At this moment, the ever-graceful and wise Grand Narukami Shrine Priestess, Lady Yae Miko, was still reviewing light novels.
You say she's neglecting her duties? What nonsense! Being an editor-in-chief is her real job! The role of Priestess is just something she does for fun!
Jokes aside, the book she was currently reviewing was none other than the newly submitted work by Lucian.
"This author... how dare they leave it on a cliffhanger at such a critical moment?" Yae Miko smiled, though her tone carried a hint of displeasure.
"Oh well, might as well release it for now~."
Though she was eager to know the continuation of Teyvat's Strange Tales: Inazuma Arc, she couldn't just join the "Retribution for Lucian's Cliffhangers" book club because of this, could she?
The first act of the Inazuma story was rich in content, arguably the most intricate so far, sparking widespread anticipation for what would come next.
Yet, Lucian's new book wasn't the second act—instead, it was Love and Teyvat.
This was the second time! Last time, everyone thought the Inazuma story would continue, only to get an interlude about a summer island. And now, just as they expected the next chapter, they're hit with Love and Teyvat instead.
Lucian had originally intended to leave the Raiden Shogun on a cliffhanger, but in reality, the Shogun hadn't even read it. It was the other Inazumans who were growing impatient.
Still, you couldn't entirely blame Lucian—after all, someone (cough miHoYo cough) had inserted this very interlude in the first place.
The new book naturally covered the Story Quests of Kamisato Ayaka and Yoimiya.
A few days later, upon its release, the people of Inazuma once again bought out the entire stock. Though unrest plagued some regions, not all Inazumans were involved in the turmoil.
And whether they were troublemakers or not, everyone remained deeply interested in the prophetic book.
Like Yae Miko, they had assumed the new book would continue Inazuma's story, allowing them to glimpse their nation's future.
To their surprise, however, the book wasn't Teyvat's Strange Tales—it was Love and Teyvat.
Now they wanted to mail Shikikan a box of knives.
Even if it wasn't about Inazuma's future, they'd still read it.
Let's first discuss Kamisato Ayaka's story: Love and Teyvat: Grus Nivis Chapter: The Crane and the White Hare's Tale.
This story takes place after the first act, maintaining continuity. It depicts a time when the Traveler and Kamisato Ayaka have already established a friendly rapport.
The moment the Traveler steps out of Komore Teahouse, Ayaka stops them—she wishes to personally commission the Traveler.
The request? Something concerning Kamisato Ayaka's mother.
Inside the Kamisato Estate, the two siblings read in their respective rooms. Ayato sighs, glancing at the illustration of Ayaka pinned to his wall.
Ayaka had been too young when her mother passed, leaving her with few memories—which only deepened her desire to learn more about her.
Ayaka had already anticipated the commission in the book, for she had since discovered that notebook.
Within its pages was an unfamiliar name—one that piqued her curiosity. Who was this person? What connection did they have with her mother?
Naturally, the Traveler in the story doesn't refuse this small request, joining Ayaka in her search for this mysterious stranger.
Their first stop is Ogura Textiles & Kimonos, primarily to prepare a gift for the eventual meeting.
Upon arriving, Ayaka is momentarily distracted by a festival advertisement. As the Yashiro Commission's overseer of festivals, she herself has rarely had the chance to participate.
But she quickly regains her focus, handing the clothing design to the shopkeeper.
After examining it, the shopkeeper explains that due to Inazuma's Sakoku Decree, obtaining silk from Liyue has become difficult—making the design impossible to fulfill.
Thus, Ayaka and the Traveler must procure the fabric themselves. For foreign goods, they naturally turn to the International Trade Association.
Unfortunately, the association's chairman, Kurisu, isn't present—he's out receiving a shipment.
Coincidentally, that shipment happens to be silk fabric.
But, as luck would have it, Kurisu's goods have just been stolen by a group of ronin.
[Kurisu, failing to report the crime, grumbles: "The Kanjou Commission won't even give us the time of day—they'd probably celebrate our misfortune!"]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "While I, too, find the Kanjou Commission's methods questionable, Mr. Kurisu, this is still Inazuma. Mind your words."]
The Inazuman readers nod in approval. Well said, Shirasagi Himegimi! This is Inazuma, after all.
We can riot, we can criticize—but that's our business. For an outsider to insult them? That's a different matter entirely.
It's like the difference between self-deprecation and being mocked by others—the latter stings far more.
With this, the people's support for the Yashiro Commission rises yet again.
Just look—the Kanjou Commission bows to the Fatui, while the Yashiro Commission upholds Inazuma's dignity. How can two Commissions be so different?
Some readers recall Atsuko's earlier remark that the Tri-Commission is akin to Liyue's Qixing and Eight Trades.
With the Kanjou Commission's performance, how could they ever compare to Liyue's Tianquan or Yuheng?
The Tenryou and Yashiro Commissions need to step up! We can't keep letting foreigners laugh at us!
Little do they know, the Tenryou Commission has long been in cahoots with the Kanjou Commission.
Otherwise, even if the Raiden Shogun remained indifferent, the Tenryou Commission should have the authority to investigate the Kanjou Commission's misconduct.
In the story, Kamisato Ayaka doesn't ignore Kurisu's plight—she resolves to help recover the stolen goods.
Yet, upon confronting the ronin, they respond with shocking arrogance.
[Ronin: "The International Trade Association? Just a bunch of parasites clinging to Inazuma's land for survival! Who's gonna protect you? Who'll stand up for you?"]
["Hahaha! You don't even know your place!"]
["In this Inazuma, merchants like you with no backing are just lambs for the slaughter!"]
[Kamisato Ayaka remains silent: "..."]
Now, not only the Inazumans are furious—readers from other nations are equally incensed.
Even if these characters are fictional, they still represent people from our nations. Such disrespect is unacceptable!
Fortunately, in the story, Kamisato Ayaka teaches these ronin a lesson—an official stance of sorts.
In gratitude, Kurisu offers to give her some of the fabric for free, but Ayaka refuses, insisting on paying the full price.
Back at the Kamisato Estate, Ayato is already considering whom to send to eliminate these ronin.
Though they posed no direct threat to Ayaka, Ayato won't tolerate such behavior.
Previously, Ritou was under the Kanjou Commission's jurisdiction, making interference difficult. But now, with the Kanjou Commission preoccupied, he has no qualms about cleaning up the ronin himself.
So far, this story has only deepened readers' admiration for the Shirasagi Himegimi—while further tarnishing the Kanjou Commission's reputation.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Over · Kamisato Ayaka: About Grus Nivis Chapter
"So Mother had such a side to her as well... Yes, of course she had her own hobbies. How could she have been only the noble figure in my memories?"