"Hey! Boss, wait for us!"
After Arataki Itto ran off, his subordinates also disappeared, leaving only the Traveler, Paimon, and Thoma standing there in a daze.
Paimon: "This person is too outrageous!"
Lumine: "Completely different from the Geo Vision holders I've seen before, aren't they?"
Paimon: "Exactly, exactly! Thinking of Albedo and Ningguang, how did he even get a Geo Vision?"
Lumine: "…Perhaps there's always that one exception? Like diluc."
Paimon: "Oh right, diluc's personality isn't at all like what a Pyro element user should have! Instead, it's more like Cryo. Thinking about it, I always feel like Kaiya and diluc's elements are reversed."
Lumine: "Indeed."
Thoma looked at the mess on the ground, feeling helpless. He would have to spend time cleaning it up again.
…
The scene shifts to Komore Teahouse. At this moment, Xavier asked Ayaka about the previous question.
"Miss Kamisato, do you know anyone in the Yashiro Commission who has a good relationship with Yae Miko?"
"Yae Miko? If I had to say, I suppose I would be one. We often interact due to business, and over time, we've become quite familiar."
"Moreover, I personally admire her greatly. Even with matters that are troublesome and costly, she always manages to turn a huge profit."
Ayaka's connection with Yae Miko was not only due to festivals and folk customs but also, most importantly, the Anbu.
The Anbu's informants were spread throughout Inazuma, and many shrine maidens were even Anbu intelligence personnel. In a sense, the Anbu was an eye jointly funded and trained by Grand Narukami Shrine and the Yashiro Commission.
An eye used to monitor all of Inazuma.
"I see… So, do you have any experience writing light novels?"
"light novels? Unfortunately, no, though I do read them regularly."
"Ah, this…"
Xavier was dumbfounded. Neither this nor that. Could it be that there was no one named Garan no Dou in Inazuma? Or was that Guuji fooling him?
It shouldn't be, right? He was just an engineer from Fontaine who wanted to make a movie.
"May I ask, Mr. Xavier, who are you looking for?" Ayaka asked softly.
"How to put it…" Xavier recounted the reason from beginning to end.
"Hmm, in short, because you're not confident in your writing skills, you want to find an author to guide you, so you thought of looking for Garan no Dou, the author of "faded," and also to urge an update?"
Ayaka understood, but just as she finished speaking, Shiki, who was drinking tea nearby, directly spat it out.
"Pfft!"
"Cough, cough, it's nothing, it's nothing, you two continue."
Shiki wiped her mouth with her wide sleeve. Good heavens, in Mondstadt, the Traveler followed Venti to find Barbatos; in Liyue, they followed Morax to mourn Morax; and now in Inazuma, they're looking for Garan no Dou right in front of Shiki, aren't they?
Is this the Traveler's tradition? Always taking the long way around to find someone.
However, if that's the case, it's not impossible. To be honest, she was quite looking forward to seeing the expressions on the Traveler, Paimon, and Xavier's faces when they found out she was Garan no Dou.
Hmm… Thinking about it this way, she seemed to understand Morax and Venti a little better.
Xavier looked at the girl who suddenly choked on her drink, feeling a bit bewildered, but at the moment, news about Garan no Dou was more important.
"Ah, yes, yes, that's right!"
"Hmm… In that case, it's difficult. We don't know who Garan-sensei truly is, and since she has always hidden her identity, she probably doesn't want to be disturbed, right?"
"If she were lost, the Yashiro Commission could help you search, but for someone like this, we are truly powerless."
Ayaka stated that they couldn't do it. If they really wanted to find her, the Yashiro Commission, with the Anbu at its disposal, could certainly find her, but as she said, that would infringe upon her privacy.
She had no right to do so.
Although Xavier had anticipated this, he couldn't help but sigh upon hearing this answer.
"Sigh…"
"It seems we are destined not to meet after all!"
"How about you go to Grand Narukami Shrine again and ask Yae Miko?" Ayaka thought for a moment and said, "You just said that Garan no Dou has a very good relationship with her. If you explain the reason well, a single meeting should still be possible."
"Emmm, wouldn't that be a bit awkward? After all, we just came from there…" Xavier seemed a bit embarrassed.
"It's fine, what's there to be embarrassed about? Or are you having some ulterior motives?"
"No, no! How could that be? I'm a loyal fan of Garan-sensei! If I could make a movie of "faded" in my lifetime, that would be even better!"
"So, sincerity is key. If you don't ask about certain things, how can you know?" Ayaka smiled: "Asking might not guarantee a meeting, but if you don't go, you definitely won't meet her."
"I agree with that. Everything requires effort." Shiki, who had been silent, suddenly chimed in.
"…Since you also say so, then I'll go again later!"
Listening to the two girls, Xavier also made up his mind. What was there to be embarrassed about? Just do it!
…
Meanwhile, on Yashiori Island, at the Fatui Evil Eye Factory.
The Balladeer looked at the synchronized memories, a look of interest on his face.
"Mystic Eyes of Death Perception? What an interesting ability. Beelzebul, is this your masterpiece too?"
He had witnessed much of the girl's growth, such as the death of the Harbinger and her single-handedly forcing tens of thousands of Watatsumi Island troops to retreat.
But eyes that could directly perceive the death of all things, he had only heard of for the first time. And from the memories, the first chess piece he had planted was already dead.
However, his goal had been achieved. Through the chess piece, he learned one thing: the girl, like him, had no [heart].
The chess piece's ability could only take away a person's soul, but for things without a heart, it had no effect.
Like himself.
"Shiki, Shiki, truly living up to her name, just a program."
"You and I are both failed products. All the emotions you feel now are illusory, like a reflection in a mirror!"
"Just like… I was back then…"
"Heh heh heh hahahaha!" Suddenly, the Balladeer burst into laughter at Xavier's brain in a jar.
"How wonderful! Shiki! I've changed my mind. Not only will I make you awaken, but I will also make you merge with me. With your Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, no one will be able to stop me!"
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