The Blond Traveler

[Please enjoy today's double update awa]

[Please follow, send gifts, add to your bookshelf, and leave comments awa]

[Follows, continued readership, and gifts are what motivate me to update ovo]

The midwinter dawn filtered through the cold ice-crystal windows, casting the entire room in a solemn blue.

Baichen stood before the dressing mirror, his fingers brushing the ice patterns on his chest. Thanks to the advanced Cryo resistance he had exchanged for through the system, the marks that had been clearly visible the night before had now turned transparent. Only by touching them could he feel a faint chill.

[System notification]

[Emblem of Ice concealment effect: 71 hours remaining]

[Raiden Shogun's affection: 52% (above the warning threshold)]

At least I won't be electrocuted to a crisp on the spot...

[Host, don't be so optimistic!]

[That woman is the type to fly into a rage if she smells another woman's perfume on you!]

...Shut up.

A timely knock at the door interrupted Baichen and the system's "friendly" exchange.

Arlecchino, "The Knave," stood outside. Today, she had uncharacteristically removed her mask, revealing a face of cold beauty.

Beneath her short, grayish-black hair, her black eyes, marked with red crosses, watched Baichen calmly.

"The ship is ready." Her voice was softer than usual. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa asked me to escort you to the border personally."

Baichen nodded and followed her down the long ice-crystal corridor.

The Zapolyarny Palace was unusually quiet that morning. The occasional attendant they passed bowed, not daring to look too closely. Arlecchino suddenly stopped before a side door:

"Her Majesty is waiting for you."

Baichen gently pushed the door open. Its hinges gave a faint creak, as though reminding him that he was about to enter an entirely new world.

Beyond the door was a small viewing balcony. Sunlight streamed through the translucent curtains and fell on the floor in mottled patches of light and shadow.

Bronya stood quietly on the balcony with her back to them. In the morning light, her long, ice-blue hair resembled a thin, gauzy halo, lending her figure an air of mystery.

When she heard their footsteps, she slowly turned around.

For an instant, Baichen felt as though he were looking at a queen who had stepped out of a fairy tale.

Today, Bronya had changed into a military uniform. The silver-white fabric clung tightly to her slender yet strong body, perfectly outlining her waist.

Golden threads embroidered the collar, complementing her hair and making her look all the more noble and elegant.

The cape on her shoulders fluttered gently in the breeze, like a white dove spreading its wings to take flight, lending her a lively air.

"Come here." She held out her hand to Baichen, her voice much softer than it had been the night before.

Arlecchino tactfully withdrew outside the door. Baichen walked over to Bronya, and she immediately took his hand, her cool fingertips gently stroking his palm:

"Remember, wherever you are, Snezhnaya will always welcome you back." She hung an ice-crystal pendant around Baichen's neck. "Wear it, and I'll be able to sense your location and condition."

The pendant was cool to the touch and shaped like a delicate snowflake.

Baichen was about to thank her when Bronya suddenly leaned close and planted a gentle kiss on his lips:

"A parting gift." She stepped back, a complex light flickering in her eyes. "Make good use of the Cryo I taught you... I look forward to seeing even more surprises from you the next time we meet."

[Item obtained: Bronya's snowflake pendant]

[Effect: Cryo Mastery +15%, tracking function (one-way)]

[Bronya's affection +1%, now 64%]

Leaving the Zapolyarny Palace went more smoothly than expected.

Arlecchino personally drove a peculiar carriage powered by Cryo, carrying Baichen through the streets of the winter capital.

The city in the morning was completely different from the city at night. Ice-crystal buildings sparkled in the sunlight, and pedestrians came and went along the streets. There was no sign at all of the intimacy and tension of the previous night.

"Her Majesty the Tsaritsa rarely pays someone this much attention," Arlecchino suddenly said. "I hope you won't disappoint her."

Baichen did not answer. He merely tightened his grip on the pendant against his chest.

The carriage soon reached the harbor, where a medium-sized fast ship lay at anchor. Its hull was covered in special ice-crystal armor that refracted the sunlight into a rainbow of colors.

"This is the Aurora, the fastest ship in Snezhnaya," Arlecchino explained. "It can get you back to Inazuma in three days."

Boarding was simple and quick. Just as the ship was about to set sail, an unexpected figure appeared on the dock. Columbina, "The Damselette," came running over with a skip in her step and pressed a package into Baichen's hands:

"Some snacks for the trip~" She winked. "Don't read too much into it. They're just ordinary cookies!"

The package did contain ordinary animal-shaped cookies, but each one was incredibly intricate.

