Chapter 13: Enthusiastic Thoma
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Compared to the somewhat reserved Liyue locals, this foreigner seemed to be very good at socializing.
He enthusiastically chatted with several soldiers, and somehow, with a few subtle gestures, their originally stern faces gradually softened into smiles.
In no time, he became friends with these soldiers.
Such scenes were rarely seen on Ritou.
Foreigners were usually exploited by these bloodsuckers, not treated as friends.
Due to the Vision Hunt Decree, Ritou had almost cut off all contact with the outside world.
Except for the very few people with permits, no one would come near this place.
So, when Bai Luo leisurely walked over from afar, they noticed him.
The Mondstadt man whispered a few words to the soldiers, and then took something out of his pocket.
The soldiers first pretended to decline, but then discreetly accepted whatever the Mondstadt man handed them.
As Bai Luo approached them, he became like an invisible person in their eyes.
After thanking the soldiers, the Mondstadt man walked towards Bai Luo.
"Friend, are you heading to Ritou?"
Just like his golden hair and the predominantly red-themed Liyue-style attire, the man exuded a radiant aura of warmth.
Standing beside him, one would feel as if basking in sunlight.
He seemed so laid-back and trustworthy, making people want to believe in him completely.
But Bai Luo didn't fall for it.
He knew very well who this seemingly warm-hearted man truly was.
Thoma, originally from Mondstadt, currently the Domestic Affairs Officer of the Yashiro Commission, and also the most trusted confidant of the head of the Kamisato Clan.
Bai Luo had thought that as the Harbinger of the Fatui's Brigade, he would surely be targeted by the remnants of the Inazuma Shogunate once he arrived in Liyue.
However, he didn't expect that while there was no sign of the remnants, the Kamisato Clan of the Shogunate had already set their sights on him.
First, it was the little shinobi from last night, and now Thoma, the head's confidant, was sent today.
Tsk, tsk...
Do you believe I could have kidnapped your little sister in advance?
"What's wrong, friend? Don't worry, I've cleared the way for you. Just follow me in."
Seeing Bai Luo fall silent, Thoma took the initiative to strike up a conversation again.
If such a warm-hearted gesture happened to a Liyue local, it would indeed be strange.
However, Thoma had Mondstadt blood flowing through him, and his appearance inherited his Mondstadt mother's image. So, his actions felt completely natural and didn't arouse any suspicion.
This free-spirited behavior gave him a unique charm.
No one would want to refuse such a warm-hearted person.
"Thank you."
Bai Luo didn't act too cold, nor did he get overly familiar.
After expressing his thanks in a very normal manner, he followed Thoma into Ritou.
Along the way, Thoma seemed as if he didn't know Bai Luo's identity, constantly introducing the scenery of Ritou and its stories.
"Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, the Kanjou Commissioner, Hiromitsu Hiiragi, miraculously built a prosperous trading center from the deserted island, which caught the attention of the Shogun. That's the present-day Ritou. Not only Ritou but also Konda Village across from it flourished by exporting dyes. Mr. Hiromitsu Hiiragi once proposed a plan to connect the entire Ritou with corridors, but unfortunately..."
He didn't continue because both of them knew what happened next.
During the days of the Vision Hunt Decree, the Kanjou Commission remained lively and active, while merchants from distant lands became lonely and desolate, no longer reflecting the bustling scene of a hundred years ago.
Perhaps this was the best portrayal of mortal pursuits.
Some prosper overnight, but they may also fall in a day.
But the ones who suffer are always the people at the bottom.
"Let's not talk about these things. Despite the decline of Ritou, the sight of red maple and scarlet sakura is truly rare. If you want to know more about this place, my friend, I can show you around. I know quite a few good spots."
Unconsciously, Thoma had already placed himself in the position of the host.
In a sense, he had taken complete control.
"Still, I'm not interested. I came to Ritou to find someone."
Bai Luo's eyes glanced at the Vision hanging at Thoma's waist as he spoke with a somewhat cold tone.
If Thoma were genuinely a warm-hearted person, Bai Luo wouldn't mind making a new friend.
Unfortunately, Thoma was only trying to probe for information.
If it were anyone else, it would undoubtedly be awkward in such a situation.
However, Thoma didn't show any signs of awkwardness.
"I see. Well, if you change your mind, feel free to contact me. I have some influence in this area."
After sensing something, Thoma promptly ended the conversation with Bai Luo.
He had established such an amazing network of contacts in Inazuma not solely based on mindless enthusiasm; being observant and insightful was also crucial.
Noticing Bai Luo's less-than-friendly attitude, he decided to withdraw before the situation worsened. Maintaining such a relationship would make future interactions much simpler.
Thoma understood the importance of maintaining long-lasting connections.
After he disappeared into the streets, another figure quietly appeared beside Bai Luo.
In fact, after Bai Luo returned to Ritou, Ah Qi had been stealthily following them both.
However, apart from marking Bai Luo, Thoma hadn't noticed Ah Qi's presence at all.
"My lord, should I investigate this person?"
Ah Qi didn't ask about where Bai Luo had been last night, nor did he bring up any unnecessary details. Instead, he directly volunteered to investigate Thoma.
Because he also sensed that this Mondstadt man was somewhat suspicious.
"No need. I already have the data about him."
Bai Luo replied, aware of the identity of both the Yashiro Commission and Thoma.
On the other hand, they knew nothing about him.
Hastily sending Ah Qi to investigate might lead to unintended consequences.
After all, Thoma was a special individual with a Vision, which made him quite different from ordinary people.
"Alright."
After hearing Bai Luo's response, Ah Qi seemed to have something on his mind but hesitated to speak.
"Is there something else?"
As one of his closest allies, Ah Qi never hid anything from him.
So, Bai Luo could tell that something was bothering him.
"My lord, I received some recent information. The 6th Ranked Harbingers, Lord Balladeer, will be coming to Inazuma soon."
Scaramouche, the Sixth of the Twelfth Fatui Harbingers, was undoubtedly Bai Luo's senior.
However, during the period when he was in Snezhnaya, he hadn't seen this colleague.
Even when the Tsaritsa announced Bai Luo as the new Harbinger, Scaramouche didn't appear.
"Didn't the Tsaritsa say that she entrusted Inazuma to me?"
Ah Qi thought that Bai Luo might be angry, but his words didn't sound irritated; instead, he seemed rather happy.
And he didn't even try to hide his joy.
"Scaramouche has other business to attend to, so he won't interfere with your work. He just hopes that when necessary, you can cooperate with him."
"Hmph, is that so?"
Hearing that Scaramouche wasn't trying to replace him, Bai Luo clearly lost interest.
In the end, Scaramouche was more suited to be in Inazuma.
Not only because it was his hometown, but also because he was the Shogun's biological brother.
No matter how evasive that guy could be, he wouldn't be executed.
How about... trying to trick him?