Kurisu's gratitude toward Thoma only deepened.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Thoma. Without your help, us 'small' foreign merchants would be in serious trouble."
Shao Yun couldn't help but wonder if that was modesty or something else. "Small merchants"? You people are running cross-border businesses and calling yourselves small fries? That's a good joke…
Thoma, slightly embarrassed by Kurisu's thanks, waved it off.
"It's nothing, Mr. Kurisu. Actually, I came today because I wanted to ask a favor."
Hearing that Thoma had a request, Kurisu immediately straightened up. "Oh? Please, Mr. Thoma, if it's within my power, I'll do my best."
Thoma stepped aside and politely introduced Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon, then stated his purpose.
"Mr. Kurisu, could you arrange a place for these three distinguished friends to stay? They're new here and haven't secured lodging yet…"
Kurisu caught on instantly, a kind smile blooming across his face. "Mr. Thoma, you're far too polite. Leave it to me—I'll make sure they're settled in the most comfortable room."
With Kurisu's assurance, Thoma turned to the others. "I'll go pick up some dinner for you. Won't be long."
Shao Yun nodded approvingly. "Be careful out there. Come back soon."
As Thoma departed, Kurisu turned to the three guests, maintaining his warm expression. "This way, please."
He led them into the International Trade Association, its halls richly adorned in Inazuman decor.
As they walked, Kurisu gave a detailed tour. "The Trade Association is where many of Ritou's merchants gather. We have meeting rooms for negotiations, tea lounges for resting, and, of course, comfortable and well-kept guest rooms…"
He rambled on enthusiastically about the Association's offerings.
"I'll do my utmost to prepare a good room for you all."
Just as Kurisu was proudly describing the thriving Association, a middle-aged man with a Liyue merchant's attire and a mustache hurried over.
As soon as he spotted Kurisu, he cut him off mid-step, voice anxious.
"President! Have you heard? The Tenryou Commission raised taxes again! How are we supposed to survive?!"
Kurisu recognized the man as Ming'an, a Liyue merchant, and sighed.
"Ming'an, I just heard the news myself. Believe me, I'm just as frustrated."
Ming'an grew even more agitated, gripping his hair in despair.
"At this rate, we're all going bankrupt! You've got to do something!"
The word bankrupt only added to Kurisu's stress, but he stayed composed and tried to soothe him.
"Calm down, Ming'an. I'll try to get in touch with the Commission and see if we can negotiate. We'll face this together."
Paimon, curious, asked, "Is something really bad happening to the Trade Association? Everyone seems so on edge."
Kurisu forced a weak smile and sighed. "It's… complicated. We've struggled ever since the Association was founded—always caught between policies and prejudice. We're used to hardship by now."
Paimon scratched her head, clearly not grasping the depth of Kurisu's plight. "Seems like the Sakoku Decree has made things really inconvenient for people from abroad."
Hearing that, Ming'an erupted again.
"The Decree limits our freedom, sure, but as long as we could make money, we put up with it! What's unbearable is the Tenryou Commission—extortionists, the lot of them! They don't care whether we live or die!"
At the mention of the Commission, Paimon recalled what Atsuko had mentioned before. "The Tenryou Commission—isn't that the department in charge of Ritou?"
Kurisu shook his head and corrected her gently.
"Not quite. The Tenryou Commission oversees Inazuma's finance and taxation. Foreign merchants like us fall under their jurisdiction."
Now that the topic was out in the open, Kurisu couldn't hold back his frustration.
"But the worst part isn't the taxes or the strict regulations…"
He clenched his fists, voice rising. "The worst is their new policy. They now require tax payments in a rare material called Crystal Marrow."
Paimon tilted her head, visibly puzzled. "Crystal Marrow? What's that supposed to be?"
Kurisu nodded and explained, "At first, none of us knew either. It took an old Liyue merchant to recognize it."
"Even though we hate it, we've been forced to scour for Crystal Marrow and use it as tax currency."
His voice turned bitter with despair.
"But this is like drinking poison to quench thirst. Taxes keep rising, while the supply of Crystal Marrow is dwindling. At this point, only one merchant still has a stockpile."
"And that merchant is exploiting the shortage—raising prices, pushing us closer to ruin. We're stuck in a vicious cycle, buried by the tax burden. One more step, and we're finished…"
Paimon turned to Shao Yun and Lumine, whispering, "Isn't this… monopolizing? That merchant's awful!"
Shao Yun raised an eyebrow. Shouldn't the blame fall on the Commission? Why is it all on the merchant?
He was tempted to explain the profit-driven nature of merchants but held back in front of Kurisu.
"They're all awful," Paimon huffed. "Not a shred of compassion."
Even the system chimed in with a line:
["The benevolent can't trade, the righteous can't hold wealth; emotions don't build authority, kindness doesn't govern troops, softness doesn't rule nations." — Enlarged Maxims of Wisdom]
Paimon's worldview is… so naïve. Well, guess that's why it's rated 12+…
Kurisu heard Paimon's outburst and sighed heavily.
Longing painted his face as he muttered, "Fontaine… my homeland… I miss it dearly. There's no oppression like this back there…"
Shao Yun quickly interjected, worried that this tone might influence Lumine or Paimon to take up someone else's fight impulsively.
"Mr. Kurisu, don't worry too much. In Liyue, we have a saying: 'When the cart reaches the mountain, there's always a way; when the boat reaches the bridge, it'll straighten itself out.' Stay strong and persistent—this too shall pass."
Which is to say: stop monologuing and move on.
Kurisu sighed but caught a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"I hope you're right… Either way, thank you for listening."
With that, he led the group to a guest room.
He opened the door to reveal a warm and elegant space.
Two soft beds sat by the wall, covered in pristine white sheets and fluffy pillows.
Potted plants and decorative items in traditional Inazuman style added charm and vitality.
Paimon zipped inside immediately, enchanted by the room.
She looked left and right, nodded in approval, and exclaimed, "Thank you, Mr. Kurisu! This room is amazing!"
Kurisu beamed at her sincerity.
"You're most welcome. Mr. Thoma specifically asked me to take care of you—this is the least I can do."
Shao Yun stepped forward, clapping Kurisu on the shoulder with a half-joking tone. "Thank you, Mr. President. But I think you've got more pressing matters to attend to…"
At the mention of taxes, Kurisu's headache returned. Still, he quickly replied, "Right, right. I almost forgot. I'll leave you to rest. Goodbye for now."
With that, he hurried out.
Shao Yun closed the door behind him and let out a relieved sigh. Finally got rid of that talkative chairman.
Paimon's face clouded again, a trace of concern returning. She asked hesitantly, "Shao Yun, those merchants… they really seemed pitiful. Shouldn't we…?"
Shao Yun didn't answer directly. Instead, he smoothly shifted the topic.
"Alright, Paimon, let's not dwell on it. After three days at sea, what we really need is rest. Everything else can wait."
Paimon considered it. He had a point. Life aboard the ship had been rough.
"Yeah… you're right. We do need to rest."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar voice.
"Shao Yun, Paimon—I've brought back some of Inazuma's special dishes. Can I come in?"
Shao Yun smiled. Perfect timing.
He turned to Paimon and whispered, "Dinner's here. Get ready to eat."
Paimon's eyes sparkled, her worries instantly forgotten.
"Yay! Food time!"