After giving Teresa and Natalia a few instructions to stay behind and watch over Inazuma City, Luo Qing prepared to set out in search of Kunikuzushi.
Coincidentally, after completing her negotiations with the Kanjo Commission on Ritou, the Harbinger known as the Lady was also heading to the Delusion Factory. So, Luo Qing first made his way to Ritou, planning to accompany her to Yashiori Island.
He also wanted to ask Rosalyne about his promised position as a Harbinger. After all, she had once used that as a bargaining chip to recruit him.
Several days of travel later…
Luo Qing arrived at Ritou once again.
He had already sent a message to Rosalyne beforehand, arranging to meet her there so they could travel together to Yashiori Island.
By the time he reached Ritou, several Snezhnayan merchant ships were docked at the harbor.
It seemed that Rosalyne’s visit to Inazuma, under the guise of the Snezhnayan envoy she had mentioned, allowed her to act with such boldness.
Following her directions, Luo Qing found himself aboard a cargo ship anchored at the docks.
The sailors were busy loading crates, and he could see bits of Crystalline Marrow falling from the gaps in the wooden planks.
Rosalyne was seated at a desk in the captain’s cabin, reviewing some shipping documents.
When Luo Qing entered, she didn’t bother to look up, merely letting out a cold snort.
“Hmph, in quite the rush, aren’t you?”
Unfazed, Luo Qing sat across from her, smiling. “Not at all. I just couldn’t wait to see you, Lady Rosalyne.”
“…”
“Spare me your flattery. It doesn’t work on me.”
Rosalyne shot him a glance, her brows knitting slightly.
“I’ve reported your accomplishments to Her Majesty. She seems quite interested in you. Once we’re done in Inazuma, you’ll accompany me back for the investiture ceremony, and you’ll be granted your new name.”
“And what if you don’t make it back?” Luo Qing teased.
“…”
【Frustration Value +1 from Rosalyne】
“Do you think I’ll die here in Inazuma?”
Rosalyne set the shipping documents aside, a red moth landing delicately on her finger as she fixed Luo Qing with a cold stare.
They hadn’t seen each other in a while, and it seemed Luo Qing’s cheekiness had only grown.
Did he think he could act this way just because he was about to be on equal footing with her?
She’d have to find an opportunity to teach him a lesson.
“Hmph, don’t think that just because you return, you’ll automatically become the Twelfth Harbinger. You know Snezhnaya doesn’t keep idle hands. Before the investiture, you’ll have to prove your worth and your talents to Her Majesty.”
“Talents?”
Luo Qing looked puzzled.
“Does eighteen centimeters count?”
“…”
Rosalyne’s expression darkened.
She was this close to grabbing something and hitting him.
“Hmph, we’ll see if you can keep up that smart mouth when the time comes.”
“Oh, by the way, Childe knows about your investiture. He’s planning to oversee your evaluation personally.”
“So, in addition to proving yourself to Her Majesty, you’ll also have to fight him. If you don’t earn his approval, you won’t even have the right to meet the Tsaritsa.”
“Ah, seriously…”
Luo Qing was at a loss for words. He thought back to that time when he’d eliminated a few of Childe’s subordinates.
Was Childe really holding a grudge over that?
Was he so eager to pick a fight?
“What’s the matter, scared?”
Rosalyne’s lips curled into a smirk.
There had been rumors about a mysterious figure who had suddenly appeared and repelled Osial, with the Fatui assuming it was some hidden power from Liyue.
To this day, few in the Fatui knew the true extent of Luo Qing’s abilities, save for his handful of eccentric followers.
Though Childe’s mind might not be the sharpest, he was undeniably a formidable fighter.
She’d heard about Luo Qing’s unorthodox methods during the trials, but she doubted he could stand up to Childe in a direct confrontation.
Luo Qing shook his head, replying casually, “Not at all. I’m just worried that if I knock him down, he might lose face.”
“…”
Rosalyne was left speechless, wondering where he got such confidence.
“Go back to your cabin. Just seeing you is irritating.”
With that, Rosalyne got up and left the captain’s cabin, heading to the deck for some fresh air.
The thought of soon facing another person with an even fouler mouth than Luo Qing’s was exhausting.
…
Several days later.
Rosalyne’s ship finally docked at Yashiori Island.
During the journey, Luo Qing had taken every chance to hang around her, bringing up the most absurd topics.
…
“Have you ever thought about what kind of life motto you’d have inscribed on your tombstone?”
“Or who you’d want to be buried with?”
“If nothing’s left of you, not even ashes, would you consider a cenotaph?”
…
It was as if he was convinced she’d meet her end in Inazuma.
What an ominous attitude.
He must have some screws loose.
As they arrived at the designated harbor outside the Delusion Factory, Yashiori Island remained as foreboding as the last time Luo Qing visited—constantly wracked by lightning and shadowy, malevolent spirits.
For safety reasons, the Fatui’s advance team stationed there had to rotate shifts frequently, lest they fall prey to the same mental strain that had driven the Shogunate soldiers mad.
But for the Sixth Harbinger, Kunikuzushi, such dangers were irrelevant. He remained a steadfast guard of the Delusion Factory, serving as a reliable workhorse.
“Why are you even here? Didn’t I tell you to stay in Inazuma City?” Rosalyne asked as they approached the factory, still feeling something was off.
What reason did Luo Qing have to abandon the relatively comfortable Inazuma City and follow her to this cursed island?
Did he have an itch to get high on the malevolent spirits?
“I just want to spend more time with you, Lady Rosalyne. What if I never see you again?”
Luo Qing replied offhandedly.
“…”
【Frustration Value +1 from Rosalyne】
“Luo Qing, if you keep talking like this, I’ll throw you into the sea to feed the fish!”
Rosalyne snapped, barely containing her frustration. Who goes around cursing someone to die like that?
“Ahem… Fine, fine. I won’t say any more.”
Luo Qing glanced at the entrance to the Delusion Factory’s cave. “How long are you planning to stay here, Lady Rosalyne?”
“A few days.”
“I see.”
Luo Qing paused, then said, “Well, I’ll leave you to it. I’m going to take a stroll. Call me when you’re ready to leave.”
Waving his hand, Luo Qing wandered off into the wilderness.
“Hmph, already developing your own little schemes before becoming a Harbinger?”
Rosalyne watched him go, snorting disdainfully before stepping into the Delusion Factory.
As if dealing with Luo Qing wasn’t enough, now she had to face another foul-mouthed nuisance.
What a headache.
…
Meanwhile…
Once Luo Qing was out of Rosalyne’s sight, he made his way to a secluded cliffside.
With a thought, he retrieved the Mimic Mask and the Invisibility Cloak from his inventory—items he’d drawn in earlier pulls.
Kunikuzushi was not like Osial. If Kunikuzushi realized Luo Qing was messing with him, and given Luo Qing’s connections to the Raiden Shogun, it would be much harder to secretly mess with him in the future.
So unless absolutely necessary…
It was best not to be seen at all.
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