SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 78 out, this is Chapter 79 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Pairings: Albedo/Sucrose, Zhongli/Mitsuko/Kazuha, One-sided Diluc/Mitsuko, One-sided Diluc/Jean

Disclaimers: Genshin Impact and Sailor Moon belong to miHoYo and Takeuchi Naoko-sensei respectively. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except the plot, I hope.

Chapter 79: Teyvat Arc: True Tales of the Violet Garden, Part One


Time passes...

"Kazuha." Mitsuko started, swallowing her udon noodles at Shimura's.

"Yes?" Kazuha inquired, in mid-bite of his sangayaki.

"When was the last time you paid respects to your parents?" Mitsuko asked.

"I would've figured father sold off the clan's burial grounds." Kazuha admitted.

"About that..." Mitsuko trailed. "Ayato kinda of... intervened and relocated the burial grounds elsewhere."

"Take me there." Kazuha gave the Nekomata a stern look.

"After breakfast." Mitsuko nodded.


Meanwhile...

"Hi Katheryne, we heard that you have a new commission for us?" Paimon greeted Katheryne at the Inazuma Adventurers' Guild headquarters.

"That's correct." Katheryne nodded. "There's a requester who has submitted a designated commission for the two of you."

"A designated commission?" Paimon echoed. "Sounds like it must be pretty important. Uh, what kind of task is it, exactly?"

"There's no need to worry." Katheryne chuckled. "This commission is not dangerous by any means. Perhaps you have heard that Inazuma will soon be holding a major festival — the 'Magnificent Irodori Festival.' The Yashiro Commission, Lady Yae and Lady Noriko are responsible for all the festival preparations. The one who has requested your help is none other than Lady Noriko herself."

"So, it's a commission from the Nekomata." the Traveler mused.

"Lady Noriko is currently at Yae Publishing House with Lady Yae in Hanamizaka, so there's no need to go all the way to the shrine." Katheryne supplied. "In fact, Lady Yae has instructed me to have you directly meet with them there."


At the Yae Publishing House...

"Aratani and Kuroda, how are things coming along?" Yae inquired.

"All the books and commissioned prints for Yae Publishing House were bound and sent out yesterday afternoon, Lady Yae." Aratani reported.

"We have already received word from Eipekkusu and Sailing Breeze that the materials are all in place for 'Shogun Almighty: Reborn as Raiden With Unlimited Power' and 'Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji?'!" Kuroda added.

"And what about you, Onodera?" Yae turned to the editor.

"Onodera-shonen?" Noriko gave the silent editor the 'Rebuking GrandmaTM' look.

"Ah yes, Lady Noriko." Onodera stammered. "Everything is ready for the new issue release party."

"Everything is ready for the new issue release party." Yae reminded. "Besides, there's no need to be nervous. This project is destined for success, I feel quite optimistic about it. I shall specially grant you leave for the next couple of days, Onodera. Please take the opportunity to have a good rest. After all, you will be very busy on the day of the release party."

"Yes, Lady Yae." Onodera nodded. "Thank you very much!"

"Alright then, is everyone clear about their assignments?" Yae gave her subordinates a look-over. "Good. We are running out of time, so let's get moving! Chop, chop! Hello little ones." she noticed the Traveler. "I take it you have received Noriko's commission?"

"Some organizer you are!" Paimon fumed. "It's nearly time for the festival and you're still over here ramping things up for your light novel business! Shouldn't you be getting back to the Grand Narukami Shrine? You weren't thinking of dumping all the festival preparations on us, were you? If so, then you can forget it, Paimon won't accept such a commission!"

"My, my, such harsh words." Yae tsked. "It hurts to hear that kind of talk from you two. But, as you can clearly see, I'm here working like a dog for the festival, yet you say I'm not doing my job. Let me ask you, little ones, who ever said that the festival must involve the Grand Narukami Shrine?"

"Now that the Sakoku Decree has been lifted, Inazuma is no longer the same nation that once resisted change tooth and nail." Noriko explained. "Thus, rather than sticking to the same old traditional festival, the Yashiro Commission and we have decided to shake things up a little bit. This time, we'll be holding an international cultural festival, distinctly Inazuman but with a unique twist. I do believe I should start by telling you the origins of the Irodori Festival. Based on the historical texts us Nekomata preserved, there were five poets in ancient Inazuma who were supremely gifted in singing and writing poetry. They are known as 'The Five Kasen.' Every year, one of the five would present a collection of the group's poems to the Shogun for review, which would then spark cultured discussions regarding those works. Thanks to them, Inazuma's culture blossomed and gained great influence at that time. As time passed, people began creating various tales based on The Five Kasen. The Irodori Festival was also developed as a result to show appreciation for their works which so greatly enriched our lives. To describe it in the words of the ancients, it'd be 'refined elegance'. Unfortunately, with the flow of time, people have gradually forgotten about The Five Kasen and the festival."

