The group left the building after they had finished applying for residency and once again walked to the center of Ritou.

Thoma broke the silence first, running a hand through his blond hair with a nervous laugh. "Boy, I'm still shocked. I've never felt such fear in my life. What you did back there? Momon was… terrifying." His tone was light, but there was an edge of genuine unease in his voice.

Momon's armored shoulders shifted slightly, his crimson eyes glinting faintly under the shadows of his helmet. "That's how you deal with scammers," he said, his deep voice calm and unbothered, as though he hadn't just left a government worker trembling in fear.

Paimon, who had been unusually quiet since leaving the building, finally piped up, crossing her arms. "Paimon thinks that was way too scary, though! You made poor Yurika almost cry!"

Momon glanced at her briefly before responding, "People who prey on others deserve to experience fear themselves."

Thoma sighed, his normally cheerful expression dimmed by a rare moment of solemnity. "It's just… embarrassing, honestly. The self-isolation of Inazuma has made life so hard for the citizens. It's driven some of them to resort to things like scams or underhanded deals just to get by." He looked around at the crowded streets, his green eyes filled with quiet concern. "Ritou used to be livelier, more welcoming. Now, it's just a shadow of what it was before the Sakoku Decree."

"What about you?" Momon asked, his tone curious but probing. "What's your place in all this?"

"Me?!" Thoma turned to him with a laugh that sounded forced at first but quickly regained its usual warmth. He straightened up and placed a hand over his chest in mock indignation. "Ohohoho, I'm no scammer, if that's what you're asking! I'm an honest man, thank you very much."

Paimon tilted her head, floating a little closer. "Then what do you do, mister 'honest man'?"

Thoma grinned, his usual charm returning in full force. "I work for the Yashiro Commission, serving as a loyal retainer of the Kamisato Clan. I take care of things like negotiations, managing affairs for outlanders, and, well, pretty much anything Lady Ayaka or Lord Ayato needs me to handle."

"Ah, so you're a glorified errand boy," Paimon teased, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

"Errand boy?" Thoma laughed, shaking his head. "I prefer the term 'housekeeper extraordinaire.'"

Aether chuckled softly at the exchange but looked at Thoma with growing interest. "You mentioned the Kamisato Clan. What kind of people are they?"

Thoma's expression softened, a genuine fondness shining in his eyes. "They're extraordinary, really. Lady Ayaka is as graceful as a cherry blossom, and her brother, Lord Ayato, is a sharp strategist and a kind leader. They both work tirelessly for the good of Inazuma, even in these difficult times."

"Anyway," Momon said, turning to Thoma, "I assume this place is not the main city of Inazuma?"

"You assume correctly," Thoma replied, his tone brightening. "Ritou is just a small trading estate, the first stop for most outlanders arriving in Inazuma. To reach Inazuma City, we'll need to travel deeper into Narukami Island."

"We?" Paimon asked, her head tilting as she hovered closer to Thoma. "Are you coming with us?"

Thoma grinned, his cheerful demeanor infectious. "Well, I will be returning to my master's estate soon anyway, so why not travel together for the moment? It's safer in numbers, after all."

"That's great!" Aether said, his voice carrying a note of relief. "I mean, you know Inazuma better than us, and it's always good to have a guide."

Thoma looked uneasy. He glanced at the soldiers stationed near the exit leading to the mainland, their stern faces and sharp weapons a clear reminder of the Shogun's strict enforcement.

"But there is a little problem…" Thoma hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "Outlanders aren't allowed to leave Ritou, diplomats might get a pass through. The Tenryou Commission keeps a close eye on all non-Inazuman travelers. Strict orders, you know."

"Well, that would be a problem for us," Aether said, frowning slightly as he looked toward the guarded exit of the settlement.

Paimon's wings fluttered anxiously. "Oh no! Does that mean we're stuck here? How are we supposed to continue our journey?"

