Chapter 231: 'Kuroda'
Itto had been arrested.
The Tenryou Commission charged him with "trespassing in a military-restricted zone."
Fortunately, Lady Yae spared him some mercy. After making him pay compensation for the koi fry he trampled in the lotus pond, she let him off without throwing him in jail.
They said he had an accomplice, too.
But that stubborn oni refused to talk.
Said he'd rather die than sell out "Mr. Bai."
"…"
Reading the bulletin, Bai Luo let out a long, silent sigh.
If only he had just said his name was Tartaglia.
Too late for regrets now.
And as for Lady Yae…
That was going to be a much trickier problem.
He hadn't even worn a mask during their last encounter.
Even if he had, though, she probably still would've recognized him.
After all, he was far too famous.
A well-known philanthropist across every district for miles—
That wasn't just some empty title.
Maybe it was time to go back on the run?
But then again, he'd already caused a mess in every single nation on the map.
Where could he even go?
Sumeru, maybe?
He wondered how little Collei was doing these days.
She must've grown up quite a bit by now.
Just as he was lost in thought, someone squeezed through the crowd gathered around the notice board.
A rather plain-looking adventurer, acting like he was reading the announcements, quietly murmured to him instead.
"My lord… that editor, Mr. Kuroda from Yae Publishing, is back again. He insists on seeing you."
Kuroda.
Editor at Yae Publishing House.
Also… technically Bai Luo's chief editor.
Since Bai Luo's return to Inazuma, the man had paid him more than a few visits.
And every time… it was for one reason:
Manuscripts.
Relentless, urgent, never-ending requests for new chapters.
Even though other novels had risen to popularity after Bai Luo's disappearance, none of them managed to captivate all of Inazuma the way his books did.
And judging by the last published chapter, readers were expecting a Volume Three.
It didn't even have to surpass the first two.
Just releasing it would set the light novel market on fire again.
Still, the timing was just a little too coincidental.
Bai Luo had just finished soaking in a hot spring with a certain pink-haired fox lady—and now Kuroda showed up?
Yeah. Definitely suspicious.
After thinking it over, Bai Luo decided to meet with him.
At the very least, Lady Yae herself hadn't come in person this time.
"Where's Mr. Kuroda now?" he asked, upon returning to his small estate.
"In the study," replied one of the Fatui guards stationed at the gate.
"The study?"
That was new.
Kuroda had visited countless times, but he never once set foot inside.
He was always waiting politely by the door.
If he entered of his own accord this time… then things must've gotten pretty serious on the fox's end.
With a sigh, Bai Luo removed the mask from his waist and placed it over his face.
Time to see what this editor wanted.
. . . . . . .
"Ah, you've returned, Ausbilder," Kuroda greeted him, standing up from the chair.
As he did, he casually closed the notebook titled "Reed Sketches" that had been left open on the desk.
"…?"
Noticing that subtle gesture, Bai Luo's brow twitched slightly.
But he didn't press the issue.
"My apologies for the intrusion," Kuroda said with a respectful bow. "But Lady Yae was quite insistent. She tasked me, and I quote, 'no matter what, you will get that manuscript from him.' So here I am, pestering you once again."
He knew full well that flipping through the man's notes might've crossed a line.
That's why he apologized so quickly.
"I would love to hand in the manuscript," Bai Luo said with a helpless smile, "but Her Majesty's been giving me so many assignments lately that I haven't had any time to write. Please tell Lady Yae I'll do my best to finish the new volume as soon as possible."
It wasn't a lie.
Ever since wrapping up things on Watatsumi Island, he'd been busy sunbathing and wandering the streets.
He had no time to write, really.
Well… He did scribble a few lines in the dirt with a stick during his bathroom breaks.
"But in that case… your manuscript payment—" Kuroda began carefully.
"…"
At the mention of "payment," Bai Luo's expression shifted in a subtle but very telling way.
Because now he was sure of one thing.