"Which is precisely why I've decided to revive the Irodori Festival by holding a cultural convention featuring light novels!" Yae declared.

"What about all that 'refined elegance' stuff Noriko-baa-san just said?" the Traveler gawked.

"Please stop looking at me with those baffled expressions." Yae chuckled. "In ancient times, poetry was all the rage. But nowadays, the entertainment format of choice is light novels. The important thing is not the format but the creative work itself. It is impossible to come up with anything fresh if you're stuck using some rigid format of the past. Speaking of which, don't you think that the concept of 'focusing on the now' perfectly suits the current Inazuma? And besides, it's a great opportunity to reintroduce Inazuma to all Teyvat through light novels. As they say, it's two birds with one stone."

"A whole lot of thinly veiled self-justifications?" the Traveler muttered.

"That was close." Paimon heaved in relief. "Paimon was nearly carried away by Miko's persuasive tongue. C'mon Miko, you can't fool us! We know you by now, this is all definitely stemming from your own personal interests!"

"I can't deny that my hobbies had no part to play in this." Yae laughed.

"Catching people's attention with a fresh concept is the essence here, be it light novels or a festival." Noriko cut in. "What do you say, children? Aren't you two even a little curious about what interesting things you might see at the festival?"

"Maybe a little..." Paimon admitted. "Alright, Paimon's super curious now!"

"Come, let's pay a visit to the venue in Ritou together." Yae suggested. "I promise that it will give you a whole new perspective on the festival. There we'll meet a special someone who will tell you more about your tasks."


In Ritou...

"During the Irodori Festival, the area around the Outlander Affairs Agency will become the main exhibition space for light novels." Yae explained. "Once things are in full swing, not only will there be lots of official and fan-created work on display, there'll also be exclusive giveaways, prizes, and new release parties. This small plaza in front of the International Trade Association will be called 'The Five Kasen Plaza' during the festival, and nearby shops will be selling special light novel merchandise. You certainly won't want to miss out."

"How should Paimon put this..." Paimon pondered. "It's definitely not your typical festival, but it sure looks like it'll be quite the party! Miko, what are these blank boards in the center of the plaza?"

"Those are..." Yae started.

"Lady Yae did mention that there would be some reliable helpers coming to assist with the festivities." Ayato replied, approaching with Sucrose dressed in her official Nekomata kimono. "It appears she meant you two."

"We meet again, Traveler and Paimon." Sucrose greeted. "How are you faring recently?"

"It's Ayato and Sucrose!" Paimon chirped. "So even busy people like yourselves are here to attend the Irodori Festival."

"Preparing festivals falls under the Yashiro Commission's scope of responsibilities." Ayato replied. 'Seeing as Lady Yae has poured her heart and soul into the preparations, we're obliged to be equally dedicated."

"Come now you two, we're not strangers here." Yae chided. "There's no need to sound so formal. We were just about to discuss the boards over here. They're related to our little helpers' tasks, so I'll let you give them a detailed rundown."

"Certainly." Ayato nodded. "I assume you two already know that the Irodori Festival originated from The Five Kasen. These five boards are here for painting their portraits. This Irodori Festival is not only the first major festival to be held in Inazuma since the lifting of the Sakoku Decree, it is also an event deeply rooted in culture and the arts. Therefore, the Yashiro Commission has personally invited several cultural celebrities from other nations. For example, the artist we have invited to paint these portraits hails from the distant land of Mondstadt. The Yashiro Commission will arrange accommodations and food in Inazuma for each of the distinguished guests. However, we fear that staying in a foreign land may feel a little uncomfortable."

"This is why it would be most ideal to have someone familiar with both Inazuma and other nations of Teyvat to serve as a guide for our guests." Sucrose added.

"So, this is our commission." the Traveler realized.

"I knew you would catch on." Ayato praised. "It is our hope that you would be able to guide the guests from the harbor to their residence at the International Trade Association while providing any necessary assistance along the way."

"This Arrival Schedule includes the details of the ships on which the guests will be arriving." Sucrose handed the Traveler a piece of paper. "All you simply have to do is go to the docks at the indicated times."

"It's settled then." Yae declared. "Look at the time. I have to meet with my editors, so I must be going now. During the festival, most of the Yae Publishing House's editors will be staying near the Outlander Affairs Agency. If you run into any problems, you may find them there."

"This festival requires the full cooperation of the Tri-Commission, and there are still many minor details which require my and Lady Sato's attention, so we must excuse ourselves for now. We'll leave the guests in your hands."


SailorStar9: Any OOC-ness is regretted. *Grins* Don't you just love plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.