"No big issues," Bankaku Nisei said to the Khaenri'ahn knights. "Inazuma's public isn't fond of Khaenri'ahns right now due to diplomatic tensions. You'll need to detour through Mondstadt, swap your citizenship there, then come to Inazuma."
Reisen Riou had drilled this plan into him. Khaenri'ahns and Mondstadters looked similar enough to pass.
"Your families? Don't worry," Bankaku continued. "Inazuma's arranging their transfer to Mondstadt for citizenship change, then to Inazuma."
A white lie—Reisen hadn't received the Northern Continent's intel yet, but he was working on it. Truthfully, the fallout with Khaenri'ah hit Reisen hard. His subscriptions to Khaenri'ahn bio-alchemy journals and academic papers were cut off. Blood loss, financially and intellectually.
Bankaku's fib worked, stirring the knights. Sensing their sway, he pressed, "If you two loyalists want to jump ship, write home. Inazuma will handle it."
That was the edge of a god-blessed nation like Inazuma, even a poorer one, over godless Khaenri'ah. Despite their might, Khaenri'ah lacked the clout to make such promises.
The two loyalist knights penned letters, handing them to Bankaku. These were more than family notes—surrender pledges. If Khaenri'ah's knights got hold of them, the writers and their families were done.
Bankaku pocketed the letters. "Your sincerity's noted. Congrats on the right choice. Now, my mission tonight: Khaenri'ah pissed off Inazuma's higher-ups (read: Reisen Riou). Orders are to wipe out your archaeology team. Your job? Tomorrow night, lure the forward camp's Tillers away."
The four defectors clenched their jaws, conferred, then nodded. "We can move regular Tillers," one said, "but Heavy Units are under Commander Lorrel's control. Only his trusted knights have access, and we're not them."
"Regular Tillers will do," Bankaku said. "Get them to Oina Beach and signal with your whistles."
"Understood."
"Hey, wake up. Patrol time," a knight said, tapping a dormant Tiller in Tsurumi's fog.
"Patrol—authorization check—knight—verified," the Tiller rumbled, lumbering after him.
"Patrol done. Standby here."
"Area secure—standby authorization—knight—verified." The Tiller's mono-eye dimmed. The knight exhaled.
Footsteps echoed. Another Tiller, same routine. Soon, over a hundred Tillers idled at Oina Beach. The knights counted, confirmed, and one blew a whistle.
Bankaku appeared behind them. "Nice work. Head back to the logistics camp—don't get caught in the crossfire."
The knights bolted, relieved.
"Obstacles cleared," Bankaku said. The Rock-Shadow-Thunderlight Brigade's fighters and two shrine maidens materialized. "Let's move."
"Quiet night," a Khaenri'ahn scholar muttered, heading for the latrine. A blade flashed—his head rolled, dead instantly.
A patrolling knight frowned, lost. No Tillers in sight. A blade sliced his throat before he could sound the alarm.
"Outer sentries cleared."
"Outer scholars eliminated."
"Tiller technicians down."
Bankaku, maintaining the Mistveil Technique, tracked the battlefield. Beside him, the Brigade's three other Vision-wielders—Gensei Jirou, Arakawa Jirou, Kagei Bama—stood ready as backup. The outer Khaenri'ahns were no match; Gensei's elite samurai handled them fine.
"Inner sentries cleared."
"Inner scholars eliminated."
"Inner tents failed."
"Core zone failed."
"Core scholars failed."
"They've woken the Heavy Units. Maidens, take the barrier. We're up," Bankaku said, dropping the Mistveil Technique and charging the core.
"Who the hell are you?" Lorrel roared, clashing with Gensei Jirou. Gensei wasn't his match but dodged expertly, stalling him. Three bodies lay at their feet: one Khaenri'ahn knight, two Inazuman samurai who'd failed to assassinate Lorrel.
Lorrel, thrice alchemically enhanced, shrugged off standard blades. But the Brigade's backup was swift. Bankaku and Gensei Jirou flanked him.
"Lorrel, you're done," Bankaku said.
"You Inazuman assassins? Cowards! If those fiends hadn't wrecked our Heavy Units…"
"Save it," Bankaku snapped.
The fight erupted. Bankaku matched or surpassed Lorrel; Gensei's blade work was solid, and Gensei Jirou's sneak attacks pressed hard. Lorrel's enhanced flesh resisted blades and elements, prolonging the fight.
"This guy's tough," Gensei Jirou griped, his Cryo failing to freeze.
"Focus," Bankaku barked, face darkening.
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