Kokomi nodded.
"Please rest assured. If she truly came to Watatsumi Island, we will find her whereabouts. The moment we have news, we'll inform you."
Lora gave a small nod, then added, "Let Sayu and Hélie remain on Watatsumi Island for now. The Delusion Factory isn't suitable for them."
"Understood. I will look after them," Kokomi replied.
After finishing her arrangements, Lora carried Yae Miko in her arms and caught up with Lumine and Paimon. Following a period of searching, they finally located the hidden Delusion Factory in the southwest of Yashiori Island.
The factory was filled entirely with the "Fatui." Along the way, Lumine dealt with every single one of them. Lora followed behind like a sightseer, casually observing the factory's internal structure.
When they reached the deepest part of the Delusion Factory, a figure clad in purple stood waiting in the dim hall.
The moment she saw him, Yae Miko shifted slightly in Lora's arms. Lora gently stroked her head and murmured, "Don't get excited."
"That's Kunikuzushi," Yae Miko said quietly to Lora. "A puppet created by Ei. I never expected him to end up joining the 'Fatui.' Fate truly has a strange way of turning out."
As she spoke, the man in question folded his arms and let out a soft laugh.
"I didn't expect you to make it here. Not bad."
Lumine immediately took a combat stance, her gaze sharp as she stared at Raiden Kunikuzushi—Scaramouche.
"How interesting. We've only just met, and you already look ready to fight me to the death." Scaramouche made no move to defend himself, still smiling faintly as he regarded her.
Lumine's voice turned cold. "You're the ones manufacturing Delusions and distributing them to the Resistance…"
"Oh? You mean that?" Scaramouche's lips curved in open mockery. "I was merely assigned to oversee operations here. I'm hardly the one pulling the strings. You seem quite capable, don't you? By all means—go find the real mastermind."
Lumine's gaze turned icy as anger flared in her chest. Scaramouche clearly relished the reaction, that unsettling smile never leaving his face.
Lora stepped forward and gave Lumine's shoulder a light pat.
"Don't let your anger cloud your judgment. He's trying to bait you. This place is steeped in a foul aura—it gnaws at the will."
At the reminder, Lumine took a steadying breath and forced herself to rein in the surge of emotion.
Scaramouche shifted his attention to Lora, studying her with open curiosity.
"And who might you be? To notice something like that… you're no ordinary passerby."
Mid-sentence, his gaze dropped to the pink-furred fox nestled in her arms. Even without a clear view, Yae Miko was unmistakable. More than that, there was something about her presence—something faintly dangerous.
Seeing Yae Miko reduced to her fox form and resting calmly in Lora's arms clearly caught him off guard. His brows drew together.
"You… who exactly are you?"
"Just a passing Liyue Adeptus," Lora replied evenly.
"A Liyue Adeptus?" Scaramouche frowned. "And what business would a Liyue Adeptus have in Inazuma?"
"I'm bored," Lora said with a small shrug. Then, almost casually, she added, "Kunikuzushi—"
"Don't call me that!"
The instant the name left her lips, Scaramouche's composure shattered. Fury twisted his expression as he snapped the words out sharply.
…
Lora glanced at the enraged Scaramouche and muttered under her breath, "This child's rebellious streak has gone on far too long."
Yae Miko said nothing.
Calling this a mere rebellious phase was… generous.
Paimon blinked at Scaramouche, then turned to Lora. "Lora, what's 'Kunikuzushi'? Is that his real name?"
"Flying little pest," Scaramouche's voice turned glacial as he shot Paimon a murderous glare. "If I hear that name from your mouth again, you'll regret it."
Paimon planted her hands on her hips and shouted right back, "I'll say it! Kunikuzushi! Kunikuzushi! Kunikuzushi!"
"You're asking to die!"
Lightning exploded around Scaramouche as he lunged forward in a fury.
Lumine swiftly scooped Paimon into her arms. Lora stepped in front of them without hesitation, placing herself squarely in Scaramouche's path.
As his thunder-wreathed fist came crashing down, Lora raised a Hydro barrier in one smooth motion.
Lightning lashed across the translucent shield, crackling and spreading—but it failed to pierce it.
Even so, the force of the collision tore through the chamber. Shockwaves blasted outward, cracks racing across the walls. Despite Lora shielding them, Lumine and Paimon were hurled backward by the impact, slamming into the ground and falling unconscious.
"Um… Lady Lora… they've fainted."
Miko quietly pointed it out.
Lora glanced back at the two of them.
The corruption saturating this place had already seeped into their bodies—that likely explained how weakened they were. To be knocked out by the aftershock alone…
It hadn't been her intention, but their losing consciousness did simplify things somewhat.
She gently set Yae Miko down. Just as Yae Miko seemed about to revert to human form, Lora spoke lazily.
"You're not allowed to change back."
Yae Miko: "…"
Ah—honestly!
Scaramouche had already withdrawn a few steps. Lora lowered her barrier and casually rolled her wrist.
"Keep an eye on those two for me," she said to Yae Miko. "When the children at home start acting out, it falls to an old colleague like me to discipline them."
"Old colleague? What exactly are you—" Scaramouche began, his brows knitting together.
He never got to finish.
In the blink of an eye, Lora closed the distance between them, crossing more than ten meters in a single step.
Her palm struck forward.
Scaramouche reacted instantly, raising his arm to block.
A shockwave rippled outward from the point of impact—
And in the next instant, Scaramouche was launched backward. He tore through multiple walls before vanishing beneath a cascade of rubble.
Lora flexed her fingers and gave her hand a light shake.
"I didn't even use that much force…"
She glanced back at Yae Miko.
"He'll be fine, right? I didn't accidentally knock him to pieces with one slap, did I?"