Columbina leaned close to Baichen's ear and whispered, "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa was so excited last night, she even got up in the middle of the night to make ice sculptures~"

[Columbina's affection +2%, now 15%]

[Item obtained: shaped cookies (effect: mood +10%)]

With a long blast of its whistle, the Aurora slowly pulled away from the harbor.

Baichen stood on the deck, watching Snezhnaya's outline gradually disappear from view.

Bronya's ice patterns, Ei's anger, and the night that had almost happened... it all felt as unreal as a dream.

[System, scan my current status.]

[Scan complete!]

[Current attributes:

Electro control: LV.49

Cryo Mastery: LV.32

Overall combat power: A-rank]

[Current conquest progress:

Raiden Shogun: 52% (anxious)

Bronya: 64% (continued attention)

Other characters: pending update]

The first day at sea was calm. Baichen spent most of his time in the cabin practicing Cryo control. The techniques Bronya had taught him were indeed exquisite, and combined with the resistance he had exchanged for through the system, he could now freely condense small ice crystals.

On the evening of the second day, the outlines of several familiar warships appeared on the horizon. Inazuma's lightning-emblazoned flags stood out against the setting sun.

Before long, a small speedboat broke away from the main fleet and headed toward them.

Standing at its bow was none other than Kujou Sara, the wings on her back trembling slightly in the wind.

"Mr. Baichen!" She leaped onto the deck, her gaze quickly sweeping over him as though checking for injuries. "The Shogun sent me to fetch you."

Kujou's gaze lingered for a second on the snowflake pendant around Baichen's neck, but she said nothing.

When she turned to Arlecchino, her tone became businesslike. "Thank you for Snezhnaya's escort. We'll take over from here."

Arlecchino bowed gracefully. "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa asked me to convey that she looks forward to our next friendly meeting." She gave Baichen a meaningful look. "Especially... on matters concerning Mr. Baichen."

[Kujou Sara's affection -1%, now 14%]

[Note: wary of Snezhnayan items]

After they transferred to Inazuma's speedboat, Kujou finally couldn't help asking, "Are you all right? The Shogun was very worried..."

"I'm fine." Baichen instinctively touched the Electro Archon's Talisman against his chest. "Ei... why did the Shogun suddenly cancel her plans to come to Snezhnaya in person?"

Kujou's expression turned strange. "Well... you should ask the Shogun yourself."

The main fleet was far larger than Baichen had imagined. Twelve warships stood in neat formation, each radiating majesty and power.

Not only were these warships enormous, but they were also equipped with the most advanced Electro cannons. The powerful weapons inspired awe.

A fleet this vast, arrayed like this, looked nothing like a welcoming party. It looked more like a battle force on full alert, ready for a fierce naval battle.

A purple figure stood quietly on the deck of the flagship, the Lightning.

Even from a distance, Baichen could clearly feel the sharp aura radiating from that figure. It was Ei. Like her name, her presence gave off an air of mystery and majesty.

The moment Baichen stepped onto the deck, the surrounding soldiers suddenly dropped to one knee in unison, without the slightest hesitation or delay.

Ei alone remained standing, her long purple hair streaming freely in the sea breeze, as though she had become one with the ocean.

"You're back?" Her voice was frighteningly calm.

Baichen nodded, suddenly at a loss for words. Ei's gaze swept over him from head to toe before settling on the snowflake pendant around his neck.

The Electro in the air instantly grew restless.

"Take it off," she ordered.

Baichen was about to reach for it when the pendant suddenly flew into Ei's hand of its own accord.

She pinched the ice crystal between her fingers, Electro flowing around her fingertips as though she meant to crush it outright. In the end, however, she merely snorted and tossed the pendant to Kujou:

"Put it away. We'll deal with it once we're back in Inazuma."

[Raiden Shogun's affection -3%, now 49%]

[Warning! Dropped below the 50% critical threshold!]

Ei turned and walked toward the cabin, leaving him with a few words: "You, come with me. I have questions for you."

The meeting room inside the cabin was exceptionally plain, without a single unnecessary decoration or furnishing. Everything seemed simple and practical.

A huge table stood in the very center of the room, like a steady mountain, giving an impression of solidity and reliability.

Spread across the tabletop was a nautical chart of the waters around Inazuma. It was drawn in exquisite detail, with every coastline, island, and shipping route clearly outlined.

Although it was only a strategic map, it was as beautiful as a fine work of art.

Sunlight fell through the windows onto the chart, making its lines and markings stand out more clearly, as though they were telling the story of these waters.

Ei stood quietly by the window, her figure faintly outlined by the sunlight like a beautiful silhouette painting.

Her back was to Baichen, and she seemed completely lost in thought, oblivious to everything around her, Baichen included, of course.

