Bab 185: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [185]

"Sumeru?"

Luo Qing feigned a surprised expression.

He hadn't expected that, after becoming a full-fledged Harbinger, both Arlecchino and Dottore would try to recruit him.

Was this a coincidence, or had Piero orchestrated it behind the scenes?

"I'm conducting a grand experiment with Scaramouche," Dottore explained, painting a tempting picture. "If you join us, the results could be even more extraordinary."

"An experiment?"

Luo Qing acted puzzled, though he was well aware of what Dottore was referring to.

The Akademiya's god-creation project? Old news.

"I'm not exactly cut from the same cloth as those pedantic scholars at the Akademiya," Luo Qing said, masking his knowledge. "Are you sure I'll be of any use, Dottore-sama?"

Despite knowing the ins and outs, Luo Qing played the role of the naive newcomer.

He had only recently become a Harbinger, so the longer he could keep up the pretense of being a clueless rookie, the more advantages he could leverage.

"Of course."

Dottore's confidence was unshakable.

"I'll send detailed information to you soon. In half a month, I'll be returning to Sumeru. Please give it serious thought."

He gave Luo Qing's shoulder a firm pat and walked off before Luo Qing could respond.

Watching Dottore's confident and almost theatrical departure, Luo Qing sank into thought.

At this point, there was no news at all from Natlan regarding the Pyro Archon's Gnosis.

Should he team up with Arlecchino in Fontaine, strike while the iron was hot, and work toward eventually bringing her under his command?

Or should he follow Dottore to Sumeru, seize the opportunity to interact with the adorable Lesser Lord Kusanali, and maybe even... hmm, would the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata still be around somehow?

Such difficult choices...

Shaking his head, Luo Qing decided to head home and consult Makoto.

After all, her visions of the future might offer some useful guidance.

---

Arriving at his doorstep, Luo Qing instinctively scanned the surroundings.

After ensuring there were no spies lurking about, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.

The sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks.

In the center of the tatami-floored living room, Makoto sat on one side with Rosalyne standing silently behind her.

On the opposite side, Theresa knelt on the floor, her head bowed so low it nearly touched the ground.

Her entire posture radiated fear.

Hearing the door open, all three turned their gazes toward Luo Qing.

"What's going on here?" Luo Qing asked, bewildered.

"She seems to have made a copy of your house key after dinner last time. Thinking no one was home, she let herself in."

Makoto crossed her arms and spoke calmly, though her gaze seemed to silently ask:

Want me to make her forget this ever happened?

"Huh?"

Luo Qing's face darkened as he turned to Theresa.

You guard against thieves all day, but who guards against their own people?

Theresa shivered, feeling a chill run down her spine. She immediately shifted to face him fully, bowing so deeply her forehead nearly touched his feet.

"Luo Qing-sama, I was wrong! I let my impulses get the better of me and accidentally stumbled upon the General's true identity! Please, don't kill me to silence me—I have a family to care for!"

"You're an orphan," Luo Qing interjected.

"..."

Theresa gulped, then quickly slid forward on her knees and grabbed Luo Qing's leg, crying out pitifully.

"Luo Qing-sama, please spare me! I'll do anything for you—be your servant, your horse, anything you want! I promise not to tell Natalia or anyone else!"

Her original plan had been to sneak in and steal something personal from Luo Qing to bring back and... "appreciate" later.

What she hadn't expected was to open the door and walk straight into Makoto—who looked exactly like the Raiden Shogun—and Rosalyne playing cards in the living room.

The two women had stared at her in silence for a brief moment. Then, with a grace honed by years of service as the Tsaritsa's former tool, Rosalyne had subdued her effortlessly and waited for Luo Qing's return.

"Let go," Luo Qing said, a trace of disgust in his voice.

"You're so kind, my lord!" Theresa cried in relief, letting go and scooting back to her original position.

She knew Luo Qing well enough to understand that if he hadn't punished her immediately, he wasn't planning to pursue the matter further.

"Hand over the key."

"Um..."

Theresa fidgeted.

"Hmm?"

"Alright, alright."

Reluctantly, she reached into her shirt, rummaged for a moment, and pulled out a small metal key.

Luo Qing blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.

Her chest is barely a B-cup—maybe a C on a good day—and she managed to hide a key there?

"This happens again, and you're out. Got it?" Luo Qing warned.

Though he had plans to eventually let his subordinates in on Makoto's existence, he preferred to do so on his terms, not by accident.

"Understood!" Theresa replied weakly.

Though she wore an expression of remorse, inwardly, she couldn't help but wonder why her sneaky schemes always seemed to end in her getting caught.

"That's it?" Makoto asked from the sidelines, her tone perplexed.

She had expected Luo Qing to punish Theresa more harshly. After all, breaking into a superior's home and attempting to steal something was a serious offense.

In Inazuma, such an act would've landed her in prison—or worse.

