Little, Careful, Deep, Abyss
As the last word was typed on the screen, Qin Yu's pupils contracted.
Without hesitation, he typed his reply:
Arlecchino, are you spying on me?
"Heh."
The woman's low chuckle echoed in Qin Yu's ears, but she said nothing.
Arlecchino hung up the communication, elegant and mysterious.
Good news, not a riddler.
Bad news, this time she didn't even speak.
"..."
Qin Yu stared at the darkened communication device, silent for a long time.
In the mountains shrouded in darkness, the whistling cold wind brought waves of chill.
The Abyss Order... the Fatui... the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual...
What is the purpose of this shadowy organization?
What is their connection to Arlecchino, and has Columbina hidden something?
The most crucial point...
Is the intelligence from "The Knave" Arlecchino truly reliable?
"Back to square one again."
Qin Yu closed his eyes gently and sighed.
Before this, relying on his extensive mind-reading abilities and the cooperation of the Tenryou Commission,
Arlecchino's spies in Inazuma City had been almost completely eradicated.
Qin Yu also knew that her presence in Inazuma was related to the Enkanomiya, and he deduced that she might be targeting it.
He thought he had disrupted her plan to collect Archon's grudges, and finally, he could see through her mystery.
But this sudden Abyss brought everything back to the beginning.
Was all of this within Arlecchino's expectations?
Just as Qin Yu fell into silence.
"..."
Columbina frowned, sensing Qin Yu's unease.
Arlecchino.
Columbina didn't really care what kind of person she was.
But Sandrone disliked her immensely, even vowing before the Tsaritsa that she would spank her sooner or later.
Sooner or later meant spanking from morning to night.
She had even created a special spanking machine for this purpose.
She hadn't told Qin Yu about this strange idea, had she?
"Qin Yu."
Columbina didn't say much, just gently linked her arm with Qin Yu's.
Trust your own judgment, my travel companion.
"Thank you."
Qin Yu looked at the serene and elegant Columbina, his brows relaxing.
Yes, he still had Columbina and Sandrone by his side.
Who is Arlecchino? I really don't know her.
"Phew... this is interesting."
Thinking this, he took a deep breath and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.
Should I say she is worthy of being a Fatui Harbringer, "The Knave"?
With just a few light words, she made him have so many worries.
She also managed to sow discord between him and Columbina.
Things were getting interesting.
"Do you need your sister to help?"
The fox lady twirled strands of her hair, her tone languid.
Qin Yu smiled at the words and shook his head confidently.
"It's okay, I'll finish it quickly."
After all, no matter how much planning there is, it can't compare to the power to flip the table.
Arlecchino, did you foresee this?
...
"Qin Yu, here I come!"
Lumine's light body leaped up, and like a kitten returning home, she landed beside Qin Yu.
Of course, ignoring the open embrace of Mr. Qin.
"Slow down."
Not receiving the cat-girl maid's pounce, Qin Yu felt a little regretful.
"Where were you looking just now?"
Lumine pushed down her slightly lifted skirt and said with a puffed-out cheek.
"Your cat ears were about to fall off."
Qin Yu teased as he watched Lumine subconsciously touch the top of her head.
It seems she's gotten used to it, my maid cat...
"Qin Yu!!"
Lumine only then realized and delivered a cat-like punch to Qin Yu.
He's teasing her again, a pervert with strange hobbies!
"Cough, cough, are you feeling a bit more relaxed?"
Qin Yu enjoyed the maid's intimate "massage" and raised his hands with a smile.
He could sense Lumine's slightly heavy mood just now, so he made a joke.
It's not because Mr. Qin has any strange thoughts about the maid cat.
In fact, he had already experimented on the cat-girl.
"...Are you concerned about me?"
Lumine snorted softly and threatened him with her small fists.
But her fierce tone had softened considerably.
Being cared for made her feel much more relaxed.
Thinking about it this way, Qin Yu seemed much better than her brother who abandoned her.
He's handsome, and his physique is quite sturdy.
Although he has strange hobbies, he's actually very gentle and respects a girl's wishes.
No, no, no!
