Chapter 287: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [287] [30 PS]
Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!
---
Nahida is the child of Bu'er and Luo Qing? How could that be?!
There was no mention of this in the previous timeline!
Stiffly, she turned her head toward Luo Qing, as if searching his expression for some form of denial.
But Luo Qing showed no intention of refuting the claim, remaining silent.
Makoto felt her composure crumble, her voice trembling slightly.
"When did this happen..."
"Oh, a long time ago."
Bu'er smiled faintly, leaning against Luo Qing's shoulder as she spoke softly. "Luo Qing and I have been together since the Archon War thousands of years ago. Isn't it normal to have a child by now?"
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Makoto]
Makoto's mood plummeted. She had always thought she arrived first in this life, sealing her bond with Luo Qing long before anyone else.
But Bu'er's words shredded her confidence.
Together since the Archon War thousands of years ago...
This...
Thinking carefully, Makoto realized she knew a lot about Luo Qing's future but had never truly understood his past.
"Alright, enough."
Her mind, caught in a storm of thoughts and self-doubt, was abruptly brought back to reality by a gentle flick to her forehead.
She looked up to see Bu'er stifling a laugh, while Luo Qing shook his head helplessly beside her.
"You two..."
"Makoto, it's not what you think," Luo Qing said.
"Then what is it?" Makoto asked, her voice flat.
"Well, it's..."
Luo Qing quickly explained the story Bu'er had shared with him earlier.
Although it had been heartfelt when Bu'er first told it, Luo Qing couldn't shake the feeling that she might have exaggerated some details. With her sly demeanor, embellishment wasn't out of the question.
"I see..."
Makoto glanced between Bu'er and Luo Qing, her emotions a tangled mess.
Now, she finally understood why Bu'er, despite arriving later than others, had managed to stand out and rival that woman in the household.
It was because she had spent millennia with Luo Qing...
Thousands of years—something Makoto's mere decades could hardly compete with.
And to top it off, it was Luo Qing who had willingly traveled back in time to find Bu'er, sharing those long years with her.
Makoto suddenly felt a wave of discouragement.
If she couldn't even handle Bu'er, how could she hope to deal with the next one...?
She had thought this life would let her defy fate and reclaim her place as the main wife...
But now...
It seemed impossible.
"What are you thinking about?"
Another flick to her forehead snapped Makoto out of her thoughts.
"Stop overthinking."
Luo Qing, having seen right through her, said softly, "I'm here with you now, aren't I? There's no need to dwell on the past."
"You're right!"
His words gave Makoto a newfound sense of confidence.
Yes, that was all in the previous timeline.
She was a reborn individual, armed with knowledge of the future!
The base hasn't exploded yet!
There's still a chance!
"Now that's more like it..."
Luo Qing nodded approvingly before turning to Bu'er with a reminder.
"Oh, by the way, when you meet Nahida later, don't bring up anything about me, alright?"
"Why not?"
Bu'er tilted her head in confusion. "Luo Qing, you're her father."
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Luo Qing]
"What I mean is, don't tell her I'm her father right now." Luo Qing looked like he was about to cry. "That's something she's not ready to accept just yet..."
"Oh... Alright."
Bu'er's expression grew a little crestfallen.
She had hoped her little family could reunite sooner rather than later.
"Thanks for understanding. I..."
Luo Qing was about to continue discussing the details when the door suddenly opened.
Theresa walked in alone. Spotting Luo Qing at home, she seemed mildly surprised.
"Sir, the Doctor has requested your presence."
"Huh? When did this happen?" Luo Qing asked, puzzled.
"Just now. When I went out to... um... meet with a colleague, the Doctor intercepted me."
"He stopped you?"
Luo Qing felt a flicker of caution.
"What did he say?"
"He asked you to meet him at the camp outside the city as soon as possible. He said it's very important and involves Her Majesty."
"Something important... involving Her Majesty?"
Luo Qing frowned, deep in thought.
If the timeline had followed its original course, the Doctor should have been lying in wait, ready to snatch the two Gnoses after Nahida and her group used the Divine Knowledge Capsule during negotiations.
But now, not only had Scaramouche been slain by the Raiden Shogun—whom the Doctor had lured from Inazuma—but even the Divine Knowledge Capsule had been replaced with a counterfeit.
Luo Qing had completely disrupted the Doctor's plans.
That said, it wasn't entirely Luo Qing's fault.
The Doctor had been the one to invite him to Sumeru to "stir things up" in the first place.
And stir things up, he certainly had.
Fair play, right?
"Alright..."
After a moment's consideration, Luo Qing decided to meet the Doctor.
Rising from his seat, he turned back to Makoto and Bu'er.
"You two stay home and behave, alright? No more mischief."
"Mm, I promise I won't cause any trouble," Bu'er said with a quick nod.
"I won't either," Makoto added, albeit begrudgingly.
