As the highest point in Fontaine, the summit of Palais Mermonia offered a panoramic view of the city. From its vantage point, the intricate maze of Fontaine’s streets and alleys sprawled below, while in the distance, the endless expanse of mountains and sea stretched into the horizon.
The night had deepened, and the citizens of Fontaine had long drifted into peaceful slumber. Only a few scattered lights glimmered from the streets and homes below. Above, the vast, star-strewn sky spread out like a boundless tapestry, while the world below lay cloaked in the soft glow of countless sleeping households.
Furina sat alone on the edge of the palace rooftop.
Her black leather shoes and lace stockings were cast aside, and her delicate bare feet dangled freely in the air.
Her snow-white hair, tinged with shades of blue, spilled unkempt onto the floor behind her.
From behind, she resembled a celestial maiden who had descended from the heavens, gazing at the crescent moon, searching for the way home.
“Hey…”
Furina’s voice was soft. “What do you think of Fontaine as a nation?”
“It’s not bad…”
Standing behind her, Luo Qing responded calmly, his voice steady.
“Though its technology lags behind Snezhnaya, its entertainment and journalism industries are flourishing. Productivity isn’t low, either. If governed properly, it has the potential to become a leading nation among the seven.”
Gone was Furina’s usual playful demeanor. Her eyes were heavy with sorrow, burdened with an invisible weight, as though she had become an entirely different person.
“But this is a world ruled by gods,” Furina said quietly. “National strength alone isn’t the benchmark for greatness. Only when the god governing a nation is strong can it truly be considered powerful.”
She paused, her voice dropping further.
“Besides… this country is already losing its future. What’s the point of being strong if there’s no hope left?”
“…”
Luo Qing fell silent, feeling a strange unfamiliarity from the girl before him.
“I told you, I’ll help you,” he finally said. “That prophecy won’t come to pass.”
“How touching,” Furina murmured with a faint smile.
“But it’s a pity. The Gnosis isn’t with me right now. Otherwise, I’d hand it over to you immediately.”
“…”
Luo Qing didn’t know how to respond.
“By the way…”
As if suddenly recalling something, Furina turned to look at him, her lips curling into a soft smile.
“If I had already given you the Gnosis, and you were asked that question again, how would you answer?”
“What question?”
Luo Qing was momentarily puzzled.
“Yesterday’s question…”
Furina’s gaze fell back to the city below. Her voice lowered.
“If you could only save one… would you choose me, or Fontaine?”
“…”
Luo Qing hesitated, unsure of how to reply. He found himself wondering why she was so insistent on asking this dilemma. Was she hinting at something?
“Can’t answer, can you?”
Furina’s voice was calm, carrying a hint of resignation.
“It’s a hard choice, isn’t it…”
“…”
Luo Qing remained silent, his mind racing to find the right response.
Before he could speak, Furina suddenly smiled at him from the edge of the rooftop.
And then, in a single motion, she pushed off the edge and leapt into the void.
In that instant, Luo Qing’s golden eyes flared with light, and he reacted without hesitation.
A second later, he had leapt after her, catching her mid-air before returning them both to the rooftop.
“Are you insane?”
Luo Qing’s arms encircled her, his tone sharp with frustration.
“Relax, I’m a god, remember?” Furina replied with a soft chuckle.
“Have you ever seen a god die from a fall like that? Or do you see me as some delicate maiden who’d break with a gust of wind?”
“…”
Ignoring her teasing, Luo Qing placed her back on solid ground.
The moment her bare feet touched the floor, Furina suddenly opened her arms and leaned into his chest.
“Still, thank you,” she murmured.
“Luo Qing…”
“…”
Holding her in his arms, Luo Qing was at a loss.
What is she thinking? Is this some elaborate joke, or has she completely unraveled?
“What’s gotten into you today?”
“Nothing’s wrong with me~” Furina replied, her tone light and playful.
She stepped away, returning to the edge of the rooftop and patting the spot beside her.
“Come sit with me for a while.”
“…”
After a brief pause, Luo Qing silently moved to her side, sitting next to her on the edge.
As soon as he sat down, Furina leaned closer, pressing her arm against his.
“Luo Qing…”
She smiled, her voice teasing.
“Do you want to know what Lady Makoto and I talked about that night when I slept over?”
“…”
“What did you talk about?”
“She said…”
Furina scooted even closer, resting her head on his shoulder.
“To save Fontaine from the prophecy, I’d have to join them—stand by your side. In exchange for saving Fontaine, I would become your ally.”
“She didn’t spell it out, but how could I not understand her meaning? She wants me to become one of your beautiful wives, bound to you by family ties, to truly be your strength.”
“She even mentioned becoming a typical human housewife—warming your bed, having a bunch of kids. Can you believe it?”
Luo Qing responded flatly, “That’s not my intention.”
“No need to explain so quickly.”
Furina chuckled, continuing.
“I haven’t rejected her offer yet. I just said I’d think about it.”
“Becoming an ordinary housewife doesn’t sound so bad…”
“No worries about national crises, no concern for a god’s image. Losing status and power means losing shackles, too…”
“The more I think about it, the more tempting it seems.”
She looked up at him, her gaze soft.
All this time, Furina hadn’t understood why she cared so much about this man who often teased her.
She finally understood when she found herself seeking his warmth even in sleep.
But even as her feelings became clear, her voice lowered, tinged with sadness.
“I’m sorry, Luo Qing,” she whispered.
“I can’t trust anyone else…”
—
T/N: luo qing… what will it take to replace you…
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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