"Let's not talk about the payment just yet," he said with a chuckle. "It's about lunchtime, isn't it? Since you came all this way, Mr. Kuroda, allow me to treat you to a meal. We can discuss the manuscript properly over food. How's that sound?"
Beneath the mask, the corners of Bai Luo's mouth curved into a subtle, knowing smile.
So she wanted to play games?
Very well.
He'd play along—properly.
"…In that case, I shall humbly accept your invitation, Ausbilder," Kuroda said, a faint hesitation flickering across his face before giving in to Bai Luo's offer.
Led by their host, the two strolled toward the sitting room, chatting amiably along the way.
Once seated, Bai Luo whispered a few short commands to the Fatui soldiers behind him. Then, ignoring their confused expressions, he personally began pouring tea for his guest.
"This is Qingxin," he said lightly, his tone casual, yet deliberate. "I brought it specially from Liyue. They say the immortals there live untouched by mortal desires, and their favorite thing to eat is this very herb. When brewed into tea, it carries a rather distinct flavor."
"…Honestly, it's not that great," Kuroda blurted out reflexively, catching herself a beat too late.
Bai Luo's hand paused mid-pour.
"Oh? So Mr. Kuroda's tasted it before?" he asked with a raised brow, his tone unreadable.
"Mhm. The Feiyun Commerce Guild once collaborated with us," Kuroda replied without missing a beat. "They submitted manuscripts from Liyue's light novel community for one of our events. I had the chance to try some during the exchange. I also heard they maintain their own herbal gardens."
Her response was smooth—logical, even.
Anyone unfamiliar with Liyue would likely be convinced.
Unfortunately for her, Bai Luo wasn't just familiar with Liyue.
He was from Liyue.
And while the Feiyun Commerce Guild did own gardens, they weren't growing Qingxin.
They specialized in Silk Flowers—used for textiles and famous across the continent for the unmatched quality and volume of their woven goods.
So her little tail… was already poking out.
Still, Bai Luo didn't press further.
Instead, he continued talking about light novels, weaving in just enough depth and detail to guide the conversation safely away from dangerous ground.
To be fair, even if Kuroda had come here with ulterior motives, the longer their talk went on, the more she genuinely got swept up in it.
Because Bai Luo's grasp of light novels far exceeded anyone she'd ever met in the industry.
The wild worlds he spoke of, the limitless imagination—it reminded her of an old friend.
Back in the day, the two of them used to argue all the time…
Now, though… there was no point bringing it up.
Before long, the Fatui soldiers returned—this time carrying trays of food.
From halfway across the room, Kuroda could already smell the intoxicating aroma.
It hit her like a tidal wave, stirring her soul.
Fukuuchi Udon.
But just as the bowl of steaming noodles was placed on the table, Bai Luo—now maskless—suddenly froze.
A second later, he slammed his palm against the table.
BANG!
"I told you to go buy proper food from the district!" he barked. "This is what you came back with?!"
The Fatui soldier, used to this kind of act, immediately dropped to his knees, quivering like a leaf in the wind.
They'd been yelled at by worse.
"Y-You said to go to the stall by the bridge, sir! Isn't that where the Fukuuchi Udon cart is?!" he whimpered, voice cracking with just the right amount of desperation.
"Actually, this is—" Kuroda began.
"You stay out of this, Mr. Kuroda!" Bai Luo snapped, turning sharply toward her. "I need to teach this fool a lesson. Serving street noodles to an honored guest—does he have no shame? Because I sure do! Get this garbage out of here! Go to Uyuu Restaurant and bring back something worthy of a guest!"
"—!"
Kuroda opened her mouth.
She really wanted to say, "The Fukuuchi Udon is fine, actually."
But when she saw the look in Bai Luo's eyes, she swallowed her words.
She knew.
If she admitted she liked Fukuuchi Udon, this infuriatingly sharp Harbinger would definitely sniff something out.
So… all she could do was stare longingly at the disappearing bowl of noodles, the golden fried tofu still glistening in the steam.
<+>
Note: 'Kuroda' is Yae Miko in disguise.
. . . . .
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