Neuvillette fell silent.
Luo Qing's pointed remark had left him montarily at a loss for words.
He had known Furina for centuries, their relationship built on mutual understanding despite her outwardly arrogant and flamboyant deanor. Beneath her ostentatious façade, Neuvillette was well aware of her true nature.
She secretly managed an intricate intelligence network, quietly supported Fontaine's Academy, and kept a watchful eye on the progress of the Prophecy.
She was far from the indifferent and passive figure she appeared to be.
Her actions were carefully hidden in the shadows, kept from public knowledge.
Or perhaps...
She feared letting the public know.
Yet, this enigmatic Hydro Archon, always threading the needle in the background, had suddenly announced she was entering a relationship during this critical period of the Prophecy. And her partner? None other than a notorious Fatui Harbinger with a tumultuous reputation across several nations.
There had to be more to it than just romance.
"By the way..."
Luo Qing crossed his arms and let out a small scoff.
"Shouldn't Lord Neuvillette be busy handling post-disaster affairs at Palais rmonia? What brings you here?"
"I..."
Neuvillette hesitated briefly, glancing at Lumine, who was still trying to wake Navia nearby.
"I was supposed to et with Lumine and Paimon. When I realized they weren't in White Birch Town, I ca here."
"Oh?"
Luo Qing chuckled softly.
"Impressive speed, Lord Neuvillette. But being a fast man isn't always a good thing, you know."
"You two, stop arguing..."
Lumine's voice interrupted their exchange. "Navia's awake! Co over and take a look!"
"..."
"..."
Luo Qing and Neuvillette, both slightly embarrassed, fell silent and approached.
Navia coughed a few tis before finally opening her eyes.
"Lumine... Lord Neuvillette... Mr. Luo Qing?"
Looking at the people gathered around her, Navia could hardly believe her eyes.
She distinctly rembered falling into the primordial seawater—how could she possibly still be alive?
"I... I'm alive...?"
"Yes, Navia! You're alive!"
Paimon floated in front of her, her voice trembling with relief. "You scared us half to death! If not for Neuvillette and Luo Qing, we would have lost you!"
"Thank you... Thank you both..."
Navia's voice was weak as she rubbed her temple, trying to recall fragnts of what felt like a dream.
"Technically..."
Neuvillette spoke softly. "It wasn't us who saved you."
"What?"
Navia looked at him, puzzled.
"You did fall into the primordial seawater," Neuvillette explained. "At this concentration, even a brief exposure would have dissolved you completely.
"But at the last mont, two Oceanids appeared and shielded you, acting as a barrier between you and the seawater."
He paused, then glanced at Luo Qing before continuing.
"Though it lasted only an instant, without their intervention... even we wouldn't have been able to save you."
"Purewater Sprites..."
Navia's eyes widened as understanding dawned on her. She murmured, "Was it Silver and Myles...?"
"..."
A heavy silence settled over the group.
From Navia's tone, it was clear to Luo Qing that her loyal bodyguards had likely perished in the disaster.
But there was little he could say to console her now. Catching Neuvillette's and Lumine's eyes, he subtly gestured for them to give Navia a mont to herself.
Once they were a short distance away, Paimon couldn't contain her curiosity.
"Luo Qing, what are you doing here?!" she asked in a hushed but excited tone. "I heard you've been openly dating Furina lately—is it true?!"
"It's true," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly. "Even Lord Neuvillette's hostile glares should confirm that much."
"..."
[ 1 Frustration Value from Neuvillette]
"But doesn't your... uh..."
Paimon quickly covered her mouth, realizing she was about to blurt out sothing she shouldn't. If she accidentally revealed Luo Qing's personal secrets, Neuvillette might lose his temper and start a fight on the spot.
"No helping it," Luo Qing said with a casual shrug. His gaze drifted to Neuvillette as he folded his arms, feigning innocence. "It's Furina's wish, after all. I couldn't possibly refuse her, could I?"
"..."
[ 1 Frustration Value from Neuvillette]
This guy... is he provoking on purpose?
"Ugh..."
Paimon fell into awkward silence, while Lumine was left unsure how to respond.
How does Luo Qing manage to get involved with goddesses everywhere he goes? His household already has more deities than she can count on one hand!
"Alright, let's refocus," Luo Qing said, clapping his hands together. "Judging by your expressions, it seems you haven't made much progress. How about we join forces? It'll be safer and faster that way."
"Sounds great!" Paimon eagerly agreed.
"And you, Lord Neuvillette?"
Luo Qing's gaze shifted to Neuvillette, his expression teasing as if to say, Guess who wasn't going to be invited to this aweso underground adventure?
"..."
"...I agree," Neuvillette said at last with a slight nod.
Despite his irritation with Luo Qing, uncovering the Prophecy's secrets took precedence. He would tolerate Luo Qing's antics—for now.
"Good, then it's settled."
Luo Qing clapped his hands again. "Once Navia has recovered, we'll move deeper into the ruins."
---
With Navia finally back on her feet, the group resud their journey.
With both Luo Qing and Neuvillette present, their safety was assured, allowing them to progress more quickly.
Eventually, the underground ruins ended at an enormous stone wall.
The wall was divided into four sections, three of which held engraved stone tablets adorned with intricate patterns. The first section, however, was conspicuously empty, as though its tablet was missing.
"This is..."
Luo Qing stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he examined the weathered inscriptions beneath the tablets.
"This is a nation fated to fall. I will record its... future history... in the past."
"...What?"
A sudden wave of familiarity washed over Luo Qing as he read the words.
The content of this inscription...
It's eerily similar to my story with Bu'er.
The one who carved these words claid to record future events in the past...
And I... I will leave traces of history in the future by returning to the past.
Could it be that the person who wrote this foresaw a distant future?
Or...
Soone returned to the past and left these words behind?
---
...
If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—ant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your ti? Thank you.
Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into sothing beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!
If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:
👉 /WiseTL]
Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.
Until next ti—read well, rest often, and maybe co visit at the Hostess of Fertility soti.
– Syr ✨
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