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JP:リオセスリ
KR:라이오슬리
Acquaintance Neuvillette
Subordinate Sigewinne Alternate-universe counterpart Sampo、Jotaro Kujo
| “ | The sinner resides here, the deep waters lie still | ” |
Wriothesleyis amiHoYo-developed game "Genshin Impact" and its derivative works character.
Introduction
| “ | Navia, remember when I declined the "Count" title from Palais Mermonia a few years ago? Never mind, that's not the point. Today I finally met the administrator of the Fortress of Meropide. Until then, I had assumed the "Duke" title was just ceremonial... What surprised me more is that this Mr. Wriothesley is far more seasoned than he appears. | ” |
| —Former President of Spina di Rosula,Callas | ||
"Administrator of the Fortress of Meropide."
—If Wriothesley had a business card, this one line would suffice.
No preamble, no suffix—just like the place of exile for sinners he oversees, silently holding fast at the bottom of the sea.
Despite being so low-profile, the Fortress of Meropide, as a refuge for the convicted, harbors conflicts of interest that easily tempt ill intentions.
Unfortunately, even those who painstakingly infiltrate the place simply vanish like breadcrumbs falling into soup.
Some praise the Duke as an expert problem-solver. To this, Wriothesley simply sets down his teacup... then picks up the newspaper.
"You're mistaken. They simply wanted a place with a regular routine, and I gave them the 'peace' they needed."
Character Story
- Early Life
Wriothesley was an orphan, adopted in childhood by a seemingly lovingactually hypocriticalcouple. The young Wriothesley, like the other children in the foster home, believed he was very happy. But later he discovered the darkness behind this "happiness": the foster parents merely used these orphans as money-making tools, selling them off once they grew up, then adopting new orphans, repeating the cycle endlessly. The sold children were never heard from again, and those who couldn't be sold were "disposed of" by the foster parents. Wriothesley was not the first child to learn the truth—those who discovered it before him had all been disposed of. The teenage Wriothesley, enraged by his foster parents' actions and lies, killed them both, freed all the children in the foster home, was then convicted, and sent to the Fortress of Meropide.
At the Fortress of Meropide, Wriothesley rose through the ranks by his own efforts, and on the day of his release, he overthrew the former administrator and became the new manager. He implemented a series of reforms, including introducing free "welfare meals," bringing order to the Fortress. Later, he leveraged the Fortress's labor force and machinery for production and was awarded the title of "Duke" for his diligent tax payments.
Upon discovering a valve underground in the Fortress used to seal the Primordial Sea, and fearing the seal might break and bring the prophesied calamity upon Fontaine, Wriothesley began emulating the ancient Remurians' Fortuna and set about constructing the Wingalet, hoping to protect the people of Fontaine from being dissolved by the waters of the Primordial Sea.
- Chapter IV Act III "To the Stars Shimmering in the Depths"
After "Childe" was imprisoned in the Fortress of Meropide and then disappeared at a certain pipeline, Wriothesley deliberately leaked the news of "Childe's" disappearance, and while keepingLyneyand otherFatuimembers under close surveillance, he strategically allowed Lyney and his siblings to infiltrate the Fortress.
Realizing the valve was approaching its threshold and that the Primordial Sea waters were about to break through the seal, he invitedClorindeto help him guard the Fortress of Meropide.
The Traveler and Paimon, investigating "Childe's" disappearance under Neuvillette's commission, also entered the Fortress of Meropide, where Wriothesley and Sigewinne personally received them and granted them some privileges.
- Chapter IV Act IV "Cataclysm's Quickening"
After detecting that Lyney and his siblings intended to investigate the Fortress's "restricted area," he caughtLynetteand locked upFreminetwho had entered the pipeline to investigate, hoping to make Lyney summon "The Knave" for a talk. Coincidentally, Clorinde rescued Freminet who had nearly been harmed by the Primordial Sea waters, alerting Wriothesley that the waters had begun seeping upward. He ultimately revealed the secrets of the Wingalet and the valve within the "restricted area" to the Traveler and Paimon.
The valve's seal finally reached its critical point. Wriothesley urgently evacuated the prisoners and entered the restricted area with Clorinde to assess the situation, with the Traveler and Paimon also rushing to the scene. The Primordial Sea waters completely broke through the valve. Wriothesley's attempt to freeze them with Cryo failed, so he and Clorinde could only activate three barrier gates to temporarily block the waters within the restricted area, urging the Traveler and Paimon to seek Neuvillette's help.
Wriothesley and Clorinde held the restricted area's gates until Neuvillette arrived and used his power to reseal the Primordial Sea waters. Wriothesley seemed to have guessed Neuvillette's true identity as the Hydro Dragon Sovereign but said nothing.
After the incident, Wriothesley granted even more privileges to the Traveler and Paimon, who were nominally still serving their sentence, allowing them to continue staying until their "release" and offering them free access to the cafeteria's food.That's a lie. Just ask the staff—you still need Coupons.
