Chapter Text
The same view appeared the same as the one he dreamt. Nahida, Cyno, and himself on board the large Sumeru ship heading to the land of thunder. Narukami islands skyscape emerges on the horizon, from the light beam on top of mount Yugou to the rolling hills of Inazuma city, with the silhouette of omnipresent god statue and the abode of Electro Archon, Tenshukaku sat on the furthest hill.
After the Sakoku decree ends, the storm of Inazuma has resided, waves calm as the sun shone brightly. He watches the guardian of irminsul is given ‘uppies’ by the General Mahamatra. Both of them are ooh and aah-ing at the new sight of the country alongside. An eerie comparison creeps up through his mind, like a shadow of doubt broiling with anxiety mixed in the depth of his conscious. A sound laughter broke his train of mind, Akademiya staffs who is also on board are doing the same thing. Their expression bright and genuine wonder reflected in their bright eyes. The sight of them baffles him, he scoffs lightly at the lively scene before him showing a striking contrast from the dream he had.
At the sight of island of Ritou has come to near, the scenery of the only legal foreign checkpoint has made its first impression to the travelling foreigners. Inazuman buildings made of Aralia wood with its blue tile as the roof, in the midst red maple trees give a contrast of color to the island. By the mouth of the port, a statue of the earth kitsune stands and a guarding doushin waiting for them with his polearm ready. The puppet’s feather ornament hanging on his chest feels a lot heavier by every minute the boat closes in the port.
Nahida was observing the puppet from time to time. She feels a certain air of tension around the puppet, but of course his face remains as cold and astute as ever.
Being his guardian, the Dendro Archon felt her responsibility again making sure she has to protect and step up for him along this trip. She reminded about their conversation about his little rebellion by completely avoiding her after the incident. She could only set herself a boundary for empathizing what the puppet just went something that shook him badly. Even with her power to see people’s thoughts she still respects that Wanderer’s going through trauma, with her barging in his mind while it is at his most sensitive is against her code of conduct.
But the departure date to Inazuma was nearing and Nahida worries that his anxiety is bound to make him take a risky choice, and as his current guardian Nahida would have to prepare if his choices bound to get someone hurt. The night before the trip Nahida confronts him in his room inside of Sanctuary of Surasthana, about the dream the aranara gave him. The little archon and the puppet sat side by side on the puppet’s bed.
“Would it kill you not press me if I keep resisting on small things like this, would it become an obstacle for me in the future?” the puppet exasperatedly let out his complaint.
“For this case, I’d say yes”
“There was a ‘no’ option?”
The little god crossed her arms as to carefully organize her words. “As the god of wisdom, acceptance and healing would require time and patience, it is the very nature of our being those things should not come in a rush, but as the ruler of Sumeru. I have to say, there are matter of importance that I would prefer not to start a conflict with Inazuma if you decide to renegade upon our arrival.”
Upon hearing Nahida’s reasoning Wanderer averted his head away from her, complaining:
“Tch, your hobby these days are pushing me into a wall, Nahida”
After a long sigh, he relays to her from the start of the dream until the scene in the Plane of Euthymia.
“I was too impatient, I wanted to end that nightmare, and the dream gave me the chance to ending it by meeting her. With my fury and years of hatred had gotten over me and I ended up stabbing her in the gut”. Wanderer sucked his breath before he continues “The dream made me experience the consequences if I did manage to kill the divine” as he looks at his hand as the phantom of pain would come wound him again.
“If you saw her now, would you do it again?”
He whipped around to looked her straight in the eyes wishing this moment she’d understand what’s on his mind but dare not to speak of. The thoughts he had from the dream, the first question she asked. He wanted to know whether was it the truth, was it pre-determined by the Ley-lines or was it from the lingering desire for his mother’s affection. The thought about receiving affection still brings aches to his consciousness, like hot and prickly feelings on his chest, despite having a mechanical organ. What if he did differently back then what will change, what will he do if he was a bit more patient? What he’ll do if he didn’t stab her in the gut?
He looked at Nahida meaningfully, trying to get his point across begging her to read his feelings as these feelings aren’t ever be put into words.
