Bab 242: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [242]

For a moment, Ei's mind was struck by a thunderbolt of realization.

Luo Qing had actually seduced her sister?!

And to make matters worse, her sister was now openly supporting him in his harem-building antics!

"Big Sister, do you realize that Luo Qing—"

"I know everything," Makoto replied softly, leaning close to whisper in Ei's ear.

"I even know all the things you've done with him."

"What…?!" Ei gasped, her face flushing in shock.

Ever since becoming aware of her feelings for Luo Qing, she had suspected there was more to their relationship than she remembered.

Though her memories were incomplete, her emotions told her they must have shared something profound—something intimate.

Otherwise, why would she be so drawn to him?

And the Shogun…

Wasn't she practically glued to Luo Qing all day long? Fighting with him from sunrise to sunset?

"Big Sister, I…" Ei stammered, utterly at a loss.

She couldn't bring herself to ask directly, but she couldn't shake the thought: Had she already…?

"It's alright," Makoto reassured her, pulling Ei into a comforting embrace.

"If there's anyone to blame, it's Luo Qing. Come on, let's head back."

With that, Makoto took Ei's hand and led her out of the washroom.

---

Back in the Living Room

The door that the Raiden Shogun had kicked off its hinges had been propped back up. Thanks to Luo Qing's quick repair work, it was serviceable enough to stay closed for the night—at least until a gust of wind knocked it over again.

The women were seated on either side of the dining table.

Makoto and Theresa remained closest to Luo Qing, with Rosalyne standing dutifully behind them. Farther down were Ganyu, Shenhe, Kamisato Ayaka, and Ei.

As for the Raiden Shogun?

She had retreated to the Plane of Euthymia, leaving the quieter, more composed Ei in her place.

For most of the women, the difference between the two was indistinguishable—they only noticed that the once-intimidating Shogun now seemed far more agreeable.

Sitting at the head of the table, Luo Qing surveyed the room, six stunning women silently dining together. He couldn't help but marvel at how close the night had come to total disaster.

If not for Makoto…

Reviving her was the best decision I've ever made.

"Well then, everyone, dig in! Don't hold back!" Makoto clapped her hands with a cheerful smile.

She took up her knife and fork, carefully carving pieces of grilled fish and serving them to each woman in turn. She was every bit the gracious hostess, radiating an air of warmth and generosity.

"Th-Thank you…" Ayaka murmured, her usual confidence utterly diminished under the presence of the two Shoguns.

"Oh, right." Makoto set her utensils down after serving. "With so many people here, we'll need a bigger house. Luo Qing, you should find a way to build a larger estate."

"A bigger one? How big?" Luo Qing asked, perplexed.

Makoto tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Let's see… There are six of us here already. Then there's… one, two, three…"

She began counting on her fingers.

Each number she uttered elicited a shocked glance from the other women.

Only Theresa remained focused on her meal, diligently eating without a care.

Didn't Master say I'm the smallest? I'll just have to grow faster!

"Hmm, let's start with twelve bedrooms. That should be enough for now," Makoto concluded with a satisfied nod.

"Twelve?!" Luo Qing nearly choked, glancing nervously at the women glaring daggers at him.

"You're exaggerating. There's no way I—"

"You know exactly how many there are," Makoto cut him off with a knowing smirk.

"..." Luo Qing wanted to protest but hesitated.

"Does that include my room?" he asked weakly.

Makoto raised a brow. "Why would you need your own room? There are already twelve to choose from."

"Ah…" Luo Qing froze.

You mean I just pick one each night and… uh… rotate?

In front of everyone, too? Did she really have to phrase it like that?

"Luo Qing, do you really have six other women?" Ganyu asked softly, her tone tinged with disappointment.

Twelve women. Even if I get one day a week with him, it won't be enough… Why did I fall for someone like this?

"Uh…" Luo Qing scratched his head, avoiding their gazes.

Am I really that much of a scoundrel? Falling for every pretty face I see?

