OHDOM Vol. 2 31-50 (Patreon)

Chapter 31 – Shell-shocked in the House of KamisatoKujou Sara felt her usual resolve waver. That unshakable decisiveness she was known for had left her.She couldn’t even imagine how Kaguya would react. Would she collapse in the Kamisato estate, cough blood, and die right there after learning the news?“…I'll tell her that we’re still searching. That’s acceptable… right?”Kujou Sara had always prided herself on honesty. But this time, she simply couldn't speak the truth....Ayaka received the reply within two days.The handwriting was sharp and precise, reflecting Kujou Sara’s personality.It felt like Ayaka was beginning to understand this distant general just a little more.As she read on, her eyes widened.“So… that’s the situation? A scholar who cultivated high-yield crops… and Inazuma is facing a famine?”Her pupils shrank sharply.“No… no, that can’t be true. But…”Her first instinct was denial. Inazuma, one of the seven great nations, composed of many islands and with a long history—could it really face food shortages just from losing foreign trade?“But I remember… many people used crops from Mondstadt, fertilizers from Liyue, and pesticides from Sumeru. If the seeds degrade, and there’s no fertilizer or pesticide, then… yields really would plummet.”Ayaka held her head, suddenly dizzy.The Yashiro Commission handled festivals and ceremonies—of the three commissions, it had the closest ties with the people.As the Shirasagi Himegimi, Ayaka had deep relationships with the common folk. Thinking back to recent conversations about agriculture, yes… much of it relied on imports.“No… the Shogun can’t be so shortsighted. She must have prepared something… right?”She tried to convince herself.But the current chaos in Inazuma, especially the swelling ranks of starving refugees despite their best efforts to distribute food, made her complexion turn pale....Meanwhile, Kaguya’s life these past two days had been decent.The Kamisato estate was beautiful, the air was fresh, and the care she received was exceptional.Most importantly, Ayaka herself visited her daily, always looking so worried and helpless. Her expression was cute even when she looked so concerned.But today, Ayaka hadn’t come.Had something held her up?Kaguya stared blankly, letting her thoughts drift.“M-my apologies, I’m late today. Are you feeling better, Miss?”Ayaka finally arrived, wearing a strained smile and unconsciously shifting her form of address.Kaguya looked up, her hollow gaze focusing on her face.“Has Kujou Sara replied?”“Yes. Lady Sara says… she’s still searching.”“I see…”Kaguya lowered her head, silent for a moment. Then her shoulders began to tremble.“Cough, cough!”She suddenly began coughing violently. Her scarred, calloused hand instinctively covered her mouth—but blood seeped through her fingers.“Sir!”Ayaka rushed over to support her, trembling, unsure of what to do.But Kaguya gently pushed her away and uncovered her mouth, staring at the blood on her palm.“Kamisato Ayaka, the Shirasagi Himegimi… I’ve heard of your name.”“Please, Miss, none of that matters now. What matters is your health!”“My health? And what good would that do…”“Miss, can I ask… is Inazuma truly on the brink of collapse?”Ayaka steeled herself and asked directly.Judging by Kujou Sara’s letter, Ayaka could tell Kaguya saw right through the softened truth. This girl… no, this woman, had insight far beyond her years. Even she took time learning about it.And if her concern was only for the people, not herself—then maybe there was another way to change her.Ayaka herself was already shaken by these problems.Kaguya looked up, blood at the corner of her lips, staring at Ayaka with a deep, calm intensity. Those eyes that were hollow suddenly became bright, a tinged brightness from a person who have seen the world."You are the daughter of the Kamisato family, under the Yashiro Commission?""Yes, sir.""My name is Kaguya. Houraisan Kaguya. An unknown, ordinary citizen. But I’ve been to Mondstadt, to Liyue. I’ve seen other lands and peoples. I’ve never studied under a great master nor attended a famous academy, but I can call myself a scholar."“Kaguya… Kaguya-sensei? I, Ayaka, greet you with utmost respect.”