This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [114]
He learned that they had already met Kamisato Ayaka once and were now on their way back to Komore Teahouse to meet her again after completing three small requests.
This also meant that Lumine's first encounter with the Raiden Shogun was fast approaching.
As someone who knew the story, Luo Qing wasn't particularly interested in the upcoming events. He was far more focused on figuring out when he could persuade Rosalyne to leave the Tsaritsa and join his side.
At most, he might intervene if Lumine found herself in a life-threatening situation.
After parting ways with Lumine and Paimon, Luo Qing, as usual, bought a large bag of desserts and headed back to Yae Publishing House to pick up some newly released light novels. Then, he returned to the safe house.
He pulled out the interstellar toilet from his system inventory, adjusted it a bit, and then sat down.
With the sound of a satisfying flush, he was instantly transported to the Plane of Euthymia.
In the center of the realm, Ei floated cross-legged in mid-air, holding a light novel. She glanced up at Luo Qing and said coolly,
"Why are you so late today?"
"I ran into a couple of acquaintances and chatted with them for a while."
Luo Qing, now well-practiced, set down his bags and then moved to tidy up the mess of empty dessert boxes and wrappers scattered around.
"Honestly, you can't just wait for me to clean up every time. You should at least do it yourself occasionally."
Luo Qing sighed.
For almost a week, he would come to the Plane of Euthymia to deliver treats and clean up Ei's space, organizing the scattered light novels and throwing out leftover trash.
He was beginning to feel more like Ei's personal housekeeper.
Not that it was entirely a bad thing—every visit would earn him a slight increase in Ei's affection level. It was now up to 35 points.
"I never asked you to clean up. You're the one who insists on doing it."
Ei ignored Luo Qing, pulling the dessert bags closer and rummaging through them.
Her face lit up slightly when she found the familiar Dango Milk.
"You're unbelievable."
Luo Qing shook his head and glanced around.
Thanks to his repeated visits, the Plane of Euthymia now looked vastly different from the first time he had seen it.
Two bookshelves stood behind Ei, filled with light novels she had already finished. In one corner of the shelves, a pile of empty dessert wrappers lay stacked.
Thanks to the peculiar nature of the Plane of Euthymia, the desserts Luo Qing brought here never seemed to spoil.
If he added a single bed and a computer desk, this place might truly become the ultimate haven for a shut-in.
This girl... am I really fattening... no, I mean, ruining her?
He suddenly thought of Lumine, who he had seen earlier, and wondered if her brain would short-circuit if she saw this scene.
"By the way,"
Luo Qing sat down in front of Ei, trying to probe her thoughts.
"If I remember correctly, you approved the Vision Hunt Decree because you saw Visions as a variable—a hindrance to eternity, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Why?"
Ei replied indifferently, eyes never leaving her light novel as she sipped on her Dango Milk.
"..."
"Don't talk with your mouth full."
"..."
Ei's gaze darkened slightly, and she swallowed the dango.
"What, are you trying to object?"
"No, just curious."
Luo Qing shook his head. "If Visions are a variable because they allow people to control elemental powers, and thus hinder eternity, doesn't my Breath Style do the same thing? So why did you have me teach it to them?"
"Only the unexpected counts as a variable. Swordsmanship has been passed down for generations—it is a form of eternity, and not a threat to it."
"What if, one day, someone is able to use elemental powers without a Vision?"
Luo Qing leaned forward.
"If someone can wield the elements without a Vision, they would naturally be a variable."
"What would you do then?"
"That's the Shogun's responsibility, not mine."
Ei continued reading. After a moment, she added,
"But if the Shogun can't handle it, I'll take care of it myself and eliminate the threat."
"..."
Damn, that's harsh...
Luo Qing was taken aback.
He had thought that his constant deliveries might soften Ei's resolve.
But she remained as ruthless as ever—ready to draw her sword at the slightest provocation...
"Why did you suddenly bring this up?"
"Oh, nothing. Just messing with you."
"...?"
...
After leaving the Plane of Euthymia, Luo Qing casually disposed of the trash.
He glanced at Rosalyne's room; a sliver of light was visible through the door crack, indicating she hadn't left all day.
With nothing else to do, Luo Qing decided to go fishing, so he called out down the hallway, "Theresa! Get ready; we're going fishing!"
Before Theresa could answer, Rosalyne's door swung open.
Long legs stepped out, her face wearing a haughty expression tinged with annoyance.
"Can you keep your voice down?"
"Huh?"
"Lower your voice! You're bothering me! Hmph!"
With that, Rosalyne slammed the door shut.
Luo Qing was left bewildered.
Why does she also have the vibe of a shut-in?
Has she been ruined, too?
A moment later, Theresa came clacking down the hallway in wooden sandals, carrying a fishing rod, her purple eyes filled with eager anticipation.
"Alright, my lord, let's go."
"Mm..."
Luo Qing took one last look at Rosalyne's door before heading out with Theresa.
As they passed by Komore Teahouse, he made brief eye contact with the hostess, Kano Nana, who quickly looked away. Luo Qing watched her for a moment before awkwardly nodding a greeting.
Just as they were about to leave, a burst of cheerful laughter drifted out from inside the teahouse.
Although muffled by the wooden walls, Luo Qing's heightened hearing could make out every word clearly.
It was Kamisato Ayaka and Lumine playing a hotpot game inside.
Judging from the sounds, it seemed that Paimon had eaten a beetle that Ayaka had slipped into the pot...
"Tsk, they seem to be having a good time."
Luo Qing couldn't help but sigh.
If Ayaka's older brother hadn't come to disrupt things, he might have been in there enjoying the hotpot with them.
Ever since the end of training, Ayaka had been preoccupied with the fate of her clan and her new friendship with Lumine, leaving no time for their meetings.
Come to think of it, what Kamisato Ayato had said to Ayaka wasn't wrong.
Getting too close to Luo Qing could easily lead to accusations of colluding with the Fatui. If the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions were ever purged of Fatui influence, the Yashiro Commission wouldn't be able to escape scrutiny either.
It was similar to how Ganyu had treated him in Liyue—Ayaka had made the sensible decision.
Luo Qing was long used to this.
...
Shortly after Luo Qing left, inside Komore Teahouse:
The group, satisfied after their meal, sat around the hotpot table with contented smiles.
Paimon patted her belly and turned to Thoma. "By the way, Thoma, how do you know Luo Qing?"
Hearing this, Ayaka's expression shifted to surprise, and she spoke up before Thoma could answer.
"Huh?! You two know my master— I mean, Mr. Luo Qing, too?!"
"Of course! We met him back in Liyue!"
Paimon puffed out her chest. "We know all about what he did there!"
"Is that so..."
Ayaka's gaze softened as she recalled Luo Qing's previous warnings. She asked gently,
"Could you tell me more about what Mr. Luo Qing was like in Liyue?"
"Sure thing!"
Paimon agreed enthusiastically.
...
Some time later:
Fishing on the coast, Luo Qing suddenly received a system notification.
[+1 Frustration Value from Kamisato Ayaka... +1 +1 +1 +1...]
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T/N: JJAJAJAJA POSTURE CHECK WATER CHECK
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