Igor had a strong desire for control, evident from how he personally handled everything on Watatsumi Island.
Even after Bai Luo arrived on the island, this controlling nature showed no signs of relenting.
Especially after Bai Luo explicitly forbade him from revealing his identity to anyone, Igor became even more brazen in monopolizing all affairs, outright ignoring Bai Luo, his superior Harbinger.
Today, as usual, he was hunched over his desk, scribbling away—until an unexpected VIP arrived.
"L-Lord Battousai."
Upon seeing the red-clad swordsman enter, Igor immediately put on an ingratiating smile.
Though his flattery wasn't particularly polished.
Understandable—if not for his desperate need to leverage Bai Luo's influence to present his achievements to higher-ups, Igor likely wouldn't have groveled like this.
Such a man, capable of extreme patience, was generally not someone to provoke lightly.
Unfortunately, his ambition far outstripped his competence. He failed to realize that the golden songbird he'd locked in a cage had long since trapped him in a far larger one.
"How much Mora can you currently access?"
Bai Luo didn't bother with pleasantries either, cradling his reverse-blade sword as he cut straight to the point.
"Well... around two million Mora."
Igor's expression turned slightly awkward as he said this. The sum wasn't particularly impressive—even a bit paltry.
In other regions, his fellow operatives likely had access to far greater funds.
But he had been abandoned by the Regrator, who had long since cut off his supply. These two million Mora were mostly his personal savings.
"What if we use the authority of a Fatui Harbinger?"
Bai Luo noticed his discomfort and roughly guessed the situation.
"If my lord invokes a Harbinger's authority, this subordinate can dispatch someone to the embassy in Inazuma City to withdraw funds. Given the Fatui's current financial standing in Inazuma, Lord Instructor could likely access up to three billion Mora."
As the Regrator's subordinate, Igor was well-versed in these matters, so he reported everything truthfully.
"Three billion?"
Bai Luo was surprised—he hadn't expected his allowance to be so generous.
Before becoming a Harbinger, all his expenses had been reimbursed by the organization.
After becoming a Harbinger, he simply charged everything to others' accounts, never personally withdrawing funds.
So I'm actually rich?
"Then withdraw three billion Mora for me. Donate it anonymously to Sangonomiya—remember, Sangonomiya, not Watatsumi Island. Don't get it wrong."
Bai Luo emphasized the name Sangonomiya when giving Igor his orders.
"This subordinate understands. However, Lord Instructor will need to provide some form of authorization. Otherwise..."
Igor's face twisted in distress.
If he went to request the funds, the officials in Inazuma City wouldn't outright refuse. But demanding three billion Mora under the Instructor's name without proof... He'd probably be beaten out with sticks.
After all, on paper, he had no connection to the Instructor—and their covert ties couldn't be revealed.
So...
"Hm? I never said it would be under my name. Why would I need to provide authorization?"
Bai Luo gave Igor a puzzled look. This guy really hasn't worked under me before—he doesn't even grasp the basics.
"???"
"Let me think... Tartaglia's already been fleeced nearly bald—better spare him for now. La Signora... Nah, already scammed her once. Can't push too hard, or she'll turn into a moth and whip me. Scaramouche... Hmm, not really familiar with him either. Maybe just charge it to the Regrator's account? Yeah, the Regrator it is. He's in charge of finances anyway—such a paltry sum shouldn't faze him."
A rapid-fire list of names spilled from his lips, each one making Igor's head droop lower. By the time the Regrator's name came up, the man was practically on the verge of kneeling.
From Bai Luo's words, it was clear he had a habit of using other Harbingers' names to get things done.
But... As the Regrator's subordinate, Igor knew better than anyone just how fiercely the Regrator guarded his wealth.
It could only be described as pathological.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have so ruthlessly cut off funding the moment he decided Watatsumi Island wasn't profitable.
The Regrator never made losing investments.
Three billion—if Igor couldn't provide a valid reason, the Regrator's wrath would be beyond his ability to endure.
"Go ahead and withdraw the funds. The Regrator won't give you trouble."
Seemingly sensing Igor's anxiety, Bai Luo offered reassurance.
"By your command!"
With Bai Luo's guarantee, though still uneasy, Igor felt slightly more confident.
Right. Even if the Instructor is the lowest-ranked Harbinger, under his protection, the Regrator surely wouldn't punish me too harshly.
Besides... After all his loyal service, the Regrator had callously abandoned him with a single sentence: "Watatsumi Island holds no promise of profit."
Well, he could return the favor.
Who knows? This might even be an opportunity to sow discord between the Instructor and the Regrator, pitting them against each other.
A clash between Harbingers would inevitably leave one fallen. With his accomplishments on Watatsumi Island, Igor might even have a shot at claiming a Harbinger seat for himself.
Bowing deeply to Bai Luo, Igor hurried off—failing to notice the amused glint in Bai Luo's eyes as he watched him leave.
How could Bai Luo not see through Igor's schemes? But so what if he did? An ant believes it has shaken a giant, unaware it has merely brushed against a single hair.
Besides, the man was already as good as dead. No need to make things harder for him.
Consider it... the Instructor's final act of mercy.
Bai Luo had already formulated his plan for dealing with Watatsumi Island.
True to his nature, he prioritized stability, leveraging every available resource.
And right now, the most exploitable resource was his reputation as Battousai.
By capitalizing on the Battousai persona, Bai Luo could bypass countless complications, making many of his schemes twice as effective with half the effort.
If it were an ordinary fish, you could just toss it into a frying pan and sear both sides over and over until it turned delicious.
But an ornamental fish? That's different—it's something to be cherished. You keep it in a tank to admire, maybe toss in some feed just to tease it a little.
Of course, there's that fierce watchdog by the tank—that one's not so easy to handle. But dress it up in fine clothes, adorn it with pretty accessories, and I believe its ferocity will gradually wear down... until, eventually, it completely surrenders.
Sigh... I really am a terrible person, aren't I?