Compared to how eager he had been moments earlier, Luo Li now felt equally disappointed.
He knew the sly fox woman's words were nothing but teasing, but a man's heart couldn't help harboring hope.
Fortunately, his expression remained steady as he lay down on Kitsune Saiguu's lap.
Though he'd been disappointed at first, the moment he actually rested on her thighs, he realized… perhaps this wasn't such a loss after all.
Only one thing was lacking—unlike her future successor Yae Miko, Saiguu wasn't dressed lightly enough for direct skin contact.
"Do you need your ears cleansed?"
Producing a cotton swab from who-knows-where, Saiguu gazed down at him with gentle, maternal warmth.
Her shift in temperament was so swift it almost made one think the seductive enchantress from earlier had been someone entirely different.
"Then I shall accept without reserve," Luo Li replied.
"Ear cleansing," of course, was not literal. A transcendent body accumulated no dust.
Its underlying meaning was simple—massage.
Enjoying the white-furred matriarch's service, Luo Li closed his eyes and asked,
"You went out earlier. What were you doing?"
"A lady's secrets shouldn't be revealed lightly," Saiguu hummed, gently brushing his forehead. "But if it's you… I suppose you may know."
She paused, then—true to her nature—added teasingly:
"I simply left behind a few… advantages, things that will help Inazuma in the future."
With that, Luo Li understood instantly.
In the tragic ending she had foreseen, Saiguu must have spent this time setting up contingency plans while she still had freedom to act.
Like how she would later entrust Konda Village with a protective barrier… or trick Tanuki Ioroi into hiding.
Then Saiguu said suddenly,
"By the way, I'll be staying in Tenshukaku from now on~ The Grand Shrine will be in your care. I trust you won't mind?"
Luo Li replied calmly,
"As long as you can offer appropriate compensation."
"We're really going to be so stingy with each other?"
"…"
Realizing that acting pitiful wouldn't work, Saiguu's eyes brightened—then she leaned down and whispered:
"Then how about I help you with something in return?"
"What is it?"
"Raising Ei's affection for you… or coaxing her into doing something interesting."
Luo Li almost applauded. Truly, "fox" was synonymous with cunning.
Meanwhile, poor, innocent Ei was completely unaware she was being plotted against—chatting with her sister, only occasionally glancing over with subtle curiosity.
"One word and it's a deal," Luo Li said.
He trusted Saiguu's abilities completely.
Thus the three—Saiguu, Luo Li, and Chiyo who had eagerly joined in—huddled together whispering conspiratorially.
Chiyo even contributed some… rather questionable suggestions.
"What are you three scheming about?"
Seeing the trio gathered suspiciously, Makoto moved closer with curiosity in her eyes.
Ei, already tempted, followed silently behind her.
Luo Li answered with full composure,
"We're discussing matters between subordinates. Bosses shouldn't eavesdrop."
Makoto shot him a glare and puffed her lips in mild frustration.
Laughing, Luo Li asked,
"So, anything happen in Inazuma while I was gone?"
In Mondstadt, he had seen the Knights of Favonius reinforcing their defenses and tending to more wounded each day.
It was impossible that Inazuma remained unaffected.
Sure enough—Makoto's eyes flickered ever so slightly, and Saiguu's hands slowed.
Unexpectedly, it was Ei who spoke, brows knitted.
"About a month ago, the Khaenri'ahn diplomatic delegation stationed on Watatsumi Island left abruptly. They didn't even stop by Narukami Island—they sailed straight away."
"Later, news came from Byakuyakoku. The delegation engaged in armed conflict with them. There were casualties on both sides."
"We don't yet know the full details. Byakuyakoku has forbidden further entry. It may take a long time before we understand what happened."
Luo Li silently clicked his tongue. Typical Khaenri'ah.
Couldn't get access to the forbidden texts? Then simply try to steal them.
But apparently, they hadn't succeeded—otherwise the Abyss Order of the future wouldn't keep invading Enkanomiya searching for remnants.
"What about Byakuyakoku afterward?" Chiyo asked. This was her first time hearing the news; she normally paid little attention to foreign affairs.
Ei pressed her lips into a thin line.
"That's what confuses us. After the incident, Byakuyakoku sent no further word. As if the matter simply vanished."
More likely, Luo Li thought, they were almost wiped out.
Khaenri'ah rarely traveled light. Their delegation likely concealed more forces than they revealed.
By the time Watatsumi's surface forces realized something was wrong, the Khaenri'ahns had probably evacuated already.
If Khaenri'ah excelled at anything, it was retreating flawlessly.
Makoto eventually added,
"I've ordered our people to monitor the situation closely. We'll act once more information comes."
Ei continued, frowning deeper.
"In addition, the number of monsters in Inazuma has risen recently. Some are even gathering in groups."
Normally, monsters were territorial and rarely left their domains.
But according to the shogunate's scouts, many were now wandering aimlessly.
Even roads once deemed safe had become hazardous, with attacks increasing daily—putting great pressure on the Shogunate.
"So Inazuma is experiencing this too."
Seeing everyone turning toward him, Luo Li explained:
"Before I returned, Liyue and Mondstadt were already showing the same signs."
Makoto blinked.
"You… went to Mondstadt too?"
"…"
That's your focus? Really?
Regardless of rank or identity, women's priorities were baffling at times.
Saiguu said thoughtfully,
"In that case, perhaps not only Inazuma, Mondstadt, and Liyue. Natlan, Fontaine, Sumeru, and Snezhnaya may all be experiencing similar disturbances."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Makoto concluded,
"I've already sent envoys to the other six nations. With the entire continent shifting simultaneously… the coming days will not be peaceful."
Saiguu fell silent for a moment.
Could the great disaster she foresaw refer to this wave of monsters?
Once the heavy topics were done, Saiguu deliberately shifted to lighter subjects.
The clan researching artificial meteors had produced an exceptionally extravagant new creation.
One of the five legendary swordsmith families had forged a new masterpiece.
Small everyday stories from within Inazuma eased the atmosphere bit by bit.
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