She wore a purple kimono, its deep color looking especially rich in the sunlight, mysterious and captivating like stars in the night sky.

The kimono's fabric looked very soft, fluttering gently with Ei's movements as though it were part of her.

Intricate patterns were embroidered along the kimono's collar and cuffs, delicate and elaborate, displaying a distinctive artistic style.

Ei's long hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, brushing gently against her back and lending her a touch of softness and elegance.

"Explain," she said curtly.

"Ex... explain what?"

Ei suddenly turned and, in a flash, was standing before Baichen.

She tilted Baichen's chin up with her fingers, forcing him to meet her gaze. "What did Bronya do to you?" Her eyes were sharp as knives. "Don't even think about lying. I can smell her elemental aura... all over your body."

[System emergency notification]

[Extreme dangerous emotions detected]

[Recommendation: partial confession!]

What do you mean, partial?

[Admit you had contact with her, but hide the details, idiot! If you don't speak up now, she might unleash the Musou no Hitotachi the very next second!]

"She... she taught me some Cryo Mastery techniques," Baichen answered cautiously. "In exchange, I promised her..."

"Lies." Ei's fingers tightened slightly. "I know exactly what that woman is thinking."

Her other hand suddenly pressed against Baichen's chest, Electro instantly piercing through his clothing. "These ice patterns... they're Snezhnaya's 'marks of possession,' aren't they?"

Baichen looked down in shock and found that the ice patterns on his chest had reappeared under the stimulation of the Electro, giving off a faint blue glow.

[Emblem of Ice exposed!]

[Emergency plan activated: play pitiful!]

"I... I resisted at the time..." Baichen's voice trembled despite himself. "But she was too strong..."

Ei's gaze suddenly softened.

She released her grip on Baichen and gently stroked the ice patterns instead. "Did... did it hurt?"

The unexpected tenderness left Baichen momentarily speechless.

Ei's fingers lingered on the ice patterns, Electro flowing gently from them as though she were examining something.

"Not too deep," she concluded at last. "They'll fade on their own in three days."

After a pause, she added, "Don't use Cryo in the meantime, or the marks will deepen."

[Raiden Shogun's affection +5%, now 54%]

[Protective instincts overwhelmed anger]

Ei turned and walked to the other side of the cabin, taking a brand-new set of Inazuman clothes from a cabinet. "Change into these. You're covered in her scent."

As she handed him the clothes, her fingertips inadvertently brushed Baichen's wrist. "Come to my room afterward... and give me a detailed report of your time in Snezhnaya."

The words sounded like an order, yet somehow carried a hint of intimacy.

Baichen took the clothes and found they were the latest style of Inazuman kendo attire, with delicate lightning patterns embroidered on the collar.

[Item obtained: Raiden Shogun's specially made kendo attire]

[Effect: Electro affinity +10%]

The rest of the voyage was exceptionally peaceful, as though time had forgotten this stretch of ocean.

Ei spent most of her time in the command room, her figure intermittently visible behind its transparent glass walls. Baichen could only see her majestic and mysterious face when she occasionally came out to check the route.

Baichen, meanwhile, did as she asked and avoided using Cryo as much as possible.

Although Cryo was useful in certain situations, it might attract some unnecessary attention in these calm waters.

So Baichen devoted more of his energy to reviewing his Electro control techniques.

Time passed quietly in the calm. On the morning of the third day, as the first ray of sunlight fell across the sea, the outline of Inazuma finally appeared on the distant horizon.

The islands were shrouded in morning mist, appearing and disappearing like a fairyland.

Kujou told Baichen that the fleet would first dock at Ritou, where they would transfer to a small boat for the main island.

Ritou was an important port in Inazuma and a hub for exchange with the outside world.

Baichen stood at the bow, gazing at the islands as they grew clearer, anticipation and excitement welling up in his heart.

"The Shogun has already gone ahead to Tenshukaku."

Kujou explained, "She told me to escort you back at a leisurely pace... apparently to give you time to 'get yourself in order.'"

The arrangement came as a relief to Baichen. At least he wouldn't have to face Ei's questioning the moment he got off the ship.

Ritou's docks were busier than he had expected today. Merchant ships and fishing boats filled the berths, and workers were busy loading and unloading cargo.

"Everyone seems especially busy today?" Baichen asked curiously.

Kujou nodded. "The monthly Liyue merchant fleet has arrived."

She pointed to several large ships flying Liyue flags in the distance. "I heard someone from the Liyue Qixing is accompanying them this time."

They passed through the bustling market, with Kujou dutifully fending off the more enthusiastic vendors.

Just as they were about to reach the transfer point, a familiar voice called out from the crowd:

"Mr. Baichen! It really is you!"

