The detention area was gloomy and terrifying, with layers upon layers of cells, making the search extremely difficult. Lumine passed through room after room, exploring each one.
When she found Masakatsu, the guards were in the midst of applying private punishment, beating him.
[Paimon: The guards' duty is just to detain, right? Why are they doing this?]
[Ningguang: Controlling another's fate—that is the sensation of power. It is intoxicating.]
[Lumine: Inflicting pain on others for one's own selfish desires.]
[Keqing: These two guards, taking private justice into their own hands and bullying the people... If any of my Millelith underlings did this, I would absolutely not forgive them lightly.]
[Kujou Sara: Her Excellency has expressly forbidden private punishment. These two have disobeyed the Shogun's decree. I would not forgive them lightly either.]
[Furina: Neither would I!]
Yoimiya, after one glance, was furious and wanted to intervene immediately.
But the arrival of a general interrupted both Yoimiya and Lumine.
Yoimiya recognized the person. "It's Kujou Sara. The adopted child of the Kujou Clan of the Tenryou Commission, and a general of the Shogunate Army. To think she'd appear in a place like this."
Lumine said, "I've heard of her too. She seems to be an enforcer of the Vision Hunt Decree."
[Kaedehara Kazuha: My friend... lost to her.]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Within the Tenryou Commission and the Kujou Clan, there is no warrior stronger than Kujou Sara.]
[Paimon: The number one in the Tenryou Commission? That powerful? Can Yoimiya beat her?]
[Yoimiya: I'm just the owner of a fireworks shop. I'm not good at fighting at all.]
[Paimon: It's fine. Lumine can beat Childe, so even if we're discovered, it's okay.]
[Lumine: That's certainly true.]
In the center, Kujou Sara loudly reprimanded, "Step aside. Let me see him."
Seeing Masakatsu's miserable state, Kujou Sara was displeased. "Private punishment is something Her Excellency has explicitly forbidden. Are you aware of this?"
The two soldiers lowered their heads in shame.
Kujou Sara continued, "If you do not feel shame for what you have done, then you are unfit to be subordinates of the Tenryou Commission."
The two subordinates bowed their heads even lower. "We acknowledge our crime."
Yoimiya had already prepared in advance. Her Vision flashed, and immediately, a series of crackling firecracker sounds erupted outside.
Fireworks shot into the sky one after another, exploding overhead, their colorful lights flashing brilliantly.
The guards hurried outside to investigate.
Seizing the moment the guards were distracted, Lumine and Paimon rushed over to rescue the prisoner.
But upon turning around, they found Kujou Sara standing right behind them.
[Ningguang: It seems Lumine and Paimon were discovered long ago.]
[Yoimiya: As expected of Kujou Sara, the Shogunate's great general.]
Kujou Sara watched the three of them calmly, her voice cold. "Just this once. He is severely injured. Take him out and treat his wounds. However, once he has recovered from his injuries, I will certainly capture him again."
[Paimon: Huh? Why would Kujou do that? Let him go first, then catch him later? Does she also oppose the Vision Hunt Decree?]
[Ningguang: Perhaps it's an apology on behalf of her subordinates. After all, they were in the wrong first.]
[Kujou Sara: Her Excellency's will is my will. I firmly enforce the Vision Hunt Decree. However, he has sustained severe injuries. Remaining in this environment any longer would likely endanger his life.]
[Paimon: So that was her consideration? Well, only Masakatsu's friends would treat him seriously. If left to the soldiers for treatment, he'd probably die.]
[Keqing: In Liyue, such a thing would never happen.]
[Lumine: It seems Inazuma's problems extend beyond just the Vision Hunt Decree.]
Yoimiya said, "Ahem, well... I'm afraid that won't be so easy."
Lumine said, "Thank you for this. We will also protect the master."
Finally escaping from the prison, Lumine and Paimon breathed a sigh of relief. Master Masakatsu was badly injured, so Yoimiya first took him away to recuperate.
Lumine and Paimon then returned to Komore Teahouse.