"This is because..."
Chimatsuri was about to answer Jun Mo Li's question when he noticed that Shiba Kaoru had stopped walking.
It turned out that the group had already walked deep into Komore Teahouse.
Behind the counter deep inside Komore Teahouse, a Shiba Inu dressed as a samurai was squatting on top.
"Everyone is really punctual."
"This voice sounds really familiar..." Paimon scratched her head.
"Iya?" (Thoma?) Yiya tilted her head and stared at Taroumaru.
"Oh! So it's Thoma. I was wondering why this voice sounded a bit familiar..."
As Paimon spoke, she suddenly realized something was wrong.
"Eh—— You're Thoma? You're actually a little dog this small?" Paimon said in shock.
Then Paimon and Yiya flew together in front of Taroumaru and looked him up and down.
[So Thoma also knows transformation techniques!]
[Didn't they say Thoma is from Mondstadt? So his true form is actually a Shiba Inu? A Shiba Inu from Mondstadt?]
[And he's even wearing Inazuma skin ~ This looks completely different from the aura of Liyue Adepti's true forms ~]
Jun Mo Li looked at Taroumaru with his tongue hanging out and said: "He doesn't even look as big as Little Flame when he was just born."
"When I saw the Adepti transforming before, I was wondering if other nations would have similar strange beings."
"I didn't expect there actually would be ~"
Shiba Kaoru explained to everyone: "Everyone, in Inazuma there exist youkai. Some of these youkai are skilled in spells, while others are good at confusing people's hearts."
"Youkai with sufficient cultivation can even transform into human form."
"As far as I know, the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine is a great youkai with unfathomable cultivation."
"However, I remember that the Kamisato Clan doesn't seem to have any youkai that can transform into human form. So..."
Shiba Kaoru looked behind the counter: "Mr. Thoma of the Kamisato Clan, do you still need to resort to such petty tricks?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Chimatsuri dragged Thoma out from the room behind the counter.
[Oh ~ So it was voice acting!]
[So why is Thoma pretending to be a dog for no reason?]
"Worthy of being the fifth-generation family head of the Shiba Clan. Your perception in this area is truly sharp."
Thoma smiled awkwardly at Shiba Kaoru.
"So, Thoma, why were you hiding behind there pretending to be a dog for no reason?" Paimon asked in confusion.
Thoma signaled to Chimatsuri to let go of him first.
Then Chimatsuri looked at Shiba Kaoru. Only after Shiba Kaoru nodded did he release Thoma.
(Jun Bai: Kazuha's friend feels like he's not this kind of personality. He's completely different from how Kazuha remembered him.)
"This is just because the atmosphere was too stiff during our last meeting, so I wanted to use a novel way of appearing to ease the tension." Thoma explained.
"Based on what you did on Ritou, even if you really were a dog I wouldn't find it surprising."
Jun Mo Li said indifferently.
[Worthy of Second Brother. Face-to-face ultimate move is simply done with ease. He's practically a mouth substitute.]
[Second Brother relies on having a god-level little brother behind him. He really speaks without any scruples.]
"Iyado." (Second Brother is right.)
"Agree +1."
Yiya and Paimon echoed Jun Mo Li's statement.
"Sorry, sorry. I apologize here for my previous actions." Thoma's tone was full of apology.
"This matter has already passed. The reason we appeared here today is not because of what happened on Ritou either."
"Where is the White Heron Princess? I remember today's invitation came from the White Heron Princess, not from you."
Faced with Jun Mo Li's questioning, Thoma displayed astonishing psychological resilience: "The young lady is waiting at the estate."
"Kaoru, how do we get to the Kamisato Clan?" Jun Mo Li's main strategy was non-cooperation.
"..." Shiba Kaoru walked outside in silence, then turned around and motioned for everyone to follow.
[Thoma: This is completely different from what was written in the script!]
[Second Brother is really going for violent non-cooperation.]
[Isn't it supposed to be non-violent non-cooperation?]
[Because when the other side uses violence, Second Brother will only be more violent than them. So the only way to cooperate is through non-violent methods. Therefore, it's violent non-cooperation.]
"Wait a moment!"
Young lady, this task is too difficult for me! This Jun Mo Li isn't playing by the rules at all!
Thoma broke out in cold sweat from Jun Mo Li's action.
"If you have something to say, say it directly. Don't engage in this kind of empty formalism." Jun Mo Li turned around, crossed his arms, and said.
Paimon leaned close to Lumine's ear and whispered: "Good thing Mo Li came along. Otherwise we would never have thought of having Kaoru lead the way to the Kamisato Clan."
Lumine nodded in agreement: "Rather than saying we couldn't think of it, it's more accurate to say we wouldn't resist."
Whether it was her or Paimon, neither of them were the type of personality that would refuse others.
This led to the two of them easily being led along by the other side when facing matters that didn't require the use of violence.
As for Yiya...
Even Paimon could lead this one around. It was better not to let the little one face this kind of situation.
So if it had been Lumine or Paimon handling this situation, they would probably have followed behind Thoma while holding in their anger.
"..."
"Young lady hopes that before I bring everyone to meet her, I take everyone to the Statue of the Omnipresent God." Faced with Jun Mo Li's sword-like gaze, Thoma spoke directly.
"Reason?"
"The young lady wants everyone to clearly recognize the harm of the Vision Hunt Decree..."
"I mean, the reason why we should go with you." Jun Mo Li said indifferently. "Right now it's you who need something from us, so we have no reason to listen to your young lady's reasons."
"..."
"Kaoru, lead the way."
"Aiya." Thoma sighed. "There's no need to trouble the head of the Shiba Clan. Let me lead everyone to the Kamisato Clan instead."
Hearing this, the corner of Jun Mo Li's mouth curved upward slightly: "No. I've changed my mind now."
"Go to the Statue of the Omnipresent God."
[6. Second Brother, you're just playing with Thoma ~]
[One moment going to the Kamisato Clan, the next moment going to the Statue of the Omnipresent God. I don't understand the meaning of this.]
[My understanding is that Second Brother is using his actions to show his attitude — that he will not follow the Kamisato Clan's arrangements.]
Thoma, who had been following Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka, still had some ability to read the room.
So he could naturally see that Jun Mo Li's capricious behavior was a way of showing that he would not cooperate with the Kamisato Clan.
Going to the Kamisato Clan was refusing Kamisato Ayaka's arrangements.
Now heading to the Statue of the Omnipresent God was showing that their group had the power to choose, rather than only being able to follow the Kamisato Clan's arrangements.
Things had already reached this point. What else could be done?
Thoma could only follow behind the group, watching as Shiba Kaoru led everyone to the Statue of the Omnipresent God.
The massive statue was located at the very center of Inazuma City, representing the image of the god.
Majestic, ruthless, with no trace of compassion.
Countless Visions were embedded upon it. Each one represented a wish that had been buried.
This was the symbol of the Vision Hunt Decree——
The Statue of the Omnipresent God.