“I don’t know, everything in that dream is not real, so I have the freedom to act without facing the real consequences. If I had thought about doing it already there’s a chance I would do it once more, right?” Wanderer then speak up with bitterness at the end.
The god of wisdom was not satisfied with his conclusion he chose to put into words. If he was more truthful about himself, he’d discover the small things he keeps on resisting would start at facing his own feelings, but it seems he hasn’t yet got the bravery to put them into words. She puts it simply for him,
“Hmm, I think dream is somewhat alike as tomorrow. If tomorrow comes today, would it still be called tomorrow, if a dream comes to reality, then would it still be called a dream. The right choice of words would be, if the dream you had is a prophecy, if it had been written along in irminsul then it shall happen.” The little god dropped down from the bed and faced the puppet eye to eye.
“The knowledge if tomorrow in the irminsul for you and me is still is a mystery. If it was fated then whatever happens will happen. Only we can pursue that destiny by making hard choices along the way until that fated result comes.”
“That’s pretty bad, considering you are implying I should try to kill my mother to know if it’s fated.” He chides
“Well in the near future, I would not recommend. But I know I trust you’ve found your answer.”
By the time the boat dock in the port, they saw a very familiar friend of theirs waving them welcome. The golden-haired traveler and her floating-white companion had come to greet them at the port.
“Nahida! We are HEERE to come to see you! GEH- why is he here...Paimon smells trouble.” The floating white fairy waved her arms energetically until she finds a familiar ‘Hat Guy amongst the party.
“Welcome to Inazuma.” Said Lumine
“We’re here to welcome you as a delegation from the Inazuma shogunate tri-commission as a guide to this bilateral meeting.” Paimon added.
“The pleasure is mine, well it’s nice to see a familiar face in a foreign land.” Nahida greets them
Porters and several retainers from the tri-commission had helped the party guiding them to the usually wooden check point that was neatly decorated for the occasion. A Samurai retainer from the Kanjou Commission suddenly barred their way before completely exiting the port. He bellowed to the party:
“Before everyone enters the island, please ready your meeting invitation and all the documents pertaining your stay in Inazuma”
His loud voice gathers attention from the students, as the party starts ruffling their bags for the documents.
“Hello everyone, I’m Kageyama from the Kanjou commission, please as per immigration decree, we have the right to check information on foreign traveler who’d want to enter the country.” The previous samurai doushin joined by a solemn lady at his side, she bowed to the group. By the lady’s words students of the Akademiya attending the meeting submitted their identification papers and the invitation that was sent by the Shogunate. That requirement applies to the Dendro Archon and the General Mahamatra too. The solemn lady made a quick work but still put in attention to details for the students, trying to catch them off-guard with questions about their trip.
Wanderer saw the female Kanjou retainer as a no-nonsense type. He’d be lying if he wasn’t at least anxious about the tourist check-point. From the start he already felt the number of people in the Ritou port is more than usual. But he can spot which part of Ritou is there for extra security.
Then it was finally his turn to face the immigration officer.
“Hello, may I see your invitation.” said Kageyama.
The puppet hands the lady a file full of papers, the lady handled file them carefully, seeming to have difficulty searching for a certain paper.
“Is your invitation missing? If yes, you’re not permitted to enter the country, Mr. Hat... Guy”
The puppet face darkens, he quickly raking his brains for an acceptable reason that doesn’t involve punching her and the doushin next to her.
“I’m not with the party.”
“Are you here not for the same reason as the rest of the party?”
“I’m here for my thesis...”
“My, are you studying in the akademiya of Sumeru, that’s quite far from home, isn’t it? I’m sure your parents would be so proud of you.”
“Hmm, please follow the doushin beside me, to the Outlander Association first, even though you look Inazuman, we have the right to ask for further confirmation.”
Wanderer’s palm was already a ball when the officer didn’t give him leisure of getting in. Nahida quickly picks up the situation and she straightly went to the doushin in charge.
“Umm mr..where are you taking him?”
“He has some documents missing, he needed to fill in some in the outlander office.” The doushin replied respectfully to the little god.
“And what would that be? If I may inquire.”
“We don’t want to have any trouble with invaders, Lesser Lord Kusanali. We had implemented extra precaution after what Fatui did to the Shogunate. He seems to lost his invitation for the meeting, then he claims to want do research in Inazuma now he does have all the document needed, then we just need to check his citizenship. It seems he is missing his Inazuman birth certificate.”
