After concluding her business at Tenshukaku, the Fatui woman left Inazuma City. Her primary objective had already been accomplished. She had gone to negotiate over the interests tied to crystal marrow.
Inazuma, a nation that revered the way of the sword, upheld extremely strict standards for weaponry. Crystal marrow—an ore infused with the remnants of Tatarigami—could greatly improve the hardness and power of forged steel. Likewise, it was one of the indispensable materials used in the creation of Delusions. As long as she secured this resource, she could withdraw with dignity.
Upon returning to the Delusion Factory outside the city, she was greeted by a visible sense of relief from the Fatui personnel. They were well aware that she had gone directly to Tenshukaku. Under Scaramouche's manipulations, for her to face the pressure of the Electro Archon head-on had been—exceedingly bold.
"Has Il Dottore arrived?"
She addressed the nearby female agent, her tone steady and cold. With Scaramouche having lost an arm and a leg, his mobility was greatly impaired. His elemental strength remained intact, but his physical condition had become troublesome.
"Lord Il Dottore said he will arrive in Inazuma within a few days. He also asked—whether Lord Scaramouche's limbs have been retrieved."
"Hmph. Retrieved? He can come handle it himself." She scoffed. Although Il Dottore was the Second Harbinger, she felt no fear. After all—was the one giving orders truly Il Dottore… or merely a slice?
If it was the real Il Dottore, she might tread carefully. But if it was only a segment, then he had no authority over her. Besides, they had no clue who had taken Scaramouche's limbs. Without information, how could she search for them?
"…" The agent fell silent. This matter involved three Harbingers—she dared not speak carelessly.
"Send word to Il Dottore. Tell him to prepare funds. The situation in Inazuma has changed, and we'll need a large amount of mora to acquire crystal marrow."
"Also—contact Mondstadt. Tell them to wait. Once business here is settled, I'll head there."
With that, she walked deeper into the factory. She intended to question Scaramouche once more about Futsu Mitama.
Moments later, she reached his room and pushed the door open.
"How did it go?" Scaramouche remained seated on the bed, looking far better than before. The faint curl of his lips revealed mockery. "Judging from your face, I suppose not very well."
He knew her personality well. If she had achieved even the slightest advantage, he would have heard her triumphant cackling from miles away.
"It's all your fault, useless thing," she snapped, irritation spilling over. She hadn't been able to vent her anger in Tenshukaku, and so Scaramouche naturally became the target.
"Heh— my fault?" Scaramouche let out a breathless laugh devoid of warmth. "Believe me—if you were in my position at the time, you would've ended up far worse."
Facing that puppet head-on—even a higher-ranked Harbinger would have had no choice but to retreat. And if Beelzebub herself had been drawn out—
There would have been no fight to speak of.
"Excuses. Failure is failure." She brushed him off, seating herself with a cold snort. "What do you know about Futsu Mitama?"
"You encountered him?" Scaramouche raised a brow. He hadn't expected her to cross paths with that man in Tenshukaku. How strange. Was there some kind of peculiar fate binding Futsu Mitama to the Harbingers?
He hadn't even carried out five operations in Inazuma, and twice he had run into that man—losing an arm and a leg in the process.
"He's the reason I signed a pile of unequal agreements. But at least I wasn't expelled outright—that's considered a win."
Her tone dripped with annoyance. Then she narrowed her eyes. "But I saw him. He's far weaker than I expected. How did someone like him stop you?"
She didn't underestimate Scaramouche's strength. As the Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers, he was undeniably stronger than she was—even with his unstable temperament.
Yet Futsu Mitama—looked fragile. Not someone who could hold ground in a fight. Even she felt she could defeat him without resorting to her Authority.
"He received Yae Miko's power. And the Electro Archon's Authority," Scaramouche replied coldly.
As he spoke, he touched the stump of his severed arm. The pain still radiated through him. Purple electro light flickered in his gaze. Compared to Futsu Mitama—his hatred toward Yae Miko burned far deeper.
That fox had clearly orchestrated everything—dangling the Electro Archon's Authority like bait to lure the puppet out of Tenshukaku.
"So he had Yae Miko's power—and the Archon's Authority." The Lady finally understood how Futsu Mitama had held him off.