- Surge of Tides Chapter Act I "Traces of the Past"
He received Neuvillette's group who visited the Fortress of Meropide in a private capacity, assisting with their prisoner interrogation. After the questioning, Wriothesley pointed out that people had long accepted him and the Melusines, and advised Neuvillette to let go of his burdens.
- Prison Hound Chapter Act I "Reborn in a Place of Lament"
The Traveler and Paimon encountered a man named Fezoles who was frantically searching for his lost hat. Wriothesley appeared and returned the hat, and Fezoles hurriedly left. Wriothesley introduced the criminal mutual-aid organization "Eaves' Hat Society" that Fezoles belonged to. Meanwhile, guards intercepted a batch of contraband containing a black gemstone. All three who touched the stone had negative memories flash through their minds. Wriothesley kept the black gemstone.
Wriothesley took the Traveler and Paimon to the "Eaves' Hat Society" headquarters to meet its president, Dougier. The Traveler and Paimon found that the Society's members all had positive attitudes toward life, and its rehabilitation seemed remarkably effective. But then Fezoles returned looking troubled. When Paimon greeted him, Fezoles suddenly fled. Seeing this, Wriothesley deliberately dropped the black gemstone on the ground to test the other members' reactions. Afterward, Wriothesley suggested they return to observe the members when Dougier wasn't around, and they found the members had completely lost their initial enthusiasm, becoming somewhat timid—confirming Wriothesley's suspicion that something was wrong with the "Eaves' Hat Society."
Back in the office, Wriothesley told the Traveler and Paimon that he had long been suspicious of Dougier, but the Society's members didn't trust him, making it impossible to extract the truth directly. He had planned to secretly investigate, which was why he stole Fezoles' hat, but the Traveler and Paimon's arrival disrupted his plan. Paimon's greeting to Fezoles further exposed signs of his investigation to Dougier. So Wriothesley adapted, deliberately dropping the confiscated gemstone to test those present while pretending ignorance of its properties to gain the members' trust—if all went well, someone would come to him soon. When Paimon asked why he didn't use his authority as Duke to force a search, Wriothesley replied that if he broke the rules, the rules would become unreliable.
That night, Fezoles' girlfriend Avis found Wriothesley and, after removing her hat, was about to confess the truth, but Dougier suddenly appeared in Wriothesley's office demanding Avis return with him. Despite Wriothesley's repeated encouragement, Avis reversed her earlier attitude and refused to reveal anything. After Avis left, Wriothesley's group discovered she had left behind a hairpin from her hat containing a hollow needle. The needle could absorb fear-laden liquid from the black gemstone. Upon examining captured Society members, they found puncture wounds from hollow needles on each person's scalp—revealing the horrifying truth that Dougier had been directly injecting the "Water of Affliction" from the black gemstone into each member's brain to control them through fear.
Wriothesley led a team into Dougier's secret base beneath the Fortress, rescued most imprisoned inmates, and reached Dougier just before he could force Avis to torture Fezoles. Dougier claimed that people in the Fortress were criminals sentenced to social death, and only punishment could make them submit. He summoned guard mechanisms to attack, but they were all defeated. Triggered by the memories of his own childhood deception, Wriothesley furiously rebuked Dougier, beat him down, and declared he would abolish the rule against using corporal punishment and intended to "punish" Dougier using the same methods he had used on the Society members.
Two days later, Wriothesley met with the Traveler and Paimon in the cafeteria and shared his childhood story. Then Fezoles and Avis found him, saying they wanted to hold their wedding at the Fortress. Wriothesley readily agreed, remarking that trust is better than obedience.
- Chapter IV Act V "Masquerade of the Guilty"
On the day of the Traveler and Paimon's release, a massive earthquake suddenly struck the Fortress of Meropide. The Traveler and Paimon found Wriothesley and Sigewinne to say goodbye, and Wriothesley informed them the source of the tremors came from above the water.
The Wingalet he built proved useful when the flood struck, rescuing many citizens of Fontaine.
After the disaster, he allowed Charlotte to interview at the Fortress but refused to be interviewed himself. He discussed the current situation with Sigewinne and the Traveler, stating he would continue fulfilling his duties as Duke.
- "Roses and Muskets"
During "All Spirits' Festival,"Chevreuseescorted Morris, Baptiste, and Véronique to the Fortress of Meropide, hoping Wriothesley would "take good care" of them. Wriothesley neither agreed nor refused. Chevreuse suggested distributing copies of The Steambird from twenty years ago that documented the case, so people would naturally learn who among the three would be the "hero" and who would face consequences. When Chevreuse mentioned she was heading to a party, Wriothesley asked if she had developed new interests, then saw Chevreuse and the Traveler and Paimon off.
