"Yo! Finally, you're here, head of the Crux Fleet! You've kept me waiting."
As they disembarked, a blond-haired young man who had been waiting at the port of Ritou stepped forward to greet them.
"Well, you can blame your Shogun. The storms and waves off Inazuma's coast have been fiercer than ever lately… My fleet showed off its skills, but even so, we were delayed."
Beidou replied unhurriedly, then stepped aside to make introductions. "This is Thoma, a business partner I've gotten familiar with recently. And these three are Lumine, Paimon, and Victor."
The first two, Thoma already knew—he had arranged their entry documents in advance. But that last one, the youth in a half-fox mask, was new to him. Thoma didn't interrupt Beidou, though; while he privately guessed at the boy's identity, he simply waved warmly. "I've been looking forward to meeting you all."
"But Brother Victor, you're not planning to enter the city, are you?"
The paperwork was prepared for only two people. He had to ask, lest it become awkward later.
"Don't mind me. I'm just here to show my face."
"Show your face? To me?" Thoma glanced around—no one else was nearby. "Hahaha! Brother Victor, you flatter me. I'll remember you!"
"Time's about up. Lumine, Paimon—I'll leave you in his hands. But don't you dare try anything funny with them, or I'll come back to make you pay."
Thoma chuckled helplessly. "Relax, Captain. Not even the fiercest storms could block the reputation of a foreign Traveler. I've neither the strength nor the guts to make trouble for them."
"Then until next time. Lumine—no matter what stormy seas you face in Inazuma, you'd better tough it out!"
Beidou gave Victor Wang's shoulder a hearty slap, then turned back toward the ship.
"Well? You're not upset that I didn't have Thoma prepare your entry permit?"
"…Is it because this mask of mine wouldn't pass inspection at the checkpoint?"
"Heh, sharp boy. You did your homework before coming, didn't you? That's right—Inazuma's oversight of foreigners is strict. Even if we arranged a permit for you, without taking off that precious mask of yours, there'd be no passing the checkpoint."
"As it happens, I wasn't too eager to set foot on Ritou anyway."
The Sakoku Decree was more than just a storm barrier. Even if someone managed to slip through the thunderclouds, they couldn't avoid scrutiny.
Foreigners first had to report at the checkpoint, state their purpose in detail, and have their belongings searched. Without a valid reason, they were deported.
Deported where?
Back the way they came—exactly as they had arrived. If they couldn't repeat their lucky escape, they'd end up stripped of their goods and tossed in prison.
Even with a legitimate reason, numerous permits were still required.
This step seemed simple, but Inazuma was under total lockdown—people could neither leave nor enter freely. For an outsider to have permits, they either had to carry them from their last departure, or have secured them in advance through Inazuma locals. Lumine's permits were of the latter sort.
In short—it wasn't something you could achieve just by lucking through one storm. And those who didn't rely on luck… well, such people had power enough that rules hardly mattered.
And that was only the inspection for entry.
Anyone wishing to remain on Ritou had to apply for residency with the Outlander Affairs Agency. That process was simple, but the fees were outrageous—starting at a million Mora per head without a local's help, and scaling higher depending on appearance. Whatever was paid went straight into the officials' pockets.
Worst of all, even if all this was settled, their movements were restricted. They were confined to Ritou's 'foreigner settlement.' To go anywhere else, they needed a travel permit.
Entering Inazuma through official channels was nothing but humiliation.
As these thoughts flashed through Victor Wang's mind, Beidou suddenly stopped in front of him. "Didn't it cross your mind… that I deliberately didn't let you disembark?"
"That… I really didn't consider. But Captain Beidou, you've no reason to trouble me—neither personally nor professionally, right?"
"Hahaha. Oh, but there is a reason. Think again."
Arms crossed, she stood on the gangway, waiting for his answer.
"…Then I misspoke earlier. We do have no personal grudge. But if we're talking business… is it about the cursed sword and the missing Inazuma operatives?"
"That's what I like—someone with brains."
Resuming her walk back aboard, Beidou nodded. "On the Alcor, only Kazuha and I hold Visions. But Kazuha is already wanted. And though I'm a smuggler, I'm still a well-known name in Liyue—one afforded respect. I can't risk showing my face too often, or giving anyone an excuse to stir trouble between our nations."
"So, the infiltration mission in Inazuma falls to me."
"Exactly. Once we gather intel, I'll need you to investigate. Ye Caizhen spoke well of your skills, and I find you sharp enough myself. Don't worry too much—even if a fight breaks out, I can lend a hand."
