Omniscius [Genshin Impact]

Part Five

9: The Gap Between

"What happened to all the other Shuumatsuban you sent the other day? I noticed they dwindled down in numbers," Soleil mused as she walked past Ayato.

"I summoned them back. It was obvious you were merely toying them, luring them to questionable destinations all across the map. Your informant was very eager to lead them astray as well," Ayato chuckled as he crossed his arms, "Seeing as they are unable to follow your activity, I decided to track you down myself."

"Which is surprising. I'm surprised you have enough time on your hands to go to a place far away from your station. And just for one girl, too," Soleil smirked, "I'm flattered."

Ayato's lips quirked. "Make no mistake. I did not come here for personal reasons," he said.

"No? Then, I'm afraid I have to leave you and Hisashi here then. As you can see," Soleil gave him a close-up look and smiled, "I don't have to answer to you."

Hisashi got into a defensive stance, seeing his lord's proximity be breached by the girl. However, Soleil parted from Ayato just as she got close, and the men could only watch as Soleil walk into Mikage Furnace.

"Interesting," Ayato muttered, fixing the lapels of his suit. Hisashi's brows furrowed as he whispered, "Must I gather the others...?"

"There will be no need for extra measures," Ayato shook his head and looked at Soleil, who acted as if she was on a stroll despite the dark atmosphere around her.

"You may take your leave," Ayato said. Hisashi looked at him in alert, "But Sir, what if she tries to–"

He went quiet once Ayato raised his hand calmly. "I can take things from here," Ayato told him and glanced at him, "Just make sure no one disturbs us."

Hisashi relented and he bowed his head in acknowledgment. He suddenly disappeared from sight, as if he were never there. Ayato then turned and followed Soleil, who never looked over her shoulder to check on him.

She didn't have to. Perhaps it was common among people of power to give off an intangible sensation or aura. Even if Soleil didn't turn her head, she knew the man was following after her simply because she can feel his presence.

Ayato, on the other hand, remained composed and looked around the rocky ledges that caged them in. It was like an arena of rock created by nature itself to hide the Shogun's secrets within. And rightfully so. But that didn't stop Ayato and Soleil from venturing in and prying into the facilities' secrets.

"This place is...too damp for my taste," Ayato commented, "Whatever brings you to Mikage Furnace, I wonder?"

"Nothing important. You can rest easy," Soleil replied. Ayato raised an eyebrow as he trailed just behind Soleil, "I doubt you would go this far out into the wild and specific for something that has no importance."

"That's really none of your business even if it was, Lord Kamisato," Soleil said lightly, crossing over one of the bridges without fear of the loud creaks underneath her heels.

"When will there be an instance of you not addressing me so formally?" Ayato asked and sighed, "Now it feels as if I'm still on duty at this very moment."

"Didn't you say you weren't here for personal reasons?" Soleil asked. Ayato's lips curled, "I did say that."

"So that must mean you're still here on terms of business, which is strange. I never knew the Yashiro Commission needed to deal with anything about the Mikage Furnace. I thought that falls under the Tenryou Commission?" Soleil looked over her shoulder.