Chương 181: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [181]
Among the Harbingers present, only two had power on par with deities. While most boasted formidable combat prowess, their mental resilience fell short compared to Luo Qing's.
With the application of his emotion manipulation cards,
The expressions of most Harbingers darkened, as though they'd swallowed something vile.
Just as some were on the verge of breaking and meowing aloud—
"Hmm..."
A soft hum came from the throne.
The Tsaritsa's spiritual projection raised a delicate finger, releasing an icy-blue glow that enveloped the Harbingers.
The weaker-minded Harbingers felt a soothing breeze sweep through their minds, dissolving the peculiar compulsions that had taken hold.
"Luo Qing..."
The Tsaritsa's voice was soft but carried a commanding tone.
"This ability of yours... quite intriguing."
With a slight wave of her finger, the icy-blue elemental energy in the hall coalesced above Luo Qing, forming the shape of a mask.
Luo Qing looked up.
The mask depicted a smiling face, but a single teardrop hung from its right eye—a weeping visage of bittersweet comedy.
"The rest is up to you, Pierro," the Tsaritsa said. Her spiritual form dissolved into a streak of light, vanishing from the throne.
At the same time, the mask descended into Luo Qing's hands.
As soon as he touched it, a surge of unique power coursed through him.
He could feel his mental strength increase by nearly fifty percent.
"This..."
It was evident.
The Tsaritsa believed Luo Qing's ability to manipulate emotions was tied to his mental fortitude. By granting him additional power, she sought to augment his talents.
The fact that she enhanced his mental strength despite knowing he dared to tamper with the emotions of deities showed her confidence.
Either his abilities didn't work on her, or she simply wasn't worried about him turning against her.
"From this moment forth..." Pierro spoke calmly. "Luo Qing · Schneitzvich is no longer your name. Your name is now... Brighella, the Jester."
This was a rite of passage for every Harbinger—
To abandon their past entirely, including their name, and be reborn under the Tsaritsa's command.
The Harbinger's codename and new identity were bestowed by the Tsaritsa herself. Luo Qing had no say in the matter.
From now on, regardless of what he called himself in private, to the Fatui and Snezhnaya, he would be known only by one name: Brighella, the Jester.
"Yes..." Luo Qing bowed respectfully.
Though he wasn't particularly fond of the name, as the Tsaritsa's subordinate, he had no choice but to play along.
"Welcome to the fold, Brighella..."
From the edge of the throne's platform, Childe spoke up with a mischievous grin.
"Now, there's just one final step."
A spear materialized in Childe's hand, which he then hurled at Luo Qing's feet.
Luo Qing looked toward the throne.
The Harbingers around him reacted with faint amusement—
A girl hummed a tune, the Doctor swirled a vial of liquid, Pulcinella and Pantalone exchanged knowing smirks, and the Marionette closed her eyes as though disinterested.
Only Arlecchino maintained a calm gaze, her expression unreadable.
It seemed, to them, this fight was merely entertainment, regardless of whether Luo Qing won or lost.
Glancing at the spear at his feet, Luo Qing hesitated.
With so many eyes on him, if he defeated Childe too easily, it would embarrass his colleague in front of everyone.
"This is the final step," Childe said quietly, summoning a pair of dual blades as he descended the steps.
It was clear he had been looking forward to this.
The Tsaritsa's divine presence still lingered, and Childe intended to use this chance to fight Luo Qing before the opportunity slipped away.
"..."
Luo Qing fell silent and looked toward Pierro, standing beside the throne.
Pierro offered no words, his expression stoic, silently approving the duel.
"Well then..." Luo Qing muttered, shaking his head as he motioned for his four subordinates to step back.
Natalia and the others quickly retreated to a corner.
They weren't worried—unlike Childe, they knew the full extent of their master's strength.
After all, Luo Qing had once sparred evenly with the Raiden Shogun.
Luo Qing picked up the deep-purple spear and held it lightly, his gaze meeting Childe's.
"Good resolve. Now, show me what you're really made of," Childe said, advancing slowly.
Suddenly, he accelerated, twin blades slicing toward Luo Qing in a blur of speed, closing the gap in an instant.
Childe's plan was clear—overwhelm Luo Qing before he could deploy his emotional manipulation abilities.
But things didn't go as he expected.
The moment he neared, Luo Qing moved at a speed far surpassing his own.
With a casual sweep of his spear, he deflected the attack effortlessly.
"Childe, we haven't even called the start yet. Don't you think a sneak attack is a bit underhanded?" Luo Qing said, his golden eyes glinting.
"..."
The sudden exchange caught the Harbingers off guard, piquing their interest.
They had assumed Luo Qing's strength lay solely in emotional manipulation, with little physical combat prowess.
During the previous selection process, Luo Qing had relied on his emotion manipulation cards to achieve victory, annoying everyone in the process.
Many had considered his methods cheap, even underhanded.
But now, his swift counter and the golden glow in his eyes made them reevaluate his capabilities.
This guy—
He was strong in combat, too.
Several Harbingers turned to Arlecchino, their gazes questioning: Where did you find him?
"Don't look at me. He's no longer under my charge," Arlecchino said flatly.
Yet her gaze lingered on Luo Qing, a faint glimmer of expectation in her eyes.
She wanted to see just how much he had grown since leaving her care.
"Impressive reflexes..." Childe tightened his grip on his blades, his expression now serious.
"Then, I suppose it's time I stop holding back!"
Dark purple lightning erupted around him as Childe floated into the air.
When the light faded, he stood clad in his Foul Legacy Transformation.
Even knowing he might lose, Childe would treat every duel with utmost seriousness.
"Show me your true strength!" Childe bellowed, ready to charge.
But before he could, Luo Qing vanished from sight.
A moment later, Childe felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and was sent flying, crashing into the steps beneath the throne.
"Now..."
Luo Qing's voice echoed through the hall.
"Am I qualified?"
---
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