"Alright, I'm going to rest. You may return."
Lora did not keep Fu Hai any longer. He nodded in farewell, left her room, and returned to the quarters Hiiragi had arranged for the attendants.
The moment he stepped inside his own room, Fu Hai let out a helpless sigh.
Someone beside him asked,
"Captain, why are you sighing?"
Fu Hai glanced at him.
"Tonight, Lady Lora is likely going to make a move."
"Huh? But hasn't she already retired for the night?"
The man looked at him, puzzled.
Fu Hai shook his head.
"When I arrived, Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing both reminded me—never judge Lady Lora by appearances. She may look well-behaved now, but she's definitely already thought of something."
"Then what should we do?" the man asked.
After a brief moment of thought, Fu Hai answered,
"We must fully cooperate with Lady Lora. Even if she turns the entire Kanjou Commission upside down, we'll handle the aftermath. No matter what, Inazuma wouldn't dare openly tear relations with Liyue. Even though Rex Lapis has passed, the Adepti and the Millelith can still protect Liyue."
"Yes!"
Those around him nodded in unison.
On Lora's side, once Fu Hai had left, she called Hélie over.
"Have you figured out the Kanjou Commission's guard rotation schedule?"
Hélie nodded, then shook her head.
"I've confirmed the regular rotations. But just now, the Kanjou Commission suddenly doubled the number of guards. I didn't have time to determine the shift changes for the additional ones."
"It's fine. As long as we know where the money is."
Lora didn't seem concerned.
She wasn't human. If she truly stooped to sneaking around like a petty thief and got caught, that would be far too undignified.
After instructing Hélie to keep watch over her room, Lora headed alone toward the location of the Kanjou Commission's treasury that Hélie had uncovered.
The treasury was heavily guarded. Walking through the front gate was impossible. There was only a ventilation window on one side, but it was sealed tight and couldn't be opened from outside.
Lora surveyed the situation.
Most of the additional guards had been stationed near her and Fu Hai's quarters, ostensibly to protect the Liyue delegation. Anyone with eyes could see it was surveillance.
As for the treasury, it was already guarded in layers. There was no need to add more. After all, Hiiragi Shinsuke and the others would never suspect that Lora and her party would attempt to steal from it.
The dignified Liyue delegation… stealing?
"Naive. Truly naive."
Lora clicked her tongue.
With a wave of her hand, she condensed a mass of Purifying Hydro. Within it, Hiiragi's figure slowly took shape. The water perfectly replicated his outward appearance. Though it lacked his spirit, it was more than enough to fool people at a glance.
Manipulating the water-formed Hiiragi, she had him redirect the guards around the treasury. Then she slipped inside.
Inside the Kanjou Commission's treasury lay heaps of gold and silver—befitting the office that controlled taxation and finances.
But Lora knew very well that this wealth was not solely Inazuma's legitimate revenue. A considerable portion had been amassed through the Kanjou Commission's profiteering during this period.
Taking such money brought her not the slightest moral burden.
She selected a few valuable items and filled several bags with Mora. That should be more than enough for her expenses in Inazuma.
Just as she was about to leave, voices rose outside—the guards had returned.
No matter. She had her ways.
Lora aimed at the window and blasted it open with a jet of water. The water then formed into a humanoid shape and sped off at full speed, drawing a large number of guards in pursuit.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Lora slipped out from a corner and left the treasury unnoticed.
When Hiiragi learned that his family's treasury had been robbed—and that the culprit had escaped—he went completely numb.
Enraged, he ordered the entire Kanjou Commission sealed off. Everyone was to be strictly investigated.
Hearing the commotion outside, Fu Hai sighed.
"See? I told you Lady Lora wouldn't stay quiet."
"Ah… Lady Ningguang truly has a keen eye for people."
The tension outside had no effect on Lora at all. She had already returned leisurely to her room with her spoils.
She greeted Hélie inside.
"Without my permission, do not let anyone enter, no matter who it is. If they ask, say I've already gone to rest."
"Yes, Lady Lora!"
Hélie nodded firmly and stood guard at the door.
Lora put away Mora and the valuables, then climbed into bed.
Before long, investigators sent by Hiiragi arrived at her quarters. All of them were blocked by Hélie's people.
Just as neither side was willing to yield and a clash seemed imminent, Fu Hai arrived with the rest of the delegation.
He raised his voice.
"What is the meaning of this? Does the Kanjou Commission intend to lay hands on the Liyue delegation?"
Seizing the initiative—Ningguang had taught him that. It worked well.
At his shout, the investigators halted. No matter what, they could not truly move against the Liyue delegation. Setting aside the risk of escalating into war between the two nations, if the Raiden Shogun learned they had acted against a foreign delegation, they would be the first to face punishment.
Hiiragi arrived, flanked by several soldiers. He cleared his throat and addressed Fu Hai.
"Captain Fu, please do not misunderstand. Thieves have infiltrated the Kanjou Commission and stolen from the treasury. That is why I ordered a lockdown and a thorough search."
"So the Hiiragi head is suggesting that our Liyue delegation are thieves? Or that we are harboring one?"
Fu Hai frowned. He had already guessed what Lora had done—but outwardly, they could never admit it.
"Of course not!"
Hiiragi denied it at once.
"However, a thief could be hiding anywhere. Not only your rooms—even my family's quarters will be searched one by one. I hope Captain Fu can understand."
Fu Hai was about to respond when Lora's voice drifted from inside the room.
"Let them in."
Hearing her voice, Fu Hai knew she was prepared. He stepped aside.
Hélie opened the door, and Hiiragi entered with the Kanjou Commission soldiers.
Leaning against the bed, the curtains lowered, Lora's voice turned cool.
"Does the head of the Hiiragi family take me for a criminal?"