Chapter 63: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [63]
Although Luo Qing claimed he was just going for a walk, Natalia and the others immediately sensed that their commander had encountered something unsettling outside.
"Lord Luo Qing, did you see something unpleasant while you were out?" Natalia asked softly. She had served as Luo Qing's personal assistant long enough to recognize that it was rare to see him in such a somber mood.
"Nothing much, just watched a tragedy play out," Luo Qing replied, shaking his head. Then he added, "Natalia, tell the others to change their outfits tomorrow. We're going to dress up as adventurers."
Natalia looked puzzled. "Lord Luo Qing, aren't we heading to Narukami Island? Why do we need to disguise ourselves as adventurers all of a sudden?"
"No reason, just making a detour to go fishing," Luo Qing said calmly.
The next morning...
Although it was technically morning, the ever-present thunderstorms blanketing Yashiori Island blurred the line between day and night. The non-stop storms kept Natalia and the others from getting a decent night's sleep, leaving them groggy when they woke. It felt like they could still hear strange voices echoing in their minds, a sensation that made them marvel at how the Fatui's vanguard troops stationed here managed to endure.
The camp had a few spare adventurer outfits, and after dressing up, Natalia's group looked reasonably convincing as adventurers—at least enough not to be mistaken for dangerous members of the Fatui.
"Lord Luo Qing, where are we headed now?" Natalia asked. The original plan was to travel to the Kujou encampment. The Tenryou Commission had deep ties with the Fatui, and through their assistance, they were supposed to reach Inazuma City.
However, with Luo Qing mentioning a change in plans last night, Natalia wanted to confirm.
"We're still going to the Kujou encampment, but remember, we're adventurers from the Adventurers' Guild. We got stranded by the storm, so we're heading to the Kujou encampment to ask for help," Luo Qing reminded them sternly.
He glanced over and saw Theresa teasing a small Electro Slime with her Naku Weed Lamp, his brow furrowing. "Theresa, do you think Guild adventurers would play with Electro Slimes like that?"
"Ah... sorry, Lord Luo Qing!" Theresa quickly pulled the Electro Slime back into the lamp, stowing it away in her pack and falling in line behind the others.
"Have you all hidden your weapons?" Luo Qing turned his gaze toward Natalia and the others.
They didn't have access to a system inventory like he did, so the modern weapons Luo Qing had issued to them were usually kept on their person, making them stand out a bit among the Fatui.
"They're all hidden, Lord Luo Qing, inside the false compartments," Natalia said, patting the black, long leather case she was carrying.
"Alright, let's move out," Luo Qing nodded, leading them toward the Kujou encampment.
As for Higi Village, Luo Qing had dealt with Jinjou for them, and whatever fate awaited the remaining villagers was in their own hands now.
The group followed the cliffs along Musoujin Gorge, heading in the direction of Nazuchi Beach. The dense Electro energy in the gorge made Natalia and the others uncomfortable. A single glance at the glowing purple sea below sent chills down their spines, as if some unseen presence weighed heavily upon them.
Combined with the frequent lightning strikes, they found themselves constantly grumbling about how uninhabitable the island was, wondering how the people of Inazuma managed to survive here.
Fortunately, the thunderstorms only affected Yashiori Island. Once they left its shores, the weather improved considerably on Nazuchi Beach, allowing them to relax a little.
Even Theresa, who had spent a whole year stationed alone at Guyun Stone Forest, admitted she was grateful she hadn't been reassigned to Inazuma. Even the isolated Guyun seemed a hundred times better than this cursed island.
At that moment, the battlefield at Nazuchi Beach, where the Shogunate forces and the Resistance frequently clashed, appeared abandoned—no sign of life. In the distance, Tatarasuna was heavily fortified, with Shogunate soldiers visible in the watchtowers.
"You all better not mess this up," Luo Qing warned them again as they neared the Shogunate's defensive lines. "We're adventurers. Got it?"
If his subordinates slipped up, he would lose his leverage over Kujou Takayuki.
"Don't worry, Lord Luo Qing! We've got this!" Theresa pounded her chest confidently.
Luo Qing glanced at Theresa, feeling she was the least trustworthy of the group.
Soon, they reached the defensive barricades of the Kujou camp, where armored Shogunate soldiers approached to intercept them, blocking their path.
"Who are you? Where do you come from?" one of the soldiers barked.