Damn it, Bu'er beat me to it again!
Seeing the two so cooperative, Luo Qing felt relieved. Asking Ei and Theresa to keep an eye on them, he then left.
Luo Qing was well-acquainted with all the Fatui camps in Sumeru, so finding the one where the Doctor was stationed didn't take long.
---
Before long, he arrived at a large cavern outside Sumeru City.
Since the fall of the Pure Glaze Workshop, the Fatui had relocated here, including the Doctor's segment.
The Fatui stationed in Sumeru all recognized Luo Qing as a newly appointed Harbinger.
They greeted him with nods and salutes before returning to their tasks. The Sumeru operation was nearing its conclusion, and the troops were preparing to relocate as instructed by headquarters.
"So, you wanted to see me?"
Luo Qing approached the Doctor's desk, casually taking a seat with an air of ease.
"You have the two Gnoses, don't you?"
The Doctor's tone was direct.
"Who told you that? I didn't take anything."
"Hmph..."
The Doctor wasn't fazed by Luo Qing's feigned ignorance.
He reached under his desk and pulled out an ornate, finely-crafted box, pushing it toward Luo Qing.
"This is a direct order from Her Majesty. She requests your presence and asks that you bring the two Gnoses with you."
"Her Majesty's orders?"
Luo Qing frowned slightly. Taking the box, he opened it to find a deep, ice-blue crystal inside.
"This is..."
Before he could finish, the crystal began to glow brightly.
An ice-blue energy emerged, forming the figure of a woman before him.
---
Ah-ha! So you mortals truly have outdone yourselves this time, haven't you? To think your offerings could summon forth these bonus chapters—what a feat worthy of my recognition! You've brought glory to Fontaine, and naturally, to me.
But do not think for a moment that your work is complete! This is but a single step on the journey to greatness, and there are still many more chapters, many more stages, and of course, many more opportunities to bask in my brilliance.
So, continue your efforts, loyal followers! Shower this endeavor with your support, and who knows? Perhaps I shall reward your dedication with even grander displays of my magnificence.
For now, savor these bonus chapters. And remember, this is your moment to shine... because I allowed it.
With admiration and just a dash of benevolence,
Furina ✨
Chapter 288: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [288] [40 PS]
Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!
---
The woman's body was shrouded in a veil of ice-blue light, revealing only the outline of her imposing figure while concealing her true appearance.
She was identical to the vision Luo Qing had seen in the Tsaritsa's chambers on the day of his induction as a Harbinger.
This was…
The Cryo Archon!
Luo Qing's pupils dilated, his mind struck as though by lightning.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to be summoned by the Tsaritsa at this moment.
His gaze flickered toward the Doctor, who stood watching the show with a faint smirk.
That subtle upturn of his lips said it all: He definitely went back and tattled.
"Brighella..."
From the radiant veil, the Tsaritsa's voice echoed with an icy, aloof majesty, as frigid as the snowy peaks of Snezhnaya.
"Your Majesty..."
Luo Qing lowered his head slightly, bowing respectfully.
The Tsaritsa was impervious to all his emotional manipulation abilities—a clear sign that he wasn't a match for her at his current level.
So, it was better to play along.
"Return to Snezhnaya. Bring the Gnoses... and yourself."
"Ah... about that..."
Luo Qing hesitated.
He was living quite comfortably here in Sumeru, far removed from the reach of imperial authority.
Returning would mean dealing with Pierro, the Tsaritsa herself, and that unpredictable girl, Columbina.
It would be far too stifling.
"What's this? Are you unwilling?"
The Tsaritsa's voice remained as frosty as ever, but there was a trace of displeasure beneath the surface.
"Of course not, Your Majesty..."
Luo Qing's mind raced as he scrambled for an excuse.
"It's just that I still have unfinished business in Sumeru. Perhaps I could complete my tasks here before returning to report to Your Majesty..."
"Oh?"
The Tsaritsa's tone shifted, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice.
"What kind of business? Let me hear it."
"Uh..."
Luo Qing faltered, glancing at the Doctor as he weighed his words. Finally, he spoke.
"I believe the Akasha system utilized by the Sumeru Akademiya holds immense potential. If properly controlled, it could aid in recovering the remaining two Gnoses..."
"But as a prerequisite, I would need to temporarily retain the Dendro Gnosis. I humbly ask Your Majesty for more time to carry this out."
"Hmph..."
From the glowing veil came a faint scoff, tinged with disdain.
Not only was Luo Qing caught off guard, but even the Doctor seemed momentarily stunned.
In all his time as a Harbinger, the Doctor had only ever seen the Tsaritsa as a cold, aloof figure, the epitome of an icy beauty.
Never had she shown even the faintest hint of emotion.
Is she... actually upset?