“Inazuman birth ceritificate?”
“It is a new policy that Inazuman traveler have to bring their identification inspected in and out of the country which would be birth certification at the immigration post.”
Looking at how the situation escalates it’ll be a big trouble. The little fairy also sensed the trouble incoming and told the situation for the traveler. Nahida was also quite perplexed at the problem. For a minute Nahida quieted while Lumine and her companion were in intense discussion before the group. The little fairy was protesting a couple of suggestion from her blond hair companion, before giving in to the concoction of naught they have come up with. At that same moment, the little archon speaks up:
“I think there’s a misunderstanding here. There’s no need. I am.-” before she could vouch for him the little archon’s voice was cut over by the boasting flying fairy.
“W-WELL IS that soo.... Okay, EHEM, the traveler who’d been officially task the guide of the Sumeru Akademiya party will assure the Hat Guy makes his way to the Outlander office, so you can leave that to us Mr. Doushin.”
Lumine ushered the little archon along with her entourage made sure that her person in save hands. She barred the Wanderer from leaving her side. Nahida tried to looking back at Wanderer, worried about how it had happened the same as the dream. She believed that knowledge had come from the grand fate that awaits at the end of the journey. But in this situation, she can only hope that Wanderer ends up making the right choices before the meeting actually starts. Cyno who saw the Archon’s worried face hold her hand assuring her.
“Don’t worry Lord Kusanali, Lumine is with them, it’ll be different from what you’d expect, if he runs into trouble for his research, I’ll be the one dealing with him. It is still a part of my job description”
“Miss Kageyama, is there any other problem? No? all right everything is set! Please everyone follows Paimon, the rest of the party can rest up today.” Shouted Paimon rounding the Sumeru scholars.
“Boy it must hard all those days sailing from Port Ormos huh? In the evening we’ll take to you to dine in Inazuma city most famous restaurant called Unyuu Restaurant...” she continues to chat as entertaining guide escorting the group further inside the island.
After the whole party disappears from the port, the Wanderer and Lumine stayed by the port gate. The legendary blonde traveler right beside him was perplexed by his presence in Inazuma. Wanderer who couldn’t stand her hot gaze, shot a glare to her “What are you looking at?”
“First. Don’t punch anyone. Until I say so.” She replied sternly.
“Pft, Sure.” He crossed his arms letting the outlander forge his new fate “What’s your plan then?”
“We need to pull some favors, so can you put on that ‘I’m a lost wanderer with no purpose’ face?”
“Dare this worm telling me what to do. Lead the way Lumine. What? What is it?” he grumbled trying to control his bursting temper. But the traveler with her cool temperament still converses with him lightheartedly.
“Oh, umm Wanderer? remember how I haven’t given you a name yet?”
She hands him a scrap of paper from someone’s name card.
After being out of sight of the immigration doushin Lumine takes the puppet’s hand ushering him right to the Kanjou commission headquarters instead of the Outlander office registration. She directly goes ahead to meet the current leader of the Hiiragi clan for a little favor. They found her at the front gate of her house talking to her retainers.
“Hello Chisato, sorry to bother you”
“Oh, Lumine thank you for accepting a last-minute arrangement, dare I say the Yashiro commissioner is resourceful as ever, Good afternoon to you too, I’ve never seen you before.”
“Hello Miss Hiiragi, I am one of Lumine’s friends, a shugenja...My name is, Honda Keisuke. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“So Chisato, how’s the preparation for the meeting? Anything that we can help?”
The current Hiiragi commissioner looking through her board “There’s nothing to do at the moment, I just need to assure the Tenryou commission has delivered everything our guests needs.” She looked to the traveler with a pleading eye “If our reliable friend Lumine is looking for quest to fulfill you may go escort the goods.”
“Consider it a job done.” She replied with her dependable confidence.
