The girl's Homecoming
"Have you cried enough?"
The girl's sobs gradually subsided, and then she said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's: "Um… I'm sorry… I dirtied your clothes…"
"It doesn't matter, if it's dirty, just wash it. Let's talk about you first, what's your name? Where are you from?" Shiki said, moving a chair and sitting down.
"My name is Yu Rou…"
"A Liyue native?"
"Mm…"
Shiki was a bit puzzled. Were those traffickers really that capable? Could they bring Liyue people all the way to Inazuma?
"I came to Inazuma before the Sakoku Decree was issued. To avoid being thrown into the sea to feed the sharks, I paid a large sum of money at Ritou to stay."
"After that, I pulled various strings and found a job. The pay wasn't high, but the boss was very kind. She even helped me find a room with very low rent."
"Sometimes I couldn't help but think that maybe living in Inazuma like this wouldn't be so bad, even though I wouldn't be able to see my family and friends."
"But all of that changed after that man appeared. He tricked me out of all my savings, then drugged me and sold me to someone else!"
The more Yu Rou spoke, the more distorted her expression became, but Shiki could understand. After all, this wasn't just about being deceived out of affection and money, but also freedom.
"Good clue. What's the name of the man who tricked you? Where does he live?"
"He said his name was Kenta, but I think that must be a fake name, right? He lives in Hanamizaka, that much I can confirm. I watched him go home."
"Hanamizaka, huh… Never mind, come out with me first and wash off the bloodstains."
Shiki didn't want to bring a person covered in blood into the city; that could easily lead to misunderstandings.
As for the remaining two sons of the Kobayashi family… they would be handed over to the Tenryou Commission. They would be dealt with as appropriate.
Leading Yu Rou to the stream next to the Statue of the Seven, although the water wasn't deep, it was more than enough for a bath.
Moreover, there was a waterfall not far away, so they could wash however they pleased.
Shiki leaned against the Statue of the Seven, gazing at the skeletal remains of the great snake not far away. Perhaps it was because she knew the truth, but at this moment, she felt… reluctance?… from the bones.
'Orobas…'
'Don't worry, your story will eventually be known to the world…'
Time always passes quickly when one is deep in thought. Shiki felt as if she had only sighed for a moment when Yu Rou returned, draped in the damp but clean furisode.
Although the bloodstains had been absorbed, the fishy smell still lingered, though it was slightly fainter than before.
But since there was nothing here to remove the smell, this would have to do for now.
"After we catch the person who tricked you, what do you plan to do? Have you thought about returning to Liyue?" Shiki asked.
"Of course I want to go back… but isn't Inazuma still under the Sakoku Decree?"
"You don't need to worry about that. In a couple of days, I plan to go to Liyue Harbor. If you want to go back, I'll give you a ride along the way."
"Then, Benefactor, please be sure to take me with you!"
The girl said with a deep bow. Having stayed in Inazuma for almost two years, she still felt that home was better.
At home, she didn't need to worry about getting hurt, nor did she have to hide her true thoughts.
Right now, she just wanted to kill the man who had harmed her and then go home, where she could cry her heart out in her father's arms.
"Alright. Let me ask you something else. Do you know where the three girls who were with you have gone?"
"I don't know... I was the first one sold..."
"I see..."
Shiki frowned slightly. Did she have to ask Sakura Kobayashi? Honestly, she didn't want this poor child to recall such things.
'Better leave it to the Tenryou Commission. More people make the search easier, and it's a good chance to see how efficient they are.'
After pondering for a moment, Shiki decided to let the newly formed Tenryou Commission handle this matter. Since that beast named Saburou had been to Katsuragi Village, a large-scale investigation should eventually uncover some leads.
As the Shogun's side-handler, she couldn't personally handle every single matter, right?
Just set things in motion, and leave the rest to the subordinates.
"Let's go. I'll take you to change your clothes first."
Yurou was about a head shorter than Shiki, even a bit shorter than Ayaka, so wearing Ryougi's clothes definitely wouldn't fit.
Besides, she wasn't short on money. Why not just buy a new set?
Shiki took Yurou directly to Inazuma City via teleportation. This was Yurou's first experience with teleportation, and she froze on the spot for a moment.
Where am I? Who am I? What am I doing?
Yurou rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Looking at the bustling streets of Inazuma City, she had no choice but to believe that she had instantly crossed from Yashiori Island and Kannazuka to Inazuma City.
"Why are you standing there? Hurry up and follow!"
"Oh, oh! Coming!"
Yurou caught up, and soon the two arrived at Komore Teahouse.
"Komore? Shopkeeper?"
"Oh dear, don't rush, don't rush. I'm coming~" Komore Mio emerged from the inner room.
"Speaking of the clothes I designed... How did they end up on her?"
Komore Mio was about to boast about her design when she saw the outfit she had painstakingly created on another young girl, and even the pattern had changed!
Although it looked better this way... Ahem, that's not important!
"That's not important. Get her a set of clothes, just a plain iromuji (a single-color, patternless kimono, like the classic blue one Shiki often wears) will do."
"Alright, alright, as you say. But do you want to cover up the smell?"
Komore Mio was tactful enough not to ask about the source of the bloody scent, simply inquiring if a sachet was needed to mask it.
"Cover it up. The cleaner, the better."
"Okay! Just wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."
After saying this, Komore Mio led Yurou into the inner room. Shiki walked into a deserted alley and snapped her fingers.
Snap!
"Lady Ryougi!"
An Okuzumeshuu appeared before Shiki, then knelt on one knee, quietly awaiting the girl's orders.
"Go to Hanamizaka and find a man named Kenta. That might not be his real name, but if he's used it, there will be traces. I hope to see him today."
"Understood! Do you have any other orders?"
"Of course. I've learned of a serious human trafficking incident in Katsuragi Village. Have the Tenryou Commission investigate thoroughly. I want to see results within seven days."
"Yes!"
Shiki waved her hand, dismissing the Okuzumeshuu. She hadn't said she expected to see the *outcome* within seven days.
It was clearly organized crime. Expecting to root out everyone involved in just a week was somewhat unrealistic. So, it was better to focus on rescuing the trafficked victims first.
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