"Greetings, sir. We're adventurers from the Adventurers' Guild. Our ship was caught in the storm and ran aground. We heard the Kujou camp might be able to help us get to Narukami Island," Luo Qing explained with perfect deference, exuding the air of a genuine adventurer.
"Adventurers?" The guard eyed the group from head to toe.
Five adventurers, three men and two women, all dressed appropriately in the Guild's distinctive green attire. However, what caught his attention were the large cases each member carried.
"What's in those cases?" the guard asked, pointing to the large one slung over Igor's shoulder.
"Oh, just excavation tools for archaeological adventures," Luo Qing replied with a smile.
"You there, open it up," the guard ordered, pointing at Igor.
"Of course, sir," Igor said respectfully, setting the case down and opening it.
Inside were various digging tools. Igor had even tilted the interior compartment to make it look deeper than it was.
"Alright... move along," the guard said, casting a cursory glance at the contents before waving them through. Given their foreign appearances, they were clearly not Watatsumi rebels.
The group had just passed the fortifications when another soldier blocked their path.
"You came from Yashiori Island?" he asked.
"Yes, we did. Why?" Luo Qing replied, feigning confusion.
"Just as I thought... Yashiori Island..." The soldier's expression darkened as he scrutinized them. "Have any of you been feeling dizzy, nauseous, or heard voices in your heads recently?"
"Well..." Luo Qing played along, putting on a serious face. "Yes, sir. How did you know?! That's exactly why we wanted to get back to Inazuma City as soon as possible—to find a cure!"
"I see..." The guard nodded, pointing toward a small island in the distance. "Head to the garrison over there. A ship will be arranged to take you to Narukami Island for treatment. Understood?"
"Understood, thank you, sir!" Luo Qing nodded repeatedly, quickly leading Natalia and the others in the direction of the Kujou garrison, fearing the soldier might change his mind.
Once Luo Qing's group was out of earshot...
The two Shogunate soldiers began whispering to each other.
"They said they were adventurers... so why did you send them to that ship too?"
"What's the problem? Lord Jinsaijin said that anyone showing signs of spirit corruption can't be allowed back to Narukami Island. If those people make it back alive, and Lord Takayuki blames us, do you think we can handle the fallout?"
"But..."
"What's there to 'but' about? It's always been like this. If it's not them, it's us. Why else do you think the rebels are fighting us?"
"...Yeah."
---
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If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Chapter 64: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [64] [100 PS]
Most of those stationed here were underlings left behind by the Doctor. Unlike Childe or La Signora, the Doctor wasn't the type to be reasonable, so unless absolutely necessary, Luo Qing preferred not to cross paths with him.
However, judging by the nagging notifications from the system's frustration value logs, the Doctor seemed to be aware of Luo Qing's presence. Thankfully, he hadn't come knocking just yet.
Skirting the northern beach of Tatarasuna and avoiding the Mikage Furnace, Luo Qing's group finally arrived at the small island where the Kujou encampment was located by midday.
As a forward base of the Shogunate army, the Kujou encampment wasn't a place that could be freely accessed, so it was no surprise that the group was stopped by the guards.
"This is a military zone. Civilians are not permitted!"
The guard swung his spear, blocking their path. He eyed their green-clad outfits suspiciously, automatically assuming they were adventurers.
"Sir, we're adventurers who escaped from Yashiori Island. The soldiers at Tatarasuna told us there's a ship here that can take us back to Narukami Island, so we came here seeking passage," Luo Qing said politely, making sure to emphasize "Yashiori Island" to link them with the fleeing refugees.
"Adventurers from Yashiori Island?"
The guard looked troubled, clearly unsure whether to let them through.
"Wait here. I'll report this," he said, running back inside the camp with his spear. A few moments later, he returned with a complicated expression.
"There's a ship departing for Narukami Island tonight. Head to the eastern side of the island. A group of refugees is already waiting there. You'll be able to leave with them."
"Thank you, sir! We'll head over right away!" Luo Qing said with feigned enthusiasm, glancing in the direction the guard pointed before exchanging a knowing look with Natalia and the others. The group made their way toward the east side of the island.
Once they were a safe distance away, the impatience among the group bubbled over.
"Lord Luo Qing, why are we pretending to be adventurers? These outfits are so ugly..." Theresa grumbled. "And those Inazuma soldiers? They looked at us like dead men walking. I bet they're planning to screw us over!"
