Unlike a Vision, which strengthens the wielder's physical constitution, a Delusion is powered by life force. Prolonged use of Delusions had already severely damaged their bodies, and in this area covered by curse gods, these four Fatui were performing even worse than ordinary people.
"No, no, we have to get out of here quickly. This place isn't fit for humans."
The four Fatui supported each other as they walked out of the Thunder calamity's range. Although they really didn't want to face that temperamental Harbinger, there was no other option.
Inside, they could barely move; they'd get dizzy after just two steps, let alone climb up and place the device in the core.
But what they didn't expect was that, precisely because of their poor physical condition, they had narrowly escaped disaster.
One must know that Shiki was currently cosplaying as a golden flash around the Mikage Furnace Core. If they had really entered, it would have been a dead end, a direct four-hit Thunderclap and Flash combo with no chance for explanation.
Fortunately, they didn't enter. Even with Ryougi's excellent eyesight, she couldn't see people outside through dozens or hundreds of meters of thick mountain rock, could she?
After placing the collection device, Shiki returned to Xavier's small wooden house. As expected, Xavier immediately asked her how she crossed the barrier.
"I just destroyed the barrier. This is my personal special ability; don't ask any more questions."
For such highly curious researchers, Ryougi always preferred to say as little as possible, simply using "personal special ability" as an excuse. Otherwise, she would have to explain for a long time.
"Ah… I see…"
Xavier scratched his head, clearly dissatisfied with the answer, but there was nothing he could do. It was her right whether to say it or not; it had nothing to do with him.
"Oh, right, are all those collectors placed in the locations I marked?"
"Mm."
"Alright then… uh… by the way, what's your name?"
"Shiki."
"Alright, Miss Ryougi, please come again tomorrow. Collection, analysis, and calculation—these tasks will take some time."
Xavier spread his hands, indicating helplessness. Science was just like that; one had to maintain a rigorous attitude, and neither the steps nor the data could be wrong.
And the prerequisite for ensuring accurate data was a large amount of calculation.
Shiki knew this, so she didn't ask Xavier to speed up the data processing. What truly needed to be accelerated was the production of subsequent instruments.
"Okay, then I'll come back tomorrow. Just tell me what you need, and the Kamisato Clan will do its best to prepare everything for you."
"Let's talk about that after I design the purification device. Currently, I don't even know some of the values of the curse gods."
Xavier waved his hand. It was still too early; why think so much?
Shiki nodded slightly at his words, then left the small wooden house. The matter of Tatarasuna could be temporarily put to an end. Next, she would go to Ritou to find Kazuha and his companions.
The journey was uneventful, and Shiki quickly found Kazuha and Fujiwara at the gang's stronghold.
"Yo two, how's life in Ritou?" Shiki greeted them.
"It's alright, just too depressing. It's not as comfortable as living in the wild," Kazuha said.
"By the way, Shiki, is there something you need from us?"
"Yes, I need you to go to Kannazuka to protect someone. He holds incriminating evidence against the Tenryou Commission. Today, I already took care of a ninja sent by the Kujou Clan."
"Recently, I need to deal with the Mikage Furnace Core in Tatarasuna, so I'll entrust his safety to you for now."
Shiki couldn't use clones, after all. She still had to go to Tatarasuna these few days, and it was hard to guarantee that the Kujou Clan wouldn't attempt an assassination while she was away.
"No problem, leave this matter to us. It's been a while since I last drew my sword anyway." Fujiwara patted her chest and readily agreed. The main reason, in fact, was that she didn't want to stay in this wretched place called Ritou anymore.
It was too depressing day after day; she didn't like that atmosphere.
"Then let's go. The captain will explain the specific situation to you."
After speaking, Shiki teleported the two to the Kujou Encampment in Kannazuka. The Kamisato Clan's fleet was still docked at the port, as they still had to transport these refugees to Narukami Island.
As for when they would be transported, that would have to wait for notification.
In any case, this was the Kujou Encampment; there would be no shortage of supplies.
The three arrived on the main ship, and then it was a long explanation of the situation. Shiki didn't listen and simply left.
At the same time, the Traveler in Ritou successfully crossed the beach and set foot on Narukami Island. As she expected, all the Waypoints here were already activated.
"Huh, Traveler, why are all the Waypoints in Inazuma like this?!" Paimon asked in confusion.
One could be explained as a coincidence, but how could all of them be explained?
Souta shook her head: "I don't know. Let's go to Inazuma City first. Didn't Thoma say to find him at the Komore Teahouse once we leave Ritou?"
"Oh right! Then let's go to the Komore Teahouse first!"
"Mm, let's go."
And so, the two embarked on the journey to Inazuma City, while Thoma also secretly slipped out of Ritou.
'I didn't expect this Traveler to find a way to safely enter and exit Ritou so quickly. It seems I also need to hurry to the Komore Teahouse.'
Thinking this, Thoma quickened his pace. He had to arrive before the Traveler, after all, otherwise, the mysterious atmosphere he had created would instantly vanish, wouldn't it?
In a sense, the two of them were engaged in a fair marathon race.
Although the Traveler could teleport through Waypoints, as it was her first time arriving in Inazuma, she had to first "dye" the Waypoints with her own color (not literally).
Thoma, on the other hand, was familiar with Inazuma's terrain, but he started a few minutes later than the Traveler, so it balanced out. This was a fair competition.
Now it was just a matter of who arrived first. If he arrived first, the sense of mystery would be preserved; if the Traveler arrived first…
'Speaking of which, I haven't told Shiki about the Traveler yet.'
Thoma, who had already departed, didn't know that Shiki had simultaneously brought Kazuha and Fujiwara from Ritou to Kannazuka, still believing that the other party was repairing the warding stone on Yashiori Island.
Shiki had already teleported to the outskirts of Inazuma City via a Waypoint; she was here to respond to a challenge.
She ordered a cup of tea at Shimura's, gazed at the towering and majestic Tenshukaku, then drained the tea in her cup, and walked towards the Tenryou Commission's training ground with her sword.
Along the way, many Foot Soldier saw the Vision on her lower back, but due to the current Vision Hunt Decree list not yet including the Three Commissions, they could only let it be.
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