Chương 168: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [168]
Moments later, her shattered and burnt body began to heal visibly.
The charred blackened remnants of her skin fell away, replaced by soft, unblemished flesh that was smooth as a newborn's.
Even her long-lost right eye regenerated, restoring her vision completely.
Time seemed to stand still as her transformation unfolded.
When it was over, Rosalyne's body was as flawless as polished jade, a picture of vitality and perfection.
"This... how is this possible?"
She touched her newly restored right eye, disbelief etched on her face. The crude-looking pill had not only repaired the fire-ravaged parts of her body but also regenerated what she thought was lost forever.
She felt like a newborn, her body brimming with life.
"How did you do this?" Rosalyne looked up at Luo Qing, confusion and shock in her eyes.
"You could at least show some gratitude," Luo Qing said with a smirk, tapping her on the forehead. "From now on, call me 'Master.'"
"..."
Rosalyne remained silent, her gaze conflicted.
After a brief internal struggle, she lowered her head, compelled by the binding obsession within her.
"Yes... Master..."
"Ahh, now that's satisfying," Luo Qing said with a contented sigh.
He'd been waiting for the day he could bring Rosalyne under his command.
"Also..."
With a thought, Luo Qing summoned a set of clothes from his system inventory and tossed them to her.
"Put these on. Unless, of course, you prefer walking around naked."
Rosalyne, already weak from her ordeal, had been unable to control the flames consuming her. As a result, every piece of clothing Natalia had dressed her in had been incinerated.
Now, her flawless body stood fully exposed, a sight that even Luo Qing couldn't help but steal a few glances at.
"Yes..."
Rosalyne accepted the clothes, casting a sidelong glance at Luo Qing. Noticing he wasn't turning away, her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Um..."
"Just put them on," Luo Qing interrupted, making no move to leave the room.
"Yes..."
Her words cut off, Rosalyne reluctantly began dressing in front of him, her face tinged with embarrassment.
The outfit Luo Qing provided was a standard Fatui female uniform—far less elegant than her former regal attire. It fit tightly across her chest, reminding her that she was no longer an esteemed Harbinger but just another soldier.
"Not bad. It suits you," Luo Qing said with an approving nod.
"You knew I would die in that duel, didn't you?" Rosalyne asked softly, her head bowed to avoid meeting his eyes.
"Sharp as always. Want me to give you a little reward for that insight?" Luo Qing teased. "Oh, and by the way, if you call me anything other than 'Master' again, I'll have to teach you a lesson~."
"..."
[+1 Frustration Value from Rosalyne.]
"Why did you save me?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
Dying would have been a release for her—a way to escape her torment.
"It's simple." Luo Qing crossed his arms and replied matter-of-factly.
"There aren't many people on this continent with decent power. I couldn't let the Tsaritsa hog them all, could I?"
"You..."
Rosalyne started to retort but stopped herself, lowering her head again.
"What... does Master plan to do?"
"Ah, you're learning. Good," Luo Qing said, smiling with satisfaction.
It seemed the master ball's effects worked exactly as described—no one with weaker mental strength than him could resist the servitude contract.
"I don't plan to do much. I just want to expand my... organization, you see." Luo Qing tapped her on the forehead.
"The Eighth Harbinger, Signora, is dead. From now on, Rosalyne, you'll be like Natalia and the others—working for me. Understood?"
"Yes... Master." Rosalyne bowed her head obediently.
"Good. Now, let's introduce you to your new colleagues."
Luo Qing turned and began walking toward the cave's entrance.
Rosalyne glanced at his retreating figure, then at the icy Vision in her hand.
It was a genuine Vision, unlike the counterfeit Delusions granted by the Fatui.
Visions were divine blessings, bestowed only on those chosen by the gods.
Even the Tsaritsa had merely given her elemental power through a Delusion to suppress her flames. Luo Qing, however, had handed her a real Cryo Vision with ease.
For the first time, Rosalyne found herself questioning everything she thought she knew about Luo Qing.
Wasn't he just an orphan picked up by Arlecchino at the House of the Hearth? How does he possess such power...
"Why are you just standing there? Hurry up," Luo Qing called, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Yes..." Rosalyne murmured, following him out of the cave.
"Alright, everyone, gather around!" Luo Qing said cheerfully, patting Rosalyne on the shoulder as they emerged.
