Chương 217: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [217]
After finalizing plans with Dori for boosting popularity using internet-like methods, Luo Qing returned to Sumeru City with Theresa.
Her desires had grown insatiable since their first encounter, and she even suggested having a thrilling match in the wilderness along the way.
Unfortunately for her, Luo Qing firmly rejected the idea.
Near the city's outskirts, Luo Qing thought to stop by the workshop to check on the Doctor's progress. He sent Theresa back on her own while he detoured to the Pureglass Workshop.
From the Doctor's updates, he learned that the assembly of the Shouki no Kami was nearly complete. The final step would involve utilizing the full computational power of the Void at the right moment to merge the Balladeer with the Shouki no Kami.
Based on the timeline, it would align with the The Sabzeruz Festival, about a month from now.
---
As Luo Qing exited the workshop, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
The Sabzeruz Festival was approaching quickly.
But where were Lumine and Paimon?
Don't they want to save the adorable Nahida?
He began to speculate whether those two had gone off to the Golden Apple Archipelago for some fun.
While mulling over this, Luo Qing spotted a commotion down a nearby trail. A group of Hilichurls seemed to be fighting someone.
Peering closer, he recognized the person surrounded at the center of the group.
Her grayish-blue, long, twin-tailed curls, her tight white pants, and her exposed snowy shoulders—it was Layla, someone he hadn't seen in a while.
She gripped a longsword with both hands, swinging it with visible strain. Ice-blue elemental energy flickered faintly around her.
The Hilichurl group encircling her wasn't just your average lot. Among them were towering Mitachurls and even an elemental-wielding Shaman.
As a student, Layla was no match for them. Her once-pristine white pants and finely tailored outfit now bore several tears, likely from the Hilichurl weapons.
What's she doing here? Luo Qing wondered as he started walking toward her.
---
Layla, meanwhile, clutched her sword tightly, her breathing labored as she faced the attacking Hilichurls. Her brows furrowed, sweat dripping from her temples.
There were no patrol guards this far out of Sumeru City—only mercenaries looking for an opportunity to rob and pillage.
She couldn't understand why her conscious personality had chosen to sleep in such a dangerous place, her scent inadvertently attracting these monsters.
Before she could catch her breath, a towering Mitachurl holding a massive axe charged straight at her.
The axe, larger than Layla herself, rose high before swinging down toward her head.
Frantically, she conjured an ice shield, hoping to block the blow.
However, her frail body and limited elemental strength weren't enough.
The pale ice shield managed to absorb the first strike but shattered under the follow-up blow, sending her flying backward.
"Ugh… that hurts…" Layla groaned as she hit the ground.
Looking up at the advancing Mitachurl, she felt completely at a loss.
Though her swordsmanship far surpassed her other persona's, she was still just a student focused on academic research. Facing monsters of this caliber was far beyond her capabilities.
Why did I have to sleep here of all places? she muttered inwardly.
The Mitachurl, oblivious to her complaints, raised its axe again, preparing to bring it down on her.
"Ahhh!" Layla cried out, instinctively shutting her eyes.
But the expected impact never came. Instead, she felt something wet and strange splatter across her face.
Opening her eyes, she saw a pale yellow rock spine piercing the Mitachurl, pinning it to the ground.
The mysterious liquid on her face? It had come from the Mitachurl's body.
"How is this possible…" Layla murmured, still trembling as she stared at the rock spine.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar male voice from behind her.
"What are you doing, picking fights with Hilichurls out here?"
"Wha—?!" Layla spun around to see Luo Qing approaching casually.
Even though they were surrounded by Hilichurls, his expression remained relaxed, entirely unbothered.
"What are you doing here?"
For Layla's inner persona, memories of this scoundrel were particularly vivid.
"Don't overthink it. Just passing through on my way home," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly.
The nearby Hilichurls, seemingly provoked, charged at him with weapons raised.
"Watch out!" Layla shouted.
However, in the next moment, Luo Qing snapped his fingers lightly.
Dozens of golden-yellow rock spines rained from the sky, skewering the Hilichurls and pinning them to the ground.
Each one got its own spine—no exceptions.
"This…" Layla was left speechless.
She hadn't expected Luo Qing to be this strong.
He didn't show this kind of strength in bed...
"Tch. You're covered in injuries," Luo Qing remarked as he walked over to Layla, inspecting her condition.
Though she had multiple scratches and abrasions on her arms and legs, they were mostly superficial.
A single one of my big, hard vitality pills should fix this, Luo Qing thought.
However, the unidentified liquid splattered on her face was a bit unsightly.
"Can you stand?" he asked.
"Yes…" Layla mumbled, lowering her head to avoid meeting his gaze.
She felt too embarrassed to let Luo Qing see her in such a disheveled state.
"What are you hiding for? It's not like I haven't seen you like this before," Luo Qing teased.
With a thought, he pulled out a Vitality Pill from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Here, eat this. It'll help you heal faster."
"Huh…?" Layla looked at the fist-sized, black, and oddly solid pill, then back at Luo Qing.
"Are you messing with me?"
"Oh, come on. Can you just eat it?"
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Layla.]
Layla turned away, pouting slightly. "Thank you for saving me. I won't forget this favor."
Even if he was full of crude jokes and inappropriate comments, he was still her savior. Gratitude was necessary.
"Eh." Luo Qing waved it off nonchalantly and pushed the pill closer to her lips.
"We're friends, aren't we? Just eat the thing. Otherwise, if it scars, you'll regret it."
"What is this thing?"
"It's good stuff. Don't ask, just eat. Yeah, just like that. Good. It's almost in... there you go."
Under Luo Qing's insistent persuasion, Layla reluctantly swallowed the Vitality Pill whole.
The taste lingered unpleasantly in her mouth.
Why does it taste like dandelion sap?
"What did you just make me eat—"
Before she could finish, a rush of warmth coursed through her body. Starting from her abdomen, the heat spread rapidly to every part of her.
Her wounds, previously oozing blood, began healing before her very eyes. In mere seconds, her damaged skin had returned to smooth, unblemished perfection.
"What is this thing…" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.
---
T/N: Is it just me? Or is everything so much more...suggestive?
Greetings, esteemed reader.
Your presence throughout this chapter's journey is deeply appreciated. In Liyue, we hold that every tale, much like the enduring stone, gains strength through the appreciation of those who encounter it.
Should you wish to support WiseTL's dedicated endeavors in bringing these narratives to you, you may consider visiting:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Even the most modest contribution serves as a cornerstone, fortifying the foundation upon which future stories are built.
With sincere regards,
Zhongli
Chương 218: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [218]
"A Vitality Pill, packed with rich deoxyribose, capable of healing all your injuries~"
Luo Qing crouched in front of Layla, holding another big, black Vitality Pill and waving it teasingly in front of her.
Seeing her slightly curious expression, he added with a smirk, "Want another one? Just call me 'big brother' and I'll give it to you~"
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Layla.]
"Who'd want that..." Layla turned her head away.
Though she was intrigued by this so-called Vitality Pill, there was no way she'd stoop to calling Luo Qing "big brother" to get one.
After all, she was the proud, tsundere Inner Persona, not her weak and delicate Outer Persona.
"Fine, suit yourself."
Luo Qing huffed, putting the pill back into his system inventory. His gaze lingered on the snowy patches of skin visible through Layla's tattered clothes, and he couldn't help but ask, "What were you doing out here alone? Trying to get up close and personal with Hilichurls?"
"It's not like I wanted to be here…" Layla pouted, looking a little aggrieved.
"Who would've thought she'd pull an all-nighter to work on her thesis and then head out at dawn to collect materials! This is the wilderness, for crying out loud!"
"Fungi, Hilichurls, and even sketchy mercenaries with bad intentions... Ugh, it's ridiculous!"
The more Layla thought about it, the angrier she became.
Why do I have to share a body with such a clueless, naive girl?
And worse, she's already halfway to being conned by this scumbag in front of me.
"Didn't you say you'd make her aware of your existence? Just give her a heads-up," Luo Qing suggested casually.
"I want to," Layla murmured, "but it's the crucial period for her thesis review. If I tell her now, she'll get distracted. I'll wait until the review is over."
"Didn't expect you to care so much about her."
"I don't! We share a body, so of course I care about myself," Layla retorted with tsundere defiance.
"Heh."
Luo Qing chuckled but didn't press further. Rising to his feet, he glanced toward Sumeru City, then back at Layla.
"Let's go. It'll be dark soon, and you won't be able to find your way back if we don't head out now."
"Who's going back with you?"
Layla huffed and crossed her arms.
"I can make it back on my own. You go your way."
"Hey, I saved your life." Luo Qing reached out to poke her forehead lightly. "It's not too much to ask for a thank-you dinner, is it? I mean, I'm not saying you owe me your hand in marriage or anything."