You're way too soft on her.

"What else do you want me to do?" Luo Qing asked, noticing the look of disdain in Makoto's eyes.

Settling in the middle of the tea table, he continued, "Let's get back to the real topic here."

He explained Dottore's and Arlecchino's invitations and then turned to Makoto.

"So, in the future you've seen, where do I go?"

"How should I know? Sumeru and Fontaine aren't under Inazuma's jurisdiction," Makoto replied casually.

"Wow, some prophet you are. Ask you anything, and you're clueless," Luo Qing muttered, unimpressed.

"Hmph."

Makoto sniffed indignantly before smirking.

"I do know one thing: when you hold your wedding, you'll have so many brides that two hands won't be enough to count them. How's that for a prophecy?"

"..."

Luo Qing froze.

That many brides? Am I really that much of a scumbag?

"Uh..."

From her spot in the corner, Theresa hesitantly raised her hand.

"General-sama, am I one of the brides?"

"?"

Luo Qing turned to look at her, unsure how to respond.

"Oh?"

Makoto's gaze flickered between the two of them, her tone teasing.

"What do you think?"

"Ahem."

Luo Qing cleared his throat, steering the conversation back on track.

"Let's focus. We have two options before us: Sumeru or Fontaine. This is likely Piero's plan, so where should we go?"

He wasn't familiar with either region, making it difficult to decide. However, if he wanted to stick to the timeline, Sumeru seemed like the more logical choice.

"Uh..."

Rosalyne raised her hand slightly and spoke respectfully.

"I have some knowledge of Sumeru. If Master chooses to go there, I could offer some assistance..."

Although Sumeru held painful memories for her, her loyalty to Luo Qing took precedence.

"Is that so?" Luo Qing studied her for a moment before nodding.

"Alright, then. Sumeru it is!"

---

T/N: omg can I stop being wrong

Oh, hey there, Traveler! 🍃 My friend here is the one bringing these stories to you—quite the talent, wouldn't you agree? If anything feels off, just give them a nudge—they're always happy to make things even better.

Now, don't forget to take a moment to rest! Grab a drink (perhaps something as refreshing as Mondstadt's finest), and let the stories whisk you away.

Oh, and if you're feeling generous, you could check out [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Supporting them is like throwing a coin to your favorite bard—it keeps the magic flowing!

Here's to more adventures and endless inspiration~ 🎵

komentar 10 komentar

Pilih

Bab 186: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [186]

Half a month had flown by in no time.

After deciding to join the Sumeru Akademiya, Luo Qing quickly informed the Doctor of his decision.

Originally, Luo Qing thought the Doctor would accompany him to Sumeru after two weeks.

To his surprise, the man told him that one of his segments had already arrived in Sumeru and that Luo Qing should sail there on his own.

This left Luo Qing somewhat disappointed.

The journey from Snezhnaya to Sumeru would also take several months by sea.

He had hoped to use this time to mess with the Doctor a bit and earn some Frustration Value.

Now, it seemed his only options were to continue tormenting Natalia and the others...

One of the teleportation toilets had been left in the Plane of Euthymia, meaning he couldn't use it to take a detour to Mondstadt or explore Kamisato Ayaka's bedroom during the voyage.

After all, the teleportation was random, and he didn't dare gamble on the odds.

If he accidentally ended up back in the Plane of Euthymia, things would get ugly.

Two months passed quickly.

After a long voyage, Luo Qing and his companions finally caught sight of Sumeru's landscape.

Towering plants stretched high into the sky, with human structures seamlessly built into them. Sumeru had thoroughly embodied the principle of harmony between humans and nature, perfectly interpreting the saying "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

Cough, cough. Got carried away there.

Anyway!

Sumeru looked very green. Very eco-friendly!

As the ship neared the port, Luo Qing and his group stood on the outer deck.

Natalia and the others, who had never been to Sumeru, stared wide-eyed at the colossal trees near the docks.

Following Luo Qing's orders, everyone wore masks identical in design to his. Their identities as members of the Fatui's Twelfth Seat Special Task Force had been formally acknowledged by the Fatui headquarters.

From now on, they were outside the regular Fatui military hierarchy. Only Luo Qing, the Tsaritsa, and Pierro could give them orders.

"Sumeru..."

Rosalyne murmured from behind Luo Qing.

She had once been a student at the Akademiya and had hoped to return home after completing her mission to reunite with her beloved.

But now...

"Sumeru... Even old friends are gone."

Makoto sighed softly, her gaze, hidden beneath the mask, landing on Luo Qing.

She and Rosalyne were no exceptions—both wore replicas of the signature mask.

The six stood behind Luo Qing, their dramatic masks exuding an eerie aura. Luo Qing, however, chose not to wear one.

This peculiar ensemble drew more than a few curious glances from the Sumeru sailors at the docks.

Understandably so—those grinning masks were downright unsettling.