The first ever Inazuma-Sumeru’s highest summit meeting is an important project for the Yashiro commission. Being head the cultural advancement and preservation, Kamisato Ayato’s part of the Tri-commission has let him had a double-function as party that be able to reach out to other nation in the name of cultural exchange, while also functioning as a foreign diplomat. He had reached out to the Akademiya in some sort of academic exchange, different from the usual market penetrating strategies Guuji Yae seems to do with her commodity. But fortunately, the Sumeru’s Akademiya had replied with even more generous exchange not only they wanted to work together, the Dendro Archon wants to personally take this deal with his Shogun.
Organizing this meeting was no easy feat, the first step was whether Raiden Shogun would accept foreign emissaries in her own abode once more for cooperation. Since the last one ended with a beheading on one their foreign diplomat. The second problem was given by the Raiden Shogun approval for the meeting to commence. Fortunately, the Shogun blessed all of the affairs he proposed. After that he’d endlessly coordinating with the Tri-Commission, the shogunate, and his retainers with little rest for the past two months, praying that everything would run smoothly without inviting trouble.
He was quite busy and had all of his retainers run around the island for today, for their precious guest had finally arrived at their land.
“Master Kamisato, I have returned from Ritou, the traveler has done welcoming the party of Sumeru Akademiya”
The retainer didn’t leave right away after his report, sensing there’s another follow up to his report he asked him.
“Very well, then is there anything else?”
the Yashiro retainer averted his eyes to the side, lowly he reported the minor problem at the port. If he was Thoma he’d already warn the blonde-haired guide to give her a warning no matter if she was close to him. But this retainer has a timid personality, when the mishap happened, he wanted to say something to Miss Kageyama but he was afraid to overstep his bounds. Now that he had to report to waka, he only then regrets his irresponsibility.
“Well except there’s this mishap with this student who came along with the party, but he claims to wanting to do research.”
“Then where’s the problem?”
“From what I observe, there was a document mishap at the beginning of immigration regarding his missing Inazuman citizenship document, but the traveler took the matter on her own hands.” He adds timidly.
“And what did she do?” said Ayato still serene.
“She went to Hiiragi sama for a commission sir. After they finished ushering the Sumeru party to the rest of our staff I tailed her in secret. The traveler, the white floating fairy, and the “Hat Guy” I believe were in the middle of the conversation and the little fairy had mentioned about a using a brass feather as an identifier, the man seems to challenge them to find who’d alive to recognize the brass feather ornament. The fairy said that they were going to help escort the Tenryou commission’s goods to the doushin that’s how they managed to enter Narukami island sire. Because of the traveler’s reputation the Ritou officers didn’t question a single thing.”
Ayato’s was piqued by a little detail his retainer said about the troublemaker and couldn’t control his expression for a moment, but he managed to control his tone.
“All right thank you for your hard work. Please keep an eye on the student.”
“Yes, sire” the retainer then he backed away from his position and slowly close the paper door.
Truthfully, he is quite disappointed at the Traveler, but no matter; Lumine is of noble temperament. He trusts that her judgement had a good reason, and she isn’t type of person to hide another ulterior motive behind an ulterior motive. If faced with injustice, her machination always comes straightforward and sometimes uses brute force. He didn’t mind still; he should make this little case ought her to owe him debt. An hour later his paper door slid just a little, a voice comes from his front door,
“Waka, Thoma has come to have an audience, may I intrude.” Said the voice upfront the door.
The man who knowns as the fixer-upper the Kamisato is known to be Mondstatter, still follows Inazuman etiquette to a tee, he slid the paper door all the way and gives his greetings for his master before going on inside.
“Come, Thoma...have you done escorting the goods to Ritou?”
“Yes Sir,”
“Then have you met Lumine on the way Thoma?”
“Yes Waka, and she was accompanied by peculiar shugenja but he adorns an Anemo Sumeru Vision who called himself Honda Keisuke.”
“So how peculiar is he? Do you think he’ll come as a threat to our nation?” he gave a Thoma quite a heavy question since he valued his judgment more than other Kamisato estate’s retainers.
“Uh, I don’t think that was the problem, Waka...may I say the person, has almost the same features as Shogun-sama.”
Kamisato Ayato mind stopped for a moment, and concluded that has found himself threaded in a peculiar case. As Thoma just finished his report a shinobi had appeared from his roof slightly out of breath, but the man managed to rein his uncomfortable pain in his abdomen.
