Seeing Kujou Sara being so stubborn, Yae Miko spread her hands helplessly.
"Aiya... you and that Tengu papa of yours really are beyond comparison—you're just like a dull, foolish block of wood."
As she spoke, she drew out a photo from somewhere at her bosom and waved it before Kujou Sara's eyes:
"This is a sweet, private photo of Her Excellency the Shogun—a precious collector's snapshot taken while she was eating a delicious cake!"
"To tell the truth, Her Excellency the Shogun was quite protective of her food at the time; it took me no end of effort to manage to keep even this one!"
"I can give it to you, to prove my iden—"
Before Yae Miko could even finish speaking.
All of a sudden, a black whirlwind flashed past.
By the time everyone came to their senses, Kujou Sara had already spread her black wings and landed on the cruiser's deck.
At the same time, she had already snatched the photo from Yae Miko's hand.
At this, everyone aboard and below the ship fell silent.
Kujou Sara glanced left and right, as if she didn't want to be noticed, then crouched in a corner and studied the photo carefully, as though inspecting goods.
In the photo, Raiden Ei's eyes were full of little stars, gazing at the fruit cake before her and practically drooling.
Her expression was as if she were forcibly holding back the urge to gobble the cake down in one bite, struggling bitterly to restrain herself!
It was simply adorable beyond measure!
Kujou Sara's eyes went wide.
"Mmgh! Her Excellency the Shogun! So cute——!"
"Mwah, mwah, mwah!"
She couldn't help but plant several kisses on the photo.
Then she suddenly realized that everyone around her was watching.
For a moment, a flush of crimson rose on her usually solemn, cold, and stern little face.
"Ahem."
She gave a dry cough and solemnly tucked the photo into her own little pocket.
Then she nodded and said, "Mm, Lady Guuji Yae has not betrayed Her Excellency the Shogun. The misunderstanding is cleared up!"
Ye Xi: ....
Beidou: ....
The Hatamoto: ...
The crew were all dumbstruck.
Who would have thought there could be such a slapdash way to resolve things!?
Yae Miko couldn't help but laugh out loud: "What an easy-to-handle little Tengu baby~ hehehe~"
As if she didn't understand Kujou Sara?
She was nothing but a little fangirl of Raiden Ei.
As for Kujou Sara.
Perhaps because she'd obtained the [sweet private photo], she wore the look of someone in a wonderful mood.
"Uh... Lord Kujou, then what should we...."
The Hatamoto was at a loss for a moment.
Kujou Sara spoke up: "Have everyone head back. I will remain here to oversee this giant ship's voyage."
"Yes!"
The Hatamoto led his subordinates and sailed toward Ritou's harbor.
The people on Ritou saw Kujou Sara board the ship, and that all was perfectly safe with no conflict.
This was tantamount to confirming the identity of the Southern Cross fleet!
The merchants utterly boiled over with excitement.
"Lord Magistrate of the Kanjou Commission!"
"I beg you, please find a way to establish a connection between the International Commerce Guild and the Southern Cross fleet!"
Hiiragi Chisato was slightly taken aback. She turned to look and saw Kurisu, the president of the International Commerce Guild, his face full of pleading.
As magistrate of the Kanjou Commission, she was Inazuma's financial nerve center, in charge of the nation's finances.
If it concerned the commerce guild, if it concerned finances, then she, as magistrate of the Kanjou Commission, absolutely had to step in.
She could see it now too.
This enormous steel ship was fast, sturdy enough, and massive in size.
If this ship really was a merchant vessel of the Southern Cross fleet, then maintaining cooperation would surely be an epic-level boost to Inazuma's commerce and trade!
At this thought, she nodded: "President Kurisu, there's no need to fret. I'll think of something."
"Very good, Lord Magistrate!"
Watching Kurisu's retreating back, Hiiragi Chisato asked the person beside her: "Mumuzi, who is the one in charge of the Southern Cross fleet?"
"Lord Magistrate, it's Captain Beidou—a spirited and quite capable woman!"
"Captain Beidou!?"
Hiiragi Chisato's eyes lit up: "I remember her. I heard that back when there was friction between Watatsumi Island and the Shogunate, they once lent their efforts to mediate it!"
"That's right!"
"I recall that the Kamisato siblings of the Yashiro Commission were on fairly good terms with the forces of Watatsumi Island—perhaps they're acquainted with Captain Beidou!"
"If there's some friendship there, we might as well go ask the Lord of the Yashiro Commission for help."
"I'll go write a letter to the Yashiro Commission right away."
Just as she was speaking, a familiar voice came from beside her.