- Iridescent Kite in the Spring Breeze Act IV "Comings and Goings"
From Neuvillette, he received Liyue gifts from Neuvillette and Clorinde: Neuvillette's pottery work "The Codex," tea that Clorinde lost in a bet, and tea-flavored hard candy for Sigewinne.
- Sea Spirit Chapter Act I "The Warmth of Lies"
When the Traveler and Paimon arrived at the Fortress infirmary as arranged, Wriothesley was overseeing a guard supervising a prisoner receiving treatment. He told the Traveler that this prisoner named Eric claimed to have seen "another self" identical to him, but after checking the roster, no other prisoner with a similar appearance was found. Based on Sigewinne's examination, Wriothesley ordered Eric placed in the patient monitoring ward. Having received a case assistance request from the Marechaussee Phantom, Wriothesley left first.
The next day, because several prisoners claimed their appearances didn't match their own, Wriothesley brought them along with Marechaussee Phantom personnel to the infirmary for Sigewinne's help. Comparing testimonies, he discovered all identity-swapped prisoners shared the trait of being "about to be released" and immediately ordered a covert lockdown, though it was already too late. After Sigewinne confirmed a jailbreak using disguise potions, Wriothesley deduced the full picture, supported Sigewinne's request to join the investigation, and entrusted the Traveler and Paimon with her protection. Meanwhile, Wriothesley remained at the Fortress to guard the prisoners.
After the case was solved and mastermind Bolton was captured, Wriothesley and Neuvillette, out of concern for Sigewinne, came near the cenotaph of Sigewinne's teacher to watch from afar as she paid respects. The two shared with the Traveler and Paimon some details about transforming into human form that Sigewinne hadn't mentioned. Afterward, Wriothesley and Neuvillette exchanged official pleasantriesand teased Neuvillette about his age.。
- "Dance of Harmony"
(To be added)
- "Ode to the Jade Moon Racing Across the Sky"
(To be added)
- "Leisurely Travel Tales"
- Pearl of Wisdom:
Character Trivia
- Name
- His name comes from the English noble family Wriothesley, whose third-generationHenryis aShakespeare'spatron (disputed).
- Constellation
Cerberus（ ）is derived fromCerberus(Kerberos).
- miHoYo's Famous Actor？
- In terms of character design and story performance, players have compared him with several characters from "Honkai: Star Rail".
- His attire, hair color, and hairstyle are similar toSampo, earning the nickname "Teyvat Sampo."
- Due to his brawler identity, he is also compared withLuka.
- Additionally, his "freezing the Primordial Sea water with one punch" scene in Archon Quest Chapter IV Act IV resemblesGepard'sUltimate, drawing further comparisons. Inthe Chapter IV Act IV cutscene "Too Early to Celebrate,"Bilibili comments even connected Gepard's Ultimate voice line "Forged through ice and snow, this resolve shall never end[3]" with Wriothesley's story performance.
- Stand User
- Because he uses fists as his attack method and his Japanese VA isDaisuke Ono, with "ORA ORA" sounds in his combat voice lines and even "Yare yare" lines in the story, he is often associated with "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure"'sJotaro Kujo.
- Incidentally, the neighboringJing Yuanis also voiced by Daisuke Ono, but his attack style and character design don't match Jotaro.However, the "Divine General" and Jotaro's "Stand" share similarities (the official model files even name the Divine General's as "Stand"), so the comparison is quite reasonable.
- Wriothesley, come out!
- As of the end of Version 5.2, Wriothesley, released in the second half of Version 4.1, has only had one rate-up banner, going an entire major version without a rerun. Chinese community players thus dug up a screenshot of Lyney's dialogue from the main story, demanding Wriothesley come out (for a rerun) immediately.In the end, it was Lyney himself who got a rerun in Version 5.2.
- Finally, Wriothesley had his first rerun in the second half of Version 5.4.Wriothesley finally came out.
- Others
- The first Cryo Catalyst character, and the third melee Catalyst character afterShikanoin HeizouandBaizhuto use fists as the actual striking method.
- In Neuvillette's H5 event "A Sudden Clearing of Rain," the hidden ending "Letter of Resignation" features an illustration of someone "running away with a bucket"retaining the wolf-ear hairstyle and red tie—an abstract painting repeatedly mocked by players and compared withAlbedo's painting ofKaeya—the "three-stroke sketch"[4].
- Like fellow Catalyst characterKlee, his Normal Attack can mine ore, with about 3 Charged Attacks to mine onehard ore(Note)Refers to Crystal Ore, Magical Crystal Ore, Amethyst Ore, Condessence Crystal, Stone Marrow, and other hard-to-mine minerals.。
- Despite Genshin Impact's overall orchestral music style, Wriothesley's character demo music "Fierce Frost Pursuit" is the first character demo to feature electronic music as its main genre.
Character Files
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When Wriothesley's HP is below 60%, or duringIcefang Rush's Chilling Penalty state, landing the fifth hit of Repelling Fists grants "Gracious Rebuke," obtainable once every 2.5 seconds.
