Chapter 455: Columbina Secretly Follows Arlecchino

Chapter 455: Chapter 455: Columbina Secretly Follows Arlecchino

The little puppets’ reactions instantly revealed what they wanted most.

Even though their minds were fairly mature...

They were still children.

Children needed love.

No matter how well the Tsaritsa or Columbina treated them as their originals...

There was one thing that couldn’t be changed.

The emotions they were born with weren’t directed toward those originals.

They belonged to only one person.

So the moment Arlecchino mentioned the Genius...

They were hooked.

"..."

Even the proud little Sandrone had been completely defeated.

In Arlecchino’s eyes, they were still immature.

And their weakness was painfully obvious.

"Little Columbina doesn’t want Mommy anymore?"

Columbina hugged the tiny version of herself with a sorrowful expression.

Little Columbina didn’t hesitate.

She nodded.

Columbina: "..."

Forget it.

This world is hopeless.

Not only had her Harbinger rank dropped from Third to Fourth in less than a year...

Soon it would fall to Fifth.

Now even her miniature self didn’t want her anymore.

What kind of miserable world was this?

Watching Columbina get rejected, the Tsaritsa quietly glanced at Little Bronya.

"You know me."

Little Bronya turned her face away.

"I’ve never thought of you as my mom."

The Tsaritsa froze.

This one was even colder.

She had been created using the Tsaritsa as a template.

Did Su Ran really think she was this heartless?

She was the God of Love!

"Your Majesty."

Arlecchino smiled politely.

"It seems they like Father more."

The Tsaritsa became even more embarrassed.

She had accompanied them for so long.

Yet she still couldn’t compare to the one who created them.

Was this... parental instinct?

...Though there wasn’t actually any blood relation.

"Arlecchino."

Little Sandrone looked up seriously.

"Was this Father’s idea... or yours?"

Even though Fontaine meant she could see Father again...

She still wanted to know whose decision it had been.

"...Father’s."

Arlecchino lied without changing her expression.

She knew Su Ran wouldn’t care.

And she knew this answer would make the children happiest.

The effect was immediate.

Every combat puppet lit up.

Even little Sandrone’s excitement was visible.

For a brief moment...

Columbina and the Tsaritsa both felt like they had been abandoned.

Rosalyne watched the tiny version of herself dancing excitedly around.

She instinctively covered her face.

It was funny.

But because that little girl looked exactly like her...

The embarrassment felt strangely personal.

No one mentioned who would guard the workshop anymore.

Whoever suggested staying behind would probably be volunteered.

Arlecchino had no intention of remaining in Snezhnaya after delivering her report and the Gnosis.

Before leaving, she visited the House of the Hearth one last time.

Those children still mattered.

She arrived alone.

She departed as the leader of a parade of little girls.

"You didn’t even bring attendants."

Little Sandrone sat atop a floating cannon, lazily following Arlecchino.

"So pathetic for a Harbinger."

The other combat puppets rode similar floating weapons.

Their little legs were too short for long-distance travel.

Since they rarely left the workshop...

No one had bothered inventing tiny cars.

Instead, they were riding some of Su Ran’s earliest creations.

The vehicles were surprisingly comfortable.

Smooth.

Stable.

The only downside was the wind.

There was always a chance of being blown off.

"The Genius doesn’t bring attendants either."

Arlecchino replied calmly.

"So why should I?"

Sometimes attendants were more trouble than they were worth.

"That’s different!"

Little Sandrone immediately protested.

"Father is Father!"

"Random nobodies aren’t qualified to follow him!"

Arlecchino silently memorized that double standard.

Like father, like daughter.

No blood relation.

Same shameless logic.

"Hmph..."

Little Sandrone pouted.

"These past few weeks Arlecchino must’ve been living the dream."

She couldn’t hide her jealousy.

Arlecchino had been in Fontaine this whole time.

Meaning she got to see Father constantly.

If Su Ran had stayed in Snezhnaya instead...

She could have seen him every day.

She suddenly regretted staying inside the workshop all the time.

If she’d volunteered for missions...

She could have gone too.

Little Columbina had no interest in joining the conversation.

She quietly hummed a song.

Then suddenly—

Her feet left the ground.

"Hm?"

Looking down, she discovered her floating cannon had disappeared.

She’d been picked up.

Turning around—

Big Columbina had stolen her ride.

"I’m borrowing this."

Little Columbina sighed helplessly.

Fine.

The floating cannon was cold anyway.

Columbina’s arms were much warmer.

And softer.

Everyone looked toward Columbina.

Including Arlecchino.

"You’re actually leaving the workshop?"

Arlecchino raised an eyebrow.

"You’re unusually free today."

"Mhm."

Columbina swung her legs happily while holding Little Columbina.

"I don’t have anything to do."

"Besides..."

She smiled.

"Didn’t you say you were going to challenge Dottore?"

"I already killed him."

Arlecchino answered as casually as if discussing the weather.

The statement stunned Columbina.

"When did that happen?"

"I didn’t hear anything."

"When you crush an ant..."

Arlecchino looked at her.

"Do you announce it to the world?"

Dottore had countless segments.

The most selfish one had already died in Sumeru.

She only needed to challenge one remaining segment.

He immediately understood the difference in strength.

There was nothing worth publicizing.

"Oh..."

Columbina clapped her hands gently.

"Peruere is amazing."

"I became Fifth Seat without even realizing it."

She sounded genuinely delighted.

As though congratulating Arlecchino on her promotion—

While cheerfully celebrating her own demotion.

—------------------------------

Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer