Love A Forgetful Dumbass

Getting a Permit + 44

"I love you so much, (M/N). I can never be angry at you even when you brought that pest so close to me." The dark abyss prince sighed.
———

Thoma had successfully gotten everyone a permit, after scaring them when they came without identification. He wanted to see their responses. He never got one from (M/N) who remained silent. They needed to head to the Outlander's Affairs Agency if they wanted to stay on Ritou. These current rules were done by the Kanjou Commission which was once branch of the Tri-Commission in Inazuma. It's responsible for growing and managing the nature's wealth.

(M/N) quietly listened, feeling himself get a bit tired at the explanation. They headed over to the comission and the processing fee was three million mora. He was going to pay but Thoma shook his head, politely pushing (M/N)'s money away. He managed to get it down to 600,000 mora and then 600 by just offering her dinner. Good looks and connections took him really far which he had admitted to after the group got signed for residency permits.

"Don't they ever push back?" Lumine asked.

"Yes but when you're an outlander from Inazuma, far from home, in this closed-nation-era, there's very little that can be done about it." Thoma admitted.

Most overseas merchants just stick together as a result. That's why the International Trade Association was created. For some reason, (M/N) just couldn't focus while he was listening to them. He felt like someone was watching. Upon mentioning the Raiden Shogun, he called her the most exalted being everyone looks up to. He offered a way for Lumine to meet her but she would need to do him a favour. Lumine looked irritated at constantly being done dirty by being the errand boy so (M/N) brought out a sweet and put it in her mouth. He hoped it would cheer her up.

They needed to go find Kurisu and talk to him. When they found him, they quickly found out the Association was being extorted for astronomical tax rates, unbelievable regulations and now they were paying for their taxes through crystal marrow. Apparently their seach for the crystal marrow only drove the price up.

"Crystal marrow, that doesn't make sense. From my memory that isn't even found on this island which you people are tasked to stay at. So are they making you buy it? That's extortion at its finest. Let me guess, only one person now sells it?" (M/N) wisely concluded.

Kurisu agreed in astonishment while Lumine looked glad. They were told to head to an area of a tree by the coast in the residential district. When they arrived there, Paimon immediately popped the question on where he was buying his wares. He turned sour and started getting frustrated at the group, telling them to leave. He sounded like a Mondstader. Lumine thought it would be a good idea to check back in with Thoma. (M/N) decided to stay behind with the person.

Thoma immediately gave information on the person, explaining how he was one of the few people that got stuck here due to the decree. He used to trade between Liyue and Inazuma. By the time he was done explaining, (M/N) had come back saying that he had solved the issue. He had given the person dandelion seeds, Wolf Berry Hooks and Calla Lilies. He had also given him Cor Lapis, Jueyun Chilis and Noctocillus Jade as a gift. He ended up explaining everything that was happening.

"Lumine, I'll do this for you, you look like you need a break." (M/N) whispered to her.

Lumine nodded as he took off to catch the evidence the tax commissioner might be leaving behind. By the time he came back, he had the ledger which they used against the commissioner. Unfortunately, things started to get very heated. Fortunately, Thoma stepped in which upon mentioning he was from the Yashiro commission and the fan called the Shirasagi Himegimi. They eventually left. Thoma commented how that bridge was burnt now which the association apologised for.