Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable

Chapter 464 - This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [464]

Time passed swiftly.

Since her awakening, Bu'er seemed like a completely different person.

No longer maintaining a deliberate distance despite their ambiguous relationship, she became more cheerful and her actions toward Luo Qing grew increasingly intimate. Her youthful form only amplified her vibrant demeanor.

Over the following centuries, Luo Qing enjoyed some of the happiest days of his life.

At the same time, Bu'er's favorability score in the system steadily rose.

After centuries of shared time, it surpassed 90%, inching closer to 100%.

Finally, one day, it reached 99%.

As the calamity of Khaenri'ah drew near, Luo Qing sat in the Great Sage's office, pondering how to best prepare and minimize casualties.

Suddenly, a pair of delicate hands slipped around his neck, and a soft weight pressed against his back. Bu'er's lively voice rang out behind him.

"Hey~ Luo Qing, what are you thinking about?"

"Lady Bu'er..."

Luo Qing reached behind to pull her into his lap.

"Just some trivial Akademiya matters. Nothing for you to worry about."

"Really?"

Bu'er gave a playful smile, pinching Luo Qing's cheek and making a silly face. In a soft tone, she asked,

"Then, my dear Great Sage, may I borrow some of your precious time for a stroll?"

"Of course..."

Luo Qing smiled gently.

"But why the sudden interest in taking a walk, Lady Bu'er?"

"The World Tree has been giving me a headache..."

Bu'er pouted as she took Luo Qing's hand and led him outside.

By now, Sumeru City closely resembled its future self. The Palace of Alcazarzaray, the Akademiya, and the Sanctuary of Surasthana were all fully developed. The city beneath the Holy Tree bustled with life, hosting numerous festivals and rituals.

For Luo Qing and Bu'er, however, their favorite spot was atop the crown of the Holy Tree.

There, they could overlook all of Sumeru City in peace, away from prying eyes. It was a place where they often shared quiet moments together, indulging in whatever they enjoyed most.

Standing at the edge of the tree's crown, Bu'er gazed at the lush rainforest and the bustling city below. In a soft voice, she asked,

"Luo Qing, what would you have done if I never woke up?"

"If you never woke up?"

Luo Qing was momentarily taken aback. After thinking for a moment, he replied,

"Then I would have stayed by your side, waiting for you to wake up."

"What if I never woke up at all?"

Bu'er's lips curled into a faint smile. Her tone was teasing, but her eyes seemed to seek an answer.

"Would you really wait forever?"

"Of course..."

Luo Qing nodded without hesitation.

"If you never woke up, I would stay by your bedside forever—until you did, or until I passed away."

"Hmph, you pass the test..."

Bu'er's smile turned slightly smug as she walked up to Luo Qing. Gently brushing her fingers across his face, she said seriously,

"But I wouldn't allow that to happen."

"What do you mean?"

Luo Qing frowned, confused.

Bu'er suddenly wrapped her arms around him, nestling her head against his chest as she whispered,

"If there ever comes a day when I'm no longer here... I want you to leave Sumeru."

"Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

Luo Qing furrowed his brows and looked down at Bu'er.

He knew all too well that the current Bu'er had already been tainted by forbidden knowledge. Her drastic personality shift—from reserved to bold—seemed to stem from this corruption.

"Let's not talk about that," Bu'er said, abruptly shifting the mood. With a bright smile, she pulled away from him and took his hand.

"Come with me—I have something to show you."

Though puzzled, Luo Qing allowed himself to be led to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

Once there, Bu'er dismissed all attendants and, with a mischievous smile, warned him,

"Don't resist. This might feel a little strange..."

She lightly pressed a finger to Luo Qing's forehead.

In the next instant, his consciousness seemed to be pulled away. His vision darkened, only to brighten again as he found himself in an ethereal void.

In the center of this space stood an enormous, verdant tree radiating vitality and light.

"This is..."

Luo Qing's eyes widened in shock.

"The World Tree," Bu'er said gently as she approached. She took his hand and explained,

"It and I are one. From the moment of my creation, I was entrusted with its care."

"But because of me, it fell ill..."

Her voice grew somber as her gaze shifted to the roots of the tree.

Luo Qing followed her line of sight and saw it—a stain of deep violet corruption marring the otherwise vibrant roots.

"Forbidden knowledge..." he muttered.

"That's right."

Bu'er nodded softly and continued,

"I've tried countless ways to purge all traces of its corruption. But eventually, I realized... the corruption isn't limited to the tree. It's affected me as well."

"So, to remove it completely, I might have to..."

"Don't say such nonsense."

Luo Qing interrupted her firmly.

"There has to be another way."

"I'm just kidding," Bu'er said with a playful smile, poking his cheek.

"Look at you getting all worked up..."

Turning her gaze back to the tree's branches, she added,

"But who knows what the future holds? It's better to have a contingency plan, don't you think?"

"A contingency plan?" Luo Qing asked, puzzled.

"Yes..."

Bu'er smiled gently and continued,

"If I ever truly disappear, someone will need to stay by your side, won't they?"

"..."

Luo Qing fell silent, unsure how to respond.

Bu'er guided his hand toward the most vibrant branch of the World Tree and said softly,

"One day, if I'm no longer here, it will become my successor—a part of me that will remain to accompany you."

"But it's still missing a crucial element of life. So..."

She cupped Luo Qing's face with both hands, looking at him intently.

"I need your help, Great Sage."

"..."

Luo Qing didn't reply, his heart heavy with emotion.

At that moment, he noticed the system had updated: Bu'er's favorability had reached 100%.

In that instant, he finally understood what she meant by "the crucial element of life."

"Bu'er..."

His heart full of complex emotions, Luo Qing pulled her into his embrace.

The ethereal space around them suddenly shifted, and the two of them were back in the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

Bu'er traced her finger lightly across Luo Qing's chest and whispered,

"Come to my room tonight, okay~?"

---

...

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