“No need to call me ‘sensei’. I’ve achieved nothing. But you, as a noble of the Yashiro Commission—can you petition the Shogun directly?”Kaguya’s eyes blazed with intensity, focused solely on Ayaka.Ayaka felt scorched by that gaze and hesitated.In theory, all three Commissions could petition the Shogun. Before she secluded herself in Tenshukaku, the Shogun could be met face-to-face all three of them, during that time, they can submit or state relevant political comments in person.But now, the Shogun had secluded themselves.But now, the only path for petitions was through the Tenryou Commission, who held control of state matters.The Yashiro Commission could submit documents to the Tenryou Commission—but whether they would be truthfully passed to the Shogun is something that Ayaka and her brother had long doubted.“In short… there’s still a chance, correct?”“Yes, sir. We can try.”“You asked me about Inazuma’s crisis. Now let me ask you: when did Inazuma’s foreign trade begin to flourish?”“At least a hundred years ago… perhaps longer?”Kaguya nodded.“Then Inazuma’s population and industry can be divided into two eras. The first, before trade, when the land and seas supported the people. The second, after trade began—when Inazuma exported rare ores and forged goods to the other nations, and in return, imported vast quantities of daily essentials, feeding a population much larger than before. Now, I ask you: how did people survive in the first era? And in the second?”“The first era—agriculture and fishing, relying on the nearby seas. The second still had farming and fishing, but added overseas trade, dock work, mining, and forging.”“And which era had a larger population?”“Of course, the second. Much larger…”Ayaka’s face turned ghostly pale.---Chapter 32 - The Kamisato Family’s Full ResponsibilityAt this point, Ayaka saw it clearly—terrifyingly so.A century of foreign trade had built a vast supply chain, compensating for Inazuma’s limited natural resources. It had sustained a population the land alone could not feed.Then, in one decree, the Shogun closed the borders. Trade ceased.Imported goods vanished overnight. Inazuma was left with only its own resources to support a population that had long outgrown them.And at the same time, all the industries born from trade—commerce, mining, forging—lost their income. Countless workers were suddenly unemployed.Not enough food. No jobs.Even without looking further, Ayaka could see the collapse approaching like a crumbling tower.“No… the Shogun wouldn’t…”“Maybe she never thought of this. Maybe someone told her it would be fine, and she believed them. Or maybe… her vision of ‘eternity’ involves letting the excess population starve, until only those the land can support remain.”“No! The Shogun cares for her people. She would never…”“The Three Commissions should have warned her—explained that closing the borders would crash the economy and starve the nation. They should have urged caution. Either continue trade, or prepare well before stopping it—shift workers to farming, reclaim land, boost food production. It might’ve softened the losses and turmoil. But now? It’s too late.”Kaguya looked at her with weary, resigned eyes.Ayaka’s shoulders trembled. Her hands clenched, and her head drooped.Yes.None of the Commissions had ever said these things to the Shogun.The Yashiro Commission didn’t deal with grand state matters. They lacked the knowledge, and clung too tightly to reverence, never daring to imagine the worst.As for the Kandō Commission, responsible for finance and foreign trade, and the Tenryou Commission, overseeing internal affairs and military matters—what were they doing? Kamisato Ayaka had no answer.But Kaguya did.The Raiden Shogun’s lockdown of Inazuma had impacted foreign trade across all seven nations to varying degrees—no one came out ahead.Except Snezhnaya.They needed a land ravaged filled with gods and monstrosities as a testing ground for their experiments. They needed a drawn-out, high-intensity war to test the weapons they were developing. And all of this had to be kept completely secret—none of the other nations could find out.If one were to check the private vaults of the Kandō and Tenryou Commissions, they’d find piles of precious gifts from the Fatui stacked high.But in the end, all of it pointed back to the Raiden Shogun in Tenshukaku.If she hadn’t first sunk into blind isolation...​ If she hadn’t placed such unquestioning trust in the Three Commissions...​ Even if, after making such a drastic decision, she had simply stepped outside and taken a look—things wouldn’t have come to this.Kaguya no longer felt anything toward the Raiden Shogun. Her voice was calm, detached:“If you check the total amount of food imported the year before the lockdown, then check the registered number of sailors, dock workers, miners, and smiths from that same year. With just that, you can roughly estimate the current food shortage and unemployment levels in Inazuma. Who has this data?”