The Great War Between Izumo and the Glamoth Iron Cavalry Legion (Continued)

"This place is even more prosperous than I imagined, and the fried tofu comes in different flavors... Speaking of which, has anyone seen where our the Shogun went?"

"I don't know, but judging by the time, Lord Liu Bai should be back soon," Ying said respectfully.

This answer made the Yae Miko roll her eyes at Sakura.

Sometimes I feel that Sakura is even less interesting than Sara.

"..."

Sakura was speechless.

Kamisato Ayaka nearby, muttered, "I think I know why Sara always has such a long face."

She used to think that Kujou Sara's behavior was due to a problem with her, but after working with these "adults," she realized that it might be an environmental issue.

Nine out of ten adults in my family are problem children!

Having to deal with such a group of people every day, Kujou Sara can still keep a straight face. Even Kamisato Ayaka thinks this person is quite remarkable.

"You two went from disliking each other to becoming best friends, that's pretty fast." Yae Miko rolled her eyes at Kamisato Ayaka. "You... never mind."

After what happened last time, although the Yae Miko had mixed feelings, to be honest, she was no longer so averse to Liu Bai.

—Or rather, rejection is useless; it's a foregone conclusion.

Furthermore... although it's somewhat shameful, the Yae Miko must admit that seeing Kitsune Saiguu devour several essences last time awakened something within her... probably some kind of female beastly instinct?

Of course, this can't be said directly...

The identity issues that used to be a source of anxiety can simply be resolved by being shameless. There's no social problem in the world that can't be solved by being shameless. If you can't solve it, it just means you haven't been shameless enough.

Anyway, they just packed it all up.

On the contrary, the Yae Miko has no right to control juniors like Kamisato Ayaka and Sakura; they can do whatever they want.

"Speaking of which, Ayaka, what do you think of your brother's abilities?"

"Not bad...?"

Even if they are siblings with a bit of a "bantering" filter, Kamisato Ayaka has to admit that her brother's abilities are quite good.

Although he can't compare to the unpredictable Kitsune Saiguu or the long-serving General Raiden Makoto, Yae Miko in front of him.

"Inazuma really has a problem and my brother hasn't noticed, I think it's possible..."

"Inazuma himself has bigger problems, right?"

Yae Miko knew what Ayaka was going to say.

It must be said that this is indeed the truth.

The people currently in charge of Inazuma, Kamisato Ayato and Sasayuri, are both exceptionally talented, one in literature and the other in martial arts.

However, the entire team cannot be arbitrarily mobilized by just two people.

Just looking at the shrine, both the head and deputy head priestess of the Kitsune Saiguu have left. The remaining priestesses... well, they can't be said to be incompetent, but they certainly wouldn't be qualified if something really happened.

"And there may be oversights regarding Anti-Entropy in the ocean areas," the Yae Miko chuckled.

The person in charge of Anti-Entropy in the Far East is Raiden Ryoma, an excellent Boss Liu and scientist, but politically... well, he's a mess. He looks respectable, but he probably doesn't care about that at all and is probably just conducting experiments behind closed doors.

Whether the Far East Branch can react or not is a 50/50 chance. The Far East Branch lacks scientific research personnel, but Kallen, a Kaslana over 500 years old, is still quite capable.

However, one thing is certain: Liyue is covering it up.

"According to the typical plot of light novels, the more you try to cover it up, the less likely you are to be able to cover it up..."

"My Yae Miko, please don't say such discouraging things."

Kamisato Ayaka was helpless.

"Liyue's combat strength is still quite impressive."

Yae Miko simply shrugged at this.

It's not that she looks down on Liyue, but to be honest, Liyue doesn't have as many high-level combatants that they, Inazuma, can mobilize immediately.

"Let's go, let's go back. Maybe our general has already gone back to be all lovey-dovey with someone."

Guesthouse.

Liu Bai registered both Mobius and Mei.

It's clear that the receptionist was starting to lose her composure over Liu Bai's ability to drag the two of them back from the doorway.

"... That's quite a grand affair."

Mobius looked around at his surroundings and was very satisfied.

"Let's go upstairs. Yelan gave us the top two floors."

Liu Bai pressed the elevator button.

As the elevator came down, Miyuki Chiyo stepped out and gave Liu Bai a slight nod. Perhaps because of the presence of Mobius and Mei, whom she didn't recognize, Miyuki Chiyo didn't say much.

"Tsk."

As expected, Mobius got jealous again.

"Has she always been like this?" Mei glanced at Mobius.

She's not an anthropologist, but at least she knows what vinegar tastes like.

"Occasionally, occasionally."

Liu Bai defended Mobius.

"So you've always been like this?" Mei's next question left Liu Bai a little bewildered. "Having relationships with other women."

Mei then pointed to Guinaifen and Li Sushang who were following behind.

"..."

