This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [344] [400 PS]

Some battles are planned, others are unexpected—but a true Champion embraces them all. Consider this bonus chapter one of those surprises.

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"Why would you go down there?"

Luo Qing sighed heavily. "Sit tight and watch the show."

The trial was already dealing with a corrupt official accused of colluding with the Fatui. If Childe jumped in to help the guy, it would be like waving a giant banner that screamed, We're all in this together!

"I didn't mean right now..."

Childe scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I just want to see what their so-called duels are like. If it's too boring, I won't bother."

Fontaine was a land of steam and technology, and its security relied heavily on autonomous machines. Who knew if these duels were little more than child's play?

"Stop talking and watch," Luo Qing said, gesturing for Childe to keep quiet.

The spectators quickly settled into the seats surrounding the dueling grounds.

On the platform, the accused Interior Minister, Skar, appeared alongside his chosen dueling proxy—a large, humanoid autonomous machine.

Due to the Fatui connection, most independent duelists had refused to act as Skar's proxy. Thus, he was forced to take the field himself alongside the machine.

On the opposite side of the platform, a woman in a deep blue uniform ascended gracefully.

Clorinde, Fontaine's official dueling champion.

The crowd erupted into cheers at her arrival, for in their eyes, any duel involving Clorinde already had a foregone conclusion.

No one could defeat her in combat.

It was simply common knowledge.

"You know what stepping onto this platform means, don't you?"

Clorinde unsheathed her rapier, her expression cold and unyielding as she stared at Skar, whose hands trembled as he clutched his sword.

"Hmph! So what if I do? I'll defend my honor with this duel!"

Skar's voice was defiant, but his eyes betrayed his desperation. They darted nervously toward one corner of the audience.

Luo Qing followed Skar's gaze and noticed several individuals sitting inconspicuously among the spectators.

They appeared to be ordinary citizens, but Luo Qing's trained eye recognized them immediately—members of the Fatui.

"The duelists are in position. I hereby declare this duel... begin."

Neuvillette's voice resonated through the arena as he tapped his cane against the floor.

High above, Furina remained lounging on her throne, her posture relaxed and indifferent.

The moment Neuvillette's announcement ended, Skar let out a shrill battle cry, ordering his autonomous proxy to attack.

The towering machine's blade-equipped arm gleamed as it charged Clorinde, its other arm firing a barrage of projectiles.

Clorinde didn't flinch.

Calmly, she drew her rapier, the Vision on her hip glowing with a deep purple light.

Lightning danced around her as she moved.

In a flash of violet, the duel was over.

The autonomous machine lay in two halves, neatly bisected at the waist. Its systems sparked feebly before shutting down completely.

"H-How could this be?!"

Skar's face was drenched in sweat, unable to comprehend how his expensive machine had been rendered useless in an instant.

His eyes flicked back toward the corner of the audience, panic setting in as he realized there was no escape.

Gritting his teeth, he raised his sword and charged at Clorinde in a final, desperate act.

"..."

Clorinde's expression didn't change.

She understood all too well that this man had no intention of leaving the dueling platform alive.

However, the rules of the arena dictated that holding back would only give him an opening to strike her down.

Without hesitation, she sidestepped his wild swing and countered with a swift, precise slash.

Skar crumpled to the ground, his sword clattering beside him. Though injured, he was still alive.

"You... Why didn't you just kill me?!"

Skar glared up at Clorinde, his voice filled with venomous resentment.

"You don't deserve to die on this platform," Clorinde replied flatly.

She had seen her fair share of duels and knew that some participants sought only an honorable death.

But Skar? He wasn't one of them. He had no skill, no courage, no resolve.

Without another word, Clorinde turned and descended the steps of the platform.

However, just as she reached the bottom, a pained scream echoed from behind her.

Whipping around, she saw Skar lying lifeless on the dueling platform, his sword buried deep in his own chest.

"S-Suicide?"

The audience murmured in shock, the unexpected turn leaving them stunned.

"Suicide..."

Even Luo Qing hadn't anticipated this outcome.

Turning his gaze back to the audience, he noticed that the Fatui agents he'd identified earlier had disappeared.

So they're Arlecchino's people?

In Fontaine, the Fatui's operations were largely overseen by Arlecchino.

What kind of leverage had she used to push Skar to such an extreme?

"That Clorinde... she's interesting," Childe remarked, seemingly unfazed by Skar's death.

His attention was entirely fixated on the official dueling champion.

Strong, decisive, and skilled—a perfect opponent.

"Luo Qing," Childe asked, nudging him, "if I fought her one-on-one, who do you think would win?"

"You're interested in her?" Luo Qing quipped absentmindedly, his thoughts still preoccupied with the Fatui agents.

"...Huh?"

Childe blinked in confusion.

"I mean in a duel!"

"Yeah, I know. I meant in a duel," Luo Qing replied with a smirk.

"..."

Childe fell silent, unsure how to respond. He felt like they were having two completely different conversations.

"Well, if you want to fight her, go ahead," Luo Qing added. "Just don't mention you're a Harbinger if you lose. It'd be embarrassing."

"..."

"You really think I'd lose?"

"Who knows?" Luo Qing shrugged. "Without your Foul Legacy Transformation, it might be tough."

"Tch. Now I have to test my skills against her..."

Childe's eyes gleamed with determination.

Once he finished tagging along with Luo Qing, he'd be sure to challenge Clorinde to a proper duel.

Skar's death marked the end of the trial.

Neuvillette observed the murmuring audience before tapping his cane again, formally announcing the conclusion of the duel.

While the crowd was visibly shocked by Skar's suicide, their curiosity leaned more toward the drama of it all rather than the tragedy.

As they filed out of the opera house, they buzzed with theories about the true reason behind his actions.

For them, it was just another spectacle—another story to gossip about.

Luo Qing's gaze shifted upward to Furina, who sat on her throne with an air of icy detachment.

She seemed utterly unbothered by Skar's death, her demeanor as cool and aloof as ever.

But then, as if sensing his attention, she turned and met his gaze.

For a moment, their eyes locked.

The room seemed to grow quiet.

And then—

Furina's hand, which had been supporting her head, slipped.

Her forehead smacked against the stone armrest with a dull thud.

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T/N: NOOO FURINA GIRLLLL

A true Champion knows that every battle, every choice, and every unexpected twist shapes the path to mastery. Consider this bonus chapter a rare encounter—one that wouldn't be possible without the right support.

That's why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL]—where every pledge helps bring more high-quality translations to life, staying true to the original while flowing naturally in English. After all, excellence is in the details.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more to prepare for. But you? You should take this opportunity—you never know what rare finds await.

Until we meet again—stay sharp, stay determined, and never stop striving to be your best.

—Cynthia