Chapter 216: "I Am Battousai"
Snap
With a crisp snap of his fingers, Bai Luo signaled.
From the side, Sveta stepped forward, understanding instantly, and produced a pre-prepared contract.
"Sign this," Bai Luo said casually, "and I'll drop the matter regarding the Mora and Igor. Furthermore, I'll authorize funding for Watatsumi Island—under the name of the Fatui Harbinger, The Balladeer."
He placed the paper and pen beside Sangonomiya Kokomi, then leaned back in his chair like it was just another afternoon tea session.
Why Scaramouche's name, you ask?
Because funding costs money.
If he used his name—Ausbilder—then the money would come from his own pockets.
But if it's under Scaramouche?
Even if funds are docked later, it's Scaramouche's problem, not his.
Kokomi hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing on her shoulders. After a long silence, she finally picked up the contract.
But as she read through it, her expression turned from caution… to confusion.
This… is really a Fatui contract?
The contents were shockingly straightforward:
Once she signs, the Fatui would financially support Watatsumi Island, they would open new sea trade routes, connecting them to Ritou and beyond, and they'd help establish trade networks, develop farmlands, transport weapons, and even spread knowledge
In exchange, Watatsumi would only need to allow Fatui presence on the island and support voluntary recruitment into Fatui forces
No forced conscription.
Just permission to recruit.
Which begged the question:
What exactly are the Fatui after?
"So then, Miss Sangonomiya," Bai Luo smiled lazily, "will you sign it… or sign it… or perhaps… sign it?"
"…"
Do I even have a second option?
"This concerns the future of Watatsumi Island," she replied, struggling to maintain composure.
"I hope the Mister Ausbilder will allow us more time to discuss this matter."
The offer was tempting—very tempting—but Kokomi didn't sign right away.
As the head of a faction, she was trained to think far ahead.
She had heard enough rumors of the Fatui's actions in Inazuma City—none of which inspired confidence.
What she feared most wasn't the immediate threat, but that once she let them in, they'd slowly erode her authority, and eventually take over Watatsumi Island completely.
And by then, this contract might not be worth the paper it was written on.
"Time is money, and mine is very expensive," Bai Luo replied with a smirk.
"I'd hate to waste it waiting. I happen to have a very close relationship with General Kujou Sara. Perhaps the Kujou Clan of the Shogunate would be more interested in working with us… to take Watatsumi by force."
Kokomi's heart sank.
She knew that he wasn't bluffing.
Because from what she'd seen of the Fatui… they absolutely would do something like that.
And worse yet—Bai Luo had long been rumored to be entangled with Kujou Sara in more ways than one.
"Please… show mercy to the people of Watatsumi."
Kokomi let out a bitter laugh and reached for the pen.
Did she have a choice?
Sure, she could've thrown the contract back in his face.
But then, all she can do afterward is to sit back and watch as the Fatui teamed up with the Shogunate to burn her island to the ground.
Remember what happened during the Tatarigami Crisis?
A few whispers from a Fatui mole had nearly doomed Watatsumi forever.
If they threw their full weight behind the Shogunate…
It would be annihilation.
So yes—the contract sounded like the description of a Sunsettia in the adventurer's handbook:
"Fragrant, sweet, juicy…"
But the moment you bit into it?
"What a load of crap—it's sour as hell!"
After weighing everything, Kokomi's hand trembled as she signed her name.
A golden glow—the symbol of Geo's elemental contract—lit up softly.
The agreement was now officially in effect.
Will Kokomi regret this?
Definitely.
Once she's recovered from the exhaustion of today's events, she will almost certainly look back at this decision and feel a stab of remorse.
Just like how someone loses an argument, and hours later in the shower, suddenly remembers the perfect comeback.
"If only I had said that at the time… he'd have had no comeback."
But it was already too late.
Why had Bai Luo sent Sveta in first?
Because he knew exactly how Kokomi's energy system worked.
He let Sveta go first to drain Kokomi's reserves, overwhelming her with force, then he appeared suddenly to apply further pressure while she was already weakened.
That combo attack left Kokomi dizzy and disoriented, and before she could collect her thoughts, she had already signed the contract.
Let's just say… a tropical fish like her is still too young for this game.
"The contract is sealed," Bai Luo said lightly.
"And according to Geo law, those who break it will suffer the punishment of stone. It's been personally certified by none other than Morax himself. So if you break your word… That god will deliver his divine punishment personally."
"…"
Meanwhile, back in Liyue Harbor, at Third-Round Knockout, a certain elderly man sipping tea suddenly spit out his drink in shock.
A Bai Luo contract?!
(As for what Morax himself thought about this… that's another story.)
Back on Watatsumi Island, Kokomi could only let out a long sigh.
All she could do now… was hope the Fatui would actually treat the people kindly, as promised in the contract.
"If there's nothing else, please leave. It's getting late, and I'd like to rest now."
This whole night had given her a splitting headache.
She could barely stay upright, her legs shaky beneath her.
But just as she thought it was over, Bai Luo pulled out another contract and slid it in front of her.
"What… is the meaning of this?"
Kokomi's hands clenched into fists, her eyes filled with fury.
He's turning on her already?
The contract was barely dry!
So this is the Fatui's idea of "trust"?
"It's just a non-disclosure agreement," Bai Luo explained calmly.
"Please keep all the details of this meeting, as well as anything that happens until we leave this room, strictly confidential. Do not disclose it to anyone—living, dead, canine, piscine, or otherwise sentient."
He even showed her the contract, just to be transparent.
It was exactly what he said it was: a standard NDA, no hidden traps.
Kokomi had held confidential talks before and understood the need for secrecy.
But this level of formality?
Even she had never signed an official NDA for something like this.
Still… she'd already signed one contract tonight.
What difference did one more make?
Exhausted, she nodded slightly and signed her name again.
Once the Geo contract flared, officially sealing the NDA, Bai Luo finally gave a satisfied nod.
He carefully stored away both contracts, then smiled casually.
"Oh, right… There's one thing I forgot to mention, Miss Sangonomiya."
"The wandering swordsman 'Battousai' who's been living quietly on Watatsumi Island all this time… has actually been me all along."
"???"
Kokomi stared at him, expression frozen in a look that clearly said:
"Are you f*cking kidding me?"
Seeing her reaction, Bai Luo could tell she still trusted Battousai deeply.
So…
He pulled out a small dagger, tapped it lightly against his own head.
In an instant, a burst of brilliant crimson exploded before Kokomi's widening pupils.
And with it came a faint plum blossom scent—a fragrance she knew all too well.
CRACK!
The pen in Kokomi's hand snapped in two from how tightly she was gripping it.
"You— I—!"
. . . . .
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/174425?view=condensed
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