The atmosphere in the room froze.
Two figures—one small, one tall—stood on opposite ends of the living room, both rooted to the spot, unsure of how to proceed.
Nahida stared at the woman before her, someone who looked just like an older version of herself.
For reasons she couldn’t explain, the same inexplicable closeness she had felt with Luo Qing began to bloom within her heart.
Hesitantly, she glanced at Luo Qing. He gave her a slight nod, silently confirming the suspicion forming in her mind.
This woman was none other than the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the one who had vanished five centuries ago.
“You…”
Nahida opened her mouth to speak, but before she could finish, Bu’er took a quick step forward, knelt down, and pulled her into a warm embrace.
“Nahida…”
Bu’er’s voice was soft and gentle, filled with a motherly tenderness.
“Finally, I can hold you in my arms.”
“You are… Greater Lord Rukkhadevata…”
Nahida’s voice trembled as she murmured the name, her gaze filled with uncertainty and confusion.
She couldn’t understand why the Greater Lord would embrace her so affectionately.
Yet, strangely enough, she found herself liking this feeling.
“Yes…”
“It’s me.”
Bu’er lifted her gaze to Luo Qing, then turned back to Nahida.
“I’m so sorry, Nahida. You’ve endured so much all these years…”
She had already heard from Luo Qing about the “glorious deeds” of the Akademiya over the past 500 years.
If her divine powers hadn’t been exhausted, she would have gone back to teach those stubborn and twisted scholars a proper lesson and rebuilt their distorted academic culture.
“Mm…”
Nahida hummed softly in response, unsure of how to reply.
Reflecting on the past five centuries, it was clear that much of her pain had stemmed from her own tolerance. Yet, the scholars’ actions were undeniably a significant contributing factor.
To an outsider, it might seem as though a mother had handed her entire legacy to an underage child to bear alone, only to vanish without a trace.
“Greater Lord… why did you disappear 500 years ago?”
Nahida’s voice was quiet, but her question was loaded with yearning.
This mystery had lingered in her heart since the day she was born.
She needed to know the truth.
“I…”
Bu’er hesitated and turned her gaze toward Luo Qing, silently seeking his permission.
“Everyone here can be trusted,” Luo Qing said, nodding slightly. “You can clear Nahida’s doubts now.”
At this, he glanced over at Ei, who sat on the couch.
Understanding his intent, Ei casually waved her hand, strengthening the mental barrier around the residence to prevent any prying eyes or ears from the outside.
Inside, however, remained an open space for everyone to hear.
“Mm…”
Bu’er nodded gently. Releasing Nahida from her embrace, she placed her hands on the young Archon’s shoulders and spoke softly.
“It all began with the Khaenri’ah War 500 years ago…”
Bu’er recounted the events of five centuries past—the mission to protect the World Tree, her self-sacrifice to cleanse it of the corruption wrought by forbidden knowledge, and how that choice had cost her everything.
However, she deliberately avoided any mention of Nahida’s origins.
“And…”
Nahida tilted her head slightly, still puzzled.
“Greater Lord, where did I come from?”
This question had always lingered in her mind, tied to her existence and purpose.
“You…”
Once again, Bu’er turned to look at Luo Qing.
This time, Nahida caught the exchange and followed her gaze, her curiosity deepening.
Lumine, watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but entertain a bold thought.
Could it be…?
After a moment of hesitation, Bu’er’s expression softened.
“You were created by me, Nahida,” she explained gently.
“As the incarnation of the World Tree, my very essence had been corrupted by forbidden knowledge. To fully cleanse it, I had to sacrifice not only my power but also myself.”
“So, I took an untainted branch from the World Tree and gave it form—you—as my reincarnation.”
“I’m sorry, Nahida. I didn’t ask for your consent before entrusting you with the responsibility of guarding Sumeru and the World Tree…”
Bu’er’s voice grew heavy with guilt.
She knew it had been deeply irresponsible to place the weight of godhood on a newborn child without any guidance.
But that was the reality of reincarnation. To be reborn, one had to abandon everything from the past and start anew.
At the time, knowing her end was near, Bu’er had thought that Nahida could take her place by Luo Qing’s side. She had hoped Luo Qing would serve as Nahida’s guide, just as he had once guided her.
But fate had cruelly intervened, stealing Luo Qing away from her grasp first.
“I’m… your reincarnation?”
Nahida looked up at Bu’er, then turned to Luo Qing beside her.
For some reason, the answer left her feeling slightly disappointed, as though it didn’t match her expectations.
“Yes…”
Bu’er smiled gently and nodded.
Though she didn’t know why Luo Qing wished to temporarily conceal their deeper history, she wouldn’t go against his wishes.
“But… if I am a reincarnation…”
Nahida trailed off, unsure of how to express herself.
“It’s Luo Qing,” Bu’er said, her tone filled with warmth as she gazed affectionately at him.
“He found the remnants of my soul, pieced it back together, and gave me a new life. That’s why I can be here with you now.”
“Mm…”
Nahida turned back to Luo Qing, her suspicions deepening.
Her intuition told her that the Greater Lord and Luo Qing were hiding something important from her.
“Alright, that’s enough reminiscing!”
Makoto’s lively voice rang out from the kitchen, breaking the somber atmosphere in the living room.
“Dinner’s ready! If you’ve got more to say, save it for the dining table~”
If Bu’er and Nahida kept talking, it wouldn’t be long before they were both in tears. Better to shift the mood and make the reunion a cheerful one.
After all, this was a joyous occasion, not a tragic farewell.
The room’s energy shifted, and soon everyone gathered around the dining table.
Theresa, ever considerate, relinquished the seat closest to Luo Qing’s left for Nahida. To her left sat Bu’er. One on each side—it was the perfect image of a family of three.
Throughout dinner, Bu’er and Luo Qing frequently served Nahida food, taking care of her from both sides.
The sense of a familial bond grew stronger with every interaction.
Even Paimon, who wasn’t known for her observational skills, began to pick up on it.
It was clear now—Luo Qing and Bu’er’s relationship ran far deeper than the simple bond of saving each other’s lives.
—
Meanwhile, at the corner of the staircase, nestled within the decorative stonework of a statue, a faint blue light shimmered quietly.
It seemed to be watching them.
—
T/N: DUN DUN DUN!!!
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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