Before long, the ship docked at Port Ormos, and Luo Qing's group set foot on Sumeru soil.

As they exited the harbor, a scholarly woman accompanied by guards approached. Her ears sported high-tech headphones that clashed with the rustic aesthetics of the surroundings.

"Are you Mr. Brighella?"

"That's me."

Luo Qing nodded.

As much as he disliked it, from now on, anything related to the Fatui required him to use the name Brighella.

"I'm Setare, the Akademiya's liaison. You may call me that."

Setare greeted them politely.

"Both the Grand Sage and the Doctor have been waiting for you in the workshop. It's a bit of a journey, so please follow me."

With a nod to the guards, Setare cleared a path for them.

"Speaking of..."

Luo Qing glanced at the guards on either side, smiling.

"Miss Setare, assigning so many guards—do you think we're dangerous?"

"Mr. Brighella, you misunderstand," Setare replied with a calm smile. "This is merely for your protection. Bandits often prowl the wilderness in Sumeru. Even we have to be extra cautious when traveling."

"Is that so."

Luo Qing chuckled but said no more.

With a brief exchange of glances with his companions, he followed Setare's lead.

The masked group moved through the streets, exuding an imposing aura.

Still, something puzzled Luo Qing.

Given Natalia and the others' usual penchant for complaints, wouldn't they normally grumble a bit in a new nation?

Why were they so quiet today?

Could it be because of the masks?

---

Sumeru City

The Grand Sage Azar's workshop, along with the Doctor's lab, was located outside Sumeru City.

With Setare leading them and beasts of burden aiding the journey, it only took a few days to arrive.

Currently, the Grand Sage ruled Sumeru City with an iron fist.

Though many residents were frightened by Luo Qing's group's appearance, seeing an Akademiya scholar leading them prompted most to turn a blind eye, dismissing any thought of reporting them to the Matra.

"Mr. Brighella, the Grand Sage has decreed that non-specialists are not permitted inside."

Setare explained courteously, "From here, you and your companions must proceed on your own."

"Alright."

Luo Qing glanced at the workshop's entrance—a metallic hallway with concealed biometric scanners.

He couldn't help but wonder how Sumeru, with its current technological limitations, had managed such advanced research facilities.

Or was this another case of Snezhnaya's sponsorship?

Gently placing his hand on the scanner, the metal door opened with a hiss.

Peering inside, Luo Qing stepped forward.

He hadn't walked far when a Fatui patrol approached.

Initially mistaking him for an intruder, they prepared to reprimand him.

But upon spotting the Harbinger's insignia on his waist, they froze.

Realizing he was the Tsaritsa's newly appointed Harbinger, they immediately bowed and respectfully led him to the Doctor.

When Luo Qing arrived, the Doctor was deep in conversation with the Grand Sage Azar and Scaramouche—aka the unbearably snarky Balladeer.

"It's been a while, Lord Dottore. Which number segment are you now? You look quite youthful," Luo Qing quipped as he approached.

Scaramouche, noticing Luo Qing, immediately scowled.

"Dottore, you never mentioned this guy would be part of the plan..."

His tone was dripping with hostility.

Though he'd only met Luo Qing a handful of times, something about the man made Scaramouche inherently dislike him.

"I think it's best not to treat our collaborators with such animosity, Scaramouche."

The Doctor glanced at the group behind Luo Qing before continuing.

"Brighella has exceptional emotional control, which will be invaluable to our plans."

"Oh?"

The Grand Sage Azar, who had been observing silently, raised an eyebrow.

"Dottore, can he truly control her completely?"

"Her?"

Luo Qing feigned confusion.

"The current Archon of Sumeru—the Lesser Lord Kusanali," the Doctor replied calmly.

"Our plan requires a significant amount of computational power, reliant on Sumeru's Akasha System. As the core of that system, the Little Archon has proven... somewhat resistant to control."

"Hmph. Recently, her psychological conditioning has faltered several times, leading to fluctuations in the Akasha's processing capabilities," Azar scoffed before turning to Luo Qing.

"Dottore claims your emotional manipulation skills can compel anyone to obey?"

"Yes," Luo Qing nodded, his expression subtly betraying excitement.

If they'd told me earlier that I'd be tasked with handling the Little Archon... er, I mean, hypnotizing her... wait, that doesn't sound right either.

Anyway, he was just really excited!

---

T/N: POLICE! also names for sumeru might be fucked up because I only played up until Inazuma... I'll fix stuff if you point it out though

Now, don't forget to take a moment to rest! Grab a drink (perhaps something as refreshing as Mondstadt's finest), and let the stories whisk you away.

Oh, and if you're feeling generous, you could check out [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Supporting them is like throwing a coin to your favorite bard—it keeps the magic flowing!

Here's to more adventures and endless inspiration~ 🎵

komentar 11 komentar

Pilih