The next morning...
Knock, knock, knock... A series of urgent knocks woke Yun Fan from his sleep. He glanced at the sun outside the window, feeling it was still early, and turned over, intending to sleep a little longer.
Knock, knock, knock... The knocking resumed, accompanied by a man's voice. "Yun Fan, it's Thoma. Are you awake? Yun Fan..."
"Ah... I almost forgot, I've left Liyue Harbor," Yun Fan muttered to himself, pushing aside the blanket and sitting up.
"I'm awake, I'll be out soon!" To prevent Thoma from continuing to call out and causing unnecessary trouble, Yun Fan responded loudly, indicating he was awake.
Sure enough, after hearing Yun Fan's reply, the knocking gradually stopped.
"Yun Fan, I'll head to the dining area first. You can join me there later," Thoma said before turning and leaving. The sound of his footsteps faded into the distance until it disappeared from Yun Fan's hearing.
"Sigh, let's see what this is about. What's going on so early in the morning?" Yun Fan sighed helplessly and began his morning routine. After washing up and getting dressed, he left his room about fifteen minutes later.
...
"Yun Fan, over here!" Seeing Yun Fan descend the stairs, Thoma, who had been waiting, waved at him with a smile.
"Waiter, two Liyue-style breakfasts, please," Thoma ordered without hesitation after Yun Fan sat down. To accommodate Yun Fan's tastes, he directly ordered two Liyue-style breakfasts.
"Brother Thoma, you're quite thoughtful. I appreciate it," Yun Fan said, resting his cheek on one hand and placing the other on his knee, his tone slightly drowsy.
"Hahaha, although I'm the local big shot in Ritou, my main job is being a housekeeper. These little things are no problem for a housekeeper."
"Is that so? That's not bad," Yun Fan said thoughtfully, glancing at Thoma. 'Thoma actually told me his real job. Could it be that Kamisato Ayaka wants to meet me?'
Yesterday, when Thoma released the pigeon, Yun Fan had already noticed. The perception of a god was no joke. At Yun Fan's level, covering the entire continent of Teyvat might be a stretch, but covering just Inazuma was effortless.
"Ahem, Brother Yun Fan, there's something I'd like to ask of you," Thoma said, seeing that Yun Fan showed no curiosity about his true identity and remained as calm and indifferent as ever.
"Ask for my help? If even the local big shot can't handle it, are you sure I can?" Yun Fan looked at Thoma with a teasing smile, while Thoma chuckled and brushed it off.
"Actually, my real identity is a retainer of the Yashiro Commission, serving under the Shirasagi Himegimi, as you mentioned. I reported your situation to my lady yesterday, and she's very interested in meeting you. Would you be willing?" After speaking in one breath, Thoma, feeling slightly thirsty, picked up the fresh soy milk the waiter had just brought and sipped it slowly, waiting for Yun Fan's response.
"An invitation from the Shirasagi Himegimi? I have no reason to refuse," Yun Fan said after a moment of silence, shaking his head slightly. However, he then added, "But I still have unfinished business, so I'm afraid I won't be able to meet her for now."
"Unfinished business?" Thoma sensed the rejection in Yun Fan's words but didn't lose heart. Instead, he tried to continue the invitation. "Brother Yun Fan, you can tell me directly. If it's something I can help with, I'll do my best to assist you."
"Hahaha, Brother Thoma, you're truly chivalrous, willing to go through fire and water for a friend. I admire that. But what I need to do is raise my blade against a god. Do you have the resolve for that?" Yun Fan played with the teacup in his hand, asking Thoma word by word.
"Uh... Brother Yun Fan, that's not funny..." Thoma forced a smile, but when he saw the serious expression on Yun Fan's face, he also became solemn. "Are you serious, Brother Yun Fan?"
"Absolutely," Yun Fan leaned back slightly in his chair. "As serious as gold."
"Brother Yun Fan, you really are... May I ask your reason?" Thoma asked with a bitter smile, though he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect. After all, anyone daring to challenge a god was worthy of admiration.
"No reason is needed. I simply wish to witness the eternity that the Raiden Shogun pursues."
"Is that so? I understand," Thoma said, lowering his head in silence. Then, as if relieved, he looked up again.
He placed his hands together in front of his chest, stood up, and performed a Liyue-style fist salute. "Brother Yun Fan, although the chances are slim, I still wish you victory!"
...
After breakfast, Yun Fan and Thoma bid each other farewell. As they parted, Thoma seemed somewhat reluctant. In his mind, this might be their final goodbye.
But in the end, he left. Yun Fan was going to challenge the Shogun, and if someone investigated his actions later, Thoma's involvement could greatly affect the Yashiro Commission.
"Let me think, what should I do next?" Yun Fan rubbed his chin, his gaze following the flow of people around him. After a while, he finally thought of something.
"In the original story, La Signora appeared in Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma. During my time in Liyue, she didn't show up, so she must have come to Inazuma early to prepare for the Vision Hunt Decree," Yun Fan muttered to himself, his gaze drifting toward the direction of the Kanjou Commission's headquarters.
If I remember correctly... La Signora was at the Kanjou Commission's headquarters in the original story. I wonder if that's changed this time?
——————
Grand Narukami Shrine...
Crack—
"The star chart is dim, the wheel of fate is shattered, and the divine throne is shrouded in thick fog, making it impossible to discern truth from illusion... A dire omen indeed!"
Yae Miko looked at the shattered divination plate in her hand, her beautiful brows furrowed into a deep frown. Since yesterday, she had felt a growing sense of unease. At first, she thought it was due to staying up late reading novels and eating fried tofu, and that a good rest would fix it.
But after resting for a day, the feeling hadn't subsided; instead, it seemed to be growing stronger. This made her take the matter seriously. After failing to get any results from the divination plate, she thought of another method.
As the head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko could, to some extent, connect with the Sacred Sakura and gain a temporary glimpse into the future.
However, this power came at a great cost. Once used, it would be decades before she could use it again. But...
Yae Miko glanced at the shattered plate again and gritted her teeth. "At this point, I can't worry about that anymore."