This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [370]

"..."

Watching Furina flaunt her authority from the central balcony, Luo Qing was at a loss for words.

How does she come up with these conclusions?

Even with minimal thought, it was obvious Lyney couldn't be the culprit.

Still, this situation aligned closely with the narrative trajectory Luo Qing had anticipated for this particular event in the opera house.

Once the security personnel sealed off the area, they began collecting evidence. From the remains on the stage, it seemed Lyney was indeed the most likely suspect.

However, Luo Qing wasn't convinced. The faint sounds of fighting he had overheard during the performance suggested there was more to the story.

Unperturbed, Luo Qing remained seated, curious to see how events would unfold.

But then, Neuvillette rapped his cane on the floor again, his commanding voice echoing through the theater.

"Security will now conduct a thorough investigation. All unrelated individuals must leave the opera house in an orderly manner after being questioned. No one is to leave or remain without permission."

With the main doors locked, leaving the opera house meant undergoing questioning by the security team—a process mandatory for ordinary citizens.

For Luo Qing, however, such restrictions were little more than a formality.

"Mr. Luo Qing, what should we do now…?"

Navia's voice echoed in his mind through the Void Terminal. She sounded uncertain, likely unsettled by the murder that had just occurred.

"What do you think? Who's the culprit?"

"I…"

Navia hesitated.

"I don't know, but I don't think it's Mr. Lyney…"

"Exactly." Luo Qing smiled faintly and replied via the Void Terminal, "In that case, Navia, I'll leave it to you to lend them a hand."

"Huh?!" Navia sounded surprised.

"Are you asking me to help clear Mr. Lyney's name…?"

"No, I want you to assist the Traveler. Like I said earlier, building rapport with her will benefit both you and me."

With that, Luo Qing rose from his seat and joined the line of spectators awaiting questioning by security.

"He's… leaving?"

Furina blinked in surprise. Just as she was about to showcase her brilliant reasoning skills as the Archon of Justice, Luo Qing had the audacity to walk away?!

How would he see her moment of triumph now?

Maybe… she could call him back?

No, not with so many people watching.

If she made him stay, wouldn't it look like they were close? Or worse, that there was something between them?

Meanwhile, Neuvillette, overseeing the security team, glanced up and noticed Furina staring fixedly in one direction. Following her gaze, he spotted Luo Qing, who was smirking and gesturing innocently as he cooperated with the guards.

"..."

[+1 Frustration Value from Neuvillette]

For a brief moment, Neuvillette wondered if Luo Qing could be connected to the murder.

But after some thought, he dismissed the idea. There was no apparent reason for Luo Qing to orchestrate such a scheme.

And so, Neuvillette allowed him to leave the opera house unimpeded.

Outside the opera house, Luo Qing walked calmly, monitoring Navia's conversation with Lumine and Paimon through the Void Terminal while planning his next move.

Now that he had a contract with Furina, his focus had shifted from searching for the Hydro Archon's Gnosis to unraveling Fontaine's prophecy.

Once the prophecy was resolved, he would claim Furina's Gnosis.

And if she refused, he'd simply take her instead—delivering her to Makoto and Bu'er for a bit of "guidance."

Let's see if she'll still refuse after that.

"Looks like I'll need to exchange intel with Arlecchino," he mused.

With the investigation at the opera house holding little intrigue for him, Luo Qing headed toward the Buffati Manor.

---

As dusk settled, Luo Qing arrived at the grand gates of the Buffati Manor. Adjusting his collar, he knocked lightly.

After a moment, soft footsteps approached from the other side. A shy young man with freckles opened the door, poking his head out.

"Are you here to see—oh Lord Brighella!"

"Long time no see, Freminet." Luo Qing handed him a bag of desserts. "This is a little gift for the kids."

Without waiting for a response, Luo Qing stepped inside.

"I'm here to see 'Father.' Is she in?"

"Well…" Freminet hesitated, his gaze conflicted.

He hadn't expected someone of Brighella's stature—a Harbinger, no less—to address Arlecchino with the same title as the rest of them.

"Bring him up, Freminet."

A calm, mature voice floated down from the upper floors. It carried an air of elegance, its owner clearly unperturbed by Luo Qing's arrival.

"Yes, 'Father.'"

Freminet gave a slight bow in the voice's direction, then turned to Luo Qing with a polite gesture.

"This way, Lady Brighella."

"Thanks."

Luo Qing followed Freminet upstairs, pausing briefly to wave at the curious children peeking at him from the shadows of the hall.

At the end of the corridor, Freminet pushed open the door to a meticulously arranged study.

Luo Qing entered alone, and the door shut quietly behind him.

"Tea or coffee?"

Arlecchino, seated at a table, busied herself with an ornate tea set. Her calm demeanor suggested she had anticipated Luo Qing's visit.

"Whatever you're having."

Luo Qing gave a respectful bow before taking a seat across from her.

He couldn't help but admire her composed, graceful presence. As the Fourth Seat of the Fatui, Arlecchino had always exuded an air of control, capable of handling any situation with precision and poise.

"You've been to the place?"

Arlecchino poured a cup of steaming tea and slid it across the table to him.

"Yes. I was almost arrested by your precious Chief Justice," Luo Qing replied with a chuckle, taking a sip of tea. "He seems very protective of whatever's inside that thing. It must be important."

"And did you… interact with it?"

"Interact?" Luo Qing echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Law Compensation Energy."

"Oh, so that's what it's called?" Luo Qing feigned surprise. With a slight motion, he extended a hand, allowing a faint blue energy to flicker at his fingertips.

"There's plenty of this stuff in there. I just brushed against it, and it hasn't fully dissipated yet."

"..."

Arlecchino's gaze lingered on the energy at his fingertips, her expression unreadable.

"You're certain all you did was touch it?"

"What else could I do?" Luo Qing countered. "If I'd taken more, would Neuvillette have let me walk out alive?"

"..."

Something about his phrasing felt… off.

"Just a touch, and you absorbed so much of it?" Arlecchino murmured, lowering her head in thought.

Originally, she had planned for Lyney to investigate the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale during his magic show. But since Luo Qing had already handled it, her suspicions were confirmed.

"Hmph. It seems they haven't been idle all these years after all…"

---

drops link [patreon.com/WiseTL]