Bonus Chapter!
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After many days, Luo Qing found himself once again stepping into the Plane of Euthymia.He almost wondered if he'd walked into the wrong place—the platform was now littered with stacks of light novels and several bags of empty sweet boxes.
This didn't look like the Plane of Euthymia. It was more like a home for a shut-in.
"Wow, you've gone through all these novels? Seems like I came at just the right time."
Luo Qing rummaged through the pile of light novels on the ground. With a thought, he summoned another big bag of sweets and a fresh bundle of light novels.
"Here, Miss Ei, I brought these just for you~."
"Get to the point."
Ei closed her book, her gaze calm as she looked at Luo Qing.
If he'd looked closely, he might have noticed the tear stains at the corners of her eyes.
No doubt caused by the novels.
"What did you mean by what you said to the Shogun earlier?"
"Exactly what I said."
"..."
Luo Qing set the bags down, moved closer to Ei, and said calmly, "Miss Ei, you know who I am, right?"
"Fatui..."
"Correct, the Fatui."
Luo Qing grinned and continued, "A long time ago, my superior took a puppet from Inazuma. I heard his name was something like Raiden Kunikuzushi."
"He's with you?"
Ei's brow furrowed.
"I've already given him his freedom. Where he goes is up to him."
"But he's still plotting to return one day to take his revenge on you, Miss Ei~," Luo Qing teased.
"..."
Ei fell silent, only speaking after a long pause.
"I'll be waiting for him."
"Ah, don't be like that, Miss Ei."
Luo Qing sat down in front of her, patting her shoulder like a well-meaning friend.
"After all, it's your first time being a mother. It's only natural that you'd make mistakes. It's been hard for you all these years, but from now on, I'll be by your side to face everything together."
"..."
Ei's expression darkened, and she pulled out the Musou-no-Hitotachi, pressing it to Luo Qing's neck.
"Ahem, I mean, perhaps there's still a chance to mend things between you? You must have some regrets about what happened back then, right?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I'll be leaving Inazuma City for a while."
Luo Qing took out a stack of paper and a pen, placing them on the ground.
"Opportunities like this don't come twice. If there's anything you want to tell him, write it down, and I'll deliver it."
"..."
"I have nothing to say to him. Tell him if he wants revenge, I'll be here waiting."
Ei picked up her book again, pretending to ignore Luo Qing.
"Hey, you're really..."
Luo Qing felt at a loss, thinking about how both mother and son were so stubborn.
He'd planned to use this as a way to mess with Kunikuzushi, to rack up Frustration Value.
If she didn't write the letter, he'd be losing out!
"Are you sure you don't want to write anything?"
He asked again.
"No."
Ei turned away, refusing to acknowledge him.
"..."
For a moment, Luo Qing felt like he was dealing with a sulky child.
"Fine. Then tell me what you really think about him, and I'll write it down."
"Why?"
"Just say it! Don't make me beg you!"
Luo Qing sat cross-legged on the ground, holding the paper and pen, his face darkened with frustration.
His display of impatience seemed to surprise Ei.
Luo Qing dared to act so rude to her?
Did he have a death wish?
"I might consider it," Ei said coolly, "if you pass on the sword technique you used that day, once you're out."
"Why are you still so hung up on that...?"
"Are you going to teach it or not?"
"Alright, alright! I'll teach it. Let's just get started. I can't wait any longer."
Luo Qing agreed instantly.
"Really?"
"Scout's honor!"
"..."
"Hand over the pen and paper."
Ei set her book aside and held out her hand.
Though she never left the Plane of Euthymia, she still learned about everything that happened in Inazuma through the Raiden Shogun.
If Luo Qing left without honoring his promise, she'd make sure the Shogun taught him a lesson.
"Write something on each page. It doesn't have to be a lot."
Luo Qing leaned closer, handing her the pen and paper and whispering.
"Why? Can't I just write everything on one page?" Ei asked, puzzled.
"Well, that's where you're missing the point, Miss Ei."
Luo Qing chuckled. "One page is love. A hundred pages? That's a hundredfold love."
"..."
Ignoring Luo Qing's cheeky remark, Ei started writing.
Luo Qing watched from behind as she scribbled on page after page.
"Hmm... 'The first prototype in my pursuit of eternity... displayed unexpected emotions... spared from destruction, placed in Shakkei Pavilion... Tatarasuna... behavioral flaws...'"
Each page contained a record of Kunikuzushi's deeds and impressions.
To Luo Qing's surprise, Ei seemed well aware of Kunikuzushi's history before Tatarasuna. Contrary to rumors, she hadn't entirely abandoned him after leaving him at Shakkei Pavilion.
"Is this enough?"
Ei handed the stack of papers to Luo Qing.
Taking the pages, Luo Qing couldn't help but tease, "You don't seem to care, yet your actions say otherwise, Miss Ei."
"It's just something I happened to hear. Pay it no mind."
"Don't you want to see him? If you go and talk to him, Inazuma might gain another Raiden General, you know~."
"There's no need. Inazuma already has the Shogun."
"So stubborn."
"..."
"Don't forget your promise."
With a flick of her hand, Ei sent Luo Qing hurtling out of the Plane of Euthymia.
That man's mouth was insufferable, and she couldn't understand why she never quite had the heart to cut him down.
...
Thrown out of the Plane of Euthymia.
Luo Qing landed back in Tenshukaku. He glanced at the Raiden Shogun, who was deep in meditation, and decided to quietly make his escape.
But just as he prepared to slip out through the balcony, the Raiden Shogun rose and blocked his path.
"You still haven't told me about him."
"Huh?"
Luo Qing leaned back instinctively, surprised by her interest in Kunikuzushi.
The Raiden Shogun had been created after the fall of Kunikuzushi. Technically, she should even call him "Onii-chan."
Could she be a... siscon?
"Haven't you already learned what you wanted to know from Ei? What more do you need from me?"
"Is he in Inazuma now?"
"What, are you planning to go see him?"
Luo Qing looked her up and down.
With her combat abilities, if she insisted on going, there was no way he could stop her...
"No need. Tell him if he wants revenge, he can come to Tenshukaku anytime. I'll be waiting."
"Must siblings always fight?" Luo Qing tried to dissuade her.
"..."
"That's all. Also, use the front entrance from now on. Stop climbing the balcony."
With that, the Raiden Shogun returned to her seat, no longer paying him any attention.
Like Ei, she found Luo Qing's mouth incredibly irritating.
So why couldn't she bring herself to act against him?
"Fine, next time I'll make sure no one's around before I come find you."
With that, Luo Qing hopped back out through the balcony.
Despite some bumps along the way, he'd managed to get what he came for.
Now, it was time to meet up with the Harbinger and have a good time playing with Kunikuzushi.
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