He turned to see Ganyu standing in front of a tea stall, holding a packet of tea she had just bought. She wore casual clothes today, and simple strings of beads adorned her qilin horns. She looked much more relaxed than she had in Snezhnaya.

"Miss Ganyu?" Baichen greeted her in surprise. "What are you doing in Ritou?"

"I'm here to investigate the trade routes." She smiled and walked over.

Suddenly, as though she had noticed the Electro Archon's Talisman around Baichen's neck, she said, "Oh, you've already returned to Inazuma... You didn't run into any trouble in Snezhnaya, did you?"

Kujou stepped warily between them. "Mr. Baichen needs to return to Tenshukaku and report as soon as possible."

Ganyu tactfully stepped back. "Of course, I understand." She took a small box from her bag. "Lady Ningguang asked me to pass this gift on to you, to celebrate your safe return."

Inside the box lay an exquisitely crafted jade clasp, its color like the deepest green waves in a lotus pond at the height of summer, as though all that emerald hue had been distilled within it.

When he gently picked it up with his fingertips, its smooth, cool touch spread across them, as though he had touched a clear mountain spring.

More astonishing still, watery light seemed to ripple within the lustrous jade, as though it held a galaxy sealed inside, or concealed a spiritual spring that had never run dry in a thousand years. Its shifting light carried an indescribable mystery and vitality.

Baichen was just about to thank her when Kujou took the box first. "Thank you to the Liyue Qixing for your concern. We'll pass it on to the Shogun for her inspection."

[Ganyu's favorability +1%, currently 22%]

[Item obtained: Ningguang's Jade Clasp (effect unknown)]

After they left Ganyu, Kujou's expression grew even more serious. "Please don't accept gifts from outsiders so casually.

The small boat sailed steadily toward the main island.

As the distance closed, the outline of Tenshukaku grew clearer and clearer-the towering building still stood imposingly at the highest point of the city, just as it had when Baichen left.

[System notification]

[About to return to Inazuma's main city]

[Recommendation: Prepare yourself mentally]

What does that mean?

[Although the Raiden Shogun appears calm...]

[An analysis of elemental fluctuations indicates that she is in an extremely repressed state]

[In short: signs of an impending yandere]

[You wouldn't want Ei to treat you like Star Wrath, would you?]

The terrifying prediction made Baichen's whole body stiffen.

Just then, the boat gave a slight shudder-they had reached the shore.

Kujou was the first to jump onto the dock. She turned and held out a hand to Baichen.

"Welcome home, Mr. Baichen."

Those simple words were like warm winter sunlight, sending a warm current through Baichen's heart.

But just as Baichen was about to step onto the dock, his heart full of joy, a blond figure suddenly darted out of the crowd like lightning. Seemingly oblivious to Baichen standing ahead, she barreled straight toward him.

"Wah!" Startled by the sudden turn of events, Baichen couldn't help crying out.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The newcomer was clearly startled too. She hurried to a stop, apologizing to Baichen in a fluster as she raised her head.

Only then did Baichen get a clear look at her face-it was completely unfamiliar.

Her hair cascaded over her shoulders like a golden waterfall, brushing lightly against her fair skin with a soft sheen.

She wore a brightly colored, distinctive outfit in a foreign style that stood out sharply from the people around her.

But what left the deepest impression on Baichen was her pair of eyes, blue as a clear sky, clear and bright like deep lakes.

The most eye-catching sight, however, wasn't the girl herself, but the little white sprite floating beside her.

The little sprite was white all over. She was circling the girl anxiously, muttering nonstop, "Lumine! I told you to be more careful!"

"Paimon, I'm fine~" The girl called Lumine smiled and reassured her companion, then turned to Baichen. "I'm really sorry, I got jostled by the crowd just now..."

Her voice abruptly trailed off, and her eyes widened. "Wait, you have... the aura of both Electro and Cryo? How unusual!"

Kujou immediately stepped in front of Baichen. "Miss, please keep your distance."

Lumine took an embarrassed step back. "Ah, sorry! I'm just rather sensitive to Elemental Power..." She examined Baichen curiously. "Are you a Vision holder? How can you have two elements at the same time..."

"Lumine!" The little white sprite hurriedly tugged at her sleeve. "We still have someone to find!"

"Oh, right!" Lumine slapped her forehead and waved goodbye to them. "See you around!"

She turned and ran into the crowd, her golden hair sparkling in the sunlight.

Kujou urged him on. "Mr. Baichen, we should go. The Shogun is waiting for you."

Baichen nodded, glanced one last time in the direction Lumine had disappeared, then turned and headed toward Tenshukaku.