Chapter 114: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [114]
He learned that they had already met Kamisato Ayaka once and were now on their way back to Komore Teahouse to meet her again after completing three small requests.
This also meant that Lumine's first encounter with the Raiden Shogun was fast approaching.
As someone who knew the story, Luo Qing wasn't particularly interested in the upcoming events. He was far more focused on figuring out when he could persuade Rosalyne to leave the Tsaritsa and join his side.
At most, he might intervene if Lumine found herself in a life-threatening situation.
After parting ways with Lumine and Paimon, Luo Qing, as usual, bought a large bag of desserts and headed back to Yae Publishing House to pick up some newly released light novels. Then, he returned to the safe house.
He pulled out the interstellar toilet from his system inventory, adjusted it a bit, and then sat down.
With the sound of a satisfying flush, he was instantly transported to the Plane of Euthymia.
In the center of the realm, Ei floated cross-legged in mid-air, holding a light novel. She glanced up at Luo Qing and said coolly,
"Why are you so late today?"
"I ran into a couple of acquaintances and chatted with them for a while."
Luo Qing, now well-practiced, set down his bags and then moved to tidy up the mess of empty dessert boxes and wrappers scattered around.
"Honestly, you can't just wait for me to clean up every time. You should at least do it yourself occasionally."
Luo Qing sighed.
For almost a week, he would come to the Plane of Euthymia to deliver treats and clean up Ei's space, organizing the scattered light novels and throwing out leftover trash.
He was beginning to feel more like Ei's personal housekeeper.
Not that it was entirely a bad thing—every visit would earn him a slight increase in Ei's affection level. It was now up to 35 points.
"I never asked you to clean up. You're the one who insists on doing it."
Ei ignored Luo Qing, pulling the dessert bags closer and rummaging through them.
Her face lit up slightly when she found the familiar Dango Milk.
"You're unbelievable."
Luo Qing shook his head and glanced around.
Thanks to his repeated visits, the Plane of Euthymia now looked vastly different from the first time he had seen it.
Two bookshelves stood behind Ei, filled with light novels she had already finished. In one corner of the shelves, a pile of empty dessert wrappers lay stacked.
Thanks to the peculiar nature of the Plane of Euthymia, the desserts Luo Qing brought here never seemed to spoil.
If he added a single bed and a computer desk, this place might truly become the ultimate haven for a shut-in.
This girl... am I really fattening... no, I mean, ruining her?
He suddenly thought of Lumine, who he had seen earlier, and wondered if her brain would short-circuit if she saw this scene.
"By the way,"
Luo Qing sat down in front of Ei, trying to probe her thoughts.
"If I remember correctly, you approved the Vision Hunt Decree because you saw Visions as a variable—a hindrance to eternity, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Why?"
Ei replied indifferently, eyes never leaving her light novel as she sipped on her Dango Milk.
"..."
"Don't talk with your mouth full."
"..."
Ei's gaze darkened slightly, and she swallowed the dango.
"What, are you trying to object?"
"No, just curious."
Luo Qing shook his head. "If Visions are a variable because they allow people to control elemental powers, and thus hinder eternity, doesn't my Breath Style do the same thing? So why did you have me teach it to them?"
"Only the unexpected counts as a variable. Swordsmanship has been passed down for generations—it is a form of eternity, and not a threat to it."
"What if, one day, someone is able to use elemental powers without a Vision?"
Luo Qing leaned forward.
"If someone can wield the elements without a Vision, they would naturally be a variable."
"What would you do then?"
"That's the Shogun's responsibility, not mine."
Ei continued reading. After a moment, she added,
"But if the Shogun can't handle it, I'll take care of it myself and eliminate the threat."
"..."
Damn, that's harsh...
Luo Qing was taken aback.
He had thought that his constant deliveries might soften Ei's resolve.
But she remained as ruthless as ever—ready to draw her sword at the slightest provocation...
"Why did you suddenly bring this up?"
"Oh, nothing. Just messing with you."
"...?"
...
After leaving the Plane of Euthymia, Luo Qing casually disposed of the trash.
He glanced at Rosalyne's room; a sliver of light was visible through the door crack, indicating she hadn't left all day.
With nothing else to do, Luo Qing decided to go fishing, so he called out down the hallway, "Theresa! Get ready; we're going fishing!"
