Through the Raiden Shogun's gaze, Ei observed the man standing before the Tenryou Commission, locking eyes with the Shogun. There was something strangely appealing about his face—something that made her heart skip a beat.
It was a sensation she hadn't felt in a long time.
Ever since retreating into the Plane of Euthymia in pursuit of eternity, she had distanced herself from all unnecessary emotions. Yet now, any slight emotional fluctuation was all too noticeable.
"Why...?"
Ei frowned, puzzled at her sudden feelings.
Was her training not sufficient...?
After a brief hesitation, she dismissed her focus from the Raiden Shogun's perspective and shut her eyes, resuming her meditation.
Meanwhile...
Watching the fearless and unimpressed Luo Qing below, the Raiden Shogun allowed a faint smile to curve her lips.
"How interesting..."
She turned slightly to address the person behind her, her voice cool:
"Bring him to me. I'll handle this personally."
The black-haired girl standing behind her, her face concealed by a Tengu mask, looked momentarily startled. Why was the Shogun summoning someone over a mere exchange of glances? And... was it her imagination, or did the Shogun's cheeks just flush slightly?
"Yes, Shogun. And his crime...?"
"His crime...?"
The Raiden Shogun scoffed, her voice low and commanding:
"Possession of multiple Visions. More than one."
"Understood..." the masked girl replied, retreating respectfully from the room.
After handing the letter to Kujou Kamaji, Luo Qing had little interest in the man's love-struck ramblings. With the Raiden Shogun no longer staring down at him, he made a few polite farewells and left Tenshukaku.
He didn't believe the Raiden Shogun could sense what he'd done; even Liyue's Zhongli hadn't noticed the use of his special cards.
Fifteen Affection Boost Cards had earned him a +15 with Ei and +22.5 with the Raiden Shogun—certainly a worthwhile trade.
At the very least, they wouldn't be inclined to strike him down on a whim.
Crossing the large bridge in front of Tenshukaku, Luo Qing was just about to head to Hanamizaka to grab some street snacks when hurried footsteps caught his attention from behind.
Turning, he saw a black-haired girl wearing a crimson Tengu mask, her chest conspicuously prominent, leading a squad of soldiers towards him at a brisk pace.
Before he could react, the soldiers had already encircled him.
As he was about to speak, the black-haired girl stepped forward, her voice cold:
"By the decree of the Shogun, you are to be arrested for the illegal possession of multiple Visions. Take him!"
"Huh?"
Luo Qing was utterly bewildered. His three Visions were securely stored in his system inventory and hadn't left it since he entered Inazuma City. How could they possibly know?
"Umm... Excuse me, ma'am... Is it possible you've got the wrong person...?" Luo Qing stammered, raising his hands defensively as he took a step back. But the encircling soldiers ignored his protests, advancing steadily.
"This is... a misunderstanding, really..." he tried again, contemplating whether he should activate Zero Time to escape.
If the Raiden Shogun herself had issued the order, then being taken in was risky. He wasn't entirely confident he could evade her if it came to that. These Archons might very well detect the use of his Zero Time.
But resisting arrest would brand him a fugitive, making it impossible to openly roam Inazuma City again—a significant inconvenience.
"Lady Kujou Sara, please wait!"
As he hesitated, a familiar voice called out from the crowd of onlookers.
Turning, Luo Qing saw none other than Kamisato Ayaka stepping forward from the throng, positioning herself between him and the soldiers.
Her soft gray-blue eyes met his, conveying a silent assurance: Don't worry, I'm here.
Luo Qing's heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, he was genuinely moved.
"Lady Kujou Sara, may I ask what crime Mr. Luo Qing has committed?" Ayaka asked with calm composure.
Seeing Ayaka shielding Luo Qing, Kujou Sara's eyes flashed with surprise. She answered flatly:
"Lady Kamisato, I'm acting under the Shogun's direct orders to arrest an individual in possession of multiple Visions. Please, do not obstruct me."
"Visions?!"
Ayaka looked back at Luo Qing in shock. He met her gaze with an embarrassed smile, as if confirming the accusation.
"Um..."
The Vision Hunt Decree was a matter of national importance, decreed by the Raiden Shogun herself. Without a solid justification, even as the daughter of the Yashiro Commission, she was powerless.
"Lady Kamisato, I trust you understand the significance of the Vision Hunt Decree. Please step aside," Kujou Sara said evenly, the soldiers tightening their encirclement.
"Wait, hold on," Ayaka said, quickly formulating a response and meeting Kujou Sara's gaze with renewed determination.
"The Vision Hunt Decree is meant to apply to the citizens of Inazuma, but Mr. Luo Qing here is a merchant from Snezhnaya. Even if he does possess a Vision, he's not subject to the Decree's enforcement."
"A Snezhnayan...?"
Kujou Sara's brow furrowed as she scrutinized Luo Qing's Inazuman attire, clearly reconsidering.
"If he is indeed from Snezhnaya, does he have an Inazuma travel permit?"
"Of course, I do."
At that moment, Luo Qing quickly pulled a document from his sleeve—an official travel permit for all of Inazuma.
The document was issued by none other than the Tenryou Commission itself, specifically from Kujou Sara's jurisdiction.
Such permits were only granted to foreigners, completely inaccessible to native Inazumans, and many residents weren't even aware they existed. That Luo Qing could produce one so readily solidified his status as a foreign visitor.
"This is..."
Kujou Sara was momentarily at a loss.
She was simply following orders, and seeing Luo Qing dressed like an Inazuman had led her to assume he was a local.
Now that his foreign status had been verified, enforcing the Decree against him was legally problematic.
"How about this, Lady Kujou Sara..."
Sensing her hesitation, Ayaka's lips curved into a slight smile as she offered a solution:
"Why don't we have Mr. Luo Qing stay under the supervision of the Yashiro Commission for the time being? You can report to the Shogun, and if she still wishes to arrest him, you may retrieve him from the Yashiro Commission at that time."
"Lady Kamisato, if the Shogun still wants him detained, and he escapes while under your supervision... you understand the consequences for the Yashiro Commission, don't you?"
Kujou Sara's voice was firm.
"The Shogun is the ultimate arbiter of Inazuman law. If you report the situation truthfully, I believe she will make a fair and just decision," Ayaka replied confidently.
"Hmph. Very well, I'll leave him in your care for now, Lady Kamisato."
With a final glance at Luo Qing, Kujou Sara turned and departed, the soldiers following in her wake.
---
T/N: Ayaka came in with the clutch! hehe
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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