Wondering on the status of the Alcor, the Traveler and Paimon head to Katheryne at Liyue‘s guild branch. And just then, Sea Drake arrives, having been sent by Beidou to tell them that they are ready to set sail. Katheryne says her farewells, but tells them that she would be waiting for them at Narukami Island.
Beidou disembarks with the Traveler and Paimon at Ritou before being greeted by Thoma, her business partner. The Captain leaves the pair to his care, since she can’t stay around for too long with Kazuha, who is still a wanted fugitive. Thoma later helps them pass the processing center to avoid suspicion given the impossible request and the ridiculous amount of Mora.
After processing, Thoma explains that there are some inspectors who try to increase the price of processing as much as possible for outlanders, who cannot leave the nation due to the Sakoku Decree. As such, the foreigners formed the International Trade Association to survive. He also learns they intend to meet with the Raiden Shogun, stating that he can help them do so, but in turn they will need to help out others first, starting with the said association.
Confessions of an Outlander
Thoma’s friend and the President of the Trade Association, Kurisu, is surprised to see new outlanders, and explains that since he and the foreigners have been stuck in the port, the Kanjou Commission has been bleeding them dry with absurd taxes. They originally had to pay Mora, but they suddenly changed it to Crystal Marrow, which almost none of the Trade had heard of. Even worse, their attempts to look for it causes the item to skyrocket in both taxes and price from the only source available, leaving them in danger of homelessness. The Traveler offers to assist, with Kurisu accepting as they aren’t affiliated and as a newcomer, the vendor might drop his guard.
The merchant, Werner, realizes they were sent by the Trade Association and refuses to negotiate. Returning to Thoma, he tells them that Werner hails from Mondstadt and found a “patron” after leaving the association. Giving an item from both Mondstadt and Liyue, the vendor gives in to his emotions and admits that he is playing a scheme by Keijirou and his companions; they buy all of the Crystal Marrow and give it to him, who sells the excess back to the association at profit and the cycle repeats; despite his role in the plot, he is barely paid. Tracking him down, they spot Keijirou burying a ledger. Werner tells them to send it to Kurisu, as he is too afraid to confront the President of the Trade.
Keijirou demands payment from the Trade when the Traveler and Paimon arrive and expose his wrongdoings. Cornered, the corrupt officer offers to give his spare Marrows to keep the case quiet, but Harrison, angered at the injustice, demands more and calls the commissioner by name, prompting a passing Katsuie to order the merchants arrested. Before that could happen, Thoma intervenes and hands them a card from the Yashiro Commission and a peculiar ornate fan, making Katsuie decides to drop the incident to avoid having a problem with “her”.
Taking them aside, Thoma explains that he is actually an attendant of the Kamisato Clan, taking care of the clan’s eldest daughter, Kamisato Ayaka, the Shirasagi Himegimi. Ayaka has heard of their feats and is expecting their arrival, hoping that they can change the tides — the Vision Hunt Decree. Although the Traveler is uninterested in helping, insist on pursuing their goal, Thoma agrees to help them meet the Electro Archon anyway and ask to meet them at Komore Teahouse, but the pair realizes they can’t leave Ritou, believed it must be part of the test.
Three Wishes
Arriving at the teahouse, the pair are greeted by Thoma inside, who pulls a prank on them by pretending to be the dog Taroumaru. Thoma apologizes for the test, as it was necessary, if they can “change the lightning.” Thoma promises to bring them to the Kamisato residence after seeing the Statue of the Omnipresent God, still under construction.
There, Thoma explains about how the Raiden Shogun declared the Vision Hunt Decree and that the “gems” embedded on the statue are the seized Visions. The Traveler touches the statue and suffers a headache as they hear the aspirations of the people, surprising Thoma and Paimon. Later at the Kamisato residence, where Ayaka anticipated their arrival. She hopes that the Traveler would assist in the fight against the Shogun, but they continue to refuse. Ayaka compromises with them, promising to bring them to the Shogun if they visit three people who had their Vision confiscated from them.
The Meaning of Meaningless Waiting
At the first location, Konda Village, the Traveler finds an old couple, Mahiru and Kenjirou trying to persuade a younger man Tejima not to leave. Inquiring the man, Tejima was a samurai who become Visionless. With his Vision gone, he has had trouble remembering why he stayed at the village for so long and is intending to leave and become a wandering samurai. The pair offer to help refresh his memory, which he accepts. They find a paper that explains why he stayed at the village; to wait for his lover, but she never came. After the events, Tejima then chooses to remain in the village to wait for her, although wondering if she would ever come.
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