Before Theresa could answer, Rosalyne's door swung open.
Long legs stepped out, her face wearing a haughty expression tinged with annoyance.
"Can you keep your voice down?"
"Huh?"
"Lower your voice! You're bothering me! Hmph!"
With that, Rosalyne slammed the door shut.
Luo Qing was left bewildered.
Why does she also have the vibe of a shut-in?
Has she been ruined, too?
A moment later, Theresa came clacking down the hallway in wooden sandals, carrying a fishing rod, her purple eyes filled with eager anticipation.
"Alright, my lord, let's go."
"Mm..."
Luo Qing took one last look at Rosalyne's door before heading out with Theresa.
As they passed by Komore Teahouse, he made brief eye contact with the hostess, Kano Nana, who quickly looked away. Luo Qing watched her for a moment before awkwardly nodding a greeting.
Just as they were about to leave, a burst of cheerful laughter drifted out from inside the teahouse.
Although muffled by the wooden walls, Luo Qing's heightened hearing could make out every word clearly.
It was Kamisato Ayaka and Lumine playing a hotpot game inside.
Judging from the sounds, it seemed that Paimon had eaten a beetle that Ayaka had slipped into the pot...
"Tsk, they seem to be having a good time."
Luo Qing couldn't help but sigh.
If Ayaka's older brother hadn't come to disrupt things, he might have been in there enjoying the hotpot with them.
Ever since the end of training, Ayaka had been preoccupied with the fate of her clan and her new friendship with Lumine, leaving no time for their meetings.
Come to think of it, what Kamisato Ayato had said to Ayaka wasn't wrong.
Getting too close to Luo Qing could easily lead to accusations of colluding with the Fatui. If the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions were ever purged of Fatui influence, the Yashiro Commission wouldn't be able to escape scrutiny either.
It was similar to how Ganyu had treated him in Liyue—Ayaka had made the sensible decision.
Luo Qing was long used to this.
...
Shortly after Luo Qing left, inside Komore Teahouse:
The group, satisfied after their meal, sat around the hotpot table with contented smiles.
Paimon patted her belly and turned to Thoma. "By the way, Thoma, how do you know Luo Qing?"
Hearing this, Ayaka's expression shifted to surprise, and she spoke up before Thoma could answer.
"Huh?! You two know my master— I mean, Mr. Luo Qing, too?!"
"Of course! We met him back in Liyue!"
Paimon puffed out her chest. "We know all about what he did there!"
"Is that so..."
Ayaka's gaze softened as she recalled Luo Qing's previous warnings. She asked gently,
"Could you tell me more about what Mr. Luo Qing was like in Liyue?"
"Sure thing!"
Paimon agreed enthusiastically.
...
Some time later:
Fishing on the coast, Luo Qing suddenly received a system notification.
[+1 Frustration Value from Kamisato Ayaka... +1 +1 +1 +1...]
---
T/N: JJAJAJAJA POSTURE CHECK WATER CHECK
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]
Chapter 115: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [115]
Ever since that night of playing the hotpot game, Luo Qing had intermittently received notifications from his system late at night:
[+1 Frustration Value from Kamisato Ayaka]
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure out what had happened. Even when he visited Komore Teahouse to look for Ayaka, the hostess, Kano Nana, only told him that the lady had returned to the Yashiro Commission and asked him to come back another time.
This left him even more puzzled.
But if she didn't want to see him, he had no reason to push.
One day, after finishing a fishing trip, Luo Qing passed by Rosalyne's room and noticed the lights were off.
Normally, she spent all her time in there, barely leaving the room even to eat. Why was she missing now?
Feeling a bit suspicious, he called Theresa over from the hallway.
"Where's Rosalyne?"
"Ah, the Shogunate is holding some kind of public Vision Hunt ceremony, and Lady Rosalyne said she was interested in seeing it. She also asked me to tell you not to worry—she won't be meeting the Raiden Shogun until the right time."
"Ah, I see..."
Hearing the words public Vision Hunt, Luo Qing instantly understood.
Lately, he'd been using the interstellar toilet to visit Ei, so it had been a while since he'd interacted with the Raiden Shogun.
He didn't even know that his good buddy Thoma had been captured.
Without further delay, Luo Qing hurried toward the Statue of the Omnipresent God.
