Chapter 408: Full of Unknown

The Komore Teahouse is a teahouse run by the Yashiro Commission. It's a special place—even the troops from the Tenryou Commission cannot search it.

Li Mo still remembers that in the main storyline, after the traveler saved Thoma, this was the place they went to rest.

Led by a woman at the entrance into the room, Li Mo was immediately drawn to the Shiba Inu sitting at the counter.

—Yes, even someone like Li Mo, who isn't particularly familiar with pets, could tell at a glance that it was a Shiba Inu.

He had heard of both Shiba Inus and Akitas from Japan.

"This is Taro Maru, the owner of the Komore Teahouse," Kamisato Ayaka said with a smile.

"Woof woof."

As if sensing the presence of a familiar person, Taro Maru let out a couple of half-hearted barks.

Li Mo understood animal language.

Being a yokai, it would be strange if he couldn't understand what a dog was saying.

"It's indeed late, but that's no excuse for slacking off, Taro Maru."

"Woof woof woof? (You can understand me?)"

"Why would you think I couldn't?"

Li Mo gave Taro Maru's head a good rub, but his technique seemed to displease the dog, who ran off to the side with a human-like expression of resentment.

Li Mo couldn't help but laugh.

Later, Li Mo requested a room. As he watched the shrine priest from the Grand Narukami Shrine enter the closed room, Kamisato Ayaka's task was complete.

"Miss, it's getting late. You should return to the Kamisato Estate."

The Kamisato family owned property in Inazuma City, and Ayaka had lived there since she was a child, often dining at the Shimura Restaurant.

"Wait a moment, Thoma. Before my brother left, he must have met with you. I want to know what instructions he gave you."

Ayaka wasn't just asking out of curiosity. Today, she had accompanied the shrine priest from the Kamisato Estate to Inazuma City, but there had been little meaningful conversation along the way.

Her heart was filled with questions and curiosity.

That shrine priest was a man full of stories.

How much did her brother know about him?

"Miss, Lord Kamisato didn't say much. He only instructed that if the shrine priest from the Grand Narukami Shrine were to come, we should treat him well and accommodate all his requests," Thoma said.

Ayaka pondered, "Hmm... I feel like my brother is hiding something."

"Lord Kamisato must have his reasons. This shrine priest is closely connected to Lady Yae, and we must show respect when dealing with her..." Thoma replied.

Ayaka nodded. "Yes, the shrine priest is very familiar with Lady Yae. From our conversation today, I could tell that much. That's why I'm puzzled... Does Lady Yae have no other solution?"

"What is it, Miss? Did you notice something?" Thoma asked.

"Well, just a small guess. That shrine priest might be planning to challenge the Shogun to a duel before the throne."

On the way, Ayaka had heard the shrine priest admit that he could withstand the Raiden Shogun's attacks without dying.

For the Shogun to attack, there must first be a conflict. The most plausible explanation for him to face the Shogun in combat would be a duel before the throne.

Thoma said, "Miss, I don't think that's possible. It's been decades since anyone challenged the Shogun. Even during the Tsubaki Sword Tournament, the Shogun hasn't made an appearance."

The Tsubaki Sword Tournament was a grand event in Inazuma's martial arts scene. In the distant past, the winner of the tournament would challenge the Raiden Shogun's martial prowess alongside the divine emissary. But as times changed, the Shogun no longer attended such events personally, instead sending representatives to act as opponents.

The last time the Raiden Shogun appeared in combat was so long ago that it spanned several generations.

Thoma paused, then added, "Besides, to challenge the Shogun to a duel before the throne, one would first have to get past Kujou Sara..."

"You're right..." Ayaka fell silent.

The Yashiro Commission wasn't entirely powerless against the Vision Hunt Decree. In the past, Kaedehara Kazuha's friend had ascended to Tenshukaku and engaged in a duel before the throne with Kujou Sara, only to be defeated and lose his life.

Kujou Sara, true to her tengu heritage, was exceptionally skilled despite her young age and had become a leading figure among the younger generation. It was hard to find anyone in Inazuma who could defeat her.

"Miss, that shrine priest... isn't he being too reckless? He doesn't even have a Vision."

In Thoma's experience, the Grand Narukami Shrine was filled with shrine maidens. The sudden appearance of a shrine priest was surprising enough, but a Visionless shrine priest challenging General Kujou Sara?

Could he win?

"Lady Yae believes in him," Ayaka said.

Thoma sighed, "Lady Yae..."

When it came to the head priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Thoma wasn't sure how to describe her. She seemed lazy and carefree, yet she handled her duties with ease, giving off an air of detachment from worldly affairs.

"Thoma, I haven't been in Inazuma City for a while. Do you know where Lady Yae went when she left the Grand Narukami Shrine some time ago?"

"She went to Yashiori Island." Due to the arrest warrant, Thoma was currently confined to the Komore Teahouse, but that didn't stop him from gathering information. On the contrary, every day, information from all over Inazuma City would be compiled and sent to him.

He remained the most well-informed person on Narukami Island.

"Rumors say that pollution appeared in both Tatarasuna and Yashiori Island, related to the dead god on Yashiori Island. Lady Yae took it very seriously, and the shrine priest played an important role in it. Also..."

Thoma hesitated, as if unsure whether to continue.

Ayaka urged him, "Thoma, speak freely."

"During that time, Lady Yae not only maintained a neutral stance toward the resistance but also had dealings with the Fatui."

"The Fatui..." Hearing the name, Ayaka couldn't help but frown. She had no fondness for that organization.

The answers seemed to lie in the passage of time.

Li Mo could hear the sounds from outside.

The voices of Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma reached his ears, even though they spoke in hushed tones. But a yokai was still a yokai.

His physical abilities were far beyond ordinary.

It had been a long time since Li Mo had checked his status panel. His skill list had grown considerably, but his physical attributes hadn't improved much. When needed, he could enhance his abilities with spells.

He still hadn't fully digested the 103,000 volumes of magical texts, but even so, he had gained immense benefits.

"Your Excellency, may I come in?" Thoma's voice came from outside the door.

"Please, enter."

Thoma stepped into the room and said, "Your Excellency, please follow me to the back resting room."

"No need, I'll just sit here in the teahouse for the night. Could you prepare a pot of tea for me later?" Li Mo said. "I'll step out for a moment. Thank you."

Li Mo knew that Thoma was confined to the Komore Teahouse, just like the traveler. Both of them were currently wanted.

But he wasn't.

Standing up, he turned and activated a spatial teleportation spell, disappearing from the spot.

Thoma witnessed it all.

"What was that?"