Narukami Island, Mt. Yougou.
The trio, with Qin Yu as the "core," set off to resolve the Sakura's curse.
Oh, and there was also an emergency food supply.
As for the scenery along the way...
Qin Yu, the "core" sandwiched between several girls, had something to say.
It was already late at night, the moonlight was pale and cold.
The evening breeze in the mountains brushed against their skin, bringing coolness and comfort.
And, it also brought a certain ticklish feeling that stirred the heart.
"..."
Qin Yu frowned slightly, his expression solemn.
He maintained the demeanor of a righteous man who remained unperturbed by temptation.
It was a joke; he was the most upright person.
But the different floral scents drifting from his sides, and the soft strands of hair that seemed to brush against his fingertips inadvertently...
"Ah-choo!"
Qin Yu finally couldn't hold back and sneezed.
The balance was instantly broken, and the girls all looked over.
"I say... could everyone maintain a bit of distance?"
Qin Yu sighed lightly, looking at the women beside him with a helpless expression.
On one side was Columbia, the Third Harbinger, pure, quiet, and elegant.
On the other was Yae Miko, the Grand Guuji, lazy, alluring, with a playful smile.
And then there was the maid, Lumine, silently wiping her unbladed sword, preparing for the upcoming battle.
That's right, this "core" was meant literally.
Columbia and Miko, using the excuse of protecting Qin Yu from being stolen by others, had him sandwiched between them.
He wondered what their good sisters, Sandrone and Ei, would think if they knew.
Qin Yu, with a girl on each arm, considered this a high-level game.
"Little one, the wilderness is full of lonely spirits. I can't guarantee your safety if you leave my side, dear."
A warm presence drew near, Yae Miko placed a hand on Qin Yu's shoulder, smiling meaningfully.
"Inazuma has been peaceful for a long time. Where would ghosts come from?"
Qin Yu's lips twitched. Was this mischievous fox trying to scare him?
"One can never be too sure, can they? Perhaps someone's heart... has a ghost in it right now."
Yae Miko poked Qin Yu, hinting at something.
After all you've done to me, you still want to feign amnesia?
Such a cute little thing~
"..."
Qin Yu raised an eyebrow, remembering the secret moments between them captured by the recording device.
A thrill of excitement and stimulation from their clandestine affair made his heart beat a little faster.
Miss Fox, you're too good at this.
Before he could say more, a light and pleasant voice sounded from the other side.
"Qin Yu, are you cold?"
It was Columbia, tilting her head to look at Qin Yu, her tone concerned.
"Of course, I'm not... *cough*."
Qin Yu was about to say he wasn't cold, but Columbia naturally linked her arm with his, and he fell silent.
"Not what?"
Columbia's lips curved into an arc of mischief, and she deliberately asked.
Don't misunderstand, this is just a customary gesture from Snezhnaya.
As they walked, the girl's skin rubbed against him, smooth and soft.
Qin Yu glanced at her fair arm extending from her Harbinger coat, and a thought stirred within him.
Sandrone had mentioned that Columbia really enjoyed changing clothes in private.
She had already changed into another outfit; he wondered what it looked like.
"Do you want to see?"
Columbia's lips curved slightly, and she moved a little closer.
If it were Qin Yu, she could allow it.
When he helped her infuse her with life energy to stabilize the curse later...
He could take his time looking.
"Cough, what are you doing."
Qin Yu firmly pushed Columbia's hand away.
This must be a ploy to disrupt his steadfast heart!
No matter what means Columbia employed, he could withstand it.
It seems I've revealed my true thoughts...
Qin Yu shook his head. He was a righteous person!
"Heh."
Columbia seemed to sense something but didn't point it out.
The slightly cunning girl enjoyed observing Qin Yu's reactions and recording them.
"Alright, we're almost at the Tenryou Commission's encampment."
Qin Yu noticed the light in the distance and became more serious.
"Tenryou Commission?"
Lumine blinked, looking puzzled.
"If it's just a ritual, do you need to deploy the military?"
As she spoke, she gestured with her small pink fist towards Qin Yu.
The Traveler was quite strong!
"There are many monsters gathered at the foot of Mt. Yougou, so the army must be prepared."
Qin Yu had received intelligence that malevolent energies were leaking from the roots of the Divine Tree, causing monsters to run rampant.
This was also why the great leader had suddenly ordered him to depart.
"And who said it's just a ritual? We also have to deal with a troublesome issue first."
He glanced at the silent Columbia and smiled.
"Recently, a scholar from Snezhnaya has been active near the Sacred Sakura's leyline, under the guise of surveying the mountains..."
And beneath the leyline was the final location of this ritual.
Kamisato Ayato had already stated it directly: it was Arlecchino's special unit.
Qin Yu naturally wouldn't let them continue their activities.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't know anything."
Columbia gently shook her head, appearing to be a loyal colleague protecting her fellows' secrets.
"?"
Qin Yu held up one finger.
Columbia's expression remained unchanged.
Qin Yu's brow twitched, and he held up two fingers.
You can endure even this?
"...I yield."
Columbia turned her face away slightly.
Please do not misunderstand the process described above.
Qin Yu's extension of fingers to Columbia referred to the number of days life energy infusion would be delayed.
"She is extracting the lingering resentment of Archons that has accumulated in Inazuma's ley lines over the past five hundred years."
Columbia said.
"Should I thank her for helping to lighten the burden of Archon resentment?"
Qin Yu chuckled.
"Indeed."
To his surprise, Columbia nodded.
"Arlecchino's collection of Archon resentment is solely for the purpose of traveling to the Sea of Darkness."
"If it were the Doctor or Scaramouche, they would definitely take the opportunity to create Delusions."
Qin Yu froze. "Scaramouche?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Yae Miko burst into laughter.
Columbia also displayed a mysterious smile and said no more.
The atmosphere became peculiar.
Scaramouche was an automaton created by Ei.
In a sense...
This had escalated to an "internal affair" of the Electro Archon.
Qin Yu shook his head. If Scaramouche dared to show up, he would definitely beat him into a pulp.
...
Tenryou Commission encampment.
"Lord Qin Yu!"
The samurai lined up and saluted Qin Yu in unison.
As they straightened, their gazes were filled with admiration.
As expected of Lord Qin Yu, this operation not only had the Grand Guuji's assistance but also two beautiful female companions with unique charms!
A certain white floating spirit was being ignored.
"Is the encirclement ready?"
Qin Yu nodded, entering work mode.
"Yes, with the assistance of the Oniwaban, it went smoothly."
The leading samurai replied.
Next, they only needed to eliminate Arlecchino's people, then proceed to quell the monsters at the foot of Mt. Yougou, and finally complete the Divine Sakura ritual.
"We just watch?"
Lumine asked softly, feeling as though she was here to slack off.
"You are not included."
Qin Yu patted the maid's shoulder with a smile.
Watching his beautiful maid fight something like this, the thought alone was exciting.
"What is this? You're slacking off!"
The maid began to protest.
"And with nighttime operations, some people might escape!"
Lumine's questioning was echoed by Yae Miko and Columbia's doubts.
How should they handle this?
Qin Yu smiled, and a verdant green divine light flashed in his eyes.
"Isn't this very simple..."