Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable

"Wow, this really is a morning news report…"

Luo Qing sat across from Furina, monitoring the Akasha Network while watching her read the news aloud. He could barely resist the urge to comment.

She had actually taken his joke seriously, turning herself into a morning news anchor.

After some time, the "broadcast" came to an end. With a subtle signal from Furina, Luo Qing cut the livestream feed.

As much as he wanted to laugh at the absurdity, he had to admit that livestreaming was still a novelty to Fontaine's citizens.

It didn't matter what Furina read—news headlines or even just chewing on a matchstick—there'd still be an audience eager to watch.

"You seem to be managing just fine on your own," Luo Qing remarked casually. "Why'd you drag me into this? What, did you need me here for your first time?"

"Hmph! I only asked you to come in case something went wrong!" Furina retorted with a huff, hands on her hips.

"Clearly, I don't need you. From now on, I'll do this myself!"

"Going solo?" Luo Qing leaned forward slightly.

"…"

"Alright then, if there's nothing else, I'll head back for a nap."

Stretching lazily, Luo Qing got up to leave. But just as he turned, he felt someone tugging on the hem of his shirt.

Looking back, he saw Furina holding onto him, preventing him from leaving.

"Something else?"

"Well…" Furina's gaze darted away, her voice soft.

"Do you know someone called the Traveler?"

"The Traveler?" Luo Qing raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. "You mean Lumine?"

"Uh…" Furina thought for a moment.

"I think that's her name."

"Of course, I know her." Luo Qing chuckled. "Not only do I know her, but we're pretty close."

"Why ask about her all of a sudden?"

"She's coming to Fontaine."

"Oh, and?" Luo Qing feigned confusion.

"Hey!" Furina suddenly stomped her foot, her tone impatient.

"If you're her friend, you must know what she's done in the past, right?"

"Done?" Luo Qing pondered for a moment.

"Oh, you mean how she turns every nation upside down wherever she goes?"

"What else would I mean?!" Furina replied matter-of-factly.

"It's obvious she's coming to Fontaine for me! I'm the Hydro Archon, after all—I can't let her run amok on my turf!"

"And this has what to do with me?" Luo Qing crossed his arms, looking utterly uninterested.

"Hey!" Furina grew even more frustrated, stomping her foot again.

"Didn't you say you wanted to work with me? Show some sincerity!"

"So, what? You want me to deal with her? Make her vanish from this world?"

"No, not that…" Furina's bravado faltered. She lowered her gaze and muttered softly,

"She'll be in Fontaine in a few days. I want you to come with me to meet her…"

"Hm?" Luo Qing tilted his head in surprise.

"What do you need me for? Shouldn't you ask Neuvillette?"

"He…" Furina hesitated. "He said he's too busy. He thinks I can handle it on my own…"

"Then go handle it yourself."

"You're impossible!"

Furina stomped her foot again, glaring at Luo Qing. But fearing he might refuse her outright, she softened her tone and continued timidly,

"The Traveler is said to have fought the Raiden Shogun to a standstill… What if she suddenly decides to attack me?"

"Don't you have Clorinde?"

"She's strong, but…" Furina fidgeted nervously. "I'm not entirely confident she can handle it alone."

"So, you want me to tag along to protect you? Just in case she exposes how weak you actually are?"

"…"

"You didn't have to say the last part!" Furina snapped, glaring at him.

"When?" Luo Qing asked.

"Well…" Furina fumbled with her fingers, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Tomorrow morning. The clockwork train will take two days to reach the harbor. We'll meet her at Romaritime Harbor, where I'll publicly announce my acceptance of her challenge and allow her free passage in Fontaine."

"If you're so scared, why not just skip it?"

"That's not an option!" Furina clenched her fists and leaned closer, her expression filled with urgency.

"I'm the Hydro Archon of Fontaine! I must respond to such provocations in front of the citizens. It's about my reputation as a god!"

"Your reputation already took a nosedive when you yelled for help that night," Luo Qing teased, flicking her forehead.

"Ah! Ow, ow, ow!"

Furina clutched her forehead, her eyes brimming with tears as she glared at Luo Qing.

If it were anyone else, they'd already be locked up in Melopide for this!

Still…

Why does his flick hurt so much?!

"Here!"

Furina suddenly lifted her head, glaring at him with a mix of anger and frustration.

"You've already hit me, so now you have to go with me!"

"That's your condition?"

"What else?!"

Furina huffed.

"Do you think I'd let you hit me for free?!"

"One forehead flick isn't enough." Luo Qing shook his head.

"If you want me to come along, you'll have to sweeten the deal."

"Sweeten the deal…" Furina eyed him suspiciously.

"What more do you want?"

"Let me pinch your cheeks again."

"?"

[+1 Frustration Value from Furina]

"No pinching, no deal. Take it or leave it," Luo Qing said with a smirk.

He had to admit, Furina's cheeks were the perfect combination of soft and elastic. Coupled with her adorable mix of feistiness and timidity, pinching them was both a physical and emotional delight.

"You're impossible…" Furina bit her lip, her hands clenched into fists.

In front of anyone else, she could easily intimidate them with her status as a god.

But Luo Qing? He seemed completely unfazed by her divine authority, treating her like any ordinary person.

"Well?" Luo Qing smiled teasingly. "If you won't agree, I'm leaving."

"…"

Furina remained silent.

"No answer? Guess that's a no. Bye!"

Luo Qing made a show of lifting his foot and heading for the door.

Just as he reached it, Furina's voice rang out behind him, "You come back here!"

"Oh?" Luo Qing turned, amused to see her blushing furiously.

Furina glared at him with a mix of shame and anger. "Fine! But only this once, and no more conditions!"

Luo Qing smiled. "Of course. Am I the kind of man who breaks his promises?"

"Hmph… You already are!"

With a huff, Furina stomped over to him.

She tilted her head up, closed her eyes, and puffed her cheeks, her voice sharp but tinged with embarrassment.

"Here! Pinch it!"

---

T/N: ITSHOULDHAVEBEENME.gif

"Gar~de! Voir voir."

- Gardevoir

(End of Bonus Chapter—If you like my work, consider supporting me at [patreon.com/WiseTL]!)