"Heh heh, according to Ryougi, sometimes reality is more fantastical than fiction. No matter what, I have to go see." Ayaka's expression was firm; this was her duty as part of the Yashiro Commission.
"Then I'll go with you!" Thoma stood up and said.
"No, Thoma, you stay here. Not only do I need you to supervise the Vision dismantling work, but if something happens to me, there'll be someone to inform Ryougi."
"Then I should go with you even more!"
..."I need someone to relay messages for me, and that person can only be you, Thoma." Ayaka said in a deep voice.
"Right now, Inazuma needs manpower everywhere. We can't risk paralyzing the entire nation just to confirm a guess of mine. That's not realistic."
"Besides, it's just a guess. Maybe I'm wrong?"
"Alright then… If you don't return within the agreed time, I'll write a letter to Miss Ryougi and then head to Kujou Manor with my Cross Spear."
Thoma was ultimately persuaded by Ayaka. Just as the girl said, if something went wrong, someone could still get the message out. But if both of them fell in, then it would be over.
"I'll be careful." Ayaka nodded: "It's six in the evening now. At my speed, it should take about ten minutes to get from Komore Teahouse to Kujou Manor."
"Including greetings and other matters, if I'm not back before eight o'clock, then write a letter to Ryougi."
"I understand."
After confirming the time, Ayaka set off. Meanwhile, far away in Kannazuka, Shiki also received a letter delivered by carrier pigeon, though the sender was Xavier.
From Konda Village to Inazuma City, it usually takes four hours on foot for an ordinary person. Xavier naturally arrived in Inazuma City in the afternoon and successfully found a hotel to check into.
The letter asked if the Traveler could be notified to help him with something, as well as mentioned the widely publicized serial suicide incidents in Inazuma City.
Furthermore, to prevent panic, the Inazuma Times from Yae Publishing House had already begun to act, explaining that these were not simple suicides, but rather that there was another perpetrator.
To ensure no further victims, young women who were about to get married were advised to stay at home and not go out, and relatives were to supervise them.
Additionally, the Yashiro Commission had already begun investigations, and people could only go out once the culprit was apprehended.
Shiki fell into contemplation as she read the letter's contents. Asking the Traveler to help in Inazuma City was simple; what truly made her ponder was the suicide incident mentioned in the letter.
Why would these people commit suicide for no reason? And at such a crucial juncture, it was hard not to suspect someone was stirring up trouble.
"It seems I can't get a moment's peace."
Shiki decided to investigate thoroughly after she returned. For now, she just hoped Ayaka could stabilize the situation.
Finding the idle Traveler, Shiki informed her of Xavier's request.
"Congratulations, Traveler, someone specifically asked for your help. You won't be bored now."
"Specifically me?"
"Mhm, remember Xavier? He was very satisfied with your efficiency, so he asked me to find you to help him with something."
"He's in Inazuma City now. Miss Catherine of the Adventurers' Guild will tell you his location."
"Oh, good! We finally don't have to stay in this boring place!" Paimon danced with joy, but the two Damselettes' speechless expressions immediately made her change her tune.
"Uh, Miss Ryougi, I didn't mean that…"
"I know. People who love adventure like you won't stay in one place forever. Also, if you encounter Thoma or Ayaka, please tell them not to act rashly. Wait until I return to discuss anything."
She would definitely reply to the letter, but Shiki was still not entirely at ease, so she asked the Traveler to give them a heads-up.
"Um… Is something happening in Inazuma City right now?" Lumine asked curiously.
"Nothing much. Someone committed suicide, but at this sensitive time, everything needs to be noted, so Ayaka and the others need to be careful." Shiki shook her head.
Regarding the suicide incidents in Inazuma, she was currently unclear. Xavier hadn't elaborated in his letter, and Ayaka hadn't sent her a letter either.
Either they hadn't discovered anything amiss yet, or it had already been resolved.
However, Shiki's intuition told her there was a problem, but she wouldn't know the specifics until she returned after the negotiations tomorrow.
There was nothing she could do. She wasn't Naruto Uzumaki; she couldn't use Shadow Clone Jutsu and appear in both Kannazuka and Inazuma City at the same time.
"Oh, I see. Then I'll go to the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God Statue later and tell Thoma. If it's about dismantling Visions, it should be there." Lumine said.
"Hmm, do you have any other questions?"
"No, none at all."
"Then be careful on your way."
"We will."
The Traveler and Paimon teleported to Inazuma City, but as soon as she landed, she felt like she had forgotten something...
"Paimon, did we forget to tell Shiki something?"
"Eh? What thing?"
Paimon looked bewildered. Clearly, her small brain couldn't remember things.
"As expected of Paimon. Never mind, let's go find Miss Catherine first." Lumine shook her head helplessly, then walked towards the Adventurers' Guild.
Shiki's Story Quest has begun, Chapter One: Overlooking the Scenery
Prologue: Shiki informs you that Xavier needs your help. Please go to the Adventurers' Guild to ask Miss Catherine for Xavier's location...
...
"Oh? It's the Traveler and Paimon. Are you here to see Mr. Xavier?"
"That's right! But how did Catherine know?" Paimon asked curiously.
"Heh heh, because Xavier posted a commission here with me!" Catherine chuckled: "He said to tell you his location when I saw you. He's at the public bathhouse now!"
"I see! Traveler, let's hurry! I wonder what Xavier needs our help with!"
At Paimon's urging, the Traveler followed the map to the location of the public bathhouse.
Actually, the public bathhouse couldn't be considered a traditional inn, but rather something similar to a hot spring hotel.
Simply put, it combined hot springs and lodging. Xavier chose this place because he wanted to experience what a hot spring felt like.
"Yo, Traveler, we meet again!" Xavier, clad in a yukata, greeted Lumine.
"You… just finished bathing in the hot spring?"
"That's right! It's not easy to come to Inazuma, so of course I have to experience it properly!
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