"But we just didn't want to waste time, so we purified it according to the design blueprints. After all, we didn't know when you would return."
"Oh, I see. No problem, no problem." Xavier waved his hand dismissively, then continued, "But judging by what you said, the Tatarigami concentration in the Mikage Furnace Core has returned to a safe threshold?"
"Yes! Paimon doesn't feel dizzy inside anymore!"
"Yo, you little sprite are really interesting. Can you actually get dizzy like a human?"
"Hey! What is that supposed to mean!" Paimon complained angrily.
"Nothing, I just found it amusing. Also, thank you for helping me tidy up the place. I was dreading having to deal with all these drafts myself."
"Right, did you happen to see my detection device? Although you've already purified Tatarasuna, I still need to confirm it with a rigorous attitude," Xavier said.
And Paimon, the busybody, agreed without hesitation, so quickly that Lumine didn't even have time to object.
Having no choice, Lumine went to the place where the Purification Devices had first been stored to look for the so-called detection device, eventually finding the item in the grass.
"But what do 1.3, 6.2, and 9.1 mean?"
However, she seemed to have pressed a button, and the numbers reset to zero. Fortunately, Lumine had memorized them and planned to ask Xavier, since it was his item, wasn't it?
Perhaps he was the one who came up with those numbers.
"Xavier! Is this the detection device you were talking about?"
"Yes! That's it. Thank you so much."
"Also, we found a set of numbers on the detector just now: 1.3, 6.2, 9.1. Do you know what they mean?" Lumine asked.
"1.3, 6.2, 9.1? Strange numbers. They probably came up after it fell on the ground? I don't remember them at all." Xavier shrugged, then picked up the Tatarigami defense device and headed toward the Mikage Furnace Core.
Lumine prepared to return to Narukami Island to collect her Reward. However, just as she stepped out the door, she noticed the Emergency Guide placed in the corner.
With a tentative approach, Lumine opened the brick-like book.
"1.3... Rescue measures should be executed immediately after problems occur at the Mikage Furnace Core..."
"6.2... The handle is the emergency braking device; twisting it can forcibly stop the Mikage Furnace Core from operating..."
"9.1... Additional fees should be charged for human-caused maintenance damage. If there are problems not covered in the guide, please report them to your superior..."
"They seem... like very ordinary emergency guidelines! Traveler, are you making a mountain out of a molehill?" Paimon scratched her head.
"Perhaps. I hope I was wrong."
Lumine shook her head. She also didn't understand what significance those numbers held. Perhaps, as Xavier said, they were just random numbers that appeared after the device fell.
Placing the brick-like Emergency Guide back in its original spot, Lumine teleported back to Inazuma City and headed straight for the Adventurers' Guild.
As for restarting the Mikage Furnace Core? Xavier was there for that! Her mission was complete, and the Tatarigami concentration in Tatarasuna was definitely below the normal threshold. Paimon was a perfectly good detector!
"To the Stars and the Abyss. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. Seeing the Traveler here means that the commission Ryougi-san gave you has been completed, yes?" said Catherine.
"Mhm, it was completed perfectly! My head isn't dizzy at all now!" Paimon said excitedly.
She was very curious about what the Reward contained. It was a commission from the Kamisato Clan's consultant—there must be many good things!
"Hehe, the Traveler's reputation is always reliable. In that case, here is your well-deserved Reward."
Catherine finished speaking and pulled a wooden box from under the counter. Its exterior looked unremarkable and very plain.
Once opened, the first things that came into view were sparkling Primogems, followed by a Northland Bank check for 200,000 Mora.
"Wow! Two hundred thousand! So much Mora! As expected of Miss Ryougi, she is generous!" Paimon danced with joy. This was 200,000! How many slices of Fisherman's Toast could that buy?
Lumine, however, was focused on the pile of sparkling Primogems. They had never been mentioned—how did the other party know she needed them?
'Never mind, having Primogems is always a good thing.'
Primogems originate from fallen dreams; they are useless decorations to ordinary people, but for the Traveler, she can use them to enhance her elemental control.
However, the required amount is enormous. To raise any single element to the level of a Archon would require an unknown quantity.
But she possesses an advantage that the local Archons do not: multiple elements. She can trigger reactions herself, even if only Crystalize and Swirl.
Yet elemental reactions often result in an effect greater than 1+1>2, whereas locals need to rely on favorable terrain or cooperation to achieve this.
Meanwhile, at Uyuu Restaurant on the other side of Inazuma City, the diners eating inside dared not breathe loudly.
Ah? If you ask why, just look at the purple-haired figure standing at the entrance—the most noble and supreme being who wields all power in the land: the Raiden Shogun.
A Archon coming to eat at his restaurant—even with Okazaki Rikuto's extensive experience, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat at the sight.
"Uh haha, Lord Shogun gracing this place truly brings glory to our humble establishment..."
"Prepare a private room for us. After that, you may attend to your own matters." Ei said calmly.
In front of outsiders, she always maintained the demeanor of a Archon, and even her most ordinary tone carried a sense of thunderous majesty.
"No problem, no problem. The three of you, please follow me."
The owner, Okazaki Rikuto, gestured for them to follow, then led the three up to the second floor.
Seeing this, the diners eating in the first-floor hall let out a collective sigh of relief, quickly paid their bills, packed up the remaining dishes, and left.
Oh goodness, they didn't dare continue eating. It was simply too terrifying. Who knew if they might anger this incarnation of thunder while dining and get struck down by a bolt of lightning?
After all, the minds of Archons are difficult to fathom, and this had nothing to do with respect.
Perhaps it was precisely because of too much respect that they acted this way. The chasm created by identity and power could cause people to lose the ability to think when meeting them.
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