(Tougo's Inner Monologue)
"Hello," the translucent, high-shouldered bottle in front of me says. "Me? I'm the reinforcement your body called in. I can liberate your brain from its tyrannical rule."
Next to it is a smaller, white bottle, and a collection of squat, crooked porcelain cups. Inazuma's specialty clear liquor.
"You've been observing all night. You should have figured it out by now."
Almost. Not quite.
"Then relax. Leave it to me. Your local comrades can't save you. So, I came."
I uncork the high-shouldered bottle and raise it. "Carrying the fresh scent of Mondstadt's dandelions. Can you smell it? My name is 'The Taste of Freedom'. I am ten times, maybe even nine times, more potent than them. Okay, maybe not that much. But you'll like it."
One gulp, then another. The spiciness shoots from my mouth down to my chest.
"Three... two... one..."
My seated body suddenly lurches up, heading for a place suitable for purging filth.
"Blargh."
"I can help you vomit out the 'failure' of your weary brain, empty the 'anxiety' crushing your stomach, and liberate the 'inferiority' binding your hands and feet. A superb three-in-one remedy. Empty the stomach, numb the brain."
After emptying my stomach, my whole head starts to feel light and floaty.
"Is that enough?"
The brain? Forget about him. Let's listen to what the other organs have to say.
My gaze drifts to the forge. The brain gives up its struggle, letting the body move on its own.
"They are all encouraging you. Jump."
"Those more ancient, more primal, more vast parts of you are far more honest than that bloated, evolutionary accident on top of your head."
I approach the forge. My nerves are still a bit shaky, but every cell in my body knows what to do.
"Now, raise the hammer and jump."
What do I use to jump?
"The clash of metal. And fire. Borax."
You see? This ditch isn't wide at all.
…
After bidding farewell to Yoimiya, Muramasa returned to the village before the villagers had gone to sleep. Less than three days had passed, but the simple village had already returned to its former state.
Leaving Hailing to count the Mora and record the distributions, Muramasa headed toward his own house. There was nothing urgent, but Goko had said, "A guest is already waiting." The dinner invitation Hailing had extended on the cart had to be postponed.
Walking down the small path, he saw two groups waiting in front of his thatched hut.
One group was dressed in native Inazuman attire, with about a dozen horses and a carriage in the center. The other group wore black masks, with many members in strange and exotic clothing. These were just the ones in plain sight; several 'ninja' were hidden in the shadows, waiting.
Quite the grand reception... It made sense. To seize the initiative in such a short time, the people who came here couldn't be minor figures.
"What a grand reception," Muramasa called out, his loud voice announcing his arrival. "What are you all doing, crowding around someone's front door?"
Both sides reacted simultaneously.
"Pardon our intrusion," said the man in local dress.
"You must be Sir Muramasa," the woman in exotic clothing followed up almost at the same time.
The feeling was familiar to Muramasa. The retainers of the daimyos who had sought his forging services in the past had the same attitude. He ignored them for a moment, walking through the path between them and stepping into the barrier of his own workshop.
"State your identities and your purpose."
The two exchanged a glance. The man spoke first. "Ladies first."
The woman didn't refuse. She nodded with a smile and replied, "I am Viatlana, an envoy of the Fatui and a member of the Snezhnayan diplomatic mission. We wish to establish a friendly relationship with you, Mr. Senji Muramasa. May we discuss the details?"
The Fatui. He had heard their name many times, but he hadn't expected them to show up at his doorstep. And, contrary to my expectations, they're quite polite. Given their previous actions, I thought they were all arrogant thugs.
Muramasa didn't answer, waiting quietly for the other side to speak.
"I am a retainer of the Yashiro Commission. I have come to see you because..."
A soft "pfft" came from the side. It was the Fatui envoy, unable to hold back a laugh. Though there was a hint of mockery in her smile, she wasn't entirely wrong. If only their group had been present, it would have been appropriate for a subordinate to speak. However, with the other side sending their highest-ranking envoy to show respect, having just a retainer speak for them seemed disrespectful.
The retainer frowned but continued, "We..."
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a voice from behind him.
"Wait."
The voice came from the carriage nearby. It was clear and melodious, like spring water trickling into a pond. "To seek a favor from someone while remaining seated in a carriage is truly a breach of etiquette. Please forgive my lack of consideration, sir."
Slender, jade-like fingers emerged from behind the carriage curtain, pulling aside the sky-blue veil. A delicate and gentle face was revealed from the shadows. The retainer who had been standing in the center immediately stepped aside and bowed his head respectfully.
"Yes, my lady."
A young lady in a haori and pleated skirt slowly descended from the carriage. A folding fan, half-open, partially concealed her face, modestly revealing her smile. "Allow me to reintroduce myself."
"I am Kamisato Ayaka of the Yashiro Commission. It is a pleasure to meet you. We have also come today on an important matter to discuss with you, Sir Muramasa. Would you be so kind as to grant us an audience?"
The one in the carriage was the young lady of the Yashiro Commission's head family. The Fatui, though surprised, were not shocked. This young lady was the public face of the Yashiro Commission. The most surprising part was that she would appear here for a mere smith. But considering his abilities and the duties of the Yashiro Commission, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
They really think highly of me, don't they? If there weren't outsiders present, it wouldn't have been the young lady who came down. Muramasa glanced at her once, then his gaze shifted to the carriage, which seemed too spacious for just one person. The tracks in the ground also suggested more than one occupant.
But Muramasa didn't say anything. He just nodded. "Then come in and talk. I'll prepare some simple tea. I've only just settled in, so I don't have much to offer."
Hearing him, both groups prepared to file in.
"Who said all of you could come in?"
Noticing their movement, Muramasa stopped them in their tracks. "Only those who have stated their names are my guests. The rest of you will wait outside."
With that, he turned and went inside.
Kamisato Ayaka glanced back at her retinue, giving a slight nod, before stepping across the barrier and entering. The Fatui envoy's expression was clearly displeased, but she followed them into the thatched hut.
"What a sharp gaze..." Inside the carriage, an effeminate young man who bore a slight resemblance to the young lady smiled in surprise. "It seems the intelligence was correct. Inazuma is on the verge of change. This card... we must hold it firmly in our hands."
-------
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