“Kamisato-sama, Apology for the sudden intrusion. I have come to deliver an urgent report.”
“What is wrong?”
“Um, Yes Sir...I’m very sorry Sir. Our surveillance team in Araumi were taken down by a flying wanderer, we thought he was one of ours but we made a mistake. We have concluded it was a student that came along with the Sumeru Akademiya. He was separated from the traveler after meeting Thoma, then he seems to have notice our operation. The last of our shinobi was attacked after attempting to investigate further.”
“Where has he gone to?”
“He went to grab a boat to Tatarasuna sir.”
Ayato stayed silent after hearing where the student destination. The shinobi had the urge to speak up waiting for his next order. “Do we need to do something sir?”
“No, let him be, as long the Narukami island is sterile from trouble for the next week. Everything will be according to plan. Continue guarding your posts.”
Thoma was also worried about the situation speaks up “Waka, may I-”
“Don’t worry Thoma, I’ll handle it.” Ayato cuts him
Kamisato Ayato let out a deep sigh. He already has a thought who he needs to find next: his common kin who’s probably more interested on the trespasser that got caught in his web, and that someone is old enough to recognize a brass feather.
In an island across the Ritou, one of the encampment posts of Kanjou military ground, a guard there spotted a person seems out of place, sauntering along in front of him.
“Hey! Young man, who give you permission to run around the island?!”
‘greatdammit’ Wanderer curses under his breath.
The Kanjou samurai approached the new suspicious traveler, barring his way from going further inside Kannazuka.
“State your business!”
“Good afternoon officer, I am sorry if I were giving the impression of imposing the island” the young man said, putting off his large hat away The officer observes the young man in front of him, and thought he was another lost civilian in Kannazuka, but his eyes gave a weird-sense of contempt that send some suspicion in his mind. But the young man reiterates his position: “I’m a merely a shugenja, please be at ease officer I come with no harm”
The officer cold face relaxed a little after hearing the good-tempered response from Wanderer.
“A shugenja you say? Wow this is the first time I’ve seen one the mysterious wandering samurai of Inazuma.” A foreigner looking so out place in a military base of different country, joined them out of nowhere. The Fontanian dared to looked at his attire up and down, while having his hand on his chin as if curating him. “You look very pretty for a man. Would you like to be in my film?” the brazen Fontanian said.
“Xavier-san, can you not harass on the guy too much?”
“Look, don’t go inside the forge...although the golden-haired traveler and this man right here had fixed the Furnace from blowing up, there still some danger around the Forge, considering yourself a vision-bearer...please proceed with extra caution”
Wanderer shot the Fontanian a look, entertaining a conversation that may become of use for his future revenge plan. “Xavier-san, were you the one who fixed the furnace this time? How did you do it?”
Xavier eyes turn bright as he grasped Wanderer’s hand, “Oh well, I never thought the day would come that someone will be Interested in the Tatara Tales.” He said technically not answering the question.
“Dearest wandering man with no name, I shall show you my in-production movie ‘Tatara Tales’: ‘the tales of the known, heroic, blond Lumine and engineer from Fontaine, me, Xavier on their perilous misadventures fixing the blazing furnace of Tatarasuna, will it blow the island into smithereens? Or will they save the day?’ Wait for the ELECTRIFYING experience of Tatara Tales by me, and produced by Yashiro Commission in Cinema’s in Fontaine.”
Instead of answering his question somehow the Fontanian had tested Wanderer’s patience, can’t this brazen Fontanian stop his useless monologue for a minute and get the to the point.
“So. you and the traveler fixed the furnace?” Wanderer asked the second time, with more earnest expression.
“Well, I was given this manual on how to maintain the furnace, as it was produced in Fontaine. So, they called me a movie director who were stuck at Ritou. How saddening, did they think every Fontanian are good with machines? Fortunately, the archons blessed my meeting with the blonde Lumine, she helped me observe the condition of the furnace and helped me install of the things that keeping the Mikage furnace in check. It’s now safe for the people to return, but I don’t see any villagers returning.”
“Ehem, to add that, foreign forces are still occupying the forge, and the same filth that has been plaguing Yashiori island still lingers in the forges. Rogue samurais and pirates are affected by it. That’s why I remind you to be careful if you’re planning to explore Tatarasuna” add the Doushin.
