Chapter 279: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [279]
"You..."
Scaramouche's pupils dilated as disbelief flashed across his face.
That woman!
It was her!
Why was she here in Sumeru?!
In mere seconds, the newly ascended god pieced together a plausible explanation in his mind.
Someone must have drawn that woman out of Inazuma and hidden her in Sumeru City, all for this moment...
That someone...
A familiar, sly image popped into his head—a certain smirking figure, as if saying to him:
"Scara, isn't this grand gift of mine impressive?"
"..."
"Luo Qing! Once I'm out of here, I'll tear you to pieces!" Scaramouche roared in fury.
His gaze shifted back to the entrance, where Ei—hand on her blade, Musou no Isshin—was walking toward him, calm and deliberate.
"Should I say, 'long time no see,' Shogun?"
"I thought granting you freedom would release you from your burdens. I never expected it to plant the seed of vengeance instead... Kunikuzushi."
"Kunikuzushi is dead!" Scaramouche cut her off, his voice filled with rage.
"And it's all thanks to you, Shogun. Now, you will call me the new god—the Puppet Ruler of Takamagahara!"
"Oh, really?"
Ei's expression remained unchanged as she tilted her head slightly to look up at Scaramouche.
"You think possessing a Gnosis qualifies you to ascend to the ranks of the gods?"
She slowly raised her blade, pointing it at him.
"In that case..."
"Allow me to test whether this new god has what it takes."
"You think I'd be afraid of you just because you showed up?! I'm not the person I was back then!"
Scaramouche's face twisted in fury as the Shouki no Kami shuddered in sync with his rage.
The mech's hands lifted high above its head, a massive orb of elemental energy—Kshatriya's Final Calamity—forming and illuminating the workshop with a violent glow.
"Ei, you—"
Lumine, still unsure of the history between these two, could only rely on her instincts. Those instincts screamed that if the attack landed, even she wouldn't survive.
"No need to worry."
Ei gave a slight shake of her head, her eyes glowing with a serene yet commanding light.
Musou no Isshin slid free from its scabbard.
The orb descended.
"Sever."
Ei's voice was low and calm, yet it carried a weight that drowned out all other noise in the workshop.
In an instant, blinding lightning filled the space, halting the orb's motion mid-air as if someone had pressed pause.
The next moment, the light dissipated, and silence fell.
The descending orb split diagonally, a jagged fissure forming.
As Scaramouche stared in disbelief, the fissure widened, splitting the orb in two. Cracks began spreading across the Shouki no Kami's mech body.
"This... how is this possible..."
Scaramouche's eyes widened as he felt the damage coursing through the mech.
He couldn't understand—how could she, with a single slash, rend his godly form apart?
He was supposed to be a god...
And yet...
Before the thought could settle, the Shouki no Kami's body crumbled. The mech split cleanly in half, exposing the Gnosis within.
A deafening explosion erupted from within the mech as it disintegrated. The pain wracking Scaramouche's body contorted his expression.
As the mech collapsed, the now unprotected Gnosis slipped free, tumbling through the air with a faint purple glow.
Scaramouche's expression turned frantic. Struggling against the cables still attached to his body, he fought to free himself, desperate to retrieve the Gnosis.
Leaping into the air, he reached out, certain he could reclaim it.
But just as his fingers brushed the surface of the Gnosis, a sudden spark of lightning surrounded it, pulling it away as though guided by an unseen force.
Scaramouche's gaze followed the Gnosis in stunned silence, his longing palpable.
The Gnosis landed gently in Ei's hand.
Scaramouche froze, his expression hardening with fury.
"Give it back!"
"I think you're mistaken..."
Ei studied the Gnosis in her hand as she began walking toward him, her voice steady and cold.
"The Gnosis—a symbol of divine status—derives its meaning from the Seven Archons who grant it. Possessing it doesn't automatically make you a god."
"It's mine! Give it back!"
Though weak and barely able to move, Scaramouche glared at her with seething hatred, his voice trembling with rage.
