This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [135]
From a distance, Luo Qing spotted the Shogunate reinforcements led by Kujou Sara. He then glanced back at the neatly arranged line of resistance soldiers still dancing on Nazuchi Beach. With a casual wave, he turned off the phonograph.
As soon as the music stopped, the resistance fighters halted their dance. But their bodies, still adjusting, instinctively turned to look at Luo Qing, as if asking: Is it early dismissal today?
"Congratulations, you're free to go,"
Luo Qing said with a light smile. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled out the resistance fighters' clothes from his system inventory and tossed them onto the ground.
To prevent them from escaping, Luo Qing had confiscated all of their gear from the second day onward, leaving them with nothing but their underwear.
"Free to go?"
Gorou blinked in disbelief, wondering if Luo Qing was joking.
"What's the matter? Have you developed feelings for me and don't want to leave?"
Luo Qing teased, walking over and handing Gorou a pair of binoculars.
"Here, take a look."
Gorou raised the binoculars and followed Luo Qing's direction. In the distance, he saw a battalion of Shogunate soldiers approaching, carrying banners, with Kujou Sara at the head of the force.
"If you don't leave now, once they arrive, you really won't be able to leave~"
Luo Qing smirked.
"You're really... just going to let us go?"
Gorou was still in shock.
Like the rest of the resistance fighters, he had half-expected Luo Qing to sell them off as male entertainers. He was stunned to realize Luo Qing was actually keeping his word from a few days prior.
"Don't want to leave?"
"..."
Gorou hurriedly grabbed his clothes and put them on, then shouted to the others:
"Everyone, we're heading back to camp!"
Gorou knew very well the extent of Luo Qing's power. There was no reason for Luo Qing to play games with them. But if Kujou Sara arrived, there'd be no chance of them leaving.
The men scrambled to find their gear and dressed quickly before following Gorou, marching back toward the resistance camp. Luo Qing made no move to stop them, remaining relaxed in his chair, soaking in the sun.
After all, he had already accumulated 3,028 points of frustration value.
Humans have a threshold for frustration. Even the most irritating actions become numbing after a while, as the mind protects itself by becoming desensitized. By now, Gorou and his men had reached that threshold, so there wasn't much more frustration value to milk from them.
Letting them go would also help him score points with Lumine.
Not long after, Kujou Sara's reinforcements arrived. She spotted Luo Qing still lounging in his chair, sunbathing, and couldn't help but feel exasperated.
"I've already been briefed by the soldiers."
Kujou Sara said in a measured tone, "You do realize releasing prisoners without authorization can be considered treason under Shogunate law?"
"Oh? So, are you planning to arrest me for treason, Lady Kujou Sara~?"
Luo Qing teased, still basking in the sun without a care.
"..."
"I'm more curious—why do you always make them dance like that?"
Sara asked, recalling how Luo Qing had once made the trainees at the Tenryou Commission perform those strange dances. Now, even on the frontlines, he had captured prisoners and forced them to dance. Did he have an obsession with watching people dance?
"What, do you want to dance too?"
Luo Qing raised his head, eyeing Sara as a new idea popped into his mind.
Technically, he was in charge of the Shogunate forces on the frontlines. If that was the case, why not get the Shogunate soldiers to join in on the dancing?
"How about we have the Shogunate soldiers do two sessions of dance every day? I'll have Theresa teach them for free."
"..."
[Frustration Value +1 from Kujou Sara]
[Frustration Value +1 from Theresa]
"No, thanks. The Shogunate army isn't here for your amusement."
"Tsk, if you didn't want to, you could've just said so."
Luo Qing dismissed it with a shrug.
He knew he didn't hold any real power—Kujou Sara was the one truly in command of the Shogunate forces. Still, the thought of getting hundreds of soldiers to generate frustration points was tempting.
Suddenly, Luo Qing's gaze shifted toward the distant resistance camp, and an idea began to form.
How about becoming a double agent?
"Alright, keep up the good work. I'm off to go fishing~"
With a glance toward Theresa, Luo Qing signaled for her to follow him, heading toward the shore.
...
Meanwhile, at the resistance camp—
The safe return of Gorou and his men brought joy to the camp. No one had expected that Luo Qing would actually keep his promise and release Gorou without further harm. Apart from a few minor injuries from the rock pillars, most of them were in surprisingly good condition.
Lumine and Paimon had spent the past few days on the frontlines, anxious about whether Luo Qing would honor his word. Seeing Gorou return safely, they were relieved—not having to be stuck in the middle anymore.
After exchanging information with Gorou about Luo Qing, Lumine and Paimon left the camp, intending to assist with logistics.
Just as they stepped outside, a hooded figure appeared, blocking their path.
"Who...?"
Lumine instinctively tightened her grip on her sword, wary.
"No need to be so hostile, it's just me."
Luo Qing pulled down his hood, grinning.
"So, where are you two headed?"
"We... Luo Qing, why are you here all of a sudden? Are you planning to attack the resistance camp?!"
Paimon asked nervously.
"Relax, I'm not here to cause trouble."
Luo Qing chuckled. "You two support the resistance, right?"
"Obviously! What are you up to this time?"
Paimon demanded, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Nothing much. I was just thinking about a little... cooperation. How do you two feel about that?"
"Cooperation?"
Lumine frowned.
"You're the Shogunate's General of Surveillance. What kind of cooperation are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about helping you capture the Shogunate soldiers and teaching them how to dance. What do you think? With my help, your resistance force's power would increase dramatically~"
Luo Qing rubbed his hands together, looking excited.
"..."
Lumine was at a loss for words.
As expected, she knew all too well that the Fatui were always up to no good.
And why was Luo Qing so obsessed with making people dance? Did he have some strange hobby?
---
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Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
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