Chapter 19: Bai Luo's Request
Tn: This chapter is re-written at 5 / 19 / 2025
. . . . . . . . .
"…"
What could she even say?
Just like Bai Luo had pointed out—the Fatui didn't exactly have a good reputation. Not just in Inazuma, but across all of Teyvat.
Even among the citizens of Snezhnaya, there were some who disapproved of their methods.
And frankly, those criticisms were… perfectly valid.
"…It was my mistake. I apologize for the offense."
Kujou Sara's voice softened slightly, though her expression remained cold and unreadable.
But… wait a minute.
Why did that line sound so familiar?
"My subordinate nearly got beaten to death by you. You think one 'sorry' is enough to settle this?"
Bai Luo cut in just as Sara turned to leave.
"…What, you want more?" she asked flatly, pausing mid-step.
"If you have complaints, feel free to report me to the Tenryou Commission. I won't retaliate."
Her words sounded reasonable on the surface—but anyone with half a brain could see right through them.
Who did she think the Tenryou Commission would side with?
Besides…
"Aren't you the General of the Tenryou Commission?"
"…"
Sara averted her gaze awkwardly, as if that truth was something she'd rather not admit.
Yeah. Just as Bai Luo thought—she is the top dog of the Tenryou Commission.
So what good would reporting her do?
"Then what do you want?"
Sara finally sighed, the Electro wings on her back quietly dispersing into sparks. She couldn't just walk away now.
No matter how suspicious Bai Luo and his entourage seemed, they were official diplomatic envoys from Snezhnaya.
Regardless of what the Shogun thought of them, while they were here, they were still guests.
If things escalated into a full-blown incident, it would be a diplomatic disaster—and the last thing she wanted was to trouble the Shogun.
That was the only reason she'd waited until the Pyro Agent made a move before intervening.
She couldn't let this mess get out of hand.
"Hmm… How about this?"
Bai Luo glanced at her thoughtfully, a plan already forming in his mind.
Ever since the Vision Hunt Decree, unfamiliar faces had become increasingly rare in Inazuma City.
Strangers on the street often drew suspicion or outright hostility.
But when those same people spotted the striking figure walking beside him… all the doubts vanished.
After all, the woman next to him was none other than the commanding general of the Tenryou Commission—Kujou Sara.
If the Shogun was thunder in the heavens, then Kujou Sara was lightning—sudden, sharp, and impossible to guard against.
Lightning always came first. Thunder followed after.
As the Shogun's most trusted general, her presence alone was enough to transform how people viewed those around her.
Even if Bai Luo is Fatui, walking beside her would make Inazuma's citizens think twice.
Because with Kujou Sara there, no one would believe he could stir up any real trouble.
And honestly, without his mask and dressed in non-standard attire, he didn't look much like a typical Fatui agent anyway.
. . . . . . . .
"This is Ogura Textiles & Kimonos—Inazuma's cutting edge of fashion," Sara said with forced patience as they walked together through the city.
"If you're looking for clothes, this is a good place to start."
To any passerby, it looked like she was giving him a friendly tour of the local culture.
But her tone? Absolutely dripping with irritation.
Still, there was nothing she could do.
Because Bai Luo's condition for "forgiving" her earlier actions… was that Kujou Sara—a native of Inazuma—personally escort him on a tour of the city.
At first, she'd refused outright.
But then she thought about the risk: if left alone, he might cause real trouble.
In the end, she agreed.
It wasn't really a city tour.
It was surveillance, thinly disguised as hospitality.
Besides… wasn't recommending Ogura Textiles a kind of subtle revenge in itself?
Because everyone in Inazuma knew—Ogura was a women's clothing shop.
"Wanna try one on?"
Bai Luo asked with a teasing grin, eyes gleaming as he stared at the colorful kimonos in the window.
In his impression, Kujou Sara was a perpetual tomboy.
She always dressed in militaristic, no-nonsense outfits, spoke in a low and commanding voice—hardly the fragile, feminine type.
Even during their chance meeting in the forest, she had been in full combat gear.
He couldn't recall a single moment where she'd looked… well, pretty in the traditional sense.
"This kind of outfit would get in the way during combat. I don't like it,"
Sara replied without hesitation.
Just as she said—As the general of the Tenryou Commission, she always had to be prepared for battle.
Fluffy, pastel-colored kimonos were simply… impractical.
"What a shame. I was kinda hoping to see Sara all dressed up for once."
"…I don't recall us being that close," she said flatly, clearly displeased by how casually he'd addressed her.
In Inazuma, people used surnames or full names—especially between men and women.
Calling someone by their given name was reserved for very close friends… or something more.
What Bai Luo had just done? Definitely inappropriate.
"In Liyue, we say: 'Meeting once means strangers, meeting twice means friends.' We've met a few times now—no harm in being a bit more friendly, right?"
"Then what should I call you?"
Sara asked, her sharp mind kicking into gear.
She wasn't dumb.
She'd noticed that everyone called him 'Lord Ausbilder' or 'Sensei', but never by his real name.
Could this be a chance to get it out of him?
"Bai Luo. Just call me Bai Luo," he said without missing a beat.
Names were bound to come out eventually.
Even if he kept it secret for now, the moment a certain emergency food-carrying girl came looking for him, his status would probably pop up in full:
Come to think of it… was the Traveler in this world Lumine or Aether?
He wasn't sure.
Hopefully, he'd get a chance to visit Mondstadt or Liyue before the main plot kicked off.
As the two wandered through Inazuma City, Bai Luo gradually noticed something interesting.
Despite her aloof, frosty demeanor, Kujou Sara was clearly respected around here.
Vendors would greet them as they passed, and a few even offered discounts when he bought snacks—clearly out of deference to her.
Eventually, she came to a stop.
"We're here."
"Hmm?"
Bai Luo stopped too, looking around.
"You said you wanted to try the Tricolor Dango, right? This place has it. I hear it's pretty good."
She gestured to a nearby building.
Compared to the surrounding structures, this one was far more luxurious—taller, with a polished signboard that exuded elegance.
It reminded Bai Luo of a five-star hotel from his previous life.
"Uyuu Restaurant?"
He muttered, reading the sign.
Ah, wait a second…
Didn't that Kujou Clan aide mention earlier that Kujou Takayuki would be hosting a banquet for him here tonight?
"Mm. It's one of the most famous dining spots in Inazuma. Its cuisine is on par with Liyue's Xinyue Kiosk or Liuli Pavilion."
Now that got his attention.
Those two restaurants were well-known even in Snezhnaya.
If Uyuu Restaurant was in the same league, it must be something special.
"Come on."
Without waiting for his reply, Kujou Sara pushed open the door and stepped inside.
As they entered, the first person they saw was an elderly man behind the front counter.
Despite his age—likely in his sixties—his presence was anything but weak.
As a seasoned instructor of the Fatui Pyro Agents, Bai Luo prided himself on reading people.
And this man?
He was no mere teahouse host.
If Bai Luo had to guess… this old man used to be a soldier. And not just any soldier—someone who had held real authority.