"Think about it, they came all this way, only to be told the shoot is canceled. That's not right, is it?" Xavier said.
"And we can't find her right now anyway, can we? Why don't we first post a commission at the Adventurers' Guild? When she sees it, she might just come directly to us, and we can use this time to film. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"
Listening to Xavier's words, Shiki pondered for a moment. Well, she had to admit, it made a lot of sense.
"Alright, you've successfully convinced me. However, I have a condition: once the Traveler arrives, you must put the filming aside immediately. Everything else can wait until we figure out what's going on with you."
"No problem!" Xavier nodded vigorously, then posted a commission at the Adventurers' Guild.
Then, Shiki waited for Xavier to go back to the hotel to get the equipment, and they teleported to the Waypoint outside Inazuma City.
Xavier found the pre-determined location and set up the film camera. The first scene was about fighting the Ronin of Inazuma in White Fox Plain, to introduce the dire living conditions of the Inazuma people and the protagonist's goal of saving the nation.
Of course, Shiki didn't originally think that way. She initially just wanted to go back to the place where she first transmigrated to settle scores with those Hilichurls, but unexpectedly, she ended up helping the Traveler complete the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual.
She also had no concept of saving the common people, because at that time, she didn't even know what she wanted to do; she was just taking things one step at a time.
However, since movies are works of art, they definitely need to be beautified and processed, which can also reflect the protagonist's noble goals, right?
While Xavier was setting up the projector, Shiki had already finished reading her script, as it wasn't much—just a few fight scenes, some dialogue, and inner monologues.
After a while, Arataki Itto and his subordinates swaggered over with extremely arrogant steps.
Shiki even imagined a BGM of "Young and Dangerous" for him. Hmm, that's the vibe.
"Boss Xavier! We're here!"
"Hey, I told you, my name is Xavier, Xavier is my given name, my surname is Baker! Not Xa!"
"Alright, Boss Xavier, no problem, Boss Xavier!"
"..."
It was clear that Arataki Itto, who had failed his cultural studies, hadn't listened. For him, as long as he recognized it, it was fine. Besides, he always added some strange things to his own name.
For example, "Arataki the World's Strongest Itto," "Arataki the Bug-Fighting Master Itto," and so on.
"Forget it, call me whatever you want. This is your script. Take it, read it carefully, and once you understand it, we'll shoot the first scene."
Xavier tossed the script over. Arataki Itto took it and began studying it with his subordinates.
"Boss, it seems like we're playing Treasure Hoarders here, and Ronin..."
"Isn't this perfect? Look how thoughtful Boss Xavier is. We're delinquents! Playing Treasure Hoarders is practically typecasting!"
Arataki Itto slapped his thigh, then directly pulled out his nodachi.
"Boss Xavier! We understand the script you gave us. In short, my subordinates play the Treasure Hoarders, and I play the Kairagi, right?"
"Yes, that's right. Considering your... erm, profession, I think this role suits you. Just play yourselves later," Xavier said.
"No problem! Hehe, just you wait! Speaking of which, after the movie is released, won't my reputation spread throughout the entire continent of Teyvat!"
"Uh... theoretically, yes..."
"Hahahahaha, then let's get started quickly! This great lord is already impatient to let everyone on the continent know him!"
When Arataki Itto heard that this thing could make him more famous, his enthusiasm immediately surged. He wished he was the director so he could start shooting right away.
Meanwhile, Xavier called Shiki over, as well as the prop team, a convoy of three trucks, who had just arrived.
"Your roles are the cargo carriers. When they rush out later, just put up a symbolic resistance, then lie on the ground and play dead, got it?"
"Understood, understood. We're good at playing dead!"
The three thugs who were called over stated that this was their compulsory course. When they couldn't win a fight, they would just play dead. This kind of thing was already etched into their DNA.
After dealing with these thugs, Xavier said to Shiki: "You'll make your entrance when they're playing dead. Remember to choose a cool landing pose. After you finish your lines with that thug leader, just have a fight."
"Mhm." Shiki nodded slightly, then flipped and jumped onto the truck.
"OK! Everyone, look at me! Look at me! The Story of Aether, Scene One, Action!"
As soon as the words fell, Shiki felt the truck beneath her move. Then she saw Arataki Itto sitting grandly in the middle of the road. No kidding, it really had that vibe.
"Stop!"
"Whoa ~"
The professional coachman quickly made the horses stop, and then the three thugs playing the cargo carriers came out.
"Good sirs, please be merciful and let us pass. Our small business truly cannot afford to lose money!"
"Hmph, what does your loss have to do with us? As long as we have food!" said the skinny guy, dressed in Treasure Hoarder clothes.
And Arataki Itto slowly stood up from a Shitou: "In this chaotic world, it's not easy for anyone, but who told you to run into me? If you must blame someone, blame your bad luck!"
"Get them!"
"Brothers, attack!"
The skinny subordinate charged at the front, directly engaging the cargo carriers in a fight.
"Ah!"
"Ouch!"
"Ugh..."
The moment of contact, the three cargo carriers let out a scream, then immediately fell to the ground, playing dead.
Just as Shiki was about to jump off the truck, she heard Xavier yell "Cut!"
"Cut, cut, cut! Hey, what's wrong with you guys? I told you to play dead, not to die as soon as you showed up! At least resist a few times!"
"And you guys too, did I tell you to really fight? Just throw a few symbolic punches!"
The few of them exchanged glances, then nodded at Xavier.
"Let's do it again, starting from when the carriage stopped!"
Upon hearing this, Shiki, who had slightly risen, lay back down. This time, the performance was more successful, and the cargo carriers successfully lay on the ground.
At this moment, Shiki also transformed into lightning and directly flashed in front of the few people.
"Vision?"
"Correct!" Shiki, holding lightning, slammed her fist into the ground.
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