This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [346]
Furina jolted awake, startled.
Sitting quietly at the edge of her bed was none other than Luo Qing. When did he even get here? His gaze was fixed on the small white lace socks she had tossed aside carelessly.
"Luo Qing?!"
Furina scrambled backward, retreating until her back was against the headboard. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms protectively around them.
"What are you doing here?!"
"I…"
Luo Qing had just opened his mouth to reply when Furina abruptly pointed a finger at him, her voice rising.
"Hmph! I know! You found out that I know you're one of the Fatui Harbingers, and now you're here to kidnap me, aren't you?!"
"…"
Luo Qing was momentarily speechless.
"Why would I want to kidnap you?"
"How should I know? But you must be here to kidnap me! That Chief Justice earlier—it was your doing, wasn't it?!"
"…"
Luo Qing felt an urge to flick her forehead. But her bed was absurdly large, and he'd have to climb fully onto it just to reach her. He decided against it for now.
"Who told you I'm a Fatui Harbinger?"
"Why should I tell you?"
Furina cowered against the headboard, clearly frightened, yet her voice was defiant.
"You! I even tolerated you flicking my forehead—a clear violation of my dignity—and you still dared to deceive me, betraying my trust!"
"…"
Luo Qing sighed. He couldn't understand why her focus was always so… unconventional.
"Come over here. I have something to say."
"No!"
Furina grabbed a pillow and clutched it in front of her like a shield.
"I know everything about you! You're just waiting for me to let my guard down so you can control me! Do you think I'm that foolish?"
"…"
"You even know about my abilities?"
Luo Qing's brows furrowed slightly. Now he was certain—this was Arlecchino's doing. That conniving woman must have revealed his identity as a Harbinger to both Neuvillette and Furina.
"Come here. I won't kidnap you."
"No!"
"…"
"I'm here to ask about the Void Terminal. I have no hostile intentions," Luo Qing said darkly, his brow twitching.
Couldn't she use her brain for once? Why would a Harbinger kidnap a god? If he were planning to…
Well, wouldn't it make more sense to wait until she was asleep, stripped of all defenses?
"The Void Terminal?"
Furina peeked out cautiously. "Hmph, I've already decided to recall all of your devices! Don't think you can get away with anything!"
"…"
"Just do me a favor and don't recall them," Luo Qing said offhandedly. He had promised Nahida to take care of this, and he couldn't let her down.
"Why should I do you a favor?"
Furina grumbled under her breath, wary that Luo Qing might suddenly lose his temper and do something untoward.
"…"
Luo Qing mulled it over. Given the Fatui's poor reputation, her refusal was hardly surprising.
Should he consider using force…?
That thought was swiftly dismissed. The Archons were all eccentric in their own ways. Even if Furina seemed weak, there was no telling if she was secretly harboring immense power.
If he provoked her and ended up needing to smooth things over later, it would be far too troublesome.
"Fine, fine," Luo Qing sighed, preparing to lay all his cards on the table.
"Neuvillette's information is correct. I am indeed the Twelfth Harbinger of the Fatui."
"I knew it!"
Furina jabbed a finger in his direction, her tone triumphant.
Now that her attendants had been dismissed, she could yell and scream all she wanted without fear of interruption.
"Spill it—what's your sinister plot?!"
"Calm down…" Luo Qing said, exasperated as he looked at her. "And could you please stop pointing your toes at me?"
"Hmph, what's it to you?!"
Furina huffed. "If you don't leave my room right now, don't blame me for what happens next!"
"I'll leave if you agree to continue cooperating on the Void Terminal," Luo Qing replied flatly. "Otherwise, I might just spend the night here."
"You wouldn't dare!"
Furina was appalled.
This was her private chamber—the Hydro Archon's sanctuary! Luo Qing had already broken Fontaine's laws by sneaking in, and now he was threatening to stay the night?!
Where did he get the audacity?!
"If you don't leave now, prepare to spend the rest of your life in Melopide Fortress!"
"No problem…"
Luo Qing waved dismissively, his tone indifferent.
"And while I'm at Melopide, I'll be sure to share some delightful stories with Fontaine's adoring public. Like how their esteemed and elegant Hydro Archon spends her nights lazing in a criminal's home, tossing her socks and shoes around, rolling on his sofa, and stealing his snacks and desserts?"
"You!"
Furina ground her teeth.
"If you dare say a word about that, you're dead!"
"Hah, what makes you think I wouldn't?" Luo Qing chuckled coldly. "I'm heading to Melopide anyway, aren't I?"
"…"
Furina fell silent.
She had originally thought Luo Qing was someone she could let her guard down around—a rare companion who didn't care about her godly status and with whom she could relax and act freely.
In a way, she had enjoyed their nightly bickering sessions.
But this man—this Fatui spy—had been lying to her all along…
Luo Qing!
How are you planning to repay me for this betrayal?!
Ahem, focus.
"Fine, we can continue cooperating. But give me a reason," Furina finally relented, her tone less confrontational as she peeked out from behind her pillow.
"Hmm…"
Luo Qing thought for a moment before nodding.
"Alright. But you have to promise to keep this confidential."
"I'm a Hydro Archon, and you're asking me to keep a secret…" Furina muttered under her breath.
"Well? Do you promise or not?"
"Fine, fine! I promise!" Furina snapped impatiently. "Let's see what kind of story you've got to change my mind."
"First, put on the Void Terminal."
Luo Qing tossed her a small, emerald-green device.
"What are you planning to do with this?"
Furina eyed the Void Terminal warily.
According to the intelligence she'd received, Luo Qing had powerful abilities to manipulate emotions and control minds. If this device put her under his control…
Alone with him in her room, late at night…
"I swear…" Furina peeked over at him. "You're not planning to use this to control me and then take advantage of me, are you?"
"Hmm?!"
Luo Qing flicked her forehead without hesitation.
The distance she leaned in was just right.
"If I wanted to harm you, would I have waited until now? Stop overthinking it and just put it on already."
"Fine, fine! No need to be so grumpy…" Furina muttered, slipping the Void Terminal onto her ear.
The moment she did, her surroundings changed completely.
She found herself in an endless void, bathed in green light and crisscrossed with threads of glowing energy.
Standing before her was a petite, adorable white-haired girl.
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T/N: GAHHH FURINAAA SO CUTE