Paimon glanced around at the decorations in the room.
"So this is the residence of a wealthy Inazuman family? It's not as... extravagant as I imagined?"
"Did Paimon think it would be like the Jade Chamber?"
Thoma introduced the two guests.
"Welcome to the Kamisato Estate. Our honored guests, the young lady has been awaiting your arrival for some time."
"I don't see anyone, though."
Paimon looked around, spotting only a few vases and a large folding screen.
At that moment, two light coughs came from behind the screen. "Ahem, ahem..."
"Behind the screen?"
Thoma smiled and explained.
"Hehe, as the young lady of the Yashiro Commission, Lady Kamisato usually receives guests in this manner."
"You could say it's a centuries-old custom of the Yashiro Commission. Please understand."
Behind the screen, Kamisato Ayaka spoke.
"My apologies. You two have crossed oceans and endured a long journey, only to be received in such a manner upon arriving at our estate. Please forgive the lack of courtesy."
Lumine forced a smile.
"Mm-hmm, I understand, I understand. The Yashiro Commission certainly has more rules than the Hiiragi and Kujou Clans."
"I've had more than enough of that during my travels."
Kamisato Ayaka didn't expect Lumine to respond like this.
She was visibly taken aback.
But as the Shirasagi Himegimi, she had experienced many situations before.
She wouldn't lose her composure so easily.
"I have long looked forward to your arrival. From Thoma's accounts, I am certain of the power you possess—the power to 'change the course of events.'"
"In present-day Inazuma, under the enforcement of the Vision Hunt Decree, the aspirations of the people are being trampled upon without restraint."
"Though the Yashiro Commission serves the Shogun, due to the nature of our duties, we are also the closest to the lives of the people."
"The authority of the Commissions originates from the trust of the people. How can we rest easy if we turn a blind eye to such circumstances?"
"Traveler, please lend me your strength. Together, we can surely—"
Lumine crossed her arms and sneered.
"Surely what? Surely help you rebel?"
"Huh?! Rebel?!" Paimon was shocked.
How did the conversation suddenly take such a terrifying turn?
Kamisato Ayaka was slightly flustered now.
"Ah... N-No, that's not what I meant..."
"Are you done? If so, I'll be leaving now."
Though Lumine's words were still polite, she had already grabbed Paimon's hand and started walking toward the exit.
"Ah, ah... Wait! Please... don't go yet..."
Lumine stopped. "Is there something else?"
"Mmm... I'll arrange an introduction to the Raiden Shogun for you, but on one condition... You must help me fulfill three small wishes."
[Wait, is the Yashiro Commission pushing their luck here?]
[An IOU in exchange for making me run errands for an entire version?]
[And now it's three wishes? Does the business with the International Trade Association not count as something I already did?]
[Genshin, can you please increase the freedom a bit? I want to walk out that door.]
This line genuinely made Lumine laugh in exasperation.
"It seems you haven't grasped the situation."
Kamisato Ayaka was puzzled. "Hmm?"
Lumine continued, "Lady Kamisato, you have no bargaining chips to negotiate with me."
"My only goal is to meet the Raiden Shogun. As for the plight of Inazuma's people—"
"That's something you officials, who live off the people's taxes, should be worrying about. What does it have to do with me?"
"The Yashiro Commission's repeated schemes have already worn out my patience."
Lumine didn't stop there.
"If the Kamisato Clan can arrange an introduction to the Shogun, the Kujou Clan certainly can too."
"Right now, I'm a guest of the Kujou Clan, and the Tenryou Commission is the enforcement body of the Vision Hunt Decree."
"I'm sure they'd be very interested in the contents of today's conversation."
"I imagine such information would be more than enough to trade for an introduction to the Raiden Shogun."
[Damn, Lumine's got hands.]
[I wouldn't call this 'clapping back'—it's just normal reasoning and rebuttal.]
[It's obvious the Yashiro Commission's been making empty promises all along.]
[I'm exhausted. I don't want to be a tool anymore. I'm going back to Mondstadt to be an Honorary Knight.]
——————
From the livestream, Mu Yang saw Lumine's response.
It seemed that without the game forcing her hand, Lumine wasn't someone to be trifled with.
This was the reaction of a normal person.
Mu Yang closed the system panel.
Heh, like scheming?
First, he'd go laugh at Yae Miko and see what expression she was making now.
——————
As for Lumine's words, Paimon certainly couldn't interject.
She stood by Lumine—whatever Lumine said was law.
Thoma, standing to the side, wasn't sure how to react.
There was no response from behind the screen, but there was some movement.
Who knew what Kamisato Ayaka was doing?
Before long, a beautiful young girl stepped out from behind the screen.
Her gait lacked the elegant composure of the Shirasagi Himegimi.
Instead, she quickly walked over, took Lumine's hands, and gazed into her eyes with deep sincerity.
"My sincerest apologies, Traveler. I was too abrupt earlier."
——————
Guinaifen's livestream.
Little Gui cried out in alarm.
"Oh no, folks! It's a beauty trap! An open scheme—no way out!"
[AHHHHH I'M KAMISATO AYAKA'S DOG!!!]
[Should've done this from the start—why put on airs?]
[No matter how many times I see that fringe, it's still so jarring—totally doesn't match!]
[Ayaka, you wouldn't want the Shogun to find out about today's conversation, would you?]
[Most IP-accurate moment ever.]
[Damn, these comments are flip-flopping like crazy.]
[Even heroes falter before beauty—the ancients spoke true.]
——————
Kamisato Ayaka's appearance slightly improved the players' impressions.
But for Lumine, it was different.
Right now, she had no rose-tinted glasses when it came to Kamisato Ayaka.
Lumine tried to pull her hands back, but Kamisato Ayaka wouldn't let go.
She tightened her grip.
"Tomorrow, I will send a letter to Her Excellency the Shogun to arrange an introduction for you."
"For today, please stay here as our guests. Until the Shogun's reply arrives, all your expenses in Inazuma will be covered by the Yashiro Commission."
She didn't bring up the Vision Hunt Decree again.
A young woman who could hold such a high position naturally had her strengths.
Lumine accepted the proposal.
She could sense the sincerity in Kamisato Ayaka's words.
Besides, Lumine didn't want to escalate things further.
After all, she still didn't know the full extent of the Tenryou Commission's stance.
And Kujou Kamaji wasn't the one calling the shots in the Tenryou Commission.
But the person before her now was someone who truly had a say in the Yashiro Commission.
The moment Lumine nodded in agreement, Paimon let out a long sigh of relief.
She really wasn't used to such tense atmospheres.
Most importantly—what had Kamisato Ayaka just said?
All their expenses in Inazuma would be covered?!
Did that mean they could spend someone else's money to eat their way across Inazuma City?!
Even though Paimon was already rich, who didn't love free stuff?
Paimon's eyes turned into stars.
She was clearly looking forward to what came next.
Kamisato Ayaka instructed Thoma,
"Take them to the finest guest room."
"Understood, my lady. This way, please."
Kamisato Ayaka smiled gently and waved lightly as they parted.
"I'll see you both again later."