Bab 137: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [137] [DDD!]
December Double Drop!
---
Kokomi nodded slightly to each of them, but her eyes lingered on Luo Qing with a hint of confusion.
She had already heard about Lumine and Paimon from earlier reports, and her purpose for coming here was to meet them.
But now, instead of two, there were three, with Luo Qing being the unexpected addition. Just as she was about to make polite conversation to draw them into the Resistance, Gorou suddenly interrupted.
"Um, Lady Kokomi, about this Luo Qing..."
Gorou's eyes darted towards Luo Qing with a complicated expression as he leaned in close to Kokomi.
He truly couldn't understand how this man could stand here, openly fabricating such blatant lies.
Luo Qing had actually claimed he was here to join the Resistance.
What a joke. If he really wanted to join, then why did he make eighty of their men dance for days on end?
In a low whisper, Gorou quickly summarized all the intelligence he had on Luo Qing to Kokomi.
Visibly, Kokomi's expression shifted from a polite smile to a slight frown, her gaze on Luo Qing becoming more scrutinizing.
A Fatui Harbinger, who had saved the Traveler from the Raiden Shogun, now held the rank of General of Surveillance in the Shogunate—and was offering to join forces with the Resistance to sabotage the Shogunate.
It was complicated, to say the least. Even Kokomi couldn't quite figure out what Luo Qing's motives were.
Was he truly working with the Resistance just to make prisoners dance? What kind of person does that?
"Um... there's one more thing."
After finishing his briefing, Gorou shot another glance at Luo Qing before adding quietly,
"This guy... might not be right in the head. Please, Lady Kokomi, don't let him lead you astray..."
"..."
"I understand."
Kokomi nodded, then turned to Luo Qing with a polite smile.
"Mr. Luo Qing, Gorou has already told me about you. May I ask if your only reason for cooperating with the Resistance is to make prisoners... dance?"
Even as she said it, Kokomi had trouble keeping a straight face.
She had already heard from the reports about how Gorou and his men were forced to dance as a form of humiliation by the Shogunate.
Yet here stood the mastermind behind it, now claiming he wanted to do the same to the Shogunate.
Fatui Harbingers really are strange people...
"Of course. Why, Lady Kokomi, don't you believe me?"
Luo Qing responded casually, still as relaxed as ever.
The Resistance was outmatched in both equipment and manpower, especially with the recent arrival of Shogunate reinforcements.
They were all smart people here, and Luo Qing doubted Kokomi would refuse his offer.
"No, I believe you, Mr. Luo Qing. I just wanted to confirm."
Kokomi shook her head slightly, then added softly,
"We can agree that any Shogunate prisoners we capture will be left to you. But, Mr. Luo Qing, how exactly do you intend to assist the Resistance?
Are you truly willing to turn your back on the Shogunate, just for such... peculiar requests?"
Her voice remained gentle and polite, but there was a clear hint of skepticism.
She still couldn't quite believe that someone would do all this just out of sheer boredom.
"Absolutely. Next time we face the Shogunate, I'll be there to help."
Luo Qing smiled, extending his right hand.
"So, here's to a successful partnership?"
He really just wanted an excuse to shake Kokomi's hand.
"..."
Kokomi glanced at his outstretched hand, hesitating slightly.
To be honest, she wasn't comfortable with physical contact from strangers, especially not like this.
"Does Lady Kokomi not trust me?"
"..."
After a brief pause, Kokomi gently extended her own hand.
As their hands touched, Luo Qing felt the warmth of her skin against his. He held on for several seconds before finally letting go.
It didn't matter what else happened—getting to hold Kokomi's hand made this encounter totally worth it.
...
With Lady Kokomi's agreement to cooperate with Luo Qing, Gorou had no choice but to allow him free reign in the Resistance camp. He begrudgingly watched as Luo Qing roamed about, chatting with the very soldiers he had forced to dance.
Kokomi, having other matters to attend to, didn't linger after her discussion with Luo Qing. She exchanged a few words with Lumine before leaving the camp.
The Next Morning
The Shogunate forces had finished their preparations and sounded the horn, launching an attack against the Resistance.
Kujou Sara led the charge, her expression calm, confident that the Resistance was no match for them.