Additionally, Prosecution: Vaulting Fist gains the following enhancements:
- DMG increase is further boosted to 200%;
- When hitting an enemy in the Chilling Penalty state, the state's duration is extended by 4 seconds. This extension can occur at most once per Chilling Penalty state.
Requires unlocking Passive Talent "There Shall Be a Plea for Justice."
Requires unlocking Passive Talent "There Shall Be a Reckoning for Sin."
Maximum upgrade to Level 15.
Additionally, when Wriothesley receives healing that overflows, different effects occur based on whether he is on-field: on-field, ATK SPD increases by 20% for 4 seconds; off-field, all party members' ATK SPD increases by 10% for 6 seconds. These two ATK SPD bonuses cannot stack.
Maximum upgrade to Level 15.
Requires unlocking Passive Talent "There Shall Be a Plea for Justice."
Normal Attack
Condenses ice onto the fists, unleashing swiftRepelling Fists, performing up to five rapid strikes dealingCryo DMG。
Additionally, for a short time after using Elemental Skill "Icefang Rush" or Sprinting, the Normal Attack combo will not reset.
Charged Attack
Consumes a certain amount of Stamina, leaps up, and delivers aVaulting Fist, dealingCryo AoE DMG。
Plunging Attack
Plunges from mid-air to strike the ground, damaging opponents along the path and dealingCryo AoE DMG。
| Detailed Attributes | Lv.1 | Lv.2 | Lv.3 | Lv.4 | Lv.5 | Lv.6 | Lv.7 | Lv.8 | Lv.9 | Lv.10 | Lv.11 | Lv.12 | Lv.13 | Lv.14 | Lv.15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Hit DMG | 53.4% | 57.7% | 62.0% | 68.3% | 72.6% | 77.6% | 84.4% | 91.2% | 98.0% | 105.5% | 112.9% | 120.4% | 127.8% | 135.3% | 142.7% |
| 2-Hit DMG | 51.8% | 56.0% | 60.2% | 66.3% | 70.5% | 75.3% | 81.9% | 88.5% | 95.2% | 102.4% | 109.6% | 116.8% | 124.1% | 131.3% | 138.5% |
| 3-Hit DMG | 67.2% | 72.7% | 78.2% | 86.0% | 91.5% | 97.7% | 106.3% | 114.9% | 123.5% | 132.9% | 142.3% | 151.6% | 161.0% | 170.4% | 179.8% |
| 4-Hit DMG | 37.9%+37.9% | 41.0%+41.0% | 44.1%+44.1% | 48.5%+48.5% | 51.6%+51.6% | 55.1%+55.1% | 59.9%+59.9% | 64.8%+64.8% | 69.6%+69.6% | 74.9%+74.9% | 80.2%+80.2% | 85.5%+85.5% | 90.8%+90.8% | 96.1%+96.1% | 101.4%+101.4% |
| 5-Hit DMG | 90.7% | 98.1% | 105.5% | 116.1% | 123.5% | 131.9% | 143.5% | 155.1% | 166.7% | 179.4% | 192.0% | 204.7% | 217.4% | 230.0% | 242.7% |
| Charged Attack DMG | 153.0% | 164.4% | 175.9% | 191.2% | 202.7% | 214.1% | 229.4% | 244.7% | 260.0% | 275.3% | 290.6% | 305.9% | 325.0% | 344.2% | 363.3% |
| Charged Attack Stamina Cost | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| Plunge DMG | 56.8% | 61.5% | 66.1% | 72.7% | 77.3% | 82.6% | 89.9% | 97.1% | 104.4% | 112.3% | 120.3% | 128.2% | 136.1% | 144.1% | 152.0% |
| Low/High Plunge DMG | 114%/142% | 123%/153% | 132%/165% | 145%/182% | 155%/193% | 165%/206% | 180%/224% | 194%/243% | 209%/261% | 225%/281% | 240%/300% | 256%/320% | 272%/340% | 288%/360% | 304%/380% |
Swiftly adjusts breathing, rhythm, and pace, dashing forward a short distance to enter theChilling Penaltystate, launching even more ferocious attacks.
Chilling Penalty
- Increases Wriothesley's resistance to interruption;
- When HP is above 50%, enhances"Normal Attack: Forceful Fists of Frost"'s Repelling Fists, increasing their DMG; hitting enemies costs Wriothesley a certain amount of HP, with HP loss occurring at most once every 0.1 seconds;
The effect is removed when Wriothesley leaves the field.
"Past judgments are final, but future choices remain in your hands."
