Ayaka explained to Lumine what had just happened.
The elderly woman came from Konda Village outside Inazuma City.
Their village had a swordsman who protected the settlement.
For some reason, that swordsman had recently announced his intention to leave the village.
When asked for his reasons, he couldn't give a clear explanation.
The villagers shared a deep bond with him and didn't want him to leave under such unclear circumstances.
So, the elderly woman thought of seeking help from the shrine maidens.
By chance, she happened to meet Kamisato Ayaka, the Shirasagi Himegimi of the Yashiro Commission.
Civil affairs were part of the Yashiro Commission's responsibilities.
Moreover, the elderly woman adored Ayaka.
As they talked, Ayaka eventually agreed to visit Konda Village to see what was going on.
"That's roughly the situation. Lumine, would you like to come along and take a look?"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances.
"Ayaka, you're too polite. More hands make lighter work."
"Can we bring Mu Yang along too?"
Kamisato Ayaka covered her mouth with her fan and smiled. "Of course, thank you."
Just then, a sudden 'poof' sound came from behind Ayaka as someone materialized out of thin air.
"Ah—?!" The abrupt appearance startled Paimon.
The figure was tall and slender, her form accentuated by a tight-fitting ninja outfit.
Her face was hidden behind a mask, making her features indiscernible.
[Damn, that figure—drool-worthy.]
[Step on me, sis!!! Whip me, sis!!! Love me to death, sis!!!]
[Keyword: Masked character. You're welcome.]
[Wait, that's not a tight suit?]
[When players discuss meta: Heated arguments, fists flying.]
[When players discuss waifus: Da~ Nice grandpa.jpg]
After whispering a few words into Ayaka's ear, the ninja vanished with another 'poof.'
Seeing Lumine and Paimon's stunned expressions, Ayaka explained:
That was a member of the Kamisato Clan's covert organization, the Shuumatsuban.
Since it was a secretive group, Ayaka couldn't reveal much.
She only mentioned the ninjutsu the kunoichi had just used.
Paimon's eyes sparkled. "Wow, a real ninja with ninjutsu?!"
"Lumine, if you learned that, could you disappear like that too?"
"Then I wouldn't have to worry about your safety during our travels!"
Lumine covered Paimon's eyes with her hands. "Ninja Art: One Leaf Obscuring the Eyes—am I gone now?"
Paimon stomped midair. "Not like that!"
After teasing Paimon, Lumine asked Ayaka if something had happened.
The ninja's words seemed to have left Ayaka looking troubled.
Ayaka spoke up, "There's something at the Yashiro Commission that requires my attention."
She took Lumine's hand. "Lumine, would you be willing to handle the Konda Village matter as a commission for the Yashiro Commission?"
Lumine and Paimon simultaneously struck a playful pose, hands on hips.
"Commissions? We're professionals!"
With that, Ayaka left the Grand Narukami Shrine and headed down the mountain toward the Kamisato Estate.
Lumine approached Mu Yang and asked if he wanted to come to Konda Village.
Mu Yang nodded in agreement, saying there wasn't much for him to do at the shrine anyway.
Leaving for half a day wouldn't be an issue.
The three set off toward Konda Village.
——————
On the players' side, the dialogue quest was complete.
New Quest: Investigate the situation in Konda Village.
However, Guinaifen wasn't in a hurry.
She teleported straight back to Inazuma City.
[What's Little Gui up to? Why not continue the quest?]
Guinaifen replied, "First, let's check out Yae Publishing House. Aren't you curious about the contents of 'Ruthless Sword'?"
[I am a little curious.]
[Mu Yang warned us to be careful of the sly fox. I'm not curious.]
[Feels like there might be an unexpected twist—just look at that fox's expression.]
Guinaifen navigated her character to Yae Publishing House.
She bought a copy of "Ruthless Sword" from the store's featured items for 2,500 Mora.
Upon opening it, she found the book's content was identical to what Mu Yang had recounted to Lumine.
"Uh… seems like I got scammed, ehe~"
[Old woman, trying to act cute now?]
[LMAO, Mu Yang literally told us to be wary of Yae Miko, but you just wouldn't listen.]
[You didn't heed my husband's words, and now you're out 2,500 Mora.]
[That year, at eighteen, scammed out of 2,500 Mora by a wicked woman.]
Guinaifen immediately repented. "Folks, stop roasting me, please."
"I repent. I failed Mu Yang's well-intentioned warning…"
However, just as Guinaifen exited the book-reading interface,
two achievements popped up.
"Huh? What's this? Why are there achievements?"
Guinaifen clicked to check:
「Ara ara, you just couldn't resist, could you~」—20 Primogems
「This one's on me (Note: Don't trust pink foxes lightly)」—200 Primogems, Mora Pouch (2,500)
"That doting tone… that generous reward…"
"Mu Yang is just too kind. I'm gonna cry."
[HOW MANY PRIMOS?!]
[Was this part of your plan all along, Mu Yang?]
[LMAO, I was one pull short and got Ayaka—thank you, Mu Yang's disciples (prays).]
[Finding ways to hand out Primogems now, huh?]
[Good, good. Not many would've fallen for this scam, but now everyone's willing.]
[It's fine, my husband's got my back.]
[Is this the joy of having a safety net? Slowly starting to relate to Lumine.]
[You can always trust him.]
[Mu Yang always manages to surprise us in the most unexpected ways.]
...
This little surprise of 220 Primogems sent Mu Yang's popularity soaring once again…
——————
In the world of Teyvat,
the trio had arrived outside Konda Village.
Originally, this should have been the first storyline.
But due to Lumine's attitude, Kamisato Ayaka and the others were forced to adjust their approach.
However, whether it was strategy or genuine goodwill,
Mu Yang wouldn't interfere with Lumine's judgment.
If she wanted to help in Konda Village, he'd support her from the sidelines.
If she didn't want to come and someone tried to force her—well then,
that person would have to become the next challenger in the Yujing Terrace Sword Challenge.
What if they didn't use a sword?
If Mu Yang said they did, then they did.
Mu Yang recalled the story of Konda Village's guardian swordsman.
It seemed somewhat similar to his own experiences…
"Mu Yang, is something wrong?" Lumine turned back and asked.
Thinking about that swordsman's circumstances, Mu Yang's steps slowed slightly.
He shook his head. "It's nothing. Let's find that guardian swordsman first."
"There's a crowd over there—let's go ask."
Paimon pointed toward the entrance of a small vegetable garden.
A group of villagers had gathered, though it wasn't clear why.
As the three approached, they saw the villagers surrounding a white-haired swordsman.
"What's this about? After all these years, why leave so suddenly?"
"Yeah, we weren't prepared at all—we just heard the news out of nowhere…"
"The kids were looking forward to you taking them out to play again… Please, we beg you to reconsider…"
…
It seemed this was the guardian swordsman Ayaka had mentioned.