Momon tilted his head slightly, his glowing red dots behind the mask flickering faintly. "I don't think so. In moments like this, magic provides solutions where bureaucracy cannot." His calm, deliberate tone caused everyone to turn to him with curiosity.

"What do you mean?" asked Thoma, eyebrows raised.

Momon raised a hand, the air around it shimmering faintly with a pale blue light. "I'll use a simple spell. [Invisibility] will allow us to pass through their blockade without any trouble."

Paimon gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Magic! Yey! It's always amazing when you pull out your tricks, hehe!" She twirled excitedly in the air. "I knew traveling with you was going to make things way cooler."

"Are you sure this will work?" Thoma asked, his tone both curious and cautious. "The guards are pretty sharp, and if we get caught—"

"Do not underestimate my magic, Thoma…" Momon said suddenly, his voice a cold, resonating tone that cut through the ambient noise like a blade.

Thoma froze mid-step, his cheerful demeanor faltering for a moment as an icy chill ran down his spine. Momon's voice carried an undeniable weight, and Thoma felt a flicker of fear like he had unknowingly stepped into dangerous territory.

"Ah, I didn't mean it like that," Thoma said quickly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. His smile was warm but tinged with nervousness. "I was just worried. Please don't take it in a bad way, haha."

Momon inclined his head slightly, his mask obscuring his expression. "It's okay," he replied, his voice losing its edge but retaining its commanding undertone. "But I don't think there's a need to use [Invisibility] on you. You can leave Ritou whenever you want."

Thoma relaxed visibly, his grin becoming more natural as he chuckled. "That's true, I guess. No need to make things more complicated than they already are."

"Yeah, and you can guide us to the other side," Paimon chimed in, floating close to Thoma. Her cheerful tone lightened the mood considerably.

As Aether listened intently to Thoma, his gaze wandered upwards, catching sight of the highest peak in the area. His eyes locked onto the familiar glow of a Statue of the Seven, its form standing tall and proud against the backdrop of the cloudy Inazuman sky.

"Uh, excuse me for a moment," Aether said suddenly, his tone polite but tinged with urgency. He pointed toward the peak. "I'd like to go check out that Statue of the Electro Archon. I'll be back very soon."

"Oh, yeah! Paimon wants to go too!" Paimon chimed in enthusiastically, hovering up beside him.

Thoma raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he nodded. "Alright, no problem. I've got a few things to take care of here anyway. Once you're done, we'll regroup and move on."

With a quick nod, Aether bolted down the cobblestone streets, moving with the agility of someone on a mission. Paimon struggled to keep up, floating as fast as her little wings would allow.

Thoma watched him go, arms crossed, a look of mild astonishment on his face. "Wow. He's quick. But I've got to ask—what's so important about that Statue of the Seven? It's not like it's going anywhere."

Momon, standing with his arms crossed, gave a low chuckle. "He has… a bit of an obsession with them," Momon replied, carefully skirting the full truth. He had no intention of revealing that the statues were vital to Aether's ability to resonate with the elements. "Besides, who wouldn't want to admire something that represents the gods?"

Thoma raised an eyebrow at Momon's enigmatic tone but decided not to press further. Instead, he glanced up again toward the statue, the figure of the Electro Archon carved in an eternal pose of power and divinity. "Huh… well, whatever it is, I guess it's his business."

Thoma left to finish whatever business he had in Rito and now Momon was alone. He had the same intention as Aether.

[Perfect Unknowabl] Momon activated his spell and was absolutely invisible to the naked eye. Momon also used [Fly] to reach the peak faster. From his new vantage point, Momon saw Aether standing before the Statue of the Electro Archon, his hand outstretched. Aether's connection with the statue was clear—the air around him hummed with the electric energy that crackled in the atmosphere. After a tense moment, a surge of electro energy enveloped Aether, and the power was absorbed into his body. The crackling surge of lightning momentarily illuminated the area, lighting up Aether's face in a blue glow.

