"Wait? What else do you need to do?" Ember asked when he saw Kamisato Ayato deep in thought.
"Of course, I need to figure out how to attract attention." Kamisato Ayato glanced at Ember, then asked, "Have you decided when to implement the plan?"
Ember shook his head naturally and replied, "No."
This made a vein throb on Kamisato Ayato's forehead. Seeing Kamisato Ayato about to explode, Ember quickly added, "Although the exact date hasn't been set, it definitely won't be past this month, probably in the latter half of the month."
"That urgent?" Kamisato Ayato was a little surprised to hear this. By his calculation, only about ten days were left.
"The sooner it's done, the sooner it's over," Ember didn't think it was too early. If it weren't for Washizu and his people needing time to adapt, he would have started right away.
"Alright, I understand." Seeing Ember's confident demeanor, Kamisato Ayato temporarily suppressed his doubts.
Then, he pushed open the secret room door and walked out.
"Are you leaving already? Aren't you going to talk about your own matters?"
Ember immediately followed Kamisato Ayato out the door.
However, Kamisato Ayato did not answer Ember's question. He just walked and called out, "Is Thoma here?"
Almost as soon as Kamisato Ayato called out the first time, another energetic voice responded, "Yes, what can I do for you, Master?"
Soon, a flash of gold shimmered through the wooden mansion, and a man wearing a fiery red haori ran out from deep within the residence.
"Oh dear! A distinguished guest has arrived, and I, as the Kamisato Clan's Housekeeper, was unaware! What a dereliction of duty, a dereliction of duty!"
After a brief bow to Kamisato Ayato, Thoma noticed Ember beside Kamisato Ayato.
After a moment of brief confusion, Thoma smiled and apologized to Ember.
As the Kamisato Clan's Housekeeper, monitoring those who came and went from the Komore Teahouse was part of his duty.
Although Ember had snuck in, and he was also a registered fugitive, Kamisato Ayato didn't care, so Thoma wouldn't ask any more questions.
"Ember, my friend. Thoma, if you feel a good connection, you can also consider him your friend."
Considering it was Thoma's first time meeting Ember, Kamisato Ayato briefly introduced him to Thoma.
"Since he is the Master's friend, he is naturally my friend, Thoma." Thoma said, extending his hand to Ember.
"A Mondstadter?" Ember shook Thoma's hand. He noticed Thoma's golden hair and his facial features, which were somewhat different from Inazuman people, and asked curiously.
"Haha, I used to be from Mondstadt, but now I've come to Inazuma to make a living," Thoma scratched his head, responding with a laugh.
"Alright, enough chitchat. Thoma, is there any special commemorative day at the end of this month?"
After exchanging greetings, Kamisato Ayato moved on to the main topic.
"The end of this month?" Thoma lowered his head in thought for a moment, then replied, "The 23rd of this month marks the third year since the Sakoku Decree was implemented. And there's also…"
"Good, the 23rd it is. Go and tell people to prepare a large festival around that date for a few days. The more participants, the better."
Kamisato Ayato made his decision as soon as he heard the first date Thoma mentioned.
Thoma had no objections. He immediately nodded, "Alright, I'll go prepare for the festival right away."
After nodding to Kamisato Ayato, Thoma gradually exited the room.
"The 23rd? The third anniversary of the Sakoku Decree? Has your Sakoku Decree been in effect for so long?" Ember was greatly surprised to hear that the Sakoku Decree had lasted this long.
He had originally thought the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree were implemented at the same time!
"Of course, the Sakoku Decree was issued before the Vision Hunt Decree. It was also because of this decree that the Fatui were able to discern the Raiden Shogun's thoughts, and their idea of the Vision Hunt Decree was accepted by the Raiden Shogun."
Kamisato Ayato nodded. Once the Sakoku Decree was issued, various factions began to stir.
Normally, the Raiden Shogun truly seemed like a puppet sitting in the Tenshukaku, unmoving.
No one could discern what the Raiden Shogun was thinking, just as no one could penetrate the thoughts of a puppet.
However, the Sakoku Decree was personally issued by the Raiden Shogun, and any action implied a thought within.
Thus, whether for some unspeakable secret, to curry favor with the Raiden Shogun, or to seek personal gain... after the Sakoku Decree, various suggestions fell into the Tenshukaku like snowflakes, but ultimately, only the Fatui's Vision Hunt Decree caught the Raiden Shogun's eye.
Seeing Ember's disdainful expression, Kamisato Ayato could only remind him, "Don't just stand there in contempt. This festival isn't actually being held to commemorate the Sakoku Decree."
"Remember, bring your people near the secret passage around the 23rd. We're preparing to make our move!"
Kamisato Ayato's final words were extremely soft, almost only audible to Ember.
"So you're holding a festival for this?! Smart people are always so thorough!" Ember suddenly realized upon hearing this.
So, the festival wasn't to commemorate the third anniversary of the Sakoku Decree, but to attract the attention of Inazuma City's residents, making it easier for the people of Higi Village to sneak in.
"If I weren't thorough, I wouldn't be able to hold this position." After a few sighs, Kamisato Ayato turned to look at the armor in the center.
"Let's go. Since we said we'd go to Higi Village, let's depart. Besides the preparations just now, I also have many other things to do, and time is tight."
With that, Kamisato Ayato walked into the dark passage.
"Why have you started liking to use secret passages?"
"Because you, Ember, are famous in Inazuma now. If I were seen with you, I'd become famous too."
Ember and Kamisato Ayato's voices grew fainter as the armor closed. Soon, the Komore Teahouse fell silent once more... Emerging from the secret passage, Ember and Kamisato Ayato immediately headed towards Yashiori Island.
Since Kamisato Ayato was with him this time, Ember's speed wasn't as fast as when he arrived.
However, despite saying that, their speed was still beyond what ordinary people could achieve.
One thing that somewhat surprised Ember was that Kamisato Ayato's strength was not weak either. Seeing his gentle appearance, Ember initially thought his Vision merely acted as a body enhancer.
Now it seemed that appearances could truly be deceiving. Despite Kamisato Ayato's refined demeanor, Ember was certain he could absolutely perform a chest-breaking-boulder stunt in public.
After two days of traveling like this, Ember and Kamisato Ayato finally stopped near Nazuchi Beach.
"Hmph…"
Kamisato Ayato saw Ember stop, and as he paused to catch his breath, he also looked around at the surroundings.
For the past two days, except for necessary rest, Kamisato Ayato and Ember had been traveling constantly.
Feeling his slightly burning lungs, Kamisato Ayato was inwardly alarmed.
Ever since he took over the Kamisato Clan, he seemed to have never truly taken action, always remaining behind the scenes.
His most intense exercise was guiding his younger sister, Ayaka. Now, even traveling for two days straight was almost too much for him.
This made Kamisato Ayato secretly resolve to train. Although he didn't like to fight enemies head-on, he needed to have that ability.
After carefully comparing the terrain features, Kamisato Ayato realized that this was not Yashiori Island.
"Why did we stop? Is it because of the battle ahead?"
After Kamisato Ayato adjusted his breathing, he heard the earth-shattering sounds of battle in the distance.
However, Ember did not answer Kamisato Ayato's question. At this moment, he was emanating a black aura, muttering to himself.
"In one ear and out the other, I think this head doesn't want to be attached anymore!"
As he muttered, Kamisato Ayato saw Ember bend his knees, looking as if he was about to exert force.
"Calm down! Calm down! Look closely again, something seems off about both sides!"
At the last moment, Kamisato Ayato quickly interrupted Ember's dark transformation.
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