This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [331]

Despite Luo Qing's casual offer, Arlecchino remained unmoved.

On one side was the ancient Tsaritsa, a deity who had existed since the Archon War, and on the other was Luo Qing, her newly appointed Twelfth Harbinger whom she had personally raised.

Even without much deliberation, it was obvious to Arlecchino whose side she would choose. Unless, of course, Luo Qing came to her one day claiming that he had somehow subdued the Tsaritsa herself—an impossibility she couldn't entertain.

After finishing her tea, Arlecchino vanished without a trace.

Luo Qing, unfazed, cleaned up the tea set, changed into his dark, stealthy "Midnight Courier" attire, and prepared to head out toward the Ashen River District.

As for Furina's decree that he wait for her every evening to discuss the livestream plans?

Ha.

There was no way he was indulging that eccentric girl's whims.

Let her figure it out herself.

Just as he opened the door to leave, Luo Qing found someone blocking his way—a petite girl in a black hooded cloak, her smooth calves faintly visible beneath its hem.

"You're heading out?"

The hooded girl looked up at him, her surprise evident.

"I am. Why?" Luo Qing asked, unfazed.

"Well, well! Did I not tell you we'd be meeting every evening to discuss the livestream? Do you dare ignore my orders? I'll cancel our partnership immediately if you keep this up!"

Furina crossed her arms, looking utterly offended at Luo Qing's audacity to disregard her instructions.

"…"

Luo Qing resisted the urge to flick her forehead.

"You said you'd be here later at night. I'm just heading out for now. What's the problem?"

"I said 'at night,' and I hold the final right of interpretation!" Furina huffed, her arms still crossed.

"..."

"Fine." Luo Qing sighed, beginning to regret ever using Fontaine as the first test site for the Void Network.

Initially, he'd wanted to kill two birds with one stone: secure the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon and establish the Void Network simultaneously, possibly even leveraging Fontaine's technology for a few innovative tricks.

But in hindsight, maybe he should've launched the network in Inazuma instead. With Ei and Makoto holding the fort, no one would dare interfere.

Mess with me in Inazuma? Good luck keeping your head.

"But I really want to go out right now. What do you suggest I do?" Luo Qing asked nonchalantly, entirely unfazed by Furina's threats.

"You can't," Furina declared firmly. "I made time for this discussion today. You should be grateful, yet here you are, thinking of ditching me?!"

"How about this…" Luo Qing gave Furina a once-over.

She was dressed similarly in a black hooded outfit, likely to avoid drawing attention—a look that practically screamed suspicious individual.

"Come with me. Consider it an outing to gather inspiration for the livestream."

"Go out?" Furina tilted her head, suspicious. "Where are you planning to go?"

"The Ashen River District," Luo Qing replied smoothly, masking his true intentions with ease.

"As a Sumeru scholar, studying the cultures of foreign lands is crucial. I've heard the Ashen River District is quite unique to Fontaine, so I plan to conduct some research there."

"The Ashen River District…" Furina's expression faltered, her usual bravado replaced by a hint of hesitation. She looked uncharacteristically uneasy, as if recalling something unpleasant.

"You're crazy. Why would you go there?" she asked.

"Oh?" Luo Qing crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing in amusement. Furina's reaction only fueled his curiosity.

Her hesitation was telling. Did she know something about the district that scared her?

"Well, well, surely the most beloved god in Fontaine isn't afraid of the Ashen River District? Surely not!"

"You—!"

Furina's cheeks flushed with anger.

"Who said I was afraid?!" she snapped, her voice rising.

"As the most adored deity in Fontaine, I'm welcomed wherever I go! There's no place I can't set foot in!"

"Oh?" Luo Qing leaned back, smirking.

The fish hadn't been biting earlier today, but it seemed he'd finally caught something worthwhile.

"Then how about proving your words with actions, Your Grace? Surely this isn't too much for the esteemed Hydro Archon?"

"You…!" Furina stomped her foot, hesitated for a moment, then huffed indignantly. "Fine! Let's go! Why would I be afraid?"

"Great. That's all I needed to hear."

Luo Qing gave a small nod, stepping out the door and shutting it behind him.

"Shall we?" he called out, already heading toward the district's entrance.

Furina, caught off guard by his lack of ceremony, stood rooted in place for a moment, her smooth legs and white lace stockings illuminated by the dim light.

If she stayed behind, her reputation as a deity would suffer. But if she followed…

That place…

Luo Qing had offered her no escape route.

This guy doesn't know how to give me a dignified way out!

Furina's frustration simmered as she noticed Luo Qing looking back at her from a distance, his expression carrying an unmistakable challenge. It was as if he were saying:

What's the matter? Are you scared, little pup?

"Hmph!"

"Let's go! What's there to fear?" Furina declared, pulling her hood lower over her face and stomping after him like a petulant child.

"But let me warn you—if this trip doesn't inspire anything, you'll find yourself on trial!"

"Of course, Your Grace," Luo Qing replied with a smirk.

He hadn't expected the eccentric Archon to actually agree, but having her along for the ride would make the journey to the Ashen River District far less boring.

The Ashen River District, located beneath Fontaine, was essentially the city's sewer system in modern terms. Heavy manhole covers were installed at its entrances to deter entry.

But to Luo Qing, the obstacles posed no challenge. With a light motion, he lifted the cover with ease.

As soon as the path opened, a peculiar stench wafted up—a pungent mix of rotting food and stagnant water that could only be described as intensely sour.

"Ugh…" Furina grimaced, covering her nose. "Do we really have to go down there?"

"Hmm?" Luo Qing shot her a sidelong glance, his expression teasing.

Surely the esteemed Hydro Archon isn't afraid, is she?

---

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