"If you would not let your destiny be consumed by a moment's sin, then please cherish the present."
| Detailed Attributes | Lv.1 | Lv.2 | Lv.3 | Lv.4 | Lv.5 | Lv.6 | Lv.7 | Lv.8 | Lv.9 | Lv.10 | Lv.11 | Lv.12 | Lv.13 | Lv.14 | Lv.15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Repelling Fists DMG | 143.2% Normal Attack DMG | 145.8% Normal Attack DMG | 148.3% Normal Attack DMG | 151.7% Normal Attack DMG | 154.3% Normal Attack DMG | 156.9% Normal Attack DMG | 160.2% Normal Attack DMG | 163.6% Normal Attack DMG | 167.0% Normal Attack DMG | 170.3% Normal Attack DMG | 173.7% Normal Attack DMG | 177.0% Normal Attack DMG | 180.4% Normal Attack DMG | 183.8% Normal Attack DMG | 187.1% Normal Attack DMG |
| HP Cost | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP | 4.5% Max HP |
| Duration | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s |
| Cooldown | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s | 16.0s |
Powers up the gauntlets and unleashes a frost-condensed straight punch, continuously striking the area ahead with ice spikes, dealing multiple instances ofCryo AoE DMG。
Arkhe: Ousia
After the ice spike impacts end, Surging Blades descend at enemy positions, dealing Ousia-alignedCryo DMG。
There are some things even the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide finds helpless about—such as tedious paperwork, trivial supervisory duties, or... his little friends' persistence in secretly covering his gauntlets with hard-to-remove cute stickers.
| Detailed Attributes | Lv.1 | Lv.2 | Lv.3 | Lv.4 | Lv.5 | Lv.6 | Lv.7 | Lv.8 | Lv.9 | Lv.10 | Lv.11 | Lv.12 | Lv.13 | Lv.14 | Lv.15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill DMG | 127.20%*5 | 136.74%*5 | 146.28%*5 | 159.00%*5 | 168.54%*5 | 178.08%*5 | 190.80%*5 | 203.52%*5 | 216.24%*5 | 228.96%*5 | 241.68%*5 | 254.40%*5 | 270.30%*5 | 286.20%*5 | 302.10%*5 |
| Surging Blade DMG | 42.40% | 45.58% | 48.76% | 53.00% | 56.18% | 59.36% | 63.60% | 67.84% | 72.08% | 76.32% | 80.56% | 84.80% | 90.10% | 95.40% | 100.70% |
| Cooldown | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s | 15.0s |
| Surging Blade Cooldown | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s | 10.0s |
| Elemental Energy | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
When Wriothesley's HP is below 60%, he gains "Gracious Rebuke," enhancing the nextNormal Attack: Forceful Fists of FrostCharged Attack into Prosecution: Vaulting Fist: consumes no Stamina, deals 50% increased DMG, and restores HP equal to 30% of Wriothesley's Max HP upon hit.
"Gracious Rebuke" can be obtained at most once every 5 seconds.
When Wriothesley's current HP increases or decreases while inIcefang Rush's Chilling Penalty state, Chilling Penalty gains one stack of "Prosecution Edict," stacking up to 5 times, with each stack increasing Wriothesley's ATK by 6%.
When crafting Weapon Ascension Materials, there is a 10% chance to obtain double the output.
One reassuring fact for the Maison Ordalie is that most citizens of the Court of Fontaine are law-abiding, and the Fortress of Meropide doesn't appear on their life trajectories.
At the same time, there's a reasonable yet somewhat sad fact: criminals who have served their sentences find it difficult to reintegrate into life above water, and most won't willingly mention their time below.
More than a specific place, the Fortress of Meropide is like a concept—appearing in Fontainian idioms as a symbol of warning, misfortune, and punishment. Who manages this concept doesn't really matter.
Thanks to this, Wriothesley lives almost like a recluse, in a manner utterly unbefitting his "Duke" title, in Fontaine.
When people say "One more stunt and I'll punch you into the Fortress" or "This is so hard I might as well go screw bolts at the sea bottom," the underwater fortress's administrator might be walking along the cobblestone road to the café, grabbing some afternoon tea to go.
Wriothesley doesn't often leave the Fortress of Meropide. Through the intelligence and relationship network he built himself, he can enjoy all the information and supplies he needs from his office.
But he understands: he can't let heavy workload trap him here. Otherwise, he'll either never close his eyes or eventually sleep forever beneath the waters.
To manage this place with relative ease, only two things truly matter: money and people.
Fortunately, the Fortress is itself a giant factory, and Wriothesley is very good at making money—he's even secured a fine client in Palais Mermonia. Prioritizing Palais Mermonia isn't about admiring power; the Court of Fontaine has no authority over Fortress affairs—it's simply that Mora is precious, the more the better. So even though the Maison Gestion has frustratingly stringent paperwork requirements, Wriothesley meets every single one.
(Originally, the Fontaine Research Institute of Kinetic Energy Engineering needed large quantities of Primal Ore for research and might have rivaled Palais Mermonia, but since it became a series of magnificent floating scenic spots, it has regrettably exited the partner stage. Until we meet again, friend.)
The easiest mistake the wealthy make is overestimating money's power and becoming arrogant. This is Wriothesley's second stroke of luck: he wasn't born rich, and therefore knows the importance of treating people well.