"Meet Rosalyne, our newest addition to this happy little family. Let's give her a warm welcome!"
"..."
The group glanced at Rosalyne, their expressions a mix of wariness and reluctance as they clapped half-heartedly.
Truth be told, they had eavesdropped on Luo Qing and Rosalyne's entire conversation.
They still couldn't quite wrap their heads around the fact that their leader had made her—the Eighth Harbinger—call him Master.
Apparently, Luo Qing had a thing for this kind of... arrangement.
"Um, Lord Luo Qing," Theresa hesitantly raised her hand.
Having been the lowest-ranking member of the group, she often found herself on the receiving end of teasing. She had secretly hoped Luo Qing would bring in new recruits for her to boss around.
And now...
"Rosalyne's rank is...?" Theresa asked, her eyes gleaming with hope.
"Oh, just as you're thinking, Theresa," Luo Qing replied with a grin, patting Rosalyne on the shoulder again. "From today, Rosalyne is officially your junior~."
"Wha... huh..."
The former Eighth Harbinger, the superior of all superiors, was now her subordinate.
It was almost too much for her to process.
---
Outskirts of Inazuma City
Ei knelt on one knee, clutching her head with her right hand, her face contorted in pain.
"Ei, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?!" Paimon asked worriedly.
Throughout their journey, Ei had shown signs of discomfort multiple times, especially after battles.
They had just defeated a pack of Riftwolves, helping some wandering spirits pass on peacefully.
"Ei, are you alright?" Lumine asked.
"I... I can't move my body..." Ei's voice was strained, her expression filled with anguish.
"It seems she no longer wants me... to use this body..."
"She?" Lumine asked hesitantly. "You mean the Shogun?"
"Yes..." Ei replied softly. "It seems I must face her..."
"Lumine, could I ask you to accompany me to Yashiori Island?"
"What for?"
"To settle everything with the Shogun. To sever the past... and embrace the future..."
---
T/N: calling it now the seed is for Makoto (OMG I FUCKING FORGOT THIS CHAPTER ARAIHFIHFAF u guys get 3 chapters toady then lmaoo)
If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.
Oh, and don't forget to sit up, grab some water, and take it easy while you're here. No rush, right?
If you're into this, consider checking out [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Your support helps me keep going, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.
Chương 169: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [169]
Having successfully brought Rosalyne under his wing, Luo Qing no longer had any reason to linger in Inazuma.
Retrieving the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis had been Rosalyne's task, not his.
He was nothing more than a supporting character in her mission—a mere tool. If anyone were to face blame, it wouldn't fall on him.
Besides, the Gnosis had already been taken to Sumeru by Scaramouche. Luo Qing couldn't be implicated even if someone wanted to.
Now, the only matter of importance left to Luo Qing was returning to Snezhnaya for an audience with Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, where he would officially be appointed as the Twelfth Harbinger.
Not that Luo Qing cared much about the title.
He was more interested in seeing what the Tsaritsa looked like.
As he debated whether to laze around Inazuma a little longer or bid farewell to Kamisato Ayaka and head straight to Snezhnaya, Luo Qing and his group had been enjoying a makeshift vacation in Chinju Forest.
At first, Natalia and the others expected Rosalyne to be as haughty and domineering as ever—looking down her nose at them, speaking curtly, and constantly making them feel inferior.
But after just a few days, they noticed a startling transformation.
Thanks to Luo Qing's "training," Rosalyne had become inexplicably obedient. She followed his every word without protest, addressing him sweetly as Master.
Her newfound gentleness was so disarming that Theresa, inspired by Rosalyne's behavior, tried calling Luo Qing Master a few times herself.
The result? A flick to the forehead that left her sulking with a bruise for days.
"Master, have you made up your mind yet?"
Natalia approached Luo Qing, sparing a glance at Rosalyne, who stood quietly beside him.
"Headquarters has already ordered the Inazuma division to withdraw the troops under Lady R—uh, Rosalyne's command. They're heading back to Snezhnaya."
"No rush, Natalia," Luo Qing replied, sitting by a small stream in the forest, fishing pole in hand.
Moments later, the bobber jerked. Luo Qing pulled back on the rod, reeling in a small fish.
Rosalyne immediately stepped forward, taking the fish off the hook and placing it into the basket before returning to her quiet post by his side.
"..."