"So cool!" Paimon exclaimed, her voice full of admiration as she floated beside Aether. "Now you have even more cool powers!"

Aether gave a wry smile, but there was caution in his eyes. "I'd like to use it right now, but if we start throwing around that kind of power, we might draw the attention of Inazuma's soldiers. It's best if we head back to Momon and lay low for now."

"Yeah!" Paimon chirped, nodding enthusiastically. She followed Aether down the hill, the pair heading back the way they came.

Momon watched them retreat for a moment, before turning his attention back to the statue. He landed with a soft thud near the base, his footsteps unheard in the quiet surroundings. His gaze was fixed on the Electro Archon's likeness, studying the statue with a deep, calculated focus.

Without wasting any more time, Momon approached the statue and placed his gloved hand against its surface. As soon as his fingers made contact, the air around him vibrated with an electric hum. A surge of electro energy rushed through him, and he felt the unmistakable force of the element trying to merge with his body.

Unlike Aether, who had likely felt the energy coursing through him, Momon's reaction was far different. His skeletal body, shielded by layers of enchanted armor, remained unaffected by the crackling power. He felt nothing—his undead form was immune to such sensations. Still, he watched with a clinical gaze as arcs of lightning leaped across his gloved hand, wrapping around his fingers like living tendrils of power.

The energy flickered in the air around him, swirling with an intensity that Momon could appreciate. This is weak compared to YGGDRASIL's Tier Magic, he thought with a hint of disdain. But it will suffice. I'll make it work. Despite his initial judgment, Momon knew that this power, though primitive, could be harnessed to suit his needs.

He flexed his hand, and the lightning danced across his fingers in response. The power, now fully absorbed, felt like a tool—a weapon in his ever-expanding arsenal. He could feel its potential, its rawness, waiting to be shaped. His skeletal form beneath the armor was immune to the effects, but he could already sense how to wield this power with precision and control.

Momon glanced once more at the statue as if acknowledging the Electro Archon in some silent way. Then, with a final, thoughtful look at his hand, he vanished into the shadows, his form becoming invisible once more as he moved swiftly through the quiet.

A tall man stood in a grand chamber illuminated by the warm, flickering light of countless candles. The room's vastness was exaggerated by its vaulted ceiling, the shadows of intricate carvings on the walls stretching like grasping hands. Ornate furnishings adorned the space, but the most striking centerpiece was the enormous map of Teyvat spread across a massive table. It dominated the room, its borders meticulously etched, each nation represented with careful detail.

The man's imposing figure loomed over the map, his half-masked face partially concealed by a polished piece of silver, leaving only one piercing blue eye visible. That eye, sharp and unyielding, scanned the continent's intricate details as if calculating every potential move on a massive chessboard.

"Five hundred years…" his thoughts echoed, heavy with resolve. "Five hundred years of chaos, suffering, and false gods. Soon, we will bring absolute peace to this world, in the name of her Royal Majesty, the Tsaritsa."

Nearby, a chessboard rested atop a finely carved pedestal. Pierro extended a gloved hand, moving the Queen piece deliberately across the board, knocking over the opposing King. The sound of the piece falling onto the marble surface echoed in the quiet chamber, a symbolic gesture of the Cryo Archon's inevitable victory over Celestia.

As if on cue, a knock at the door broke the silence.

"Come in," Pierro said, his deep voice calm but carrying an undertone of authority.

The heavy door creaked open, revealing a Fatui Agent. Dressed in a dark, regulation uniform, the man stepped inside but kept his distance, bowing deeply. The atmosphere was tense, the flickering candlelight casting long, wavering shadows across the room.

"Speak," Pierro commanded without turning his gaze from the chessboard.

The agent straightened but kept his eyes lowered in deference. "Lord Pierro… I bring dire news." He hesitated as if weighing the gravity of his words. "Our troops stationed in Mondstadt have been annihilated."

