Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable-Chapter 408: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable []
Chapter 408 - This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [408]
Deep Within Meropide Fortress
Time had passed since Lumine and Paimon arrived in Meropide Fortress.
Day after day, Luo Qing observed the pair weaving through the labyrinthine stronghold. Eventually, almost everyone—prisoners and guards alike—had taken notice of the unusual travelers.
According to the updates Lynette regularly provided, Lumine and Paimon appeared to have been distracted by the so-called "rules" and rumors of Meropide, believing them somehow connected to Tartaglia's disappearance.
Luo Qing wasn't surprised. He'd long since investigated these so-called "hidden truths." They were nothing more than baseless superstitions dreamed up by overly paranoid individuals.
Meanwhile, the pressure gauge near the sealed valve was steadily creeping downward day by day.
Since Lumine's arrival, the Primordial Water beneath the fortress had grown noticeably more active, as though responding to her presence.
"Probably just a few more days..." Luo Qing murmured, standing atop an elevated platform. His eyes flicked to the gauge's needle, which was deep in the red zone, then shifted to Clorinde, who stood vigil beside the valve.
"You all look pretty calm," he said, his tone edged with sarcasm. "Got a plan up your sleeves?"
Clorinde didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stared at the gauge, her expression unreadable.
"Neuvillette mentioned that something ancient is sealed down here," she said softly. "If even the predecessors couldn't fully suppress it, what chance do we have?"
"So, no plan," Luo Qing concluded, his tone clipped. His gaze shifted to the steel gates lining the corridor leading to the exit.
"Or do you seriously think those flimsy things will hold?"
He still couldn't wrap his head around Fontaine's peculiar vulnerability to water. Despite extensive testing—touching, drinking, and even immersing himself in the Primordial Water—he had experienced no adverse effects.
Even the supposed "heightened sensitivity to Hydro" had no discernible impact on him.
Clorinde remained silent for a long moment before muttering, "A slim chance doesn't mean no chance."
With that, she turned and began to leave.
"I've got other matters to attend to. It's in your hands now."
She still didn't fully trust Luo Qing, but Wriothesley had insisted on involving him—even staking his title as duke as collateral. Clorinde could only assume Wriothesley had been offered something substantial in return.
As she departed, Luo Qing stayed behind, staring at the gauge, his thoughts adrift.
To ensure he'd be present when the Primordial Water inevitably breached the seal, he had practically taken up residence in the underground chamber.
Thankfully, the Void Network's signal reached even here. Chatting with his daughter, Nahida, or watching anime helped stave off the mind-numbing boredom. Without those distractions, he might have gone mad.
Seated on the stairs, Luo Qing was just about to log into the Void Network when a metallic scraping noise drew his attention.
"Huh?" He frowned, rising to his feet.
Was the valve already failing?
He quickly approached, summoning a deep violet energy shield to envelop himself.
Even though the fluid had no apparent effect on him, it was better to be cautious.
When he reached the valve, he noticed a strange liquid seeping through its metal seams. It shimmered faintly, like liquid starlight.
"This..."
Luo Qing crouched to examine it, his mind racing.
While he'd seen the Primordial Water before, it had always resembled ordinary seawater, with only the faintest glow.
But this...
This liquid was different, almost otherworldly. It sparkled like the night sky brought to life, and he felt an almost irresistible urge to touch it.
Am I imagining this?
Before he realized it, his hand had already extended. Gently, he pressed a finger to the glowing liquid.
The instant his skin made contact, an indescribable sensation surged through him, traveling from his fingertip to his core.
"What is this feeling..." Luo Qing muttered, his brows furrowing.
For the first time, he felt something emanating from the fluid—an emotion.
"Anger? Or..."
He rubbed the residue between his fingers, his thoughts swirling.
This was entirely different from the inert fluid he'd encountered before.
What made this so distinct?
As he pondered, a distant sound reverberated through his mind. It was deep, resonant, and haunting.
"A whale song?" Luo Qing whispered, his expression darkening.
Teyvat has whales? Or is it something else... Kun-kun, maybe?
His thoughts grew muddled. Too many pieces of information were coming at him all at once, and he couldn't make sense of them.
Determined to find clarity, Luo Qing turned to leave, intending to question Wriothesley.
But before he could take a step, a deep rumbling noise came from the valve below.
The metallic seal groaned ominously, the sound of strained metal filling the chamber.
Startled, Luo Qing looked down just in time to see part of the valve bulge outward.
The pressure gauge needle shot to its limit.
"What?!" Luo Qing's eyes widened.
Just moments ago, everything had seemed stable. How had things escalated so suddenly?
Was it... because I touched it?!
Reacting swiftly, Luo Qing summoned countless stone spines that erupted from the ground, intertwining like chains to fortify the valve.
At the same time, he logged into the Void Network, shouting into Wriothesley's mind.
"The valve's about to blow—get down here!"
Back in the office, Wriothesley nearly spat out his tea.
"You're saying now?!"
"What else would I mean?!"
"..." Wriothesley gritted his teeth.
"Hold tight. I'm on my way!"
He rushed out of his office, barking orders to guards along the way to evacuate the area as he made his way to the underground chamber.
How could this be happening now?
By his calculations, the seal should have held for at least another week. He hadn't even had time to notify Neuvillette!
Bursting into the chamber, Wriothesley was relieved to see the valve still intact, wrapped tightly in Luo Qing's stone fortifications.
"Well, that's a sight," Wriothesley muttered.
"You're lucky I'm here," Luo Qing said, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Or else this whole place would already be underwater."
"How long can you hold it?" Wriothesley asked.
"No idea," Luo Qing replied, shaking his head. "The pressure down there keeps building, and it's getting stronger with every push. I can't guarantee how long my constructs will hold."
He gestured toward the valve.
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"It's almost like..." He paused, narrowing his eyes.
"...like it's alive."
