The departure of the Steam Battleship left everyone on Ritou dumbfounded.
It just left?
And it headed straight deeper into Inazuma's waters?
"Hiss!"
Many onlookers sucked in a cold breath. Leaving without declaring their intentions? They would be treated as invaders.
As the silver silhouette vanished over the horizon, the residents of Ritou scrambled home to share the unbelievable news with their families.
Meanwhile, the guard who had run to report arrived breathlessly at the estate of the Kanjou Commission.
Since Ritou was under the jurisdiction of the Kanjou Commission, any major event had to be reported immediately to the head of the clan.
"Is the Commissioner in?"
At the gate of the Hiiragi Estate, the guard panted heavily. "I have urgent news to report to Lord Hiiragi."
"Wait here."
The gatekeeper blinked, noting the man's anxious expression. It seemed serious. "I'll go ask."
He doubted anything truly major could happen on Ritou these days—unless a Vision holder had been found. But almost all the Visions on the island had already been confiscated.
As for the battleship, the gatekeeper wasn't stationed near the docks, so he hadn't seen it.
He jogged inside. Moments later, he returned. "Lord Hiiragi is in the main hall. Come with me."
Soon, the guard stood before Hiiragi Shinsuke, the head of the Kanjou Commission.
"What is it?"
Hiiragi Shinsuke sipped his tea leisurely, smiling. "What 'urgent matter' could there be?"
In the current locked-down Ritou, peace (and profit) was the norm.
"My Lord, a ship has crossed Inazuma's outer sea."
The guard spoke rapidly. "It is a vessel constructed entirely of steel."
Hiiragi Shinsuke: "??????"
The Commissioner's smile froze. He stared at the guard with a bizarre expression.
"What did you just say?"
Did I hear that right? A steel ship crossed the Thunder Barrier?
"Are you joking?" Hiiragi scowled. "The outer sea is sealed by the Raiden Shogun herself. Countless lightning bolts guard it. No ship dares to enter because entry means death."
"And you say a steel ship crossed it? And sailed in?"
"What ship is made of steel? Even if you built one, it would sink instantly."
"It's true, my Lord!" the guard insisted, sweating. "Everyone outside the estate saw it. Many other guards saw it too. I'm not lying. If you don't believe me, please go see for yourself!"
Seeing the guard's desperation, Hiiragi Shinsuke's expression shifted from disbelief to seriousness. "Are you certain?"
"Absolutely certain. The whole island is talking about it."
"Take me there."
Hiiragi Shinsuke stood up immediately, his face grave.
If the guard was willing to stake his life on it—and if the whole town was buzzing—it might be true. And if it was true... that was terrifying.
A ship made of steel?
"Where is this ship now?" Hiiragi asked as they walked briskly. "Are you sure it's fully steel?"
"It has already left, my Lord. It didn't dock at Ritou," the guard reported. "But many people saw it heading toward Yashiori Island."
"It didn't even stop to register?"
Hiiragi's face darkened.
Regardless of origin, any ship crossing the barrier must register at Ritou. To bypass them and head straight for Yashiori Island was a flagrant violation of Inazuma's laws.
Soon, they arrived at the central plaza of Ritou.
"Holy crap, did you guys see that? That ship was definitely steel. The surface was so smooth—no wood grain at all."
"I saw it too. I still can't believe it. How does a metal ship float?"
"It's unnatural. Where did it come from? Even Fontaine ships aren't like that."
"Could it be from Liyue? I heard Liyue is the richest city in Teyvat. Maybe they have new tech."
"Man, I wish I could go to Liyue. But crossing the storm is impossible. If you get caught trying to leave, you're dead."
"Look! It's Lord Hiiragi!"
"Greetings, Commissioner!"
...
As Hiiragi Shinsuke walked through the crowd, he heard snippet after snippet of conversation confirming the "steel ship."
His expression changed completely.
It's real.
A steel ship really did cross the barrier and enter Inazuma.
Ignoring the greetings, he immediately summoned several guards for questioning. After cross-referencing their stories with the residents, Hiiragi felt a chill run down his spine.
It was undeniable.
If it were a lie, it would mean the entire island had conspired to trick him. Impossible.
Without wasting another second, Hiiragi Shinsuke turned and headed for the exit of Ritou. He needed to go to Inazuma City immediately.
He had to report this to the Shogunate.
...
Meanwhile, on the Steam Battleship.
Having left Ritou far behind, Huixing looked at Beidou with concern. "Captain, shouldn't we have explained our intentions at Ritou? If we just barge in, won't we trigger a full-scale military response from the Shogunate?"
"Do you think their ships are faster than ours?"
Beidou replied calmly. "Stopping at Ritou to explain would waste too much time. The bureaucracy there is a nightmare. This battleship is fast. We follow the radar, destroy the pirate ships, capture the pirates, and leave. By the time the Shogunate mobilizes a fleet to catch us, we'll already be back in international waters."
Speed was their greatest weapon.
Dealing with the Kanjou Commission was tedious. Why bother when she could destroy a few pirate fleets in the time it took to fill out a form?
"True."
Huixing nodded.
She trusted the ship. No vessel in Inazuma could catch them.
...
Liyue Harbor. Night.
The city was ablaze with the warm glow of thousands of lanterns. The moon hung high, casting a dreamlike silver light over the tiered buildings.
Outside the Jar Shop, a woman stood quietly.
She wore elegant, traditional Liyue attire. Her face was exquisite, with a gentle, scholarly beauty—yet her eyes held a hint of playfulness.
She looked around, seemingly confirming the location.
It was the owner of Scent of Spring—Miss Ying'er.
Liyue's most famous perfume maker.
"Miss Ying'er, can I help you with something?"
Wenqi, the Millelith guard stationed at the door, recognized her immediately.
"I heard there was a magical jar shop here, so I came to take a look. Wanted to make sure I didn't find the wrong place."
Ying'er smiled softly, her voice like silk. "Seeing you standing guard here... I assume this is it."
She looked the shop up and down.
Neighbors near Chihu Rock had gossiped about it. A shop selling jars for 100,000 Mora. Jars containing miracles.
Someone found a Vision.
Even Lady Ningguang visited personally and found a pill of eternal youth.
So tonight, she came to see for herself. Maybe even buy a few.
She stepped inside.
A simple table. A counter. Shelves filled with plain, unassuming jars. Stairs leading up.
Compared to her Scent of Spring, the shop was quite spacious.
Standing behind the counter, Felix saw her enter.
His expression turned slightly peculiar.
Why is the "woman who loves to drive fast cars" here?
(Translator's Note: "Driving fast cars" is Chinese slang for making suggestive innuendos/dirty jokes. Ying'er is famous in the game for her flirtatious dialogue.)
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now with daily updates!
@patreon.com/Zefyrus