Ah, this is a truly subtle question that leaves one speechless.

"Maybe... often? But... Sushang and I shouldn't be considered to have a relationship, right?"

"You're really honest."

Mobius patted Liu Bai on the back of the head, but ultimately didn't say anything more.

You have to pamper your own pet mice, even if it means gritting your teeth.

The one who's related is Guinaifen, right...? She remembered that name.

After going upstairs, Liu Bai found two empty rooms for Mei and Mobius.

The three then retrieved seawater samples they had collected along the way from Mobius's room.

Perhaps because they didn't want to cause panic, the blockade of Liyue Harbor wasn't very strict. They only prohibited fishing boats and anglers, ignoring those who were just sightseeing.

"I remember you have some basic testing equipment in your pot, right?" Mobius glanced at Liu Bai.

She left those devices there.

Liu Bai nodded and quickly took out the "simple equipment" that covered the entire desk.

"Come here, Mei, this is your first time coming into contact with Honkai energy. Come here, I'll teach you step by step."

"... Don't you need any protective equipment?"

"The sea hasn't been completely sealed off, so what kind of protection do you need?"

During Mobius's teaching period, Kafka came by and asked Liu Bai if he could release Firefly and the others as well.

After all, it would be unfair to only promote Guinaifen.

Liu Bai thought about it... Okay, it seems that's true.

—Although it was actually the Firefly who was in a hurry, but couldn't speak up directly, so she could only ask Kafka for help.

When they're no longer useful, they're kicked aside; when they're useful, they're begged to be treated like good little babies—but Kafka doesn't seem to mind that much.

"Who in the family wants to come out?"

"Hmm... Firefly and Miss Acheron, perhaps?" Kafka for a moment and offered two names.

"... I've subtly sensed a hint of malice, Kafka- chan."

"Hmm~ Not a bad nickname." Kafka smiled gently. "No harm intended. Don't you want to Izumo's battle against the Glamoth Iron Cavalry Antimatter Legion?"

"You'll get beaten up for that kind of hellish joke." Bai twitched the corner of his mouth—well, he was also a little tempted to laugh.

A subtle sense of humor.

"So I said it in front of you." Kafka still had that same smile, making it impossible to tell that she had just told a hellish joke that would diminish one's merit.

"Okay, it's just the two of them, no one else?"

"It's gone."

The remaining people are either emotionless, doll-like girls or mature, composed female leaders.

So Liu Bai released Firefly and Acheron, and then took them to the front desk to register.

... The receptionist was trying her best to keep a straight face.

This is truly a high-quality front desk staff member.

"That... Liu Bai ..."

"No, we can't disturb the BOSS's work." Just as Firefly was about to say something with a blush on her face, Kafka pulled Firefly away from behind.

As for Acheron... Acheron simply nodded to Liu Bai without saying anything more.

After finishing these tasks, Liu Bai waited for a while outside Mobius's house before the test results came out.

"As expected, the concentration of Honkai energy in the sea is three times higher than the normal standard."

"... Very big?"

Liu Bai observed Mobius's indifferent expression and asked with some curiosity.

"Not much, to be honest, not much at all." Mobius shrugged. "To put it simply... if you drink this stuff, the chances of dying from drinking seawater are much greater than the chances of dying from Honkai energy. Fish and shrimp are the real problem—though, of course, not the biggest one."

"The biggest question is why this change happened," Mei added.

"Can you identify the source of the change?"

"Yes, we can take large-scale samples and try them slowly. The advantage of this simple method is that it's reliable."

Mobius nodded.

"A quicker way... is to use satellites to detect Honkai energy reactions, but I reckon Liyue has already used that, and it didn't seem to work. As for the ocean, we have to consider those unfathomable deep seas. How about we let Acheron try it?"

"I think it might be a bit difficult."

After all, Acheron's special effects are severely lacking... and judging from Acheron's past terrible sense of direction, it's clear that he's not a detective.

Even if there is some illusion at play, it's still quite surreal for a top-tier expert to get lost.

"Then you should stay away from those useless women in the future." Mobius rolled his eyes. "That's the situation for now. If we could get some samples from the open ocean or fish and shrimp, we could continue our research."

"... No, let's put it on hold for now."

"Oh?"

"No matter how much research we do, we can't really help unless Liyue comes to us for help."

Liu Bai also needed leverage to control Ningguang at the negotiating table—what could be more suitable than a savior-like act of kindness in times of need?

"Good."

Mobius nodded, quite satisfied with Liu Bai's answer.

"We're not running a charity. If Ningguang didn't bleed, how could there be so many good things? We'll do as you say on this matter and put it aside for now... How far have you progressed in your cooperation with Anti-Entropy?"

Mobius changed the subject.

"Everything is ready except for the equipment and personnel."

Liu Bai's answer surprised Mobius.

"By sea?"