Igor had a strong desire for control—something that was clear from the way he personally handled everything on Watatsumi Island.
And even after Bai Luo arrived, that didn't change.
In fact, when Bai Luo specifically ordered him not to reveal his identity, Igor became even more controlling, taking full command and outright ignoring Bai Luo's position as a Harbinger.
Today was no different—he was, as always, buried in paperwork, meticulously handling everything himself.
But today, a VIP arrived.
"Lord Ausb— I mean, Lord Battousai!"
The moment Igor saw the red-cloaked swordsman enter, his face immediately shifted to one of flattery.
Though… it was a very unpracticed kind of flattery.
Understandable.
If he wasn't so desperate to use Bai Luo as a connection to offer up his work to the higher-ups, he probably wouldn't be acting this humble.
People like him—who were exceptionally patient and could swallow their pride—were usually dangerous to deal with.
Unfortunately for him, his ambition and his actual capabilities didn't match.
He still hadn't realized that the "golden canary" he thought he had locked in a cage…
…had actually locked him in an even bigger cage.
"How much Mora can you access right now?"
Bai Luo didn't bother with formalities, casually resting his Reverse Blade Sword against his shoulder as he asked.
"Uh… around two million Mora."
Igor looked slightly embarrassed as he answered.
That amount… wasn't much.
In fact, it was pitifully small.
If he were stationed anywhere else, his colleagues would probably have access to far more.
Unfortunately, he had already been abandoned by Pantalone—the rich guy had cut him off completely.
This two million was just his personal savings.
"What about under the name of a Fatui Harbinger?"
Bai Luo had already guessed the situation, but he still asked.
Igor hesitated, then answered honestly.
"If you use your authority as a Harbinger, my lord, I can send someone to the embassy in Inazuma City to request funds. Given the current financial situation of the Fatui in Inazuma, you should be able to access up to… thirty billion Mora."
"Thirty billion?"
Bai Luo was genuinely surprised—he hadn't expected his "allowance" to be so high.
Before he became a Harbinger, he always used expense reports to cover his costs.
After becoming one?
He just put it on someone else's tab.
He had never personally withdrawn funds before.
Huh… so I'm technically a rich man too?
"Alright then—withdraw three hundred million Mora."
Bai Luo instructed, his tone casual.
"Donate it anonymously to Sangonomiya."
He then emphasized one key point.
"Sangonomiya—not Watatsumi Island. Don't mix them up."
"Understood, my lord."
Igor nodded, then hesitated.
"…But I'll need some kind of authorization from you. Otherwise…"
His expression became awkward.
If he went to request funds at the embassy, they would probably give him some money.
But if he asked for three hundred million Mora in the name of a Harbinger… without any proof?
They'd probably beat him half to death before throwing him out.
After all, on paper, he had no official connection to Bai Luo.
And even off the record, their relationship couldn't be made public.
So…
"Huh?"
Bai Luo looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Did I ever say to do it under my name?"
"Why the hell would I need to give you authorization?"
—Truly.
A man who had never "officially" paid for anything in his life.
"???"
"Let me think... Childe's already been used too many times, so I should let him off for now. La Signora... never mind, I've already used her name once. If I overdo it, she might turn into a raging moth and chase me around. Scaramouche... I don't really know him that well either. How about... putting it on Pantalone's tab? Yeah… that works. He's in charge of the money anyway, and a sum this small probably won't even catch his attention."
Bai Luo rattled off names one by one, each making Igor's head drop lower and lower.
By the time he reached Pantalone, Igor nearly collapsed to his knees.
There was one thing that was painfully clear from Bai Luo's words—
He seemed to really enjoy doing things under other Harbingers' names.
But...
As Pantalone's subordinate, no one knew better than Igor just how possessive that man was when it came to his money.
It was almost pathological.
Otherwise, the moment he realized Watatsumi Island had no financial prospects, he wouldn't have so mercilessly cut off all funding.
Pantalone never made a losing deal.
Three hundred million Mora...
If Igor couldn't come up with a convincing reason for this expense, the consequences would be far beyond what he could handle.
"Go get the money. Pantalone won't give you a hard time."
Bai Luo's casual reassurance was like a shot of adrenaline to Igor.
"Understood, my lord!"
Even though anxiety still lingered, Bai Luo's words gave Igor a newfound confidence.
Yes—
Even if Bai Luo was only the lowest-ranked of the Harbingers, with his backing, Pantalone probably wouldn't punish him too severely.
Besides, he had served Pantalone faithfully for so long—yet the man discarded him instantly with a single sentence:
"Watatsumi Island has no future."
If Pantalone could abandon him so easily, then why shouldn't he return the favor?
This might even be an opportunity.
If he played his cards right, he could sow discord between Bai Luo and Pantalone.
If two Harbingers clashed, one of them would eventually fall.
And when that happened, with the achievements he had built up on Watatsumi Island, he just might have a chance at taking a Harbinger position himself.
After bowing deeply, Igor hurried out.
But he failed to notice the look of amusement in Bai Luo's eyes.
Did he really think his little schemes were invisible?
Please.
A mere insect thinking it could shake a giant—
When in reality, all it had done was tickle one of the giant's leg hairs.
But it didn't matter.
After all, a man already doomed to die wasn't worth troubling over.
Letting him play out this final act would be Bai Luo's last bit of mercy.
As for how he would handle Watatsumi Island, Bai Luo had already settled on a plan.
His style was always pragmatic—
He would use every available resource to its fullest potential.
And right now, the most valuable asset at his disposal was the name of Battousai.
If he leveraged that reputation correctly, it would eliminate countless obstacles and make his plans infinitely easier to execute.
A common fish could simply be thrown into a pan, fried over and over, until it became delicious and crispy.
But an ornamental fish—
That was different.
It was meant to be admired.
It could be placed in a beautiful tank, teased with handfuls of bait for entertainment.
The only real challenge was the fierce guard dog watching over the tank.
But as long as he dressed it up nicely, adorned it with beautiful clothing and exquisite ornaments—
Its ferocity would slowly fade, until, at last, it completely surrendered.
"...Heh. I really am a terrible person, huh?"
. . . . .
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/174425?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/128924511?collection=174425
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/128924511?collection=174425
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/174425?view=condensed