"Captain Beidou, one sunsettia, one black coat, and two swords—how about I handle this madwoman for you?"
"No. This is my ship. I won't let an outsider interfere."
Bai Luo's offer was tempting.
Whether others knew or not, Kazuha and Beidou were certain: if anyone on this ship could stand against Beisht, it was this ronin who called himself Himura Kenshin.
But as she said—a captain's pride wouldn't allow an outsider to meddle in the affairs of the Crux Fleet.
"What if I told you... Beisht is here for me?"
Bai Luo raised his head, meeting Beisht's furious gaze as she continued to hiss in his direction.
Others couldn't hear it, but he understood perfectly.
Her roars were screaming one name.
"Morax!"
"Here for you?"
Beidou shot Bai Luo a skeptical look. She was sure he was lying—and doing a terrible job at it.
Why not just claim you're Morax's friend while you're at it?
"Correct. Beisht is the wife of the Vortex God, Osial. After Osial was sealed by Rex Lapis, she harbored deep resentment. Coincidentally... due to certain circumstances, I bear a contract from the Geo Archon. Perhaps she was drawn here by that."
This was Bai Luo's own theory.
His three-day contract with Rex Lapis had already vanished—meaning the old man had likely already clashed with Tartaglia.
But the three-strike contract remained.
Seemed his loophole wasn't big enough. He'd have to study harder next time to find even better exploits.
"If we're talking about contracts from Rex Lapis, we Liyue folk carry far more. From business deals to casual promises—we shoulder countless contracts daily. You really wanna compare?"
Beidou scoffed, unimpressed.
An Inazuman trying to outdo Liyue in contracts?
Who's closer to the Geo Archon—you or us?
"But... my contract was made directly with Rex Lapis himself. Surely that's different from yours."
Bai Luo scratched his head, feigning confusion.
Beside him, Beidou's expression remained calm—but internally, her mind was reeling.
To make a contract with Rex Lapis, one had to meet him first.
Had this man... seen the Geo Archon?
Beidou hadn't forgotten why "Himura Kenshin" was on her ship in the first place.
Both she and Ningguang had deemed him dangerous—someone who needed to be shipped off to Inazuma to plague the Raiden Shogun instead.
And now he was claiming he'd met Rex Lapis?
"When did you see the Geo Archon?"
According to their intel, "Himura Kenshin" had appeared out of nowhere in Liyue's streets. Their spies couldn't even trace his entry point.
They'd assumed he'd snuck in with the Fatui.
But now... it seemed something had happened after his arrival—something they hadn't accounted for.
"Right after arriving. He's quite a gentle soul, really. I even treated him to tea."
Bai Luo wasn't stupid.
The entire nation of Liyue worshipped Rex Lapis.
If he admitted to injuring the Geo Archon, he'd be scrubbed clean and delivered straight to Morax's doorstep.
He couldn't afford to go back now.
Beidou's thoughts, however, took a different turn.
"Did this brat hurt Rex Lapis and flee before facing consequences?"
But she quickly dismissed the idea.
Kazuha had recounted countless times how "Himura Kenshin" had wounded the Raiden Shogun.
The Shogun, overconfident, had tried to tank his strike head-on.
But his swordsmanship wasn't native to Inazuma—catching her off guard and leaving a wound.
Rex Lapis, however, was famed for his wisdom and caution.
He'd never stand still and let someone slash him.
Plus, Bai Luo had wandered Liyue's streets for days without being hunted down by the adepti.
No way he'd harmed the Geo Archon.
Unless...
"Did he make a contract where Rex Lapis can't harm him?"
...Is the Geo Archon that stupid?
"Are you confident?"
Her lone eye, sharp as a blade, locked onto Bai Luo.
"Cutting off one head won't be an issue."
Bai Luo hugged his sword, radiating confidence.
Nine-Headed Dragon Flash + Fairy Glitter.
He refused to believe that true damage wouldn't take down at least one head.
"More importantly, I can understand her speech. Perhaps I can use that to negotiate and save all of you."
If Bai Luo had only claimed he could sever one head, Beidou would've refused outright.
But his next words changed her mind.
"Just a sunsettia, a black coat, and two swords. Right?"
After a pause, Beidou confirmed.
The last two made sense, but... a sunsettia?
Did he need a snack before fighting?
"If possible, a small boat as well. I... haven't yet mastered the art of walking on water."
Bai Luo scratched his cheek sheepishly.
When would he roll a class that could fly or surf on waves?
Rowing to a boss fight was just embarrassing.
"I'll arrange it."
For Beidou, these requests were trivial.
Especially the swords—with a master blacksmith aboard, the ship had no shortage of fine blades.
Frankly, the cost to her was nothing compared to what Bai Luo offered.
The Alcor bustled into action again—but this time, not to evacuate.
Instead, they scrambled to gather his requested items.
"A sunsettia! Is there not a single sunsettia on this ship?!"
"Captain, we have some in storage, but... they're the sour batch. I'm afraid—"
"Then keep looking!"
"Aye!"
While the crew rushed about, Bai Luo stood calmly on the deck, watching Beisht roar "Morax!" over and over.
He pondered his next move.
The system's activation condition was still a mystery. He needed to test it quickly.
Maybe... start by cutting off one head?
"Mr. Himura."
Kazuha's voice came from behind him, laced with quiet despair.
He had once cherished a dear friend—one who died before the Raiden Shogun, all for a dream.
Now, barely days after considering Bai Luo his new closest companion, history was repeating itself.
Why him?
Why must everyone he held dear walk this path?
Bai Luo didn't answer. Instead, he drew something from his robe—
A broken sword.
"This is...?"
Kazuha's breath hitched.
The dull, ownerless Vision at his hip flickered faintly—
Then faded just as quickly.