“All of that would be held by the Kandō and Tenryou Commissions.”“Can it be stolen?”“...Yes!”Kamisato Ayaka nodded with rare determination.And in that moment, she shared the same absurd clarity that Kujou Sara had once experienced:How could the words of a complete stranger drive her do this action?But Kaguya’s logic, so straightforward and undeniable, rang like a great temple bell. Kujou Sara had heard it clearly—and Ayaka heard it even more clearly.“Cough... cough...”Kaguya coughed again, lowering her bloodied hand.“Steal the records. Bring them to me. I need precise numbers to analyze the current state. Then—I’ll write a petition.”“Yes, Kaguya-sensei. But please, I beg you, take care of your health. Your insight and wisdom may be our only hope for change. For Inazuma—your life must be preserved.”“I understand. Until I see hope—I won’t die.”She smiled faintly.Though blood stained her lips and her body trembled like a candle in the wind, her calm, transcendent bearing was like that of a fallen samurai—tragic, yet beautiful beyond words.Ayaka felt her heart skip a beat....That night, Kamisato Ayato returned home from his duties to find his sister waiting with a strange intensity.It wasn’t like her usual demeanor at all.He blinked, then sat across from her.“Did something happen?”“Brother... there’s something important I need to discuss with you.”She took a deep breath—there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes, but also a resolve he had rarely seen before.Only then did Ayato realize how unnaturally quiet the room was. No servants. Just the wind and the chirping of insects outside.He nodded. “Go ahead.”So Ayaka told him everything—from Kaguya’s name, to how Kujou Sara came to know her, to everything Kaguya had said that day.Ayato listened, at first intrigued, then growing more serious, until finally, he glanced in the direction of the guest room.“Brother, are you aware of the current state of Inazuma?”Ayaka stared at him intently.Ayato gave a wry smile.​ "In your eyes, do you think your brother is the kind of person who would ignore something this serious?”“Then... what Kaguya-sensei said, was she right about Inazuma’s core problem?”Ayato's silence was as good as confirmation.Ayaka’s breath caught in her throat.He nodded.“I had thought of some of the issues that would arise from cutting off trade, but... I didn’t grasp them as deeply, as clearly, as she did.”“Then why haven’t you tried to advise the Shogun?”“Because I can’t. You remember how sudden the lockdown was, don’t you? The Shogun summoned a thunder barrier and sealed off the seas. The next day, the Tenryou Commission declared the lockdown decree. And after that... I’ll be honest with you: now, only the Tenryou Commission has the power to deliver state documents to Tenshukaku. Do you understand what that means?”“Which means—no matter what we do, any message that harms the Tenryou Commission’s interests will never reach the Shogun’s ears. Then tell me—whose nation is this now? The Shogun’s... or the Tenryou Commission’s?”Ayaka’s face turned pale.“Careful, Ayaka!” Ayato’s expression changed sharply.“I understand. I made sure to dismiss the servants first. I know—with the Tenryou Commission’s military power, if they heard what I just said... they wouldn’t dare take our lives because of the Three Commissions’ legacy, but they’d likely imprison us in this house, cut us off from the world.”Ayato sighed. “Miss Kaguya has given me a difficult puzzle to solve. Come, let’s eat first. Give me time to think.”He smiled gently.Ayaka nodded and went to arrange dinner.When she was gone, Ayato looked once again toward the guest room—and quietly clenched his fists.To him, his sister Ayaka was the true thing he wanted to protect. Reverence for the Shogun, loyalty to Inazuma—those were means to that end.Kaguya’s reasoning was so sound that even Ayaka, whom he had sheltered from the world, understood it clearly. Of course Ayato understood even more.But what could he do?No matter what effort he made, the Tenryou Commission would block it. Their house would be crushed under military power. All the strength the Kamisato family had built up—wiped away.Yet if they did nothing, Inazuma’s collapse would only be a matter of time. When the Shogun eventually woke up to that reality, the Kamisato family, as one of the Three Commissions, would not escape blame.Ayato's expression shifted constantly. Then, suddenly, he turned his gaze to the mountain that looked particularly majestic and depressed in the dark moonlight.At its peak, lights flickered—not bright, but steadfast in the dark.“The Grand Narukami Shrine... the High Priestess...”