This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [356]
"Help us…"
Furina's expression shifted slightly with discomfort as she muttered in a low voice, "Who... Who needs your help? With me, the great Hydro Archon, here, there's no way that prophecy could come true!"
"Oh?"
Luo Qing let out a light chuckle.
"But Lady Furina, you do seem like someone in desperate need of help."
"Hmph! As a deity, I lack the power befitting a god, forced to watch my people gradually fall into panic over that prophecy. Even that Lord Neuvillette seems capable, but I doubt he alone can end the foretold judgment."
"I…"
Furina was momentarily speechless.
Luo Qing's words struck directly at the heart of the issue, leaving the usually eloquent Hydro Archon without a response.
"So…"
Luo Qing smiled and approached Furina.
"If you, Lady Furina, cannot wield the power of a god, why not consider working with us?"
"Work together…"
Furina raised her head, staring directly into Luo Qing's eyes.
"You mean with Snezhnaya—"
"No, no, no…" Luo Qing shook his head.
"This is purely a personal collaboration, unrelated to Snezhnaya."
"What do you want…"
Furina's tone softened as her posture deflated slightly.
Across from her, Luo Qing's lips curved mischievously. He extended a finger, pointing at Furina's chest, and smirked.
"If our collaboration succeeds and the prophecy is averted, then I want you, Lady Furina…"
"Huh?!"
Furina was taken aback.
"…your Gnosis."
"…"
[+1 Frustration from Furina]
"I…" Furina felt a mix of emotions.
Did Luo Qing deliberately pause mid-sentence just now?!
"Well, Lady Furina, how about it? Care to consider?" Luo Qing spread his arms, his face adorned with a playful smile.
"We're professionals. I promise to give you the most seamless experience."
"…"
Furina stared at his smirking face, speechless. Why had she never noticed how infuriating his grin was before?
"The Hydro Gnosis is the foundation of Fontaine. I can't give it to you…" Furina whispered.
For some reason, she instinctively trusted Luo Qing. If anyone could resolve the judgment prophecy, perhaps it was him. Yet, the Hydro Gnosis was far too significant—she couldn't possibly hand it over.
"Then how about we negotiate for something else…"
"Negotiate for what?"
Before Furina could process his words, Luo Qing reached out, cupping her cheeks with both hands, and said softly,
"I want you, Lady Furina."
"Huh?!"
In an instant, Furina's face flushed visibly red.
Her gaze darted away as she quickly pulled free from Luo Qing's hands, her head turning to the side.
"Y-you… What nonsense are you spouting?! How dare you profane me, the Hydro Archon!"
"Did I?" Luo Qing smiled faintly, the grin of a seasoned rogue returning to his face.
"The prophecy clearly states that Fontaine will be left with only you, Lady Furina. Trading yourself for the survival of your people seems like a worthy exchange, doesn't it?"
Luo Qing's reasoning was simple.
The Gnosis belonged to the Hydro Archon. By claiming the Hydro Archon herself, the Gnosis would naturally follow, wouldn't it?
As long as he won Furina over, obtaining the Hydro Gnosis would just be a matter of time.
But that was a matter for later.
"Well, Lady Furina, will you consider it?"
"Absolutely not!"
Furina crossed her arms, huffing in indignation.
As Fontaine's Archon, she had countless admirers, but Luo Qing was the first to dare say such things directly to her face.
Were it anyone else, she would've already had them dragged to court.
But since it was Luo Qing, and he'd caught her in a weak moment, all she could do was vent her frustration verbally.
"Alright, alright," Luo Qing said, waving her off nonchalantly, unfazed by Furina's anger.
"This is just a negotiation, after all. If you're not satisfied, we can keep discussing. Everything's negotiable; we'll surely find terms acceptable to both sides, won't we?"
"Hmph…" Furina snorted, turning her head away.
She silently vowed to remember this insult and get her revenge someday!
"Anyway, that's my offer." Luo Qing shrugged.
"I want the Gnosis. If you're willing, Lady Furina, I'm open to a second option too."
"…" Furina stayed silent, seemingly deep in thought.
"Well, if you're not saying anything, I'll take it as you're considering. Now then…"
Luo Qing leaned back in his chair, speaking casually.
"It's getting late. Are you staying here tonight, or heading back to the Palais Mermonia?"
"Huh?"
Furina snapped out of her daze.
"You're kicking me out already?"
"What else? Or do you want to stay and do something else with me?"
"You—!"
Furina's face flushed red again as she glared at him, before awkwardly looking away.
After a moment of silence, she turned back and murmured, "I'll go back."
"Alright."
"But you must escort me."
"…"
"Why?"
"I…" Furina faltered, lowering her head.
"Who knows if that thing will show up again? You brought me here, so you have to take me back!"
"…"
In his life, Luo Qing had never met a woman both so fierce and so timid.
"Fine, I'll take you back," he agreed.
Using Time Zero wouldn't take much effort anyway. Given how terrified Furina had been earlier, he could indulge her this once.
Luo Qing opened the door to his study.
Standing in the hallway was Charlotte, her expression tense.
"Were you eavesdropping?"
"Ah…?!" Charlotte's eyes darted nervously.
"N-no! I was just passing by on my way to the restroom…"
"It's fine. You're one of us, anyway. Even if you heard, it's no big deal."
Luo Qing shook his head slightly and patted Charlotte's shoulder. "It's late. Get some rest."
"Ah… Oh…" Charlotte stammered as she watched Luo Qing escort Furina out of the room and disappear into the night.
"The Hydro Gnosis…" Charlotte muttered to herself, repeating the words she'd overheard.
"Wait, no!"
Suddenly realizing something, she gasped.
Luo Qing had just called her "one of us"!
When did she become one of his people?!
"What's all this noise about?"
Theresa, woken by Charlotte's outburst, emerged from her room rubbing her eyes.
"Luo Qing just told Lady Furina that I'm one of his people!" Charlotte exclaimed in a panic.
Given Luo Qing's affiliation with the Fatui, Furina might misunderstand and think Charlotte was also part of the Fatui!
Theresa glanced lazily at the Cryo Vision hanging from Charlotte's hip and yawned.
"You are one of us…"
---
"..."
- Gardevoir
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