After dealing with Azar, Luo Qing’s consciousness returned to the dreamscape.
By now, the dream had looped countless times. Lumine and Paimon had started noticing the repetitive cycles and, with Nahida’s subtle guidance, began piecing together the truth of the dream.
Unlike the others trapped in the dream, Nahida existed outside its constraints. Her consciousness functioned like an audience watching a play, observing Lumine and Paimon navigate the endless loops.
Whenever Lumine seemed confused, Nahida would project a version of herself into the dream to provide hints and guidance.
The Lumine and Paimon they saw, however, were merely constructs within the dream—shadows of their true selves.
Nahida’s real body remained outside the dream, silently observing.
“Making progress?”
Luo Qing’s consciousness reappeared beside Nahida.
“They’re quite the fascinating pair of travelers,” Nahida said softly, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Even after brief interactions in the dream, she found herself moved by Lumine and Paimon’s unwavering bond and lively spirit.
No matter how daunting the situation, their camaraderie and determination seemed to promise a way forward.
…Even if Paimon wasn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. Conversations with her could be a little… taxing.
“Well, when all this is over, you should meet them in person,” Luo Qing said casually. “Maybe even share a good meal together.”
“Luo Qing…” Nahida murmured.
She understood his suggestion: to step into the real world, to exist in Sumeru as more than a fleeting presence in dreams.
But for someone like Nahida, who had been gaslit by the Akademiya for so long, taking such a step required immense courage.
For now, it still felt too far out of reach.
“Luo Qing,” she said after a moment’s hesitation, her voice quiet yet uncertain. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why are you helping me like this?”
Nahida tilted her head slightly, her emerald eyes glimmering with confusion. “You’re a Harbinger of Snezhnaya, aren’t you?”
By all accounts, Luo Qing seemed trustworthy—a friend, even. But the fact that he was a Fatui Harbinger remained an undeniable barrier, given the tensions between Snezhnaya and the other nations.
“To my knowledge, the Fatui operate on strict principles of equivalent exchange. So, Luo Qing… what is it you want in return?”
“Such a clever little Dendro Archon,” Luo Qing teased, ruffling her hair again as he leaned in closer.
“Of course, I have my reasons.”
“…I see.”
Nahida’s disappointment was palpable.
If he had said something like, “Helping a friend is its own reward,” she might have let him continue patting her head.
But now…
“What do you want, Luo Qing?”
Though her small stature and soft demeanor made her seem like a child, Nahida had lived for five centuries. She knew how to conduct herself in a negotiation.
Taking two steps back, she straightened her posture and adopted a serious expression.
No more head pats during negotiations—it ruins the atmosphere.
“What do I want?” Luo Qing echoed, a little amused.
This was the first time he’d seen Nahida so serious.
She had always been his gentle, thoughtful little Archon, but now she looked like a proper ruler.
Still cute, though, he thought.
“Well, Nahida,” he began, his tone light but deliberate.
“I want… you.”
“Eh?”
“…Your Gnosis.”
Nahida fell silent.
For a moment, she thought he’d meant something else entirely. But now it seemed he was no different from the other Fatui Harbingers—seeking her Gnosis as part of their schemes.
“It’s not with me anymore,” she said quietly.
“I know. It’s in the Akademiya’s hands,” Luo Qing replied nonchalantly. “But I’m not interested in negotiating with those self-righteous hypocrites. You’re the rightful owner of the Gnosis, aren’t you?”
“…”
Nahida lowered her gaze.
Ever since learning the truth about her divine nature, she had worked tirelessly to be a proper Archon.
But now, she wasn’t even sure if she deserved to reclaim the Gnosis.
“So, let me guess,” Nahida said, piecing it together. “You’ve been helping me—encouraging me to break free and lead Sumeru—just so you could negotiate for the Gnosis.”
Before Luo Qing came along, Nahida had known only isolation and the Akademiya’s relentless gaslighting.
His kindness had felt so genuine, like that of an older brother.
But now, the idea that all his actions were calculated filled her heart with a quiet sadness.
“It’s not entirely like that,” Luo Qing said, reaching out to pat her head again.
But Nahida deftly stepped back, dodging his hand.
“No head pats,” her expression seemed to say.
“If I were only after the Gnosis,” Luo Qing continued, “I’d just take it.”
His voice was calm but carried an undertone of confidence.
“The Akademiya’s defenses wouldn’t stop me. They’re just a bunch of academics with barely any real combat power. I could take on their entire armed division and barely break a sweat.”
For someone of Luo Qing’s caliber, defeating the Akademiya was less about physical might and more about leveraging his mastery over the Akasha and his psychic manipulation abilities.
Compared to nations like Liyue and Inazuma, Sumeru’s defenses were laughably feeble.
Nahida didn’t respond, her silence weighted with thought.
For the first time, she saw a glimpse of the ruthless Fatui Harbinger beneath Luo Qing’s usual playful demeanor.
His words were true—the Akademiya’s reliance on intellectual prowess left them vulnerable to individuals like him.
“Speaking of which,” Luo Qing said, his tone suddenly playful as he leaned in. “Nahida, what if I told you… if you don’t leave that cage soon, I’ll start killing one Sumeru citizen every day?
“I’ll kill the men and sell the women. What would you do then?”
“…!”
Nahida’s eyes widened, her mind reeling.
“I…”
“Luo Qing, I won’t let you hurt my people!” she said firmly, her expression hardening.
For the first time, her gaze carried the resolve of a god willing to stand against even her closest allies to protect her nation.
“Relax, I’m joking.” Luo Qing grinned, chuckling as he ruffled her hair in one swift move.
“See? That’s the spirit. You’ve got the resolve to protect your people. So why let those Akademiya fools keep you in a cage?
“Listen to me, Nahida. Tomorrow, step out of that cage, take down Azar, and reclaim your place as the ruler of Sumeru. What do you say?”
“…?”
—
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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