"Wuwuwu~ Sayu understands."
It was unclear if he truly listened or not; he just dejectedly left the Shuumatsuban.
"That Child... did he really listen? Or will he just find another place to slack off?"
"Um, who is that Child? Is he also a member of the Shuumatsuban you mentioned?"
Paimon couldn't help but ask. Sayu reminded him of Klee from Mondstadt and Qiqi from Liyue. If these three gathered, they would surely become very good friends.
Three lolis together, just thinking about it feels wonderful... Hmm? You're saying Paimon can join too? Is there another meaning in your words? Hey! Speak clearly!
"Yes, don't let his appearance fool you, he's quite skilled in stealth. If Miss Durandal hadn't noticed him, it would probably be a long time before anyone noticed the anomaly there."
He was careless. As the housekeeper of the Kamisato Estate, he failed to notice such a subtle anomaly. It seems his organization of this house is still insufficient, and he needs to work harder.
"Is it okay? He looks so small."
"Ah, when you're talking to Sayu, try not to mention his age. He's always been very sensitive about being so old yet his height hasn't changed at all."
Ah~ so that's it. Everyone somewhat understood why Sayu had asked Shenhe that question earlier.
However, it doesn't matter if she doesn't grow taller. Look, there's someone here who has maintained her loli figure for over a thousand years, and she has never expressed any dissatisfaction with her figure. Girls don't need to care too much about height.
After all, if Durandal grew any taller, it wouldn't be possible to hold her in one's arms all at once, would it?
"I always feel like you're thinking something strange, Lumine."
"Not at all, don't always assume I'm thinking something rude every time you see me looking at you."
"If you were just looking, I definitely wouldn't think that. But besides looking, your expression is also very strange, which is why I think you're thinking strange things."
She pinched Lumine's cheek, looking at her up close, and said, "Having traveled together for so long, I more or less understand your personality. Don't think your little schemes can escape my eyes, understand?"
"Un... understood."
This truly is... a happy problem. Being seen through one's little schemes should be a scary thing, but when Durandal saw through her, why didn't she feel any fear at all?
"Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Kamisato has been waiting for you inside for quite some time. Please come in with me."
Thoma felt that if he didn't let them in soon, they might spend even more time outside. Demoiselle had been waiting inside for a while, and it wouldn't do to be too impolite.
At Thoma's reminder, they finally remembered the purpose of their visit to the Shuumatsuban and followed Thoma into the inner room.
The interior decoration was very Inazuman. For ordinary people, it was quite large, but for the group who had seen the Jade Chamber, they expressed, "Is that all?"
They hadn't seen the "Egret Princess" Thoma spoke of, but there was a large screen in the middle of the room, blocking Durandal and the others' view, preventing them from seeing what was on the other side.
"The Demoiselle of the Shuumatsuban we are to meet is behind that."
Durandal pointed to the screen in front of her and said, "There is a girl sitting there right now, about your age, with long silver hair, tied up. Beside her is a bone fan, and she is wearing..."
"Huh?"
Kamisato Ayaka, who was hiding behind the screen and preparing to speak, heard Miss Durandal describe her appearance in detail and was momentarily stunned.
"You… you can see the Demoiselle behind the screen?"
Miss Durandal nodded and said, "I can sense her. I'm not sure if you're unwilling to show yourselves due to custom or some other reason, but they have always been very curious about the appearance of this Egret Princess. To satisfy their curiosity, I took a quick look."
Doing so was a bit impolite, but besides asking them to introduce her group to the Raiden Shogun, the other party also wanted to ask them for some favors.
Since they wouldn't even let them see her face, Miss Durandal didn't think her side needed to give any face. After all, they weren't Inazumans, so there was no need to act according to Inazuman customs.
"Ah… haha~ I apologize for causing you displeasure. But this is a century-old custom of the Shuumatsuban, and it cannot be changed."
Inazumans still value such formalities greatly. As the Demoiselle of the Shuumatsuban, Kamisato Ayaka had to maintain proper etiquette even at home.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for only being able to speak with you in this manner."
"I have been looking forward to your arrival. From Thoma's relay, I am certain that you possess the power to 'change the situation'. Inazuma today, under the implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree, sees the people's wishes wantonly trampled."
"Although the Shuumatsuban serves the Shogun, due to its duties, it is also the faction closest to the people's livelihood. The Shuumatsuban's authority comes from the trust of the populace. I cannot stand by and do nothing about the current situation, but I lack the ability to deal with what is happening."
"Therefore, I need your strength. Please lend me your strength. With your help, I believe…"
"Sorry…" Lumine interrupted Kamisato Ayaka, saying, "I didn't come to Inazuma to rebel. I just came to see the Raiden Shogun."
No, what is wrong with this person? She came here to meet the Raiden Shogun, but you invite her to come and oppose the policy enacted by the Raiden Shogun. Isn't that helping with a rebellion?
Also, you're inviting people to do things without even mentioning the Reward. Is that really okay? You wouldn't really think that the people on your side are those kind of hot-blooded fools, would you?
"Hmm, what do you think, Miss Durandal?"
Seeing that Lumine was unmoved by her invitation, Kamisato Ayaka asked Miss Durandal.
According to Thoma's investigation, Miss Durandal secretly had Hiiragi Shinsuke of the Tenryou Commission change his usual behavior and was willing to help the Shuumatsuban improve Inazuma's current state.
If it was her, she should be willing to help them, right?
"I only listen to Lumine. If she wants to help, I won't hesitate. If she doesn't want to, I won't do anything."
Miss Durandal frowned. To specifically ask her, it seems her actions yesterday were still noticed.
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