Chapter 262: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [262]
Lumine's expression grew serious as she stared intently at Luo Qing.
"Just that a few of my colleagues happened to cross paths with him," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly.
"Help me retrieve the Electro Gnosis, and I'll share the information with you. How does that sound?"
"What do you need the Electro Gnosis for?" Lumine asked skeptically.
"Why else? To present it to Her Majesty, of course," Luo Qing said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "As the lowest-ranked Harbinger, I need some achievements to earn the Tsaritsa's favor."
His tone was so matter-of-fact it almost convinced them.
While presenting the Electro Gnosis to the Tsaritsa would indeed give Luo Qing a chance to meet her again, that wasn't his real goal. His true intention was to use the Electro Gnosis and the Dendro Gnosis to open the sealed divine knowledge capsule before Nahida could.
If he succeeded, perhaps he could bring back Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and finally understand her connection to Nahida.
But those details weren't something he was ready to share. Not yet.
"…"
Lumine exchanged a glance with Paimon, unsure of how to respond.
So this was what loyalty to the Tsaritsa looked like? Willing to steal credit from a colleague just to impress her?
"Of course, I'll help you in return," Luo Qing continued, his voice smooth and persuasive. "If you need information, I'll provide it. Lumine, you've been wandering this world for so long—don't you want to see your brother sooner rather than later?"
Lumine remained silent, her mind racing.
Her entire journey was about finding her brother. Now someone was offering her a lead—how could she not be tempted?
After a few moments, she exhaled and spoke.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Just keep following the leads you're already investigating. When the time is right, I'll tell you what to do," Luo Qing said with a slight smile.
After a brief pause, he added, "And one more thing—don't tell Nahida about this."
"Why not?"
"She's just a five-hundred-year-old little loli, isn't she?" Luo Qing said with a light chuckle. "There are things she's better off not knowing for now."
In truth, he still wasn't sure about Nahida's origins. All he knew was that her name had been given by him, and according to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, her existence was closely tied to him.
But the specifics? Rukkhadevata hadn't explained them before the dream ended.
Was she born naturally? Or was it… something else?
Luo Qing didn't want to entertain the thought that he had somehow fathered Nahida with Rukkhadevata in the past. But with thousands of years to account for, who could say for sure?
What if… future me went back in time and ended up having a child with a legendary white-haired Archon? And that child is Nahida?
The thought made him shudder.
Too terrifying. Best not to dwell on it.
Lumine broke the silence, her voice low but firm.
"Luo Qing, you won't harm Sumeru, will you?"
"Do you think I would, given how I treat Nahida?" Luo Qing countered with a question of his own.
"…"
She hesitated.
It was true that Luo Qing's demeanor toward Nahida practically radiated fatherly affection. The warmth in his gaze was enough to make anyone believe he'd never harm her or Sumeru.
Suddenly, a bold thought struck Lumine.
"Luo Qing… don't tell me you plan to add Nahida to your…"
"To my what?" Luo Qing blinked, confused.
"To your… you know…"
"To my what exactly?"
"To your harem!" Lumine's voice rose slightly, her cheeks flushing as she practically shouted the accusation.
"Shh!" Luo Qing quickly made a silencing gesture.
"And no, for the record, Raiden Ei isn't even part of that!"
"Wait, what?" Lumine froze.
So… Makoto is already part of it? Does that mean Luo Qing, a Fatui Harbinger, actually hooked up with the former Raiden Shogun?!
And by the sound of it, Ei wasn't far behind?
What kind of twisted world was this?!
"Also, who said I'd ever do that to Nahida?" Luo Qing frowned, feeling the need to clarify.
"But you…"
"No 'buts.'"
He cut her off firmly. "My feelings for Nahida are pure. No forbidden thoughts involved. Got it?"
"…"
[Lumine's Frustration +1]
Lumine wanted to argue but found herself at a loss for words.
"Alright then, no more nonsense," Luo Qing said, redirecting the conversation. He extended his hand with a calm smile. "Let's toast to a fruitful partnership, shall we?"
