Early the next morning, at the ruins of the Hiiragi estate on Ritou.
Kujou Sara had led the Tenryou Commission forces to take control of the island, sealing off all entry and exit points. The air was thick with tension, as if the Tenryou Commission was preparing to fully assume jurisdiction over Ritou.
Although the Hiiragi family had been wiped out, their subordinate families within the Tenryou Commission still remained.
One such subordinate, Mr. Matsuura, stood at the gates of the destroyed estate, facing off against Kujou Sara.
With a dark expression and stern tone, Matsuura questioned her.
"Lady Kujou Sara, what is the meaning of this? This is Ritou—you of the Tenryou Commission have no authority here! How dare your people march in, and with such fanfare no less! What are you trying to do?!"
Sara stared at the smoldering remains of the Hiiragi estate, the fire of anger smoldering in her chest.
Hearing Matsuura's incessant chirping beside her only enraged her further. The tengu wings on her back flared open.
Startled, Matsuura instinctively stepped back half a pace, though he still refused to back down.
"What's the meaning of this? Just because you're a general of the Tenryou Commission doesn't mean you can interfere in our affairs! Even Kujou Takayuki doesn't overstep into our jurisdiction. You, an adopted daughter of the Kujou clan, dare to—"
Before he could finish, Kujou Sara seized his collar, her eyes blazing.
"The Farlander Overseer's residence was burned, and you claimed it was a matter for the Tenryou Commission to handle. You even blamed the people of Watatsumi Island. Because Ritou was your turf, and because of the war front and Hiiragi Shinsuke's influence, I let it slide!"
At this point, Sara was visibly trembling with fury.
"But now the Hiiragi estate has been burned to the ground. The family has nearly been exterminated. This is no longer something your commission can handle. I am formally taking over this murder investigation on behalf of the Tenryou Commission. It is entirely justified. What more do you have to say?!"
Panic rose in Matsuura's chest. He tried to twist the situation, hurling the blame back at Sara.
"For all we know, this was also the work of those Watatsumi scum! It's your Kujou clan's failure to suppress them that led to our loss! You bring shame upon the Shogun, shame upon the people!"
Sara's temper exploded at those words. She hoisted Matsuura into the air, her eyes flaring with fire as she shouted fiercely.
"When has the Kujou clan ever failed the Shogun?! If anyone is guilty, it's your Kanjou Commission! You've extorted and deceived foreign merchants on Ritou, stained the Shogunate's name for your own selfish gains. You're the ones who've brought shame to the Shogun!"
Seeing that his bait had worked, Matsuura pressed on.
"And what proof do you have of this? Let's go to the Shogun and see who's truly in the wrong! You'd believe the one-sided claims of some foreigners—what's your real motive?!"
Sara's face turned crimson with rage. She raised her fist, ready to strike.
At that critical moment, Shikanoin Heizou suddenly emerged from the ruins of the Hiiragi estate.
"Lady Sara, please stay calm!" he called out. "If you injure Matsuura now, things will only spiral further. That's exactly what the Kanjou Commission wants!"
Sara heard Heizou and reluctantly calmed herself, slowly loosening her grip.
Heizou gave a sly smile and turned to Matsuura, his tone light but laced with mockery.
"Lord Matsuura, surely you know—we of the Tenryou Commission sealing a murder scene is perfectly reasonable~"
"After all, managing finances may be the Kanjou Commission's job, but law and order falls under our jurisdiction~"
Matsuura's face darkened, but he restrained his anger and tried to respond coolly.
"This is Ritou! Not a playground for the Tenryou Commission!"
But Heizou refused to let go of the word "murder," locking it into his rhetoric like a trap.
"But this is a murder case, Lord Matsuura. And by the rules, such matters fall squarely under our purview. Your obstruction of our investigation—could it be that you're trying to interfere with our duties?"
Matsuura found himself cornered. He could only snarl and fling his hands in frustration.
"Hmph! I will report this to the Shogun on behalf of the Kanjou Commission! We'll see how you answer for this!"
With that, he turned and stormed off.
Sara watched him go, her expression twisted with scorn and fury. She muttered under her breath.
"Disgusting leeches! Afraid their misdeeds on Ritou will be exposed to the Shogun. If it weren't for the war with Watatsumi, I'd have led the Shogunate forces and razed every last one of their mansions!"
Heizou stepped beside her and spoke soothingly.
