To the eternal you

"Wow, it feels very prosperous all the way here! There is no need to go to Liyue Port~" Paimeng looked around curiously. The cultural atmosphere here is very strong, but it is different from the prevalence of traditional culture like Liyue.

It is based on the combination of Inazuma culture and foreign culture, most of which are reflected in the Fontaine-like street design and some shops, but the local culture of Inazuma is mixed in it, and it is more reflected in the landscape.

"After all, this is an outlying island, and it is also a place where foreign businessmen live together. Whether it is the Chamber of Commerce or other chambers of commerce, as long as they stay here, they have to accept a problem."

Thomas explained with a gentle smile.

"That's the homesickness complex."

"Homesickness?" Ying looked over suspiciously, and after hesitating for a moment, asked, "Is there any rule on Dao's wife's side not to let the merchants leave?"

"No, that's not." Thomas shook his head, but said meaningfully: "Different from that kind of mandatory isolation, the atmosphere of rice wife is very different from that of foreign countries. In other words, you can see very ordinary people here. Inazuma's cultural characteristics, and some excellent things from foreign countries are also mixed in it, and the people in Inazuma have always been very modest in absorbing the strengths of foreign countries."

"What this achievement reflects is the current extremely prosperous Daozu. People living here will force you to recognize the weight of this culture with something close to showing off or 'arrogance' in a certain sense."

After finishing speaking, Thomas did not speak for a long time, but focused on leading the way ahead.

You must know that the inevitable material consumption brought about by development is not so simple to solve even on the land blessed by divine power today. While ensuring the output of its own territory, Daozuma is also constantly developing externally. With its own power, it uses its own technological advantages to quickly accumulate original assets, and then further expands, forming an industrial chain to squeeze out the living space of its peers, and gradually becoming a large chamber of commerce at the level of transnational trade.

Just like Zhidong used the fools to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries with diplomatic force, and even forced them to make a choice, and the rice wife who had always had a bad relationship with the Zhidong people entered these cities where the fools interfered. Naturally, there will be no shortage of restraints, so why don't they just catch them without a fight and only guard their own one-acre three-point land?

That is obviously impossible, so the confrontation with Zhidong gradually becomes more and more intense. As the friction between them increases, the internal pressure will continue to accumulate, and sooner or later it will explode.

For the gods is an omnipotent banner of revenge, and when this beacon will be completely ignited, it is already a matter of time before it burns to that piece of permafrost.

At that time, even if Liyue did not join the war as Daozuma's ally, the trade sanctions alone would be enough to make people anxious in the winter, and it is self-evident what choices other countries will make in the face of this situation .

Under such a situation, there may still be hope for peace in some places in Daozuma, but that is definitely not what most people think. Under the deep-rooted concept of revenge and national policy, they are all moving forward according to the will of the gods OK.

What is reflected in this is this city that is extremely rich and prosperous but has a depressing atmosphere like a war that is about to start.

It is uncertain when the fight will really start. At that time, the restrictions on land will inevitably make these businessmen feel worried, and they will miss their hometown further, but they cannot give up because of the huge profits brought about by Daoju's development.

As a merchant mutual aid organization established under such circumstances, the Chamber of Commerce of All Nations is also doing its best to hold some activities from its own hometown, and at the same time cooperate with each other to make money. (emphasis added)

Just when Paimeng and Ying stared at each other, unable to figure out why Thomas suddenly said this, Mr. Home Economics Officer who was leading the way in front of him also stopped, and happened to be standing in front of a branch of Munan Restaurant from Inazuma City .

"Hehe, we're here! The cuisine of Mu Nan's family is the best in outlying islands." He lifted the curtain at the door, turned sideways to make way for them, and looked at the two of them.

"Thank you." Ying nodded, and went inside with Paimon. This kind of small and exquisite izakaya-designed cooking kiosk is one of Inazuma's characteristics.

It looks deserted or even small from the outside, but when you enter, you will find that there are very warm orange lights, which are suitable for home-like decoration design, including that the seats are relatively close together, giving you a faint sense of warmth.

"Oh~ it's Mr. Thomas, the seat you booked is inside, and it's ready for you!"

The front desk of the cooking kiosk is usually the place where they cook on the spot. The fragrant broth, all kinds of accessories, slender and delicate noodles, and some large and small kitchen utensils, among them stands a Wearing a white scarf and wearing a brown and black apron, the proprietress has a gentle temperament with the feeling of an aunt next door.

"Thank you! I'm bringing friends to eat today, so please prepare some special dishes for us!"

Thomas smiled familiarly.

"No trouble, no trouble, thanks to Mr. Thomas who helped us solve the problem of the supplier last time, otherwise my small shop would have to worry."

The proprietress greeted a few people to go in, and at the same time looked at Ying and Paimeng with a smile, and said hello warmly.

It's a bit small to enter, but sitting in the side seat has an inexplicable sense of security. Before Ying and Paimon's buttocks are hot, Thomas came over with a plate of combination snacks and lemonade.

"Oh~ Thomas is a regular here!" Paimon was already greedily looking at the tempura on the plate, and the golden-yellow batter looked crispy.

"Hahaha! Well, after all, there are not many food kiosks on the outlying islands. After all, most of them are foreign chambers of commerce. They wholesale large quantities of goods, and most of them sell workers' meals that are easy to manage. And I~ compare I like to enjoy, at least a good meal after hard work, which can not only nourish my energy but also motivate me to continue to solve the next work.”

