Chapter 24: The Kamisato Siblings

When her brother mentioned Master Masakatsu's name, Kamisato Ayaka felt a moment of panic.

The folding fan she held served as a tool to conceal her unease.

Because Master Masakatsu was no simple person.

Renowned in Hanamizaka, he possessed a skill that was beyond anyone's imagination.

He could craft artificial Visions.

These fake Visions were so convincingly made that, aside from lacking the ability to connect with elemental energy, they were almost indistinguishable from the real ones granted by the gods.

After the Vision Hunt Decree was issued, many people with Visions used fake Visions made by Master Masakatsu to avoid getting caught.

So now, with her brother, the head of the Kamisato family, bringing up Master Masakatsu, could it be that...

"I was wondering who would dare make fake Visions during these times. So it was you, Brother?"

Ayaka closed her fan, having already pieced together much of the truth.

With the support of one of the Tri-Commission, the Yashiro Commission, of course, Master Masakatsu would dare take the risk to create fake Visions for those in need.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. As the head of the Kamisato family, how could I ever go against the Shogun's will?"

Even as Kamisato Ayato dismissed her words, the smile at the corner of his mouth confirmed Ayaka's suspicions.

Despite his young age, as the current head of the Kamisato family, Ayato had navigated through endless schemes and manipulations that most could not even begin to fathom.

His efforts played a major role in helping the Kamisato family recover from its past decline.

"So, these names…"

Ayaka's gaze returned to the list, already forming her own conclusions.

"Yes, this is a list of everyone who has purchased fake Visions from Master Masakatsu up until now."

Ayaka couldn't hide her astonishment upon hearing her brother's words.

Vision bearers were among the most powerful individuals on the continent of Teyvat.

While there were some strong individuals without Visions, they were few and far between.

Most of Teyvat's powerhouses possessed Visions.

However, not all Vision bearers aligned themselves with nations or organizations.

Many preferred freedom over restrictions, especially in Inazuma, where the culture of the Ronin was strong.

Many Vision bearers lived anonymously among the common people, leading lives of quiet seclusion.

Now... this list essentially gave the Kamisato family the opportunity to connect with these individuals.

And such connections could bring untold potential to the Kamisato family's future.

Especially with the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission showing signs of restlessness recently.

If the Yashiro Commission avoided any major missteps in the coming days, it could very well overpower the other two families, breaking the delicate balance of power between the three.

Her brother... was playing a grand and intricate game.

"But these names are not the most important thing."

Ayato casually set aside the list, a treasure in the eyes of others, and picked up another piece of intelligence.

This document was simple, containing just two characters.

Or rather, a single name.

"Bai Luo?"

Apart from the name, there was also a symbol representing the Anemo element, indicating that the fake Vision he purchased was of the Anemo type.

"Yes, speaking of which... Master Masakatsu once tried to expand into the overseas market, but no foreigners showed interest in these fake Visions. Only one was sold, so it stuck in his memory."

Ayato had learned about Master Masakatsu after hearing from his intelligence network, the Shuumatsuban, that someone was shipping Visions abroad.

"So, this Bai Luo... his name sounds familiar."

Ayaka was certain she didn't personally know anyone named Bai Luo, yet the name felt strangely familiar.

"Kujou."

Ayato propped his chin on his hand and mentioned the name of the Kujou family from the Tenryou Commission.

This name brought everything into focus for Ayaka.

She had heard the recent rumors about Kujou Sara.

As the Shirasagi Himegimi of the Yashiro Commission and the face of the Kamisato family, Ayaka had interacted with Kujou Sara before.

She knew that Sara's character was not one to do the things mentioned in the rumors.

So, she hadn't taken the gossip seriously or paid much attention to it.

But now that she thought about it, the man rumored to be involved with Kujou Sara seemed to be named Bai Luo, wasn't he?

"Do you mean to say, Brother, that they are the same person?"

Information about Bai Luo in Inazuma was scarce.

Most people speculated from his name that he was from Liyue.

But what intrigued people more was his Vision.

Yes, during the height of the Vision Hunt Decree, this man named Bai Luo openly displayed his Dendro Vision on his waist.

Many who disliked the decree took interest in wondering if Kujou Sara would "righteously" confiscate his Vision if the Shogun desired it.

As she thought about this, Ayaka realized another detail.

"Isn't this Bai Luo supposed to have a Dendro Vision?"

Indeed, the person who bought the fake Vision had purchased an Anemo Vision.

But the man involved with Kujou Sara was known for using a Dendro Vision.

Could her brother have made a mistake?

"That ties into another matter."

As Ayato spoke of another issue, his expression grew serious.

Since Bai Luo's arrival in Inazuma, Ayato had received firsthand information and, after discussing it with Grand Narukami Shrine's Guuji, had dispatched Shuumatsuban ninjas to investigate.

He was certain that this Bai Luo, an agent from Snezhnaya, was the one who had purchased the fake Vision.

Yet, considering his Dendro Vision, the fake Vision seemed to serve no purpose.

So why had he bought it?

As Ayato pondered this mystery, a curious person appeared.

This wanderer, dressed in the garb of a Ronin, had been mentioned in the records of the Kamisato family.

On the advice of the Guuji, Ayato had abandoned the investigation into the curious person. 

(I think the curious person is Scaramouche)

But he had still managed to gather some information through his own means.

For instance...

The activities on Yashiori Island.

According to the reports from Thoma, after the Kanjou Commission began cooperating with the Fatui, they had shipped a significant amount of Crystal Marrow to the island.

Moreover, the island was home to the remains of the god Orobashi.

This reminded him of another piece of intelligence he had acquired.

The Delusions.

The Fatui had not hidden the existence of Delusions, but they had not disclosed specific details either.

People only knew that Delusions granted abilities similar to those of Visions but at the cost of the user's life.

According to rumors circulating throughout Teyvat, one of the raw materials for creating Delusions was the remnants of a defeated god.

Could it be that the Fatui had borrowed Master Masakatsu's method of making fake Visions to refine their Delusions?

It was possible that somewhere on Yashiori Island, there was a hidden workshop manufacturing Delusions!