Bab 290: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [290] [100 PS]
Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!
---
Two figures—one small, one tall—stood on opposite ends of the living room, both rooted to the spot, unsure of how to proceed.
Nahida stared at the woman before her, someone who looked just like an older version of herself.
For reasons she couldn't explain, the same inexplicable closeness she had felt with Luo Qing began to bloom within her heart.
Hesitantly, she glanced at Luo Qing. He gave her a slight nod, silently confirming the suspicion forming in her mind.
This woman was none other than the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the one who had vanished five centuries ago.
"You..."
Nahida opened her mouth to speak, but before she could finish, Bu'er took a quick step forward, knelt down, and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Nahida..."
Bu'er's voice was soft and gentle, filled with a motherly tenderness.
"Finally, I can hold you in my arms."
"You are... Greater Lord Rukkhadevata..."
Nahida's voice trembled as she murmured the name, her gaze filled with uncertainty and confusion.
She couldn't understand why the Greater Lord would embrace her so affectionately.
Yet, strangely enough, she found herself liking this feeling.
"Yes..."
"It's me."
Bu'er lifted her gaze to Luo Qing, then turned back to Nahida.
"I'm so sorry, Nahida. You've endured so much all these years..."
She had already heard from Luo Qing about the "glorious deeds" of the Akademiya over the past 500 years.
If her divine powers hadn't been exhausted, she would have gone back to teach those stubborn and twisted scholars a proper lesson and rebuilt their distorted academic culture.
"Mm..."
Nahida hummed softly in response, unsure of how to reply.
Reflecting on the past five centuries, it was clear that much of her pain had stemmed from her own tolerance. Yet, the scholars' actions were undeniably a significant contributing factor.
To an outsider, it might seem as though a mother had handed her entire legacy to an underage child to bear alone, only to vanish without a trace.
"Greater Lord... why did you disappear 500 years ago?"
Nahida's voice was quiet, but her question was loaded with yearning.
This mystery had lingered in her heart since the day she was born.
She needed to know the truth.
"I..."
Bu'er hesitated and turned her gaze toward Luo Qing, silently seeking his permission.
"Everyone here can be trusted," Luo Qing said, nodding slightly. "You can clear Nahida's doubts now."
At this, he glanced over at Ei, who sat on the couch.
Understanding his intent, Ei casually waved her hand, strengthening the mental barrier around the residence to prevent any prying eyes or ears from the outside.
Inside, however, remained an open space for everyone to hear.
"Mm..."
Bu'er nodded gently. Releasing Nahida from her embrace, she placed her hands on the young Archon's shoulders and spoke softly.
"It all began with the Khaenri'ah War 500 years ago..."
Bu'er recounted the events of five centuries past—the mission to protect the World Tree, her self-sacrifice to cleanse it of the corruption wrought by forbidden knowledge, and how that choice had cost her everything.
However, she deliberately avoided any mention of Nahida's origins.
"And..."
Nahida tilted her head slightly, still puzzled.
"Greater Lord, where did I come from?"
This question had always lingered in her mind, tied to her existence and purpose.
"You..."
Once again, Bu'er turned to look at Luo Qing.
This time, Nahida caught the exchange and followed her gaze, her curiosity deepening.
Lumine, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but entertain a bold thought.
Could it be...?
After a moment of hesitation, Bu'er's expression softened.
"You were created by me, Nahida," she explained gently.
"As the incarnation of the World Tree, my very essence had been corrupted by forbidden knowledge. To fully cleanse it, I had to sacrifice not only my power but also myself."
"So, I took an untainted branch from the World Tree and gave it form—you—as my reincarnation."
"I'm sorry, Nahida. I didn't ask for your consent before entrusting you with the responsibility of guarding Sumeru and the World Tree..."
Bu'er's voice grew heavy with guilt.
She knew it had been deeply irresponsible to place the weight of godhood on a newborn child without any guidance.
