Several months later, in Snezhnaya—
After months at sea, the merchant ship returning from Inazuma finally docked at Snezhnaya's harbor.
For the first time in over a year, Luo Qing and his companions set foot on Snezhnayan soil again.
The familiar port, the biting cold of the air—
As they disembarked from the deck, Natalia and the others were in high spirits.
Though Snezhnaya's frigid climate was far from the livable conditions of Mondstadt or Liyue, this was home.
For the Fatui, returning home intact, without any missing limbs, was a luxury. For these three, safely returning was cause enough to celebrate.
"You're all on leave for the next few days. Go home, find your families," Luo Qing called out casually as he watched the trio frolicking ahead.
"But, my lord, what about the audience with Her Majesty...?"
"Don't worry. I'll notify you when the time comes."
"Yes, Luo Qing-sama!"
With that, the three cheered and disappeared into the bustling port crowds.
"Going home, huh? Must be nice," Luo Qing mused as he watched them leave, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
The trio had barely graduated from the recruit camp when he whisked them away for his mission. Getting them back in one piece felt like a small victory for him, too.
His gaze shifted to Theresa, who was still standing by his side.
"Theresa," he said, puzzled. "Didn't I say you're on leave? Why aren't you heading home with the others?"
"Um..."
Theresa's expression faltered, and after a moment's hesitation, she replied softly, "It's fine, my lord. I can go back later..."
"Huh? Why's that?"
Luo Qing raised an eyebrow.
When he first met Theresa, she couldn't stop talking about how much she wanted to return to Snezhnaya.
Now that they were finally back, she didn't seem all that eager.
"Well..."
Theresa hesitated before tilting her head up with a forced smile.
"I live alone, so it doesn't really matter when I go back."
"..."
Luo Qing fell silent, his eyes lingering on her strained smile.
He thought to himself, What an idiot I am...
"Alright then. You're coming with me for dinner tonight," he said, ruffling her hair.
Having spent so much time with Theresa, it was the first time he'd learned anything about her family situation.
He'd always thought Theresa was a bit dense, which made her antics easy to shrug off. But now, hearing that she lived alone stirred something in him for the first time.
Maybe it was because he was an orphan too.
"Really?! Thank you, my lord!"
Theresa's eyes lit up as she threw her arms around his and began nuzzling him.
"Alright, alright, cut it out," Luo Qing said, feigning annoyance as he pried his arm free.
Looking toward the other two women standing nearby, he added, "Let's go. Time to head home."
Luo Qing stretched lazily.
Though he called it "home," his situation wasn't much different from Theresa's—his house was empty too.
He had already informed the Fatui headquarters in advance of his return. Before the inevitable summons from Pierro, he planned to take some time to rest.
Leading the three women, Luo Qing made his way toward his residence.
---
Just as they were leaving the port, a broad-shouldered man with sharp brows and a cigarette in his mouth stood waiting near the exit.
When he spotted Luo Qing, he waved and jogged over.
"You brat!"
The man punched Luo Qing lightly on the shoulder, grinning. "You really made it back alive! Not bad!"
"Why do you sound like you were hoping I wouldn't, Belov?" Luo Qing teased.
Belov was one of the few people Luo Qing considered a friend in Snezhnaya.
After all, this man had once lost a bet and actually helped him steal Arlecchino's stockings...
"Hmph, if you'd died, I'd have had to clean up the mess. No thanks," Belov replied, slinging an arm over Luo Qing's shoulder.
His gaze shifted to the three women following behind.
Apart from Theresa, with her striking violet hair and eyes, the other two were masked and hooded, their figures the only clue that they were women.
"Not bad, kid. You came back with three more in the family, huh?"
"What's the matter, jealous?" Luo Qing quipped.
"Hah! I have a wife. What's there to be jealous about?" Belov snorted.
Leaning closer, he whispered conspiratorially, "By the way... you still have it, right?"
"Have what?" Luo Qing's grin froze.
"Don't play dumb. You know, that thing."
"Oh, it's safe. Why?"
"Lend it to me for a few days..." Belov muttered.
"?"
Luo Qing stared at him.
"Don't get the wrong idea! I just want to let my wife wear it for a while..." Belov clarified in a hushed tone.
"When she steps on me, it'll feel like Arlecchino-sama herself is stepping on me..."
"???"
"If your wife wears it, it's not 'original' anymore. No way," Luo Qing said sternly.
He would protect the essence of Arlecchino-sama's stockings with his life!
"You brat!"
Belov opened his mouth to shout but quickly glanced around, lowering his voice.
"I risked my life stealing that for you! What's wrong with borrowing it for a few days?!"
"Nope."
"When Arlecchino-sama came back, she even asked about it at the Hearth. She said a pair of her stockings was missing! I nearly got caught!"
"Still no."
"..."
"Fine, fine," Luo Qing sighed. "Just go steal another pair."
"She's here in Snezhnaya right now! How am I supposed to do that?! Come on, I'm desperate!"
Belov's face contorted in frustration.
"Call me when it's about drinks," Luo Qing said, patting his friend on the shoulder.
Turning to the women behind him, he motioned for them to follow and walked past Belov without a backward glance.
Makoto and Rosalyne, both masked, exchanged glances before casting disdainful looks at Belov.
Even through their masks, Belov could feel the sheer contempt.
What's with them? Luo Qing likes stockings too. Why am I the only one getting judged here?
---
At the Zapolyarny Palace.
In the dimly lit central hall, a massive square stone coffin stood ominously.
A girl lay draped over the coffin, humming a mournful tune that echoed throughout the chamber.
The Harbingers, clad in white cloaks, stood around the coffin, their expressions varied.
"Today, we gather to commemorate a dear companion. Her sacrifice merits a half-day of mourning for all of Snezhnaya," Pulcinella intoned, bowing his head solemnly.
"Hmph. Just half a day?" Pantalone's smile was razor-sharp as he glanced at Pulcinella.
"They say the Northland Bank runs on Snezhnaya's blood and tears, but Mayor, your values are more twisted than those of a banker like me."
"Rosalyne fell on foreign soil," Arlecchino snapped, her voice icy. "For someone like you—lacking empathy and cowering in Snezhnaya—to sneer at her sacrifice... keep your mouth shut."
"Now, now. This isn't the time for bickering," Childe interjected from his seat in the corner, smirking. "But I can't help noticing someone's missing. Are you really going to snub our newest colleague like this?"
"Enough, Tartaglia. I know you're itching for a fight, but not now," Capitano said calmly.
"We're here to honor Rosalyne. Despite the dishonor of her methods, her sacrifice was meaningful. Still, where are Dottore, Scaramouche, and the Gnosis from Inazuma?"
"Let the world believe divine knowledge is incomprehensible," Dottore said with a chilling grin, swirling a vial in his hand.
From the shadows, a middle-aged man stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the ornate stone coffin.
"The night's foolish play must end."
---
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