Natalia gave Rosalyne a meaningful look.
On the first day of fishing, Rosalyne had grumbled endlessly, saying she wasn't meant to be a fisherwoman and refusing to help.
But now, she was as docile as a lamb.
Ah, the once-mighty Lady Signora, Natalia mused. She's been thoroughly shaped into Lord Luo Qing's image.
"Well, Natalia, what were you saying?" Luo Qing turned to her, breaking her thoughts.
"Master, Igor brought word from headquarters. They've asked for your immediate return to Snezhnaya. Her Majesty the Tsaritsa and Lord Pierro wish to meet with you."
"Huh?" Luo Qing blinked, then glanced at Rosalyne.
Meeting his gaze, Rosalyne bowed her head respectfully.
"Master, I never spoke in detail about your abilities to Her Majesty or Pierro. I only mentioned some of your deeds in Liyue..."
"..."
Luo Qing thought for a moment before sighing.
"Alright. If they're insisting, I guess it's time to go back."
He stood up, and Rosalyne promptly took the fishing rod from him, handing over his coat in one seamless motion.
---
After packing their belongings, the group set off along a forest trail, heading back toward Inazuma City to bid farewell to Kamisato Ayaka before returning to Snezhnaya.
As they walked, Luo Qing suddenly felt a familiar presence.
Turning around, he spotted a yellow-haired girl and her floating companion descending from the shadows of the forest canopy. A certain pink-haired trickster fox was accompanying them.
Moments later, Lumine noticed his gaze and locked eyes with him.
"..."
"..."
"Luo Qing!"
Lumine shouted, sprinting toward him with arms spread wide, stopping in front of him like a human barricade.
"You're alive after all!"
"Yo, fancy meeting you here," Luo Qing said nonchalantly, crossing his arms.
Rosalyne, standing quietly beside him, was wearing an ordinary disguise courtesy of Luo Qing's Simulated Mask. She blended in perfectly as a random civilian, avoiding any risk of being recognized.
As Yae Miko and Paimon caught up, Paimon hovered in front of Luo Qing, scrutinizing him closely.
"Luo Qing, why did you fake your death?!" she demanded.
"Why? What else was I supposed to do—actually die?" Luo Qing retorted, his tone matter-of-fact.
"You tricked all of us! Ayaka cried for days because of you!"
"Correction: I wasn't fooled," Yae Miko interjected with a sly smile.
She had witnessed Luo Qing's supposed death firsthand. While she had her suspicions about his connection to Ei and the Raiden Shogun, she had never truly believed he'd perish so easily.
After all, watching things play out was far more entertaining.
"So, what's the plan? Are you going to tell the Shogun and have her come after me again?" Luo Qing asked, his arms still crossed.
If Lumine or Yae showed any sign of betraying him, he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.
"You've got some nerve!" Paimon huffed. "Do you know what you've caused? Ei and the Shogun are fighting because of you!"
"...What?" Luo Qing's expression blanked.
His subordinates, including Rosalyne, exchanged puzzled looks.
"What did I do?"
"It's because you faked your death!" Paimon declared, looking entirely justified.
"The Shogun believes that if it weren't for Ei, she wouldn't have targeted you as an obstacle to eternity. She blames Ei for your death!"
"They're fighting in that, uh... that Inner Realm place! All because of you!"
"..."
Luo Qing felt his mind grind to a halt.
Weren't Ei and the Shogun supposed to have resolved their differences? Hadn't they moved past their feelings for him?
How had this become about him again?
"You... you need to take responsibility!" Paimon said, puffing herself up.
"Excuse me?"
"We're on our way to stop their fight. You should come with us! Maybe if they see you, they'll stop fighting!"
"..."
Luo Qing stared at Paimon as if she were a complete idiot.
"Let me get this straight," he said, poking her forehead.
"You want me to help mediate between the two people who almost killed me? Yeah, that sounds real smart."
"Well... uh..." Paimon faltered, unable to argue.
"Lumine," Luo Qing said, his tone softening. "They told you they regret what they did to me, didn't they?"
"Yes..." Lumine hesitated. "That's why I think... maybe you should come with us. It might really help."
---
T/N: Yes take responsibility!
If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.
Oh, and don't forget to sit up, grab some water, and take it easy while you're here. No rush, right?
If you're into this, consider checking out [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Your support helps me keep going, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.
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