Chapter 42

Let's set aside what's happening in Snezhnaya for now.

Over in Inazuma, Bai Luo is blissfully unaware that he's been targeted by his colleague and is living a carefree life.

The massive success of his light novel has earned him a fortune in Inazuma, though the money doesn't mean much to him. After all, as a Fatui Harbinger, the Northland Bank is practically his second home.

Initially, he thought Yae Miko might find some excuse to withhold his royalties or skim a bit off the top.

To his surprise, she generously paid him in full and even threw in some extra "licensing fees" for the merchandise sales.

Was she trying to motivate him to write the third volume of the novel? Or did she have some other ulterior motive?

Bai Luo isn't sure, but he's growing increasingly cautious.

Foxes are inherently elusive creatures.

Yae Miko, being a kitsune, has an age that's impossible for ordinary people to fathom. With the accumulation of time, even a fool could become a mastermind, let alone a naturally cunning fox.

Fortunately, Bai Luo has the advantage of being a transmigrator and knows a bit about her personality and habits. Otherwise... he's not sure if he could outwit this fox.

"Sir, will it be the usual tonight?"

A Fatui subordinate bows at the door and asks.

Since arriving in Inazuma, Bai Luo hasn't done much serious work. He's either been writing light novels in his room or "discussing the meaning of life" with General Kujou.

Although many Fatui members disapprove of their superior's behavior, considering his rank and the fact that his connection with Kujou Sara has accelerated the Fatui's infiltration of the Tenryou Commission, they've kept their complaints to themselves.

Even the impenetrable Kujou Encampment has been infiltrated by the Fatui.

Besides, while they once swore to shed their last drop of blood for the Tsaritsa, if they can survive, who would want to risk their lives?

"No, I'll eat out tonight."

The Fatui's in-house chef is undeniably skilled, but their expertise is limited to Snezhnayan cuisine.

After eating it for so long, Bai Luo is thoroughly bored and wants a change of flavor.

He also wants to take a stroll outside to clear his mind.

Most importantly, he feels like he's forgotten something.

He knows it's something important, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't recall what it is.

Maybe wandering around outside will jog his memory.

Without inviting Kujou Sara or bringing any subordinates, Bai Luo leaves the courtyard alone and heads into the streets.

Although Bai Luo's light novel brought a brief spark of excitement to the otherwise dreary city, the fervor has faded as quickly as the fireworks at a festival.

While you can still occasionally see people engrossed in his book, the initial craze has died down.

After all... the Vision Hunt Decree still looms over everyone's heads.

"What should I eat? Fox noodles, perhaps?"

Strolling through the streets, breathing in the aroma of food, Bai Luo temporarily sets aside his thoughts and focuses on deciding what to eat.

But a commotion changes his mind.

Watching a spectacle is human nature, a psychological mechanism.

In this era of Inazuma, there aren't many forms of entertainment. Reading light novels is already pushing the limits.

When people hear there's something interesting happening, they naturally flock to it.

Like flies drawn to the scent of blood, a crowd rushes toward the scene.

"Boss, what's going on?"

Bai Luo stops a street vendor who's abandoning his stall to join the crowd and asks.

"There's a strange oni causing a ruckus at the message board in Hanamizaka. The Tenryou Commission caught him red-handed, and it looks like a fight's about to break out."

The vendor doesn't seem annoyed at being stopped. Instead, he eagerly shares the news, clearly someone who loves to chat.

"An oni?"

Bai Luo is momentarily stunned, and a figure pops into his mind.

Complete with a voice.

"Yeah, apparently he's been hanging around Hanamizaka a lot. Thankfully, he doesn't come to our street, or this place would be turned upside down."

Oni don't have the best reputation among humans. Even this vendor can't pinpoint anything particularly heinous the oni has done, but in his mind, oni are never associated with anything good.

"Aren't you afraid he might go on a rampage?"

"Of course not!"

The vendor confidently pulls out a few pieces of fried tofu from his sleeve.

"With these, no matter how fierce he is, he'll back off. Oni are terrified of beans!"

After saying this, the vendor doesn't waste any more time chatting and eagerly rushes toward Hanamizaka.

Bai Luo follows the crowd and heads over as well.

"I didn't break any laws! I was just challenging the Kujou Tengu! What gives the Tenryou Commission the right to... Hey! Don't touch my horns, kid! And you, brat! Stop throwing beans at me! You're gonna kill me!"

From a distance, Bai Luo hears Arataki Itto's unmistakably loud voice.

It's strange. While many people have become listless or undergone drastic personality changes after losing their Visions, Arataki Itto remains as lively as ever after Kujou Sara confiscated his.

Aside from losing the ability to wield elemental powers, he's exactly the same as before.

This reminds Bai Luo of his research back in Snezhnaya.

Back then, to cover up the fact that he had special powers without a Vision, he borrowed the name of the Fatui Harbinger, The Doctor, to investigate Visions.

Later, The Doctor became interested in his research and conducted some studies of his own.

Bai Luo remembers The Doctor once telling him something.

Not everyone obtains a Vision in the same way.

For example, some people aren't particularly attached to their Visions. They might have gotten one simply because they wanted to study it, or they stumbled upon one during their travels.

For these people, a Vision is just a tool.

But others are different.

They crave power, long for the gods' attention, and desperately desire a Vision.

Their intense wishes draw the "gods' gaze," granting them a Vision.

These people place immense importance on their Visions, even tying their entire existence to them.

Perhaps that's why, when they lose their Visions, they feel like they've lost everything.

Of course, this is just The Doctor's theory.

Compared to Visions, Delusions fascinate him far more.

He repeatedly tried to persuade Bai Luo to abandon his research on Visions and join his ranks.

Unfortunately, Bai Luo couldn't agree with his borderline insane behavior and politely declined, citing his debt to Pulcinella.

But Bai Luo knows that if The Doctor hadn't wanted to offend Pulcinella, he wouldn't have been able to escape so easily.

Crouching down, Bai Luo looks at a stray dog wagging its tail at him and smiles.

If he had agreed to join The Doctor's ranks, he probably wouldn't have risen to the position of Harbinger. Instead, he'd be like this dog, begging on the streets.

Wait... a dog?

Bai Luo's expression freezes as he finally remembers what he forgot.

That white cat!

Back then, he was so focused on completing his new profession's mission that he completely forgot about the cat.

Is it... still on that tree in the training ground?