"Oh?"
Ei glanced at the Gnosis in her hand, letting out a soft scoff before summoning her blade once more.
"I recall you once saying you wanted to re-enact the Archon War to prove yourself as a god. If so, you should've prepared yourself to lose like one."
She placed the blade against his neck. A slight press would be enough to sever his head.
"Or perhaps, your so-called re-enactment is just childish posturing. You're fine slaughtering others but unwilling to face the same fate?"
As someone who had lived through the Archon War, Ei knew all too well its brutality.
For this insolent boy to babble about re-enacting it...
He was long overdue for a lesson.
"Hmph, if you're going to strike, then spare me the pointless words."
Scaramouche glared at her with contempt. Even faced with death, his defiance remained unyielding.
"As you wish."
Ei raised her blade, her gaze icy and detached.
There was no trace of the sweet-toothed, novel-reading homebody left in her demeanor.
Suddenly, the tense atmosphere was broken by the sound of clapping.
"Alright, alright. Family discipline should end here," a familiar voice chimed in, light and casual.
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, even Ei lowering her blade slightly in irritation.
At the entrance stood Luo Qing, who had somehow slipped into the workshop unnoticed. He strolled in leisurely, a grin plastered across his face.
"Of course... it's you..."
Scaramouche used the last of his strength to glare at Luo Qing, his face twisted with rage.
"Indeed, it's me," Luo Qing said with a soft chuckle.
"Now, close your eyes, won't you~?"
Before Scaramouche could respond, his consciousness suddenly grew heavy. His vision blurred, and the world around him faded into darkness.
He collapsed, unconscious.
"Well, that wraps things up," Luo Qing said with a satisfied hum.
Plucking the Gnosis from Ei's hand, he held it up in front of Lumine with a playful smirk.
"From now on, I'll be the one taking care of this~"
---
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
Chapter 280: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [280]
Technically, it was Ei's spoils of war.
But given the relationship between him and Ei, distinctions like "yours" and "mine" hardly mattered. What was hers was his, and what was his was hers—there was no difference.
Storing the Gnosis into his system inventory, Luo Qing felt a sense of satisfaction at achieving yet another small goal.
Turning to the dumbfounded Lumine, he walked over to Nahida, crouching down to examine her.
He looked her over carefully, even asking her to turn around so he could check every angle.
"Are you hurt anywhere, my little Nahida?"
"No... I'm fine, Luo Qing."
Being fussed over like a child made Nahida blush slightly, her bashfulness evident.
"Luo Qing, who is she?"
Nahida glanced up at the tall and imposing Raiden Shogun.
The sheer force of her presence made Nahida instinctively want to retreat and hide behind Luo Qing. She resisted the urge, thanks to the growth she'd experienced recently.
"Her name is Ei, the current god of Inazuma," Luo Qing explained, gently patting Nahida's head.
"And by the way, this guy lying on the ground? She made him with her own two hands~"
"Made him...?"
Nahida murmured, processing this information. After a few moments, she looked up at Luo Qing, her expression hesitant.
"Did you... make him with her?"
"..."
Luo Qing was momentarily at a loss for words.
He had the distinct feeling that Nahida was misunderstanding something strange.
"He's a puppet, not a true human being," Ei finally spoke, her voice cold and detached.
She cast one last glance at the battered Scaramouche lying on the ground before turning to leave.
"My business here is done. Don't forget your promise—come find me tonight."
With that, she gave Luo Qing a parting look before vanishing into a streak of violet lightning.
"Luo Qing, what did you promise her?"
Nahida's worried gaze followed Ei's departure. She feared Luo Qing might have sacrificed something important to secure the Electro Archon's help.
"It's nothing."
Luo Qing smiled gently, his tone soothing. "Just a little game. Nothing for you to worry about, Nahida~"
Though it does mean enduring several hours of torture tonight... Small potatoes. I can handle it.
"Okay..."
Nahida lowered her gaze in thought, then looked up again with a sweet, bright smile.