But that was the reality of reincarnation. To be reborn, one had to abandon everything from the past and start anew.
At the time, knowing her end was near, Bu'er had thought that Nahida could take her place by Luo Qing's side. She had hoped Luo Qing would serve as Nahida's guide, just as he had once guided her.
But fate had cruelly intervened, stealing Luo Qing away from her grasp first.
"I'm... your reincarnation?"
Nahida looked up at Bu'er, then turned to Luo Qing beside her.
For some reason, the answer left her feeling slightly disappointed, as though it didn't match her expectations.
"Yes..."
Bu'er smiled gently and nodded.
Though she didn't know why Luo Qing wished to temporarily conceal their deeper history, she wouldn't go against his wishes.
"But... if I am a reincarnation..."
Nahida trailed off, unsure of how to express herself.
"It's Luo Qing," Bu'er said, her tone filled with warmth as she gazed affectionately at him.
"He found the remnants of my soul, pieced it back together, and gave me a new life. That's why I can be here with you now."
"Mm..."
Nahida turned back to Luo Qing, her suspicions deepening.
Her intuition told her that the Greater Lord and Luo Qing were hiding something important from her.
"Alright, that's enough reminiscing!"
Makoto's lively voice rang out from the kitchen, breaking the somber atmosphere in the living room.
"Dinner's ready! If you've got more to say, save it for the dining table~"
If Bu'er and Nahida kept talking, it wouldn't be long before they were both in tears. Better to shift the mood and make the reunion a cheerful one.
After all, this was a joyous occasion, not a tragic farewell.
The room's energy shifted, and soon everyone gathered around the dining table.
Theresa, ever considerate, relinquished the seat closest to Luo Qing's left for Nahida. To her left sat Bu'er. One on each side—it was the perfect image of a family of three.
Throughout dinner, Bu'er and Luo Qing frequently served Nahida food, taking care of her from both sides.
The sense of a familial bond grew stronger with every interaction.
Even Paimon, who wasn't known for her observational skills, began to pick up on it.
It was clear now—Luo Qing and Bu'er's relationship ran far deeper than the simple bond of saving each other's lives.
---
Meanwhile, at the corner of the staircase, nestled within the decorative stonework of a statue, a faint blue light shimmered quietly.
It seemed to be watching them.
---
T/N: DUN DUN DUN!!!
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 ✨
Bab 291: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [291] [200 PS]
Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!
---
Even Ei, the most powerful figure in the household, failed to detect anything amiss.
It was as if the light nestled within the statue simply didn't exist.
The family enjoyed a warm, lively dinner together, chatting about everyday topics.
For Bu'er and Nahida, it was their first proper meeting, and they couldn't seem to run out of things to talk about. While most of the topics were initiated by Bu'er, Nahida did her best to respond earnestly.
Soon, dinner came to an end.
The glow in the statue disappeared.
---
After the meal, it was time to part ways.
Bu'er tried to persuade Nahida to stay the night, suggesting they could sleep together and "snuggle close."
However, Nahida had only recently taken control of the Akademiya, and with Bu'er stepping down from her position, there were still many matters she needed to handle herself.
Seeing Nahida's resolve, Bu'er didn't press the issue. Since she couldn't leave the house herself, she asked Luo Qing to escort Nahida back.
As they stepped outside, Lumine quickly pulled Paimon aside, using a flimsy excuse to give Nahida and Luo Qing some space.
Walking along the streets of Sumeru, the two made their way toward the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Though many citizens passed by, most of them only offered polite nods or kept their distance. Few knew much about the Dendro Archon who had re-entered their lives so suddenly.
"Nahida..."
Luo Qing decided it was the right moment to speak.
"I heard you're planning to shut down the Akasha system?"
"Eh...?"
Nahida tilted her head, confused.
How does he know that? I only decided this afternoon!
"It's true," Nahida admitted softly. "Why? Is there something wrong with that, Luo Qing?"
