Jiang Chen nodded at Lumine's words.
Indeed.
He didn't like Scaramouche.
In fact, he downright despised him!
No matter how much you tried to "redeem" him, he was still rotten to the core.
What was there to like?
His foul mouth?
One slap would shut him up for good.
Jiang Chen briefly explained Scaramouche's actions in Inazuma.
Hearing his reasoning, Lumine understood.
No wonder.
"I see."
Got it~!
"Let's head back the day after tomorrow."
"We've done what we came to do, and there's nothing left to handle."
"No need to stay in Inazuma any longer."
Jiang Chen was already very satisfied with his gains from this trip.
A new Heroic Spirit template, and Makoto.
Though Makoto would stay in Inazuma for now—she needed to stabilize the nation first.
Once Ei finished crafting the new Shogun, Makoto could sneak off to Liyue.
Right now, Inazuma needed her to rebuild.
Liyue would also fully cooperate with Inazuma's recovery.
Missing out on such a golden business opportunity would be a huge waste.
The news of Inazuma lifting its isolation hadn't spread yet.
So, Jiang Chen had to make sure Ningguang got the inside scoop first.
With that in mind, he took out a communication talisman and relayed the information to Ningguang.
Lumine didn't object to Jiang Chen's plan.
She didn't mind either way.
She had already obtained the Electro element she wanted here.
And even acquired a Noble Phantasm.
That was more than enough for her.
As for finding her brother?
What brother?
She had a husband now—she didn't need a brother.
Jiang Chen was her dear brother now.
She didn't know any Aether!
And she didn't want to!
"Mr. Jiang Chen, are you leaving already?"
Hearing their conversation, Kamisato Ayaka, who had been accompanying them, was surprised.
Why so sudden?
She had been acting as their guide these past few days.
They had grown quite familiar with each other.
And Ayaka was very curious about Jiang Chen.
Especially when he occasionally shared stories of other worlds, which filled her with longing.
So now, hearing that he was leaving, she felt a little reluctant.
"Yep!"
"I still have business back in Liyue—I can't stay away too long."
"By the way, want to come with us?"
"After all, someone has to go to Liyue to negotiate trade, right?"
"Who knows? Maybe Makoto will send you?"
At the moment, they were all in Tenshukaku—inside the Raiden Shogun's office.
Makoto was also there, working.
She overheard Jiang Chen's words and looked up.
"That's right. Ayaka, why don't you go with them first?"
"Go to Liyue and discuss importing some goods."
"Consult your brother about what we need."
"You'll have my full support."
They did need someone trustworthy to go to Liyue.
And Ayaka was a great choice.
Since Jiang Chen brought it up, Makoto simply agreed.
"Huh?"
Ayaka was momentarily stunned.
She was really being sent?
"Inazuma is in ruins right now—we need to import many goods."
"Your main task in Liyue will be purchasing food and daily necessities."
"We must stabilize the people's livelihoods first."
Makoto directly explained what Ayaka needed to do in Liyue.
Ayaka quickly memorized everything.
She now had a general idea of what to procure.
"As for Mora, I'll grant you access to the treasury."
"Spend as much as you deem necessary."
This was an immense show of trust.
Handing national funds over to Ayaka—if she were greedy, she could embezzle a fortune.
After all, inter-nation trade involved colossal sums.
Yet Makoto entrusted it all to her.
"Understood, Lady Makoto!"
Ayaka accepted the mission.
Going to Liyue?
She was actually looking forward to it.
"You two stay in Inazuma for now. Once things stabilize, you can come find me in Liyue."
Jiang Chen planned to return to Liyue first, then make a trip to Sumeru.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the Irminsul were waiting for him.
After Liyue, he'd head to Sumeru—and then Fontaine.
He had to meet the silly Furina.
For the next two days, Jiang Chen and Lumine were free to do as they pleased.
Guizhong and Ei went off to exchange technological insights.
The little turtle (likely a nickname for someone) also had preparations to make for the trip to Liyue.
So, the only ones left were Jiang Chen, Lumine, and their emergency food (Paimon).
"Where should we go next?"
Paimon looked at Jiang Chen eagerly.
They only had two days left—they had to make the most of it!
She still hadn't tried all of Inazuma's delicacies.
Though she'd eaten a lot already, Paimon wished she had multiple stomachs.
There were so many dishes she wanted to try.
Seeing her expression, Jiang Chen knew exactly what she was thinking.
Her brain is just a catalog of food, isn't it?
"Nowhere!"
"Go take a nap."
Jiang Chen rolled his eyes and rejected her outright.
Paimon's mind was a database of dishes—nothing else.
As he stood up and headed outside, he added:
"Today, we're buying fireworks to take back to Liyue."
"Inazuma has an amazing fireworks shop."
That's right—Jiang Chen planned to meet Yoimiya.
He was very curious:
Was Yoimiya really wrapped in bandages?
If so, he wanted to study them closely.
Lumine followed Jiang Chen as they walked out.
She didn't know where they were going, but she'd stick with him.
Paimon hurried after them.
"Wait for me!"
"Don't leave me behind!!"
With that, the trio set off for Naganohara Fireworks.
They had passed by before but never gone inside.
So, they hadn't met Yoimiya yet.
Just as the three went looking for her, several massive ships approached Inazuma's waters.
It was Beidou's Crux Fleet.
After a long voyage, they had finally arrived.
But as they neared, everyone was stunned.
Last time, the area had been shrouded in eternal thunderstorms.
Getting in had required great effort.
Now?
The sea was calm, with not a single storm cloud in sight.
"The blockade… is lifted?"
Beidou was shocked.
Beside her, Kazuha was equally puzzled.
What had happened?
They'd been away for a while—had Inazuma changed so much?
They even spotted fishermen out at sea.
Having been sailing all this time, they had no idea what had transpired in Inazuma.