He treats everyone in the Fortress equally. Whether prisoners, guards, or ordinary staff—as long as they fulfill their roles, he won't be harsh.
Conversely, if anyone ventures beyond their station, there's a conversation to be had. The underwater space is enclosed; most people have nowhere else to go. If possible, Wriothesley hopes everyone can be reasonable. If words don't work, more persuasive methods will.
As for the meaningless yet inevitable disputes and trivial matters—leaving them alone occasionally is fine. Anyone with sense knows not to escalate things; those who lack sense have a place they belong. Just as water has self-purifying capabilities, so do groups of people.
As a result, Wriothesley not only avoids being overwhelmed but actually has quite a bit of free time.
Once, the famed Champion Duelist Clorinde casually asked during a visit: "How come you seem more free than even me? That Duke title of yours isn't bought, is it?"
"Hold on."
Thus questioned, Wriothesley opened and closed three drawers in succession, eventually rustling out several thick-papered documents: "Let me see... '...excellent management...diligent tax payment...' ...'...hereby conferred this title...' ...Would you believe it—that's pretty much how it happened."
In Fontaine, renowned for impartiality, no title can be bought with money. That casual chat was pure nonsense—just Wriothesley and Clorinde ribbing each other amid tedious official dealings.
However, while the "Duke" title has nothing to do with transactions, Wriothesley's takeover of the Fortress was indeed inseparable from "money."
Coupons are the "money" circulating within the Fortress. Here, Coupons are the medium of exchange—long established, though the specifics have changed. When Wriothesley was still a prisoner, Coupon trading was freer and the range of goods more extensive: with enough tickets, people could buy harmful drugs, guaranteed gambling predictions, wavering loyalties, and the right to breathe.
The above were unofficial trade items, while the official part had its own features: if you had no private channels and could only buy expensive water and food from the cafeteria, the accompanying fortune slip didn't contain some meaningless proverb—it listed real, mandatory extra work for that day. More than money, Coupons back then were tools the former administrator used to control inmates.
Throwing convicted criminals into lawless chaos to struggle on their own may sound like a method, but Wriothesley disagreed. He could adapt to survive in any environment, but if the environment itself wasn't fit for survival, he wouldn't sit and wait for death either.
He spent considerable time accumulating capital through underground boxing, then used it to earn more. Observant, persuasive, and humble, by the time most people noticed, his Coupons already exceeded everyone else's combined.
His accumulated wealth earned him high prestige among inmates. The long-awaited result followed: overnight, his account was emptied by the former administrator.
But as mentioned, Wriothesley was very good at persuading people. Words can be inflammatory—once everyone realizes that under such management, anyone could suffer the same fate, people will speak up for him. And when he appears righteous enough and the scene dramatic enough, others join in to fill the values they themselves lack.
Thus, in the name of fairness, justice, and order, he challenged the former administrator to a duel. Given their status and setting, this duel was hardly proper, yet among the spectators—prisoners and guards alike—not a single person objected.
Very fortunately, the former administrator fled before the duel, sparing Wriothesley another life on his hands. Relatively unfortunately, that day was supposed to mark the end of his sentence, but with the administrator gone, no one could process his release.
So he walked into the office at the center of the Fortress and took over all operations.
After gaining access to certain files, Wriothesley reviewed his own case records. There wasn't much—already everything the Fontaine authorities could find. Per the foster family's records, he had been received as an abandoned infant, with no other information.
While browsing, he saw some familiar names; vague faces briefly surfaced in memory, then vanished with the turning of pages. If he wished, he could use his connections to find out about those old companions, but the thought was dismissed the instant it arose.
To them, Wriothesley probably represented a past they'd rather not recall; to him, those names were no longer part of his current life. He had a new identity, a new home, and new friends.
This was a very novel experience. He knew many people, but only a small fraction could be called friends—and among them, surprisingly many weren't human. Melusines really do enjoy being around people, he thought. Judging by appearance alone, it's hard to connect these small companions with their age, but their goodwill toward humans carries the unique innocence of elders: believing young creatures are inherently kind, deserving of all care, with a limitlessly promising future.
Wriothesley has been helped by Melusines many times. When he wandered penniless, a passing Melusine brought him hot soup; when he couldn't yet leave the ring unscathed, Sigewinne at the infirmary warmly welcomed his every visit; when he needed to investigate covert matters, the Marechaussee Phantom officers were willing to provide maximum assistance within legal bounds.
Therefore, even though Melusine visits to the Fortress could cause trouble, Wriothesley tacitly allowed it. The Head Nurse would convey all necessary warnings. Besides, if they could manage to cover everything in stickers without him noticing, perhaps he needn't worry about their safety.
Wriothesley watched the rust-red spread across the floor, and an ill-timed joke popped into his head: How many Melusine officers would it take to investigate all the bloodstains here?
