Pinocchio (Snail-Paced Updates)

Ch. 12- Sakura Bloom

The gigantic serpent that once roamed the land of Inazuma was swallowed by the earth as death befell upon it, its skeletal remains the only feature enduring the stormy weather of Yashiori Island.

Scaramouche wandered into the familiar land in search of fine quality materials, intending to forge a tool to aid in his long journey.

The winds howled their woes as he gripped onto his hat, beneath him a perfectly framed view of the late Orobashi's cadaverous serpentine head.

His footsteps were dampened by the Shogun's perpetual tempest as he glanced at a small hut.

To think that someone can accommodate the hazardous weather, either they're impressive or foolish, doesn't concern the balladeer. 

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Near a distance there stood a child, an assortment of local Inazuman herbs and ores carried with his minuscule stature, presumably out and about gathering from the wilderness.

The harbinger minded his business before the boy spotted him, a tight grip on his basket full of goods while approaching him.

" Why are you walking around here by yourself? It's dangerous!" The boy exclaimed, a poor attempt of being persuasive.

" Speak for yourself." He muttered as he ignored the young lad.

Though it appears the boy didn't take kindly towards it, like a shadow following him as he babbled about the Balethunder which plagued the area nearby.

Scaramouche stopped in his tracks, pinching the bridge of his nose. " Stop following me."

" I can't do that! I always tried to warn the others but they didn't listen. You'll die if you go to Musoujin Gorge!" He shouted as the harbinger averted his gaze towards the sparks of energy radiating within the terrain.

" It's my only option to get sturdier crystal marrow than the other mining sites. Now, buzz off." He quickened his pace.

" W-Wait! I have those in stock!"

The boy panted, the crystalline mauve rock clasped within his hands as it emanated a faint elemental glow.

The balladeer observed the handed materials. " Hmm..not bad. Here." He grabbed a pouch and gave it to the young child, his eyes glimmered much like the polished shine of mora.

" Pleasure doing business with you!" He waved, vanishing behind the small hut beside the bent trees. 

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The purple roofs and stone paths of Inazuma City ushered the bustling citizens to their daily toiling, the colorful stalls and shops a perfect sight to behold while the sakura blooms hovered around the large town.

The Amenoma Smithy opened as Hajime bashed his hammer, sending sparks as the flames of the forge fueled his drive and discipline with the arts.

A cloaked figure approached his workstation, momentarily breaking his attention on the heated metal.

The figure did not utter a word as they grabbed a handful of crystal marrow and a peculiar shaped ore, its edges smooth with the shade of amethyst.

" I would like a custom weapon to be forged." The veiled man commanded as he showed a detailed blueprint regarding his request.

The blacksmith trailed his eyes within the print's contents, bothered by the technicalities and conditions to be forged within the weapon.

" I can handle the work but I'm unfamiliar with this ore you got. It doesn't seem to be jade steel."

He scratched his head, testing the durability of the gemstone.

" It's properties are unknown. I call it a rare find from my travels. All I can say is to carve it carefully, otherwise your hammer will be the one in need of metalwork." The man mentioned, strands of indigo hair failing to be unnoticed.

Hajime sighed, " Alright then, I'll keep that in mind. It can take weeks or months to forge a weapon with such high caliber. Is that alright with you?"

The figure nodded, withdrawing himself from the streets without a trace, leaving the blacksmith back to his work.

" What an odd fellow."

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The Yae Publishing House had an abundant amount of different literary works.

Perhaps it would be of aid in the daily life and strife of the citizens of Inazuma.

However, the exaggerated and absurd titles of the shelved books and novels proved as distracting rather than useful to the harbinger's needs.

" I-Isekai? How strange." He muttered under his breath as the sound of wooden heels slowly approached the counter.

" Kuroda, has there been any recent news about the extra stall we'll be setting up?" A silvery voice questioned, prompting the balladeer to shudder.

That voice had a familiar elusive tone which irked him.

His gaze was met by a refined and fair shrine maiden, adorned with the traditional attire of the Grand Narukami Shrine and a golden earring which encased an electro vision.

Her pink hair gently swaying in motion with her body.

How unfortunate he had to cross paths with the very person to hand him the gnosis he dangerously took an interest in.

He wanted to leave immediately, not within his intention to be caught without the gnosis finally in his grasp to take. But before Scaramouche could slip away, the priestess went towards him with a smile on her face.

" I haven't seen you here before. Are you interested in some personal recommendations?"

Her discerning eyes searched him from head to toe.

What terrible luck.

He sighed as he nodded his head, prompting the vixen to return to the disguised harbinger with a handful of books, each in a different category and genre.

" Now tell me, are you perhaps a wanderer or adventurer from another land?"

He bowed, his hood covering his distinct cerulean eyes as Yae Miko chuckled.

" Not much of a talker, I see." She guessed, handing an inconspicuous leather book along with the others she carried.

" It was a pleasure meeting such a character like yourself. Until we meet again~" She hummed as she strutted away with an amused smirk.

Scaramouche felt like he was played like a fiddle, retracing the odd look the shrine maiden gave him. 

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Did she know who he was the entire time?

Nevermind that, he'll be needing to maximize his time unravelling another puzzle from the core scanner once he's back in Liyue.