This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [378] [100 PS]
"L-Lynette?!"
Lyney froze at the sight of his sister's disheveled state. Her damp stockings and flushed expression sent his imagination spiraling into worst-case scenarios.
In an instant, his Pyro Vision flared to life, and he glared at Luo Qing as though confronting a mortal enemy.
"LOU QING! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SISTER?!"
"Huh…?" Luo Qing blinked, confused.
Before he could explain, Lyney summoned his elemental energy and rushed past Luo Qing toward Lynette.
However, just as he was about to reach her, an icy frost shot toward him. Instinctively, Lyney countered with flames, but the freezing force overwhelmed him, extinguishing his fire and locking his legs in place.
"Who…?!"
Lyney turned his gaze toward the source of the frost, his breath catching in his throat.
Standing there was a striking figure clad in a black-and-white maid uniform, her icy blue eyes filled with deadly intent.
"You… you're…?!"
Recognition dawned on Lyney as his pupils widened in shock.
"Lady… Rosalyne?!"
Lyney's voice trembled as he spoke.
Wasn't she supposed to be dead?
According to Snezhnaya's records, Rosalyne's grave should've been overgrown by now. Yet here she was, not only alive but wearing a provocative maid outfit and stationed in Luo Qing's home.
"Calm down, brother. I'm fine," Lynette said softly, noticing Lyney's stunned expression.
She couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief that her brother was just as baffled by Rosalyne's appearance as she had been.
Seeing her brother's reaction almost made her own confusion feel less lonely.
"I'm fine, really. Lord Brighella didn't do anything to me…"
"R-really?" Lyney's gaze darted back to Lynette's damp stockings, his suspicion refusing to wane.
"Why were you in such a hurry to barge in?" Luo Qing asked, his tone light as he closed the door behind him. He walked over leisurely, a faint smile on his lips.
"And now? You've seen something you shouldn't have. That makes things… complicated."
Rosalyne bowed respectfully and addressed Luo Qing.
"Master, how should we handle him?"
Her cold and deferential demeanor sent a chill down Lyney's spine.
"Master?!"
His world tilted as the idea of Rosalyne, the 8th Harbinger, addressing Luo Qing with such reverence shattered his understanding of reality.
Even Arlecchino, their "Father," would have trouble comprehending this.
"Lord Brighella… what is going on here?" Lyney asked, his tone faltering.
"Nothing too serious," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly. With a nod, he signaled Rosalyne to release the ice holding Lyney in place.
"Had you not barged in, you could've taken Lynette and left quietly. But now that you've seen Rosalyne, things have become… tricky."
Luo Qing smirked and leaned closer to Lyney.
"I'm a fair person, Lyney. You have two choices: keep this secret or… well, you understand."
Lyney stiffened, his gaze flicking toward Rosalyne, who resumed her cleaning duties as if nothing had happened.
"I… I can keep your secret, Lord Brighella," Lyney said hesitantly.
"Oh?" Luo Qing raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"Really? I don't believe you."
"..."
"There is another way," Luo Qing added. He stepped forward and locked eyes with Lyney, snapping his fingers.
In that instant, Lyney's gaze turned vacant, his mind ensnared.
Lynette, watching from the side, felt a mix of emotions.
Her brother, typically calm and composed, had lost his reasoning the moment her safety was involved. Now, thanks to his recklessness, both siblings were under Luo Qing's control.
As Lyney's consciousness returned, he realized what had happened.
"Lord Brighella… what did you do to me?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Feeling the newfound compulsion in his heart, Lyney finally understood why Rosalyne was here and why she served Luo Qing so obediently.
"You're free to leave now," Luo Qing said with a smile, brushing his hands together as if dusting off a task.
"Or you could stay for dinner. I caught a big fish today—it'd be a shame to eat it alone. I can explain everything to 'Father' if needed."
"..."
"N-no, thank you," Lyney stammered, his earlier confidence completely drained. His gaze lingered on Lynette's damp stockings, and he couldn't help but ask, "Forgive me, Lord Brighella, but… why are my sister's stockings… wet?"
"Oh, those? I used one to gag her earlier. It got a little wet from spit," Luo Qing replied casually.
"Whose… whose spit?"
"Take a guess."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Lyney +1]
[Frustration Value from Lynette +1]
---
As night fell, Arlecchino sat in her study, her chin resting on her hand as she contemplated her next move.
With Furina revealed to lack both the Gnosis and the authority of a true Archon, all previous preparations revolving around her had to be reworked from scratch.
Tartaglia's recent antics had caused a stir, providing an unexpected opportunity to strike. If her plans were to succeed, she needed to secure the Gnosis before the prophecy's catastrophic events began.
Lost in thought, Arlecchino felt a pang of concern.
The twins have been gone for far too long…
Just as she was about to step out for fresh air, the door opened, and Lyney and Lynette entered.
"'Father,'" they greeted in unison, bowing respectfully.
"You're late. Did something happen?" Arlecchino asked, her sharp gaze falling on them.
"No… nothing," Lyney replied, shaking his head.
"Lord Brighella was… insistent that we stay for dinner before leaving."
"Dinner?" Arlecchino's brows furrowed slightly as she scrutinized their expressions.
"...He used his mind control on you, didn't he?"
"No! Of course not," the twins replied in unison, their voices low.
"Lord Brighella didn't do anything like that."
"Is that so…" Arlecchino studied them for a moment before smiling faintly.
"Alright, then. You've done well. Go rest for now. You've earned it."
"Yes, 'Father.'"
After they left, Arlecchino rose and stood by the window, gazing out at the night sky.
"Luo Qing… you've become quite similar to the person I used to be."