"Captain! If we don't move, the Tenryou Commission guards will be on us!" The first mate Juza gestured anxiously toward soldiers eyeing the Alcor from shore. Given the ship's size and wealth, every voyage drew dangerous attention.
"Alright, let's go—next stop!"
At Juza's command signals, the crew roused the slumbering beast that was the Alcor, guiding her smoothly away from Ritou.
They sailed northeast, sighting Yashiori Island in the distance, before turning southeast. Finally, the Alcor anchored at Araumi's coast.
Around Narukami Island, the west was Ritou and Kannazuka, the south held Inazuma City—all bustling with activity. Only the northeast, with its rugged Mt. Yougou, was sparse save for the Grand Narukami Shrine and the Kamisato Estate. That was where the Alcor's dealings were arranged.
At Araumi's shore, their contacts were waiting. After exchanging coded signals, the work began—burly men in plain clothes unloading crates of rare goods from Mondstadt and Liyue, luxuries in isolationist Inazuma.
Clang!
"Careful! A single bottle of this wine is worth a hundred thousand Mora! Smash a crate, and even selling you wouldn't cover it!"
"Isn't this just Mondstadt's dandelion wine? Probably not even one bottle in the lot has real kick! What's the point of buying it at that price?"
"Hey—! Know your place, servant! Just haul the goods. My master's tastes aren't for rough hands like yours to judge."
"Tch."
"Please, Mister Ono, don't be angry," another hurried to smooth things over. "Everyone, handle with care! If petty squabbles ruin the higher-ups' operation, don't blame me for being merciless!"
So, they were Fatui. And if this Ono could command them, then he was likely tied to the Kujou or Hiiragi clans.
And that wine—just the standard type. Last time, Goth Grand Hotel had it at twenty thousand a bottle. Now it was five times the price!
If it were the Windblume Festival's limited edition brew… Victor Wang smacked his lips inwardly.
"Captain Beidou, the cargo's checked. The Crux Fleet is as reliable as ever. Please accept this Mora as thanks~"
Ono's obsequious tone was obvious—if they soured relations with the Crux, these 'sakoku exclusives' would vanish. And as a mere middleman, he couldn't afford that.
Beidou tossed the hefty bag of Mora to the accountant, Mora-Grubber. "No need to count. You trust us, we trust you. If you've got more needs next time, the usual arrangement—cheers to good business!"
"Cheers, cheers~"
"Next stop!"
The Alcor set out again, circling half of Mt. Yougou before anchoring by Chinju Forest at nightfall.
Half the Alcor's cargo catered to nobles' luxury tastes. But the rest was more down-to-earth—foreign specialties and popular goods that had gone scarce under the Sakoku Decree.
Thus, on the usually desolate shores of Chinju Forest, a lively market sprang up. Everyone's purchases had been prearranged; all that remained was payment and collection.
Victor Wang noted that prices here were far more reasonable—markups from as low as five percent to at most double, factoring in procurement and shipping costs. The Crux still showed goodwill.
Though he spotted crates of fireworks materials… they weren't for Yoimiya.
"Excuse me, is my order of books here?"
"Your name?"
Each crate was labeled with its buyer and price. Beidou, Kazuha, and the crew were busy, and Victor had already helped several customers.
"Lightning Shadow."
Victor gave the sturdy, broad-shouldered woman a curious look. She caught it and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Just… your name has good taste."
"Hehe, it's only a false name I made up."
Her laugh was meant to be coy, but shook her wiry frame like bare branches rattling a bird's nest. Still, her purple qipao, though stretched taut, was clean enough not to leave Victor scarred.
"Lightning Shadow… yes, here it is. This crate is yours. After payment—"
"I know."
She flung over a pouch of coins, eyes gleaming as she lunged for the crate. Opening it, she inhaled the thick scent of fresh ink with obvious delight. Only after that did she nod in satisfaction, wrapping her arms around the heavy box with ease. Then, flashing Victor a mischievous brow raise: "Thanks, little brother~"
The tone alone was enough to raise goosebumps. Yet in her gaze, Victor caught a flicker of natural allure. Looking closer, those slightly upturned eyes and gleaming, playful pupils—like those of… a fox.
Sensing his stare, Lightning Shadow frowned. "Staring at a girl like that—it's creepy!"
"My apologies, my apologies…" Victor sighed. "You're just so beautiful, I got lost for a moment."
"Are you insane?"
Her lips twitched, hair flicking as she shouldered the massive crate. With surprising speed for her size, she stomped off, clearly eager to escape.