Filled with intense curiosity, Lin Mo made his way to the street where the Adventurers' Guild was located.
From a distance, he could see Paimon and Lumine talking with Katheryne in front of the guild. Lumine took a map, nodded solemnly, and was about to turn and leave.
Just as they turned around—
" There you are~! "
Paimon spotted Lin Mo standing at the street corner and waved her little hand happily. " It's the diplomatic envoy~!!
What are you doing here? "
" I saw everyone having a great time at the Lantern Rite, but you two were the only ones missing. "
Lin Mo smiled lightly, then looked at Lumine with concern. " What's wrong?
Did you run into some trouble? "
" Mmm... "
Lumine nodded gently, her eyes worried. " The Adventurers' Guild issued an urgent commission.
I... might need to go to Inazuma. "
Lin Mo nodded. " Tell me what the trouble is.
Let's see if there's anything I can do to help. "
Over the next few minutes, Lumine and Paimon briefly explained the urgent commission from the Adventurers' Guild to Lin Mo.
In short, a large number of Rifthounds had appeared around Mt. Yougou. Their goal was clear: they were trying to destroy the roots of the Sacred Sakura.
Since Inazuma's top combatants had all come to Liyue for the Lantern Rite, the Yashiro Commission couldn't handle the Rifthound crisis on its own. That was why this commission had been issued.
After the explanation, Paimon frowned. " The strange thing is, why is the Shogun ignoring this?
"
Paimon wasn't the only one confused. Lumine was also baffled.
Logically, the Yashiro Commission, having difficulty handling the situation, should have reported it to the Inazuma Shogunate. The Shogun—Ei's puppet—should have stepped in personally.
Lin Mo was equally puzzled.
He turned his gaze toward the night market. Though he couldn't see the others, Lin Mo could sense, through the connection between Archons, that Ei was in that direction.
Why was the Shogun ignoring the crisis threatening the Sacred Sakura?
The person most likely to have the answer was Ei.
" About this, I think we should go ask Ei first," Lin Mo said, turning to remind them.
" You two, follow me. "
Paimon and Lumine exchanged glances, nodded, and followed Lin Mo.
Soon, the three of them crossed the bustling streets and returned to the night market.
Everyone was lingering at various stalls. Ei was no exception.
But Ei was standing alone in front of a stall, waiting.
Lin Mo couldn't help but smile when he saw her.
So that's why Ei had fallen behind.
She was standing in line with the children, waiting to buy sugar figurines.
Lin Mo gently tapped Ei on the shoulder.
Ei turned around. When she saw it was Lin Mo, a barely noticeable flicker of delight flashed in her eyes.
" Tsurubami, where did you go just now? "
As soon as she spoke, her expression turned a little awkward.
Mainly because Lin Mo had caught her holding over a dozen sugar figurines. Embarrassed, she quickly explained, " I'm buying these for the children.
I can't eat that many myself. Here, have one. "
As she spoke, she handed a sugar figurine to Lin Mo, then gave one each to Paimon and Lumine.
" Thank you. "
Lin Mo nodded.
He quickly steered the conversation back on track. " Ei, is the Shogun... doing well in Inazuma?
"
" The Shogun? Why are you asking about that?
" Ei looked puzzled.
Hearing this, Lin Mo guessed that Ei didn't know the Shogun had ignored the Sacred Sakura crisis in Inazuma.
After exchanging glances with Paimon and Lumine, Lin Mo turned back and explained the Adventurers' Guild commission and the crisis Inazuma was facing.
As Lin Mo spoke over the next few minutes, Ei's frown deepened.
" So that's how it is. I understand.
"
" Then what do you plan to do about it? "
Lin Mo asked curiously, hearing her response.
Ei's eyes showed concern, but she remained calm. " Since it involves the Sacred Sakura, to be safe, I'd better return to Inazuma myself.
"
" Mmm, that's a good idea. "
Lin Mo nodded inwardly.
After all, the Sacred Sakura was of great significance to Inazuma.
Even though it was the Lantern Rite, Lin Mo believed that with Ei's power, she would resolve the issue quickly.
But then...
Lin Mo noticed a flicker of worry in Ei's eyes.
Curious, he asked, " What's wrong? Is this crisis that troublesome?
Should I call everyone to go back to Inazuma with you? "
Ei slowly shook her head.
" No need. "
" A few Rifthounds are nothing. I can handle them alone.
"
" It's a rare Lantern Rite. Let everyone enjoy it.
Don't tell them. " As she spoke, Ei's gaze drifted toward the sea in the direction of Inazuma.
" Actually... what worries me... is the Shogun. "
" That puppet? "
Lin Mo asked curiously. " Speaking of which, why didn't she act this time?
Did the Shogun... malfunction? "
Ei shook her head.
She didn't answer Lin Mo's question directly.
Instead, she looked into his eyes and asked with concern.
" Do you know... what kind of existence the Shogun truly is? "
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T/N:
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