Chapter 27

"Sir!"

A Fatui agent excitedly rushed over to Bai Luo, holding a book.

"Yae Publishing House has responded! Your book passed the review and is already on sale!"

Regardless of Yae Miko's attitude toward Bai Luo, the editors at Yae Publishing House absolutely treated him like a treasure.

Not only did Editor Kuroda personally deliver the book, but he also conveyed an invitation from the Guuji herself.

"She invited me to Uyuu Restaurant?"

When Bai Luo heard that Yae Miko had invited him to dine at Uyuu Restaurant, his expression turned peculiar.

First of all, given that sly fox's personality, it was uncertain who would end up paying for the meal.

More importantly, the rumors about him and Kujou Sara had originated from that very place. If he were to dine there with Yae Miko now... he was certain that, given the fox's nature, she wouldn't hesitate to ruin the reputation he had painstakingly built over the past few days as the "Kujou Son-in-Law."

In fact, he might even be scorned by the people of Inazuma for being a two-timer.

Tsk, tsk. Dealing with a fox required caution.

"Has Editor Kuroda left yet?"

After some thought, Bai Luo asked.

"Not yet. He's at the Tenryou Commission next door."

Actually, Kuroda had wanted to meet Bai Luo, but the Fatui agents had stopped him.

After all, Bai Luo was a Fatui Harbinger and a Snezhnayan envoy. Unless Bai Luo invited him, it would be difficult for Kuroda to get an audience.

"Tell him to relay a message to the Guuji. Say that... I'm currently busy writing the second volume of My Raiden Shogun Can't Be This Cute, and I'll meet her when I have time."

In other words, he was politely declining.

No risks, just playing it safe.

"Yes, sir. I'll go right away."

...

"He really said that?"

At a small stall in the town streets, Yae Miko, disguised as an ordinary woman, paused and set down the bowl of fox ramen she had been eating.

"Yes, that's exactly what he said."

Kuroda was also itching with curiosity.

As a seasoned bookworm, he had thought My Raiden Shogun Can't Be This Cute was a standalone volume. He hadn't expected there to be a second volume.

Wait... he said it was the second volume, not the final volume.

Could there be a third or even a fourth volume?

He couldn't wait to read them.

"Oh dear, I was planning to visit him personally if he refused."

Yae Miko had anticipated Bai Luo's refusal to meet. Her little trick was easy to see through.

This was her way of setting up a situation where she could visit him personally.

But... she hadn't expected Bai Luo to use the second volume as a shield. Honestly, she really wanted to read the second volume. This way, she had no excuse to cause trouble.

What a headache for a fox.

Should she give him a few more days?

Just a few. If he didn't produce the manuscript, she would personally visit to... inquire.

Yes, that sounded like a good plan.

"Meow."

"Hmm?"

Just as she set down her empty ramen bowl, Yae Miko instinctively turned her head.

There was a pure white cat nearby.

This cat was quite clever. While it might not match the intelligence of a fox, among cats, it was exceptional.

The cat had sensed her youkai aura and had grown affectionate toward her.

"Sorry, this one is usually very well-behaved."

A gentle voice spoke up. A young man dressed as a wanderer bent down and picked up the cat.

From the sword at his waist, it was clear he wasn't as harmless as he appeared. His youthful face lacked the vigor of a typical young man, instead bearing the marks of time.

Since the Vision Hunt Decree was enacted, there had been more and more people like him.

But for someone so young to have already tempered his sharp edges, he must have either been beaten down by society and life's hardships or was an old monster pretending to be young.

Judging by his appearance, it was likely the former.

"It's no trouble. Animals tend to be very friendly with me."

Facing this young man who radiated "I have a story to tell," Yae Miko's ears almost perked up.

What an interesting person.

"Can I ask you something?"

Seeing Yae Miko smile at him, the young man adjusted his hat and asked shyly.

"Go ahead. I know quite a bit about what goes on in Inazuma City."

Yae Miko wasn't boasting. As a youkai, she had lived for a long time and was familiar with most things in Inazuma City.

"How do I get to the Tenryou Commission?"

Removing his hat, the young man asked.

"The Tenryou Commission? What are you going there for?"

Hearing that he was looking for the Tenryou Commission, Yae Miko grew even more intrigued.

Although the young man hid it well, the elemental energy emanating from his movements suggested he was a genuine Vision bearer.

And it was highly likely to be an Electro Vision.

Going to the Tenryou Commission on his own would be like a lamb walking into a lion's den.

Did he think that just because his Vision was granted by the Raiden Shogun, she wouldn't take it back? There were plenty of Electro Visions embedded in the Statue of the Omnipresent God.

"I wish to challenge Kujou Sara, the current general of the Tenryou Commission, to a duel before the throne."

"..."

The young man spoke with utmost seriousness, but his words were almost unbelievable.

A duel before the throne was no joke.

Forget about what one might gain from winning. If he lost, there was only one outcome.

Facing the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi.

To this day, aside from herself, no one had ever survived a single strike from the Raiden Shogun.

And just to clarify, Electro Slimes don't count as people.

"I see."

The more interesting things became, the more Yae Miko's mood improved, despite being turned down by Bai Luo earlier.

She could tell that this young man wasn't boasting.

He was serious.

"Kuroda."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Take this young man to the Tenryou Commission."

"Understood."

Kuroda had also overheard the young man's intentions, but he didn't take them seriously.

It had been years since anyone had issued a duel before the throne. This young man was probably just making excuses.

But considering his age, he did seem like the type to impulsively do something like this.

"This is the place."

Kuroda didn't take the young man all the way there. Instead, he pointed out the Tenryou Commission from a distance.

Nowadays, while Kujou Sara might still command respect, the Tenryou Commission was no longer the organization that brought a sense of security to the people of Inazuma.

Especially for Vision bearers.

Even ordinary folks like Kuroda weren't particularly fond of the place.

The only thing that could motivate Kuroda to step into the Tenryou Commission was probably the author who went by the pen name "Commander."

"Thank you, Mr. Kuroda."

The young man didn't mind much. After thanking Kuroda, he headed toward the Tenryou Commission.

Kuroda didn't linger after giving directions. He turned around and headed back to Yae Publishing House.

But just as he entered the town streets, a fully armed squad of Tenryou Commission soldiers rushed past him, their expressions grim, heading toward the notice board.

As an editor at Yae Publishing House, Kuroda knew a few people from the Tenryou Commission.

So he stopped one of them and asked, "What's going on? Why the rush?"

The soldier initially looked annoyed, but upon seeing it was Kuroda, his expression softened.

"Someone has challenged Lady Kujou to a duel before the throne!"