After exchanging a few words with the Doctor and Azar—and ignoring Scaramouche’s incessant barking—Luo Qing finally understood why they had roped him into this plan.
Apparently, they had grown so accustomed to psychologically manipulating their dear little Archon that they failed to notice her beginning to awaken. Recently, she had even started peeking into the world through others’ dreams via the Akasha System.
Since the system relied heavily on her computational power, this wasn’t just a minor inconvenience. If their psychological games ever stopped working and the Little Archon fully woke up, their grand plans would fall apart entirely.
That was where Luo Qing, with his expertise in mental manipulation, came into play.
Their intent? Hand over the task of keeping the Archon asleep to him. No more peeking into dreams, no more waking up.
Azar is such a scumbag.
Uh… wait. Didn’t I agree to this too?
Ugh, I must be brain-dead.
“So, after all that talking…” Luo Qing paused, glancing at Scaramouche, who was nearly two heads shorter than him, and casually added, “This isn’t even my workplace, and someone here clearly doesn’t welcome me. Now, can I go meet the Little Archon you’ve been tormenting?”
“Who are you calling ‘someone’?”
Scaramouche frowned, his tone hostile.
He didn’t even know why, but every time he saw Luo Qing, he was reminded of that woman…
And it pissed him off.
“Who knows~” Luo Qing replied with feigned innocence.
“Whoever’s almost two heads shorter than me~”
“…”
Scaramouche fell silent.
It wasn’t his fault he was short, but Luo Qing had to use that against him?!
“You’ve only just become a Harbinger, and already you’re courting death?”
Scaramouche’s gaze turned icy, murderous intent radiating from him.
“Oh?” Luo Qing smirked, leaning in slightly.
I’ve already put your mom and sister in their places before. Dealing with you, a rebellious brat, is child’s play.
“Alright, you two,” the Doctor interjected, his voice calm but firm.
“I didn’t call you here to bicker.”
Even he couldn’t quite understand why these two were always at each other’s throats. Didn’t they cooperate just fine back in Inazuma?
“Hmph.”
Scaramouche scoffed and strode deeper into the workshop.
In the distance, a massive purple arm resembling a giant’s could be seen suspended in the air, mid-assembly.
As the tension dissipated, the Doctor turned to Azar and said evenly, “Well then, I’ll leave my colleague in your hands, Azar.”
“Hmm…”
Azar’s gaze swept over Luo Qing, his expression unreadable.
“Follow me,” he said curtly, turning to lead the way without waiting for a response.
“Tch, you academic types always look down your noses at people, don’t you?” Luo Qing snarked at the Doctor with a grin.
“So, what’s in it for me?”
“Oh?”
The Doctor raised an eyebrow in mock surprise.
“Are you saying that the opportunity to freely manipulate a god’s mind without fear of consequences isn’t reward enough?”
“…”
Luo Qing was momentarily speechless.
He had to admit, Dottore really knew him well.
With a faint smile, Luo Qing gave the Doctor a knowing look before gesturing for his subordinates to follow Azar.
Well, I suppose I should go check out… uh, I mean, assess the Little Archon’s situation first.
—
Sanctuary of Surasthana
As the Little Archon’s residence, the Sanctuary of Surasthana was one of the most heavily guarded places in Sumeru.
To the common people, it was said that the young Lesser Lord Kusanali had lived there ever since the disappearance of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
No one without clearance could enter, and so almost no one knew how the Archon truly lived within.
With Azar leading the way, even Luo Qing’s unusual entourage didn’t face any resistance from the guards.
Given Azar’s immense authority, anyone who dared offend him might as well quit their position at the Akademiya.
Before long, the group stepped inside the Sanctuary.
Unlike the game’s depiction, the Sanctuary wasn’t just a central hall. After weaving through a labyrinth of corridors, Luo Qing finally laid eyes on the true Lesser Lord Kusanali.
Her snow-white hair was tied in a ponytail, her petite frame radiated an unmatched gentleness, and her adorable face paired perfectly with her small, chubby legs and tiny feet.
So cute!
Unfortunately, the Little Archon’s undeniable charm was overshadowed by the energy barrier imprisoning her.
Her eyes were shut, and she seemed to be in a deep slumber.
“She has woken up a few times recently,” Azar explained slowly. “Using the power of the Akasha, she infiltrated others’ dreams.”
“The God-Creation Plan is at its most critical stage. During this time, we require immense computational power from the Akasha. If she wakes again, it will severely disrupt our progress.”
Azar glanced at Luo Qing, his eyes filled with doubt.
“Frankly, I don’t trust the abilities of you Fatui Harbingers. If you’re incapable, just say so and stop wasting our time.”
He turned to leave, but Luo Qing’s voice stopped him.
“Something else?”
Azar frowned, clearly impatient.
“I’ve heard,” Luo Qing said with a smile, “that you’re the most powerful man in Sumeru, second only to the Archon?”
“Get to the point.”
Azar’s brows furrowed further. Luo Qing’s words, though crude, were not entirely untrue.
Still, he found the bluntness… distasteful.
“Well, Dottore didn’t offer me anything for this job. If you’re also unwilling to show some goodwill, I might find it difficult to get motivated…” Luo Qing feigned a troubled expression.
“…”
Azar was silent for a moment.
As expected, the Fatui were always greedy.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing too extravagant,” Luo Qing said with a grin. “I heard the Akademiya’s academic environment has been declining recently. I may not be a scholar, but I know a thing or two about improving morale.
“Would the esteemed Grand Sage… perhaps offer me a position?”
“…”
Azar was momentarily stunned.
He had seen people ask for money, jewels, rare materials, even resources…
But asking for a job?
That was new.
“A position will be arranged for you,” Azar replied tersely before leaving without another word.
“Hah, that was quicker than I expected.”
Luo Qing smirked as he watched Azar’s retreating figure. Turning back, his gaze fell on the imprisoned Lesser Lord Kusanali.
“Are you really going to help them?”
Makoto stepped up beside Luo Qing, her voice low.
After witnessing Azar’s arrogance firsthand, she had been seething with anger, barely holding herself back out of respect for Luo Qing.
“Of course not,” Luo Qing replied casually. “But helping this adorable Little Archon…”
“Well, I’ll need to collect some compensation for that, don’t you think?”
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