บท 82: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [82]
Yae Miko smiled gently, tilting her head slightly, causing her soft pink fox ears to twitch playfully.
She had only come to Yae Publishing House to handle some internal affairs today, but unexpectedly, she ran into this man who carried the unmistakable aura of the Raiden Shogun.
Not only that, but the scent was incredibly strong, indicating that they had been in close contact. In these turbulent times, a man she had never seen before getting so close to the exalted Shogun was something that definitely caught her attention.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Yae Miko, the Chief Editor of Yae Publishing House."
Luo Qing leaned back a bit in mock surprise. "Ah, the Chief Editor herself~"
"Indeed~ So, what kind of light novels are you looking for? I'd be happy to recommend a few~"
Yae Miko held a fan elegantly in her hand, partially covering her mouth as she spoke with a teasing tone.
"Uh..."
Luo Qing glanced around to make sure another Raiden Shogun wouldn't suddenly appear, then leaned in closer to Yae Miko and lowered his voice.
"Do you have anything sappy and tear-jerking? Something a country girl who's never been to the city might like?"
"Oh?"
Yae Miko leaned back, amused.
"Are you picking this out for a friend?"
"More or less..."
Luo Qing nodded slightly, thinking, What kind of friend would threaten to slice me up with a sword?
"In that case, follow me, dear customer."
Yae Miko gestured for him to follow, turning and walking deeper into the bookstore.
Luo Qing trailed behind her, and as they passed each row of shelves, he watched as she casually grabbed light novels off the shelves, tossing them into his arms while providing a running commentary.
"This one, The Stoic Samurai Falls for the Wild Heiress, is excellent. The ending is so touching it even made me cry."
"Oh, and here's Becoming the Raiden Shogun and Getting Close to Yae Miko. It's got a bit of a yuri theme, but the plot is full of twists and turns—perfect for a good cry."
"And this one, Princess Mina of the Fallen Kingdom, is a current bestseller. I'm sure your friend will love it."
After several rounds, Luo Qing's arms were piled high with novels of various sizes.
According to Yae Miko, each of these was a classic in the genre—must-reads that no one should miss.
"Do you think these will be enough for your friend?"
Yae Miko patted the stack of books in Luo Qing's arms, giving him a knowing smile.
"They should be..."
Luo Qing weighed the stack in his hands. He had no idea how fast Ei could read, but with this many books, it should last at least a month, right?
By then, Lumine should have arrived in Inazuma. With these light novels in hand, the chances of a successful persuasion should be much higher.
"Thank you, Chief Editor."
Luo Qing was about to leave, but Yae Miko placed her fan on top of the stack, stopping him.
"Is there something else you need, Chief Editor?"
Luo Qing pretended to be confused. As he expected, there was no way this sly fox would just show up to recommend novels without an ulterior motive.
Clearly, she was after something.
"Dear customer, I'd love to meet this country girl you're speaking of. If you introduce us, I might even waive the cost of these books~"
Yae Miko's lips curved into a sly smile.
For most people, it was an irresistible offer. If Luo Qing declined, it would only confirm her suspicions about where these novels were headed.
"Sorry, Chief Editor, but my friend's a bit of a shut-in. She hardly ever goes out. Maybe another time?"
Luo Qing shook his head, hurried over to the counter to pay, and left Yae Publishing House without looking back.
While the sly fox would eventually find out about Ei's newfound love for trashy novels, now was not the right time. A little discretion wouldn't hurt.
"A shut-in, you say..."
Yae Miko walked to the entrance of the bookstore, watching Luo Qing disappear into the distance, a small smile playing on her lips.
"It certainly suits her..."
Her instincts were usually spot on.
Though Luo Qing hadn't said a word about it, she had a feeling that the "shut-in friend" he spoke of was none other than an old acquaintance currently hiding in the Plane of Euthymia.
After picking up two large bags of sweets in Hanamizaka, Luo Qing, carrying one bag of sweets and another bundle of light novels, headed to Tenshukaku.
From a distance, he saw the gatekeeper, Joetsu Hisamasa, eyeing him skeptically as he approached like a delivery boy. Hisamasa's voice was flat as he said:
"Delivery personnel should use the side entrance. The main gate is for the Shogunate officials."
"Huh?"
Luo Qing was momentarily confused and asked back:
"Do I look like a delivery boy to you?"
"..."
"Regardless, please use the side entrance... Wait, aren't you the same person who delivered a letter the other day? Have you changed professions?"
"..."
[Frustration Value from Luo Qing +1]
"I'm here to see the Shogun."
"I haven't received any orders from the Shogun. If you're not delivering something, you'll need to leave."
Joetsu Hisamasa crossed his blade in front of the gate, blocking Luo Qing's way.
"You're really a top-notch guard, huh..."
Luo Qing sighed. He didn't have the patience to argue with the gatekeeper. With a flick of his Golden Eyes, he vanished from sight.
In the Time Zero domain, Luo Qing swiftly made his way up to the top floor of Tenshukaku.
He had avoided using Time Zero here before due to his lack of familiarity with the Raiden Shogun, but now that they were "acquainted," sneaking into her room seemed... reasonable?
Climbing over the balcony railing, Luo Qing stepped into the highest floor of Tenshukaku.
Entering from the balcony, he saw the Raiden Shogun kneeling alone on the raised platform. Her eyes opened slowly.
"Why didn't you use the front door?"
"They wouldn't let me in."
Luo Qing set down the bags of sweets and novels.
"I'll just leave these here. I've got things to do, so I'll be on my way—"
"Wait."
"What now?"
Luo Qing glanced back at the Raiden Shogun on her platform.
"She didn't say you could leave."
The Raiden Shogun drew her sword, lightning crackling around it, and the space around Luo Qing twisted.
Plane of Euthymia
Luo Qing stood in the eerie space, surrounded by a pile of sweets to his left and stacks of light novels to his right.
In front of him, Ei's eyes opened slowly as she descended gracefully to the ground, stepping toward him.
"Haven't I already brought everything you asked for?" Luo Qing asked.
"Hmph. I said you should bring them to me. Did I ever say you could leave?"
"..."
Luo Qing fell silent, replaying last night's conversation in his head. It seemed she never said he could leave.
Damn, she tricked me!
---
T/N: HAHAHA HE'S GETTING HIS COMEUPPANCE
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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