Bab 284: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [284]
Clinging to Luo Qing's right arm, her expression was warm and polite, yet her words carried a sharp undertone that made his heart sink.
So Buer's a closet schemer too, huh? Luo Qing thought, feeling a chill run down his spine.
"I..."
Makoto inhaled sharply, her mind racing.
As expected, Buer's personality was no different from her previous life.
Before meeting Luo Qing, Makoto had thought of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata as a wise and compassionate being who was easy to get along with.
But after Buer became involved with Luo Qing, Makoto discovered the truth—behind that dignified exterior lay a hopeless romantic!
When it came to matters involving Luo Qing, Buer's wisdom seemed to vanish entirely.
And her jealousy? It was... exceptional.
"Long time no see, Buer," Makoto said, her voice calm, though her arms crossed over her chest, her demeanor firm.
"But let me correct you on one thing: I'm not also trying to be Luo Qing's bride."
Her tone turned triumphant as she puffed out her chest.
"I already am."
[Proud Wife: We've already crossed that bridge, and the rice is cooked.]
Makoto wasn't about to let herself be pushed around.
Buer may have come with hostile intentions, but Makoto wasn't going to back down.
The title of the legitimate wife was hers, and no one was taking it away!
"Is that so..."
Buer's lips curved into a soft smile as she tilted her head to look at Luo Qing. Her gaze remained gentle, yet there was an unmistakable gleam in her eyes—sharp and cutting, like a blade hidden beneath calm waters.
"Ah... well..."
Luo Qing felt sweat bead on the back of his neck.
On their way home, he had briefly mentioned the six other girls in his life to Buer, attempting to prepare her and prevent an explosion.
At the time, she had silently clung to his arm, nodding calmly even after hearing about all of them. She hadn't said much—aside from tightening her grip on his arm.
"Sort of... I guess," Luo Qing stammered, his face turning awkward.
By Buer's account, they had been together for thousands of years. She had likely envisioned a grand wedding after her revival, one that would finally fulfill the promises they had made in the past.
Instead, she was met with the news that her lover had acquired six other fiancées in her absence—and any future wedding would involve splitting him seven ways.
It wasn't an easy pill to swallow.
"In that case..."
Buer's voice was soft, almost as though she were conceding.
Makoto was beginning to think she'd won this round when Buer suddenly stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around Luo Qing's neck.
"Luo Qing, how about we sleep together tonight?"
"!"
Makoto's eyes widened in shock.
This woman! She's barely arrived and already refuses to acknowledge my position?!
If this goes unchecked, what will she do next?!
"Luo Qing, didn't you promise to spend the night with Ei?" Makoto said in a low voice, glancing toward the staircase.
At the top stood Ei, holding an armful of desserts, her expression confused as she tried to process what was happening.
"Meow meow meow?" Ei mumbled, clearly caught off guard.
She had just come downstairs for snacks, only to get roped into her sister's schemes.
"Uh... yes! That's right!"
Makoto gave Ei a meaningful look, one that screamed help me out here. Ei's body tensed, and she glanced nervously at Luo Qing before saying stiffly:
"Luo Qing, you still owe me. You promised to sleep in my room tonight."
"Uh..."
Luo Qing blinked, then looked at Makoto.
It didn't take long to realize she was deploying a classic encirclement tactic.
Since she couldn't pry him away from Buer herself, she'd use Ei's earlier promise to remove him from the equation altogether. That way, neither she nor Buer could claim him tonight, preserving her lead.
"Or are you planning to break your promise?" Ei added, her tone suddenly sharper.
Truthfully, Ei wasn't against spending more time tormenting Luo Qing. After all, she had extracted his promise as a condition for helping him earlier.
The thought of having Luo Qing bound and at her mercy sent a thrill through her.
This is going to be fun, she mused, her lips curling faintly.
"Of course not..."
Luo Qing sighed, glancing at Buer, preparing to gauge her reaction. But before he could speak, she smiled softly, her tone affectionate.
"Well, since it's a promise you already made, there's no helping it."
Her words were gentle, but her next sentence blindsided Makoto entirely.
"Luo Qing, you go ahead. I'll sleep with Makoto tonight."
"...What?!"
Makoto was stunned.
What kind of strategy is this?
Was Buer admitting defeat, or was she planning to test her boundaries with Makoto?
Either way, it felt uncomfortably reminiscent of her past life—where Buer's cunning always made her the most difficult rival to deal with.
"Is that alright, Makoto?"
Buer turned, her silver hair swaying as she let go of Luo Qing and gently took Makoto's hand.
"It's been so long since we've had the chance to talk. Tonight, let's catch up properly."
"..."
Makoto hesitated.
Back during their Seven Archon gatherings, she and Buer had gotten along reasonably well.
But that was before their rivalry over Luo Qing began.
Now, with Buer's intentions laid bare, her seemingly innocent invitation was laced with the potential for mischief.
If I agree, who knows what she'll try? But if I refuse, she might just go after Luo Qing directly...
After weighing her options, Makoto decided to take the risk.
"Fine. It's late already, so we shouldn't waste time. Let's go."
She led Buer upstairs, her steps firm, as silver and purple figures ascended side by side, leaving Luo Qing and Ei alone in the living room.
"She's the reason you asked for my help?" Ei asked, glancing at the stairs before turning her attention to Luo Qing.
"You needed the Gnoses to bring her back?"
While not particularly perceptive, Ei had pieced together enough of the situation to understand Luo Qing's motives.
If he could revive Makoto, it wasn't a stretch to imagine he'd do the same for someone like Buer.
"More or less," Luo Qing admitted with a sigh.
"Some things can only be resolved with her alive."
"Hmph. Suit yourself."
Ei turned and headed upstairs, her slippered footsteps soft against the wooden steps.
"But don't forget—you owe me tonight."
"Yes, Master..." Luo Qing replied wryly, watching her retreating figure.
---
Meanwhile, outside Sumeru City
Deep within a rainforest cave serving as a Fatui outpost, Dottore sat alone at his cluttered desk.
Scattered across the surface were intelligence reports and files, among which lay a damp photograph.
In the picture, Raiden Shogun and Luo Qing stood at the prow of a ship, locked in a passionate embrace.
Dottore's lips curled into a faint smile as he gazed at the image.
"Brighella" he murmured, leaning back in his chair. "How many more secrets are you hiding?"
---
Ahem! Esteemed audience, gather closer! You stand in the presence of brilliance, the likes of which Fontaine has never seen! Truly, you're witnessing a masterpiece in motion, a living legend in the making, an—
Oh! But wait! Where was I? Right, me! As you all know, such brilliance doesn't manifest from nothing! It takes effort, dedication, and a sprinkling of your… oh, how shall I put it? Generosity! If you desire to be immortalized alongside my unparalleled splendor, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
And yet, I must ask: why do mortals so often hesitate to seize an opportunity like this? I mean, really, supporting me is tantamount to—oh! Imagine if I personally rewrote every law in Fontaine! The brilliance! The upheaval! The dramatic courtroom soliloquies! And naturally, I'd—
"Furina, enough. The audience is here for the translations, not your Fontaine fantasy chronicles."
Wait, Wise! I wasn't done captivating them!
"You've captivated them plenty. Now, mortals, if you wish to contribute to something truly extraordinary, the link is there. Support and bask in the glory of my—"
—our—
"my hard work."
Hmph! Fine! But I'm still the true star of this end note. Obviously.
— Furina ✨ (reluctantly sharing the stage with Wise 👑)
Bab 285: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [285]
According to Theresa, Buer and Makoto had woken up before dawn to prepare breakfast together, filling the table with their creations.
"Luo Qing, please make sure to try everything~," Makoto said sweetly from his left, wearing an apron and radiating the aura of a dutiful wife.
"Luo Qing, I made some too. Please have a taste~," Buer added from his right, her tone equally gentle as she lifted a heart-shaped fried egg to his lips with a fork.
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Luo Qing.]
Did they strike some kind of competition last night?! Are they trying to outdo each other for the role of the head wife?!
Looking at the sheer amount of food, he sighed inwardly.
What am I, Paimon?!
"I'll... do my best," Luo Qing muttered, reluctantly starting to sample their offerings.
There was too much.
Far too much.
I can't eat anymore...
Urgh...
---
"I'm heading out for a bit. Stay home and don't cause any trouble, alright?" Luo Qing said as he stood at the door, looking at the silver-haired and purple-haired figures before him.
He suddenly realized something.
It wasn't that I was good at avoiding drama at home before—it's just that the real troublemakers hadn't shown up yet.
"Mm, Luo Qing. I'll tidy up the house properly while you're out. It won't be messy like before," Buer said, holding a broom and wearing an apron, nodding obediently.
Translation: The way Makoto cleaned before was a disaster, and I'll fix her mess.
"Don't worry, Luo Qing. I'll keep an eye on her so she doesn't mess around," Makoto chimed in, gently nudging Buer aside as she approached Luo Qing with a serene expression.