“There’s no rule that says we must submit petitions through the Tenryou Commission. If we give them to someone close to the Shogun—like Yae Miko—isn’t that still considered advising her?”“The Yashiro Commission handles neither military nor government nor finance. If we pass everything we’ve learned to Lady Yae of the Grand Shrine... haven’t we fulfilled our duty?”Ayato clapped his hands together and made up his mind.---Chapter 33 – “Why Are You Blushing?”Kamisato Ayato did decide to meet with Kaguya.No matter what, she had already shown a brilliance sharp enough to disrupt the current rotting state of affairs.Like his sister, he addressed her with full respect, calling her “Sensei.” But behind that politeness was a layer of scrutiny—clearly, unlike the pure-hearted Ayaka, her brother was a seasoned noble and political player.Kaguya didn’t think much of him.​First of all, he is not a beautiful girl, secondly, he is very scheming, excellent, but she has not seen any sincerity, nor has she seen the special highlights that she would like.A “tool character +1,” she thought to herself.The following days returned to quiet, comfortable convalescence. She slept in, let the servants fuss over her, and spent her time calmly observing Kamisato Ayaka’s daily visits.Perhaps it was this gentle, frail persona that really struck Ayaka’s weak spot. Because Ayaka even accidentally confessed during casual chat that she liked hiding away and reading romance novels.“P-please, Sensei! Don’t tell anyone about that…”“Heh~~”“S-Sensei, you laughed!”“I’m not some emotionless puppet. Of course I can laugh. You're... quite interesting.”Kaguya’s reply was casual, but it made Ayaka’s eyes sparkle with amazement.After so many days of lifeless demeanor, Kaguya’s first real smile—just for Ayaka—was a special moment. It made Ayaka immediately recall countless scenes from her romance novels.Incidentally, the Yae Publishing House—which dominated over half the light novel market in Inazuma—was notoriously lenient toward romance plots, thanks to the editor-in-chief Yae Miko’s not-so-platonic affection for a certain wooden Shogun.So yes, Ayaka had read plenty of this exact trope.Her face, even the tips of her ears, turned red.Seeing that Aya Kagura suddenly had a tempting blush on her earlobes, Kaguya was puzzled and asked deliberately, " Why are you blushing?"“Ah! N-no reason! I—I’ll go check how lunch is coming! Let’s eat together today!”“Sounds good. Thank you.”“Not at all, Sensei!”Ayaka fled, her steps visibly flustered.Kaguya shook her head and smiled faintly, then resumed her elegant posture, continuing her restful wait.​As for how she was imagining Ayaka beneath her, or what kind of posture she wanted her to perform, only she knew....Officially, the Kamisato family didn’t command any military forces.Unofficially, they had a secret unit known as the Shuumatsuban—a small team of professional ninjas. (Yes, including Sayu.)Of course, using this tiny force against the Tenryou Commission’s full army was a pipe dream.But it's easy for them to steal something like lightly guarded, outdated records.Soon after their peaceful (and rather visually pleasing) lunch, Ayaka rushed off. She returned not long after with a stack of ledgers—and a tiny ninja with a tail following behind.“Ughhh~ I delivered the goods. Can I go now?”“You’ve been a big help, Sayu. Thank you.”“Don’t thank me. Next time, no more all-nighters. I’ll never grow taller at this rate…”“Pfft! You’re just the same. Alright, go rest.”Ayaka smiled warmly and sent the little one off.Sayu couldn’t resist stealing one last glance at the frail, beautiful stranger who had requested the documents.‘Who is she? Never seen her before. She smiled at me—ahhh! She smiled! Time to go!!’She vanished in a puff of ninja smoke.For some reason, whenever she saw that lovely yet fragile woman smile, Sayu’s tail would twitch—it felt like being hugged just from a look.Kaguya smiled softly. Ayaka looked slightly embarrassed.“That was Sayu, from the Shuumatsuban. She’s still young and a little informal. I hope you won’t take offense, Sensei.”Though Kaguya called herself a commoner, her calm wisdom and concern for the people had earned Ayaka’s full respect, so she unconsciously placed Kaguya on a high position that needs respect.Kaguya shook her head.“She may be young, but to carry out a task like this proves she’s capable. More importantly—children are the future. If our children can’t even laugh freely, then even if Inazuma hasn’t fallen yet... it’s already lost.”