In the story, the Traveler and Naganohara Yoimiya had finalized their action plan and arrived near the Tenryou Commission's estate together with Sayu.
[Sayu, stroking her chin, analyzed: "Hmm… just as I thought…"]
Readers were curious: what was this tiny elite ninja thinking? Despite her small stature, she was a genuine elite ninja, so surely she must have some profound insight!
["So many people… if we get spotted… we'll be found out…"]
Readers fell silent. Wasn't that obvious? Of course they'd be found out if they got spotted.
["We need to lure them away to sneak in successfully…"]
Readers sighed helplessly. Nice analysis, but maybe don't analyze next time.
["Also, if I get caught… please come save me…"]
Readers felt relieved. Unexpectedly, the most useful thing Sayu said was a plea for rescue.
After telling the Traveler to "remember to bail me out," Sayu slipped into the shadows. Though her analysis was all obvious nonsense, her skills were undeniably top-notch, and she was incredibly hard to detect when hiding. After all, a "tanuki tumbler" behind a tree or in the bushes was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it? It was like playing "hide-and-seek mode"—the weirder the hiding spot, the more reasonable it seemed!
Since time immemorial, CT players don't look up, so who could possibly spot Sayu hiding in a tree? It was too mysterious!
In short, the Traveler in the story trusted little Sayu completely. After setting off the fireworks, they made a quick exit, believing in their teammate—a truly admirable virtue!
The Traveler arrived at the Komore Teahouse to wait with Kamisato Ayaka for Sayu's good news. As expected, trusting their teammate proved to be the right call, as Sayu soon returned with good news.
[Sayu: "All dizzy… everyone… is spinning…"]
The only pity was that readers couldn't hear Sayu say this line in person or experience her ultra-adorable voice.
Sayu proved her worth by successfully retrieving the "evidence," and the Traveler took the "evidence" to seek out Yae Miko. By chance, Kujou Sara arrived right on time, stating that, as agreed, she hadn't brought any soldiers with her.
[Yae Miko smiled at Kujou Sara and said: "I bet… these past few days, you've been so troubled that you couldn't sleep at night, could you?"]
Both the real-life Kujou Sara and the one in the story felt a jolt in their hearts. She really was troubled and sleepless! Every night, she had to pray… no, confess and repent in front of the Raiden Shogun's portrait.
The real-life Yae Miko propped her cheek with one hand, finding it adorable how Kujou Sara tried to stay composed despite her inner turmoil being exposed. Teasing these little youkai was indeed the most entertaining thing. Just a few days ago, she had poked fun at Arataki Itto and Gorou.
As one of the few great youkai, Yae Miko was actually quite lonely. She could empathize with humans, but to her, humans were ultimately short-lived creatures. She avoided forming close bonds with them—not out of disdain, but to spare herself the sorrow. That's why Yae Miko was always looking for fun, even teasing Arataki Itto just to make her life less dull.
Ei's only remaining friend was Yae Miko, and the same was true in reverse. When Ei secluded herself, Yae Miko became much lonelier as a result. The pink little fox, with no friends to play with, was so anxious that she cried and fussed—oh, how pitiful!
Back to the story: the Traveler handed the official document written by the Tenryou Commission to Kujou Sara. The document made no mention of the Resistance, Watatsumi Island, the frontline battles, or the tragedies caused by the Vision Hunt Decree. The lives of frontline soldiers and the suffering of the people in the rear were utterly insignificant in the eyes of the Tenryou Commission.
Upon seeing that the Tenryou Commission had deceived the Raiden Shogun, Kujou Sara was instantly furious. Even the real-life Kujou Sara, rereading this part, was just as enraged!
In the story, she stormed back to the Kujou Clan's estate, with no one daring to stop her. The Traveler wanted to follow, as sticking with Kujou Sara would likely lead to another audience with the Raiden Shogun.
Yae Miko stopped the Traveler and handed them an omamori.
[Yae Miko: "The omamori from Narukami Shrine is always very effective. I specially saved one for you."]
["You can take it out when you miss me, too. Who knows? Maybe I'll suddenly pop up to see you?"]
Readers recalled some bad memories. They hoped the Traveler wouldn't later pull out the omamori and say something like, "The omamori you gave me has faded, but it's still my most cherished treasure."
In the story, the Traveler followed Kujou Sara back to the Kujou Clan's estate. Kujou Sara was so furious that she went into full-on unmatched mode, charging straight through to confront Kujou Takayuki.
(I got to this part and realized I hadn't delivered the letter! Getting close triggered the cutscene, and then I got arrested on the spot. It took me half a day to finally get in and deliver the letter!)
[Kujou Takayuki, furious: "Stop! Sara, are you mad? You dare defy my orders!"]
[Kujou Sara: "Hmph… Lord Takayuki, I've seen the Tenryou Commission's reports and the letters written to the Fatui. Please… give me an explanation!"]
Faced with Kujou Sara's questioning, Kujou Takayuki admitted everything outright, with a speed rivaling Scaramouche's. His leakiness surpassed 90% of the world's population. To him, it wasn't something he couldn't admit, because he didn't think he'd done anything wrong.
In Kujou Takayuki's eyes, it was just a profitable deal. Collaborating with the Fatui was an opportunity to solidify the Kujou Clan's position.
[Kujou Takayuki: "On Inazuma's soil, once the heavenly thunder falls, they're nothing but trembling ants who wouldn't dare act out."]
["We have the unparalleled Raiden Shogun and her 'Musou no Hitotachi'!"]
Readers were dumbfounded. So this guy thought that because the Raiden Shogun could cover for him, his actions didn't harm Inazuma or the Shogun? What kind of logic was that? As one of the three Commissions, not only did he fail to ease the Shogun's burdens, but he relied on her to bail him out?
Could a giant baby like this become a Commissioner? If so, I could do it too! If I mess up, the Shogun's got my back!
People couldn't comprehend Kujou Takayuki's logic. Liyue's Geo Archon could shake the heavens with a wave of his hand, yet Liyue's people didn't think they could act recklessly just because they had the Geo Archon's protection. Mondstadt was even less likely—rely on the Anemo Archon? Good luck finding him first. At least Mondstadt had the Knights of Favonius. Sumeru's people rarely saw their Lesser Lord Kusanali, and relying on the Akademiya for protection was a joke—they were lucky if it didn't cause trouble itself. As for Fontaine… little Furina envied Ei's strength. She too wished she could wield the Musou no Hitotachi so she wouldn't fear the Knave, but alas, her lightning wasn't enough.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Yae Miko: About Lucian
"An interesting little fellow. Many people say he's clever and strategic, hmm… I haven't noticed that in our interactions. Perhaps his ability to hide his methods is part of his cleverness?"