The boy stared at the dark golden badge in Luo Qing's hand, momentarily stunned.
Every member of the Fatui possessed a badge denoting their rank, with dark gold signifying the status of a Harbinger.
Buffati Manor had received intelligence some time ago: a child from the House of the Hearth had triumphed in the Harbinger trainee selection process, becoming a trainee Harbinger, and within a little over a year, had been personally granted the title of Twelfth Harbinger by the Tsaritsa herself.
Although the Manor was merely a branch of the House of the Hearth, this news had left a lasting impression. After all, it was a rare feat for one of the orphans raised by the House to ascend to a status equivalent to that of their "father." For those still at the Manor, this was an inspiring tale.
"You're…" The boy faltered, struggling to recall the Twelfth Harbinger's name. "L-Lord Luo Qingqing?"
"…"
"It's Luo Qing. Two characters. Thank you."
"S-sorry, Lord Luo Qing. My memory's been poor lately…" The boy scratched his head awkwardly.
"So, is your 'father' home?" Luo Qing pressed.
"I'm sorry, Lord Luo Qing. 'Father' doesn't usually stay here at the Manor..."
"None of them are home, huh?" Luo Qing sighed. What luck—three people and not one was around.
"What's your name?" he asked after a moment.
"F-Fimini." The boy ducked his head shyly, his voice barely audible.
"Well, Fimini, if your 'father' or Lynette and Lynny come back, let them know I stopped by. I have something to discuss with Lady Arlecchino. They know where I'm staying."
"Y-yes, Lord Luo Qing." Fimini nodded quickly.
"Alright then, take care, Fimini. It was nice meeting you."
"Goodbye…"
With a wave, Luo Qing turned and disappeared into the bustling streets of Fontaine.
Walking along the city walls, Luo Qing gazed out at Fontaine's unique coastal waters in the distance.
"Guess I'll go fishing…" he muttered.
Once the idea struck, Luo Qing wasted no time grabbing his fishing rod and heading out of the city.
After circling the towering walls of Fontaine, he found a promising fishing spot on the eastern side and settled under the bridge supports of one of Fontaine's elevated water highways.
He'd heard rumors that Fontaine's waters were unlike any other, and he was curious to see if the fish here were just as unique.
Fishing offered a rare benefit: it allowed the mind to wander during the wait, then shift focus when a fish finally bit. Watching the float bob gently on the surface, Luo Qing let his thoughts drift to the tasks ahead.
Based on his experiences in Inazuma, and factoring in Furina's eccentric personality, Luo Qing found it increasingly difficult to believe the Hydro Archon was actually safeguarding the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon.
Entrusting her with it feels like a disaster waiting to happen.
With Fontaine under the dominion of the Knave and no access to the Void Network to aid his search, Luo Qing felt directionless in his efforts to gather intelligence.
That was why he'd sought out Arlecchino—hoping to strike a deal. He'd provide manpower, and she'd supply the intel. Together, they could secure the Gnosis before deciding how to divide its usage.
Luo Qing had known Arlecchino long enough to understand her motivations. As another orphan from Buffati Manor, she'd risen to become a Harbinger after earning the Tsaritsa's favor.
Her preparations to claim the Gnosis had been meticulous, but her intentions seemed to differ from Rosalyne's. She wasn't seeking glory or recognition from the Tsaritsa—she had a deeper purpose for the Gnosis's power.
To Luo Qing, this was ideal. He needed to personally deliver the Gnosis to the Tsaritsa to avoid her wrath, while Arlecchino desired the Gnosis's authority, not its prestige.
"Our goals align perfectly," Luo Qing mused aloud, staring at the rippling water. "So why did she warn me to stay out of Fontaine?"
His suspicions turned toward unseen forces complicating his mission.
With a sigh, Luo Qing reached into his coat and pulled out the Pure Ice, the gift from the Tsaritsa herself. He rubbed the cold crystal thoughtfully.
"Honored Tsaritsa, if this is your doing, meow once," he joked.
Seconds passed. The Pure Ice remained inert, its glow unchanged.
"Still playing aloof, I see." Luo Qing smirked, tucking it back into his coat. He was used to the Tsaritsa's stoic demeanor. For all he knew, she could be eavesdropping from afar.
Speaking to the crystal had become a habit—a futile attempt to provoke a reaction. So far, it had never worked.
By midday, Luo Qing still hadn't caught a single fish. Debating whether to shock the water with a bit of Electro to save himself from returning empty-handed, he noticed the sky suddenly shift.
A cloudless day gave way to ominous storm clouds, and light rain began to fall.
"Huh?" Luo Qing glanced up. "That changed fast."
As he mused over the weather, soft footsteps approached from behind.
Turning, Luo Qing spotted a familiar white-haired man—Neuvillette—walking calmly through the rain. The raindrops seemed to avoid him entirely, leaving his stern expression untouched by the weather.
"Mr. Luo Qing," Neuvillette greeted with a slight nod, his gaze briefly resting on the fishing rod in Luo Qing's hands.
"Are you fishing here?"
"Uh… yeah." Neuvillette's calm demeanor made Luo Qing feel oddly guilty. "Is fishing not allowed in Fontaine?"
"There are no laws in Fontaine prohibiting fishing," Neuvillette replied with a faint shake of his head. "However, most fish in Fontaine inhabit the deeper waters. The area you've chosen is shallow—fish rarely appear here."
"So you're saying there's no fish here?" Luo Qing asked.
"Essentially."
"…"
Luo Qing felt a wave of relief. At least his failure to catch anything wasn't entirely his fault.
Noticing Neuvillette's gaze, Luo Qing asked, "What brings you here, Lord Neuvillette? Shouldn't you be working at the Palais Mermonia?"
"Humans often say that appropriate rest improves work efficiency. My morning tasks are complete, so I took a walk before returning for the afternoon session." Neuvillette's tone was as measured as ever.
Then, as if detecting something, his nose twitched slightly. His piercing gaze locked onto Luo Qing.
"Has the Hydro Archon visited you recently?"
"Huh?" Luo Qing blinked in confusion. How had Neuvillette guessed?
"She consulted with me about the livestream," Luo Qing admitted. "How did you know?"
"You smell like her," Neuvillette said flatly. "Strongly."
"…"
---
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