Then his mind jumped elsewhere: he and the people who deceived him had such similar blood it could merge together. Nauseating.
But he had already lost the ability to vomit—couldn't move a finger. Thoughts and warmth drifted away; his mind held only fog—nothing in his life so far had been worth remembering.
But he didn't die. Apparently fate wanted him alive to bear his sins. He awoke in a hospital bed, both hands cuffed to the metal railing. A well-dressed woman watched him nervously from a distant chair—she must have mistaken him for a born antisocial juvenile offender.
She produced pen and paper, asking his name. Wriothesley was silent for a long time. He recalled seeing an obituary—the person who lived to a peaceful old age had a long, complicated name. He didn't particularly like the name; he just didn't want to use the one his foster parents gave him.
The woman wrote down "Wriothesley," briefly informed him of his trial date—the day he was expected to be mobile—then hurried away.
The trial went smoothly, filling him with gratitude. Sin stained his hands, took root in his heart, and drove him to crave a just verdict. He gave a complete account, even adding details, leaving little for the audience to debate. They first discussed past orphan-related cases, seeking patterns, without success; then surprisingly began pleading for leniency, arguing his targets deserved it and he shouldn't bear blame.
This background noise had no effect on the verdict. After the trial, he would be sent immediately underwater. Before departure, the clerk confirmed his information once more.
"Your name is... Wriothesley? Birthday?"
"...Today."
Wriothesley's mechanical gauntlets have gone through multiple iterations.
Tracing back to the origin, it begins with his escape from the foster home. At his age and build then, taking on more than one adult was nearly impossible. He made his way on the streets—odd jobs, apprenticing, learning lockpicking and crafting mechanisms—making every preparation before returning to destroy that place.
He made a wrist-strapped device that could fire steel spikes at high speed into anything soft enough. Unfortunately, it had limited uses, so after the battle, the device—like him—was near death, and unlike him, couldn't be saved.
In the Fortress's underground boxing days, there were no fixed venues or rules. To win and earn money, he constantly changed the gauntlets' functions, because the same trick used twice could be turned against him. Even if the gauntlets survived the ring, they could be stolen or destroyed. He started over countless times.
Once he could gather better resources, progress accelerated. He no longer needed chemical agents to power mechanisms, and had helpers from the Fontaine Research Institute. Those researchers liked explaining mechanical principles while endlessly complaining about absurd incidents at the Institute. Wriothesley found it interesting—technology increases crime yet aids investigations. Hard to say if things are improving.
By then he rarely fought; the gauntlets were reserved for the thorniest problems. No longer tools for taking lives, they earned him much praise and respect.
But no one truly knew his mistakes—only he remembered every detail. No matter how much honor he earned, he remained the same Wriothesley he knew.
Not a good person, not entirely bad—just a life that's still going.
"...Yet the ancient writers all said: rise and fall alternate, nothing endures forever. ..."
After dealing with the Fatui's agents, Wriothesley personally swam in the waters near the Fortress. The immersion was brief; afterward, mild redness appeared on his skin but faded quickly. He didn't visit the infirmary or tell anyone. Recent signs all indicated the prophecy was being fulfilled step by step. Believers and skeptics alike held their own convictions—they didn't need his information.
He'd met a few history-studying prisoners at the Fortress—not many, and even when lucid, they often spoke like madmen. They called it a historian's occupational hazard and hoped the Duke wouldn't mind. Wriothesley didn't mind their phrasing—he was more interested in their theories. According to some, if the world always declines after peaking then rises again, then the sea that swallowed Remuria may inevitably return. This made the prophecy sound less like a prophecy and more like a logical deduction.
He remained undecided about such theories, as with many things. Incidents requiring "mediation" frequently occurred in the Fortress, and eyewitnesses at the same scene very likely gave inconsistent testimonies. So Wriothesley reserved judgment on all records. Historical biographies were worse—exaggerating for epic grandeur was common. "...Even the dragon in the deep bowed to him..."—perhaps just an extra-large Geovishap?
Strip away the brilliant parts, and what remains is what he should heed.
In his still-unfinished life, Wriothesley always seemed to be preparing for something. Under any circumstances, he didn't want people ruled by panic. Strip away the emotions, and what's left is crisis awareness. To deal with a crisis, he had to do something, even if futile.
History is always grand; humans beneath it are no different from shells shattered on the beach. He began building the Wingalet, investing considerable resources and manpower, yet holding no high expectations. This was a ship built for escape, far removed from the golden Fortuna that brought civilization and glory.
But regardless of the outcome, if he could get this ship running, at least Jurieu and Loeuvre's arguments wouldn't have been in vain.
"...Just as the ancient writers once said: rise and fall alternate, nothing endures forever."[5]
Standing before the Fortress registration desk, Wriothesley reached into his pocket—he needed to present the paper bearing his name and determining his sentence.
Pulled out along with it was a palm-sized glass orb.