“You’re right, Sensei. These are the year-end records stolen from the Kandō and Tenryou Commissions. Since we couldn’t tell which ones were useful, we brought them all. It’s more than expected. What should we do next?”Ayaka looked at the towering pile of books, unsure.Kaguya leaned on the table and stood slowly, reaching to touch the top of the stack.“The more, the better. Only with enough data can I see the full picture clearly. Next step—we read all of it and compile the numbers. Ayaka, bring ink and paper. I’ll dictate, and you record.”“Yes, Sensei!”Kaguya’s eyes turned sharp—not aggressive, but commanding in a way that brooked no resistance. Ayaka nodded and quickly got to work.Kaguya opened a book and began flipping through it, reading and calculating at high speed.“These record-keeping methods... so crude.”“Sensei?”“One day, I’ll need to reform this inefficient and loophole-ridden system. But never mind that. First line—record grain imports in Month One, rice: XX jin…”She flew through the books, calculating as she went.Ayaka sat straight, posture graceful, her writing already carrying the elegance of a calligraphy master. She recorded every word with care.There were only two of them doing this.The documents had been stolen. The contents were state secrets. Any leak could bring serious consequences—especially for the Yashiro Commission.Fortunately, Kaguya's ability was so strong that it shocked Ayaka, and her admiration and respect in her heart became even higher.One of them spoke and the other wrote, gradually ignoring the passage of time.Until the servant said that Ayato had never seen her go to dinner. He was so worried about his sister that he rushed over and stopped their concentration.---Chapter 34 – Big Brother’s Blood Pressure Crisis“You’re back, Brother. Oh? Is it this late already?”Ayaka blinked and looked around, suddenly realizing the sky had gone dark. A moment later, she felt the gnawing emptiness in her stomach and the dull ache in her writing hand—half a day of non-stop note-taking had taken its toll.During the day, it was Kaguya’s sheer focus and energy that kept them going.After all, she had once ascended to great heights in another world and had a level of spiritual cultivation few could match. When she was serious, even without consciously exerting herself, her mental presence affected those around her.Especially someone like Kamisato Ayaka—young, earnest, and full of admiration—who subconsciously synced with Kaguya's rhythm, forgetting the world around her entirely.Please refrain from imagining this ability as anything to do with warm beds, close whispers, or tender brushes of fingertips. Just don’t.In any case, Ayaka chuckled with her brother, stood up, rubbing her sore wrist, and then they saw that Kaguya had sat down at some point.She walked over quickly—and then her eyes widened in horror.“Sensei!”Kaguya was slumped at the desk, still flipping through records. But blood was trickling from the corner of her lips. Her robes were already soaked in red—she had clearly been bleeding for quite some time, yet remained oblivious, eyes still fixed on the page with a star-like intensity.“Hm?”Startled by Ayaka’s sudden cry, Kaguya lifted her head with a dazed look—only to immediately cough up a large mouthful of blood.“Guh—!”It splattered onto the floor, deep and red, staining the tatami mats.‘Oh no, I forgot that I cut off most of the vitality supply of this body. Now, this body is super fragile. ’Her vision blurred. The book fell from her hands, and she collapsed sideways.“Sensei!!”Chaos erupted in the Kamisato estate’s guest room....After a flurry of panicked effort, Kamisato Ayaka had helped clean up and tended to Kaguya personally. She now sat at her bedside, tearful, carefully spooning porridge into her mouth.“I’m fine… don’t cry. What’s there to cry about?”Kaguya, pale as paper, looked helplessly amused. She slowly raised a hand and wiped a tear from the corner of Ayaka’s eye.But the tears kept falling.“It’s my fault… I should’ve noticed…”“What are you talking about? This has nothing to do with you. I told you, I’m not that easy to kill. Even if the heavens want me gone, it won’t be that simple.”Kaguya looked upward.Isn’t that right, Heavenly Principles, are you still playing with Honkai?Ayaka couldn’t possibly know what kind of existence her “sensei” truly was. She could only cry and feed her, heart aching with guilt.Nearby, Kamisato Ayato’s eyes were practically red from frustration.I’m her beloved big brother!She’s never taken care of me like that!A veteran siscon, Ayato knew he shouldn’t be jealous—but he absolutely was.Still, after witnessing all this, he was thoroughly convinced of Kaguya’s strength and