Inazuma began to descend into chaos.
The Okuzume's movements this time were anything but discreet; on the contrary, they were unusually high-profile. From Ritou to Inazuma City, everyone saw Hiiragi Shinsuke being escorted by the Okuzume. His face was ashen, as if fully aware of his doomed fate. He kept his head lowered, paying no attention to the public's pointing and whispering.
At the same time, an "informed force" leaked details about the recent affairs involving the Fatui and Ritou, including the earlier incidents of Nobushi kidnapping nobles and ambushing a merchant caravan. The mastermind behind all of it turned out to be none other than the head of the Hiiragi Clan of the Kanjou Commission.
This revelation threw both Ritou and Inazuma City into unrest. After all, most people in Inazuma were already struggling. The number of Nobushi had not decreased but grown, a sign that more and more people could no longer afford to eat. If given a choice, who would willingly become an outlaw hunted by the Shogunate Army?
Realizing that their suffering was not caused by the Shogun's pursuit of "eternity," the common people erupted in anger. Most rushed to Tenshukaku, just as they had during the recent duel before the Shogun. But this time, they weren't there for spectacle—they demanded that the Shogun severely punish the Hiiragi Clan.
The Tenryou Commission, tasked with maintaining order, was also blindsided. None of these soldiers had expected the Kanjou Commission's Hiiragi Clan to fall so hard. Just what had they done to warrant intervention from the Okuzume?
Meanwhile, at the Kujou Clan, Kujou Takayuki's expression was extremely grim. He cursed aloud, "Damn Fatui! And that wretch Hiiragi Shinsuke—how dare he use the Fatui against people from the Yashiro Commission."
"Of all people he could provoke, he targeted someone the Guuji values. Look at the mess now—the Shogun has left Tenshukaku, and that Fatui Harbinger is missing. Let's see how he plans to handle this."
Although he cursed Hiiragi Shinsuke, Kujou Takayuki himself felt like an ant on a hot pan. If the truth surfaced, his fate would be no different from Hiiragi Shinsuke's.
"Someone, call Masahito!"
He sent a retainer to summon his eldest son.
"Father." Soon, Kujou Masato entered. Tall and imposing, the Shogunate Army officer looked at his father in confusion. "Do you need me to assist Kujou Sara against the Resistance?"
He had already heard of Kujou Sara's defeat. The Resistance's strength surprised him—but what shocked him even more was the Fatui's involvement. As the Kujou Clan's eldest son, Kujou Masato knew well that his father had colluded with the Fatui. Although he disapproved, he had remained silent. Thus, he would rather head to the front lines than stay in the clan manor, where the atmosphere was suffocating.
"You stay here and stabilize the situation. I need to go out," Kujou Takayuki said coldly.
Leaving those words, he departed with several retainers. Kujou Masato wanted to speak—but faced with his father's retreating figure, he ultimately remained silent.
After leaving the Kujou Clan, Kujou Takayuki did not head toward Tenshukaku, nor toward the Kamisato Estate. Instead, he traveled swiftly to a remote area outside Inazuma City.
Soon, he and several trusted guards arrived before a well-hidden factory.
"Lord Kujou, why have you come?" A masked female Fatui agent greeted him, visibly startled.
"You've caused such a disaster you nearly dragged me down with you. Am I not allowed to come?!" Kujou Takayuki snapped.
He refused to believe the Fatui were ignorant of Ritou's recent turmoil. This factory was the Fatui's main base. When he had negotiated with La Signora, she requested a facility to manufacture certain devices.
Kujou Takayuki knew exactly what those devices were—and had tacitly agreed, in exchange for receiving some himself. La Signora had readily consented. Had none of this happened, he wouldn't have been forced to leave Inazuma City to come here.
"This is a misunderstanding, Lord Kujou," the Fatui woman explained anxiously. "We never intended to cause such a commotion. If not for the Hiiragi Clan—"
"Enough! Where is your Harbinger?!"
Kujou Takayuki had no patience for excuses. He demanded to see the Harbinger—these small fry had no right to negotiate with him.
"Lord Harbinger is currently resting," she said, growing firm. "He cannot receive visitors. If you have something to say, you may tell me, and I will report it."
Lord Harbinger was severely wounded and could not possibly face Kujou Takayuki.
"..."
Kujou Takayuki stared at her, as if confirming something. He snorted. "Remember our agreement, Fatui. If you dare cause trouble again, the Tenryou Commission will not tolerate you as before."
With that, he left. He was now certain that the one provoking the Raiden Shogun had to be this Harbinger—likely the so-called Kunikuzushi. Before leaving Inazuma, La Signora had told him that a troublesome Harbinger would be taking over her operations.
He had intended to contact the newcomer soon. Yet before they met, the man had apparently been struck down by the Raiden Shogun and was now hovering between life and death. Learning this gave Kujou Takayuki temporary relief. As long as the Harbinger couldn't act, it was the greatest help to him.
