The deep purple glow of the Gnosis shimred in Luo Qing's hand for a few monts before vanishing completely.
Technically, it was Ei's spoils of war.
But given the relationship between him and Ei, distinctions like "yours" and "mine" hardly mattered. What was hers was his, and what was his was hers—there was no difference.
Storing the Gnosis into his system inventory, Luo Qing felt a sense of satisfaction at achieving yet another small goal.
Turning to the dumbfounded Lumine, he walked over to Nahida, crouching down to examine her.
He looked her over carefully, even asking her to turn around so he could check every angle.
"Are you hurt anywhere, my little Nahida?"
"No... I'm fine, Luo Qing."
Being fussed over like a child made Nahida blush slightly, her bashfulness evident.
"Luo Qing, who is she?"
Nahida glanced up at the tall and imposing Raiden Shogun.
The sheer force of her presence made Nahida instinctively want to retreat and hide behind Luo Qing. She resisted the urge, thanks to the growth she'd experienced recently.
"Her na is Ei, the current god of Inazuma," Luo Qing explained, gently patting Nahida's head.
"And by the way, this guy lying on the ground? She made him with her own two hands~"
"Made him...?"
Nahida murmured, processing this information. After a few monts, she looked up at Luo Qing, her expression hesitant.
"Did you... make him with her?"
"..."
Luo Qing was montarily at a loss for words.
He had the distinct feeling that Nahida was misunderstanding sothing strange.
"He's a puppet, not a true human being," Ei finally spoke, her voice cold and detached.
She cast one last glance at the battered Scaramouche lying on the ground before turning to leave.
"My business here is done. Don't forget your promise—co find tonight."
With that, she gave Luo Qing a parting look before vanishing into a streak of violet lightning.
"Luo Qing, what did you promise her?"
Nahida's worried gaze followed Ei's departure. She feared Luo Qing might have sacrificed sothing important to secure the Electro Archon's help.
"It's nothing."
Luo Qing smiled gently, his tone soothing. "Just a little ga. Nothing for you to worry about, Nahida~"
Though it does an enduring several hours of torture tonight... Small potatoes. I can handle it.
"Okay..."
Nahida lowered her gaze in thought, then looked up again with a sweet, bright smile.
"Thank you, Luo Qing."
"Yes! Thanks to you, Luo Qing!"
Paimon suddenly appeared out of nowhere, patting Luo Qing's shoulder enthusiastically.
"To think your 'professional team' turned out to be her..."
Lumine, anwhile, had a conflicted expression.
Though she appreciated Luo Qing's help in resolving the Scaramouche situation with a single stroke, his status as a Harbinger made her uneasy.
This man who always seed to be slacking off... Was it really possible that he'd collaborate with enemies just to take down his own colleague and steal credit?
Or perhaps the so-called credit-stealing was just a front?
Ultimately, it didn't matter. Scaramouche was dealt with, and she should feel relieved.
"By the way, Nahida," Luo Qing suddenly said, his tone soft. "Can I borrow your Gnosis for a little while?"
"Eh?"
Nahida tilted her head, puzzled.
"I need its help. Just for a short ti, okay?" Luo Qing asked again, his voice gentle.
"This..."
Nahida lowered her gaze, hesitating.
Standing nearby, Lumine's earlier suspicions reignited.
So that's his real motive—not the credit, but the Gnosis. Both of them.
She considered warning Nahida but hesitated. Luo Qing had just saved them—it didn't seem right to confront him now.
"Luo Qing, why do you need it?"
Nahida's voice was soft but firm.
For a fully mature god, the Gnosis was little more than a symbolic artifact. But for Suru—and for Nahida herself—it held imnse significance.
"To get so answers," Luo Qing replied vaguely.
He decided it was best not to ntion his plan to revive the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, at least not until he understood more about their connection. If it turned out he had "parents" materializing out of nowhere, Nahida's emotional state might suffer.
"Just for one night, Nahida. Please, trust this once, okay?" Luo Qing's tone was as tender as if he were coaxing a little girl to share her candy.
"I..."
Nahida hesitated. The Gnosis was undeniably important, yet sothing about Luo Qing's presence made her want to trust him.
After a long pause, her eyes finally filled with determination.
A soft green glow emanated as the Dendro Gnosis floated out from within her.
"Just... only for one night, okay?"
"Thank you, Nahida."
Luo Qing took the Gnosis, his excitent barely contained.
With the two Gnoses in hand, everything was finally coming together.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Nahida and the others, Luo Qing left the Jouriri Workshop, offering a simple excuse.
What happened to Scaramouche from here on was Lumine and Nahida's concern. Without a Gnosis, he posed no significant threat, and Luo Qing wasn't worried about him harming Nahida.
As for Dottore, who was lurking in the shadows—well, with Ei around, even he wouldn't dare make a move.
Leaving the workshop, Luo Qing didn't head straight back to face Ei's impending "gas." Instead, he turned toward the wild rainforests of Suru.
Eventually, after so searching, he found a suitable cave.
After sealing the entrance and confirming there were no other exits or intruders, he sat alone on a stone step inside.
With a flicker of thought, the two Gnoses appeared from his inventory, floating on either side of him—the verdant green Dendro Gnosis and the deep purple Electro Gnosis.
He opened his right hand, summoning a crimson canister of divine knowledge.
Ever since learning that it might contain remnants of Rukkhadevata's soul, he had swapped it out with a fake during an Akademiya operation and kept it safe.
"Now, it's ti to solve all these mysteries..."
The mory of that dream—embracing Rukkhadevata under the World Tree—was still vivid in Luo Qing's mind.
Her joy upon seeing him, followed by her despair as they parted, had etched themselves deeply into his heart.
But now, that Chapter could finally close.
Luo Qing closed his eyes.
The two Gnoses began glowing, their energies intertwining—deep purple and bright green converging on the crimson canister.
The energies pierced the canister and surged into his consciousness.
In an instant, Luo Qing's surroundings shifted.
The dark cave was gone, replaced by a vibrant rainforest teeming with life.
At the center of it all stood a towering, radiant tree of pink and violet hues, its light shining brilliantly.
He had arrived at the foot of the World Tree.
---
Ahem! Gather close, esteed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!
Ah, but don't get distracted! Let be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and... well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of sothing truly extraordinary, do step forward here: /WiseTL].
Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can soone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instruntal in a legend's rise?
Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!
— Furina ✨
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