"…"
After a moment of hesitation, Lumine shook his hand.
As soon as their hands parted, Luo Qing stood and walked behind Lumine, gently pushing her toward the door.
"Well then, it's late. You two should head back and rest. I won't keep you any longer."
"Huh?"
Before they realized it, Lumine and Paimon found themselves standing outside the door.
"Seriously, Luo Qing?! You're not even offering us a place to stay for the night?" Paimon huffed, stomping her tiny feet.
"Of course, I want to," Luo Qing replied with a sigh of mock regret. "But there aren't any extra rooms. Once I move into my new house, you can stay over. Until then… goodnight!"
With that, he began closing the door.
But just as it was about to shut, a familiar voice called out from behind Lumine and Paimon.
"Huh? Lumine, Paimon, what are you doing here?"
"Hmm?"
They turned around to find Kamisato Ayaka standing nearby, dressed in a Sumeru-style dancer's outfit.
"Ayaka… you live here too?" Lumine's brain short-circuited.
Ayaka is living with Luo Qing too?! Just how many women is he hiding in this house?!
"I… um…" Ayaka's cheeks turned pink as she lowered her gaze.
"Y-You could say that…"
"…"
[Lumine's Frustration +1]
Lumine turned back toward the house, her gaze burning as she silently vowed to remember Luo Qing's face.
This man… is too much.
"Alright, we're leaving. Goodbye, Ayaka!"
Without giving her friend a chance to respond, Lumine grabbed Paimon and marched away, putting as much distance as possible between herself and Luo Qing.
She feared that if she lingered, she too might end up like the other women in his house.
"Huh?" Ayaka blinked in confusion, watching as Lumine fled.
"Luo Qing, what's going on? Why did they leave so suddenly?"
"No idea," Luo Qing replied with a chuckle. "Maybe they were just in a hurry to get some sleep."
His gaze fell on Ayaka's outfit, and he tilted his head. Something about it felt familiar.
"By the way, Ayaka, why are you back so late? And that outfit…"
"I…" Ayaka fidgeted, her blush deepening.
"I was at the Grand Bazaar… spending time with Nilou. She gave this to me as a gift…"
"Nilou, huh?" Luo Qing's eyes lit up with recognition.
No wonder it looked familiar—it's the same outfit Nilou wears, just in a different color.
"Come on, let's head inside. It's getting cold out here."
"Mm…" Ayaka nodded shyly and followed him in.
---
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— Raiden Shogun
Chapter 263: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [263]
What the two girls were up to, Luo Qing couldn't say.
Ayaka never shared the details, and Luo Qing didn't press her for answers.
Pulling Ayaka into the living room, the two sat side by side on the couch. The dim light cast a soft glow over the quiet room.
Ayaka sat with her legs pressed together, her posture elegant but tense. The rare opportunity to be alone with Luo Qing after their parting in Inazuma left her heart racing with excitement.
Maybe… if I'm careful, I could sneak over to see him again after everyone else falls asleep.
"Luo Qing…"
Ayaka stole a glance at him before speaking softly. "What do you think of Nilou's dancing?"
"It's beautiful," Luo Qing replied. "Why?"
"Mm… nothing. Just curious."
Ayaka shook her head, trying to appear nonchalant, but her mind was already working on a plan to surprise Luo Qing with her own performance after mastering Nilou's style.
"What, are you planning to dance for me?" Luo Qing teased.
"Wha—?!" Ayaka turned bright red, flailing her hands. "N-No! I just… I wasn't thinking about that at all! Don't misunderstand!"
She looked like a panicked rabbit caught off guard, flustered to the point of incoherence.
"…"
Luo Qing held back a laugh. All I did was tease her, and she's already activated her ultimate defense. Cute.
"Say, Ayaka…"
"W-What is it?"
Before she could react, Luo Qing cupped her face gently and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
Ayaka's eyes widened, but soon she melted into the kiss.
As the moment deepened, Luo Qing's arm slid around her waist, gently guiding her to lie back on the couch.
"L-Luo Qing…" Ayaka's cheeks burned as she felt his hand drift lower, nearing the edge of her skirt.
