[Genshin Impact] How Are You Still Alive?

After working diligently for the Tsaritsa for hundreds of years, Althea is having an existential crisis. How did she end up like this?!

Once the ultimate weapon of Hyperborea, the White Tsar's heir, Her Highness Althea, and the future sovereign of the fairies, she has fallen so far that she is now the Winterland mascot personally appointed by Empress Anastasia, an unpaid freelance member of the Fatui, and a remnant of the former dynasty with a maximum danger rating.

In response, our revered Her Majesty the Tsaritsa closes her eyes ever so slightly and says, "Althea, come home for dinner."

Pulcinella, mayor of Winterland, smiles warmly. "Oh, Miss Althea? I regret to say that I have to be wary of this old friend. She's so stubborn, it's a headache."

And what does Althea make of what her acquaintances have said? The cool, silver-haired fairy smiles sharply in displeasure. "Tell Pulcinella to shut up. He's got nothing better to do."

Do the two of Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's most important officials trading barbs in public signal a rift among Winterland's ruling elite?

What kind of storm will this returning inspector, lately at the height of her fame and deeply trusted by Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, stir up in Winterland?

In our next issue, we'll reveal the answers, dear readers. Stay tuned.

Reporter: Milonova, A Glass of Kvass

This newspaper hereby declares that nothing above is fabricated. A Glass of Kvass accepts no responsibility for the claims made here. ^O^

· How would you describe this inspector, once celebrated in the history books and now swiftly restored to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa's favor?

Capitano: Althea is a warrior worthy of respect. Khaenri'ah, Natlan, Winterland... She has saved countless people. Though she denies it outright, I am grateful to her.

Sandrone: Huh? That inspector who's as cold as an ice cube? We aren't close! Isn't she on better terms with Dottore? She risked her life in Nod-Krai to work with that guy! ...You want the truth? Hmph, believe whatever you like.

Columbina: Hmm, Althea is a lot like Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, but her eyes are more like the cold mist of morning. I can't read her emotions. Her heart is always in a jumble. She's so complicated.

Vesna: Mm-hmm~ You want to ask me about Althea? Honestly, we got off to a terrible start because she hated the wind fairy clan. But she's cold on the outside and soft-hearted underneath. Haha, here's a secret: if you just cling to her and refuse to give up, she'll let you get away with anything!

...But if you underestimate her, I won't stop you from getting yourself killed.

Anastasia: Althea has endured too much suffering, but Winterland needs her now, so she has returned to Winterland with me. ...You don't want an official statement, but my personal opinion of her? ...I feel guilty toward her. A mother should protect her child and ensure that she is happy, but Althea lost that right far too young.

Flins: You want to know what I think of Her Highness? One who carries firewood should not freeze to death in a blizzard. Her ideals burn so fiercely that they almost consume her, and I hope that flame burns a little longer, until the world collapses and everything falls into darkness.

Content warning: Characterization follows up to Version 7.1, including the White Tsar's complicated family relationships. There is some angst, but it has a happy ending. Althea is a fairy who's sweet on the outside and dark within, sharp-tongued, and occasionally deadpan. I'll do my best to keep everyone in character, but Winterland's history has been heavily altered, so you can treat it as the butterfly effect.

Theme: Loving the world is also loving yourself