To restore the reputation of the Kanjou Commission…
And to maintain appearances.
Hiiragi Chisato would absolutely punish the culprit severely—especially after receiving the evidence personally.
Once her daughter intervened, Hiiragi Shinsuke would likely keep silent.
After all, Keijiro was merely a low-ranking officer.
Expendable.
There were countless others eager to become the Commission's "dogs."
Sacrifice one to preserve face? Easy decision.
Lumine had thought through everything carefully.
If she handed the evidence to Kurisu instead, the overly kind man would almost certainly attempt reconciliation.
And then?
Keijiro would suffer no real consequences.
Worse—he would grow more cautious.
More malicious.
Next time, the exploitation would simply be subtler.
Crueler.
So Lumine chose her own method.
While Keijiro remained in recovery at the Commission estate, she slipped into his residence.
She already knew the address from prior surveillance.
Sure enough—
The ledger was hidden beneath a statue of the Raiden Shogun.
One detail puzzled her.
The statue… looked oddly familiar.
But the craftsmanship was crude. The facial features were too blurred to identify clearly.
She couldn't linger.
She retrieved the evidence and withdrew immediately.
A few days later, she found the right opportunity and presented everything to Hiiragi Chisato.
Just as expected—
The young lady was shocked.
And furious.
She solemnly promised a thorough investigation and full restitution of the overcharged taxes.
With that—
The matter was settled.
After informing Kurisu the issue had been resolved, Lumine went to find Thoma.
When he heard she had already solved the problem, he was visibly surprised.
"I knew it," he said with a smile. "You truly are the wind of change my lady spoke of."
Lumine narrowed her eyes.
"'My lady'?"
Thoma coughed awkwardly.
"Ah… perhaps it's time I properly reintroduce myself."
"I serve the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Clan—specifically, as a retainer to the Shirasagi Princess."
The Yashiro Commission?!
One of the Three Commissions.
In charge of festivals, rituals, and cultural affairs.
Paimon whispered, "Who's the Shirasagi Princess? Sounds important."
Thoma beamed proudly.
"Of course she is. Lady Kamisato Ayaka is elegant, kind-hearted, and beloved by the people of Inazuma. Her reputation even surpasses that of the current head of the clan—her brother, Kamisato Ayato."
"She treats even someone like me as an equal. Once you meet her, you'll understand her charm."
Lumine noticed the reverence in his eyes.
Maybe even a trace of affection.
But she caught the key point immediately.
"So you approached us under her instructions."
Thoma scratched his head sheepishly.
"I won't lie. From the moment you arrived in Inazuma, my lady has hoped you truly possess the power to change the tide of this nation."
"And now, you've proven it."
"Even the Vision Hunt Decree… with your help, perhaps…"
Lumine cut him off calmly.
"Sorry. We never agreed to help."
Thoma blinked.
Caught off guard.
He tried again.
"If you are willing, my lady can personally arrange an audience with the Raiden Shogun."
Lumine's eyes sharpened.
"So this was a test?"
"Ahaha… well…"
He didn't deny it.
Such matters weren't trivial.
Challenging a divine decree required absolute caution.
A single mistake could ruin not only a household, but every retainer bound to it.
"I understand," Lumine replied evenly. "Tell your lady that I have no intention of agreeing—for now."
"In return for helping with our entry paperwork, I resolved the Wan'guo Trade Association's issue. We're even."
Thoma was speechless.
Lumine wasn't offended.
Nor did she feel used.
She was simply calculating risk.
Opposing the Vision Hunt Decree meant opposing a god.
In Mondstadt and Liyue, she had stood beside Barbatos and Morax.
Here?
The situation was reversed.
She was a traveler.
An outsider.
All she truly needed was a meeting with the Raiden Shogun—to ask her questions.
Nothing more.
And besides—
She had Luo Li as a fallback.
The Yashiro Commission wasn't her only path.
Thoma sighed, but handed her a formal invitation.
"If you change your mind, bring this to Komore Teahouse on Narukami Island."
Lumine hesitated.
Then accepted it.
Thoma relaxed visibly.
There was still hope.
"Well then," he said lightly, "my duties on Ritou are complete. I'll be returning now. I wish you safe travels."
He turned to leave—
But Lumine stopped him.
"Wait. About Harrison and the others. I've located them. Can you arrange safe passage to the resistance?"
Thoma smiled.
"Oh, them? I sent them off this morning."
"…Oh."
Well.
That works too.