The night was deep, and the moon hung high in the sky, bathing the world in silver light.
Luo Qing could hear the faint sound of sobbing coming from the girl in his arms.
He didn’t speak. Instead, he gently patted Furina’s back, offering silent comfort.
Over the past few days, this had become a nightly occurrence. Every deep night, Furina would cry quietly in his arms, as though treating him as a voiceless confidant.
Her confessions, however, were nothing but her muffled sobs.
Luo Qing understood well that Furina carried a secret—a heavy burden that only she knew.
It was a weight too much to bear, and while she longed to unburden herself, something held her back. Unable to share her pain in words, she instead poured it out through tears.
Gradually, the sobs subsided, replaced by the steady, even breaths of a sleeping girl.
Luo Qing gazed down at her peaceful face, brushing the hair from her forehead.
He sighed softly, about to close his eyes and join her in slumber when a voice echoed in his mind.
“Well, well… I never thought I’d see you so lost and uncertain.”
“Who’s there?!”
Luo Qing tensed immediately, instinctively shielding Furina as he scanned his consciousness for the source of the voice.
But the presence eluded him, hidden expertly from his probing thoughts.
“Relax, Luo Qing,” came the woman’s voice again, light and teasing. “I’m not your enemy.”
“…”
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“Just an old friend you haven’t met yet,” she replied with a soft laugh. “We go way back, actually.”
Luo Qing’s silence deepened. Another one of my ‘past debts’?
The voice chuckled. “You once told me to stay out of Fontaine’s affairs. But since I happened to pass through, and since your master’s disciple is here, wouldn’t it be heartless of me not to lend a hand?”
“You’ve met me before?” Luo Qing asked cautiously.
“Of course. And you still owe me a few favors, by the way.”
Her laugh was faint but playful.
“Not that it matters now. What you need to know is this: Fontaine faces its own crisis, and you, Luo Qing, have your own challenges to overcome.”
“Make sure you survive long enough for us to meet properly,” she added, her tone suddenly tinged with melancholy. “I’d be so disappointed if you didn’t.”
Before Luo Qing could respond, the voice disappeared as suddenly as it had come, leaving nothing behind but an unsettling silence.
“…”
He stared at the ceiling, her cryptic words lingering in his mind.
I’ve only been here a few years. How do I have so many connections to long-lived beings?
It’s as if I’ve existed across millennia…
And from the woman’s tone, it almost sounded like there had been something more between them.
He sighed, exasperated. This feels like a sword hanging over my head—one that everyone else can see except me.
Instinctively, he tightened his arms around Furina, seeking solace in her presence.
—
Luo Qing woke naturally, reaching for Furina, only to find her gone.
Her absence surprised him. Based on her recent habits, she usually stayed in bed until they both woke up together.
After dressing, he stepped out and stopped one of the maids.
“Do you know where Furina went?”
“Lord Luo Qing,” the maid replied politely, “there was an earthquake in Baishong Town early this morning. The water level rose sharply, causing significant casualties among the residents. Lady Furina is currently with Lord Neuvillette, overseeing relief efforts.”
“An earthquake in Baishong Town?”
Luo Qing frowned. He recalled that the town was built atop a network of underwater caves. If those caves had flooded, the damage could be catastrophic.
“Got it. Thank you,” he said, giving the maid a slight nod before heading out of the Palais Mermonia.
As he walked, he reached into the void network with his consciousness, quickly locking onto Navia’s terminal. Her presence confirmed she was safe, and he exhaled in relief.
Though their relationship was professional, Luo Qing had grown fond of the spirited and kind-hearted young leader of the Spina di Rosula.
“Navia, how are things on your end?”
“Luo Qing?” Navia’s voice came through, weary but composed.
“I heard about the rising water levels in Baishong Town,” Luo Qing said.
“Yes… it’s true,” she admitted, her tone heavy. But sensing his concern, she quickly added, “Thankfully, with the help of your colleagues, the rescue efforts are proceeding smoothly. You don’t need to worry too much.”
“My colleagues?” Luo Qing repeated, puzzled.
“Uh… isn’t that right?” Navia sounded equally confused. “Isn’t Miss Knave one of your comrades?”
“…”
The word “Knave” made Luo Qing pause.
Arlecchino…
She had been unusually quiet recently, leaving even Lynette and her companions largely to their own devices. He hadn’t expected her to spring into action for disaster relief.
Was she doing it out of genuine goodwill? Or was it just another move in her quest for the Gnosis?
Whatever her motives, it didn’t change the urgency of the situation. He needed to figure out the cause of the earthquake—and whether it was connected to the prophecy.
“I understand. Navia, if you need additional funding for the relief efforts, let me know.”
“Thank you, Luo Qing,” Navia said softly. “But I need to get back to work now. Let’s talk again soon.”
With that, she ended the call.
Luo Qing stood in silence, her exhausted tone still echoing in his ears. He could tell how severe the disaster had been.
Without wasting any more time, he left a message for Furina in the void terminal—“I have something to handle. See you later.”—and made his way toward Baishong Town at full speed.
By the time he arrived, it was already afternoon.
The water levels had receded, but the aftermath of the disaster was evident. Fatui soldiers and security personnel were escorting survivors to higher ground.
Standing on the mountainside, Luo Qing prepared to enter the town when he caught sight of a familiar figure perched on the opposite slope, gazing down at Fontaine.
“It’s been a while… Child,” said Arlecchino without turning.
Luo Qing approached her, his voice calm.
“Looks like you’ve mobilized every unit in the Bailleul District for disaster relief. How unexpectedly… compassionate of you.”
“After all, I am a Fontainian,” Arlecchino replied evenly, finally turning to face him. Her expression was inscrutable.
“I grew up on this land. How could I stand by and watch my people suffer? Surely you can understand that.”
“Of course,” Luo Qing said, nodding. Then he added, “But I imagine disaster relief isn’t your only goal here, is it?”
—
T/N: look… I don’t know the district names
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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