Layla's tsundere energy was off the charts.
Compared to her, Luo Qing still preferred the soft, gentle, and more approachable Outer Persona.
At least the Outer Persona would blush shyly if he so much as touched her foot. Layla? She stayed prickly even after he saved her life.
"I'll repay you some other day—not today," Layla said, turning her head to avoid looking at Luo Qing.
If this had happened a few hours earlier, while the Outer Persona was asleep, she might have reluctantly invited him for dinner.
But not now.
The Outer Persona was close to waking up.
With Luo Qing's character, leaving them alone together at night could only lead to trouble.
He'd already touched her feet and patted her head before.
If they spent more time together, who knows where his hands might wander next?
Even if they shared the same body, some things still needed to be protected.
At least from Luo Qing!
"Are you sure you can make it back like this?"
Luo Qing glanced her over. Her clothes were torn in several places, exposing patches of snowy skin that hinted at all kinds of unspeakable scenarios.
"Mind your own business."
Layla stood up, and thanks to the Vitality Pill, she felt unusually energetic.
But that also meant her body was now ready for the Outer Persona to wake up.
"Oh no..."
Before she could finish her thought, her vision began to dim.
This was the telltale sign of the Outer Persona waking.
"You better not do anything indecent to her, or I'll make you pay..."
Layla glared at Luo Qing, but before she could finish her warning, her body went limp like a puppet with its strings cut and fell forward.
Right into Luo Qing's arms.
"Huh?" Luo Qing froze in place.
Everyone saw that, right?!
She fell into my arms on her own! I didn't do anything!
"Young people... Falling asleep wherever they please..." Luo Qing shook his head with a wry smile as he looked at the unconscious Layla in his arms.
The wilderness was completely deserted.
No one was around.
So... should I...?
As his mind started to wander into dangerous territory, the person in his arms stirred.
"Uh... Where am I...? Luo Qing... sir?!"
The Outer Persona, now awake, opened her eyes and immediately noticed her predicament.
Seeing herself cradled in Luo Qing's arms, she jolted awake and scrambled out of his embrace like a startled deer.
The sudden chill on her skin made her realize something was wrong.
Looking down, she saw her clothes were in tatters, with much of her pale, delicate skin exposed—particularly across her chest.
It looked as though her clothes had been slashed with a blade... or torn by hand.
She glanced at Luo Qing, then at her chest, and seemed to piece something together.
Covering herself instinctively, she backed away several steps before stumbling over a rock and falling to the ground.
"Luo Qing, sir... You... You didn't... Oh, it hurts!"
Tears welled up in Layla's eyes as she whimpered, but before she could finish accusing him, Luo Qing flicked her forehead.
"What kind of nonsense is rattling around in that little head of yours?"
He poked her forehead again, and Layla, now sitting on the grass in a duck-like posture, covered her head with both hands to shield herself.
"L-Luo Qing, sir! Stop poking me... It hurts..."
"What were you thinking? You were sleepwalking and ended up attracting a bunch of Hilichurls. If I hadn't saved you, you'd be their dinner by now."
"Hi-Hilichurls?"
Layla finally noticed the field littered with Hilichurl corpses, all impaled by golden rock spines.
"So... that's what happened..."
Feeling guilty, she lowered her head and muttered softly, "Luo Qing, sir... Could I trouble you to... turn around for a moment?"
"What for?"
"Nothing... Just turn around, please."
"..."
"Fine."
Not knowing what she was up to, Luo Qing shrugged and turned around.
"Call me when you're done."
"Mm..."
Layla nodded softly.
The moment Luo Qing wasn't looking, she quickly lifted her skirt to inspect her body.
Luo Qing wouldn't have... done anything, would he?
---
T/N: Is this what happens when I get better at translating the original intent of the writing, holy shit how much have we missed? or maybe this is new? im going crazy
stellaris HSR got bonked again :((, off to the hub the scribble one (will be reuploaded there this week will put in end of chapter when it has been)
Greetings, esteemed reader.
Your presence throughout this chapter's journey is deeply appreciated. In Liyue, we hold that every tale, much like the enduring stone, gains strength through the appreciation of those who encounter it.
Should you wish to support WiseTL's dedicated endeavors in bringing these narratives to you, you may consider visiting:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Even the most modest contribution serves as a cornerstone, fortifying the foundation upon which future stories are built.
With sincere regards,
Zhongli
(who let this old man here?)
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