Inside the International Trade Association...
"Jiuli Xu: There's truly nothing left. If things continue like this, we'll only lose money selling goods and end up starving to death."
"Qing Ci Lang: A decree is a decree, and rules are rules. Not a single cent of the goods owed can be short. What's with all these excuses?"
Just then, Lumine's voice came from afar...
"Hmph, you're the one not following the rules, Qing Ci Lang!"
"Paimon: We've already got your ledger, and we're here to expose your hoarding of goods and reselling them for profit!"
"Jiuli Xu: What? So that's how it is? Dammit!"
"Qing Ci Lang: Uh... this... about the taxes... I..."
"Jiuli Xu: Can I see the ledger?"
Lumine nodded and handed the ledger to Jiuli Xu.
Jiuli Xu carefully read every entry.
"Jiuli Xu: Mr. Qing Ci Lang, I suppose there's nothing more to explain. How should we resolve this matter...?"
"Qing Ci Lang: Hmph, don't... don't actually think you've caught me. I was just seeking a small profit..."
The merchants next to Jiuli Xu immediately started arguing with Qing Ci Lang, with some even directly calling out the Kanjobugyo's leader, the Daimyo.
This commotion attracted the Kanjobugyo's unit leader.
"Katsuie: Oh? You dare to call out the Kanjobugyo's name? Hmph, outsiders truly have no manners at all."
"Take these people away. We'll discuss this at the Shogunate."
Qixuan felt a headache coming on. Sure enough, there was no one reasonable in Inazuma. It would be better to just have Lumine break into the Tenshukaku.
Just as Qixuan was about to let these "Inazuma people" experience what it felt like to fly,
Thoma walked out from the side.
"Oh, everyone, everyone, why is it so serious? If there's an issue, we can have a drink together, talk it over. Everything will pass, won't it?"
"Qing Ci Lang: And who are you? Who wants to drink with you?"
"Paimon: He's the fixer of this generation!"
"Lumine: Paimon, in a general theoretical sense..."
"Thoma: This is my name card..."
"Katsuie: Oh? So you're from the Shogunate? So what? This is the Kanjobugyo's territory. Even if your..."
"Thoma: Gentlemen, please give my Demoiselle some face. You wouldn't want your names to appear in the official documents presented to the Raiden Shogun, would you?"
As he spoke, he pulled out a folding fan from his embrace.
"Katsuie: That fan is... the Shirasagi Himegimi?!
Ahem, it's better to avoid trouble. Never mind, let's go, quickly."
With that, he dragged Qing Ci Lang and fled the scene.
"Thoma: Hey~~ I was just joking."
"Paimon: Thoma, you just..."
"Thoma: Shhh... too many ears. Let's talk somewhere else, haha."
...
"Thoma: This Kanjobugyo is truly rotten to the core, isn't it? Ugh..."
"Alright, alright, let's get to the honest part. What do you want to ask?"
"Lumine: About the Shogunate."
"Thoma: Haha, as expected, straight to the point, huh? It's time to reintroduce myself."
"I belong to the Kamisato Clan of the Narukami Island Shogunate, and I am the close attendant of the Shirasagi Himegimi."
"Paimon: Seriously, you kept it from us!"
"Thoma: I was simply fortunate enough to be taken in by the Kamisato Clan and am responsible for looking after the Kamisato Demoiselle, who is known as the Shirasagi Himegimi—Kamisato Ayaka."
"Paimon: The Shirasagi Himegimi... From that person's reaction earlier, she seems to be quite famous in Inazuma."
"Thoma: Hahaha, that's natural. The dignified and kind-hearted Kamisato Demoiselle has always been loved by the people of Inazuma. Her reputation even surpasses that of the current clan head, her brother—Kamisato Ayato."
"Qixuan: So your plan isn't just to have your Demoiselle help us meet the Raiden Shogun?"
"Thoma: Haha, that's another matter entirely."
"Paimon: Then what about your fixer identity?"
"Thoma: You see, the identity of a fixer can't be faked. I truly spent nearly a month getting acquainted with everyone on the entire island and even befriended Big Sister Beidou."
"It was all in anticipation of your arrival. Even though I couldn't leave due to the Sakoku Decree, that didn't stop your deeds from reaching here. We were also looking forward to seeing if you truly possess the ability to change the current situation, as the rumors claim."
"Paimon: Change the situation?"
"Thoma: Just like the test earlier, although there were some minor hitches at the end, your abilities are indeed beyond doubt. In that case, the Vision Hunt Decree would..."
"Lumine: I never said I'd help."
"Qixuan: I see. So that's your scheme, huh? Do you really think we have no other way to meet the Raiden Shogun?"
As she spoke, she released a pressure that made Thoma fall to his knees, even though it was just a tiny bit.
At this moment, Thoma realized that this Traveler's friend was no simple person.
"Thoma: Uh... cough, cough, friend, calm down... I didn't... mean that..."
Qixuan withdrew her oppressive aura.
"Thoma: Phew... phew, I apologize, friends. I was also forced into this. Now, because of the Vision Hunt Decree... sigh."
"It's my fault after all. How about this: if you wish to continue, come find me at the Komore Teahouse. This is the invitation."
Thoma finished speaking and left.
"Paimon: Did we forget something?"
"Lumine: We seem to be unable to leave Ritou."
"Qixuan: Paimon, Lumine, hold on tight."
Qixuan grabbed Paimon and Lumine with each hand.
"Paimon: What are we... doing?"
"Lumine: Uh... I... Ah!!!"
Lumine hadn't even finished speaking when Qixuan teleported them to Narukami Island.
"Paimon: Ugh~~ Sister Qixuan, can you... go slower next time?"
Lumine was alright, well, she was also feeling dizzy next to her.
"Qixuan: Alright, alright, let's go quickly."
At the entrance of the Komore Teahouse.
"Paimon: According to the address on the invitation, it should be here."
Just then, a staff member walked out from inside.
"Kozue: We don't serve ordinary guests. Please leave."
"Qixuan: We have an invitation."
Lumine handed the invitation to the staff member.
"Kozue: The Shogunate's seal, is it Mr. Thoma... It seems your identities are not simple."
"Then... welcome to the Komore Teahouse, the Shogunate's small 'protected area'."
"Paimon: Now that's more like it."
"Kozue: It's been a long time since I've seen anyone with an invitation. I wish you all the best."
The group entered the Komore Teahouse.
"Paimon: We're finally here! Where's Thoma? Where is Thoma? Did he not keep his promise?"
Paimon looked left and right, scanning the area.
Just then, a Shiba Inu on the front desk spoke.
"Who said I didn't keep my promise? I thought you had forgotten."
"Lumine: (I'm shocked!)"
"Paimon: Wh-What's going on? Did the dog just talk?!"
"Qixuan: ........."