As for Luo Qing, who had vanished somewhere to go "fishing" the day before, she didn't expect him to contribute much to the frontlines.
As long as he didn't interfere, that was enough for her.
The Shogunate army marched past the shipwreck at Nazuchi Beach, where they saw the Resistance already lined up, ready to meet them.
Both sides faced each other, and Kujou Sara and Gorou stepped forward to the front lines.
"Hmph, only you here? I was hoping to meet your tactician this time,"
Kujou Sara said coldly.
"We've already seen through your Resistance's resources. With such a disparity in numbers, no strategy can change the outcome. Are you prepared to face your punishment?"
"I believe in Lady Kokomi, and I believe in the warriors of the Resistance! We will never give up!"
"Hmph, foolish bravado."
Kujou Sara scoffed.
"And there's one more thing—you must have seen the latest wanted notices, correct? Hand over the blonde-haired Traveler, and I might grant you a brief reprieve."
"The Resistance will never betray its own! You can forget about it!"
Gorou declared firmly.
"How touching."
Kujou Sara sneered.
"Now, who will you send for the duel this time? Or will you face me yourself?"
"I..."
Gorou started, but before he could say more, Lumine stepped forward from the crowd, determination in her eyes.
"I'll do it!"
"We meet again... This time, I won't let you escape."
At Kujou Sara's command, several Shogunate warriors stepped forward.
Lumine unsheathed her sword, showing no hint of retreat.
As expected, the battle was brief. Lumine, with her command over multiple elements, easily defeated the so-called elite warriors in a few swift moves.
Seeing her soldiers fall, Kujou Sara knew she couldn't delay any longer.
With a wave of her hand, the Shogunate troops charged, shouting, "For the eternity of Narukami!" and clashed with the Resistance.
Amidst the chaos of battle, a shadowy figure flitted into the fray.
Wherever it passed, Shogunate soldiers fell one after another, unable to even cry out in alarm.
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Bab 138: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [138]
The Shogunate forces and the Resistance were locked in fierce combat, while Kujou Sara, engaged in a duel with Gorou, kept a watchful eye on the overall battle.
Despite the Shogunate's superior numbers—each Resistance fighter facing at least three Shogunate soldiers—the tide of the battle was turning against them.
Frowning, Kujou Sara tried to understand the sudden shift.
Just then, a shadow flickered past her, swiftly taking down the Shogunate soldiers around her, leaving them unable to rise.
"That presence..."
Kujou Sara's brows furrowed as she sensed the remnants of that fleeting figure's energy.
It felt... just like Luo Qing.
He's helping the Resistance?!
"That bastard!"
Kujou Sara cursed under her breath, then waved her hand, commanding the nearby soldiers,
"Everyone, retreat!"
With someone as powerful as Luo Qing—on par with the Shogun herself—there was no way the Shogunate could win. For now, she had no choice but to withdraw and regroup, hoping to confront Luo Qing later.
Upon hearing the order, the Shogunate forces began to retreat. But even during their withdrawal, many of them were struck down by Luo Qing's shadowy assaults, becoming prisoners of the Resistance.
"We won!"
Paimon, hiding behind the frontlines, raised her tiny hands in a victorious cheer.
"Everyone, clear the battlefield and bring the prisoners back to the camp!"
Gorou ordered, staring at the numerous unconscious Shogunate soldiers with a mixture of emotions.
Since the start of the war against the Shogunate, this was the easiest victory he had ever experienced.
Except for his duel with Kujou Sara, all the other Resistance fighters barely had to lift a finger. Whenever they clashed with Shogunate troops, Luo Qing's shadow would appear, and the enemy would fall without any resistance.
Some of the Resistance soldiers hadn't even broken a sweat, their muscles hardly warmed up before the battle was over.
So this is what it's like to have Luo Qing fighting for our side?
Gorou's feelings were complicated.
After the battlefield was cleared, he did a headcount.
Not a single Resistance fighter had fallen, and they had captured over a hundred Shogunate soldiers. It was a historic victory.
Looking around, he noticed that Luo Qing was nowhere to be seen. Shrugging, he directed the Resistance to return to camp.
