Based on Luo Qing’s extensive experience with story developments, all the clues pointing to Meropide Fortress suggested that it was likely the next major location in the unfolding events.
Even if Lumine hadn’t made her way there yet, she probably would in the near future.
If that was the case, sending just a few subordinates wouldn’t be enough.
After sending Charlotte on her way, Luo Qing glanced at the white lace stockings tucked in his system inventory, lost in thought.
Looks like I’ll have to handle this personally…
He turned to Rosalyne, who was quietly standing nearby. “Tell Natalia and the others the plan has changed. I’m heading to Meropide Fortress myself.”
With that, he disappeared without a sound.
—
Meanwhile – Palais Mermonia
Unable to resist Furina’s persistent pleas, Neuvillette eventually agreed to accompany her to her meeting with Arlecchino.
In the opulent parlor, the three of them sat around a lavishly set tea table.
Compared to Neuvillette’s composed, distant demeanor and Arlecchino’s poised elegance, Furina’s nervous energy made her stick out like a sore thumb.
Arlecchino’s eyes lingered on the Void Terminal tucked discreetly over Furina’s ear. Interesting. So she’s wearing this for the meeting… That likely means Luo Qing is listening in.
But what had he done to make Furina so compliant?
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Furina,” Arlecchino said, bowing her head gracefully. Her tone was warm but deliberate. “Although, rather than call this a diplomatic meeting, I’d prefer to treat it as a casual tea gathering. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
“Ha ha… Comfortable? Of course! I’m not nervous at all!” Furina replied with an awkward laugh, though the tension in her body betrayed her words.
The pressure radiating from Arlecchino’s composed yet commanding presence had wiped Furina’s carefully rehearsed opening lines clean from her mind. If not for Neuvillette’s calming presence beside her, she might not have been able to speak at all.
“Then perhaps I was mistaken,” Arlecchino said with a soft smile before seamlessly steering the conversation toward pleasantries: Fontaine’s treatment of the orphans from the House of the Hearth, the region’s current stability, and so on.
Arlecchino was nothing like her fellow Harbingers. She was neither brash and reckless like Childe nor arrogant like Scaramouche. Every word and gesture was measured, subtly guiding the discussion exactly where she wanted it to go.
Luo Qing, lounging on Furina’s bed with his hands behind his head, watched the meeting unfold through the Void Terminal’s shared feed.
He couldn’t help but sigh at Furina’s flustered demeanor.
For someone who’s supposed to be the God of Justice, couldn’t she at least act more composed? She’s got Neuvillette backing her up—what’s there to be afraid of?
As expected, Arlecchino eventually transitioned from small talk to her true purpose: using Childe’s imprisonment as leverage to pressure Furina for access to Meropide Fortress.
Just as Luo Qing had suspected, the fortress held the key to the next phase of events.
By the time the meeting concluded in the late afternoon, the sun had dipped low in the sky.
Arlecchino, a masterful conversationalist, had dominated the entire discussion. While Neuvillette occasionally interjected with sharp retorts, Furina had spent the majority of the meeting trembling and fumbling over her words.
If it weren’t for Neuvillette, she might have melted under the weight of Arlecchino’s quiet intensity.
After Arlecchino departed, Furina let out a deep breath and trudged back to her room, muttering under her breath.
“Finally… It’s over. That was exhausting…”
Opening the door, she froze mid-step. Luo Qing was sitting casually on her bed, grinning at her.
“L-Luo Qing?!”
Furina’s eyes darted to the rumpled sheets, her cheeks flushing in outrage.
“You slept in my bed?! How dare you!”
“This bed of yours looked so comfy,” Luo Qing replied nonchalantly, flashing her a cheeky smile. “So, how did the meeting go? Productive?”
“Uh…” Furina stammered, her earlier exhaustion replaced by awkwardness. She puffed out her chest and raised her chin.
“Hmph! With me, the brilliant and magnificent Lady Furina, there’s no way that Harbinger could outwit us!”
“Is that so?” Luo Qing smirked.
“Then how come you spoke fewer than ten sentences the entire afternoon?”
“…”
[+ 1 Frustration Value from Furina]
“You were listening to the whole thing, weren’t you?” Furina’s bravado deflated instantly, her shoulders slumping like a deflated balloon.
“More or less.” Luo Qing nodded. He walked over to her and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.
“But hey, I admire your courage to face Arlecchino head-on. You’ve earned a reward. How about I massage your shoulders? You’ll love it.”
“…” Furina blinked, flustered by his unexpected offer.
“W-what’s gotten into you?”
Ignoring her question, Luo Qing placed his hands on her shoulders and began to knead them gently. His fingers pressed skillfully into her tense muscles, and a soft gasp escaped Furina’s lips.
“Relax,” he said, his tone warm and teasing. “You’ve had a long day, haven’t you? Should I move on to your feet next? My massage skills are second to none.”
“…” Furina’s ears burned as she stiffened under his touch.
“N-no, that’s not necessary…”
“What? You want me to go harder?” Luo Qing asked, his voice filled with mock enthusiasm.
“Absolutely not!” Furina snapped, though her protest lacked conviction.
As Luo Qing chuckled, Furina found herself strangely unable to push him away.
—
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!
Reader discussion
0 Comments
Be the first reader to share a thought about this chapter.