"Lord Ausbilder!"
Just as Bai Luo is looking up to the falling sakura leaves in boredom, a Fatui member approaches Bai Luo with a book in his hand, his expression excited.
"We have received some good news from Yae Publishing House. The book that Lord Ausbilder wrote has passed the test review and has started being put on store! Inazumans can buy the book now!"
Regardless of Yae Miko's attitude towards Bai Luo, the editors at Yale Publishing House definitely valued his writing highly.
Not only did the Editor Kuroda personally deliver the book, but he also conveyed an invitation from Guuji.
"The Guuji wants to Invite me to the Uyuu Restaurant?"
When Bai Luo heard Yae Miko's invitation to dinner at Uyuu Restaurant, his expression turned somewhat strange.
Firstly, considering that mischievous kitsune's personality, it wasn't certain who would end up paying for the meal.
Most importantly, the rumor about himself and Kuhou Sara being a couple had started from there. If he were to go there to have a meal in private with Yae Miko….
He believed that with that fox's character, she wouldn't hesitate to ruin the reputation he had painstakingly built as "Sara Boyfriend" these past few days by showering him with affection.
He might even be scorned by the people of Inazuma as some playboy who toys with girls' hearts.
He need to be careful when he's dealing with a kitsune, less she would be a constant pain in his ass
"Has Kuroda-san left?"
After pondering for a moment, Bai Luo inquired.
"Not yet, he's at the Tenryou Commission Office next door."
Actually, Kuroda had wanted to see Bai Luo personally when he deliver the good news, but he was intercepted by the Fatui troop.
But none of this surprised the editor, after all, Bai Luo is a Harbinger, one of the executives of the Fatui, and is an envoy sent by the Tsaritsa to Inazuma. If it wasn't for Bai Luo's who initiated the invitation, it would have been difficult to see him.
"Have him bring a message to lady Guuji, say... I'm busy writing the second volume of 'My Electro Archon Can't Be This Cute,' and we'll arrange a meeting when I have time."
Roundabout, but essentially a refusal.
"Yes sir! I'll go do that now."
...
"Did he really say that?"
At a small stall on the streets, Yae Miko paused for a moment, placing the fox noodles in her hand on the table and asked the man next to her, Kuroda, with curiosity.
"Yes, he did say that."
Actually, Kuroda was feeling eager.
As a seasoned bookworm, he thought "My Electro Archon Can't Be This Cute" had already concluded, but he didn't expect there to be a second volume.
Wait— The Fatui writer had said that he is writing the second volume of the book, not the final volume.
Could there be a third or fourth volume?
If there really is a plan to write more than two volumes, he really wanted to see them quickly.
"Oh dear, I was thinking of going to find him myself if he didn't come."
Bai Luo's potential refusal to meet was something Yae Miko had anticipated in advance, as her little tricks were easily seen through. This was precisely why she had devised this cunning plan to personally visit him.
However, she hadn't expected Bai Luo to use writing the book's second volume as an excuse.
Truth be told, she genuinely wanted to see the second volume of the book. And because of that, she couldn't really bother him.
It truly gave her a headache dealing with this Harbinger. Should she give him a few more days? That much should be fine, right? After 3 days or 4, she would go to his place to see if he really is writing a manuscript, if he were to lie…. Well…
Then she can spend her time watching him 24/7 under the guise of urging him to finish his script.
With that decision made happily, she continued to eat.
"Meow."
"Hmm?"
Just as she set down her empty noodle bowl, Yae Miko instinctively looked to the side.
There stood a snow-white cat.
"Sorry, this little one is usually very well-behaved."
A soft voice sounded as a young man in ronin attire crouched down, picking up the cat.
Judging by the sword at his waist, he didn't appear as harmless as he seemed. His youthful face no longer held the vigor of youth but instead bore the marks of time.
Since the Vision Hunt Decree was enforced, there had been more people like him.
However, to be able to restrain such sharpness at such a young age, he either experienced the harsh realities of society and life's trials, or he was an old monster pretending to be young.
Given his demeanor, he seemed to be the former.
"It's no trouble. Animals tend to be quite fond of me."
Facing this young man who seemed to exude the aura of "I have stories," Yae Miko's ears almost perked up.
He was quite an interesting person.
"May I inquire about something from you?"
Seeing the pink haired girl smile directed at him, the young man adjusted his straw hat and smiled shyly as he inquired.
"Go ahead, I know quite a lot about what's going on in Inazuma City."
Yae Miko wasn't bragging. As a yokai, she had lived for quite a long time, and she was well aware of most things in Inazuma City.
"How do I get to the Tenryou Commission Office?"
Adjusting his straw hat, the young man asked.
"The Tenryou Commission Office? Why do you want to go there?"
Hearing that the young man was looking for the Tenryou Commission Office, Yae Miko became even more interested.
Though the young man concealed it well, judging by the elemental power emanating from him, he was most likely a genuine wielder of the Vision, and an Electro Vision to boot.
However, wasn't going to the Tenryou Commission Office like walking into the lion's den?
Did he think his Vision was a gift from the Electro Archon that couldn't be taken away? It's worth noting that there were quite a few Electro Visions embedded in statues.
"I want to challenge the current General of the Tenryou Commission Office, Kujou Sara, to a duel."
"..."
The young man spoke seriously, but what he said was somewhat unbelievable.
A duel with the General of the Tenryou Commission Office was no joke.
Forget about what you could gain if you won, if you lost, there was only one outcome.
Facing the thunderous sword strike of the Shogun.
So far, besides herself, no one had ever survived a blow from the Shogun.
By the way, the Electro Slime didn't count.
"I understand."
With more and more interesting things happening, Yae Miko's mood, which had soured because of Bai Luo's rejection, gradually improved.
She could tell that this young man wasn't just talking big.
He was serious.
"Kuroda."
"Yes?"
"Take this young man to the Tenryou Commission Office."
"Yes."
Kuroda had also heard the young man's intentions, but he didn't take his words seriously.
It had been many years since anyone had challenged to a duel before the General. This young man was probably just looking for an excuse.
But considering his age, he seemed like the type who might impulsively do such a thing.
"Here it is."
Instead of taking the young man directly, Kuroda pointed out the location of the Tenryou Commission Office from afar.
Today, Kujou Sara might still have some prestige, but the Tenryou Commission Office was no longer the organization that brought security to the people of Inazuma.
Especially for those with Vision.
People like Kuroda, ordinary citizens, weren't fond of such places either.
"Thank you, Kuroda-san."
The young man didn't pay too much attention and, after thanking Kuroda, headed towards the Tenryou Commission Office.
After Kuroda pointed the way, he didn't linger, choosing instead to return to Yae Publishing House.
However, as he stepped into the streets, a fully armed squad of Tenryou Commission soldiers rushed past him with serious expressions, bypassing Kuroda and heading towards the bulletin board.
As an editor at Yae Publishing House, Kuroda knew a few people from the Tenryou Commission.
So he grabbed one of them and asked, "What's going on? Why the rush?"
At first, the person was a bit displeased, but upon seeing it was Kuroda, his expression softened.
"Someone has challenged Kujou-sama to a duel!"