"Look, Lumine! We're here!"
Paimon excitedly pointed to the island ahead from the bow of the ship.
Lumine stepped up to the railing, brushing her wind-tossed hair behind her ears.
After crossing the thunderstorm, they had arrived at the third stop of their journey—Inazuma.
"Finally, you're here, 'Big Sis from Liyue'. I've been waiting."
A woman with golden hair and a red vest stood waiting at the dock well in advance.
"And these two stowaways… Oh no, honored guests."
Beidou laughed heartily.
"Haha, oh right—let me introduce someone. This is Thoma, a business partner I've recently gotten to know."
Thoma waved.
"Yo, I've heard of you two for a while now. You may not be as infamous as the rising star 'The Gambler', but you've still made quite the name across the Seven Nations."
"The fame of the Traveler is known far beyond the stormy seas—your reputation precedes you."
Beidou nodded.
"That makes things easier."
She turned to Lumine and Paimon.
"Lumine, Thoma's been around Ritou for a long time. You could call him a local bigwig."
"If you run into any trouble, go to him. But if he tries anything shady… next time I'm in Inazuma, I'll deal with him for you."
Thoma couldn't help but interject.
"Hey hey hey, do I really seem like that kind of guy to you?"
Beidou shrugged and looked at Lumine.
"Who knows~"
"Until next time, Traveler! No matter what storms and waves you face in Inazuma, make sure you get through them!"
Lumine stood tall and patted her chest with confidence.
"Don't worry, I've got plenty of tricks up my sleeve~"
Beidou blinked, then laughed aloud.
"That's true—he's probably already here. With him around, the raging waves of Inazuma are probably no worse than a few ripples from a pebble~"
"It's getting late, and I've got things to handle. I won't stick around. Farewell, Lumine, Paimon… and 'friend'."
After bidding them farewell, Beidou boarded the Alcor and sailed off.
Thoma's eye twitched violently, as if some invisible force had grabbed him.
"Uh, Miss Lumine… That 'he' Beidou mentioned—could it be… the Gambler?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance. Paimon scratched her head and asked innocently, "Yeah, what about it?"
Thoma's lips twitched uncontrollably as he screamed internally.
That's the monster who soloed three god-tier enemies! And you're asking me what's wrong?!
Outwardly, however, he forced a calm smile, doing his best to hide the shock and helplessness in his heart.
"It's nothing. Just… surprised, that's all."
He turned his gaze toward the direction of the Tenryou Commission, shaking his head slightly and muttering under his breath:
"No wonder all three clan heads went there today… I just hope Lord and Lady Kamisato return safely~"
Then, he pointed toward a nearby inn.
"It's getting late. Let me arrange your lodging."
He began leading them toward the inn.
But the moment Lumine saw the place, her expression clearly showed distaste.
"Never mind. We already have a place to stay."
She pulled a black card from her pocket.
With Thoma's sharp eye, he could immediately tell where it came from—Inazuma's most prestigious establishment, Trick House, and it didn't even look like a standard VIP card.
Thoma: What the actual…
…
Meanwhile, within the Shuumatsuban.
Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka sat side-by-side on cushions. On the table before them sat a glass tank, inside which swam two "goldfish."
Ayato rested his arms, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he stared at the tank. One of the goldfish stared right back, seemingly studying him.
Suddenly, the goldfish opened its mouth and said, "What are you looking at?! I'm starving, old man! Gimme meat!"
Ayato was stunned, momentarily speechless.
Ayaka leaned closer to the tank and softly scolded it. "You can't speak to my brother like that~"
Ayato expected the fish to be just as rude to Ayaka. But to his surprise, the goldfish bowed its head in apology, as if genuinely remorseful.
"Sorry, I was wrong, milady~"
Ayato slowly loosened his grip from the hilt of Haran Geppaku Futsu, a glint flashing in his eye.
He turned to Ayaka and asked, "At this point… would you say they've become yokai?"
Ayaka thought for a moment. They could speak human language—calling them yokai wasn't wrong.
She nodded lightly.
Ayato's eyes narrowed.
"The power to awaken spirits… Ayaka, can you introduce me to this friend of yours?"
Clever as ever, Ayaka immediately understood his intention, but she still shook her head.
"Brother, even if I had his contact info—which I don't—I doubt someone like him would want to get involved. Inazuma's already chaotic enough…"
Ayato pondered for a moment, then sighed.
"Yeah… there's only so much we can do. Let's just hope things go more smoothly on the shrine's end~"
The shrine…?
Ayaka's eyes lit up.
"That's right! Someone capable of awakening creatures and so confident in their strength… maybe he's actually a reclusive yokai himself! Lady Yae is a great yokai too—they must know each other!"
"Brother, I'd like to visit the Grand Narukami Shrine tomorrow."
Ayato assumed she meant to inquire with Yae Miko on his behalf.
He nodded.
"Good idea. Time is running out—Inazuma can't afford more delays."
Ayaka's gaze flickered guiltily to the side.
"…Yeah… definitely…"
…
"So this is Scaramouche's little sister? Just a puppet that follows commands."
Outside the Tenshukaku tower.
Shajin lounged casually, idly observing the Raiden Shogun reviewing documents.
She had no awareness of his presence.
Shajin shook his head, a skewer of Tri-Color Dango in his mouth.
"Stuck inside this tower, never stepping out… How would she ever know the petitions she's signing are just lies cooked up by those below her? And she still thinks she's upholding 'eternity.'"
Suddenly, his eyes sparkled—he noticed something beside her.
There it was: the weapon Engulfing Lightning.
His interest piqued immediately.
…
Knock knock knock!
"Enter."
But no one came in.
Raiden Shogun rose and opened the wooden door.
No one stood outside—only a tray of Tri-Color Dango sat there.
She picked it up, unconcerned. She simply assumed it was a subordinate trying to please her with sweets.
Her nose twitched.
She picked one up and took a bite.
"…Sweet…"
…
In the Plane of Euthymia, a certain shut-in goddess—
"…So… good…"
_
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