Rosalyne hesitated for a moment before taking the fist-sized pill Luo Qing handed her. Slowly, she placed it in her mouth and began to chew.
Moments later, her shattered and burnt body began to heal visibly.
The charred blackened remnants of her skin fell away, replaced by soft, unblemished flesh that was smooth as a newborn's.
Even her long-lost right eye regenerated, restoring her vision completely.
Time seemed to stand still as her transformation unfolded.
When it was over, Rosalyne's body was as flawless as polished jade, a picture of vitality and perfection.
"This... how is this possible?"
She touched her newly restored right eye, disbelief etched on her face. The crude-looking pill had not only repaired the fire-ravaged parts of her body but also regenerated what she thought was lost forever.
She felt like a newborn, her body brimming with life.
"How did you do this?" Rosalyne looked up at Luo Qing, confusion and shock in her eyes.
"You could at least show some gratitude," Luo Qing said with a smirk, tapping her on the forehead. "From now on, call me 'Master.'"
"..."
Rosalyne remained silent, her gaze conflicted.
After a brief internal struggle, she lowered her head, compelled by the binding obsession within her.
"Yes... Master..."
"Ahh, now that's satisfying," Luo Qing said with a contented sigh.
He'd been waiting for the day he could bring Rosalyne under his command.
"Also..."
With a thought, Luo Qing summoned a set of clothes from his system inventory and tossed them to her.
"Put these on. Unless, of course, you prefer walking around naked."
Rosalyne, already weak from her ordeal, had been unable to control the flames consuming her. As a result, every piece of clothing Natalia had dressed her in had been incinerated.
Now, her flawless body stood fully exposed, a sight that even Luo Qing couldn't help but steal a few glances at.
"Yes..."
Rosalyne accepted the clothes, casting a sidelong glance at Luo Qing. Noticing he wasn't turning away, her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Um..."
"Just put them on," Luo Qing interrupted, making no move to leave the room.
"Yes..."
Her words cut off, Rosalyne reluctantly began dressing in front of him, her face tinged with embarrassment.
The outfit Luo Qing provided was a standard Fatui female uniform—far less elegant than her former regal attire. It fit tightly across her chest, reminding her that she was no longer an esteemed Harbinger but just another soldier.
"Not bad. It suits you," Luo Qing said with an approving nod.
"You knew I would die in that duel, didn't you?" Rosalyne asked softly, her head bowed to avoid meeting his eyes.
"Sharp as always. Want me to give you a little reward for that insight?" Luo Qing teased. "Oh, and by the way, if you call me anything other than 'Master' again, I'll have to teach you a lesson~."
"..."
[+1 Frustration Value from Rosalyne.]
"Why did you save me?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
Dying would have been a release for her—a way to escape her torment.
"It's simple." Luo Qing crossed his arms and replied matter-of-factly.
"There aren't many people on this continent with decent power. I couldn't let the Tsaritsa hog them all, could I?"
"You..."
Rosalyne started to retort but stopped herself, lowering her head again.
"What... does Master plan to do?"
"Ah, you're learning. Good," Luo Qing said, smiling with satisfaction.
It seemed the master ball's effects worked exactly as described—no one with weaker mental strength than him could resist the servitude contract.
"I don't plan to do much. I just want to expand my... organization, you see." Luo Qing tapped her on the forehead.
"The Eighth Harbinger, Signora, is dead. From now on, Rosalyne, you'll be like Natalia and the others—working for me. Understood?"
"Yes... Master." Rosalyne bowed her head obediently.
"Good. Now, let's introduce you to your new colleagues."
Luo Qing turned and began walking toward the cave's entrance.
Rosalyne glanced at his retreating figure, then at the icy Vision in her hand.
It was a genuine Vision, unlike the counterfeit Delusions granted by the Fatui.
Visions were divine blessings, bestowed only on those chosen by the gods.
Even the Tsaritsa had merely given her elemental power through a Delusion to suppress her flames. Luo Qing, however, had handed her a real Cryo Vision with ease.
For the first time, Rosalyne found herself questioning everything she thought she knew about Luo Qing.
Wasn't he just an orphan picked up by Arlecchino at the House of the Hearth? How does he possess such power...
"Why are you just standing there? Hurry up," Luo Qing called, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Yes..." Rosalyne murmured, following him out of the cave.
"Alright, everyone, gather around!" Luo Qing said cheerfully, patting Rosalyne on the shoulder as they emerged.
"Meet Rosalyne, our newest addition to this happy little family. Let's give her a warm welcome!"
"..."
The group glanced at Rosalyne, their expressions a mix of wariness and reluctance as they clapped half-heartedly.
Truth be told, they had eavesdropped on Luo Qing and Rosalyne's entire conversation.
They still couldn't quite wrap their heads around the fact that their leader had made her—the Eighth Harbinger—call him Master.
Apparently, Luo Qing had a thing for this kind of... arrangement.
"Um, Lord Luo Qing," Theresa hesitantly raised her hand.
Having been the lowest-ranking member of the group, she often found herself on the receiving end of teasing. She had secretly hoped Luo Qing would bring in new recruits for her to boss around.
And now...
"Rosalyne's rank is...?" Theresa asked, her eyes gleaming with hope.
"Oh, just as you're thinking, Theresa," Luo Qing replied with a grin, patting Rosalyne on the shoulder again. "From today, Rosalyne is officially your junior~."
"Wha... huh..."
The former Eighth Harbinger, the superior of all superiors, was now her subordinate.
It was almost too much for her to process.
---
Outskirts of Inazuma City
Ei knelt on one knee, clutching her head with her right hand, her face contorted in pain.
"Ei, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?!" Paimon asked worriedly.
Throughout their journey, Ei had shown signs of discomfort multiple times, especially after battles.
They had just defeated a pack of Riftwolves, helping some wandering spirits pass on peacefully.
"Ei, are you alright?" Lumine asked.
"I... I can't move my body..." Ei's voice was strained, her expression filled with anguish.
"It seems she no longer wants me... to use this body..."
"She?" Lumine asked hesitantly. "You mean the Shogun?"
"Yes..." Ei replied softly. "It seems I must face her..."
"Lumine, could I ask you to accompany me to Yashiori Island?"
"What for?"
"To settle everything with the Shogun. To sever the past... and embrace the future..."
---
T/N: calling it now the seed is for Makoto (OMG I FUCKING FORGOT THIS CHAPTER ARAIHFIHFAF u guys get 3 chapters toady then lmaoo)
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