Genshin Impact: I Can Obtain Adventure EXP

Hearing the voice, Nolan and the others turned around.

Standing in the corridor of the lower courtyard was a young woman dressed in a kimono, her black hair neatly styled. Her face carried a trace of nervousness.

Naturally, she was nervous.

After all, a group of masked individuals had appeared uninvited in her family's backyard, wearing masks that exuded a menacing aura. They didn't look like good people in any sense.

However, she was, after all, Hiiragi Chisato, the eldest daughter of the Hiiragi family that controlled the Kanjou Commission.

Though afraid, Chisato managed to maintain her composure, ensuring she didn't disgrace her family name by panicking.

"Trespassing in the Kanjou Commission grounds is illegal," she said, suppressing her nervousness and adding sternly.

Earlier, she had come outside to clear her head after an argument with her father about her correspondence with Kujou Kamaji. She didn't expect to encounter what seemed like a band of criminals!

Why hasn't the patrolling Shogunate soldiers come yet? she fretted silently, unwilling to scream for fear of provoking the intruders into sudden violence.

"Ah! We've been discovered! What do we do? Should we run?" Paimon exclaimed, her tanuki mask bobbing as she flitted nervously about.

"Relax," Nolan said with a calm smile, his words carrying a double meaning—reassuring not just Paimon but also the young woman in the corridor. After a moment of thought, he asked,

"Miss, if I'm not mistaken, you must be the eldest daughter of the Hiiragi family?"

"That's correct. I'm Hiiragi Chisato, and you—wait, hold on!"

Chisato's eyes narrowed as she observed them carefully.

One was a young man with black hair and plain clothes, another was a golden-haired girl in a flowing dress with ribbons and matching long boots. And lastly, a small white creature floated nearby.

Apart from the masks, this group was identical to the famous Traveler and their companions she had heard about!

Her family's servants had mentioned spotting the Traveler in the streets earlier today, and it seemed the rumors were true.

But why were they sneaking around the Kanjou Commission at night? And why such a laughably childish disguise with masks?

Confused, Chisato looked at them and asked,

"You're the Traveler and their companions, aren't you? I recognize you. Is there a reason for this late-night visit? If so, please use the proper channels to enter the Kanjou Commission."

Now that she was fairly certain of their identities, Chisato let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The Traveler was rumored to be just, kind, and helpful—certainly not someone who would harm her.

"Ah, so it was that easy to recognize us," Paimon muttered, sounding almost disappointed.

Lumine glanced at her wordlessly before lifting the fox mask and sliding it to the side of her head.

A bit embarrassed, she said, "Apologies, Lady Chisato. We do have an urgent reason to visit the Kanjou Commission.

"As for why we're doing it like this... well, it's thanks to a certain someone's silly idea."

With that, she put her hands on her hips and cast a sharp glance at Nolan, who coughed lightly but didn't seem bothered.

Removing his oni mask, Nolan walked down the steps toward Chisato, speaking as he approached:

"Lady Chisato, our original intention tonight was to speak with your father regarding some questions about taxes. However, since we've run into you, perhaps you can provide some insight instead.

"Do you know why your father has changed the tax collection method from Mora to Crystal Marrow?

"This unreasonable policy has caused significant problems for the International Trade Association. They're on the verge of collapse, unable to pay taxes. Surely this doesn't align with the Kanjou Commission's interests?"

Lumine and Paimon followed Nolan down the steps, standing with him before Chisato.

"So, you were sent by the International Trade Association to investigate this matter?" Chisato asked, her tone slightly exasperated.

"If that's the case, you could have simply sent a formal notice and entered properly. Please, refrain from such antics in the future."

Her voice carried a hint of irritation, though it was clear she was more relieved than angry.

"Hehe, sorry, sorry. So, Miss Hiiragi, do you have any insights on this matter?"

Paimon chuckled, sliding her tanuki mask aside.

"I've heard a little about what you're asking, but I didn't realize things had gotten so serious. However, my father rarely involves me in the Kanjou Commission's affairs, so I don't know much," Chisato said with a slight shake of her head, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

"Oh? Issuing such an unreasonable decree must have a reason. It's also peculiar why the Kanjou Commission would need so much Crystal Marrow. Do you know where the Crystal Marrow collected as tax is being sent?" Nolan asked.

"Sorry, I'm not sure about that either," Chisato replied before suddenly recalling something. "But now that you mention it, there was an incident a while ago that has been on my mind."

"What incident?" Nolan asked, blinking curiously.

"Well... it was a few months ago," Chisato began, her tone softening. "My father hosted a guest at our home—a blonde woman wearing a black mask that covered half her face."

Her demeanor darkened as she continued, her head lowered.

"I had never seen my father behave so deferentially to anyone. I overheard them discussing something about you.

"That woman said if you appeared on Ritou, they should find a way to stall you and prevent you from leaving.

"She noticed me overhearing and glared at me with such arrogance. My father then chased me away."

Paimon's eyes lit up with indignation as she pieced together the clues.

"Blonde hair, black mask, unbearable arrogance—there's no doubt about it! That's her! That 'Fatui Harbinger' planned months ago to trap us on Ritou! How despicable!"

"Indeed," Chisato nodded. "Because of the Sakoku Decree, foreigners are confined to Ritou. Leaving requires a travel permit, and if you applied for one, my father would certainly deny it."

She sighed, her frustration apparent. The situation was made worse by her father's decision to replace Mora taxes with Crystal Marrow, which was then being secretly transported to an unknown location.

The Hiiragi family oversaw Inazuma's financial and trade affairs, but taxes fundamentally belonged to the state. What her father was doing bordered on embezzlement of national assets.

If the Shogun were to learn of this, the consequences would be catastrophic for the Hiiragi family. Sharing this information with the Traveler and their companions was also Chisato's way of subtly pleading for her father to stop.

"I see. That clears things up," Nolan said with a nod, his expression thoughtful.

The root of the problem lay with the Fatui. The Crystal Marrow was undoubtedly being used to manufacture Delusions.

Unless the Fatui's operations were dismantled, the Kanjou Commission wouldn't dare rescind the law. Threatening the Hiiragi patriarch would be futile unless the Fatui's influence was removed.

The solution was clear—destroy the Delusion factory and capture that woman. With no further need for Crystal Marrow and the Fatui's leverage gone, the Kanjou Commission would have no reason to maintain the current tax policy.

If a fight was inevitable, they might as well strike decisively and catch the Fatui off guard, preventing any future interference.

After confirming Hiiragi Shinsuke's current location from Chisato and securing her promise not to disclose their visit, Nolan prepared for action.

Donning his black oni mask again, he wrapped himself in a colorful bedsheet pulled from his "Wonderland," completing a truly menacing disguise.

This time, Nolan was genuinely acting like a villain.

Alone, he infiltrated Hiiragi Shinsuke's quarters, sneaking into his office where the patriarch was still working late into the night. Armed with a kitchen knife taken from the Hiiragi family's kitchen, Nolan pressed the blade to Shinsuke's neck, terrifying him into revealing the location of the Fatui's Delusion factory.

Negotiating with these cunning old foxes was unnecessary. Force was faster.

After all, Shinsuke had already chosen to collaborate with the Fatui—a decision that made him no better than a criminal.

If Shinsuke discovered their true identities and retaliated with, say, a warrant for their arrest, it would make it impossible for them to operate openly in Inazuma.

It was better to preemptively ensure the upper hand.

(End of Chapter)

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