As for the Hiiragi Clan? Hmph. Not worth his concern.
Kujou Takayuki came and went in haste, leaving the Fatui woman bewildered. But as long as he didn't force his way inside, it was the best outcome.
Soon after, she saw a familiar figure striding toward her—graceful build, beautiful face, but with a clouded expression.
"Lady La Signora!" she exclaimed.
Lady La Signora—who had left Inazuma just days ago—was back! What fortune!
Lord Scaramouche had only recently arrived and was already nearly killed by the Raiden Shogun. Worse, he was unconscious, leaving the Inazuma Fatui without a leader.
La Signora's return was a relief for them.
"Where is Scaramouche?" La Signora asked sharply.
Her tone was harsh, but understandable—to encounter such a mess was enough to foul anyone's mood.
"He is resting inside. He—"
Before she finished, La Signora brushed past her and entered the factory. Hearing her heels click rapidly across the floor, the Fatui woman silently mourned Scaramouche. Inside, most Fatui combat personnel had returned, discussing animatedly—complaining about Scaramouche's incompetence, marveling at his bad luck.
To be struck down by the Raiden Shogun mere days after arriving in Inazuma—this was beyond misfortune. Because of him, all Fatui combat units in Inazuma had gathered here to protect his life. Hearing rapid footsteps, the agents looked up—and were shocked and delighted.
"Lady La Signora!"
"No way—she's back?!"
"Wasn't she in Mondstadt?! Why return now?"
"It must be because Lord Scaramouche messed everything up. Her Majesty probably recalled her."
La Signora ignored their chatter, grabbed someone to ask for Scaramouche's location, then stormed off.
In a room deep within the factory, she pushed open the door. There sat Scaramouche—missing a hand and a foot, expression deathly gloomy.
"You're back?" he said, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"Thanks to you, Her Majesty ordered me to return," La Signora said sharply. She eyed his miserable state without the slightest sympathy. "Why provoke the Raiden Shogun? She's just a puppet."
"Why confront her directly? The plan hasn't unfolded, the Resistance hasn't risen, the Commissions haven't fully fallen into the trap, and the Delusion Factory has only just begun operating. Do you have any idea—"
She immediately launched into a tirade about his failures. Though Scaramouche's rank and power exceeded hers, she despised his incompetence. She had intended for him to support operations, to exacerbate the nation's turmoil.
Instead, he picked a fight with the Raiden Shogun herself.
On the way back, La Signora even learned the Hiiragi Clan had fallen. Of the Three Commissions, two had been under her control—now only the Tenryou Commission remained.
All her long-term work had been ruined by Scaramouche.
Scaramouche remained silent, unwilling to explain his defeat. Proud as he was, he knew this was his own blunder. He had lost the Fatui's advantage—and a hand and foot—as well. A humiliating defeat. Yet from this failure, he gained one crucial piece of information.
"What? Nothing to say?" La Signora mocked. "Before I left, I told you to follow the plan quietly—"
"Futsu Mitama."
Scaramouche finally spoke. He looked up at La Signora and said coldly, "He is in the intelligence."
"A winemaker whose ancestors forged swords? What's so special?" La Signora waved impatiently. "Why bring him up? Are you like Dottore, obsessed with his wine?"
She vaguely remembered Dottore telling her to capture Futsu Mitama if possible—calling him a genius wasted in Inazuma. But to her, it was just wine. Hardly worth attention.
"He might be the Electro Archon's new familiar," Scaramouche said calmly.
"?"
La Signora froze. Her expression practically said, Did getting cut scramble your brain?
"I'm not joking," Scaramouche continued. "If not for his interference, I would have captured Yae Miko."
"That technique—those movements—though crude, were undoubtedly Beelzebub's true martial legacy."
"Combined with the Electro Authority Yae Miko gave him, he could temporarily fight me."
He then lifted his remaining hand slightly, as if covering something.
"And more importantly—he knows Beelzebub's true location. He is a key—one capable of summoning the Electro Archon anytime, anywhere."
La Signora's expression darkened in thought. Then she turned to leave.
"I understand how you failed. Rest and wait. When Dottore's slice arrives, he'll replace your parts. I'll handle the rest."
She swayed her hips and headed for the door. Watching her go, Scaramouche realized she still underestimated Futsu Mitama. He said flatly:
"Whether you believe it or not, I'll say this: don't think you're invincible. Don't act rashly."
Previously, Scaramouche had also dismissed Futsu Mitama—focusing solely on Yae Miko. Only after crossing blades did he realize how troublesome the man truly was.
"Heh."
La Signora answered only with a cold laugh. As if saying—she was not Scaramouche, and she would not be sliced apart by the Raiden Shogun like he had been. (Ugh, you were shredded by lightning though)