The Summer Festival was approaching, and the entire Inazuma City was immersed in a festive atmosphere.
Aether, with Paimon, walked on the ancient streets, fully experiencing the unique customs and traditions of this foreign land.
Compared to the prosperous Liyue Harbor, Inazuma City was like a dilapidated urban-rural fringe, much worse in every aspect.
The only magnificent building in this city was the newly rebuilt Tenshukaku.
However, even such a conspicuous Tenshukaku in Inazuma City, if compared to Liyue, would only be equivalent to a slightly luxurious restaurant.
Before long, they had crossed the entire city, walked for an hour along the newly renovated road, and finally arrived at their destination—the Kamisato Estate.
They were led by the reception staff to an elegant room.
In the center of the room, a simple and elegant screen stood quietly, cleverly dividing the room into two independent spaces.
As soon as Aether sat down, a noble and gentle voice came from behind the screen: "You two have come from afar, and the journey must have been tiring. I am very sorry that we can only meet in this way in the mansion. Please forgive our lack of courtesy."
Aether responded gently, "Miss Kamisato Ayaka, there is no need to be so polite. We are the ones who are disturbing you."
Kamisato Ayaka asked in a soft voice, "I wonder why you two have come to visit?"
Aether clearly stated his purpose: "We want to see the Raiden Shogun, the god of Inazuma, but we don't know how to see her."
Upon hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka pondered for a moment, then slowly replied, "There are indeed only two ways to see the Raiden Shogun at present. The first is to go to the Grand Narukami Shrine to see Guuji Yae, but she has not been in the shrine recently, so this method may not be feasible. The second way is to go to Port Fudé to find the West Factory. The guards of the West Factory have the ability to introduce you to the Raiden Shogun."
Hearing the name "West Factory," Aether couldn't help but be greatly surprised, "Miss Kamisato, I heard that there was a fierce battle between Director Yide and the Raiden Shogun."
Kamisato Ayaka's expression was calm as she replied peacefully, "Because the Raiden Shogun currently resides in Port Fudé. Although there have been some grievances in the past, now, the West Factory guards can indeed introduce you."
This answer was really beyond Aether's expectation, but for him, it was actually good news.
"Thank you, Miss Kamisato Ayaka. I have decided to go to Port Fudé," Aether said gratefully.
Kamisato Ayaka continued with a smile, "My relationship with Director Yide of the West Factory is quite good. If you need it, I can help you."
Aether replied with a smile, "There's no need to trouble you with that. Our relationship with Yide is also very good." His tone carried a hint of subtle showing off.
Kamisato Ayaka asked curiously, "Can you tell me how you and Yide met?"
So, Aether vividly described the whole process of how he and Yide met and got to know each other.
After listening, Kamisato Ayaka couldn't help but feel a little envious.
Ever since the changes in Inazuma, she had never had the chance to see Yide again.
For this Summer Festival, she took the initiative to send him an invitation to participate together, but she still did not receive a response.
Thinking of this, a trace of loneliness flashed in her eyes.
…
After more than ten hours of flight, Yide finally returned to Port Fudé.
As soon as he landed, he went straight to his office and called for Lyney and Lynette.
As soon as the two arrived, Yide directly instructed, "Lyney, you start preparing the personnel and materials. I will go to the Sumeru Desert in a while."
After hearing this, Lyney immediately replied, "Okay, Father."
Lynette on the side looked at Yide with expectant eyes and pleaded, "Father, take me with you on the trip to the Sumeru Desert."
Yide chuckled and shook his head, "That desolate place, the business activities are basically a business without capital. Do you need to go? Moreover, the Fontaine Bank has just taken root in Liyue, and you are needed to preside over the overall situation at this time."
Lynette pouted, her eyes full of disappointment.
At this time, Lyney asked, "Father, are you going to solve the problem of the desert people there?"
Yide nodded, "Chief Justice Neuvillette specifically mentioned this matter to me, which shows that this matter has reached a very serious stage."
Lyney thought for a moment and analyzed clearly, "The desert people are divided into the SCallast King tribe and the Flower God tribe according to their beliefs and origins. The SCallast King tribe was originally an advanced civilization, but later declined, and the people can still be educated. The Flower God tribe is a purely primitive tribe, extremely barbaric and backward, and should not exist in the first place."
Yide looked at Lyney with admiration in his eyes and said with a smile, "Then continue to talk about it. How do you think this problem should be solved?"
Lyney thought carefully for a while, and then explained his thoughts in detail: "For the Flower God tribe, I think we should adopt a strategy of direct annihilation; and for the SCallast King tribe, we should focus on appeasement and try to win their allegiance."
"Very well said!" Yide agreed, "But, some places still need to be adjusted. For example, for the annihilation of the Flower God tribe, it is best to use their internal conflicts to let them kill each other; and for the appeasement of the SCallast King tribe, we can let the Akademiya do this kind of broken thing. We in Fontaine do not need their allegiance."
He paused and continued, "The desert people are different from other citizens. They are typical white-eyed wolves. Hundreds of years ago, it was the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata who sacrificed herself to help the SCallast King survive that catastrophe. As a result, the people of the SCallast King not only did not appreciate the kindness, but instead believed that the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had stolen the wisdom of the SCallast King and was a shameful thief. This kind of race that does not know how to be grateful is not worthy of any help."
After hearing Yide's words, Lyney secretly sighed that he was still far behind.
After talking about business, Lyney's face suddenly became a little strange. He hesitated for a moment, but still mentioned one thing: "Father, Guuji Yae of the Grand Narukami Shrine invited you to participate in this year's Summer Festival together."
Before he finished speaking, Lynette interjected angrily, "And Kamisato Ayaka also invited you to participate together."
She regarded the noble and pure Kamisato Ayaka as her best friend, but her best friend actually intended to be her…
"Uh…" Yide's expression was a little embarrassed, "You guys help me turn it down."