But if Makoto was saying it, maybe…

"Probably?" he answered sheepishly.

[+1 Frustration Points from Kamisato Ayaka]

[+1 Frustration Points from Shenhe]

[+1 Frustration Points from Ganyu]

[+1 Frustration Points from Ei]

[+10 Frustration Points from the Raiden Shogun]

The room fell silent.

Suddenly, the grilled fish didn't taste so good anymore.

"'Probably'?!" the women thought in unison. So is it true or not?!

"By the way," Makoto interjected smoothly, steering the conversation. "Since it's so late already, why don't you all stay the night? We can have a lovely girls' night—without Luo Qing, of course."

She had skillfully controlled the mood at the table from the start, ensuring things stayed as harmonious as possible.

"But didn't you say there weren't enough rooms?" Ei asked, glancing toward the stairs.

The thought of Luo Qing and her sister spending those long Sumeru nights together upstairs gnawed at her, filling her heart with envy—No, pain.

"Oh, we can just share. My bed is plenty big," Makoto replied with a sweet smile. "Surely none of you would mind sleeping together with me, right?"

Having everyone close would help build camaraderie—and secure her position as the official wife.

There was no way she'd lose to those other women.

"A-All of us in one bed?" Ayaka stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Compared to the others—a secretary, an Adeptus, two Shoguns—she felt woefully out of place, an ordinary girl in a room full of legends.

"Don't want to sleep with me, Ayaka?" Makoto teased, her tone light and playful.

"N-No, it would be an honor…" Ayaka mumbled, lowering her head. Why are there two Shoguns? I'll just… call them both that for now.

The Kamisato family's reputation can't falter here.

"Then it's decided!" Makoto clapped her hands, turning to Rosalyne.

"Rosalyne, could you prepare bedding for us tonight?"

"..." Rosalyne nodded silently and left to make the arrangements.

"As for you, Luo Qing…"

"Me?" Luo Qing perked up hopefully. "Do I get to join this sleepover?"

"You wish," Makoto scoffed.

"You'll spend the night elsewhere. I need to have a long talk with my sisters, and in the meantime, you'd better figure out the housing situation. Don't even think about coming back until it's sorted."

"Isn't that a bit sudden?" Luo Qing protested weakly.

Makoto raised a brow. "What do you think?"

"..."

---

T/N: damnit now he's gonna go to Layla, wait... THIS IS MAKOTOS PLAN ALL ALONG???

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Pilih

Bab 243: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [243]

At the Jnagarbha Forge

The massive central platform of the forge was illuminated by a faint purple glow emanating from the giant humanoid mech, Shouki no Kami, the Prodigal.

The mech's chest platform was alight with activity. Standing on it were Dottore and Azar, their gazes fixed on streams of data flowing across a Void Terminal. They seemed deep in discussion.

At the mech's head, Scaramouche was connected to the machine by a series of deep purple conduits embedded in his back, merging him with Shouki no Kami.

"All modules have been fully assembled. The Gnosis's core component has been integrated as well," Dottore said, his tone laced with manic excitement. His eyes gleamed behind his mask, barely concealing his delight.

"Now, we simply need to focus the Void's computational power and fully fuse him with the Electro Gnosis…"

Azar let out a low, displeased hum. His face, once stern, now bore deep wrinkles and dark circles under his eyes. He looked far older than he had just days ago, worn down by exhaustion and unease.

---

For days now, Azar had been plagued by strange, recurring nightmares.

In his dreams, hulking men and robust female beastfolk surrounded him, subjecting him to humiliating, unspeakably stimulating scenarios.

Sometimes, even Hilichurl Rogues joined the fray.

The Void Terminal's dream-cleansing functions—designed to remove unwanted dreams—had proven ineffective. Even after his dreams were taken by the system, he'd find himself back in those depraved scenarios the moment he fell asleep.

Terrified of sleep, Azar had resorted to brief, shallow naps, only to be tormented even during those moments of rest.

