two. Make sure the people of Mondstadt are deeply grateful to us.

With these new orders, every Fatui agent in Mondstadt was mobilized.

Debt Collectors—their best at covert operations—headed for Ginsborough Port. Mirror Maidens skilled in summoning monsters went to Stone Gate. Skirmishers, masters of blending in, took to the streets to sow rumors. The imposing, brawny Frontliners even took off their masks to show their friendly faces as they handed out supplies to refugees.

For a moment, nearly the entire Fatui presence in Mondstadt was put into motion. No one had a moment’s rest—including Artem himself, still coordinating everything from headquarters.

At the moment, his focus was the man standing before him—the Knights of Favonius’s Chief Alchemist.

Albedo.

In the hotel office, Albedo gave Artem a long, clinical look before speaking in his mild way.

“Varka told me you’re the one who can use all seven elements.”

“I know what you’re about to ask. I use these as external magic organs.”

This time, Artem didn’t deny or hide anything. He simply laid out all seven of his [Delusions] for Albedo to see.

In truth, ever since breaking with Mondstadt, Artem had guessed Varka would tell Albedo about his use of all seven elements—expecting Albedo would be sent to keep an eye on him.

Compared to a lunatic like Dottore, Albedo was more…reasonable. Still a fanatic, but at least with some lines he wouldn’t cross.

Earlier, Artem had tried to trick Albedo into clashing with The Doctor. Now, with everything exposed, there was no reason to keep lying.

This time, Artem planned to settle Albedo’s “problem” once and for all.

Seeing the seven [Delusions], Albedo’s curiosity only grew.

[Delusions] were nothing new to him. Back when he traveled with his master, Rhinedottir, he’d killed more Fatui soldiers than he could count—each using [Delusions] as external mana organs.

Rhinedottir had even made [Delusions] a research project, having Albedo write detailed experimental reports.

Because of that, Albedo knew all too well how dangerous [Delusions] were to the human body.

Fatui soldiers could only use them after heavy body modification.

But this man—

He showed no signs of alteration, yet could use seven [Delusions] at once.

Much like Dottore, Albedo now found himself deeply interested in Artem’s physiology.

So he asked, “Do you have any unique organs others don’t? For example, something that stores elemental energy, to reduce or negate [Delusion] backlash?”

“No,” Artem answered crisply.

“Do you feel any discomfort using [Delusions]?”

“No.”

“Ever had issues with elemental energy stagnating or getting trapped somewhere in your body?”

“No.”

“Besides immunity to [Delusion] backlash, do you have any other special abilities? Like superhuman strength or intelligence?”

“Sorry, no.”

“So outwardly, your body’s just like any other Teyvat native? The difference is all internal?”

Albedo mused to himself, then politely asked, “I’d like to invite you to my lab for a few experiments. Would you be willing?”

“I’m busy. No time,” Artem shot back, not hesitating for a second.

Albedo didn’t get angry, just tried persuading him patiently.

“Have you ever wondered why your body is so different? You look almost indistinguishable from a Teyvatian, but your constitution is utterly unlike ours.”

“Is it due to this world’s laws, or something you brought from your original world?”

“Don’t you ever feel curious?”

For a while, Albedo tried every angle, patiently coaxing.

Artem only repeated: “Sorry. No time, no interest, and no curiosity.”

Seeing he was still getting nowhere, Albedo frowned.

He began mulling over other ways to entice Artem to participate in experiments.

Suddenly, Artem—who had been so dead-set on refusing—changed his tune:
“But if you can give me enough of a reward, as a trade, maybe I’ll consider it.”

“Oh?” Albedo perked up. “What kind of reward?”

“Anything connected to a god. Remnants, limbs, whatever you can get.”

Albedo went silent for a long time.

What Artem was asking for was extremely dangerous.
God remnants, divine body parts—just touching them could drive a normal person mad.

Even [Vision] holders, using elemental energy to shield themselves, couldn’t stand up to a god’s miasma.

He wanted this kind of thing?

Could it be—?

Albedo felt as if he’d found his answer.

His eyes sparkled. Then he produced a vial of violet-red liquid.

He held it out to Artem. “This, my master and I collected on a journey in Sumeru. She analyzed it—it’s made from a god’s remains. It fits your criteria exactly.”

“Yeah?” Artem held out his hand. “Let me see.”

Albedo, eyes shining with expectation, handed it over.

Then, right in front of him, Artem opened the vial and downed the liquid in one gulp.

“…”

Even Albedo, who’d seen plenty, was left utterly speechless.

This was god’s residue—containing filthy, corrupt divine energy.
Countless people in Sumeru had lost their lives or minds to it.

And…he just drank it?

Artem spat, annoyed. “This is a fake. Doesn’t count.”

“When you have the real stuff, then we can talk about experiments.”

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T/N: LMAOOOOO

This is a fan translation of 提瓦特之我在至冬做臥底 by 曉風殘月聽荷 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!