The woman who had waved to him disappeared as if she were an illusion. However, Bai Luo knew better than anyone that it was not an illusion but one of the most unpredictable individuals in Inazuma.
Just because she was being friendly now didn't mean she wasn't dangerous. Her unpredictability was part of her nature. Just when you think you understand her completely, she'll do something that completely overturns your image of her.
The head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, descendant of Hakushin's lineage, Eternity's servant and friend, and the intimidating editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House, a publisher of light novels...
The number of people who have tried to "figure her out" for various reasons could fill the streets from the Tenryou Commission estate to Yae Publishing House if you were to line them all up, but to this day, very few indeed have succeeded.
"Lord Ausbilder, I offer you my sincere apologies for making you wait."
While Bai Luo was still looking for the woman, a group of people had come to greet him in front of the Inazuma residents' curious gazes.
Judging from the family crest on his clothes, he should be from the Kujo Clan. Whether or not the Kujo Clan has been completely infiltrated by the Fatui's Brigade, it's understandable for them to send someone to welcome him as an envoy of the Shogunate.
"Where's Takayuki? Hasn't he come?"
Kujou Takayuki, the current head of the Kujo Clan.
So far, most of the Tri-Commission has been almost completely infiltrated by the Fatui's Brigade. If it weren't for the Shogunate having some more difficult individuals to infiltrate, the Shogunate would have been renamed the Fatui's Brigade Advance Party by now.
It's just that infiltrating the ranks of the Shogunate is proving to be a bit challenging.
"Lord Takayuki is having a meeting with the Shogun right now. The Shogun has been suspicious of Lord Takayuki recently, so Lord Takayuki can't leave to greet you for the time being."
The young man dressed like a scholar in front of him should be a kind of aide, and it seems that he's been entrusted with the task of receiving him.
If he's addressing Kujou Takayuki as "Lord," then he's probably someone like a staff officer. It seems that all the arrangements related to the handover have been entrusted to him.
Furthermore, considering that he is addressing Kujou Takayuki as a "Lord," it's probably because the Kujo Clan is already showing signs of rebellion.
After roughly knowing his intention, Bai Luo couldn't help but sneer.
Does he really think that the Raiden Shogun can't see through his rebellious intentions? It's just that his actions have no impact on Eternity, so she can't be bothered to deal with him. Even the Fatui's Brigade's infiltrations and conspiracies are all seen by the Raiden Shogun.
In her eyes, so-called conspiracies and schemes are like paper windows that shatter with a single poke. If things really get out of hand, she can just step in and cut him down herself.
And should one cut be not enough, she can launch a second one.
"Your Excellency, please follow me, I will make arrangements for your food, clothing, and shelter."
The young man made a welcoming gesture, indicating that Bai Luo should come with him.
And Bai Luo didn't refuse the invitation. Under the enthusiastic guidance of the Kujou Clan, he went to the accommodations they had arranged.
After passing through the streets of Inazuma City, Bai Luo purposely glanced back at the railing where the woman had leaned, but there was no sign of her.
After redirecting his gaze, Bai Luo continued to follow the Kujou Clan's entourage. After passing through the bustling district, they arrived near the Shogunate's offices.
"Your Excellency, please stay here for the time being. When the Head of the Kujo Clan returns, he will personally welcome you to the Kujou Clan."
Contrary to his expectations, Bai Luo was not accommodated in an inn or at the Kujou Clan's residence. Instead, he was assigned to stay temporarily in a small courtyard near the Shogunate's offices.
The courtyard had a distinct Inazuman style – it was understated yet luxurious, not as grand as the mansions of major clans but more refined than common residences. In summary, it was better than average. Compared to crowded inns and formal clan mansions, it was quite nice.
In one sentence, it had "more than adequate" written all over it. For someone used to staying in small tents outdoors, this place was already very satisfactory.
"Not bad, I'm quite satisfied with this place."
Satisfied, he nodded and walked directly into the courtyard.
It appeared that the place had just been tidied up. The courtyard had freshly turned soil, and the furniture and other items in the house showed no signs of prior use.
"Do you need any assistance?"
The young man adjusted his glasses and inquired of Bai Luo.
"I'll manage it myself."
"Very well, you must be tired from the journey. I won't bother you any further. Lord Takayuki will host a banquet for you at Uyuu Restaurant in the city tonight to welcome you properly. Please don't decline."
The young man showed a pensive expression, bowed, and then left the courtyard.
However, he didn't notice the gentle breeze that left with him.
As the head of the Fatui Pyro Agent, Bai Luo didn't consider himself a good person. So how could he not see through the young man's tricks? It just didn't look like an arrangement by Kujou Takayuki, but more like the young man's own initiative.
*Bang!*
As Bai Luo thought of something, a figure, looking quite disheveled, was thrown into the courtyard, breaking the door and rolling to his feet.
"Lord... Ausbilder..."
"*Swoosh!*
A lightning-flashing arrow followed right after and flew into the room, aiming directly for the vital points of the Pyro Agent head on the ground.
If not for Bai Luo's quick reflexes, grabbing the arrow in time, this Pyro Agent's skull would likely have burst open like a watermelon.
"Little Tengu, It seems we meet again."
Keeping the Pyro Agent protected behind him without a word, Bai Luo looked toward the courtyard's entrance.
There is no need for him to guess, he already knows who the attacker was.
"The person next to you attempted to attack personnel of the Shogunate. Please surrender this individual and cooperate with us."
Kujou Sara stood atop a high wall, looking down at Bai Luo, her face expressionless.
"Now-now, stop saying such nonsense, for what reason would our people attacke a member of the Shogunate? That brings no benefit to us."
While it was true that Bai Luo had the intention of having his team do this, no attack had been carried out yet, so rounding it up, his people were still innocent.
"Sneaking around and trailing from behind, what else could it be if not an attempt to attack?"
Kujou Sara frowned and reprimanded in a stern voice. She had never had a good impression of the Fatui's Brigade, so she didn't hesitate to act.
"Come on, I just wanted him to get me some Tricolor Dango from the city. Maybe he was just going in the same direction as those people. We are the envoys of the Shogunate, so if you accuse us like this, you might have trouble explaining to the Shogun."
The Pyro Agent, whom Bai Luo had personally trained, managed to raise his head and took out a bag of money from his back, and began to speak:
"Yes, I just want to buy some Tricolor Dango."
He managed to let out these words with a pained and grieved tone, making him appear genuinely wronged.
This situation also left Kujou Sara feeling slightly embarrassed.
No matter how you looked at it, she was the one who acted rashly.
"If you just want to buy a Tricolor Dango, why do you hide your presence?"
As if she had found a loophole in their reasoning, Kujou Sara questioned again.
"Come on now, aren't you being obtuse? Don't you know the reputation of the Fatui's Brigade? If we didn't hide our presence, you probably would have given us a beating even if we didn't take any action."