Chapter 155: Chapter 155: Killing the Fish for Its Eggs

Sunsettias, a natural blessing found throughout Teyvat, are plump, radiant fruits as beautiful as the setting sun.

Lingling was well aware of their effects.

They carried a unique, sweet fragrance, making them a rare and delicious treat. Additionally, they had an incredibly potent refreshing effect—one bite could revitalize a person, filling them with energy.

But… was the effect really supposed to be this strong?

Why did it seem like Teppei had just eaten a Jueyun Chili from Liyue?

“Himura-san, Teppei seems to have passed out again,” Lingling said hesitantly.

She couldn’t help but notice something… odd dripping from the corner of Teppei’s mouth.

Was he really okay?

“It’s fine. If we feed him another piece of Sunsettia, he should recover.”

As Bai Luo spoke, he actually went ahead and pinched off another chunk of the fruit.

Lying in a daze, Teppei—somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness—seemed to hear those words.

His body tensed.

Then, with a deep breath, he abruptly sat up again.

“I… I’m fine.”

Holding the Sunsettia in his trembling hands, Teppei’s heart nearly stopped.

He had once believed that the most terrifying thing in the world was the pirates at Tatarasuna.

But now… he realized there was something even more terrifying.

“He’s awake now. I’ll leave the rest to you, Lingling-san.”

Bai Luo casually pocketed the remaining Sunsettias, his expression unreadable.

For some reason, Lingling had the strange suspicion that he seemed… disappointed.

Was he actually upset that he couldn’t feed Teppei another piece?

With the treatment now in Lingling’s hands, Bai Luo had nothing else to do.

Before leaving, he left Teppei with a simple message:

“If you still want to learn the sword from me, meet me at the usual place tomorrow. I’ll wait for you only once. If you don’t come, I won’t bother with you again.”

Four words summarized his attitude: “Come if you want.”

But if Teppei chose not to go, then their relationship would likely end there.

“Lord Himura is too much. Even if his heart wasn’t pierced, this is still a serious wound. How can he expect him to keep training?”

After making sure Bai Luo was out of earshot, Lingling grumbled, helping Teppei lie back down.

“No… I think I’m fine.”

Teppei lightly pressed his wound.

A sharp, unbearable pain shot through his body, causing veins to bulge across his forehead.

And yet… he was fine.

He knew his own body well.

Even though the wound hurt like hell, it didn’t feel serious.

Or rather, the wound only hurt, but it wasn’t draining his life away.

Lord Battousai is truly a mysterious man.

<+>

With Teppei’s issue settled, Bai Luo found himself with free time for the first time in a while.

He had originally planned to find an opportunity to chat with Kseniya, but before he could, Kazuha came to find him.

“Good afternoon, Himura-san.”

Watatsumi Island wasn’t Kazuha’s home, but it was still part of Inazuma.

So, compared to his usual demeanor, he seemed noticeably more relaxed.

His movements were as calm as ever, his pace never rushed nor sluggish.

And yet, around him, there was always the presence of a faint, invisible breeze.

“Finally got some free time?”

As the bridge between The Crux and Watatsumi Island, Kazuha had been busy lately.

If he had time to come and chat, it meant he had finally finished his tasks.

“Mm. Due to the ongoing battle at the front lines, Her Excellency the Divine Priestess has a great deal of administrative matters to handle today. So, the commercial negotiations have been postponed.”

At the mention of the war, Kazuha’s cheerful expression faded slightly.

“I just went to visit some old friends from my time with the Resistance… Their situations aren’t looking good. Most of them have suffered permanent injuries. Some of them… have already…”

He trailed off.

“War… is truly a terrifying thing.”

That’s true—no matter what world you’re in, war is always a heavy topic.

Bourou Village might seem peaceful on the surface, with smiles on everyone’s faces, but the wounded veterans who have returned from the front lines are the scars beneath that beauty—scars that can’t be hidden.

Those with lighter injuries can at least return to battle once they recover.

But those who lost limbs, their eyesight, or suffered other permanent disabilities?

They could only lock themselves away in their homes, drowning in alcohol, trying to forget.

Some of them seemed fine one day, only to be found dead in their rooms the next.

Eventually, Her Excellency, the Divine Priestess, took notice.

But she didn’t do what most people expected—she didn’t go from house to house offering words of comfort or empty encouragement.

Instead, she built small workshops, similar to factories, and assigned the disabled veterans to manufacture military supplies.

At first, many people criticized her decision.

They saw it as coldhearted and exploitative, believing it was inhumane to make these war heroes—who had already shed blood for Watatsumi Island—work for their survival.

But soon, people realized something surprising.

Not only did the veterans not complain, but they actually came to enjoy the work.

After all, these were battle-hardened soldiers. They knew what the front lines needed. They understood what gear required improvements.

Their experience helped solve many practical problems for the army.

And more importantly—the suicide rate among them dropped significantly.

Only then did people begin to admire the wisdom of the Divine Priestess.

Hardship demands recognition and real assistance, not shallow sentimentality or performative sympathy.

A leader could go around visiting these injured soldiers, saying kind words, and gain reputation and admiration for doing so.

But then what?

Would those soldiers who wanted to die suddenly decide to live just because of a few comforting words?

Would those who had fallen into despair magically find purpose again?

No.

Meanwhile, those who just stood around, shedding performative tears, saying,

“Oh, how tragic!”

“Such poor souls!”

…were merely indulging in their own self-righteous, empty satisfaction.

“Hehe~ I cried for a poor soul today. I’m such a good person! Yay me!”

Sangonomiya Kokomi had managed to sit in her position as the Divine Priestess for so long for a reason—she had real skill.

Unfortunately for her…

She had chosen the wrong opponent.

A cunning enemy was already terrifying enough.

But an enemy who knew everything about you—your strengths, your weaknesses, your every move?

That meant the game was over before it even began.

Bai Luo had already drafted at least ten different plans in his mind.

Some were despicable.

Some were psychological warfare.

Some were cutthroat and decisive—the kind that killed the enemy’s will to fight before even drawing a blade.

Some were things that are… R18+… in nature, the one that when described, would be used by some horny people to ’blow off some steam’.

There was bound to be a plan perfect for Her Excellency Sangonomiya.

If Bai Luo’s guess was correct, this so-called “handling official affairs” was probably just an excuse.

In reality, she was most likely retreating to her secret base to replenish her energy.

Honestly, he was surprised she had lasted this long.

Just as Bai Luo was considering whether to pay a visit to Kokomi’s secret base, Kazuha, who had been talking to himself happily, suddenly turned to him and asked:

“By the way, Himura-san, I’ve been meaning to introduce you to a friend of mine. He happens to be free today. Would you be willing to meet him?”

Kazuha’s friend had been wanting to meet the legendary Battousai for a while now.

Unfortunately, the front lines had been too intense, leaving no opportunity for them to meet.

But today was different.

There was finally a chance.

Even the Divine Priestess hadn’t assigned him any tasks, making it the perfect time for an introduction.

“A friend of yours, Kazuha? Of course.”

The moment Kazuha mentioned having a friend who wanted to meet him, Bai Luo already knew who it was.

Because back when they traveled to Inazuma together, Kazuha had already mentioned this friend.

. . . . .

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