Yashiori Island
Having successfully brought Rosalyne under his wing, Luo Qing no longer had any reason to linger in Inazuma.
Retrieving the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis had been Rosalyne's task, not his.
He was nothing more than a supporting character in her mission—a mere tool. If anyone were to face blame, it wouldn't fall on him.
Besides, the Gnosis had already been taken to Sumeru by Scaramouche. Luo Qing couldn't be implicated even if someone wanted to.
Now, the only matter of importance left to Luo Qing was returning to Snezhnaya for an audience with Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, where he would officially be appointed as the Twelfth Harbinger.
Not that Luo Qing cared much about the title.
He was more interested in seeing what the Tsaritsa looked like.
As he debated whether to laze around Inazuma a little longer or bid farewell to Kamisato Ayaka and head straight to Snezhnaya, Luo Qing and his group had been enjoying a makeshift vacation in Chinju Forest.
At first, Natalia and the others expected Rosalyne to be as haughty and domineering as ever—looking down her nose at them, speaking curtly, and constantly making them feel inferior.
But after just a few days, they noticed a startling transformation.
Thanks to Luo Qing's "training," Rosalyne had become inexplicably obedient. She followed his every word without protest, addressing him sweetly as Master.
Her newfound gentleness was so disarming that Theresa, inspired by Rosalyne's behavior, tried calling Luo Qing Master a few times herself.
The result? A flick to the forehead that left her sulking with a bruise for days.
"Master, have you made up your mind yet?"
Natalia approached Luo Qing, sparing a glance at Rosalyne, who stood quietly beside him.
"Headquarters has already ordered the Inazuma division to withdraw the troops under Lady R—uh, Rosalyne's command. They're heading back to Snezhnaya."
"No rush, Natalia," Luo Qing replied, sitting by a small stream in the forest, fishing pole in hand.
Moments later, the bobber jerked. Luo Qing pulled back on the rod, reeling in a small fish.
Rosalyne immediately stepped forward, taking the fish off the hook and placing it into the basket before returning to her quiet post by his side.
"..."
Natalia gave Rosalyne a meaningful look.
On the first day of fishing, Rosalyne had grumbled endlessly, saying she wasn't meant to be a fisherwoman and refusing to help.
But now, she was as docile as a lamb.
Ah, the once-mighty Lady Signora, Natalia mused. She's been thoroughly shaped into Lord Luo Qing's image.
"Well, Natalia, what were you saying?" Luo Qing turned to her, breaking her thoughts.
"Master, Igor brought word from headquarters. They've asked for your immediate return to Snezhnaya. Her Majesty the Tsaritsa and Lord Pierro wish to meet with you."
"Huh?" Luo Qing blinked, then glanced at Rosalyne.
Meeting his gaze, Rosalyne bowed her head respectfully.
"Master, I never spoke in detail about your abilities to Her Majesty or Pierro. I only mentioned some of your deeds in Liyue..."
"..."
Luo Qing thought for a moment before sighing.
"Alright. If they're insisting, I guess it's time to go back."
He stood up, and Rosalyne promptly took the fishing rod from him, handing over his coat in one seamless motion.
---
After packing their belongings, the group set off along a forest trail, heading back toward Inazuma City to bid farewell to Kamisato Ayaka before returning to Snezhnaya.
As they walked, Luo Qing suddenly felt a familiar presence.
Turning around, he spotted a yellow-haired girl and her floating companion descending from the shadows of the forest canopy. A certain pink-haired trickster fox was accompanying them.
Moments later, Lumine noticed his gaze and locked eyes with him.
"..."
"..."
"Luo Qing!"
Lumine shouted, sprinting toward him with arms spread wide, stopping in front of him like a human barricade.
"You're alive after all!"
"Yo, fancy meeting you here," Luo Qing said nonchalantly, crossing his arms.
Rosalyne, standing quietly beside him, was wearing an ordinary disguise courtesy of Luo Qing's Simulated Mask. She blended in perfectly as a random civilian, avoiding any risk of being recognized.
As Yae Miko and Paimon caught up, Paimon hovered in front of Luo Qing, scrutinizing him closely.
"Luo Qing, why did you fake your death?!" she demanded.
"Why? What else was I supposed to do—actually die?" Luo Qing retorted, his tone matter-of-fact.
"You tricked all of us! Ayaka cried for days because of you!"
"Correction: I wasn't fooled," Yae Miko interjected with a sly smile.
She had witnessed Luo Qing's supposed death firsthand. While she had her suspicions about his connection to Ei and the Raiden Shogun, she had never truly believed he'd perish so easily.
After all, watching things play out was far more entertaining.
"So, what's the plan? Are you going to tell the Shogun and have her come after me again?" Luo Qing asked, his arms still crossed.
If Lumine or Yae showed any sign of betraying him, he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.
"You've got some nerve!" Paimon huffed. "Do you know what you've caused? Ei and the Shogun are fighting because of you!"
"...What?" Luo Qing's expression blanked.
His subordinates, including Rosalyne, exchanged puzzled looks.
"What did I do?"
"It's because you faked your death!" Paimon declared, looking entirely justified.
"The Shogun believes that if it weren't for Ei, she wouldn't have targeted you as an obstacle to eternity. She blames Ei for your death!"
"They're fighting in that, uh... that Inner Realm place! All because of you!"
"..."
Luo Qing felt his mind grind to a halt.
Weren't Ei and the Shogun supposed to have resolved their differences? Hadn't they moved past their feelings for him?
How had this become about him again?
"You... you need to take responsibility!" Paimon said, puffing herself up.
"Excuse me?"
"We're on our way to stop their fight. You should come with us! Maybe if they see you, they'll stop fighting!"
"..."
Luo Qing stared at Paimon as if she were a complete idiot.
"Let me get this straight," he said, poking her forehead.
"You want me to help mediate between the two people who almost killed me? Yeah, that sounds real smart."
"Well... uh..." Paimon faltered, unable to argue.
"Lumine," Luo Qing said, his tone softening. "They told you they regret what they did to me, didn't they?"
"Yes..." Lumine hesitated. "That's why I think... maybe you should come with us. It might really help."
---
T/N: Yes take responsibility!
If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.
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