Shortly after returning to Liyue, Lumine and Paimon received word from the Crux Fleet. They quickly packed their belongings and rushed to the docks.
The Alcor was anchored near Guyun Stone Forest, and by the time the pair arrived, the fleet was already fully prepared to depart.
Beidou greeted them with a teasing smile: "Even the fiercest storms couldn't delay the Crux Fleet, but I've made an exception for you two this time."
"We're so sorry for keeping you waiting, Captain! It's an honor to sail with you."
"Ha ha, just kidding! You're right on time—the fleet was only just ready to set sail."
After some casual banter, the Alcor officially set sail for Inazuma!
-
Inazuma.
Yuna leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"Second Sister, are you going to bail out the Boss again?"
How many times has it been now?
Never mind, I've lost count anyway.
Kuki Shinobu sighed helplessly. After all, he was their Boss, and she couldn't just abandon him.
"Using the 'mentally unstable' excuse again?"
"Mm-hmm. Want to come?"
Yuna waved her hand. "Not today. I've got something more important to do."
Her main account in Genshin Impact had finally updated! What did that mean?
Lumine and Paimon are finally coming to Inazuma!
Remember how rough their journey back here was? I need to "accidentally" bump into them, of course.
"Second Sister, I'm off to play with Little Tanuki. Don't wait for me for dinner."
Yuna dashed off before Kuki Shinobu could reply.
Kuki Shinobu watched her retreating figure, shaking her head, and didn't bother stopping her.
Yuna may love fighting, but she has her principles. I'm not too worried.
The most pressing matter is still the Boss, locked up at the Commission Office again.
Thinking of this, Kuki Shinobu felt a headache coming on.
Ever since Kujou Sara confiscated the Boss's Vision last time, he'd become obsessed, plastering his so-called "battle declarations" everywhere.
So far, he'd been arrested by the Commission Office multiple times for inciting disturbances.
Despite her headache, Kuki Shinobu headed to the Commission Office.
-
Player World
After waiting for over ten days, Genshin Impact finally updated!
This time, it was finally Inazuma! At last, the map would be unlocked!
Filled with anticipation, Chen Xiyao launched Genshin Impact.
Relations between China and that island nation had always been strained. However, she didn't want her viewers to attack Genshin Impact because of this. After all, she genuinely loved the game and its World.
[The streamer means Inazuma is Inazuma, and the island country is the island country, right?]
[Genshin Impact is a global game, and each nation's culture is inspired by real-world cultures.]
[Guojia, hurry up! Let's advance the story! I can't wait any longer!]
-
Teyvat.
Having braved the lightning storms beyond Inazuma's shores, the Alcor finally arrived at the port of Ritou.
It was dusk, and Ritou, as seen from the ship, was bathed in a golden light, the blooming sakura trees making the scene exceptionally beautiful.
As Lumine and Paimon disembarked, Thoma, who had been waiting, immediately approached to greet them.
"You've finally arrived, Captain of Liyue! You kept me waiting."
"And these two... stowaways? Oh, I mean, esteemed guests."
Lumine and Paimon immediately shushed him.
Beidou introduced Thoma to Lumine, but when she introduced Lumine to Thoma, he waved his hand dismissively.
"News of the foreign Traveler can't be contained, not even by Inazuma's storms, you know."
After Beidou left, Thoma first took Lumine and Paimon to register their arrival, then to the Outlander Affairs Agency to register for a long-term stay.
When they saw Thoma bargain the fee down from 2 million Mora to 600 Mora, Lumine and Paimon got their first impression of Inazuma under the Sakoku Decree.
How to put it... the impression wasn't good.
At Thoma's urging, they visited the International Trade Association to inquire about the Association's recent situation and unwittingly began helping the association solve its problems.
-
Meanwhile, someone trying to sneak her way into the main storyline had also arrived on Ritou.
Foreigners were forbidden from leaving Ritou, but this restriction only applied to foreigners. For someone like Yuna, let alone Ritou, she would dare to infiltrate even the tenshukaku if she so desired.
Of course, whether she could escape unscathed was another matter.
As long as she avoided the rigid Puppet Shogun, even if she encountered Sara, their close relationship meant Sara wouldn't give her trouble.
Upon arriving on Ritou, Yuna immediately began wandering around the island.
After searching for a while, she finally spotted Lumine and Paimon by the sea.
Yuna didn't make a scene. Approaching them directly would seem suspicious and inevitably arouse suspicion.
She quietly retreated to a windward spot a short distance away and promptly started a fire to cook.
As everyone knew, Paimon in Genshin Impact had an irresistible weakness for delicious food.
Even if the duo weren't particularly hungry right now, Paimon would stubbornly cram in a few more bites if it tasted good.
Yuna was preparing barbecue. She had always been experimenting with strange and unusual recipes, so no one in the Arataki Gang would find anything she cooked odd.
Even Kuki Shinobu simply dismissed it as another one of her Little Sister's whimsical ideas.
After all, she had watched Yuna grow up from childhood, even if she had turned out a bit... peculiar.
The strong aroma of barbecue would make the perfect Paimon lure.
Besides, Yuna hadn't eaten much that morning. An outdoor barbecue by the sea would be a nice treat!
-
Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon were still fretting about their inability to leave Ritou. They had tried sneaking out several times, only to be intercepted and brought back by the guards each time.
Could it be that we have to go see the head of the Tri-Commission himself?
Paimon stroked her chin. "...Even though I have a lot of complaints about his subordinates, it seems like we have no choice but to try it."
"With our reputation, he might even idolize us!" Paimon thought to herself, beaming.
Just then, a gust of wind swept past her nose, and Paimon's small eyes lit up instantly.
"Lumine, do you smell that aroma?"
Lumine took a deep breath and instantly detected an incredibly fragrant aroma of grilled meat—far more enticing than any they had ever smelled before!
Seeing that Lumine had caught the scent too, Paimon stomped her little feet excitedly.
"The smell is coming from over there! Let's not worry about leaving Ritou for now—let's go check it out first!"
Lumine hadn't felt particularly hungry before, but the tantalizing aroma had stirred her appetite. Still, she hesitated—would it be proper for them to just wander over like that?
While Lumine pondered, Paimon was already fidgeting impatiently, urging her forward.
Left with no choice, Lumine followed Paimon to investigate.
Sitting by the sea grilling meat, Yuna overheard the approaching voices and couldn't help but smirk triumphantly.
Heh heh, the Paimon Capture Plan is a success!