After the Doushin successfully redirect Xavier from Wanderer, the visitor paid his permission to continue on his journey and promising not to enter the dangerous forges. With a final question as he bid the Kanjou doushin,
“Oh, by the way officer, if I may so to ask, where can find a forger?”
“Aah so that is why you’re here for. Kannazuka was famous for their swords a long time ago, I couldn’t say the same now. But to answer your question…Uh, it’s a little hard to point them out to you. The people who use to work in Tatara has evacuated to Yashiori, Narukami, maybe even as far joining the Sangonomiya forces.”
“I see, so..the weapon production in Tatara is still...?”
“Ehm, that’ll be a military secret, if you ask any further...we might take more hostile advances, if you understand my words.”
“You are mighty wise officer.”
‘Why did they fix that damn furnace.... they should’ve let them blow it up. The tatarigami energy, the archon residue, will not dissipate no matter what anyway, people will still get sick and die if they’re exposed to them anyway. How many more hearts does it need if it breaks again.’
The Wanderer continued his search for forgers that might’ve been still around in the southern shore of Kannazuka, by a shell house a camp was set, he met a man that had a big physique by his oil stained clothes and head band around his head that somehow never got untied, it’s safe to say that he found his subject.
“Hello, are you an artisan?”
“Oh, are you looking for a blade artisan, then you’re looking at the wrong place sir.”
Upset by his answer, the Wanderer concluded that he might be an artisan but the wrong kind of artisan. The Wanderer stopped his questioning there and averted his topic into another one.
“You know any other blade smith that used to work in the forges then?”
“Uh well I used to work there, but I know many of them has fled the place you see. If you need anything you can commission me, I have nothing to do at the moment”
The Wanderer got confused for a moment, this man is surely a blade smith but he claims as if he doesn’t smith blade.
“Were you not part of any school?”
“Oh! You are looking for an artisanal blade, Sorry...I’m just a mere general blade smith. The Tatarasuna forges housed general blade smith for the Kanjou commission for years. If you were looking for the one available in Inazuma today would be the Amenoma art blade Smithers...though you sir went too far, this Tataratsuna, and the Amenoma is in Inazuma city.”
“Actually, you’ve been very helpfull.... may I ask what off the residents of Kannazuka do they fled as well?”
“Yeah, I heard the Higi Village in Yashiori is practically empty now...all of the occupant got sick and passed away or missing”
“And has the Shogunate done anything for the replaced civilians of the war?”
“Not that I know off, the forges are still in Fatui’s hand, there’s nothing to work and farm here. All of them went to search for work in Narukami island of course”
Thus, concludes his first ‘successful’ interview. The blade smith wave him goodbye with “Young man! Be careful on your journey!” and he replied with a nod of his head, on to his next destination.
Nazuchi beach is still in the aftermath of the war, broken ships, pieces of armory and memory laid in the sand, the wanderer picked them up to see the result of Fatui’s grand scheme.
A great show of display how the mighty Narukami Ogosho’s will to defend her Eternity. Across the Musoujin gorge where the opponent drew their line of demarcation, Fort Hiraumi home to the Sangonomiya forces has housed the front-line soldiers of the resistance army during the war.
“The name is Juuzo” said the blade smith he approached at the side of the fort with his apprentice tailing him behind.
“I fled Tatara and come to aid the Sangonomiya army. What happen in there made me question whether the Narukami is really protecting us?!” he complained.
His companion thought otherwise. “Though, both sides are in fault. The Narukami is indeed hard-handed during the Sakoku and Vision Hunt Decree, but the Resistance broke the Mikage Furnace, it should’ve not escalated that far. Couldn’t they mind to take it somewhere else and not hurt where people are trying to earn their bread.”
“So how are you faring lately?” Wanderer asked.
“Well not as well when we are working in Tatara, but it is better than sitting idly by the war”
“Do you know any other people who’re from Tatara”
“Well, most of them who escaped to Yashiori, did joined the resistance during the war. But as you see, Yashiori is also deserted, don’t you think they should be at Narukami by now. Eh, I bet most of them even fled the country!”
