Meanwhile…
Following the meticulously crafted plan, Lumine and her group allowed themselves to be "discovered" by Azar and were promptly thrown into the Akademiya's solitary confinement chambers.
True to her part in the plan, Nilou appeared on schedule at the plaza, captivating the scholars with her performance. Her actions distracted Azar and prompted him to upload the new laws into the Void, drawing the guards away.
The guards, deceived by false orders, pursued the "Little Dendro Archon" to the Grand Bazaar, where they were surrounded and incapacitated.
Luo Qing and Nahida watched these events unfold in real-time through multiple screens in the Void, as if monitoring everything through surveillance cameras.
Seeing the citizens risk their lives for her sake, Nahida lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
Gradually, the screens began to fade as the tasks were completed, leaving only one active feed: Lumine and Paimon's escape from the solitary confinement chambers.
Inside the Solitary Confinement Chambers
Hearing the commotion outside and the sound of the departing guards, Lumine and Paimon knew their moment had arrived. Breaking free, they began searching for Nahida's consciousness using Alhaitham's device.
However, after testing several locations, they found no signal whatsoever. Frustrated, Lumine stood still, seemingly questioning the reliability of Luo Qing's alternative.
After a moment's hesitation, she decided to use the anchor point Luo Qing had implanted in her mind.
The moment she activated it, Lumine immediately sensed a powerful consciousness emanating nearby—far stronger than anything Alhaitham's device could detect.
Following the signal, she closed her eyes, and in the next instant, her consciousness entered an unfamiliar, pitch-black space.
Nothing but darkness surrounded her.
Or so she thought.
Turning around, Lumine spotted Luo Qing seated cross-legged on the floor with Nahida curled up in his lap, her back resting comfortably against his chest.
The sight struck Lumine like a bolt from the blue.
When did their relationship become so close?!
The scene radiated a father-daughter vibe that left her utterly stunned.
She had gone through painstaking efforts to infiltrate the Akademiya to reach Nahida, only to find Luo Qing had beaten her to it.
Wasn't he supposed to be fishing?!
"You two…" Lumine began, unsure how to address the situation. "Am I interrupting something…?"
"No, you've arrived just in time," Luo Qing replied, his tone lighthearted. He turned his gaze to Nahida, his voice softening.
"All right, my little Nahida, it's time to make your decision. Will you go with Lumine, or will you stay here?"
"I…" Nahida glanced at Lumine before lowering her head, visibly torn.
"Luo Qing, what's going on?" Lumine asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
"Don't misunderstand," Luo Qing said with a smirk. "I'm not helping you—I'm helping myself and Nahida, of course."
He looked at Nahida with a doting gaze before continuing. "But…"
"If Nahida chooses to stay, the consequences won't be pretty~"
"...What do you mean?" Nahida's confusion was evident in her expression.
"You see," Luo Qing explained calmly, "if you don't leave with Lumine, then Grand Sage Azar will remain in power as the leader of both the Akademiya and Sumeru.
"This entire operation hinges on the assumption that you'll be successfully rescued. Without you, things will take a very different turn."
"Like what?" Nahida asked hesitantly.
"If you don't go, Alhaitham and Cyno will be permanently stripped of their positions. Nilou and the Grand Bazaar will face harsh repercussions, and everyone involved in this plan will fall victim to Azar's retaliation. Isn't that right, Lumine?"
Luo Qing glanced meaningfully at Lumine, silently urging her to back him up.
"Uh… Yes! Exactly!" Lumine quickly caught on and nodded vigorously.
"That's right, Nahida. If you don't leave with us, everyone will be in terrible danger. Even I might be imprisoned by the Akademiya and turned into… into their plaything!"
"Nahida, you wouldn't want to see everyone who tried to save you suffer under Azar's punishment, would you?"
"...I…"
Nahida's expression wavered, clearly affected by Lumine's words.
If it were just her enduring the Akademiya's cruelty, she might have accepted it as her responsibility as the Archon of Sumeru.
But now, so many others had been drawn into the conflict. If she continued to hide away, their efforts would be in vain, and they would face brutal retaliation.
Conversely, if she emerged, the tables would turn. Azar and his faction would face the consequences, and everyone else could celebrate with a well-earned victory.
"Luo Qing, Lumine… do you really think I can do this?" Nahida asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
"Of course, my little Nahida," Luo Qing said warmly, ruffling her hair. "Look at Inazuma's Archon. If her people still love her after everything, you've got nothing to worry about."
"..."
Lumine shot him a look, clearly exasperated.
That comparison wasn't exactly… inspiring.
"Yeah! Nahida, everyone in Sumeru loves you!" Lumine added earnestly.
"I…"
After a long silence, determination finally shone in Nahida's eyes. Rising from Luo Qing's lap, she took a deep breath and faced the two of them.
"I understand. Thank you for your encouragement," she said softly. "I'll go with you. I'll reclaim the Akademiya and ensure Azar and his faction can no longer run rampant.
"For too long, I've been too lenient with them…"
"That's more like it!" Luo Qing applauded, a proud smile on his face. "That's the Nahida I know."
"From here on out, it's up to you two," he said, giving Lumine a pointed look before gently patting Nahida's head. "I have other matters to attend to. Good luck."
With that, Luo Qing's figure vanished from the space, leaving Lumine and Nahida alone.
As Lumine watched the spot where Luo Qing had disappeared, her thoughts swirled.
"Nahida, let's go. I'll meet you at the Sanctuary of Surasthana," Lumine said finally.
"Okay…" Nahida nodded.
---
Elsewhere…
Exiting Nahida's consciousness, Luo Qing stretched and yawned, withdrawing his awareness from the Void.
"Sergei!" he called, and moments later, the burly man appeared at his side.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"Go back to the house and inform the General that the show is about to begin. She should come over and make an appearance," Luo Qing instructed casually.
Since no one at home used the Void Terminal, he had to rely on traditional methods of communication.
"Uh…" Sergei hesitated, looking uncertain. "Master, which General are you referring to?"
"..."
"The one who's always reading light novels and devouring desserts like there's no tomorrow."
"Understood!" Sergei saluted and hurried off.
---
T/N: and with this, the 10 chapters end for the month! Thank you and make sure to vote at the end of the month for which story you want 10 chapters for the next month! (hehe for patreon folks again)
Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