Now, the mere sight of a man taller than six feet caused him to reflexively tighten his grip and clench his—

"Soon, the Sabzeruz Festival will take place," Azar said, shaking off his thoughts. "We've already chosen the core individual for the dream harvest.

"On that day, all of Sumeru City's citizens will contribute their endless dreams, providing the Void with enough computational power to complete the fusion of the Heart of God. However…"

Azar's expression darkened. "Recently, there have been several instances where the Void's power was completely drained by some unknown force. This has slowed our progress significantly.

"Dottore, do you have any insights?"

Dottore chuckled, his grin sharp and derisive. "The Void is your Akasha's domain, is it not? Do you suspect me of siphoning its power?"

"I never said that," Azar snapped, his tone cold and dismissive.

His gaze shifted to Scaramouche, who was still connected to the mech. "The plan is nearly complete, yet your colleague has been utterly useless in this endeavor."

"Oh?" Dottore laughed, his amusement unshaken. "Did you truly think a god's power could be controlled so easily?

"Remember, she's the caretaker of the Irminsul Tree. If she could be so easily subdued, all of Teyvat would already be under his control."

"Hmph." Azar's lip curled as he strode toward the forge's exit. His mind briefly flashed back to Luo Qing—how a single glance from the man had left him trembling in a bathroom for an entire day, vomiting and… worse.

One day, I'll make him pay for that.

---

As Azar departed, Scaramouche stirred, his cold, disdainful voice cutting through the silence.

"They think they can control me…"

"Of course they do," Dottore replied, turning toward Scaramouche with a smirk.

"They don't want divine guidance. What they seek is a machine—a tool to solve all their problems, one that listens to their commands and protects their interests.

"Did you really think they'd make you a god out of altruism?"

"Hmph. Ignorant ants," Scaramouche sneered, his eyes flashing with contempt.

"Don't worry," Dottore reassured him. "The control protocols Azar installed in Shouki no Kami's systems—I'll help you erase them.

"When the time comes, Scaramouche, you'll be free to exact your revenge."

At the mention of revenge, Scaramouche's expression darkened. His mind drifted to a certain woman, her face etched into his memory like a wound that refused to heal.

"What about that idiot, Brighella?" Scaramouche asked, referring to their less-than-diligent colleague.

"Fishing, probably," Dottore replied with a shrug.

"Hmph. Lazy fool. I have no idea what Her Majesty sees in him."

"Even the most skilled pawn remains a pawn," Dottore mused, his voice low. "But a figure like Luo Qing…

"He's a player who drags other players into the game, forcing them to act like pieces.

"Perhaps not even he realizes it yet, but his ability to manipulate others is far more effective than the Void itself…"

---

Late Night in Sumeru City

In a modest home, Kaveh reclined lazily on the sofa, flipping through an architectural reference book.

"It's so late already. Where's Alhaitham? Still out at this hour…" he muttered, reaching for a cup of tea.

Just as he lifted the cup, a sudden gust of wind blew the window open, and a figure appeared before him.

"You're Kaveh?"

"..." Kaveh froze, his hand hovering mid-air.

"Uh… yes?"

"I need a house built. A big one. Got time?" the man asked, his tone impatient.

"Uh…" Kaveh blinked, struggling to process the situation. Where did this guy even come from?

"Like I said," Luo Qing repeated, his voice sharper. "I need a big house. Twelve bedrooms, minimum. You available?"

"Um, well, I already have a project—"

Before Kaveh could finish, Luo Qing pulled out a check from Northland Bank and tossed it onto Kaveh's lap.

"Twelve bedrooms. That's the only requirement. Write whatever amount you want. Got time now?"

"..."

Kaveh glanced at the check, his breath catching in his throat.

A blank check?!

After confirming the check was genuine, Kaveh's eyes sparkled with excitement. He leapt forward, grabbing Luo Qing's leg.

"Brother, when do we start?!"

---

T/N: I loved Will Stetson's original Kaveh song! You should go check it out!