Anyone blessed by those two powers could temporarily restrain Scaramouche. Though it would only be temporary— considering what happened when that puppet descended—
She needed no further explanation. Understanding flashed in her eyes—followed by undisguised mockery. Scaramouche felt it instantly.
"You loathsome woman." His voice grew icy. "Do you think I can't kill you even like this?"
Crackling aura burst from him—Electro surging outward. Her Cryo aura flared in response. The air distorted where the two clashed. Agents gathered in alarm, confused and fearful.
What is happening? Are the Harbingers—about to fight?!
"Heh."
The Lady was the first to restrain her aura. She smirked. "I'm not in the mood to waste energy on you. Let me finish off the Resistance and the Kujou Clan first. Then—I'll play with you. I hope you won't be quite so pitiful by then."
With a sway of her hips, she left the room. She had gotten what she came for—no need to exchange another word.
"Heh…" Scaramouche chuckled softly, eyes cold. He had actually intended to give her one more crucial piece of information. But since she insisted on being arrogant, he would let her meet Beelzebub herself.
He wondered— would she still have a complete corpse afterward?
Closing his eyes, he waited for the Doctor. Only Il Dottore and the Marionette possessed the power to reconstruct his limbs.
———
Meanwhile, in Uyuu Restaurant, Kujou Sara and Futsu Mitama were eating together. At the moment, Futsu Mitama devoured his meal as though he hadn't eaten in days.
Kujou Sara watched him with a complicated expression. It wasn't that she lacked mora—far from it. As the adopted daughter of the Kujou Clan and a general of the Shogunate Army, money was hardly an issue.
Rather, she simply found it—astonishing. She had never seen anyone eat quite like this.
"What an unexpected scene."
A familiar voice drifted over. Both turned—Yae Miko approached with a gentle smile, seating herself beside Futsu Mitama as though she owned the place.
"Guuji?" Kujou Sara blinked. "Why are you here?"
Futsu Mitama wondered whether she had followed him just to reclaim the pouch. Coincidence? Not with her. As one of Inazuma's greatest schemers, she rarely acted without intent. Not long ago, she had deceived Scaramouche into losing an arm and leg.
"Nothing much. I came for fried tofu," Yae Miko replied breezily. She glanced at Sara. "Would you treat me?"
"…" Kujou Sara stiffened. She was willing, but the mora she carried today was not enough—
"Oh my. I was just about to speak about the Shogun's past," Yae Miko sighed languidly. "But without fried tofu—I suppose I'll pass."
A ripple ran through the restaurant. Several patrons almost leapt to their feet to treat her themselves.
"It's enough! I'll treat you—please enjoy as much as you like, Guuji!"
Kujou Sara's entire demeanor shifted, her eyes burning with fervor. For Raiden Shogun's sake, she would go into debt without hesitation.
"How pitiful." Futsu Mitama muttered, munching on tricolor dango.
Yae Miko winked. "This is what we call mutual benefit, little one."
Soon, fried tofu arrived. The entire restaurant quieted, waiting eagerly. Yae Miko began speaking—recounting the Raiden Shogun's past, five centuries before the Cataclysm. A time when the Electro Archon was far different from the figure she was now.
Everyone listened with rapt attention—except Futsu Mitama, who had heard it all before and continued to devour food at alarming speed. When Yae Miko finished her tofu, she stopped speaking.
"How was it?" Her playful gaze drifted to Kujou Sara, who bowed in gratitude.
Then Yae Miko turned to Futsu Mitama. "Little one. Care to step outside for a chat?"
He sighed inwardly. He had expected this. Still chewing dango, he followed her out. Kujou Sara attempted to rise—but Yae Miko lightly held her back.
"This is a private matter between the two of us. Please remain here."
Kujou Sara sat down reluctantly. "I'll wait for him."
The other diners, unable to resist curiosity, rushed outside—
Only to find no one there.
In truth, the two stood less than a hundred meters away, hidden behind a barrier Yae Miko had quietly erected.
"What is it? Did something serious happen?" Futsu Mitama asked, still holding his dango. If Yae Miko wanted the Electro Archon's Authority back, she would have said so directly. Surely, she had some other intention.
"Mhm. Something serious indeed." Yae Miko's smile deepened.
"I need your help assisting the Resistance."
"…Huh?"
Futsu Mitama blinked in absolute confusion.