"Hmm~ I didn't expect this operation to go so smoothly. It's great to have rescued Master Masakatsu without encountering too many obstacles."
Outside the Naganohara Fireworks store, a Damselette with a smile as brilliant as fireworks stretched leisurely and gave Lumine and the others a bright smile.
She was the assistant for this mission, Yoimiya, who possessed an Electro Element Vision. Her strength was good, and her personality was also good; she quickly became friends with everyone after only a short time together.
Yoimiya was happy about the smooth operation, but Lumine clearly felt that something was amiss. After all, prisons were generally heavily guarded places.
When they secretly went to break into the prison, although there were some guards inside, the number of guards was too strange. Something must have been wrong.
"Hey, have you heard? Someone is currently at Tenshukaku, challenging the Shogun to an Duel Before the Throne."
"Huh? Really? Challenging the Raiden Shogun to an Duel Before the Throne? Is that person crazy?"
"Who knows? The result should be out by now. No matter who it is, for the Shogun, it's just a matter of one slash. I expect more news will come out soon."
Although the Duel Before the Throne hadn't even been going on for an hour, the news had already spread throughout Inazuma City. Many people were discussing who this foolish person was who dared to challenge the Raiden Shogun.
Yoimiya was greatly surprised to hear these discussions. She had lived in Inazuma City since she was a Child and was no stranger to the Duel Before the Throne.
She had heard others talk about Duel Before the Throne before, but she had never heard of anyone daring to challenge the Raiden Shogun. What kind of person would have the courage to challenge a god?
Lumine, Shenhe, and Paimon exchanged glances, their minds recalling what Durandal had told them when they parted ways earlier.
[I have an idea. If it goes smoothly, the Vision Hunt Decree could have a result in a few days.]
At that time, they were still wondering what Durandal's plan was. Now it seemed what she wanted to do was that Duel Before the Throne.
"Yoimiya, what is that Duel Before the Throne?"
"Huh? Oh, the Duel Before the Throne is a rule set by the Shogun. Anyone can apply, and as long as the Shogun agrees, a duel can commence. The losing party will receive the Shogun's judgment."
Yoimiya briefly explained the Duel Before the Throne: "Everyone who loses an Duel Before the Throne dies. The one challenging the Raiden Shogun will probably end up like them."
"No, this time the outcome will definitely be different."
Lumine denied Yoimiya's judgment and said: "This time, the opponent the Raiden Shogun faces is no ordinary person."
On the other side, Kamisato Ayaka, who was waiting for good news from Lumine and her companions at Komore Teahouse, had just raised her teacup when Thoma rushed in from outside.
Kamisato Ayaka thought that Lumine and her companions' plan to rescue Master Masakatsu had gone wrong, and quickly asked: "Did Lumine and her companions' plan go wrong this time?"
"No, their plan should be successful this time. I just heard that someone challenged the Shogun to an Duel Before the Throne. According to their description, that person is very likely Miss Durandal!"
"You said... what?"
Kamisato Ayaka's eyes widened. Then she thought of Durandal's reason for doing this: she intended to use this method to make the Raiden Shogun aware of the drawbacks of the Vision Hunt Decree, and thus make her abolish it.
But... but doing so was very dangerous. Currently, the Raiden Shogun's attitude towards the Vision Hunt Decree was positive. If the Raiden Shogun disliked Durandal, then Durandal would... "Thoma, the place where Miss Durandal and the Raiden Shogun are having their Duel Before the Throne is at Tenshukaku, right?"
"Yes, at the training ground. Could it be... could it be that you, Miss, are going? It's impossible, Miss, you can't plead for her."
"I know, but... I can't just stay here. I want to go and see, at least... at least do something."
With things having developed to this point, Kamisato Ayaka could do nothing else. The only thing she could do was go to the scene and see how things would unfold.
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