"Captain Beidou, long time no see!" Thoma waved at Beidou with a bright smile.
"Hahaha, it really has been a while. This time, when we returned to Liyue, a lot of major events happened, which delayed us," Beidou said, shaking her head with a tone full of reflection.
"Yeah, who would have thought that even someone as powerful as Rex Lapis would one day fall?" Thoma's voice was filled with regret and contemplation. To him, the idea of a god's death was almost unimaginable.
"Alright, let's not dwell on that. Let me introduce you to someone," Beidou said, turning around and pulling Yun Fan forward.
"This is Yun Fan. You could call him a merchant, but don't let his scholarly appearance fool you. This guy managed to get two of the Liyue Qixing to vouch for him," Beidou said, giving Yun Fan another glance. The main reason she had allowed Yun Fan to join the fleet to Inazuma was because of the recommendations from the Tianquan and the Yuheng. The former was meticulous and serious, while the latter had a close relationship with her.
For both of them to vouch for him, he must be someone of considerable status. As for the idea that Yun Fan was the Divine Sovereign of Liyue, Beidou hadn't even considered it. In her mind, how could a lofty god play such childish games with them?
"Oh? That's quite impressive. Yun Fan, I'm Thoma. You could say I'm the local big shot in Ritou. Pleasure to meet you," Thoma said, his expression one of surprise after hearing Beidou's introduction.
Although Liyue's power structure was different from Inazuma's, the basic hierarchy was comparable. Each of the Liyue Qixing held a status equivalent to that of Inazuma's Tri-Commission leaders.
To have two Qixing personally vouch for him meant this man was no ordinary person. Getting to know someone like this could only be beneficial.
"Brother Thoma, you flatter me. I'm just a newcomer here in Inazuma. I'll need your guidance," Yun Fan said, clasping his hands together with a smile.
If someone treats me with respect, I'll return it tenfold. Thoma seemed like a good person, worth befriending. Plus, he needed Thoma's help to get introduced to Kamisato Ayaka.
Seeing the two hit it off so well, Beidou nodded in satisfaction. "Since you two have already met, I'll take my leave now. The Sakoku Decree hasn't been lifted, so The Alcor can't stay here for long."
"Alright, Captain, safe travels!" Thoma called out cheerfully to Beidou, who laughed and scolded him, "You brat, can't you say something more auspicious? But it's fine. I, Beidou, the Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean, have nine lives! Hahaha!"
Beidou turned and walked away, her hearty laughter fading into the distance, leaving only her背影 behind.
"Captain Beidou is still the same as ever," Thoma said with a chuckle, then turned his attention back to Yun Fan. "Brother Yun Fan, follow me. Once we enter Ritou, we'll need to go through some temporary residency procedures. It won't take long."
"No problem, I'll leave it to you, Brother Thoma."
——————
The Kanjou Commission...
"Yo, Miss Yurika, how have you been?"
Fifteen minutes later, Thoma brought Yun Fan to the Kanjou Commission's office. After looking around, he walked straight to the central counter and greeted a woman who was dozing off.
"Hmm...? Ah~ It's Thoma. What brings you here today?" The woman named Yurika yawned, her tone slightly teasing as she addressed Thoma.
"Hahaha, I'm here to trouble the beautiful Miss Yurika again," Thoma said with a flattering smile, then pointed to Yun Fan beside him.
"This is my friend. I'm here to help him with the temporary residency procedures in Ritou."
"Friend?" Yurika shifted her gaze to Yun Fan, her eyes lighting up with admiration. Still groggy from her nap, she hadn't noticed the silver-haired handsome man standing beside Thoma earlier.
Hmm... This outfit, is he from Liyue? He's even more handsome than the Yashiro Commissioner.
"Ahem, what's your name?" Yurika cleared her throat and began the standard procedure, her tone professional.
"Yun Fan. Here are my entry documents," Yun Fan said, handing over the forged documents Thoma had prepared earlier.
"Yun Fan... What a nice name. Alright, the fee for the temporary residency permit is..."
"Sure, how much Mora?" Yun Fan didn't hesitate. After receiving funding from the Void Archives, Mora was just a number to him.
"Two million... Uh, how about this? Instead of the fee, how about you treat me to a meal?" Yurika said, her expectant expression barely concealed.
"Hahaha, Miss Yurika, what about me? I'm quite handsome too!" Thoma quickly stepped in front of Yun Fan, blocking Yurika's infatuated gaze, and flexed his muscular arms.
"Go away, don't gross me out. Here's your permit, now scram!" Yurika hastily stamped the document and tossed it to Thoma, her expression one of disgust.
"What a shame, but thank you, Miss Yurika. I'll treat you to a meal next time," Thoma said with a smile, then quickly pulled Yun Fan away.
...
"Phew... Yun Fan, you're quite the charmer. That's the first time I've seen that woman invite a man to dinner," Thoma said, panting slightly after they had run a distance away, his tone playful.
"Is that so? Well, I'm used to it," Yun Fan replied with a helpless shrug.
"Such ordinary women aren't my type. If it were the Shirasagi Himegimi, though, that might be a different story."