Lumine and Paimon also followed Ye and asked, "What are we going to do next?"
"What we're going to do next... is say goodbye to each other."
"Huh?"
Paimon looked surprised, only then realizing that she had subconsciously thought of them as teammates.
Lumine was also secretly startled.
(Without even noticing it, the distance between us has closed to this extent.)
(Is it because we get along so well?)
(There really is a sense of comfort when interacting with him, even though I was still wary of him not long ago.)
"You have your own things to do, and I have mine. Now that the International Trade Association's issues have been resolved, it's time for us to go our separate ways."
Ye stopped and turned to look at Lumine, speaking casually:
"However, we'll meet again. When we do, I hope you'll give me a proper answer to my earlier invitation."
『Chapter 1, Act 1, Complete』
[The Eternal Nation, Undercurrents]
『Quest Complete』
The first act of the story ended here, and the second act began immediately.
Ye had already disappeared.
Paimon then said, "We've also gotten permission to go to Narukami Island, and we've solved the International Trade Association's problems. Why don't we go see Thoma now? Didn't he say he had a way for us to meet the Raiden Shogun?"
Lumine nodded and went to find Thoma.
Thoma didn't hide anything and was quickly found by Lumine.
"Thoma, didn't you say you could help us meet the Raiden Shogun? Now that the trouble you mentioned has been resolved, can you take us to see her?"
"Amazing, truly amazing. As expected of the famous Traveler, you managed to solve the problem at its root so effortlessly."
Thoma clapped his hands and laughed.
"Of course, your companion is also incredible. I've heard about what happened at the Kanjou Commission. He's really... even our Yashiro Commission's head, Kamisato Ayato, can't compare."
Paimon was shocked. "You said the Kamisato Clan? Your Kamisato Clan? Thoma, are you from the Yashiro Commission? Aren't you the local boss of Ritou?"
"Being the local boss of Ritou isn't easy. It took me a month to build connections throughout Ritou and establish myself as the local boss. But you guys came and turned everything upside down in just three days."
Despite saying this, Thoma was still smiling.
"Yes, I serve the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Clan as the close attendant of the Shirasagi Himegimi.'"
"Shirasagi Himegimi? The one Ye mentioned, whose reputation surpasses even the head of the Kamisato Clan?"
"That's right, the Shirasagi Himegimi." Thoma nodded, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "You just said... Ye? Is that the real name of the Mr. Lumine who single-handedly orchestrated the Kanjou Commission's purge over the past three days? This is really... should I say unexpected? Or should I say it makes sense? I really hope it's just a coincidence!"
Thoma had been suspicious when he heard the Traveler refer to themselves as Ye earlier. Now, with Paimon's confirmation, Thoma couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Of course, Thoma knew about Mr. Lumine. He was a friend of the young lady and the popular light novel author who had taken Inazuma by storm, with countless fans.
However, no one knew his true identity.
Even the Yashiro Commission, which managed book printing, couldn't uncover his true identity. This had always been a point of concern for Kamisato Ayato, the head of the Kamisato Clan.
Why would such a mysterious person approach Kamisato Ayaka, the young lady of the Kamisato Clan?
Was there some ulterior motive? Or was it just a coincidence?
Without understanding this, it was only natural to remain wary.
But now, when the pen name "Lumine" and the name "Ye" were connected—Thoma finally had an idea of the man's identity.
...Though he wished he hadn't figured it out.
That way, he wouldn't have to feel so anxious and fearful.
Inazuma was already chaotic enough. Adding the legendary Supreme Bishop of Fontaine into the mix would make the future completely unpredictable.
Yes, the Supreme Bishop of Fontaine.
If it were just the name, it could still be a coincidence.
But that terrifying political acumen, along with the two light novels—could that also be a coincidence?
Impossible. That man must be the Supreme Bishop of Fontaine, whose legend has spanned five hundred years.
Thinking this, Thoma could no longer remain calm.
After all, that's the Supreme Bishop of Fontaine!
He rarely leaves Fontaine, but every time he does, he brings suffering to other nations.
When he went to Sumeru, he drained the nation for centuries. When he went to Liyue—though no one knows what price the Geo Archon paid to make the Supreme Bishop withdraw and take back the gold notes—it's safe to assume the cost was no less than what Sumeru paid.
Not to mention Liyue had already suffered enough during the twenty-year economic war.
And now, the Supreme Bishop... has come to Inazuma.
At a time when Inazuma is at its most chaotic and vulnerable, he has come.
"Traveler, since you can now leave Ritou, and my mission here is complete, let's part ways for now. Oh, here's an invitation for you... When you arrive at Narukami Island, you can come find me at the 'Komore Teahouse' using the address written here. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten what I promised you. Goodbye, and I wish you all the best."
After saying this, Thoma hurriedly left.
"Thoma's a pretty good guy."
After Thoma left, Paimon smiled and said to Lumine:
"So, Lumine, should we go to Narukami Island now, or stay in Ritou for one more night?"
"It's getting late..."
"Let's ask Chisato if we can stay one more night and leave tomorrow."
The two options didn't make a difference, as they would definitely stay the night anyway. Elysia casually chose the first one.
The dialogue ended here, and a new chapter officially began.
『Chapter 2, Act 2』
[The Immovable Shogun, Eternal Paradise]
『Unlocked』
Elysia controlled Ayaka, whom she had previously pulled from the gacha, and glided on ice to Chisato.
"Of course, no problem. You two can stay as long as you like."
Chisato naturally welcomed Lumine and Paimon.
"We'll only stay for one night. We're heading to Inazuma City tomorrow."
"In that case..."
Chisato thought for a moment, then smiled:
"Would you mind delivering a letter for me while you're at it?"