Chapter 18: Just Wanted to Buy Some Tri-Colored Dango

The woman who had waved at him vanished in the blink of an eye, as if she were merely an illusion.

But Bai Luo knew better than anyone that she was no illusion—she was one of the most dangerous people in all of Inazuma.

Even though she seemed friendly now, it didn't mean she wasn't dangerous. Her unpredictability was one of her defining traits.

Just when you think you've figured her out, she does something completely unexpected, shattering whatever image you had of her.

The High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, the inheritor of the Hakushin bloodline, a companion and confidant of eternity, that woman, the treacherous fox, and the terrifying editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House...

Her titles were as varied and unpredictable as her personality. It was said that those who attempted to uncover her true nature could line up from the Tenryou Commission all the way to the doors of Yae Publishing House, yet very few had succeeded.

"Master Instructor, you've been waiting for a long time."

While Bai Luo was still searching for her, a group of people had already approached him, drawing the attention of Inazuma's residents.

Judging by the emblem on his clothing, the man leading the group was from the Kujou Clan.

Whether or not the Kujou Clan had been fully infiltrated by the Fatui, it was only natural for them to send someone to greet a Snezhnayan envoy like Bai Luo.

"Where's Kujou Takayuki? Didn't he come?"

Kujou Takayuki, the current head of the Kujou Clan, had almost completely fallen under the Fatui's influence. If it weren't for some remaining pockets of resistance within the Tenryou Commission, the entire organization might as well have been renamed the Fatui's vanguard.

As the representative of Inazuma's military power, the Tenryou Commission was no easy target for infiltration.

"Lord Kujou is with the Shogun. It seems the Shogun has grown suspicious of him recently, so he couldn't break away to welcome you personally."

The young man before him, dressed as a scholar, was likely an aide of some sort, meaning the task of receiving Bai Luo had been delegated to him.

It was telling that he respectfully referred to Kujou Takayuki as "Lord" but did not extend the same courtesy when mentioning the Shogun.

The Kujou Clan... It seems their loyalty has long since wavered.

Bai Luo couldn't help but sneer at Kujou Takayuki's foolishness.

Did he really think the Raiden Shogun couldn't see through his treachery? The only reason she hadn't dealt with him yet was because his actions hadn't affected eternity. She simply didn't care.

Even the Fatui's infiltration and schemes were all within the Shogun's sight.

To her, these so-called plots and conspiracies were as fragile as a paper screen, easily torn apart.

If things ever got out of hand, she could simply cut him down with a single stroke.

And if one stroke wasn't enough, there would always be a second.

"Please, come with me. I'll arrange for your accommodations."

The young man gestured for Bai Luo to follow, leading him to his temporary residence.

Passing through the streets of Inazuma, Bai Luo glanced back at the spot where the woman had stood by the railing, but she was nowhere to be seen.

After refocusing, Bai Luo continued to follow the Kujou Clan's entourage, eventually arriving near the Tenryou Commission's headquarters.

"Master Instructor, you'll be staying here for now. When our lord returns, he will personally escort you to the Kujou estate."

Contrary to Bai Luo's expectations, he wasn't put up in an inn or at the Kujou estate, but rather in a small courtyard near the Tenryou Commission.

The courtyard had a distinctly Inazuman style—understated yet luxurious. While it couldn't compare to the grand estates of noble families, it was certainly more refined than the average home.

In short, it was just right. Compared to a crowded inn or a stiff family estate, this place was indeed quite satisfactory.

Not only could you see the imposing statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God from the entrance, but from the second-floor window, you had a clear view of the entire city. For someone like Bai Luo, who was used to roughing it in tents, this place was more than adequate.

"No need, I'm quite satisfied with this."

Bai Luo nodded in approval before stepping into the courtyard.

It seemed the place had been freshly prepared. The ground had been recently turned, and the furniture inside showed no signs of use.

"Would you like us to arrange for some attendants?"

The young man adjusted his glasses, looking to Bai Luo for instructions.

"I'll handle it myself."

"Very well. You must be weary from your travels, so I won't intrude further. Lord Kujou will be hosting a banquet at the Uyuu Restaurant tonight to welcome you. I hope you won't refuse the invitation."

After a brief moment of contemplation, the young man bowed and left the courtyard.

However, he failed to notice a slight breeze that followed him out.

As the leader of the debt collectors, Bai Luo knew he wasn't exactly a good person.

So how could he not notice the young man's little tricks? But it seemed that this wasn't Kujou Takayuki's doing; it was more likely the young man's own initiative.

So... another one from the Shogunate, huh?

"Crash—"

Just as Bai Luo was deep in thought, a figure was suddenly thrown into the room, smashing through the door before rolling to a stop at his feet.

"M-Master Instructor..."

"Whoosh—"

An arrow crackling with lightning followed, shooting straight for the downed man's vital point.

Had Bai Luo not reacted quickly, grabbing the arrow mid-flight, the man's head would have burst like a watermelon.

"So we meet again."

Casually shielding the debt collector behind him, Bai Luo looked toward the small courtyard outside.

He didn't need to guess who it was.

An Electro archer, near the Tenryou Commission, and with that unmistakable mark—it could only be Kujou Sara

"The person next to you attempted to attack a high-ranking officer of the Tenryou Commission. Please hand him over and cooperate with our investigation."

Kujou Sara stood atop the high wall, looking down at Bai Luo with a stern expression.

"You shouldn't throw accusations around so lightly. How can you say our man attempted to attack someone from your Commission?"

Granted, Bai Luo had indeed intended for his subordinate to do just that, but since no attack had occurred yet, the man was technically innocent.

"Hiding his presence and sneaking behind someone—if that's not an intent to attack, what is it?"

Kujou Sara frowned, her voice sharp with accusation. She had never had a good impression of the Fatui, so she didn't hesitate to strike.

"Come on, I just sent him to pick up some tri-colored dango for me. Maybe he just happened to be heading the same way as that person. We're Snezhnayan envoys, after all. If you falsely accuse us, you might have a hard time explaining it to the Shogun."

The debt collector, despite being severely weakened, managed to produce his coin pouch after hearing Bai Luo's words.

"That's right, I was just going to buy some tri-colored dango."

Though his voice was a bit strained, the genuine note of grievance was unmistakable.

This left Kujou Sara, standing on the wall, feeling a bit awkward.

After all, in this situation, she seemed to be the one who had acted rashly and aggressively.

"If you were just buying dango, why were you hiding?"

Like a prosecutor seizing on a flaw, Kujou Sara pressed the point.

"Do you even need to ask? Don't you know what people think of the Fatui? Even when hiding, I still got beaten up. If I hadn't hidden, I wouldn't have made it back at all."