96 96. Confrontation Between Ladies

Ayaka didn't expect this. She had known Ryūhei for more than five years, but this was the first time she felt that Ryūhei was filled with mystery. When Ryūhei said that he would set off from Araumi, the northern part of Narukami Island. Ayaka expected that a ship would be waiting for them.

However, she didn't expect that Ryūhei just grabbed her waist, and arrived at the place where Ryūhei set off to Inazuma.

"Ryūhei… Just now…" Ayaka gasped after understanding that she arrived in Liyue in an instant.

"It's a teleportation ability I gained recently. Well, can you keep this secret for a while?" Since it was obvious, Ryūhei didn't intend to hide his teleportation ability.

"Keep secret? Why?"

"There's a reason for this. Can you?"

"Though I don't understand why you're keeping this a secret. I will keep it for myself. But, since when did you have this kind of ability?" Ayaka asked in wonder.

"Do you remember when I told you about when I was struck by lightning?"

"Now that you mention it. Does it have anything to do with that?"

Ryūhei didn't reply immediately as he turned to Jiu, gesturing to her to go first. Then he turned to Ayaka once again.

"Yep. You might notice that my eyes have changed. Other than that, I awakened a certain energy manipulation, making me think faster and gain a force outside of the elemental system in this world. I called this an awakening." Ryūhei explained.

"You told my brother and I that your power had something to do with the Adeptus Arts."

Ryūhei shook his head, then he replied, "Not quite… I did learn Adeptus Arts from Liyue. But I modified it a little to match my own power since I can't use Adeptal energy. Even though some people know how my power works, I never tell them how I got it. So can you keep this a secret between us?"

"I doubt anyone would believe me if I said you got your power after being struck by lightning."

After thinking for a bit, Ryūhei let out a small laugh.

"Hahaha. That's true. But some crazy people might believe it. Anyway, let's go to Liyue Harbor. I'll show you around."

Without waiting for Ayaka's reply, Ryūhei grabbed her hand and walked in the direction of Liyue Harbor. However, he suddenly halted his steps.

"Rimuru, Pikachu, come out!"

Suddenly, a slime and a yellow-furred mammal arose from his shadow.

Ayaka tightened her grip on his hand, but he just let out a chuckle.

Anyway, since Ayaka would be living with him, he didn't intend to hide Rimuru and Pikachu. Ryūhei told her that he could summon monsters from his shadow after taming them, and he gained this power after being struck by lightning. Other than that, he could store any object in his pocket dimension based on the Sub-Space Creation created by Adepti. Although it wasn't really a pocket dimension, Ryūhei didn't really bother to explain since Ayaka was more or less understood.

Knowing how dangerous his power would be if the Abyss Order or Fatui knew about it, Ayaka promised to tighten her lips. Well, Ryūhei had known Ayaka for more than 5 years, so he trusted her more than anyone else.

"Hehe. Don't worry. They will be frightened when I unleash my abilities to the fullest."

—————

After a while, a Chinese-like city with a harbor along with Chinese architectural buildings came into view. Ryūhei, Jiu, and Ayaka could see how bustling Liyue Harbor was with people passing here and there.

Seeing this, Ayaka imagined that this could happen in Inazuma City as well, but the circumstances or under the decrees initiated by the Raiden Shogun made it impossible to achieve.

From the main entrance, Ryūhei walked toward the city by crossing the bridge. After crossing the bridge, his head turned to the right. He could see some people around the northern wharf, playing his board games and Yu★Gi★Oh.

At that moment, someone called out to him.

"Oh, shop owner!"

Ryūhei turned to the owner of the voice. Then, he spotted a man with a red bandana. Ryūhei remembered him. He was the first customer of his shop and the former of The Crux, or Beidou's ex-crew. Too bad, Ryūhei didn't remember his name.

"Good day, sir…ummm"

"It's Zhang Shun, shop owner."

Hearing that, Ryūhei scratched his head while letting out a little laugh.

"Ah, hahaha. Sorry Mister Zhang. It's been a while." Then, Ryūhei took a glance at the manga he held. "Thanks for your support as always btw."