"Not necessarily," Luo Qing replied, shaking his head lightly.
In full view of the passersby, he reached out and gently patted Nahida's head.
This unexpected act left onlookers in shock, sparking murmurs as they speculated about Luo Qing's identity.
"I just think... maybe you shouldn't shut it down right away?" Luo Qing suggested carefully. "It's quite useful, isn't it?"
"Eh?"
Nahida blinked, her confusion deepening.
"The Akasha system dulls the minds of the Akademiya scholars," she explained. "They lose their ability to think independently and blindly trust the information provided by the Akasha."
"This goes against the Greater Lord's original intent when she created it..."
"That's true," Luo Qing interrupted, "but its potential goes far beyond just acquiring knowledge, doesn't it?"
"Huh?"
Luo Qing smiled, continuing his argument.
"With the Akasha, the people of Sumeru can communicate without even meeting face-to-face. Whether they're in Port Ormos or Vimara Village, as long as they have a terminal, they can connect across vast distances."
"Even in Snezhnaya, people don't have access to something this convenient."
"Shutting it down completely would be such a waste, don't you think?"
Luo Qing was determined to convince Nahida to keep the Akasha system operational. It was crucial to his plans, and he wasn't about to let the Dendro Gnosis go to waste.
"Even so..."
Nahida hesitated, frowning slightly.
"If the Akasha continues to function, the harmful culture it has fostered among scholars over the past 500 years will persist as well."
"That's an easy fix," Luo Qing said with a gentle laugh.
"Previously, the Akasha directly implanted knowledge into the mind, bypassing the need for effort. If we change its design to make it work like a library, where users have to actively retrieve and process information themselves, wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"A library?" Nahida echoed, tilting her head.
"Exactly," Luo Qing nodded. "People could browse the Akasha for knowledge, just like flipping through a book. They'd need to understand and remember it on their own to truly make it theirs."
"Before, both the Akasha and canned knowledge removed that step entirely. Scholars became reliant, losing their ability to think critically."
"But if we lock the Akasha's knowledge behind a system requiring comprehension and memorization, it would no longer harm the scholars' creativity."
"This..."
Nahida lowered her head, mulling over his suggestion.
Turning the Akasha into a library, rather than a direct knowledge implant, seemed like a viable solution.
But...
Why was Luo Qing so insistent on preserving the Akasha?
Raising her eyes to him, Nahida recalled the incredible authority Luo Qing had demonstrated within the Akasha during their previous encounters.
Is he doing this to maintain his influence over the system?
Though she remained uncertain, she chose to stay quiet for now.
---
Before long, the two reached the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
As Nahida remained silent, Luo Qing assumed he hadn't convinced her. He was about to bid her farewell and plan another opportunity to sway her when he felt a small hand grab his.
"Nahida...?"
Luo Qing was stunned, unsure of what she was doing.
"Luo Qing..."
Nahida looked up, her emerald-green eyes filled with determination.
"You and the Greater Lord... you're still hiding something important from me, aren't you?"
Though she appeared to be a pure, innocent child, Nahida's origins and experiences had honed her wisdom and cunning.
It was why she had been able to face down the Doctor during their negotiations, using the Gnosis' power to hold her ground.
During dinner, she had noticed the intimacy between Luo Qing and Bu'er—the way they doted on her as if she were a human child. Combined with the inexplicable closeness she felt toward them, the truth was becoming clearer.
While Luo Qing's suggestion about the Akasha was reasonable, it would also strengthen his influence in Sumeru.
Now, she needed confirmation.
She needed to understand the nature of her connection to Luo Qing.
"This is..."
Faced with Nahida's resolute gaze, Luo Qing realized he was in trouble.
How do I even begin to explain this...?
"Luo Qing..."
Nahida's voice softened, her tone tinged with hesitation.
"What should I... call you?"
...
---
T/N: HEH
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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