Thomas placed the plate in front of the two of them, and at the same time began to pour lemonade for them, without looking unfamiliar.

And Paimon had already stuffed a tempura into her mouth, and she exhaled because the temperature just out of the pan was so hot, but she was reluctant to spit it out, and even Ying couldn't help but tasted one, the Q bomb shrimp When the meat texture is chewed and swallowed, the umami bursts out, and with some dipping sauces, it can be regarded as a pretty good appetizer.

"Don't worry, I ordered enough for the three of us to eat, ah yes! Don't worry, I'll take care of this meal! So if you two don't like anything or you want to eat, you can feel free point."

Paimon's generosity made Paimeng very happy, she has always been like this, from Mond to Liyue to Dao's wife, she didn't have a meal at her own expense, she was all cheating.

Of course, she herself wouldn't think so, after all, isn't Paimon flying very tiring?It takes some hard work to keep a small mouth blah blah~

As time passed, Thomas also chatted enthusiastically with them about some interesting topics, and did not delve into some inconvenient matters, but naturally moved to another topic. Yes, Ying is not in a good mood, otherwise, in terms of perception, she really likes this new friend.

Keep it mysterious by picking up topics without pretentiousness, bragging about how you are here, or asking why they are here.

After drinking and eating like this, Thomas asked them if they had the idea of ​​visiting the local landscape, but Ying declined, and Thomas also clearly proposed a destination instead.

It is located in Inazuma's Mule Tea Room. After all, what they want to talk about is not suitable to talk about here. Outlying islands are not safe, especially things like privacy.

The traveler holding the pass, Paimon, and Thomas were naturally not stopped by the appointed person, but there was a little accident on the way, or to be precise, they were also greeted by the head of the Hiiragi family in person, and exchanged ideas with each other. I recognized a familiar face.

At that time, there was a girl dressed as a boudoir who hid behind the beam and looked at her secretly, and was told by the idiot Paimeng, who was discovered, and she blushed and ran away in a hurry.

"Huh? What's wrong with that lady?"

Paimon looked at her leaving back strangely and asked.

"Haha, that's the old man's daughter, Hiiragi Chisato. She doesn't go out on weekdays, but studies at home, with a docile temperament."

The old man named Hiiragi Shinsuke stroked his beard and smiled kindly.

"Now that I'm not reading in the study, I must have heard that famous travelers from the Seven Kingdoms came to visit the mansion. I couldn't restrain my inner curiosity, so I came here to take a look."

"I see." Ying responded with a half-belief to the old man's words. It's better to say that this kind of old fox-like character, generally speaking, a half-truth in a sentence is considered weak.

Especially since just now, he has been consciously hinting that he has some work on hand, and it is related to the fools. If she doesn't mind, can he help out, and the benefits afterwards are indispensable.

In the past, she naturally had the idea that it didn't matter, but now it is different from the past, it is not considered a free body, and the sign of praying for treasure has not been seen yet. Her real estate on an outlying island is useless.

Rejecting the old man's idea of ​​wanting her to stay and enter into the friendship of the landlord is also due to Thomas, the housekeeping officer on duty, who barely uses the reputation of Princess Egret to suppress other people's dissatisfaction.

Otherwise, Ying and Paimeng might be kept for a few more days, and if they accidentally stepped into some favor traps, it would be a lot of trouble.

After leaving the Kanding Executive Mansion, Thomas went to help find the motorcade that was going to go to Inazuma City in the Field of the White Fox, and asked them to wait for a while and enjoy the cherry blossoms on the outlying islands.

"Thanks to Thomas for coming all the way, otherwise we might have been left in the investigation just now, hey——"

Paimon sighed, sat on the railing and said worriedly.

"I really didn't expect that one day I would worry about being treated by others."

"From the observations just now, it seems that Thomas is not a local snake who has been entrenched here for a long time, and according to Sister Beidou, she only asked the other party a while ago. It is really amazing to be able to mingle with the forces here in such a short period of time. An underestimated talent."

Ying also said with emotion, you must know that this kind of diplomatic boundary is complicated, and there may be a national attitude behind any chamber of commerce. Thomas can solve their problems on the outlying islands that are far away from the sphere of influence of his own society and under the control of the reconnaissance executive. , its difficulty can be imagined.

On the way here, she also took make-up lessons at Manyo, so she knows that the three major practices are natural and harmonious with each other on the surface, but in private, who doesn't want to be the most important dog leg of the gods?The mutual restraint formed by the three forces is the most balanced and stable.

While the two were chatting, a frost-haired kimono woman with a flower umbrella came not far away.

Her demeanor is indifferent, but her eyes like cold springs are full of sadness. Her delicate face and refined temperament remind Ying subconsciously of a woman she saw when she went to Jue Yunjian and on her way home.

She seemed to be aware of her gaze, and looked over with a side face, with some kind of scrutiny, but quickly lowered her eyes and pursed her lips, gave a slight salute, then turned and left.

He didn't say a word from the beginning to the end, but it made Ying feel that sooner or later they would meet again.

And at this time, Thomas' shout came from afar, it's time to set off——

Go to the city where the gods live.

Inaba City.