This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [392] [40 PS]

Meropide Fortress

A sprawling underwater bastion of brass and steel, its dim, yellowish light barely illuminated the space from within copper lamps. The air was damp, thick with the biting tang of rust, punctuated by the occasional drip of water echoing from unseen corners. The oppressive atmosphere could make even the bravest falter.

This was the exile ground for Fontaine's criminals—a place where the environment alone could bring most to their knees. Forget keeping a steady demeanor; even a slightly raised voice from the guards was enough to send newcomers cowering and begging for mercy.

Today, Meropide Fortress welcomed its first guest of the day.

"Name?"

Receptionist Maretti yawned, her expression radiating absolute joy and boundless enthusiasm.

She glanced up at the shackled prisoner before her, his face sporting a fresh shoeprint. There was something oddly familiar about him, though she couldn't quite place it.

"Luo Qing."

"Hmm..."

Maretti jotted down a few notes in her ledger before continuing, "What crime got you in here?"

"Oh, intruding into Lady Furina's bedroom and attempting to steal her shoes and stockings. Caught red-handed by Lady Furina herself."

"..."

Maretti's pen slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the desk. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Luo Qing.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that..."

At least now she knew where the shoeprint on his forehead came from.

"Lady Furina didn't sentence you to immediate execution? Must be your lucky day... All right, head inside."

She wasn't overly surprised—crazed fans like him weren't uncommon. After jotting down a few more notes, she signaled to the guard behind Luo Qing, who gave a curt nod before leading him deeper into the fortress.

Despite the numerous elevators and sewer-like tunnels he had passed through to get here, Luo Qing had only reached the reception area of Meropide Fortress. To truly enter, there was still a long way to go.

The fortress was heavily guarded, with patrol units stationed along every corridor. Intricate mechanical sentries dotted the path, their watchful presence ensuring no escape went unnoticed.

Finally, after taking yet another elevator, Luo Qing caught his first glimpse of the fortress's heart—a massive, steam-filled chamber. The air was stifling, hot like a desert but damp like a sauna, making every breath a challenge.

"Tch. This place... Sergei must've lost his mind to want to stay here."

Luo Qing followed the guards deeper into the fortress until a towering man waved enthusiastically from the side.

"Prisoner number 9527, your guide is here. Go with him."

The guard handed Luo Qing over before turning to leave.

"My lord, you're finally here!"

Once the guard was out of sight, the burly man, Sergei, rushed over, his face brimming with excitement. Tears streamed down his face as he exclaimed, "I've explored every nook and cranny of this place! Come, let me show you around!"

"Hmm..." Luo Qing nodded slightly. "What about the task I gave you?"

"Oh, that..." Sergei lowered his voice. "That Primal Sea Anima you mentioned... I asked around, but no one knows anything. Maybe you should ask the duke—he's the boss around here."

"The duke..." Luo Qing's eyes narrowed, but before he could probe further, a black-haired man in a sleek combat uniform approached him.

"That's him," Sergei whispered, leaning close. "The duke."

The man stopped in front of Luo Qing, his gaze sharp and cold.

"Prisoner number 9527. Attempted to steal Lady Furina's shoes and stockings, caught in the act..."

The duke, who introduced himself as Wriothesley, looked Luo Qing up and down before smirking.

"Hmph. It's rare for anyone to make it into Lady Furina's quarters. I'm Wriothesley. Pleased to meet you, and I hope you won't try sneaking into my quarters for the same reason."

Extending a calloused hand, Wriothesley added, "Welcome to Meropide Fortress."

Luo Qing glanced at the duke's rough, scarred hand, clearly that of a seasoned fighter, before shaking it.

"Don't worry, Duke. I'm not interested in men."

"..."

"Enjoy your stay," Wriothesley said with a faint smile, casting a glance at Sergei. "Since you're old friends, I'll leave him in your care, Sergei. I have other matters to attend to."

With a nod, Wriothesley turned and walked away.

"My lord..." Sergei whispered once the duke was out of earshot. "That man's no joke. He went toe-to-toe with the Harbinger the day he arrived, and neither of them came out on top. Be careful around him!"

"..." Luo Qing shot Sergei a sidelong glance.

"Are you worried he's a threat to me?"

"N-no, of course not!" Sergei stammered, recalling Luo Qing's reputation as a man who could hold his own against even the mighty Raiden Shogun.

"A mere duke doesn't even compare," Sergei muttered under his breath.

"By the way, where's Childe? I showed him around Fontaine, and he doesn't even bother to greet me?"

"Well..." Sergei hesitated. "He went missing last night. That's why security's been so tight lately. The duke probably left just now to deal with his disappearance."

"Missing?"

Luo Qing frowned.

That troublemaker can't even sit still in prison... Did he escape?

"How did he disappear?"

"This morning, he didn't show up for work. The guards searched the entire fortress, but he was nowhere to be found," Sergei explained.

"Did he tell you where he was going?"

"No..." Sergei looked sheepish. "He only mentioned he had somewhere to be. By the time we noticed, he was gone."

"..." Luo Qing nodded, though his thoughts churned.

He had heard rumors that Childe's Vision was temporarily unusable after lending it to Lumine. Disappearing now of all times? There had to be a connection to the Primal Sea Anima.

First, I need to find that guy.