Translation: I'm the one in charge of this house, and as long as I'm here, even Buer won't stir up trouble.
"You two..." Luo Qing sighed, shaking his head before stepping out the door.
He had promised to borrow Nahida's Gnosis for only one night.
Now it was time to return it.
At the Sanctuary of Surasthana, Luo Qing pushed open the door and was surprised to see Nahida and Lumine sitting together, engaged in a quiet conversation.
When they saw him, both waved.
"Hey, everyone's here," Luo Qing greeted casually, handing the Dendro Gnosis back to Nahida.
Nahida gently accepted it with a soft nod, then summoned a deep red Divine Canned Knowledge from her consciousness.
The sight of it made Luo Qing pause, his emotions conflicted.
The item in her hands looked eerily familiar.
"What are you two planning to do?" he asked.
"Luo Qing," Nahida said softly, her eyes filled with shyness and a hint of longing. "We want to uncover the knowledge hidden within this Divine Canned Knowledge, but it requires the power of two Gnoses to open."
Her voice grew even quieter as she continued, "So... may I borrow your Electro Gnosis?"
"Of course," Luo Qing replied with a warm smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair.
She wasn't biologically his daughter, but as Buer had said, Nahida carried traces of his power. She was, in a way, his child.
How could I refuse my daughter's request?
"Here. Take it and have fun," he said, handing the Electro Gnosis over.
"Thank you, Luo Qing," Nahida said with a sweet smile, accepting the Gnosis and turning back to the deep red canister in her hands.
"Now, with the power of these two Gnoses, we should be able to open it," she murmured.
"Are you sure you want to open it?" Luo Qing asked, leaning closer.
"Is that... not okay?" Nahida faltered, clutching the canister tightly.
Since her release from confinement, she had become particularly sensitive to Luo Qing's opinion.
"It's fine," Luo Qing said, waving a hand dismissively. "If that's what you want to do, go ahead."
But as he spoke, he couldn't help casting a brief glance at the canister.
The real Divine Canned Knowledge had been destroyed last night when Buer was revived. The corruption inside had been cleansed completely by the Verdant Rebirth Sprout's power.
As for this one...
It was a fake—a carefully crafted replica Luo Qing had made to avoid suspicion. He had even used the Void System's permissions to set its defenses to the highest level, ensuring that only Nahida could unlock it.
But the contents inside?
Well...
As Luo Qing pondered, Nahida activated the power of the two Gnoses. The canister began to glow, unlocking with a soft click.
Just as Nahida prepared to delve into its secrets using the Void's power, a loud, exaggerated male voice echoed in her mind.
"Plant a little seed in your heart, da-la-dee-da-la..."
"It grants little wishes with magical power..."
"Every child dreams of it, you know..."
"Are you ready? Ohyo!"
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Lumine.]
Hearing the absurd singing in her mind, Lumine furrowed her brow and turned to glare at Luo Qing, her eyes practically shouting:
It's you again, isn't it?!
"How odd... Lumine, why does it sound like..." Nahida murmured, utterly baffled.
She still thought this was what the canister originally contained.
"Nahida..." Lumine sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This canister is fake."
"Eh?"
"That can't be. I retrieved it from the Akademiya myself. They wouldn't have the ability to create something like this..." Nahida said, her voice tinged with doubt.
The canister's high-level defenses and the need for two Gnoses to open it made it impossible for the Akademiya to fabricate.
"Nahida, trust me. It's fake," Lumine insisted.
"If it's fake, then the real one..." Nahida trailed off, her expression changing as she looked at Luo Qing.
"Luo Qing, you..."
Her thoughts raced back to the previous day when Luo Qing had borrowed her Gnosis to investigate something.
At that time, he'd also held two Gnoses.
"As expected of Nahida," Luo Qing said, sighing as he gently ruffled her hair again. "You're right. I did take the real canister."
"Why?" Nahida asked, her voice tinged with betrayal.
"Because there were things I needed to resolve, things that required it," Luo Qing explained.
"But I have things I want to know too..." Nahida said, her voice wavering with emotion.
She had trusted him, only to learn that he had taken the only key to uncovering the mysteries of the past.
"Nahida..."
Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, Luo Qing felt his heart soften.
"You want to know what really happened in the past, don't you?"
Nahida nodded silently, her expression expectant yet uncertain.
"Maybe," Luo Qing said with a smile, "there's someone who can tell you."
---
T/N: I hope this Makoto vs Buer fued doesn't resolve easily I like it
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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