The custom-made kimono that Ogura Mio promised her was also delivered. Shiki tried it on and felt it looked a bit like a Third Ascension outfit, but unfortunately, she didn't have long hair.
Village Chief Konda Densuke felt the fertilizer worked well and decided to order a batch in the spring so that all the village's farmlands could use this new type of fertilizer.
The power originating from Makoto had grown considerably stronger, estimated to be more than five times its original strength. Her current output volume was something ordinary Vision holders couldn't possibly match.
Shiki had no specific requirements for the growth rate of this Archon power, after all, there is only so much element in the atmosphere, isn't there?
Inazuma City in February was covered in silver. Shiki, having perfected her sword techniques, prepared to stroll around, but as soon as she stepped into Inazuma City, a person blocked her path.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Ryougi?"
"That's me. What do you need?" Shiki asked.
"It's like this: could I please ask you to come to the Komore Teahouse? My liege wishes to speak with you." The person said respectfully.
"Who is your liege?"
"Ayaka."
"..." Shiki was silent for a moment, seemingly pondering why the other party was looking for her, before finally nodding: "Let's go then."
Upon arriving at the Komore Teahouse, Shiki was led into a private room where Ayaka and Thoma had long been waiting.
"We meet again, Miss Ryougi."
But Shiki did not sit down; instead, she leaned against the doorframe and asked, "May I ask how you two knew where I was?"
She had teleported using a Anchor Point, and in Teyvat, where communication is extremely underdeveloped, how did they know she was coming and wait for her here?
"Actually, we didn't know; we've just been waiting for quite a long time."
"I have been staying in Inazuma City for the past month and ordered people to wait at the entrance of Inazuma City. As soon as they saw you, one person would inform me while the other brought you to the Komore Teahouse."
Ayaka stood up to explain. Noble families adhere to many protocols, and making eye contact when speaking to someone is the most fundamental rule.
"Is that so? Then what business do you have with me?"
Shiki didn't delve further into the matter; she only wanted an explanation, and since she got one, she wouldn't dwell on it.
However, one thing in the other party's initial greeting bothered her: "Also, this should be our first meeting, right? Why did you say 'again'?"
Ayaka paused imperceptibly, then opened her folding fan to cover her mouth and said, "That is because I have seen Miss Ryougi before, so for me, this is not technically the first meeting."
'Sure enough, the Miss Ryougi I met during the festival is not the same person as the one before me now.'
This conjecture had existed for a long time. Aside from the appearance, the personality and abilities were completely different, leading Ayaka to believe that the other Shiki was likely another personality residing within her body.
Although multiple personality disorder is rare, it is not unheard of, and Ayaka had heard of it. It seemed, however, that the person herself was unaware of the other personality inside her body.
'In that case, perhaps I shouldn't mention it for now.'
"I see." Shiki had no suspicion. After all, for Ayaka, they *had* met again, so what was there to doubt?
"Returning to the previous topic, I invited Miss Ryougi here because I wish to ask you to join the Kamisato Clan and become the Kamisato Clan's consultant."
"The Kamisato Clan's consultant? Why?"
If it had been half a year ago, before Kujou Masahito was confined, Shiki would have joined without hesitation. But now, the idea of finding a faction to rely on is not so urgent.
Ayaka closed her folding fan, took a deep breath, and said, "To be frank, as one of the Three Commissions of Inazuma, the Kamisato Clan can learn of the Shogun's decrees much faster than the average person."
"And just recently, the Shogun issued a new decree—the Vision Hunt Decree."
"The Vision Hunt Decree means the confiscation of Visions, which will eventually be built into the Statue of the Omnipresent God. Construction on the statue has already begun, and we believe the day it is completed will be the time the Vision Hunt Decree is fully enforced."
"As the Kamisato Clan is the Yashiro Commission, we naturally cannot defy the Shogun's orders, but we can at least ensure that the order for your Vision to be confiscated is placed last."
Shiki's eyes showed a trace of realization upon hearing this. Yes, judging by the timing, the Vision Hunt Decree was indeed about to be enforced.
But one thing confused her: why would they think of her? Since arriving in Teyvat, aside from the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual, she hadn't done anything else major!
"Becoming a consultant is fine, but even if it leads to damage to the Kamisato Clan's reputation, will you still stick to your original intention?" Shiki asked.
"Also, you can just call me Shiki."
She would eventually face the Raiden Shogun. She didn't want Tejima to forget why he guarded Konda Village for thirty years, nor did she want Fujiwara to lose her life to the Musou no Hitotachi.
They were some of Shiki's few friends in Teyvat. How could she stand by and watch the original tragedy unfold again before her eyes?
Moreover, if a fake Vision is worn for long enough, it becomes real.
"Understood, Shiki. The Kamisato Clan has actually prepared for the worst. If we cannot persuade the Shogun to withdraw the Vision Hunt Decree..."
Ayaka didn't say the rest, but everyone knew what she meant.
"So if it really comes to that point, reputation means nothing."
Shiki closed her eyes and pondered for a moment: "Hmm... I understand. By the way, after becoming a consultant, how should I address you? Young Miss?"
Hearing Shiki agree to become a consultant, a beautiful smile bloomed on Ayaka's face: "Hehe, there's no need to be so formal. Shiki, just call me Ayaka."
Of course, she had selfish motives for bringing the other person into the Kamisato Clan. She could never forget the touch of that person's hand, or the gentle smile and voice that were like a mother's.
The world knew Ayaka was the Young Miss of the Kamisato Clan, noble and revered, but who knew the simplest, most unadorned wish in her heart?
It was that person who allowed her to experience a festival, the first time she had set aside her status and responsibilities to experience the beauty and joy of the world like an ordinary young woman.
Ayaka wanted to see Shiki again. Since the personality existed within the same body, it was bound to appear... The white-haired young woman tightened the soft hand gripping the folding fan. Even though half a year had passed, that scene was still deeply etched into her mind.
"This means we are now colleagues, Miss Ryougi," Thoma said enthusiastically.
"Does a consultant also need to do house chores?"
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