Theresa's words dripped with frustration, though she lacked the intellect to fully grasp Luo Qing's plans. Being kept in the dark just made her feel even more like a fool.
Luo Qing glanced back at her, his tone carrying a sense of gentle reprimand.
"Theresa, have you ever considered that even if I explained it to you, you wouldn't understand?"
"...?"
"I..."
[Frustration Value +1 from Theresa]
Theresa stood there, dumbfounded, wanting to argue back but unsure of what to say. Isn't this just bullying a fool? she thought.
Pouting, she shuffled to the back of the group, sneaking out her little Electro Slime to play with. At least you, my little treasure, care about me, she mused. Unlike that heartless Luo Qing...
Luo Qing didn't bother with Theresa anymore, knowing that her carefree nature would soon bring her back to her usual self. It wasn't worth worrying about, especially since her emotional stability seemed questionable at best.
He couldn't help but wonder if this was a common trait among Electro Cicin Mages.
The group made their way to the east side of the island, approaching a rickety wooden dock where a crowd of refugees had already gathered. A few heavily armored Shogunate soldiers were stationed around them, seemingly preventing them from leaving the area.
Most of the refugees were able-bodied men, with a few elderly and women mixed in. Almost all had come here after seeing the Kujou Clan's aid announcement, hoping to board a ship back to Narukami Island.
After all, Narukami Island was the only relatively safe place left in the Inazuma Archipelago.
The Shogunate, with the legendary Raiden Shogun at its helm, still held some appeal. No one wanted to join the Resistance at Watatsumi Island and risk being labeled a traitor.
"Lord Luo Qing, this doesn't look like a rescue mission... more like they're herding prisoners," Igor whispered. As a trained intelligence officer, he immediately sensed something was off about the situation.
"You're right. They never intended to help anyone. You'll see soon enough," Luo Qing replied coolly, quickening his pace toward the soldiers.
"What's your business here?" One of the armored soldiers asked warily as Luo Qing approached. Their hands instinctively moved toward their swords, ready for any trouble.
Sensing the tension, Natalia and the others also tensed, ready to act at a moment's notice. If these soldiers drew their weapons, they wouldn't even need Luo Qing to deal with them.
"Sir, we're adventurers who escaped from Yashiori Island. The soldiers at the camp told us to come here, saying there's a ship that can take us to Narukami Island," Luo Qing feigned fear as he spoke.
"Adventurers, huh?"
The soldier scrutinized them, noting their green adventurer outfits. Except for the large black cases a few of them carried, they didn't look out of place.
"Fine. Stay here and don't wander off. The ship will depart at dusk. Someone will come to take you to Narukami Island then."
The soldier seemed disinterested, having already resigned himself to following orders. He had no reason to second-guess the decision of his superiors regarding the fate of these people. Compassion wouldn't get him far in this world.
Once the group was herded into the dock area, the armored soldiers continued to block the exit, preventing anyone from leaving with the excuse that they couldn't wander around.
Though some refugees found the situation suspicious, they had already reached the dock. They had no choice but to wait patiently for the ship to depart.
Surely, the Shogunate wouldn't intentionally harm them... right?
As the sun set, painting the sea with a golden hue, the soldiers guarding the dock exchanged glances. One by one, they moved through the crowd, opening the ship's gangplank and directing the refugees to board.
Luo Qing and his group remained at the back, but as they neared the ship, Luo Qing caught sight of something at the rear of the vessel—a small lifeboat hanging off the side.
Judging by its size, it was just large enough to hold the soldiers.
"Did you see that?" Luo Qing subtly nodded toward the lifeboat, drawing Igor's attention to it.
As the sharpest mind of the group, Igor quickly understood what was going on. He met Luo Qing's gaze and nodded slightly.
"When we're aboard, keep an eye on those soldiers. Make sure they don't pull any tricks. Understood?" Luo Qing whispered.
"Yes, Lord Luo Qing," Igor replied quietly.
Once all the refugees were aboard, the soldiers did a headcount, ensuring no one had slipped away. Satisfied, they raised the anchor and set sail.
Seeing the boat depart brought smiles to the refugees' faces. The thought of soon returning to Narukami Island filled them with hope.
Maybe the Shogunate soldiers aren't so bad after all, they thought. At least they're helping the refugees...
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
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