"Thank you, Luo Qing."
"Yes! Thanks to you, Luo Qing!"
Paimon suddenly appeared out of nowhere, patting Luo Qing's shoulder enthusiastically.
"To think your 'professional team' turned out to be her..."
Lumine, meanwhile, had a conflicted expression.
Though she appreciated Luo Qing's help in resolving the Scaramouche situation with a single stroke, his status as a Harbinger made her uneasy.
This man who always seemed to be slacking off... Was it really possible that he'd collaborate with enemies just to take down his own colleague and steal credit?
Or perhaps the so-called credit-stealing was just a front?
Ultimately, it didn't matter. Scaramouche was dealt with, and she should feel relieved.
"By the way, Nahida," Luo Qing suddenly said, his tone soft. "Can I borrow your Gnosis for a little while?"
"Eh?"
Nahida tilted her head, puzzled.
"I need its help. Just for a short time, okay?" Luo Qing asked again, his voice gentle.
"This..."
Nahida lowered her gaze, hesitating.
Standing nearby, Lumine's earlier suspicions reignited.
So that's his real motive—not the credit, but the Gnosis. Both of them.
She considered warning Nahida but hesitated. Luo Qing had just saved them—it didn't seem right to confront him now.
"Luo Qing, why do you need it?"
Nahida's voice was soft but firm.
For a fully mature god, the Gnosis was little more than a symbolic artifact. But for Sumeru—and for Nahida herself—it held immense significance.
"To get some answers," Luo Qing replied vaguely.
He decided it was best not to mention his plan to revive the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, at least not until he understood more about their connection. If it turned out he had "parents" materializing out of nowhere, Nahida's emotional state might suffer.
"Just for one night, Nahida. Please, trust me this once, okay?" Luo Qing's tone was as tender as if he were coaxing a little girl to share her candy.
"I..."
Nahida hesitated. The Gnosis was undeniably important, yet something about Luo Qing's presence made her want to trust him.
After a long pause, her eyes finally filled with determination.
A soft green glow emanated as the Dendro Gnosis floated out from within her.
"Just... only for one night, okay?"
"Thank you, Nahida."
Luo Qing took the Gnosis, his excitement barely contained.
With the two Gnoses in hand, everything was finally coming together.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Nahida and the others, Luo Qing left the Jouriri Workshop, offering a simple excuse.
What happened to Scaramouche from here on was Lumine and Nahida's concern. Without a Gnosis, he posed no significant threat, and Luo Qing wasn't worried about him harming Nahida.
As for Dottore, who was lurking in the shadows—well, with Ei around, even he wouldn't dare make a move.
Leaving the workshop, Luo Qing didn't head straight back to face Ei's impending "games." Instead, he turned toward the wild rainforests of Sumeru.
Eventually, after some searching, he found a suitable cave.
After sealing the entrance and confirming there were no other exits or intruders, he sat alone on a stone step inside.
With a flicker of thought, the two Gnoses appeared from his inventory, floating on either side of him—the verdant green Dendro Gnosis and the deep purple Electro Gnosis.
He opened his right hand, summoning a crimson canister of divine knowledge.
Ever since learning that it might contain remnants of Rukkhadevata's soul, he had swapped it out with a fake during an Akademiya operation and kept it safe.
"Now, it's time to solve all these mysteries..."
The memory of that dream—embracing Rukkhadevata under the World Tree—was still vivid in Luo Qing's mind.
Her joy upon seeing him, followed by her despair as they parted, had etched themselves deeply into his heart.
But now, that chapter could finally close.
Luo Qing closed his eyes.
The two Gnoses began glowing, their energies intertwining—deep purple and bright green converging on the crimson canister.
The energies pierced the canister and surged into his consciousness.
In an instant, Luo Qing's surroundings shifted.
The dark cave was gone, replaced by a vibrant rainforest teeming with life.
At the center of it all stood a towering, radiant tree of pink and violet hues, its light shining brilliantly.
He had arrived at the foot of the World Tree.
---
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
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