Outside the Thatched Hut
Muramasa was intently focused on the farm tool in his hands, muttering to himself.
"It's already this broken… just how poorly maintained was this?"
The tools he was working on belonged to the village, items no longer in use that the current leaders had brought to him to be refurbished. Their original intention was to gift them to him, so he would have something to practice forging with for the next couple of days. But out of gratitude for their kindness, Muramasa had decided to repair them and give them back.
"Looks like I won't be able to finish today."
He had seen the Tenryou Commission arrive on horseback not long ago. Since he still had some time, he had decided to fix a few tools first.
"But they were a bit too quick… Though being diligent is a good thing, I was hoping to get a few more done."
As he was speaking, he heard footsteps approaching.
"Greetings, Mr. Muramasa."
Kujou Sara's figure appeared near the entrance. She seemed to hesitate before moving forward. "I am Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission. I've come for a routine inquiry. Would you be willing to step out and speak with me?"
This one's got some skill.
Less than a foot in front of her was the boundary of his barrier. She must have sensed something to have stopped there instead of walking straight in.
And she's alone?
He glanced behind Kujou Sara but saw no one. This woman had a powerful aura. If she were just an ordinary soldier, the gap in their average skill level would be immense.
"I understand."
Muramasa casually stepped out, walking right past the barrier's edge. "That should put you at ease."
From her attitude, Sara was both suspicious and wary. This man had no Vision on him, yet this barrier was clearly constructed with a large amount of elemental energy. She had never heard of such a person. Even if intelligence gathering wasn't the Tenryou Commission's primary duty, as one of the Tri-Commission, they possessed an amount of information unattainable by ordinary people, not to mention their close ties with the other branches.
"Then, allow me to be direct."
"Where did you come from, and why are you here?"
Her eyes locked onto him, capturing his every breath, his every glance. She was saying: Don't lie to me.
You wouldn't believe me even if I told you…
Besides, now is not the right time to reveal everything.
Muramasa grumbled internally before speaking. "The first thing I knew, I opened my eyes and I was here. As for my purpose…" He sounded a little hesitant with the first part, but there was no trace of doubt in the second. "Someone needed help, so I acted. It's as simple as that."
"…"
After listening, the tengu warrior paused for a moment, then nodded, her expression unchanged, before posing another question.
"The Tenryou Commission has checked its records. There is no one by your name registered."
"That's a lie."
Muramasa pointed it out bluntly. Kujou Sara's pupils contracted for a split second.
"No, I'm not questioning your abilities, nor am I trying to spin some nonsense about being registered."
"It's just that it's only been half a day. Your objective is too obvious."
He understood the purpose of her questioning. She wanted to know if he was a spy from another nation. If they were investigating an outsider, that line of questioning might work. Her concern was likely that a real spy wouldn't act so conspicuously.
"We are indeed suspicious of you. After all, you are powerful, your origins are unknown, and you are surrounded by mystery," Kujou Sara admitted, a rare concession. The current situation was not suitable for a harsh interrogation. The reason she had come alone was not only due to her "trust" in her subordinates' abilities but also out of concern for his stance and attitude.
He hadn't shown any hostility, nor had he expressed any desire to meddle in Inazuma's affairs. In that case, showing her own fangs would not be a wise choice.
"I apologize for my earlier probing. If the opportunity arises, I would like to invite you to visit the Tenryou Commission headquarters."
She's inviting me to their territory, but it's not an order. So the choice is still mine…
"Then, allow me to ask one more question." Kujou Sara shifted the topic. "Did the leader of the ronin bandits have anything on him related to elemental power?"
She knew he understood what elemental power was, so she didn't elaborate. She also deliberately avoided using leading words, so as not to mislead him with her own assumptions.
"That. Yes, he did. Wait a moment." Muramasa turned and walked back into the hut, returning shortly with a purple pendant. "This. I brought it back with me."
Kujou Sara took it and noticed a small amount of residual elemental energy within. On its surface was a tomoe-like pattern, similar to that on an Electro Vision. Are the cracks on it from the ronin overusing its power?
With the limited clues, she couldn't make any other guesses. And the man before her was full of secrets. If he intended to hide something, there was nothing she could do.
Kujou Sara put away the pendant. "This pendant is evidence. We need to take it."
"Sure, do as you please." He had expected this. "Anything else?"
"I need to get some more details about the incident."
"I understand. I'll talk until you're sick of hearing it."
For the next while, the two of them stood there, reviewing the entire battle from start to finish. Sara took no notes, committing everything to memory.
"The Fatui…"
Only when he recounted the ronin's dying words did her expression shift slightly. Muramasa noticed it, of course. It was a look that screamed "troublesome."
"Thank you again for your cooperation."
"Just doing my part."
Having dealt with her, Muramasa glanced to the side, smiling at Hailing, who had been hiding for some time. "You've been hiding there for a while, haven't you? If you need something from me, you can just say it."
Kujou Sara's gaze shifted to the same spot. She had been aware of Hailing's presence all along.
Realizing she had been exposed, Hailing flinched and awkwardly stepped out from behind a tree. "I was already found out? As expected of Mr. Muramasa and Lady Kujou Sara…"
So this woman is famous? Then she's no small fry. Must be at least a general-level officer.
"So, what is it?"
"Um, it's just… I'd like to ask you to come with me to Inazuma City."
-------
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