"Hahaha. Your manga is amazing as always. I heard from Captain Beidou that your drawing speed is equivalent to having 20 hands. Is the manga that was just released today your work too?"

"Not at all. But you can say the Shueisha Publishing Company is responsible for drawing those manga. By the way, did you buy all of the series?"

"Well, no. I only bought One Piece since it published 2 volumes at once. It was kinda exciting when I read the part when Mihawk split a huge galleon ship into 3 with a casual slash. Just like how Captain Beidou killed a huge sea monster in one strike."

"Hahaha. I'm glad that you like it. And it seems you like the action genre. Why don't you try the others as well?"

"Maybe later after I finish this. If I bought everything and I couldn't feed my wife and kid later on, I'd be damned, you know."

"Hahaha. True. Prioritize your family first. Although I want to see you get kicked by your wife. Well, it's fun to talk to you. I'm going first." Ryūhei waved his hand while his other hand pulled Ayaka and walked away.

"Got it!" Zhang Shun also waved his hand. But then, he froze. Although he realized that he forgot to ask the girl who seemed very close to Ryūhei, the problem was something else.

It was a freaking slime carried by the girl and an animal he'd never seen before sat on her shoulder.

'Did he tame those? Well, forget it!'

Too bad, Zhang Shun didn't know that the slime was the main character in one of the newly published manga.

—————

Ryūhei told Jiu to go first since Jiu was already familiar with Liyue Harbor.

Meanwhile, Ryūhei and Ayaka walked through the bustling streets. He could hear someone whispering when some people saw Rimuru carried by Ayaka. They also noticed that Ryūhei was the owner of the Shueisha Publishing Company and Konami.

"Dude, that's really a slime."

"Don't tell me that the owner caught a slime and created a story on the spot?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

"Sometimes I really wonder how smart he is, being able to come up with so many stories and ideas."

"And a girl beside him, well do you think Lady Ningguang will be disappointed when seeing this?"

"Haha. Probably so. After all, we heard that he fought a man because of Lady Ningguang. But, to think that he got a girl already."

"Ah, maybe he'll form a harem. You see, there are 2 beautiful attendants too."

"Ah, now you mention it."

Ayaka, who heard their entire conversation, elbowed him while asking.

"Who is Lady Ningguang? And what's with the attendants?"

"Hmmm, Lady Ningguang is a person who governs the entire Liyue. Well, you can say she's sort of a ruler in this place. As for the attendants, you will see them later. And I'll tell you about them later in private." Ryūhei explained to Ayaka. Although Ayaka seemed unsatisfied with his explanation.

"And why do you think Lady Ningguang is the ruler of this place? Isn't each nation ruled by the Archon?"

With that question, Ryūhei shrugged his shoulders.

"Dunno. Perhaps the Archon of this nation is just a boring old man who leaves everything to his people. He's old after all. Perhaps, it won't be long before he retires."

Then, both of them heard a chuckle from behind, although Ryūhei already knew that person. It was the fake cat ears lady, Keqing. She was literally surprised when Ryūhei said that about the Archon as if she found a kindred spirit. But, she was a little bit conflicted after seeing Ryūhei walking with a girl. Yet, she still put on a dignified manner.

"Good day, Ryūhei." Keqing greeted him before turning to Ayaka. "May I ask who this young Lady is? Ah right, my name is Keqing."

"Ah, good day, Miss Keqing. She is–" Before Ryūhei could finish, Ayaka interjected.

"My name is Kamisato Ayaka. Delighted to make your acquaintance." Ayaka introduced herself gracefully.

"Are you two—"

"We're engaged from a young age." Ayaka let out a prideful smile as if she wanted to show off to Keqing.

"I see. Nice to meet you."

Although their conversation sounded harmless, Ryūhei seemed to see a spark between them, making him cover his face with his hand.

"But, I'm not going to give up so easily." Keqing said sternly. This declaration stunned both Ryūhei and Ayaka as Keqing walked away.

Well, Keqing seemed to find a kindred spirit, a person who didn't believe in a god just like her. There was no way she would let him slip.