This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [330]

"No matter what that person said to you…"

Neuvillette offered a slight bow and spoke in a calm tone. "Please don't take it to heart, Mr. Luo Qing. Our Hydro Archon has a rather… unique personality. If she caused you any trouble, I hope you'll forgive her."

"It wasn't much of a bother…" Luo Qing muttered, thinking back to Furina's antics the previous night.

She's cute, I'll give her that. Just not the brightest bulb in the box.

"In that case, I won't say more," Neuvillette replied, giving Luo Qing a quick glance.

At that moment, the rain stopped, and the gloomy overcast sky was replaced by sudden sunshine.

"You seem bored, Mr. Luo Qing. Is Fontaine not to your liking?"

"Not at all," Luo Qing replied, waving his hand dismissively. "It's just that I can't find much to do."

With no leads on his targets and no Void Network to assist him, the downtime should have been perfect for relaxing. Yet Fontaine offered no battles to distract him, and the citizens' love for theater and performance held little appeal. Beyond fishing, there wasn't much for Luo Qing to occupy himself with.

"There are plenty of beautiful places to see in Fontaine," Neuvillette remarked. He paused before continuing, his tone slightly lighter. "If you have free time, I recommend exploring a few."

He began listing several notable locations:

"For instance, the Ophecleide Opera House in the eastern district. When no trials are being held, it often hosts captivating plays and magic performances. The scenic fountain in front of the opera house is also a famous attraction…"

Despite his formal and aloof demeanor, Neuvillette's detailed descriptions and elegant phrasing made the places sound genuinely interesting.

However, Luo Qing wasn't particularly interested in sightseeing. He was more inclined to seek out something fun or thrilling—unlike Furina, though, he wasn't prone to foolishness.

"Mr. Luo Qing, should you choose to visit these locations, I believe you'll find them rewarding. However…" Neuvillette's tone shifted slightly, becoming more solemn. "There is one place in Fontaine that you must avoid."

"Oh? Where would that be?" Luo Qing leaned forward, intrigued.

"The Ashen River District," Neuvillette said, his voice calm yet firm. "While I doubt you'd be interested in such a place, I must caution you regardless. Many tourists, driven by a sense of adventure or curiosity, have ventured there. Some lost their belongings; others lost their lives."

"For your own safety, Mr. Luo Qing, I strongly advise against visiting the Ashen River District."

"The Ashen River District…" Luo Qing repeated the words under his breath, a spark of curiosity lighting in his mind.

"That area is beneath Fontaine, isn't it?"

"Yes," Neuvillette confirmed with a nod.

So it really is an underground district, Luo Qing thought, his curiosity growing. Why is it that every city seems to have an upper and lower level?

"Thank you for the warning, Lord Neuvillette. I'll be sure to keep it in mind," Luo Qing said politely, though he mentally noted the district's name for a future visit. There might be something unexpected waiting there.

"Good," Neuvillette replied with a nod, glancing briefly toward the towering Fontaine buildings in the distance and then at the now-clear blue sky.

"I must return to prepare for the afternoon's work. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Mr. Luo Qing. Until next time."

"Until next time," Luo Qing replied.

As Neuvillette's figure receded into the distance, Luo Qing packed up his fishing gear and decided to try his luck in a deeper part of the water.

---

By evening, the skies began to dim, and Luo Qing found himself still empty-handed.

Whether it was due to Fontaine's clever fish or simply bad luck, he'd achieved nothing but frustration by the time he returned home.

The moment he stepped inside and glanced around, an instinctive sense of vigilance flared up.

Someone's been here—and touched my things.

"Well, your alertness hasn't dulled," a mature female voice called out from the living room.

"Looks like you haven't forgotten everything I taught you."

Luo Qing turned to see a woman dressed in an elegant black-and-white tailcoat seated calmly on his sofa.

"Long time no see, Lady Arlecchino," Luo Qing greeted, exhaling as he lowered his guard. He placed his fishing gear by the door and headed to the kitchen to prepare tea.

He was well aware of Arlecchino's capabilities. If the Knave hadn't been holding back any hidden power sources, Luo Qing felt confident he could easily subdue her if it came to that. Not that he had any intention of doing so right now.

"When did you arrive? You could've given me some warning," Luo Qing said casually.

"Freminet mentioned you wanted to discuss something with me," Arlecchino replied, her gaze briefly flicking to the Pure Ice tucked in Luo Qing's coat. Her tone turned colder. "If it's about the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon, don't bother."

"Why not?" Luo Qing asked, unfazed. He placed a cup of tea before her and began to reason.

"Lady Arlecchino, you know my abilities. If we combine your intelligence with my strength, it won't matter who currently holds the Gnosis—it'll be as good as ours."

"This matter isn't up for negotiation," Arlecchino said, sipping her tea without concern for the possibility of poison.

"If you're here on behalf of Sumeru, I won't interfere. But if you're here for the Gnosis…" Her tone grew sharper, her gaze cold and unyielding. "Then you'll find yourself opposing not just me but the entirety of the Fatui stationed in Fontaine."

Though she didn't know why the Tsaritsa had orchestrated this, Arlecchino was certain of one thing: if she failed to personally acquire the Gnosis, the Tsaritsa would revoke the promised rights to its power.

Her entire operation in Fontaine had been meticulously designed for this purpose, and she wasn't about to let Luo Qing's silver tongue jeopardize it.

"Ah… I see," Luo Qing muttered, exasperated. Internally, he debated using unconventional methods to persuade her.

Goodwill cards were risky—they often backfired by turning people into obsessive allies. Master-level tools were still out of reach, and even if he had one, he doubted he could use it on the woman who'd raised him.

And while mind control was an option, its temporary nature and high energy cost made it impractical for controlling someone as powerful as Arlecchino for long.

Guess I'll have to hold off for now.

"Alright, I won't push the matter further," Luo Qing said with a shrug, feigning resignation. "But for what it's worth, I need that Gnosis desperately. Even if it means going against all of Fontaine and the Fatui, I'll get it. That said…"

He softened his tone, extending his right hand.

"If you ever change your mind, come find me. I promise, if we secure the Gnosis together, you'll have full control over its power."

Arlecchino's gaze lingered on his outstretched hand, unreadable.

---

T/N: is Fimini Freminet? :3c (yes they are)

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