This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [277]
"General," Igor greeted respectfully with a slight bow, wisely excusing himself from the scene.
Ei nodded politely in response, then walked up to Luo Qing. Her expression held a trace of irritation.
"Well, that was fast," Luo Qing said cheerfully, patting the fishing chair beside him. "Come, I saved a seat for you."
Noticing that she had come alone, he tilted his head in confusion. "Where's Sergei? Didn't I send him to call you?"
Ei glanced disdainfully at the chair next to Luo Qing. After a few seconds of hesitation, she reluctantly sat down.
"I sent him to buy me some novels instead," she said coolly.
"Tch, that's so you..." Luo Qing chuckled softly before continuing. "By the way, that puppet you gave freedom to is down there now, preparing to become the new god. Any thoughts on that? Care to share?"
"Hmph..." Ei leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes.
"It has nothing to do with me."
"Tch, with that attitude, it's no wonder Scara always wants to take a swing at you. If I were him, I'd probably come after you too," Luo Qing teased.
"Oh?" Ei opened one eye and glanced sideways at him.
"I'm kidding, of course. How could I? I care about you too much," Luo Qing said, grinning.
Care, a verb, implying that in bed, he… cared very deeply for her.
"Anyway..." Luo Qing leaned back in his chair, speaking casually. "If all goes well, Lumine should be able to handle Scara. That means you won't have to step in and give him a long-overdue lesson in motherly love."
"Then why did you even call me here?"
You're wasting my time—time I could've spent reading novels or enjoying my sister's latest desserts.
"Well, you know, just in case," Luo Qing replied with a grin, lightly tapping Ei on the forehead with his finger.
The next moment, Ei's vision was overlaid with a live feed. It showed Lumine and her group's current position in the Joururi Workshop, streaming without delay.
"That Dottore is lurking around somewhere, spying in secret. If I step in, he might run off to tattle to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. That would be troublesome," Luo Qing explained. "So after much thought, I decided it's best for you, as the mother figure, to handle this.
"Me? I'm just the stepdad—it's not really appropriate for me to get involved."
"..."
[Frustration +1 from Ei.]
"I'm not his mother, and you are not his stepfather..." Ei said quietly. "Say that again, and I'll cut it off."
"Alright, alright, I won't say it anymore," Luo Qing replied with a laugh. "Anyway, since you're here, I might as well teach you how to fish. Come, sit on my lap, and I'll guide you hand-in-hand..."
---
Meanwhile, in the Joururi Workshop
Upon entering, Lumine had expected to encounter fierce battles. Yet as they advanced, they found not a single soul in sight. It was as if someone had evacuated the place before their arrival.
Recalling Luo Qing's smug face, Lumine felt like she already had her answer.
With Nahida's help, Lumine and her companions quickly bypassed the workshop's security mechanisms.
Pushing open the final circular gate, they reached their destination.
A massive mech, deep purple and revealing only its upper half, stood silently on a semicircular platform.
Inside the mech's head, Scaramouche was covered in a tangle of tubes, his eyes closed as if in slumber.
Sensing movement, Scaramouche slowly opened his eyes.
There they were—Lumine, Nahida, and the others, standing at the command platform, studying him.
"So, it's you..."
"Hmph..."
"I was wondering why today was so peaceful..."
"Turns out I have esteemed guests," Scaramouche sneered, cracking his neck. The movement triggered a series of mechanical groans, and the devices anchoring the mech detached with a clatter.
"The so-called God of Wisdom—is this an invitation to re-enact the Archon War?"
"Ah... the surge of power... the excitement it stirs in my heart... Heh..."
"I'm thrilled."
"Come, let's dance, Buer, the God of Wisdom—"
Before he could finish his theatrics, Paimon cut in.
"Why is Scaramouche talking to himself like that? Is he still the same Scaramouche? He doesn't seem all that smart anymore..."
"You insignificant pest! Do you realize you're interrupting a conversation between gods?!"
Scaramouche's voice cracked with anger, his expression growing even more menacing.
"Uh... I guess he is the same Scaramouche," Paimon muttered.
"Disrespectful wretch!" Scaramouche roared, dropping his pretense. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a massive hand toward Lumine and her group.
But before it could reach them, Nahida raised her right hand. Vibrant green Dendro energy spiraled forth, spreading across the mech.
"Hmph, trying to weave dreams into my body?!"
Scaramouche snorted disdainfully, channeling his power to disperse the green energy.
"So, Dottore was right after all. A God of Wisdom who doesn't rely on brute force can only play petty tricks."
"Did you really think I'd be ensnared by your dreamscape? How laughable!"
---
Riverbank
Watching Scaramouche get caught in Nahida's dreamscape while obliviously grandstanding, Luo Qing couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Look at him, Ei. Doesn't he remind you of someone? He's like your carbon copy—hey, don't pinch me, I didn't say you're stupid."
"Just look at him. He's already trapped in the dream, and he still doesn't realize it."
"He's just sitting there, grinning like an idiot."
"..."
Ei said nothing, but her emotions were complicated.
Luo Qing's words were harsh, but the scene of Scaramouche in the dreamscape was undeniable.
How had he ended up like this over the years...?
She still remembered the pure and innocent look in his eyes once upon a time.
But now...
---
Dreamscape
Thinking he had seen through Nahida's ploy, Scaramouche reveled in his imagined triumph. After theatrically "defeating" her by piercing her with a single strike, he suddenly realized—it was all still a dream.
He thought he had outwitted her, but in truth, it was only another layer of the illusion.
"You dare mock a god?!"
Scaramouche flew into a rage, bringing both hands together in a thunderous smash aimed at Lumine and Nahida.
Lumine shielded Nahida and dodged the attack, but the command platform crumbled beneath them, forcing them onto the circular platform below.
"Hmph. So what if you dodge? Do you really think mere strategy and intellect can bridge the gap in strength?!"
Scaramouche sneered, summoning lightning in one hand and wind in the other, ready to strike Lumine down.
---
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