At the Resistance Camp—
Lumine and Paimon had just returned from handling supply duties, arriving once more at the front lines.
But before they could even enter the camp, they heard a familiar tune echoing from the direction of Tatarasuna. It was a melody that tugged at the edges of their memories—they had heard it somewhere before.
Confused, they pushed forward, entering the camp. They found the resistance soldiers clustered at the defensive perimeter, gripping their weapons, expressions furious—as if something on the other side had ignited their anger.
“What’s going on, everyone? What’s happening over there?”
Paimon floated into the crowd, ready to ask what was happening, when she overheard snippets of conversation.
“Damn it! Those Shogunate bastards have gone too far! How dare they do that to our comrades!”
“Yeah, I can’t believe they made Lord Gorou dance like that! And in just his underwear! It’s too much! Everyone, how about we charge over and rescue them?!”
“Calm down! It’s probably a trap set by the Shogunate. Even if there are only a few of them, they’re definitely lying in wait. Rushing in would just play right into their hands!”
“Exactly. In this situation, we should look at the contingency plans Lady Sangonomiya left behind!”
“But… we’ve already used up all of Lady Sangonomiya’s plans…”
“That’s right…”
For a moment, the fiery spirit of the resistance seemed to falter.
Suddenly, someone noticed Lumine and Paimon, and a cry of joy rang out.
“It’s the Traveler! Thank the gods, you’re finally here!”
“Huh?”
Lumine blinked in surprise.
“Traveler! Please, you’re the only one who can save Lord Gorou!” another voice called out, filled with desperation.
In an instant, all the resistance soldiers, hearing that the brave Traveler had returned, crowded around Lumine, pleading with her to rescue their leader.
“W-Wait, slow down! Just tell us what happened first, okay?”
Paimon said, trying to calm the frantic crowd.
“It’s like this…”
One of the soldiers stepped forward, recounting the events of the day.
Early that morning, strange music had drifted from across the beach at Nazuchi. It caught the attention of the resistance guards, who were on duty.
What they saw was shocking—the very squad that had gone to Tatarasuna on a surprise attack the day before was now back, standing at the far end of Nazuchi Beach, wearing nothing but large shorts, performing an odd and embarrassing dance. Even their esteemed leader, Lord Gorou, was only in his shorts, leading the dance at the front.
It wasn’t just a dance—it was a blatant insult to the Resistance and Lady Sangonomiya!
There were only a man and a woman supervising the scene, yet Gorou and the others showed no sign of trying to escape. This made the resistance hesitant to act, fearing a trap.
So, they had pinned their hopes on the golden-haired Traveler standing before them.
“Wait… you’re saying that someone in the Shogunate is forcing Gorou and the others to dance and humiliate themselves?”
Paimon asked, confused. Isn’t this supposed to be a war? Why is there suddenly a dance battle?
“Can I take a look?”
Lumine said calmly, though her mind was racing. For some reason, the mention of a strange dance reminded her of a certain eccentric Harbinger.
“Here, use this telescope. You can see Lord Gorou and the others from here.”
One of the soldiers handed a telescope to Lumine.
She took it and scanned the distant shoreline.
On the other side, standing at the front of the formation, was Gorou, wearing only a pair of light-brown shorts. His face was as dark as an Onikabuto, leading a group of seventy-nine soldiers through a bizarre and familiar dance routine.
This dance…
Lumine felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
It looks just like that dance Luo Qing’s subordinates did back in Liyue on Yujing Terrace, wearing those same ridiculous shorts!
And the song… it sounded like Luo Qing’s voice…
Curious, Lumine adjusted the lens, panning the telescope further back.
Just behind the dancing formation, there was a man wearing sunglasses, reclining on a lounge chair, sipping fruit juice and basking in the warm sunshine of Nazuchi Beach. A woman stood nearby, like an attendant or secretary.
“Teresa?!”
Lumine gasped, recognizing the Electro Cicin Mage. They had crossed paths a few times before, and she could never forget Teresa’s distinctive appearance.
If that strange Electro Cicin Mage was behaving so deferentially, then…
There was no doubt about it.
The man in the sunglasses had to be Luo Qing!
Wasn’t he supposed to be a Harbinger? What was he doing representing the Shogunate now?
“…”
For a moment, Lumine was at a loss for words.
“Well, Traveler, can you help us?”
One of the soldiers asked again, desperately.
“This…”
Lumine’s face betrayed a flicker of hesitation.
She couldn’t exactly admit she knew the man who was lounging around drinking juice and sunbathing while their comrades were forced to dance.
“I… I’ll go and see what’s going on.”
“Wonderful! But please be careful, Traveler. It could be a trap!”
“Right…”
Not long after, Lumine steeled herself and, with Paimon floating by her side, headed toward the other end of Nazuchi Beach, where the bizarre dancing formation awaited.
Paimon’s eyes widened as they neared, the scene leaving her utterly speechless. She flitted back and forth among the dancers, shouting for them to stop, but no one acknowledged her.
Seeing Lumine’s approach, Gorou and the others looked utterly embarrassed, but they continued to move in perfect sync with the music, not daring to break the rhythm.
If they stopped, Luo Qing’s punishment would surely follow…
Lumine’s gaze met Gorou’s for a moment, his eyes filled with desperation. His lips silently formed the words:
Run…
“…”
Lumine shook her head slowly, took a deep breath, and resolutely walked towards Luo Qing’s sunny retreat.
All the while, the dancers couldn’t help but glance at her, but they kept dancing, the movements relentless.
Standing in front of Luo Qing, Lumine spoke evenly.
“Luo Qing, did you make them do this?”
She waited for a response.
But after a long moment, there was only the sound of soft snores from under the sunglasses.
“…”
【Frustration Value from Lumine +1】
【Frustration Value from Paimon +1】
Beside him, Teresa couldn’t hold back any longer. She tapped Luo Qing’s shoulder and whispered,
“Master Luo Qing, wake up… The Traveler’s here to ruin the fun…”
Teresa knew firsthand how formidable Lumine was. If she really intended to cause trouble, Teresa alone wouldn’t be enough to stop her. They needed Luo Qing awake.
“Who? Who’s causing trouble?!”
Luo Qing bolted upright, yanked off his sunglasses, and found himself staring at Lumine and Paimon, both glaring at him with their arms crossed.
“Oh, well if it isn’t the famous Lumine and Paimon! What a coincidence. You’re here to enjoy some sunbathing too?”
“…”
“Who would want to sunbathe with you?!”
Paimon fumed, stomping her tiny foot. “Luo Qing, you’re the one making Gorou and the others dance in their underwear, aren’t you?!”
“Yep,”
Luo Qing replied nonchalantly.
“What, you want to join them?”
“?”
Reader discussion
0 Comments
Be the first reader to share a thought about this chapter.