Genshin Impact: Watch me turn the tables and kill my servants at the start!

When the ship docked at the island's pier, Fanes saw the figure waving at him from the shore before he even stepped off the gangway.

She was a woman who looked to be in her early twenties, dressed in a light-colored casual outfit in the style of Inazuma, with her hair casually tied back. At first glance, she looked like an ordinary resident waiting to pick up relatives at the dock.

Fanes almost didn't recognize the person who came to pick him up. He walked off the ship with his light backpack and looked up at her when he reached her—the woman was almost twice his height.

Fanes stood beside her like an adult taking a child out to play. The lady in the mirror looked down at him, the corners of her mouth curving slightly, her tone carrying just the right amount of respect and an irrepressible smile.

"Lord Twelfth Seat, you must be tired from your journey. I am the station staff here on the outlying island. You can call me Ayako. Please follow me."

Fanes followed her deeper into the island's streets. After walking less than ten steps, he discovered a fact that greatly displeased him—at his normal pace, it would take him two and a half steps to catch up with her one step.

Ayako clearly noticed the problem as well, but she didn't slow down. She just glanced at him slightly and continued walking at the pace of an "adult taking a child out to play".

Fanes, waddling along on his short legs, silently muttered to himself, "So what if they have long legs?" before asking, "Where are we going now?"

"Let's go to the base and settle our luggage first. The Inazuma-related information you need has been prepared, along with a local tourist guide. We've also compiled a brief report on Sanbing-sama's movements."

Fanes nodded, but his gaze had already drifted to both sides of the street. The streets of the island were not wide, but the shops and houses on both sides were very clean, and the air was filled with the smell of seawater and dried seafood, mixed with the faint smell of cooking smoke drifting from afar.

Fanes felt that passersby were watching them—a restrained gaze, not a stare, but a fleeting glance that didn't completely avert its focus, as if confirming something. Fanes lowered his voice and asked, "Are we being noticed?"

Ayako maintained her smile, her lips barely moving: "The outlying islands are strictly controlled. It's normal for the locals to notice outsiders, especially two unfamiliar faces who don't seem to appear often. As long as we don't do anything outrageous, they won't cause trouble. The three magistrates are still managing the same people, so don't worry."

The Fools' stronghold on the remote island was hidden in the backyard of a store that looked like an ordinary general store. Passing through a corridor piled with crates, and lifting a curtain, the space inside appeared much larger than it seemed from the outside.

A workbench made of several tables pushed together was piled with documents and maps, and there were a few locked metal cabinets in the corner. Ayako took a roll of paper from the shelf and handed it to him—the cover of the roll was written in Inazuma script and general language side by side as "Inazuma Travel Guide", with a line of small print below that read "Includes assessments of the business environment of each area and answers to frequently asked questions".

Fanes took it and flipped through it. The page layout was clear, with the geographical location, population density, consumption level, and whether there were any existing strongholds of the Fools nearby clearly marked for each area.

He rolled up the guidebook and stuffed it into his backpack, then glanced at the briefing on the skirmishers on the table.

The message contained only a few lines: "The skirmishers are currently on Hachimonji Island and have no plans to leave in the short term. They are aware of Fanes' arrival in Inazuma but have no definite response yet." After reading it, Fanes put the message away and nodded to Ayako.

"Okay, I'll go to the city first and check things out. You don't need to come with me there; I'll contact you if anything happens."

Ayako responded and pointed him to a shortcut that led out of the base through the back gate, avoiding the bustling areas of the outlying island. After exiting through the back gate, Fanes walked along the path for about fifteen minutes and arrived at the gate of Inazuma Castle.

Inazuma Castle was more bustling than he had imagined. The shop signs on both sides were of varying heights, and the wooden buildings had been slightly worn by the sea breeze, but that weariness carried a sense of meticulously maintained smoothness.

There were many more pedestrians on the street than on the outlying island. The vendors' cries mingled with the conversations of passersby and the clatter of wooden clogs on the stone slabs, creating a noisy yet orderly scene.

Fanes stood at the street corner for a while, his gaze shifting from a shop selling eel rice to a teahouse next door with a noren curtain hanging, then sweeping from the teahouse to a small bookstore deep in the alley. The location and foot traffic were good, but the rent must be expensive.

Fanes took out the prototype, scribbled a couple of notes in his memo, then put the prototype back in his pocket and turned into a quieter alleyway, following the directions to the hot springs.

The storefront of Qiusha Public Bath was more understated than Fanes had imagined. A wooden sign hung above the door frame, with the name of the shop written in rounded characters worn smooth by time.

A dark-colored noren curtain hung at the entrance. After lifting the curtain and stepping inside, a warm steam mixed with a faint herbal and medicinal fragrance wafted towards you.

A young-looking waitress sat at the counter in the lobby. Her short, light gray hair shimmered softly in the warm light of the crystal lamps, and a pair of round ears peeked out from between her hair, with a touch of light pink at the tips.

Baku (dream-eating Baku). Fanes recognized her racial features; this kind of monster was not uncommon in the Inatsume legends, but she did look cuter in person than in pictures.

Fanes stopped in front of the counter, tiptoed to rest his chin on the edge, and asked, "I'd like the best private room. Can I have some extra food?"

The waitress glanced down at him, her round ears twitching slightly. She didn't seem surprised at the customer who barely reached the edge of the counter; she simply took a wooden plaque from under the counter and flipped it over.

"The best single rooms are still available. If you need to order additional food, you need to let us know in advance. The kitchen can prepare it now, and the price will be based on the menu."

He then turned a wooden sign with prices listed towards Fanes, "Take a look and see what you need?"

Fanes glanced at the menu and prices, then pointed to a few that looked appealing: "This one, this one, and this one. Order now, I'll eat them after I've made them."

The waiter nodded, took notes, and then retrieved a key and a folded bath towel from the side, placing them on the counter: "The private room is the second one from the left at the very back. There's a changing area at the entrance, and you can adjust the water temperature yourself. Just ring the bell if you need to call someone."

Fanes took the key and towel, walked around to the changing area, pushed open the door, and went inside. He folded his backpack and coat and put them in the corner, then walked into the steamy hot spring room wearing only his underwear.

Warm, moist air rushed towards him, condensing into fine droplets on his face and arms. The stone slabs under his feet were warmed by the geothermal heat, making them so comfortable that he couldn't help but sigh.

Slowly sink yourself into the hot water, leaving only your head above water. Lean against the stone at the edge of the pool and look up at the darkening sky through a small ventilation window above the ceiling, where a few newly risen stars are faintly shining in the deep blue sky.

The sound of water was very soft, and the steam carrying a faint mineral scent lingered around my nose. After sitting on the boat for several days, the dull, aching feeling in my bones was gradually being dissolved by the hot water.

Fanes rested his arm on the edge of the pool and closed his eyes for a while, feeling that this trip to Inazuma had gotten off to a good start so far, at least much better than eating compressed dry rations and drinking cold water in the past few days.