"You wish to wield the Dendro Gnosis and control the Akasha system," the Tsaritsa said slowly. "Tell me, then—how do you intend to deal with the Dendro Archon?"
"Ah... that..."
Luo Qing was momentarily speechless.
The solution was simple enough, but saying it out loud was a different matter entirely.
What could he say? That he was the Dendro Archon's nominal father, and that she was his nominal daughter? That he had even brought her mother back to life, reuniting their family of three? Would that suffice?
"I have my methods, Your Majesty. I only ask for your patience," Luo Qing said firmly.
"A fine claim of having 'methods'..."
The Tsaritsa's tone remained cold, yet it seemed increasingly tinged with emotion.
The Doctor, meanwhile, was thoroughly confused. Not even Pierro had ever managed to evoke any emotion in the Tsaritsa's voice.
Yet here was Luo Qing, driving the icy queen to the brink of showing frustration.
It was as though the Tsaritsa might, at any moment, shove Luo Qing to the ground, plant her heel on his face, and demand to know his intentions.
What the...
The Doctor's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to a photograph he had once forwarded to Snezhnaya—a snapshot of The Raiden Shogun and Luo Qing passionately embracing at the bow of a ship.
Shortly after that, the Tsaritsa's ice-blue crystal had been delivered to Luo Qing, accompanied by a decree that it was a "gift of great significance" for him to retrieve personally.
Could it be...
Huh...
"Very well..."
After a long silence, the Tsaritsa's voice returned, calm and devoid of emotion once more.
"Brighella, I grant you one year. Within that time, return to Snezhnaya with all three Gnoses. Fail, and you will bear the consequences."
With that, the glowing veil dispersed, and the Tsaritsa's projection dissolved back into ice-blue energy, retreating into the crystal.
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Luo Qing]
The Tsaritsa's parting words were essentially an order for him to fetch another Gnosis.
There were only two left in the world now!
Luo Qing massaged his temples, unable to fathom why he was receiving such "special attention" from the Tsaritsa.
Look at Scaramouche—hellbent on revenge in Inazuma. Or Childe, slacking off in Liyue every day. Neither of them had been summoned by the Tsaritsa in person!
Luo Qing felt like a corporate employee whose performance review hadn't gone well.
Dragged into the "manager's" office—where the Tsaritsa, the ever-intimidating boss, grilled him on why his quarterly targets hadn't been met.
Now he'd signed a high-stakes agreement: deliver three Gnoses within a year, or face the boss's personal "punishment."
This feels... too familiar.
If the Tsaritsa's hair were silver...
Shudder. Too spot-on.
But the question remained:
Why was the Tsaritsa taking such an interest in him?
He glanced at the Doctor's expression, which practically screamed bystander. Suddenly, the answer clicked.
"Was it you who brought the Tsaritsa's attention here?" Luo Qing asked.
"Not at all," the Doctor replied with a faint smile.
Though inwardly rattled by his own suspicions, his expression remained as composed as ever.
"All I did was ensure that certain... activities of yours in Inazuma made their way to Snezhnaya."
"And after that, Her Majesty reached out. It had nothing to do with me."
"..."
Luo Qing stared at the Doctor, speechless.
This guy dodges responsibility as smoothly as I do.
"What activities?" Luo Qing asked, feigning calm despite his growing unease.
"I wouldn't know," the Doctor replied with a sly smirk. "Perhaps you should ask Her Majesty herself."
"..."
"Fine..."
Luo Qing sighed, shaking his head. He was about to leave when an idea struck him. Turning back to the Doctor, he leaned in close and said quietly:
"Dottore, if I find out you filed that report..."
"Prepare to send all your segments to Snezhnaya's central square for a very public naked dance."
"..."
The Doctor froze, his expression stiffening.
Satisfied with his parting shot, Luo Qing turned and headed for the exit.
He hadn't gone far when the Doctor's voice called out behind him.
"You forgot something."
"Huh?" Luo Qing turned back, confused.
"This."
The Doctor pushed the ice-blue crystal containing the Tsaritsa's projection back toward him.
"It's a personal amulet, granted by Her Majesty herself. She insisted you keep it with you at all times."
"?"
---
T/N: WOOOOO YEA MORE DRAMA
Ah-ha! So you mortals truly have outdone yourselves this time, haven't you? To think your offerings could summon forth these bonus chapters—what a feat worthy of my recognition! You've brought glory to Fontaine, and naturally, to me.
But do not think for a moment that your work is complete! This is but a single step on the journey to greatness, and there are still many more chapters, many more stages, and of course, many more opportunities to bask in my brilliance.
So, continue your efforts, loyal followers! Shower this endeavor with your support, and who knows? Perhaps I shall reward your dedication with even grander displays of my magnificence.
For now, savor these bonus chapters. And remember, this is your moment to shine... because I allowed it.
With admiration and just a dash of benevolence,
Furina ✨
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