Lumine snapped back to reality and quickly shook her head.
Why did such strange thoughts appear just now? Forget them quickly!
"?"
Qin Yu looked at Lumine, who alternated between a strange smile and glaring at him with shame and anger, feeling puzzled.
This Lumine is getting more and more peculiar.
Scary, so scary.
"Lumine, focus! A difficult battle awaits us!"
Paimon put her hands on her hips, her little face serious.
"Just watch me fight later."
Qin Yu looked at Paimon, who was stomping her feet nervously, and reached out to pinch her cheek.
"You have no idea how difficult the purification ritual is."
Lumine snorted at Qin Yu's nonchalant attitude.
The troublesome monsters, the harsh Electro environment, and the dizzying array of formations...
But before Lumine could finish speaking.
"As long as I split it with one strike, there won't be a problem."
Qin Yu smiled and slowly raised his hand.
The next moment, thunder roared, and a mournful purple light dispelled the darkness.
He actually caught the lightning with his bare hands.
Not just lightning.
"This is...?"
Lumine's small mouth parted, and in her clear, large eyes, Qin Yu's...
It was a katana entwined with terrifying Electro and killing intent, symbolizing the will and authority of a god.
"The Raiden Shogun's Musou Isshin."
Qin Yu said softly, listening to the tremor of the blade.
It took him quite a bit of effort to draw this sword.
"Ugh... Qin Yu is so, so amazing."
Paimon, hiding in Lumine's chest, couldn't even speak properly.
"??"
Lumine looked down at her dull sword, which she had bought from a street stall, and was greatly shocked.
Has Qin Yu been taken care of by the Electro Archon? To actually...!
"The Raiden Archon treats you well."
Columbina said softly, thoughtfully.
Quietly, a curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.
It seems the Cryo Archon's verbal invitation to Qin Yu was not enough.
But fortunately, she had already made her move in advance...
"Are you ready?"
Yae Miko saw Qin Yu draw Musou Isshin and was not surprised.
After all, her good friend was almost throwing herself away for him, so what was a sword?
Do you want to ask about that pink fox?
Hmph...
My good friend, I can't enjoy delicious desserts all by myself.
She'll take a bite, I don't mind, right?
"Let's go."
Qin Yu nodded and spread his arms.
Geo energy transformed into a Jade Shield, protecting the Thunder Bird and its occupants.
This time, the girls were more sensible and didn't crowd around Qin Yu.
And then...
The Thunder Bird carried everyone and plunged into the depths of Mt. Yougou.
...
At the deepest part of the pit, centuries of filth had long condensed into a massive "tumor," exuding an ominous aura.
The evil spirits and Archon's grudges along the way were easily dealt with by Yae Miko and Columbina.
Only now did Lumine realize how strong her teammates were.
She and Paimon had become mere spectators.
The tumor was getting closer.
"Qin Yu!"
Lumine subconsciously looked at the figure slowly raising his sword.
Under the protection of Qin Yu's shield, the impact of the evil energy could not get close; it was as firm as a rock.
Lumine blinked, her eyes shining brightly.
He's quite reliable.
"Now!"
Qin Yu seized the moment when the power of the filth weakened, and purple light flashed in his eyes.
He used the momentum of the Thunder Bird's advance and leaped from high above.
In the gaze of all the women—
"Clang!"
The sword light sliced through the darkness.
The immense tumor froze in the air, reflecting Qin Yu's back.
"Did it succeed?"
Lumine, lying on the Thunder Bird, looked nervous.
"Crack, crack."
On the tumor, a tiny crack appeared and began to extend.
The filth that had accumulated in Inazuma for centuries...
Was cut in half by Qin Yu.
"..."
At the same time, Qin Yu's eyes widened slightly.
The Musou Isshin in his hand was glowing.
As if hearing a woman's whisper, familiar... yet very strange.
Just as Qin Yu was about to search for that voice.
"Heh heh—"
Behind him, a sinister laugh echoed.
Entwined with dark shadows, they emerged from a spatial rift.
"From... the Abyss."
They seized the moment when Qin Yu's mind was relaxed and attacked.