At this, Pierro finally turned. His tall frame and masked visage exuded an air of quiet menace. His eye narrowed, the lines of his face deepening as his expression hardened. "The cause of this… calamity?"

The agent stepped forward cautiously, producing a rolled parchment. With a slight bow, he presented it to Pierro. "We believe this individual is responsible," the agent said, his voice steady despite the palpable tension.

Pierro took the parchment and unrolled it slowly. The drawn image depicted a towering figure clad in a hooded, gothic cloak, with ominous armor visible beneath. The face was obscured by a mask, adding to the figure's intimidating presence.

Pierro studied the image intently, his eye betraying a flicker of recognition. "Rosalyne…" he muttered under his breath. His thoughts turned to the Harbinger known as Signora, whose fiery temper and unyielding ambition had led her to voice grave concerns about this individual. She had spoken of him only once but with a single, chilling word: "Monster."

"This is the one called Momon," Pierro said aloud, his tone measured but firm. The weight of his words filled the room, a mixture of acknowledgment and forewarning.

The agent nodded solemnly. "Yes, my lord," the agent began, his voice tinged with unease. "The Fatui troops stationed in Dragonspine have gone silent. We have yet to hear from them, despite repeated attempts to establish contact."

Pierro's eye narrowed as he leaned slightly closer, the flickering candlelight catching the edge of his mask. "And the reinforcements?"

The agent hesitated before continuing, his tone heavy with apprehension. "The reinforcements we sent to investigate… they, too, have not returned. Reports are nonexistent—no messages, no signs of conflict, no survivors."

A cold silence filled the room, the only sound being the faint crackling of the candles. Pierro turned fully toward the agent, his imposing figure casting a long shadow across the room. "You mean to tell me that two entire Fatui units have vanished in Dragonspine?"

"Yes, my lord," the agent said, his voice wavering slightly despite his efforts to maintain composure. "Word has spread among the remaining troops, and now… they refuse to set foot in the region. Fear has taken hold of them."

Pierro's expression darkened further. "And the cause of this fear?"

The agent swallowed hard, then pressed on. "Because of the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius and her decision to relinquish focus on Dragonspine, the region has become the domain of a single individual. The troops whisper that Dragonspine, the Old Mondstadt… now belongs to the Honorary Knight, Momon."

Pierro's eye gleamed with intrigue as he stepped forward, his towering presence looming over the agent. He reached for the parchment on the table, the drawn image of Momon still visible under the candlelight. "So, he claims Dragonspine as his own." His voice was low, calculating.

"Yes, my lord," the agent confirmed, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.

Pierro placed the parchment on the map table, his gaze shifting to Mondstadt's borders. His expression darkened, and the faintest trace of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Then she is not mistaken. A creature capable of such devastation cannot be ignored. But we must tread carefully—his appearance in Mondstadt is no coincidence. If he opposes us, then we will ensure he understands the cost of defying the Tsaritsa's will."

Pierro turned back to the chessboard, placing the fallen King upright once more. He lingered for a moment before moving another piece—a Rook this time, representing the Fatui's next calculated move.

"Send word to the Harbingers," Pierro instructed, his voice cold and decisive. "We will observe him closely, but if Momon interferes with our plans, there will be no hesitation. Mondstadt was but the first move. The game has only begun."

The agent bowed deeply again. "As you command, Lord Pierro."

As the agent departed, Pierro returned his focus to the chessboard. He moved the Queen forward, taking another piece as he murmured to himself, "A monster who walks among gods and mortals alike… Momon, your ambitions will bring you into our fold—or your annihilation will serve as a warning to all who oppose the Fatui."

With a final glance at the map, Pierro turned to the distant horizon visible through the chamber's arched window. The cold winds of Snezhnaya howled faintly in the distance, carrying with them the unshakable resolve of the Cryo Archon's will.

This conversation was before the battle with Osial.