บท 138: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [138]
The Shogunate forces and the Resistance were locked in fierce combat, while Kujou Sara, engaged in a duel with Gorou, kept a watchful eye on the overall battle.
Despite the Shogunate's superior numbers—each Resistance fighter facing at least three Shogunate soldiers—the tide of the battle was turning against them.
Frowning, Kujou Sara tried to understand the sudden shift.
Just then, a shadow flickered past her, swiftly taking down the Shogunate soldiers around her, leaving them unable to rise.
"That presence..."
Kujou Sara's brows furrowed as she sensed the remnants of that fleeting figure's energy.
It felt... just like Luo Qing.
He's helping the Resistance?!
"That bastard!"
Kujou Sara cursed under her breath, then waved her hand, commanding the nearby soldiers,
"Everyone, retreat!"
With someone as powerful as Luo Qing—on par with the Shogun herself—there was no way the Shogunate could win. For now, she had no choice but to withdraw and regroup, hoping to confront Luo Qing later.
Upon hearing the order, the Shogunate forces began to retreat. But even during their withdrawal, many of them were struck down by Luo Qing's shadowy assaults, becoming prisoners of the Resistance.
"We won!"
Paimon, hiding behind the frontlines, raised her tiny hands in a victorious cheer.
"Everyone, clear the battlefield and bring the prisoners back to the camp!"
Gorou ordered, staring at the numerous unconscious Shogunate soldiers with a mixture of emotions.
Since the start of the war against the Shogunate, this was the easiest victory he had ever experienced.
Except for his duel with Kujou Sara, all the other Resistance fighters barely had to lift a finger. Whenever they clashed with Shogunate troops, Luo Qing's shadow would appear, and the enemy would fall without any resistance.
Some of the Resistance soldiers hadn't even broken a sweat, their muscles hardly warmed up before the battle was over.
So this is what it's like to have Luo Qing fighting for our side?
Gorou's feelings were complicated.
After the battlefield was cleared, he did a headcount.
Not a single Resistance fighter had fallen, and they had captured over a hundred Shogunate soldiers. It was a historic victory.
Looking around, he noticed that Luo Qing was nowhere to be seen. Shrugging, he directed the Resistance to return to camp.
Upon entering, he was surprised to see Luo Qing already there, rubbing his hands together with a look of eager excitement.
"How many did you capture?"
"..."
Gorou was speechless, baffled by Luo Qing's obsession. Despite possessing overwhelming power, he seemed fixated on such peculiar matters.
"We captured 123 soldiers. All of them only have minor injuries and should recover by tomorrow."
"Good, matches my count."
Luo Qing nodded, pulling out the large phonograph from his inventory and handing it to Gorou.
"Since the battle is over, I'm heading back. I'll leave this with you. You can start teaching them how to dance tonight~."
"You're... going back?"
Gorou was confused.
You just helped us defeat the Shogunate, and you're planning to return? Doesn't Kujou Sara have a problem with this?
"If I don't go back, I'm afraid little Sara might throw a tantrum."
Luo Qing chuckled, adding, "Alright, I'll be back tomorrow. Don't miss me too much~."
"..."
[+1 Annoyance Value from Gorou]
Without waiting for Gorou's response, Luo Qing vanished from the camp.
...
Shortly after, back at the Shogunate's camp...
Kujou Sara scowled at the damage report in her hands.
Before the battle, she had only hoped that Luo Qing wouldn't sabotage her plans. Yet, to her frustration, he had outright assisted the enemy, turning what should have been a guaranteed victory into a humiliating defeat.
She couldn't comprehend it. Luo Qing wasn't even from Inazuma; he was just another Fatui.
Why did the Shogun tolerate him so much, granting his every request?
There were even times when she sought an audience with the Shogun, only to overhear strange noises coming from inside, suggesting Luo Qing's presence.
Why... why does he have such sway over the Shogun?
Feeling both irritation and curiosity, Kujou Sara decided to confront Luo Qing directly.
Leaving the camp, she headed north toward the coast, following the directions Luo Qing had given about his fishing spot.
After walking for some time, she finally spotted a familiar Fatui-style tent set up on the beach.
Luo Qing and Teresa were sitting by a campfire, leisurely grilling fish with relaxed smiles.
Seeing Sara's approach, Luo Qing didn't panic. He simply waved a grilled fish at her.
"Hey there, Lady Kujou Sara! How was the battle today? Care for some grilled fish to unwind?"
"..."
Sara's expression darkened as she stood before them, her voice icy.
"Why did you help the Resistance today?"
Feigning innocence, Luo Qing responded, "The Resistance? What Resistance? Lady Kujou, are you accusing me without proof?"
"Don't play dumb!"
Sara's temper flared.
"Who else could have moved that quickly?! I could tell it was you just by the scent in the air!"
"Scent? What scent?" Luo Qing tilted his head innocently. "Wait, did you secretly take a whiff of me?"
"..."
[+1 Annoyance Value from Kujou Sara]
If not for the fact that she couldn't beat him, Sara would have struck him down with a bolt of lightning on the spot.
"In any case, you owe me an explanation. If you don't, I'll have no choice but to consider it an act of rebellion by General Luo Qing and report you to the Shogun!"
"Report me?"
Luo Qing's face was the picture of feigned shock.
"Lady Kujou, you don't have any evidence. Do you think the Shogun will believe you over me?"
"I..."
Sara hesitated.
Knowing the Shogun's attitude toward Luo Qing, even with evidence, she doubted the Shogun would actually punish him.
Damn it, what on earth did this man do to enchant the Shogun like this!
"So, it's best if we just get along, don't you think?"
Luo Qing grinned, offering Sara a freshly grilled fish.
"Here, try my grilled fish. It's big, firm, and delicious."
"..."
Sara stood still, her face darkened, reluctant to accept Luo Qing's offering.
"What's this? Lady Kujou, not giving me any face?"
Luo Qing teased.
"..."
"Hmph!"
Sara huffed, shooting a glance at Teresa—who was quietly tending the grill—and finally took the grilled fish from Luo Qing's hand, seating herself by the campfire.
But just as she sat down, a familiar, maddening tune drifted over from the Resistance camp.
Hearing that music, Sara's barely relaxed expression tightened once more. She shot Luo Qing a cold glare.
"You still claim that wasn't you earlier!"
---
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