Following the voice, Luo Qing turned to see Lumine and Paimon approaching from the shadows. It seed they had been expecting him here.
"Lumine..." Luo Qing said, a hint of confusion in his voice. "What are you two doing here?"
"It's... about sothing very important."
Lumine glanced at Furina, who was visibly downcast, and then back at Luo Qing, her tone calm but firm.
"I need to talk to you alone."
"Sothing important?" Luo Qing frowned, his mind racing.
Right now, other than the prophecy, what else could be important?
"What is it?" he asked.
Lumine hesitated for a mont, then glanced at Furina again before leaning closer and whispering, "It's about the Gnosis."
"..."
Luo Qing fell silent, his thoughts churning.
How did she figure out that my target is the Gnosis?
"Can't we talk here?" he asked.
"If you don't mind making Furina feel even worse..." Lumine replied softly, "then sure, we can talk here."
"..."
Luo Qing hesitated again, his wariness growing. He couldn't help but wonder why they had sought him out now and what they were planning.
Before he could make a decision, Furina's voice interrupted.
"It's fine, Luo Qing. I... just want so ti alone."
Luo Qing looked at her with concern. "Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?"
"Of course..." Furina forced a smile, clearly trying to reassure him. "I am the Hydro Archon, after all. What could possibly happen to ?"
"..."
"If you say so."
Reluctantly, Luo Qing nodded. He reasoned that the deserted town would give Furina the solitude she needed to clear her mind.
Following Lumine's lead, he walked away, glancing back at Furina one last ti.
After winding through several narrow streets, they arrived at a secluded alley, its exits blocked by towering walls.
Luo Qing's senses sharpened. The isolation of the space felt deliberate.
"This will do," Lumine said, turning to face him. Her expression was grave, Paimon hovering nervously beside her.
"Luo Qing," Lumine began, her voice steady. "Your purpose in Fontaine is to claim the Gnosis, isn't it?"
"Yes," Luo Qing replied without hesitation. "What of it? It's our duty as Harbingers. My colleague, Arlecchino, ca here for the sa reason."
"Then..."
Lumine took a deep breath and t his gaze.
"I ask that you don't stand in our way."
"What do you an?" Luo Qing's frown deepened.
"The prophecy threatens the lives of everyone in Fontaine," Lumine explained, her voice low but resolute. "We need to uncover whatever Furina is hiding. Neuvillette said that if we locate the Gnosis, he's willing to temporarily lend it to you."
"Oh?"
Luo Qing's eyes narrowed, and understanding dawned.
So that's what this is about. Lumine has beco Neuvillette's spokesperson, teaming up with him against .
"You really think Neuvillette would just lend sothing as important as the Gnosis?" he sneered.
"Lumine, after all this ti traveling, I thought you'd gained so wisdom. But it seems you're as naive as ever."
"..."
Lumine's expression darkened at the jab. Though the comnt stung, she couldn't let it deter her. The stakes were too high.
"This isn't up for debate, Luo Qing," she said firmly. "We're doing what we believe is right."
"Oh, really?"
Luo Qing chuckled coldly, his tone dripping with mockery.
"You claim to be doing the right thing. But tell , Lumine, how is what you're doing any different from what Azar, the Grand Sage of the Akademiya, did back in Suru?"
Lumine froze.
"You think you're justified, so you're turning against Fontaine's Archon—against Furina. The Grand Sage thought the sa way, which is why he imprisoned Nahida."
"Was he right?"
"..."
Lumine was montarily speechless, clearly shaken by Luo Qing's words. But after a few seconds, she shook her head, regaining her composure.
"I'm sorry, Luo Qing," she said quietly. "But this is sothing we have to do."
For days, they had agonized over how to deal with Luo Qing, who rarely left Furina's side. Ultimately, they decided to draw him away and stall him, giving others the ti they needed to act.
"Lumine..." Luo Qing sighed, his voice tinged with disappointnt. "You've let down."
As the words left his mouth, a surge of violet energy erupted from his body, rippling through the confined space.
With a re flick of his wrist, a massive, dark purple arm manifested and tore the alley's tal ceiling apart. The raw power forced everyone back, scrambling to defend themselves.
But by the ti they steadied themselves, Luo Qing was already gone.
---
Luo Qing materialized on the rooftops overlooking Whitespruce Town.
Their real target wasn't —it was Furina.
His eyes burned with anger as he disappeared into the night, racing back to protect her.
---
T/N: AHHHHHHHHHHHH
...
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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