The woman’s body was shrouded in a veil of ice-blue light, revealing only the outline of her imposing figure while concealing her true appearance.
She was identical to the vision Luo Qing had seen in the Tsaritsa’s chambers on the day of his induction as a Harbinger.
This was…
The Cryo Archon!
Luo Qing’s pupils dilated, his mind struck as though by lightning.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to be summoned by the Tsaritsa at this moment.
His gaze flickered toward the Doctor, who stood watching the show with a faint smirk.
That subtle upturn of his lips said it all: He definitely went back and tattled.
“Broleria…”
From the radiant veil, the Tsaritsa’s voice echoed with an icy, aloof majesty, as frigid as the snowy peaks of Snezhnaya.
“Your Majesty…”
Luo Qing lowered his head slightly, bowing respectfully.
The Tsaritsa was impervious to all his emotional manipulation abilities—a clear sign that he wasn’t a match for her at his current level.
So, it was better to play along.
“Return to Snezhnaya. Bring the Gnoses… and yourself.”
“Ah… about that…”
Luo Qing hesitated.
He was living quite comfortably here in Sumeru, far removed from the reach of imperial authority.
Returning would mean dealing with Pierro, the Tsaritsa herself, and that unpredictable girl, Columbina.
It would be far too stifling.
“What’s this? Are you unwilling?”
The Tsaritsa’s voice remained as frosty as ever, but there was a trace of displeasure beneath the surface.
“Of course not, Your Majesty…”
Luo Qing’s mind raced as he scrambled for an excuse.
“It’s just that I still have unfinished business in Sumeru. Perhaps I could complete my tasks here before returning to report to Your Majesty…”
“Oh?”
The Tsaritsa’s tone shifted, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice.
“What kind of business? Let me hear it.”
“Uh…”
Luo Qing faltered, glancing at the Doctor as he weighed his words. Finally, he spoke.
“I believe the Akasha system utilized by the Sumeru Akademiya holds immense potential. If properly controlled, it could aid in recovering the remaining two Gnoses…”
“But as a prerequisite, I would need to temporarily retain the Dendro Gnosis. I humbly ask Your Majesty for more time to carry this out.”
“Hmph…”
From the glowing veil came a faint scoff, tinged with disdain.
Not only was Luo Qing caught off guard, but even the Doctor seemed momentarily stunned.
In all his time as a Harbinger, the Doctor had only ever seen the Tsaritsa as a cold, aloof figure, the epitome of an icy beauty.
Never had she shown even the faintest hint of emotion.
Is she… actually upset?
“You wish to wield the Dendro Gnosis and control the Akasha system,” the Tsaritsa said slowly. “Tell me, then—how do you intend to deal with the Dendro Archon?”
“Ah… that…”
Luo Qing was momentarily speechless.
The solution was simple enough, but saying it out loud was a different matter entirely.
What could he say? That he was the Dendro Archon’s nominal father, and that she was his nominal daughter? That he had even brought her mother back to life, reuniting their family of three? Would that suffice?
“I have my methods, Your Majesty. I only ask for your patience,” Luo Qing said firmly.
“A fine claim of having ‘methods’…”
The Tsaritsa’s tone remained cold, yet it seemed increasingly tinged with emotion.
The Doctor, meanwhile, was thoroughly confused. Not even Pierro had ever managed to evoke any emotion in the Tsaritsa’s voice.
Yet here was Luo Qing, driving the icy queen to the brink of showing frustration.
It was as though the Tsaritsa might, at any moment, shove Luo Qing to the ground, plant her heel on his face, and demand to know his intentions.
What the…
The Doctor’s thoughts involuntarily drifted back to a photograph he had once forwarded to Snezhnaya—a snapshot of The Raiden Shogun and Luo Qing passionately embracing at the bow of a ship.
Shortly after that, the Tsaritsa’s ice-blue crystal had been delivered to Luo Qing, accompanied by a decree that it was a “gift of great significance” for him to retrieve personally.
Could it be…
Huh…
“Very well…”
After a long silence, the Tsaritsa’s voice returned, calm and devoid of emotion once more.
“Brighella, I grant you one year. Within that time, return to Snezhnaya with all three Gnoses. Fail, and you will bear the consequences.”
With that, the glowing veil dispersed, and the Tsaritsa’s projection dissolved back into ice-blue energy, retreating into the crystal.
“…”
[Frustration +1 from Luo Qing]
The Tsaritsa’s parting words were essentially an order for him to fetch another Gnosis.
There were only two left in the world now!
Luo Qing massaged his temples, unable to fathom why he was receiving such “special attention” from the Tsaritsa.
Look at Scaramouche—hellbent on revenge in Inazuma. Or Childe, slacking off in Liyue every day. Neither of them had been summoned by the Tsaritsa in person!
Luo Qing felt like a corporate employee whose performance review hadn’t gone well.
Dragged into the “manager’s” office—where the Tsaritsa, the ever-intimidating boss, grilled him on why his quarterly targets hadn’t been met.
Now he’d signed a high-stakes agreement: deliver three Gnoses within a year, or face the boss’s personal “punishment.”
This feels… too familiar.
If the Tsaritsa’s hair were silver…
Shudder. Too spot-on.
But the question remained:
Why was the Tsaritsa taking such an interest in him?
He glanced at the Doctor’s expression, which practically screamed bystander. Suddenly, the answer clicked.
“Was it you who brought the Tsaritsa’s attention here?” Luo Qing asked.
“Not at all,” the Doctor replied with a faint smile.
Though inwardly rattled by his own suspicions, his expression remained as composed as ever.
“All I did was ensure that certain… activities of yours in Inazuma made their way to Snezhnaya.”
“And after that, Her Majesty reached out. It had nothing to do with me.”
“…”
Luo Qing stared at the Doctor, speechless.
This guy dodges responsibility as smoothly as I do.
“What activities?” Luo Qing asked, feigning calm despite his growing unease.
“I wouldn’t know,” the Doctor replied with a sly smirk. “Perhaps you should ask Her Majesty herself.”
“…”
“Fine…”
Luo Qing sighed, shaking his head. He was about to leave when an idea struck him. Turning back to the Doctor, he leaned in close and said quietly:
“Dottore, if I find out you filed that report…”
“Prepare to send all your segments to Snezhnaya’s central square for a very public naked dance.”
“…”
The Doctor froze, his expression stiffening.
Satisfied with his parting shot, Luo Qing turned and headed for the exit.
He hadn’t gone far when the Doctor’s voice called out behind him.
“You forgot something.”
“Huh?” Luo Qing turned back, confused.
“This.”
The Doctor pushed the ice-blue crystal containing the Tsaritsa’s projection back toward him.
“It’s a personal amulet, granted by Her Majesty herself. She insisted you keep it with you at all times.”
“?”
—
T/N: WOOOOO YEA MORE DRAMA
This is a fan translation of 原神：这个见习执行官太屑了 by 何一乐. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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