Just as he passed through Hanamizaka, he saw a crowd gathered around the statue, with Thoma tied up in the center, kneeling as if awaiting judgment.
Glancing up at the raised platform, Luo Qing saw the Raiden Shogun looking down coldly at Thoma.
Sensing Luo Qing's gaze, the Raiden Shogun glanced his way, letting out a barely audible huff.
What is he doing here? Is he planning to disrupt the ceremony?
If he actually dares, should I cut him down on the spot...
The Raiden Shogun hesitated, torn.
Moments later, the ceremony began, signaled by the priest's drumbeats as the 100th Vision Hunt commenced.
The Raiden Shogun cast another glance at Luo Qing.
After a brief moment of thought, she made up her mind and raised her right hand.
A deep violet light appeared at Thoma's waist, yanking his Vision from him. It floated slowly toward the Raiden Shogun's waiting hand.
Suddenly, a flurry of footsteps broke the tense silence. Luo Qing turned to see Lumine sprinting forward. With a leap, she charged through the crowd, electricity sparking around her, and snatched the Vision back mid-air, returning it to Thoma.
"Go, now!"
Lumine shouted to Thoma, standing firmly between him and the Raiden Shogun, her blade at the ready.
At the same moment, the Raiden Shogun's gaze shifted to Luo Qing.
Linked to Ei's consciousness, she was aware of everything that happened within the Plane of Euthymia, including Luo Qing's earlier questions about those who could wield the elements without a Vision.
So he's curious about that... well, let's show him.
With a cold snort, she slowly lifted her long, pale leg, crackling with lightning, and stepped toward Lumine.
As long as Luo Qing didn't interfere, she had no qualms about dealing with anyone else.
"You... without needing a Vision, you can command the elements. You are an anomaly..."
Suddenly, a surge of lightning crackled around the Raiden Shogun, and she extended her right hand to her chest.
The lightning intensified.
From the depths of her chest, a blade's hilt began to form, radiating with violet light.
In front of the shocked crowd, she drew the Musou no Hitotachi from within her chest...
Pulling out a sword from her chest...
That's a little... suggestive...
If she can fit a sword there, doesn't that mean she could fit other things too...
Ahem, focus, focus...
Snapping himself back to reality, Luo Qing saw the space around the Raiden Shogun shatter. A void-like darkness expanded rapidly, enveloping Lumine and vanishing from sight.
Paimon, now separated from Lumine, was frantic, flying in circles and unable to find her friend.
Spotting Luo Qing, she darted toward him, crying out with a hint of desperation.
"Luo Qing! Please, save Lumine! She's gone!"
Paimon knew the Fatui Harbingers were fearsomely powerful.
With Thoma currently helpless, her only hope was in the unlikely ally, Luo Qing.
But her cry caught the attention of the crowd, who now turned their eyes to Luo Qing.
Another accomplice?!
The onlookers hastily stepped away from Luo Qing, creating a wide circle around him in mere seconds, afraid of being associated with a potential criminal.
"Uh, what the..."
Classic Paimon...
Luo Qing looked down at the teary-eyed, desperate Paimon in front of him.
I'm just here to watch the show, and you're dragging all the attention onto me?
He glanced up at the Raiden Shogun.
Her aloof expression seemed to say, If you dare to help, I'll cut you down too.
"..."
If I help, Lumine will be back soon anyway, and it won't even matter.
If I don't help, it would feel pretty heartless, especially since we're supposed to be friends...
"Alright, alright, Paimon, stop crying."
"B-But Lumine...!"
"Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Luo Qing patted Paimon's head gently before stepping away from the crowd (though there weren't really many people left around him).
He glanced at Thoma, who was still kneeling on the ground, and took a deep breath before facing the Raiden Shogun.
"Let me go in and take a look."
"Hmph, and why should I?"
The Raiden Shogun's scoff was laced with cold disdain. "Can't you get in yourself?"
Ever since Luo Qing had gained free access to the Plane of Euthymia, he hadn't sought her out even once.
Now he wanted help without saying a word of explanation? She wouldn't waste her time!
"You..."
Luo Qing sighed, pointing a finger at the Raiden Shogun.
With a mental command, he pulled the interstellar toilet out of his system inventory.
Then, right there in front of everyone, he sat down and pressed the flush button...
---
T/N: Posture and water check
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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