Chapter 28

Duel Before the Throne.

The so-called "throne" refers to the ruler of Inazuma—the Raiden Shogun.

To ordinary people, a duel before the throne might seem like a sacred event.

Betting everything on a glorious duel.

The winner gains a chance, while the loser loses everything.

Including their life.

In reality, the so-called duel before the throne is merely entertainment for the feudal-era shogun.

A simple word like "glory" is enough to make warriors fight to the death like monkeys in front of them.

And all the ruler has to offer is a simple promise.

Whether it will be fulfilled is another matter entirely.

Even if the meaning of the duel before the throne in Inazuma is different, it doesn't change one fact.

It is a cruel farce.

Bai Luo had been trying to... write the second volume of My Raiden Shogun Can't Be This Cute.

But the sudden appearance of someone within his perception range made him pause.

Since arriving in this world, he had marked many people.

But the unique feature of his "True Sight" allowed him to sense who this person was.

According to their previous journey, he and Kazuha should have been near Nazuchi Beach.

Why was he here?

When Bai Luo sensed the person entering the Tenryou Commission, he understood what was happening.

For a Vision bearer to enter the Tenryou Commission was akin to courting death.

Unless they were planning something big.

And that big thing was...

Putting down his pen and paper, Bai Luo called for his subordinate.

"Sir."

The one who entered was still the Fatui agent who had delivered his manuscript.

Since he was easy to use, Bai Luo had kept him around.

As for A-Qi... he had been borrowed by Scaramouche for the Delusion Factory.

Even the Mirror Maiden who had come to Inazuma with him had gone along.

Now, the people following him were just nameless extras.

"Go and invite that wandering youth who just left the Tenryou Commission. Tell him..."

Bai Luo initially thought of using his name, but then he remembered that neither of them had exchanged names when they parted.

Hmm... maybe I should go out myself?

"Tell him that a friend he met in Ritou invites him for a chat."

In the end, Bai Luo decided not to go out himself and instead vaguely mentioned their meeting place.

The Fatui subordinate was momentarily confused. How could the Harbinger, who had been writing in his room the whole time, know about a wandering youth outside?

But as a subordinate, his job was to carry out the Harbinger's orders, not to question them.

Before long, he returned, leading a bewildered young man who looked equally confused.

Before entering, the young man had already guessed who had summoned him.

At the time, he only knew Bai Luo was with the Fatui, but he hadn't realized Bai Luo held such a high position within the organization.

Sitting somewhat awkwardly across from Bai Luo, the young man removed his hat and offered a shy smile.

The white cat in his arms recognized Bai Luo. It had no fondness for this man who would appear and disappear without warning.

With its owner present, the cat hissed and swiped the air with its paws, but it didn't dare actually strike Bai Luo.

"Long time no see."

Pushing a cup of tea toward the young man, Bai Luo's expression was complicated.

He had thought that Kazuha's friend had issued the duel before the throne when Kujou Sara came to confiscate his Vision.

But now it seemed... he was walking to his death.

Yes, walking to his death.

This wasn't a game. This was Teyvat.

Power levels weren't determined by star ratings.

Even if this young man had the potential of a five-star character, this wasn't a game.

Humans were at a disadvantage against youkai.

Kujou Sara had grown up in the military, making her far stronger than the average Vision bearer.

His actions could only be described as walking to his death.

"I thought your words when we parted were just polite talk, but..."

The young man glanced at the mask hanging from Bai Luo's waist and couldn't help but sigh.

With his means, he naturally couldn't uncover Bai Luo's true identity.

But to live next to the Tenryou Commission and command such respect from the Fatui...

This man's status was likely even higher than he had imagined.

"Actually, what I said last time still stands. If you're willing to let me intervene, I can resolve this matter for you."

If the duel before the throne had already begun, Bai Luo would have been powerless.

Even La Signora, after losing her duel before the throne, was reduced to ashes by the Raiden Shogun's blade.

How could Bai Luo possibly save someone in that situation?

But now was different.

Within his perception range, Kujou Sara was nowhere to be seen.

This meant she hadn't yet learned about the duel.

If Bai Luo contacted Kujou Takayuki, he could easily cancel the duel before Kujou Sara returned.

With both the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission under the Fatui's influence, resolving this matter would be simple.

The young man's face first showed surprise.

After all, since sitting down, he hadn't mentioned the duel before the throne to Bai Luo.

But recalling how Bai Luo had known he was nearby and sent someone to invite him, he understood.

Perhaps this important figure had some extraordinary ability.

His gaze fell once more on Bai Luo's Dendro Delusion.

Could this man communicate with plants through his Vision?

Perhaps.

But Bai Luo's offer represented his last chance at survival. In other words, if he regretted his decision, he could still back out.

From Bai Luo's calm and confident tone, it was clear he could absolutely make it happen.

However...

"Thank you for your kindness, but I've made my decision, and I won't change it."

The young man's tone had shifted, and his address had become more respectful.

He felt this man deserved his respect.

At least in his experience, no one would dare to extend a helping hand to someone in his position.

Well... except for Kazuha.

Would he regret it?

In truth, after making this decision, he had given himself time to reconsider.

Because he knew that, regardless of the outcome of this duel before the throne, he couldn't escape the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi.

If he lost, he would die.

If he won, even if the Raiden Shogun didn't strike him down in front of everyone, she wouldn't let him off easily.

Perhaps the moment he stepped out of Tenshukaku, the Raiden Shogun would make her move.

After all, he had trampled the Shogunate's dignity underfoot.

No ruler would allow someone like him to live.

After parting with Kazuha, he had traveled for a long time.

And this journey hadn't made him regret his choice. Instead, it had strengthened his resolve.

He had witnessed what happened to those who had their Visions confiscated.

They became listless, their eyes empty, like walking corpses.

Most importantly, they had lost something.

Their dreams.

And their hope.

Even some of the good things in life.

At a time like this, someone had to stand up.

He knew that neither his identity nor his status could influence the Raiden Shogun's decision.

But he wanted the Almighty Narukami Ogosho to know this.

There will always be those who dare to face the lightning's glow!