The next morning…
Bright and early, Luo Qing led his subordinates back to the Palais Mermonia.
Thanks to Neuvillette’s help, they had secured the Hydro Archon’s first work slot of the day.
As Neuvillette explained, the Hydro Archon would only set aside time for “work” when she felt like it. Judging by Luo Qing’s placement as the first appointment of the day, it seemed her schedule had been quite empty lately.
Straightening his Sumeru envoy attire to appear as professional as possible, Luo Qing followed a servant to an ornate reception hall.
The room was lavishly decorated, with a wide array of teas and snacks laid out on the table. The arrangement of the furniture and the intricacies of the golden throne at the head of the room made it clear that this Hydro Archon had a penchant for ostentatious displays.
After waiting for some time without any sign of their host, Luo Qing was about to ask the attendant if their goddess had overslept when the sound of footsteps echoed from beyond the doors.
The doors swung open to reveal a tall woman dressed in a deep-blue uniform, a violet Vision pinned to her chest. Her striking demeanor and long black-stockinged legs immediately commanded attention.
What a cold and imposing big sister, Luo Qing thought, mentally sizing her up.
Before he could linger on that impression, another figure stepped through the door—a pair of smooth, fair legs encased in white socks adorned with lace frills at the edges, complemented by black shoes tied with cute blue ribbons.
Hmm… such dainty feet… Luo Qing mused. I could—
Focus, Luo Qing.
“Are you the emissaries from Sumeru?”
The girl who had entered last took the throne, sitting cross-legged as she propped her chin on her hand. Her eyes—an intricate blend of deep and light blue resembling water droplets—exuded an air of haughty indifference.
“Well? Speak. What do you want?”
“Greetings, Your Grace,” Luo Qing said with a slight bow.
One glance was enough for him to see through her demeanor. While she acted aloof, it was clear to a seasoned observer like Luo Qing that this was a deliberate façade.
“We come at the behest of Lesser Lord Kusanali to seek your permission to implement the Akasha System in Fontaine.”
Luo Qing retrieved a leaf-shaped Akasha terminal from his pouch and handed it to the attendant, who placed it on the table before Furina.
“Akasha System?”
Furina picked up the device with an air of disinterest, her tone casual.
“This is something you should discuss with Neuvillette. If he agrees, why bother me?”
“…”
Luo Qing fought back the urge to roll his eyes. First time seeing a god that plays hot potato with responsibilities.
Suppressing his desire to retort, he maintained his polite demeanor.
“Neuvillette said that this is a matter of great importance and requires your approval.”
“Great importance?”
Furina’s expression faltered for a moment before she quickly regained her lofty composure.
“So, you want to use this… thing to help the Akademiya gain fresh blood and bolster your Lesser Lord Kusanali’s power of faith?” she sneered, tapping her chin.
“Hmmph. By the laws of divine courtesy, I could accuse you of disrespecting the gods, trying to poach believers from another deity’s domain. You’d be sent to trial immediately…”
She crossed her legs in the opposite direction, her tone softening into a haughty hum.
“But I am benevolent, adored by all of Fontaine. I have no need to fear losing my people’s faith. I might consider cooperating with you… if you can convince me in ten minutes. I have other matters to attend to.”
She leaned back in her throne, her foot lightly tapping the table in apparent impatience.
“As you wish, Your Grace,” Luo Qing said with a bow.
With a wave of his hand, a large demonstration board appeared in the room, resembling a blackboard from a classroom.
Natalia and the others moved into action, retrieving an elaborately prepared stack of presentation materials from their satchels. They began pinning the illustrated sheets onto the board, following Luo Qing’s meticulous instructions.
As a former corporate worker, Luo Qing knew that a good PowerPoint—or in this case, visual aids—was key when negotiating with a picky client. The presentation was crafted to be clear, colorful, and engaging, even to a child.
“Your Grace, allow me to explain the capabilities of the Akasha System,” Luo Qing began, pointing to the board.
“This system allows Fontaine’s citizens to communicate instantly across any distance. From the comfort of their homes, they can chat and share knowledge seamlessly.
“It includes access to the Akademiya’s exclusive virtual library, containing an expansive collection of scholarly texts. Whether seeking information or learning new skills, everything can be done through the Akasha Network.”
Though the presentation’s illustrations were lively and detailed, Furina remained largely unimpressed. She yawned discreetly, her gaze wandering toward the windows as though already thinking about her next source of entertainment.
Luo Qing wasn’t bothered by her apparent disinterest. After covering the basics, he paused for dramatic effect, ready to unveil his trump card.
“And now, we come to the Akasha Network’s final and most innovative feature—livestreaming!”
“Livestreaming?”
Furina perked up slightly, her curiosity piqued. She straightened in her seat, focusing on Luo Qing for the first time.
“What’s that supposed to be?”
“Allow me to explain, Your Grace,” Luo Qing said, gesturing to another illustrated panel.
This one depicted a chibi version of Furina speaking into a device, her image transmitted in real-time to an audience of cheerful Fontaine citizens.
“Livestreaming allows real-time broadcasting of events or messages. With the Akasha Network, you could address the entire population of Fontaine without needing to gather them in one place. Citizens could simply wear their Akasha terminals and witness your speeches—or any performance you wish to share.”
“So… you’re saying I can use this thing to talk to my people anytime, anywhere? And they’ll see me?” Furina’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.
“Precisely,” Luo Qing confirmed, a sly smile forming.
“The Akasha System offers robust access controls, and you would hold the highest level of authority within Fontaine’s network. Whenever you wish, your citizens could see your speeches… or performances.”
“Anytime I want?!”
Furina’s expression lit up with excitement. Clenching her fists in determination, her aloof façade melted away, revealing a spirited and enthusiastic young girl.
At that moment, the once-haughty goddess had transformed into a lively, curious teenager.
—
T/N: my life is complete
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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