This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [375] [30 PS]

Luo Qing wasn't entirely sure what he'd done wrong.

But since it was Furina, he figured it wasn't worth the argument—better to avoid pushing her into another teary tantrum.

Once Furina had finished devouring her share of desserts, Luo Qing thought for a moment and spoke up.

"By the way, I need your help with something."

"Huh? What is it?" Furina asked, her mouth stuffed with cake as she blinked at him in confusion.

"I've got a colleague who wants to duel your champion duelist, Clorinde. But it seems Clorinde is... less than enthusiastic. Can you talk to her and get her to agree?"

"Wait, what?" Furina looked dumbfounded. "Clorinde? Fontaine's strongest duelist? Who's insane enough to challenge her?"

"...Just answer whether you'll help or not."

"I could agree..." Furina's gaze lingered on the desserts in front of her as she mused aloud, "But you'll need to offer me something in return."

As Arlecchino had pointed out, Luo Qing's relationship with Furina was unusually close these days.

It only took the promise of another batch of desserts from Rosalyne to secure Furina's cooperation.

Munching on the new treats, Furina contacted Clorinde and issued an order. She framed it as a vital duel for Fontaine's honor, urging Clorinde to give it her all and secure victory.

That day, outside the Opera Epiclese, Luo Qing stood by the Fountain of Lucine with a disgruntled expression. Glancing at Tartaglia, he muttered, "I don't get it. You're the one fighting Clorinde—why drag me into this?"

"I had no choice," Tartaglia shrugged helplessly. "Clorinde said the duel needed an impartial observer. I had to find someone both sides could trust. What was I supposed to do—ask Arlecchino?"

"...You owe me big time for this," Luo Qing grumbled, clapping Tartaglia on the shoulder as they continued waiting.

Oddly, the area around the opera house was eerily deserted, as though someone had deliberately cleared it out.

"You sure it's today?" Luo Qing asked skeptically. "There's not a soul around here. You sure Clorinde isn't setting up an ambush?"

"No way!" Tartaglia declared confidently. "I trust Miss Clorinde. She's not like that!"

"..."

Luo Qing fell silent.

How long have you even known her to be defending her like this?

Moments later, the quiet was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps, the sharp click-clack of high heels on the cobblestone echoing through the empty plaza.

Turning toward the sound, they saw a tall, sharp-eyed woman striding toward them. Her expression carried a hint of disdain.

"Hmph. Clorinde, you're finally here!" Tartaglia's tone shifted as he spoke, his voice dropping into an intentionally suave pitch—as if trying to impress her.

"This is the 'impartial observer' you brought?" Clorinde asked, her gaze sweeping over Luo Qing with clear disapproval.

Of course, she recognized the man who'd been growing suspiciously close to her Hydro Archon.

No doubt this guy whispered something to Furina, convincing her to arrange this duel.

"That's right. He's a friend of your Hydro Archon. As a witness, I think he's more than qualified, don't you?"

"..."

Clorinde said nothing for a moment before turning on her heel. "The duel platform is this way. Follow me."

As she led them to the arena, her sharp eyes darted around the quiet surroundings, noting how unusually empty the area was.

The duel platform stood adjacent to the opera house. It was the same place where Clorinde had previously dealt swift justice to a corrupt Fontaine official.

Clearing his throat, Luo Qing stepped forward.

"Alright then. As your witness, I'll oversee this duel. Today's match is purely a test of skill—meant to determine a victor, not a matter of life and death. Not a matter of life and death, understand?"

"..."

"..."

"Then, without further ado, I declare this duel—begun!"

Before his words had even fully settled, Luo Qing blinked away to the audience stands, now holding a box of popcorn.

Clorinde raised an eyebrow, surprised by his speed, but her thoughts were interrupted as Tartaglia lunged at her with dual blades drawn.

Dark purple lightning crackled across the arena as Tartaglia unleashed elemental attacks. Oddly, there was no sign of his Hydro Vision—only the power of his Delusion.

Clorinde, wielding her Electro Vision, countered with a surge of lightning that seemed endless, her attacks striking with precise, unrelenting force.

The two fighters clashed like violet streaks of lightning, their movements so fast that dust swirled around the platform. This was no mere practice match—it was a true battle of skill and power.

From Luo Qing's perspective, however, it all looked like two children squabbling, their actions moving in slow motion.

As the fight dragged on, he finished his popcorn while the two onstage remained locked in combat. Neither had gone all-out—Tartaglia withheld his Foul Legacy transformation, while Clorinde similarly held something back.

"Are they seriously going for 300 rounds?" Luo Qing muttered to himself.

Just then, a burst of gunfire rang out from the distance.

Both fighters immediately paused, their attention snapping toward the noise.

"That direction... it's the Fountain of Lucine," Clorinde said, her brows furrowing in concern.

The opera house was one of Fontaine's most important landmarks. For someone to dare stir up trouble there was almost unthinkable.

"The duel is off. I need to check this out," she announced.

"Of course," Tartaglia agreed, sheathing his weapons. "Sounds like someone's causing trouble. Let's see who's foolish enough to do that on Clorinde's turf."

"..."

Without a word, Clorinde leapt from the platform and headed toward the commotion.

Luo Qing and Tartaglia exchanged a glance, both reading the same amused curiosity in each other's eyes. Without speaking, they followed after her.

As they approached, the scene at the Fountain of Lucine came into view.

A group of unidentified automatons was unleashing a relentless barrage of firepower against the Traveler and Navia's group. The attackers' intensity suggested they weren't holding back.

Clorinde didn't hesitate—she jumped into the fray, flanking the machines and attacking from behind.

Tartaglia, of course, eagerly joined in, summoning his polearm and diving into the battle.

Luo Qing, on the other hand, felt no inclination to step in.

Oh, there was one unfortunate automaton that dared aim at him.

A single burst of geo energy shattered it into dust.

Done.

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T/N: LMAOOO IS CHILDE A CLORINDE SIMP NOW?