Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable-Chapter 426: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [] [40 PS]

A few days later...

Since the incident in Meropide Fortress, Fontaine had become almost unnaturally calm.

The Steambird reported no major news. The courts had no grand trials, and Furina, usually making theatrical public appearances, was nowhere to be seen.

If not for Luo Qing occasionally using the Void Terminal to contact Furina, he might have thought she had simply given up on life.

Even Arlecchino had gone silent, seemingly aware that he had taken control of Lynette and Lyney. She issued no new orders to the twins and had instead busied herself tinkering away in Meropide Fortress.

The once turbulent Fontaine had grown so peaceful that even Luo Qing's usual idling felt unsettling.

It was as if everyone around him was keeping secrets.

Makoto, without warning, had insisted on bringing her family to Fontaine under the guise of "missing him." But Luo Qing, knowing her ability to glimpse the future, found the excuse far too simple to believe.

Arlecchino, too, seemed to be lying low for reasons he couldn't discern.

Even the Tsaritsa, who appeared recently, had only come to rush him about his progress.

If all this wasn't a sign of hidden machinations, then his years as a spy had been for nothing.

"Tsk, another boring day..."

Luo Qing gazed out the window at the clear, cloudless sky, shaking his head.

Though he enjoyed taking it easy, this calm-before-the-storm atmosphere made it impossible to relax.

"Maybe I should find something entertaining to do..."

He pondered for a few moments, considering how to pass the time.

Just then, his Void Terminal flickered, and a familiar voice he hadn't heard in a while echoed in his mind.

"Luo Qing, are you free today?"

The voice on the other end belonged to Furina, her tone unusually subdued.

Her mood didn't sound great—perhaps another emotional response to watching a particularly "healing" anime the night before?

"What's wrong with your voice?" Luo Qing asked flatly. "What did you watch this time?"

"I went to bed early last night!"

Furina's voice suddenly perked up, full of energy.

Of course.

Bickering with Luo Qing was always her comfort zone.

"Alright, what do you want?" Luo Qing said, tapping on the window as he teased, "Don't tell me the illustrious Lady Furina is asking me out?"

"How did you... Ahem!"

Furina's voice faltered for a moment, followed by a few awkward coughs as she regained composure.

"Hmph... Just answer me: are you coming or not?"

"Of course," Luo Qing said with a chuckle. "How could I possibly decline an invitation from Lady Furina?"

Furina rarely put aside her pride to reach out. Regardless of her motive, Luo Qing knew he had to go.

"Good. Meet me outside the city," she said before abruptly disconnecting the call.

"..."

Luo Qing blinked in surprise.

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Normally, Furina would have taken her time, delivering a string of dramatic lines before gracefully hanging up.

"What's gotten into her..."

Scratching his head, Luo Qing changed into something presentable and informed his household before heading to the rendezvous point.

Before long, he arrived at the eastern side of the Monsceau Mountains.

Standing atop the ruins of an old waterway, Furina gazed silently toward the distant Fontaine Research Institute.

A faint breeze stirred her hair. She turned her head slightly, sensing his approach.

"You came all the way out here..."

Luo Qing sighed, slightly out of breath from the prolonged use of his time-stopping ability to rush over.

He had expected Furina to suggest something lighthearted, like desserts or an opera. Instead, she had dragged him all the way out to the Liffey region.

"Are you that out of shape?"

Furina cast a disdainful glance his way. "It's not even that far, and you're already winded."

"..."

Luo Qing fell silent.

One of these days, I'll show you just how "in shape" I really am.

"So, what's this about?" he asked, walking up to stand beside her. Together, they looked out at the blue, cube-like structures floating in the distance—a mystery even the Fatui's intelligence files couldn't explain.

"You..."

Furina shot him an annoyed glance before snorting.

"Can't I call you out without a reason?"

With that, she turned and started down a narrow path through the ruins.

"Walk with me."

"Sure..."

Luo Qing followed obediently, falling in step behind her.

"But if it's just a walk, why come all the way out here? We could've strolled through the city, grabbed some desserts—"

"Don't mention desserts!"

Furina cut him off with a slight pout, glancing down at her stomach.

"And... I don't want to be around too many people right now. I just want some quiet."

"In that case..."

Luo Qing leaned forward. "Am I not considered 'people'?"

"?"

Furina took a deep breath.

Could this guy focus on anything normal for once? Can't he see my mood isn't great?

Without a word, she lifted her foot and kicked him lightly before glaring.

"Do you always have to find an opening to tease me?"

"Well, it is something I'm good at..."

"..."

Furina fell silent, giving him a sharp look before walking ahead in a huff, as though trying to shake off an annoying boyfriend.

But with her short strides, she couldn't outrun Luo Qing. He caught up in just a few steps.

"Alright, alright..." Luo Qing coaxed. "I was just joking. Something's obviously bothering you. Care to share? Maybe I can help."

"Hmph..."

Furina let out a faint hum of discontent, ignoring him as she continued walking.

For a while, the two strolled in silence, the tension between them easing slightly.

Eventually, they reached a dilapidated house on a hillside. Below them lay the underwater city of Meropide.

Stopping in her tracks, Furina gazed at the sea below and spoke softly,

"Luo Qing... Do you think we can survive this?"

"What...?" Luo Qing blinked, caught off guard.

"I mean..." Furina hesitated, then asked, "If you had to choose between saving me or the people of Fontaine, who would you choose?"

"You, of course," Luo Qing answered without hesitation.

"..."

Furina felt a flicker of warmth in her heart, but before she could speak, Luo Qing added,

"If you're gone, who else am I going to get the Hydro Gnosis from?"

"..."

[Frustration Points from Furina +1]

Furina stomped her foot. "What if you had to choose between me and the Gnosis?!"

"Please," Luo Qing said, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh.

"Where do you get the confidence to think you can compare to a Gnosis?"

"..."