"Lord Magistrate of the Kanjou Commission, there's no need to write a letter. Whatever you have to say, you can tell me, and I'll pass it on to the head of our house."
"Eh?"
When Hiiragi Chisato saw who had come, her eyes lit up at once: "Thoma! What are you doing here?"
That's right.
This person was none other than the "male mom" of the Kamisato family—Thoma.
"Hahaha, the young lady sent me to the guild to buy some silk for making clothes."
"I never expected to run into something like this."
"That ship is really something. Good thing it's not an enemy, or we might have been in for it."
Thoma scratched his head with a laugh and got back to the point: "By the way, Lord Magistrate, what message did you want to relay to the head of our house?"
"Thoma, does the head of your house know Captain Beidou of the Southern Cross fleet?"
"Oh?"
Hearing Hiiragi Chisato's words, Thoma said with a smile: "The head of the house may not know her, but you've asked the right person."
"Big Sis Beidou is a good friend of mine. Back then she even promised to take me out to the distant outer seas, to see what that all-sealing thunderstorm looks like."
"It's just a pity that I've never had the chance to go out and see it...."
"Really!?"
Hiiragi Chisato hurriedly said: "Could you introduce me to Captain Beidou?"
"No problem at all!"
"To be honest, I didn't expect Big Sis to come sailing in on such a huge ship either!"
"Come to think of it, has Liyue's technology already advanced this far? To actually have a ship like this!"
Just as the few of them were discussing this, the cruiser finally pulled slowly up to the shore.
Viewing this colossus at such close range, the people on Ritou couldn't help but cry out in amazement.
"My heavens, it's so big!"
"This has to be at least two hundred meters, surely!"
"From so far away just now, you couldn't tell, but now I see it really is huge!"
"How on earth does this ship even move? It clearly has no sails and no oars—I just can't figure it out!"
"For a hunk of iron like that to even float on the water is already quite the feat!"
Whether merchants or officers of the Kanjou Commission, all were chattering away.
And not just them!
Even the Shogunate Navy who had not yet withdrawn from Ritou were the same.
They gazed longingly at the steel behemoth before them, eyes brimming with tears of envy.
A Shogunate Army veteran, eyes welling with hot tears: "Her Excellency the Shogun, oh, when might this old man get to ride a ship like this!"
He'd served in the navy for over forty years and had never seen such an imposing ship!
Look at their own warships—around seventy or eighty meters.
Look at the other side's warship—over two hundred meters long!
Their own ship was a wooden frame, clad with only a small portion of iron plating.
The other ship was forged of pure iron!
How could they compare?
Could they even compare?
"If we had a ship like this, what would we have to fear from sea beasts and pirates?"
"Is this made in Liyue? Could we get the Kanjou Commission to allocate funds so we can buy one or two!"
"If I were lucky enough to patrol aboard a ship like this in my lifetime, I could die without regret!"
"How infuriating—using such a fine ship as a mere merchant vessel, isn't that a reckless waste of a treasure!"
"..."
The Shogunate Navy sighed without end, gazing at the sailors and crew aboard the Southern Cross fleet's ship, their faces written all over with envy and jealousy.
Meanwhile, on the ship.
Kujou Sara had also communicated with Yae Miko and learned the purpose of Yae Miko's trip.
Which was to bring the supremely honored Ye Xi to Inazuma as a guest!
"....I understand, Master Ye Xi!"
"As an honored guest of Inazuma, the Tenryou Commission will closely safeguard your safety!"
"Please allow me to protect you personally! I will not leave your side for a single step!"
Upon learning that Ye Xi had been personally invited by the Raiden Shogun, and was a figure who would change Inazuma's fate, Kujou Sara's attitude immediately turned respectful.
As long as it concerned the Raiden Shogun, she would treat it with the utmost importance.
Ye Xi was thrown off by Kujou Sara's enthusiasm.
Good grief, so now he had a personal bodyguard just like that?
And just how "personal" was this going to be?
He sized Kujou Sara up and down.
Never mind that the samurai armor concealed everything—just from her silhouette you could tell this gal's figure was absolutely smoking hot!
It was only that her humorless expression lacked a bit of the liveliness a young girl ought to have, making her seem somewhat stuffy and aloof.
"Fine."
Ye Xi thought it over—in any case, he had a lot to do in Inazuma, and having a Tengu girl tagging along at his side wasn't bad either.
As they talked, the ship came to a stop at the harbor.
The sailors and crew began to bustle about.
Yae Miko took the lead and walked down off the ship.
Seeing Yae Miko, both Hiiragi Chisato and Thoma couldn't help but freeze.