...No, this was no glass orb. Wriothesley blinked—when had he acquired such a thing?
The clerk let out a soft gasp. A stern-faced woman with wrinkles, her surprise brief and restrained, her writing hand steady. Her lips moved, but she said nothing.
Wriothesley immediately thought: she must have experience living here. He concealed the Vision in his palm and whispered: "Esteemed madam, may I ask..."
The older clerk didn't answer. She took the paper, cast a cold glance behind him—seemingly checking on the next prisoner. But after recording the information, she unnecessarily scrawled on the returned document's edge: Hide it.
Wriothesley immediately knew: life here was surely harder than the streets.
He was grateful that whoever stood behind him, he'd shielded those gazes with his body. Even more grateful this kind clerk warned him. Unfortunately, he never saw her again. Not surprising—staff turnover was high back then.
Upon officially entering the Fortress, the first thing Wriothesley did was quietly pull out threads and sew the Vision into his clothing's lining using a sharpened wire.
He knew homeless life—the hardest part was never acquiring resources but keeping them. People must sleep; possessions accumulated during the day were often simply taken during sleep—it didn't even qualify as robbery.
A Vision is different from ordinary belongings—people would inevitably develop interest, and holders easily attract hostile attention.
In the days that followed, his concerns proved justified. He'd heard of two or three Vision thefts alone. The follow-ups and victims' fates varied across rumors; Wriothesley showed no more concern.
He still felt grateful. But preserving himself by standing on others' failures made it hard to feel truly happy.
For a long time afterward, he pretended he'd never received divine favor. Just the same old struggle—he could still manage.
Until his age had nearly doubled, he received an invitation from Palais Mermonia.
By custom, any citizen awarded an honorary title must attend an investiture ceremony. For a "Duke"-level title, the ceremony is reportedly even grander.
Wriothesley declined under the excuse of special duties, wanting only to sign and collect the certificate. In his dislike of crowds and live-and-let-live attitude, he really didn't seem Fontainian.
After many business days and much correspondence, Palais Mermonia finally agreed.
Before leaving the depths, Wriothesley picked up his Vision for the first time in ages. He bounced it in his hand—lighter than remembered, smaller than his palm now. He found a spot on his clothing and hung it there.
The first to comment was the Chief Justice who conferred the title. Neuvillette's smile was perfectly polite, yet he looked happier than Wriothesley himself: "Congratulations. You've finally found what you want to do."
Wriothesley smiled upon hearing this but offered no explanation.
Birthday
- 2023
| Long time no see. How's the journey going? |
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 Long time no see. How's the journey going? As you can see, the office looks a bit different from before. More people have been contributing their imagination to the stickers. But today I'm on leave, so I'll leave it as is. Once I finish this tea, want to head to the commissary? I bet there are more surprises. |
- 2024
| (Birthday mail) Distribution by contribution. |
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New stickers have appeared in the office in rather distinctive colors. If I'm not mistaken, they depict cakes. Although I've already thanked the Melusines, the real-life version matching the stickers has inevitably appeared in the commissary. Rewards:Secret Grilled Ribs×1(Note)Wriothesley's specialty dish、"Tubian Device"×1 |
| Inconvenient outerwear will just have to stay in the spectator seats. |
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So eager to invite me to the boxing arena—want to show me your recent training results? 稍and other，马上就好。在比赛开始前，参赛选手可得仔细检View自己的装备。 Inconvenient outerwear will just have to stay in the spectator seats. After our match, there might be even more stickers on it. How many do you think? Want to make a bet? |
- 2025
| (Birthday mail) Everyone's happy |
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I've always felt the most direct way to know a new place is seeing how locals get their energy and kill time. So when I went to Nod-Krai on business, I sampled the cuisine and visited the underground fighting arena. You probably can't learn professional techniques from these no-holds-barred bouts, but from participants' offense and defense, you can deduce seventy or eighty percent of their personalities and thinking. I quite enjoy observing these things, and before I knew it, I'd stayed extra days. Rewards:Secret Grilled Ribs×1(Note)Wriothesley's specialty dish、Borderlands×1、Delicious Cream Salmon Stew×1 |
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Notes and External Links
- ↑ Wriothesley's hairstyle is often seen as wolf ears.
- ↑ Besides being a prison, the Fortress of Meropide is also a factory that produces clockwork mechanisms. In the story, the Traveler has a dialogue option with Wriothesley: "Yes, Warden."
- ↑ Original speed version; the double-speed version is "Forged through ice and snow, this resolve shall never end."
- ↑ From Albedo's voice line "More About Albedo: III": "Sometimes Kaeya only needs three strokes—this circle is the face, this is the eyepatch strap... and this is the eyepatch." The "stick-figure Kaeya" circulated in the fan community comes from artist @a_kaeyada'sfan animationat 00:17, depicting Albedo's version.
- ↑ From "The Rise and Fall of Remuria》。