Upon entering, he was surprised to see Luo Qing already there, rubbing his hands together with a look of eager excitement.
"How many did you capture?"
"..."
Gorou was speechless, baffled by Luo Qing's obsession. Despite possessing overwhelming power, he seemed fixated on such peculiar matters.
"We captured 123 soldiers. All of them only have minor injuries and should recover by tomorrow."
"Good, matches my count."
Luo Qing nodded, pulling out the large phonograph from his inventory and handing it to Gorou.
"Since the battle is over, I'm heading back. I'll leave this with you. You can start teaching them how to dance tonight~."
"You're... going back?"
Gorou was confused.
You just helped us defeat the Shogunate, and you're planning to return? Doesn't Kujou Sara have a problem with this?
"If I don't go back, I'm afraid little Sara might throw a tantrum."
Luo Qing chuckled, adding, "Alright, I'll be back tomorrow. Don't miss me too much~."
"..."
[+1 Annoyance Value from Gorou]
Without waiting for Gorou's response, Luo Qing vanished from the camp.
...
Shortly after, back at the Shogunate's camp...
Kujou Sara scowled at the damage report in her hands.
Before the battle, she had only hoped that Luo Qing wouldn't sabotage her plans. Yet, to her frustration, he had outright assisted the enemy, turning what should have been a guaranteed victory into a humiliating defeat.
She couldn't comprehend it. Luo Qing wasn't even from Inazuma; he was just another Fatui.
Why did the Shogun tolerate him so much, granting his every request?
There were even times when she sought an audience with the Shogun, only to overhear strange noises coming from inside, suggesting Luo Qing's presence.
Why... why does he have such sway over the Shogun?
Feeling both irritation and curiosity, Kujou Sara decided to confront Luo Qing directly.
Leaving the camp, she headed north toward the coast, following the directions Luo Qing had given about his fishing spot.
After walking for some time, she finally spotted a familiar Fatui-style tent set up on the beach.
Luo Qing and Teresa were sitting by a campfire, leisurely grilling fish with relaxed smiles.
Seeing Sara's approach, Luo Qing didn't panic. He simply waved a grilled fish at her.
"Hey there, Lady Kujou Sara! How was the battle today? Care for some grilled fish to unwind?"
"..."
Sara's expression darkened as she stood before them, her voice icy.
"Why did you help the Resistance today?"
Feigning innocence, Luo Qing responded, "The Resistance? What Resistance? Lady Kujou, are you accusing me without proof?"
"Don't play dumb!"
Sara's temper flared.
"Who else could have moved that quickly?! I could tell it was you just by the scent in the air!"
"Scent? What scent?" Luo Qing tilted his head innocently. "Wait, did you secretly take a whiff of me?"
"..."
[+1 Annoyance Value from Kujou Sara]
If not for the fact that she couldn't beat him, Sara would have struck him down with a bolt of lightning on the spot.
"In any case, you owe me an explanation. If you don't, I'll have no choice but to consider it an act of rebellion by General Luo Qing and report you to the Shogun!"
"Report me?"
Luo Qing's face was the picture of feigned shock.
"Lady Kujou, you don't have any evidence. Do you think the Shogun will believe you over me?"
"I..."
Sara hesitated.
Knowing the Shogun's attitude toward Luo Qing, even with evidence, she doubted the Shogun would actually punish him.
Damn it, what on earth did this man do to enchant the Shogun like this!
"So, it's best if we just get along, don't you think?"
Luo Qing grinned, offering Sara a freshly grilled fish.
"Here, try my grilled fish. It's big, firm, and delicious."
"..."
Sara stood still, her face darkened, reluctant to accept Luo Qing's offering.
"What's this? Lady Kujou, not giving me any face?"
Luo Qing teased.
"..."
"Hmph!"
Sara huffed, shooting a glance at Teresa—who was quietly tending the grill—and finally took the grilled fish from Luo Qing's hand, seating herself by the campfire.
But just as she sat down, a familiar, maddening tune drifted over from the Resistance camp.
Hearing that music, Sara's barely relaxed expression tightened once more. She shot Luo Qing a cold glare.
"You still claim that wasn't you earlier!"
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
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