The puppet then went to Higi Village, only hostile forces who has been possessed by the archon residue is left there. He founds a list of residents made by the village chief most of them did get sick and died after being exposed by the archon residue. Of course, this is also part of Fatui’s plan all along releasing the tatarigami energy into the air was to harvest them to make those damned delusion after all.
He just then remembered; he probably needs some basic population census for his thesis. The Fatui is probably keeping a track on that, if the delusion factory office is still around...maybe he could get some data lying around the place.
The place was deserted for sure; the offices seem ransacked but they wouldn’t find the director office, would they? A switch that required Fatui insignia is hid in the wall. Glad he obtained one before (he swiftly took one out on the way). The switch unlocks a room dusty, not ransacked. Previous soldiers and sergeants name listed, all signed under the dead Red Witch, not him. He smiled at the result of his little irminsul mishap. He took the file that contain any census of initial field survey from Fatui intelligence.
When he went out from the delusion factory, the dawn of second day of his week Inazuma had risen. Two days to get where he is, and the trip back would take as much. Nahida had also shared with him the whole Akademiya merrymaking schedule with the shogunate, right now they’ve still doing the random bullshit of pleasantries like a tour of the Narukami island and showcasing the cultural activities that would wow the people of the Dendro Archon. He scoffed at foolish all of the shallow merry-making the Tri-Commission had arrange for the Akademiya ‘s entourage, but that thought quickly diminished by another troublesome one that soon will he face. Evidently, he’ll need a foolproof plan to enter Narukami island without having to deal with the shinobi of Kamisato Ayato.
As just planned, the Akademiya’s Narukami island tour today centers around the Narukami shrine. The students flood the small temple on top of the mountains, some taking interest in the Sakura tree, some tried their luck over the omikuji, and all who visited was given an omamori for a touch of luck for their pursuit of knowledge, courtesy of the Guuji. Or at least, what she was told to do by that Kamisato boy. Finally, after the rowdy bunch left the ground of the shrine, Yae Miko had time to relax sat down under the canopy of the sakura tree opening a draft of a light novel her editor sent her to review.
“Lady Guuji, thank you for your hard work organizing the Narukami shrine tour...”
Hearing the Yashiro Commissioner voice in the middle of her down time is simply intolerable in her code. She spared the older Kamisato son whom became a commissioner just a decade ago a speck of attention for his presence, since he was intruding some of her lone time with definitely something of a headache behind him.
“Ah, if it isn’t the Kamisato boy, well isn’t it given what the Narukami priestess to do their job. So, what is your business all visiting me in this very, busy, time...”
As she said while flipping through her light novel by the Sakura tree, not even looking at the person before him.
But found with rude greeting this commissioner still have his gentle temperament, the man replied lightly:
“It is just as the head of the commissioner giving pleasantries that’s all.”
His attitude definitely had come for one her tail, all of politician are so cunning as a fox giving a real fox like herself; a shudder even at this old age. She had enough of his attitude, she cuts to the chase finally closing her novel regretfully.
“Boy, let me remind you I’m not taking apart of your scheme, I am quite busy myself...as you can see...If you don’t have anything interesting to say, I have another appointment to attend in Hanamizaka.”
His eyes smiled brighter after he managed to ruffle her feathers “I see, then please give my best regards to the faired face boy who adorns a brass feather” he politely replied.
Pissed off by his attitude Yae Miko arrogantly gave her knee-jerk reply to his question since she didn’t personally know anyone in Inazuma who wears such ornament.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about Master Kamisato. I can’t seem to remember anyone with your description.”
But after she just finished her counter, a flash of memory appeared. But she didn’t want the little Kamisato know since she just proclaimed that she didn’t know of the boy. With her still composure, she thought about a certain byproduct that Ei made a long time ago, the little thing was functioning for the wrong reason, so she left him in a pavilion across the island.
‘A little rat suddenly appears in the midst of foreign emissary in town sure would ruffle someone’s tails.’ she thought to herself.
“I’m sorry if I’m seeming to be intruding your leisure time, I thought that he might be one of your acquittance. But I’m wrong, I apologize Lady Guuji. Well, I’m only greeting you today, and I have more things to do back at home, so please excuse me Lady Guuji” the little Kamisato boy bowed deeply before he left the shrine.