Bab 117: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [117]
Under the crimson moon, the clash of spear and sword echoed.
Even though Lumine had already left, the battle between Luo Qing and Ei showed no signs of stopping.
Ei's power continued to mirror Luo Qing's, as if she were toying with him, venting her frustrations.
...
"Hey, she's already gone. Why are you still fighting me...?"
"Hmph..."
"I swear, after bringing you all those light novels and desserts, you're still going to cut me down like this?"
"Heh..."
"I'm telling you, if you keep this up, I won't bring you any more novels or treats!"
"..."
At these words, Ei's strikes genuinely slowed for a moment.
Seizing the opportunity under the deceleration of Time-Zero, Luo Qing quickly sat down on the toilet, pressing the flush button, escaping from the Plane of Euthymia.
He knew this shut-in would never leave her sanctuary. While the Raiden Shogun was a bit aloof, she was far easier to deal with compared to Ei, who had lived for centuries.
Returning to the Vision Hunt platform...
Lumine had just gotten off the toilet when Luo Qing's head popped out of it. If she had lingered a moment longer, his face would have sent her flying off.
With two people emerging from such a bizarre object, the crowd around them was already buzzing with murmurs.
What was initially expected to be a simple Vision Hunt ceremony had turned into quite a spectacle, and everyone was wondering how the Raiden Shogun would deal with these intruders.
Luo Qing glanced at the Raiden Shogun, who stood imposingly on the platform. With a flick of his finger, a thin pillar of rock rose beside Thoma, slicing the ropes binding his wrists.
"You two go. I'll handle things here."
"Luo Qing... but..."
Lumine hesitated, seemingly reluctant to leave him behind.
"Don't worry about me,"
Luo Qing said with a reassuring smile, keeping a wary eye on the Raiden Shogun to prevent her from making any sudden moves.
Seeing his confidence, Lumine finally steeled herself. Sharing a glance with Thoma, they broke through the encircling soldiers and fled.
The Raiden Shogun watched them go, her brow furrowed slightly as she turned her gaze back to Luo Qing.
If she chose to strike, Luo Qing would certainly block her. But somehow, she just couldn't bring herself to deliver a fatal blow.
Considering everything that had happened in the Plane of Euthymia, she decided to let the traveler go—this time.
Next time, however, she would seal her within the statue, no exceptions.
"Take him to the Tenshukaku,"
the Raiden Shogun commanded coldly, before vanishing from the scene in a flash of lightning.
Elsewhere...
Luo Qing knew he had interrupted the Raiden Shogun's ceremony, so he figured he might as well cooperate and give her some face.
He didn't resist as the soldiers bound him tightly and escorted him to the Tenshukaku.
...
Before long, he was at the Tenshukaku.
It was the same familiar room, with the same familiar person.
Luo Qing had been here so many times that he was quite at home. The only difference this time was that he was bound like a prisoner, kneeling before the Raiden Shogun.
It was almost like he was a rebellious servant facing his stern mistress.
"Why did you save her?"
The Raiden Shogun stood before him, hand gripping her sword, as if ready to decapitate him should he lie.
Of course, this was all for show—she would never actually strike.
"In this world, loyalty and friendship are everything! She's my friend, isn't that reason enough?"
Luo Qing declared passionately.
"..."
The Raiden Shogun's expression turned flat, her gaze seemingly saying:
Do you think I'm buying any of that?
"You knew she was coming to Inazuma, didn't you?"
"Wow, you're smart! Should I reward you with a little pat?"
"..."
[Raiden Shogun's Frustration Value +1]
The Raiden Shogun's eyes narrowed as she spoke icily.
"Do you really think I wouldn't kill you?"
"Of course, I know you'd never bring yourself to do it."
Luo Qing gave a soft chuckle, even leaning his neck forward as if to dare her.
Go ahead, if you have the guts—do it!
"..."
The Raiden Shogun remained silent for a long while before two words slipped from her lips.
"Shameless scoundrel."
She sat down across from Luo Qing, continuing in a calmer tone.
"I've already issued a warrant for their capture. How long do you think they can run?"
"They just need to survive. I don't care where they go. Now, can I get up? My legs are falling asleep..."
"No."
"Alright... Can I at least get a drink?"
"No."
"Then what's the point of dragging me here? Miss me that much?"
"..."
The Raiden Shogun's expression darkened.
How could someone like Luo Qing, with such thick skin, exist in this world?
He was a prisoner—a prisoner! How did he lack any sense of self-awareness?
Did he think he was here as a guest?
...
Meanwhile, at the Komore Teahouse...
After dodging the pursuit of the Shogunate soldiers, Lumine and the others slipped into the Komore Teahouse.
As a domain exclusively for the Yashiro Commission, the teahouse was off-limits to outsiders without permission—except for the Shogun herself. No one else could enter freely.
Thus, even with the Shogunate soldiers scouring Inazuma City, as long as they remained inside the Komore Teahouse, they were safe for the time being.
As the Yashiro Commission's housekeeper, Thoma could stay indefinitely, but Lumine and Paimon clearly couldn't.
At Thoma's suggestion, they decided to head for Tatarasuna before the bounty was fully announced, hoping to find refuge with the resistance forces.
After seeing Lumine and Paimon off, Thoma returned to a private room inside the teahouse.
Seeing him enter, Ayaka quickly rushed forward, her face full of concern.
"Thoma?! Are you alright? Thank goodness you still have your Vision..."
Realizing he was alone, her worry deepened.
"Where are Lumine and Paimon? Did something happen to them?!"
"Don't worry, my lady. They're safe."
Thoma shook his head. "The Shogun's bounty will be issued any moment now, so I told them to head for Tatarasuna and meet with the resistance."
"The resistance..."
Ayaka murmured, lowering her gaze in thought.
Beyond the Yashiro Commission, the only group openly opposing the Vision Hunt Decree was the resistance on Watatsumi Island. Sending Lumine to them was indeed a last resort.
"How did you manage to escape?"
Ayaka asked.
"Well..."
Thoma's expression grew complicated as he recalled the earlier events.
He had always suspected Luo Qing, fearing that his presence would endanger the Kamisato Clan and the Yashiro Commission.
Yet in the end, it was Luo Qing who had sacrificed himself to save him.
"It was Luo Qing... He saved us from the Shogun."
"Luo Qing?!"
Ayaka's eyes widened in surprise.
Ever since she'd learned of those two women in Liyue from Lumine, she had been wrestling with the decision to cut ties with Luo Qing.
They hadn't seen each other in so long, and she had almost made up her mind.
But now, once again, his name surfaced at a critical moment.
Was it really impossible to escape him...?
---
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone