This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [376] [40 PS]

Under the combined assault of the group, the automaton guards were quickly dispatched.

The once-pristine plaza of the Fountain of Lucine was now littered with shattered gears and debris, the remnants of their intense battle.

Clorinde glanced at the wreckage, pausing for a moment in thought before hurrying over to Navia, her expression somewhat uneasy.

"Navia… are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Navia replied, her gaze shifting from Clorinde to Luo Qing, who stood not far away, pretending to be an innocent bystander. Her tone, while polite, was noticeably cooler than usual.

"Thank you for stepping in, Clorinde. But aside from that, shouldn't you explain why you're here in the first place?"

"Well…"

Clorinde hesitated, glancing briefly at Tartaglia and Luo Qing.

The duel with Tartaglia had been more of an obligation, a direct order from Furina that she couldn't refuse. But her true reason for being here was to discreetly follow Navia and ensure her safety.

"Miss Clorinde came here for a duel with me," Tartaglia chimed in, stepping forward with a grin. He greeted Lumine and the others before continuing,

"But during our match, we heard the commotion and decided to check it out."

"..."

Clorinde remained silent.

Though Tartaglia's casual mention of "our match" irked her slightly, she had to admit it helped deflect suspicion.

"A duel, huh…"

Lumine recalled her earlier encounter with Tartaglia, when he had mentioned wanting to challenge Clorinde.

He actually managed to make it happen...

But more importantly—what was Luo Qing doing here?

"A duel, is it…"

Navia scoffed lightly. "How convenient."

"I…"

Clorinde, sensing Navia's displeasure, didn't retort as she might have otherwise. Instead, her tone softened.

"Regardless, Navia, you must realize that you're being watched. You're a target now."

"Oh, I'm well aware of that," Navia replied, crossing her arms. "In fact, I'm surprised they waited this long to act."

Her response was curt, showing little appreciation for Clorinde's concern.

Meanwhile, Tartaglia looked utterly lost, his wide-eyed confusion evident as he observed the exchange.

"Why do you girls talk in riddles like this? They? Who's they—"

"Enough." Luo Qing appeared behind Tartaglia, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him away.

"You're not helping. Let them finish their conversation. The duel can wait."

As he pulled Tartaglia along, Luo Qing waved to Navia and the others, his voice carrying a mock cheerfulness.

"Take your time, ladies! Don't mind us—we're leaving!"

With that, he disappeared from view, taking Tartaglia with him.

Thanks to the Void Terminal, Luo Qing could still listen in on the conversation through Navia's perspective. He didn't need to physically intrude to eavesdrop.

As for Tartaglia, dragging him away was a practical decision—the guy's impulsive nature would only stifle the conversation.

Now, Luo Qing could comfortably enjoy his private "listening party."

Sure enough, no sooner had they left than Navia and Clorinde resumed talking.

"I believe following someone without their knowledge is typically called 'stalking,' isn't it?" Navia asked pointedly.

"I'm sorry, Navia," Clorinde replied, her voice apologetic. "But it was Mister Carre's final wish. I couldn't risk letting you come to harm…"

"Enough!" Navia snapped, her tone sharp. "Stop bringing up my father!"

Luo Qing, listening through the Void Terminal, smirked knowingly. Looks like I was right—Navia's tied to the plot after all.

It seemed the string of disappearances was connected to events from Navia's father's time, and her current actions were likely driven by a desire to clear his name.

"Guess she really took my advice to heart," Luo Qing murmured to himself with a chuckle.

Tartaglia shot him a puzzled look. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing. Just thinking about something amusing," Luo Qing replied with a wave of his hand.

"Next time you want to duel someone, find your own referee. I've got better things to do than babysit you on vacation."

"Oh yeah? Like what—reeling in every fish in Fontaine?" Tartaglia retorted with a snort.

"..."

[Frustration Value from Luo Qing +1]

Luo Qing stared at him, exasperated.

This guy is so dense.

I'm working myself to the bone for the Tsaritsa's plans for the Gnosis, even sacrificing my dignity…

And he thinks I'm just fishing?

"Whatever," Luo Qing said with a sigh. "Just enjoy your vacation and stop causing trouble everywhere you go, alright?"

Tartaglia fell silent, his expression unreadable.

Despite being Luo Qing's senior as a Harbinger, it was hard to shake the feeling of being scolded by a younger sibling.

If only I could beat him in a fight…

---

Meanwhile, back at Luo Qing's house.

Furina, whose daily routine was packed with "eating melons" and heading off to find more gossip, only returned at night.

As for Theresa, the self-proclaimed lowest-ranking mistress of the house, her sway over the household was limited. While she could enjoy meals prepared by Rosalyne, she had little authority to command the elite maid.

Without Makoto and Buer around, Theresa found herself deferring to Rosalyne on nearly all matters. After all, this former Harbinger had once been her superior.

At the moment, Theresa lay sprawled on the sofa, idly reading a light novel.

Her gaze occasionally drifted toward Rosalyne, who was diligently cleaning the room in her lace-adorned maid uniform.

I wonder when Master Luo Qing will finally give in to his instincts and claim her, Theresa mused.

Rosalyne's ample curves seemed tailor-made for motherhood. With her around, Theresa figured she might get some much-needed relief during the nights.

Initially, Theresa had relished the idea of having Luo Qing to herself, savoring his undivided affection.

But over time, she realized there were nights when being alone with him was… too much to handle.

Sure, it's amazing… but not being able to walk the next day is a problem.

As the two went about their respective tasks in the living room, Rosalyne's demeanor suddenly shifted. Her calm, collected aura was replaced by an icy sharpness as frost began to emanate from her. Grabbing her broom, she darted up the stairs toward Luo Qing's study.

"Who's there?!"

Theresa was still processing what had just happened when she heard a startled cry from upstairs.

The voice was that of a young girl—one that sounded strangely familiar.

Who could it be?