The duel before the throne was set to take place in the training grounds of Tenshukaku. Contrary to Bai Luo's expectations, this duel was restricted to only a few high-ranking officials from Inazuma, with no commoners allowed to attend. This thwarted Bai Luo's original plan to create chaos amidst the crowd. However, the Raiden Shogun herself would be present.
Although Bai Luo had come to Inazuma as a Snezhnaya envoy, he had yet to meet the Raiden Shogun.
Part of the reason was his own reluctance, and the other is because it seemed the Raiden Shogun also had no intention of meeting him in Tenshukaku, since she delegated the task of receiving him to her three retainers.
Logically, the most suitable to receive the envoy would be the Kanjou Commission, but Kujou Takayuki of the Tenryou Commission volunteered for the task. This was mainly because the Kanjou Commission had not been infiltrated by the Fatui, and there was a fear of any mishaps.
As a Fatui envoy, Bai Luo also received an invitation from the Inazuma officials. Ostensibly, he was invited to witness Inazuma's highest level of dueling, but the real intention was to showcase Inazuma's power.
Bai Luo declined the invitation, citing ill health.
Naturally, he couldn't afford to show up directly if he intended to cause trouble. If he did, it wouldn't be the event that was disrupted but himself.
To be on the safe side, he prepared traditional Inazuman attire and a cat-faced mask bought from a street vendor.
While he could rely on his skills to remain hidden when not attacking, who could guarantee what might happen in such a situation? What if the Raiden Shogun could see through his invisibility?
Being fully prepared was necessary.
The duel was scheduled to begin at noon, but the young man arrived at Tenshukaku before dawn.
Sitting on the steps beside the training grounds, he played with his cat and ate a cold rice ball.
The shogunate soldiers preparing for the duel noticed him. Perhaps considering his special status, they didn't drive him away.
"Young man, the duel doesn't start until noon. You're a bit too eager, aren't you?" The hatamoto in charge of security, Shima Masanobu, brought him a bowl of hot tea and handed it over.
"This may be my only chance to enter Tenshukaku in this lifetime. Of course, I want to take a good look at it," the young man said, accepting the tea and thanking him with a half-joking tone.
"I've guarded Tenshukaku for decades, and to be honest... it's not all that special," Shima Masanobu said, sitting down beside him and gazing at the structure he had protected all his life.
As the most revered place in Inazuma, the sheer size of Tenshukaku almost matched that of the entire market district. Or rather, half of Inazuma City was occupied by Tenshukaku.
The roof tiles, adorned with the Electro sigil, and the golden sculptures on the rooftops gave Tenshukaku an air of grandeur mixed with an imposing sense of austerity. This was the place all Inazumans revered and feared.
"I know why you initiated the duel before the throne, but young man, your thoughts are a bit extreme," Shima Masanobu remarked.
"Uncle, I think you misunderstand. My real purpose for initiating the duel is simply to see the Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi," the young man responded.
In just one night, several rumors had circulated about why he had initiated the duel. Some said he and Kujou Sara were childhood sweethearts, but she found a new love, prompting him to challenge her out of spite. Others said his relatives had died because of the Vision Hunt Decree, and he was seeking revenge against Kujou Sara. But at some point, a third version of the story began to spread among the people.
He decided to challenge Kujou Sara in the duel before the throne to oppose the Vision Hunt Decree.
This was the most accepted explanation.
Even many within the Tri-Commission believed this answer.
"Sigh, if you need any help, you can come to me. You still have half a day," Shima Masanobu said, patting the young man's shoulder before standing up to continue his security duties.
No one believed he could survive the duel.
That's right, survival was the concern.
He might achieve victory, but regardless, he was unlikely to survive.
Even if the Shogun spared him, the members of the Tri-Commission would never allow him to leave Inazuma City alive.
"Half a day, huh?" The young man looked up at the clear blue sky, a blade of grass he used to play with his cat in his mouth. "It's still a long time..."
The white cat in his arms remained unaware of its owner's unease, continually pawing at the blade of grass.
Time gradually passed, and representatives of the Tri-Commission began to arrive.
Hiiragi Shinsuke of the Hiragi clan, Kujou Takayuki of the Kujou clan, and Kamisato Ayato of the Kamisato clan all arrived on the scene.
With Thoma still away on Ritou, Ayato was accompanied by an ordinary servant.
Ayato observed the young man playing with his cat on the steps, a faint smile on his face.
Unlike the other clan leaders, who approached with taunts and jeers, Ayato sat calmly in his designated seat, waiting for the duel to begin.
After some time, the grand doors of Tenshukaku opened, and the Ogosho troops filed out.
The previously chatting clan leaders all stood up simultaneously.
The Ogosho troops were the personal guards of the Raiden Shogun. They only followed direct orders from the Shogun, ensuring that there was always an unconditionally trustworthy and mobilizable force near her.
It's worth noting that although they were personal guards, the Raiden Shogun, in her relentless pursuit of martial perfection, needed no mortal protection.
The Ogosho troops primarily kept the populace from trespassing into restricted areas, preventing unnecessary trouble.
The presence of the Ogosho troops signified that the Shogun herself was about to arrive.
Tap... tap...
Everyone watched the door of Tenshukaku, not daring to breathe loudly.
In the quiet training grounds, aside from the sound of the wind, the only other noise was the footsteps emanating from within Tenshukaku.
The steps were not loud, yet they had a peculiar rhythm.
It created an uncanny sense of synchronization with the heartbeats of those present.
One step, two steps...
The footsteps seemed to tread on the hearts of the crowd, causing some new soldiers to turn pale and their legs to tremble.
Such was the Shogun's aura, capable of subduing people even before her appearance.
The first to emerge from Tenshukaku was not the Raiden Shogun but Kujou Sara, who had been waiting inside since the previous night.
She had donned combat attire and carried a katana.
Although she was renowned in Inazuma for her archery skills, her swordsmanship was equally impressive.
This is Teyvat, not a mere game.
Here, anything was possible.
Like Klee wielding a Wolf's Gravestone, or Kamisato Ayaka with a Staff of Homa, or Diluc with Kaeya's sword.
So, Kujou Sara wielding a katana was not surprising.
Upon stepping out, Kujou Sara made way, bowing respectfully.
"Welcome, Shogun!"