This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [70]
Thoma looked slightly uncomfortable. He had never encountered someone like Luo Qing, who seemed to wear his intentions so openly.
Doesn't he fear embarrassment?
"Oh, that's right! I'm Luo Qing!"
Luo Qing eagerly grabbed Thoma's hand, feigning excitement as if overcome by emotion. "So, now can you introduce me, Mr. Thoma? I heard the Kamisato Estate is quite far—shall we set out now?!"
"..."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Luo Qing, but that's impossible. The young lady does not like meeting people publicly..."
Thoma was flustered, inwardly thinking, Does this guy not have any shame? Why is he in such a rush?!
"I see..."
Luo Qing put on a show of disappointment, hanging his head. In a softer tone, he said, "Then it looks like I'll have to go back and work harder..."
After a moment, he lifted his head again, pretending to be fired up. "Thank you for the encouragement, Mr. Thoma! I'll make sure to improve myself and earn the chance to meet Miss Kamisato!"
With that, Luo Qing turned and walked away, leaving Thoma standing there, completely bewildered.
It wasn't until Luo Qing was long gone that Thoma snapped out of his daze, replaying their conversation in his mind.
This man named Luo Qing had only talked about wanting to meet his lady.
Could he have been subtly warning me not to meddle with the Kanjo Commission? Was he threatening to harm Miss Kamisato if I got involved?!
It wasn't out of the question...
Thoma thought it over carefully. It seemed the priority was to get his findings from Ritou back to the Kamisato Estate and, while he was at it, warn Miss Kamisato to be cautious of this Luo Qing.
He hadn't exchanged blows with Luo Qing, but his gut told him there was far more to the man than met the eye.
...
Several days later, at the Kamisato Estate.
Kamisato Ayato was seated at his desk, poring over the mountain of paperwork related to the Yashiro Commission's affairs.
The Kamisato Clan was currently in a period of rebuilding. Although his younger sister was quite mature for her age, she was still not yet ready to handle the family's business.
As a result, Ayato was left to oversee both the Yashiro Commission's and the Kamisato family's matters—making him, without a doubt, the busiest of the three heads of the Commissions.
Just as he was studying one of the documents, a servant's knock echoed from outside.
"Lord Ayato, there's a delivery girl from the Kairagi Courier Service outside. She says she has a package for you and needs your signature."
"A package?"
Ayato raised an eyebrow.
The servant hesitated. "Yes, she insisted that it requires your personal signature and refused to hand it over to anyone else..."
"Let her in, then. I could use a short break."
"Understood."
The servant bowed respectfully and left. Moments later, he returned, leading a young girl with cat ears on her head and two long, swaying tails.
"Kamisato-san, here's your package. Please sign for it! And if you don't mind, could you give me a five-star review? Thank you~"
Kirara held the package out with both hands, her face adorned with a bright, sweet smile. She gave Ayato a small bow.
"Thank you."
Ayato accepted the package, glancing at the name of the sender. A slight confusion crossed his face.
Luo Qing... Isn't that a name from Liyue?
"Are you sure this is for me? I don't recognize the sender."
"Yes! The gentleman specifically requested you to sign for it, and he even tipped extra Mora to make sure it arrived quickly."
"I see... thank you."
Ayato marked the review sheet with five stars, and Kirara's ears perked up happily at the sight.
"Then I won't disturb you any longer, Kamisato-san. Have a wonderful day~!"
"Mm."
After Kirara left, Ayato inspected the package, checking the packaging carefully. He used his Vision to sense any hidden elemental traces.
After confirming that there were no threats, he slowly unwrapped the box.
Inside the brown paper was a round, black disc.
"A phonograph record?"
Ayato blinked in confusion, turning the disc over in his hands. He glanced over at his servant.
"Bring me my phonograph."
"Yes, my lord."
Shortly after, the servant carefully carried in a Fontaine-made phonograph, placing it on Ayato's desk.
Ayato gave the disc another glance before slipping it onto the player.
The machine whirred to life, the disc spinning. Soon, a rough, deep male voice echoed from the brass speaker:
"Dun~ Dun Dun Dun Dun~ Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun! The vast horizon is my love~ Flowers bloom at the foot of the green hills~ What rhythm could be the most rockin' groove~"
"...?"
[Ayato's Frustration Value +1]
Ayato's brows furrowed at the bizarre and off-tune singing. He wondered if someone was playing a prank.
But he didn't stop the phonograph, choosing instead to endure the offbeat melody, curious if it held some hidden message.
As he listened, footsteps approached the door.
"My lord, you're listening to quite an... interesting piece. Is this the rock music they play in Fontaine?"
Thoma stepped in, grinning playfully.
He had heard the jarring music before even entering the room, and despite its oddity, he found it strangely catchy.
"Thoma, you're back."
Ayato smiled faintly, pressing pause on the phonograph. In a calm voice, he asked, "You've come at the right time. While you were in Ritou, did you come across anyone named Luo Qing?"
"...What?!"
[Thoma's Frustration Value +1]
Thoma froze.
He had rushed back as quickly as possible to deliver his report, and yet it seemed he was already a step behind Luo Qing!
Panic flashed across his face. "Did something happen to Miss Kamisato?!"
Ayato's frown deepened. "Ayaka? She's been resting at home these past days. She only left for Komore Teahouse two days ago. Why do you ask?"
"N-Nothing, as long as she's safe," Thoma replied, sighing with relief.
"It's like this, my lord..."
Thoma proceeded to recount his investigation of the Kanjo Commission in Ritou, including the matter of Luo Qing.
"I see..."
Ayato rested his chin on his hand, staring thoughtfully at the phonograph. He seemed to be lost in thought.
"Changing the tax from Mora to Crystal Marrow... A foreigner treated as an honored guest by the Kanjo Commission... You think his words were a veiled warning?"
"It's only a guess. Still, the way he acted back there—it was like he was some kind of stalker..." Thoma said with a grimace.
"Hmm..."
Ayato considered this for a moment before speaking calmly.
"Thoma, I'd like you to stay in Ritou a while longer. Keep an eye on any visitors arriving at the port. As for the Crystal Marrow, I'll have someone investigate it discreetly."
"And what about Miss Ayaka..." Thoma asked anxiously.
"I'll send someone to accompany her as well. She's gone to Inazuma City to formally submit a proposal to lift the Vision Hunt Decree. Since she's within the Raiden Shogun's domain, there's no need for concern."
"Understood, my lord," Thoma said with a nod after a moment's hesitation.
...
The two discussed the specifics of the Kanjo Commission's dealings for a while longer before Thoma excused himself.
After Thoma left, Ayato's gaze shifted to the ceiling beams above. In a soft voice, he said:
"I'll leave Ayaka's protection to you."
A drowsy voice answered from the rafters a moment later.
"Mmm... Didn't get enough sleep, and now there's more work...?"
---
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