"Lady Sara, please don't let them get to you. I do have good news—I've found a lead."
Sara perked up immediately, urgency replacing her anger.
"What lead? Tell me!"
Heizou stroked his chin, recalling the report.
"One of the surviving Tenryou Commission samurai said the one who caused all this carnage was the protagonist of the light novel 'The Gun-wielding Killer from Fontaine', a man named Huoyun. Apparently, he came to Ritou and did the killings."
Sara's brow furrowed at the mention of a "light novel," her tone skeptical.
"A light novel is just fiction. Relying on a book to solve a murder… seems far too reckless."
Heizou shook his head.
"Not necessarily. I read the monthly author's column at Yae Publishing half a month ago. The writer said the story was inspired by real events from Mondstadt and Liyue."
Sara's expression shifted. A thought came to her.
"So, Detective Shikanoin… are you suggesting this Huoyun person may have come to Inazuma?"
Heizou smiled meaningfully.
"Lady Sara, don't you think that might be the case?"
Sara immediately recalled the man in the hat she'd encountered on Ritou days earlier. She frowned.
"Detective Shikanoin, that man we encountered the other night—could it have been him?"
Heizou thought back but shook his head.
"Hard to say. We can't be sure without evidence. And we don't even have a portrait of Shao Yun."
"If we arrest the wrong person, we'd be no better than those Kanjou Commission thugs who abuse their power."
Sara's eyes lit up with a sudden idea.
"I've got it. I can write letters to the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt and the Liyue Qixing. Maybe they can provide us with a portrait of Huoyun. A criminal of this magnitude is likely wanted—there should be a bounty or an image at the very least."
Heizou pondered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
"At this point, that may be our best option."
With Inazuma's borders sealed for so long, communication had lagged. The two of them truly believed Shao Yun was a fugitive.
One can only wonder how Jean and Ningguang would react to such letters demanding Shao Yun's portrait for a manhunt…
Just then, a crowd of merchants from Ritou rushed to the scene—only to be blocked by Tenryou Commission guards.
One of the guards shouted, "What are you doing?! Interfering with a crime scene is punishable by death!"
A merchant shouted angrily, "While President Kurisu was away, the Kanjou Commission burned down the International Trade Association! We've endured enough—we can't take this anymore!"
Another added, "We want justice! This must not go unpunished!"
Whether they truly sought justice or simply saw an opportunity to kick the Hiiragi while they were down… was anyone's guess.
Sara's face darkened as she addressed the restless crowd.
"Silence, all of you!"
The merchants were stunned into quiet by her commanding presence.
She swept her gaze across them and declared, "The Tenryou Commission will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you a proper explanation. But for now, return to your homes. This is a murder scene—trespassers will be executed without mercy!"
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
They all knew the terrifying strength of this general. No one dared protest further.
The merchants exchanged glances and began to retreat. The scene gradually returned to calm.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Sara turned to Heizou, her tone weary but resolute.
"Detective Shikanoin, please check on the state of the International Trade Association. I need to write those letters and see if we can obtain that 333333333333333333333 portrait."
Heizou gave a small nod of acknowledgement.
With murders and war on top of everything, someone needed to handle the mess with the merchants and offer an explanation.
Fulfilling his duty without hesitation, he replied, "Leave it to me. I'll go right away."
With that, he turned and made his way toward the International Trade Association.
…
Elsewhere, Kamisato Ayaka and Thoma had arrived in the picturesque heart of Inazuma City.
The streets of Hanamizaka bustled with people, but Ayaka's expression remained serious.
She retrieved an elegant folding fan from her waist—a treasured personal item and a symbol of her identity.
She handed it to Thoma with unwavering determination.
"Thoma, I need you to take this fan and visit Kujou Kamaji. Request three full-travel permits for all of Inazuma. These are essential for our plan."
"Whatever conditions he proposes, I will agree. As long as he provides those permits."
Thoma took the fan and bowed respectfully.
"Understood, milady. I'll take care of it at once."
He turned and left swiftly to find Kamaji.
Left alone, Ayaka took a deep breath, composing herself.
She carefully adjusted her fringe and smoothed her skirt, ensuring her appearance was flawless.
She was heading to the Komore Teahouse—to meet, face-to-face, the terrifying man who had just annihilated the Hiiragi family.
She had to make her plea.
And for that… she had to be perfectly prepared.
Anything less could mean disaster.