Her trembling hand shot out to grab his, stopping him in his tracks.
"T-That… I'm not ready for that yet…"
Ayaka's voice grew quieter as she turned her head away, unable to meet his gaze. "F-For now… kissing is okay…"
"Alright." Luo Qing chuckled softly, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
He knew well about the Kamisato family's strict traditions, which forbade certain actions before marriage. While Ayaka might not be the type to rigidly follow every rule, he understood her desire for the right timing and setting.
Still, nothing was stopping him from exploring other options.
As the two continued their affectionate exchange, Ayaka's borrowed dancer outfit from Nilou grew increasingly disheveled. She clutched her chest, her fair skin peeking through the gaps in the fabric under the dim light.
The sight was nothing short of breathtaking.
If I just pull a little here… Luo Qing thought mischievously, his fingers brushing the edge of the fabric covering her chest.
"S-Stop!" Ayaka suddenly sat up, holding her chest as she spoke in a flustered voice.
"That's enough for tonight. It's getting late, and I need to head back…"
Ayaka's tone was apologetic but firm. After all, she'd snuck into Sumeru under the pretense of training abroad. Staying out too long would undoubtedly raise her brother's suspicions.
And she'd definitely need to change her outfit before going home.
"Goodnight, Luo Qing!" Ayaka stammered as she darted to the staircase, her footsteps hurried.
"…Such a strong sense of self-preservation," Luo Qing muttered, watching her retreating figure with a sigh.
He could still feel the warmth from their time together, and his body burned with unspent energy. If not for Ayaka's sudden retreat, things might have escalated further.
If this were Makoto or Theresa, they wouldn't have held back at all, Luo Qing mused, shaking his head.
But Ayaka's restraint only made her more intriguing.
"I can't take this…" Luo Qing muttered, glancing toward the stairs.
He briefly debated whether to go upstairs. The warmth from Ayaka's touch had him feeling like a loaded gun, ready to go off at the slightest trigger.
But Makoto had explicitly banned him from the second floor…
"Forget it. I can't hold back."
With a resigned sigh, Luo Qing slipped on his slippers and silently crept upstairs.
The hallway was shrouded in darkness, the late hour casting deep shadows everywhere. Relying on his memory, he carefully approached what he believed to be Makoto's room.
"Should be this one…"
Standing outside the door, he twisted the handle gently. Finding it unlocked, he slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Meanwhile, in another room…
Ei had spent the entire day binge-reading light novels—sixteen straight hours of high-intensity reading. Even as an Archon, she needed some time to process and digest all the new stories.
Tonight, she decided to turn in early, hoping to recharge for another day of literary indulgence.
For once, Yae Miko wasn't around to mock her for slacking off, leaving Ei free to enjoy her rare vacation in peace.
Just as she was drifting off, the sound of the door opening snapped her awake.
Ei's eyes opened instantly, though she remained still, deciding to see who dared sneak into her room.
Moments later, she heard quiet footsteps approaching the bed.
"Already asleep?" a familiar voice murmured.
Luo Qing?!
Her heart skipped a beat. Why is he in my room?
"Ah, whatever. Next time, then. For now, let's just sleep."
Sleep?! Ei's mind raced. With who?!
The bed shifted as Luo Qing climbed in, and before she could react, she felt his arms slide under the blanket, wrapping snugly around her waist.
His solid chest pressed against her back, and his breath tickled her neck.
He's… he's cuddling me?!
Unsure if she was dreaming, Ei reached down to touch the hand resting lightly on her waist.
"You're awake?" Luo Qing's voice came softly from behind her.
"…"
"I'm feeling… that way. Can we…?"
"I'm Ei."
"…"
[Luo Qing's Frustration +1]
---
T/N: HA. HA. HA
Reader, your presence signifies commitment.
To walk this path is to contribute to the pursuit of eternity.
Should you wish to further fortify our resolve, step forward: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Each action contributes to the unyielding foundation of our creation. Together, we etch a mark that transcends the fleeting nature of time.
— Raiden Shogun
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