"How is the Lady Guuji aboard the ship too?"
"L-Lady Miko..."
Thoma's expression twisted a little; he was actually quite afraid of this woman.
Fortunately, after Yae Miko came down, she didn't head straight over, but seemed to be respectfully waiting for someone at the dock.
This made them quite curious.
Who could it be that could make the dignified Guuji Yae wait?!
Right after, Ye Xi leapt down from the ship.
Seeing Ye Xi's tall, upright figure, Hiiragi Chisato's eyes went wide.
At this moment, a call came from behind.
"Chisato, I'm here!"
Kujou Kamaji had arrived at the dock with his subordinates.
Hiiragi Chisato and Kujou Kamaji had originally been very close, even wishing to become partners and start a family.
But Kujou Kamaji headed the Tenryou Commission, while she had inherited the Kanjou Commission.
Military and finance could not be united—this was the rule.
And so, this relationship could only be brought to a full stop.
"Head of House Kujou."
Now, seeing Kujou Kamaji approach, Hiiragi Chisato gave a wave, exchanged a very flat greeting, and then deliberately put some distance between them.
Afterward, she fixed her unwavering gaze on Ye Xi once more.
Inwardly she marveled—how could there be such a handsome man!
And that bearing—he had a powerful aura; one look told you his status was anything but ordinary!
Most crucial of all, even Yae Miko was accompanying him at his side—what tremendous nobility was this!?
In an instant, she was drawn to Ye Xi.
Kujou Kamaji understood Hiiragi Chisato's gaze and could only let out a sigh.
He could tell that Hiiragi Chisato had already taken an interest in this man of unknown identity before her.
Still, he was very curious about Ye Xi's identity.
To actually walk shoulder to shoulder with Yae Miko, and have Kujou Sara follow along behind him!?
Just who on earth was he?!
Yae Miko led the way and said: "Master, shall we go see Ei first?"
Hearing Yae Miko's suggestion, Ye Xi nodded.
Having come to Inazuma, of course one ought to go see Inazuma's master first.
Although, now he was the master.
"Let's go, to Inazuma City."
"Hold on, let me go give some instructions."
Yae Miko walked a few quick steps and came into the crowd off to the side.
Hiiragi Chisato hurriedly came forward to greet her: "Lady Guuji! What are you...."
"Ah, Lord Magistrate of the Kanjou Commission, I signed a rather nice trade order for you all back in Liyue. Hurry and instruct your people to go unload the cargo."
"Eh!?"
Hiiragi Chisato was stunned, then hurriedly nodded in reply: "Yes!"
All three of the great Commissions knew that in present-day Inazuma, aside from the Raiden Shogun being in charge, Yae Miko's standing was also extremely high!
A kin of God, acting in the divine office!
"Hm? Even the Head of House Kujou has come?"
Noticing Kujou Kamaji, Yae Miko felt a touch of amusement.
In just that one instant earlier, she had seen that Hiiragi Chisato had developed a favorable impression of Ye Xi.
Which made Kujou Kamaji rather pitiable.
Yae Miko naturally knew the relationship between the two; she had no intention of meddling, nor would she mock them—she just wanted to watch the show.
If either one of them would simply give up their current position, they could be together—yet neither was willing to relinquish their post as a Commissioner.
As things stood now, the situation could be counted as one they'd brought upon themselves.
"L-Lady Guuji, I was worried that danger might arise."
"Oh... and you. I recall you're from the Yashiro Commission household...."
The moment Thoma heard himself mentioned, he hurriedly waved his hands and said with an ingratiating smile: "Emm, Lady Miko, I just happened to be passing by."
"Is that so. Then you may all disperse. There's no danger—it's merely that our Her Excellency the Shogun's honored guest has arrived."
Having said this, Yae Miko hurried back to Ye Xi's side.
"Her Excellency the Shogun's honored guest!?"
Thoma, Hiiragi Chisato, and Kujou Kamaji were all taken aback.
They looked toward Ye Xi, their hearts suddenly filling with curiosity.
An honored guest of the Raiden Shogun!
What kind of status would that require!?
Hiiragi Chisato was all the more smitten.
Someone whom even the Raiden Shogun would invite must be truly remarkable!
She rather wanted to get to know Ye Xi!
Thoma, meanwhile, stroked his chin, somewhat dazed.
'Her Excellency the Shogun's honored guest?'
'It seems this matter must be reported to the head of the house and the young lady!'
Watching Ye Xi and Yae Miko's retreating figures vanish into the distance down the road, only then did they withdraw their gazes.
At this moment, a new figure finally appeared on the ship.
Beidou had come down!
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