sincerity. No wonder his sister was so completely taken in. If their roles were reversed, he doubted he could’ve resisted either.Looking at Kaguya’s pale but serene face, Ayato’s gaze softened with genuine respect....From that day on, Ayaka moved the writing desk beside Kaguya’s bed.She wrote while keeping a close eye on her condition. She enforced regular rest breaks. If Kaguya so much as looked unwell, she would interrupt immediately.Miss Wet Socks had evolved into Little Housekeeper Supreme.Four days passed like this.The mountain of records had been distilled into a single—not thick, but extremely comprehensive—volume. This was the statistical crystallization of Inazuma’s current national fate.Ayaka flipped through it, stunned by the sense of accomplishment. She never imagined she could be part of something like this. Her admiration for Kaguya deepened beyond words.Ayato also read through it. As someone steeped in politics, he immediately recognized the gravity of the data—but there was so much of it that he struggled to grasp the core message.At that moment, he was seated across from Kaguya, while Ayaka, seated beside her like a gentle maid, poured tea and served her with care.It felt… way too much like a newlywed couple.As the doting big brother, Ayato’s blood pressure spiked.“Ahem!”He cleared his throat meaningfully, trying to redirect Ayaka’s attention to him.Ayaka did glance over—then turned right back to Kaguya, continuing her sweet, gentle ministrations as if her brother had become invisible.Ayato: “……”Just before her brother-in-law's high blood pressure increased further, Kaguya finally spoke up.“The data’s been compiled. Granted, the two commissions' records may be far from accurate, but it's enough to paint a clear picture of the crisis. I’ll need a few more days to gather my thoughts, restore some strength, and then—I’ll begin drafting the petition.”“Your insight has already astonished me. I eagerly await your work. Is there anything else we can do?”“No need. You’ve done more than enough. Honestly, I thought all the Commissions were rotten to the core… but you’ve given me hope. Inazuma isn’t entirely lost.”“I dare not accept such praise. In truth, since taking over the Yashiro Commission, I’ve been struggling to protect our family under constant pressure from the other two. All I’ve done is try to help a small few where I can. If not for you, we too might have been dragged into ruin and remembered as traitors of Inazuma.”Ayato’s words were sincere.And true. By the time the blond Traveler arrived in Inazuma, the nation was already a powder keg—chaos on every street. Without protagonist-level plot armor, Inazuma’s collapse would’ve been inevitable.Kaguya gave a faint smile.“Timing and fate often lie beyond human hands. But someone must still try—for the countless lives of this land.”“Your words ring true. A toast to you, Sensei!”Given Kaguya’s physical state, alcohol was out of the question—tea would have to do.But the sincerity in Ayato’s toast was clear. He truly respected Kaguya’s wisdom and her heartfelt devotion to the people.Kaguya raised her cup too.“And to you—Kamisato, who remain untainted in a sea of filth.”High praise.Especially coming from Kaguya—it moved both siblings deeply.The three of them drank tea together. Then they looked at each other and smiled, and invisibly felt that some barrier was eliminated and they became closer.---Chapter 35 – Ink Made of Blood? Fitting.Kaguya did take three full days to rest.After all, the frail patriot scholar persona worked very well.If she’d been a robust youth loudly proclaiming their plans to “save the nation,” people might have dismissed her as rash or naive.But someone coughing blood while writing petitions for national reform?That left a deep impression—one that evoked respect, regardless of status.So yes, she planned to carry this persona all the way—even before the Raiden Shogun. Nobody truly understood the Herrscher of Dominance's powers. If Kaguya wished, this fragile act could go on forever.Then, she began writing her memorials.“Ayaka, prepare the ink.”“Yes, Sensei!”By now, Ayaka responded with the smooth obedience of a perfectly trained little housewife. One word, one look from Kaguya, and she was already in action.Soon, Kaguya sat formally at the writing desk, everything neatly arranged, Ayaka watching with starry-eyed anticipation.Kaguya lifted the brush and began to write.“Pfft!”Ayaka immediately covered her mouth, her pale cheeks puffing up, trying to suppress her laughter.It wasn’t mean-spirited. But… Kaguya’s handwriting was, well… not great.Kaguya gave her a blank look. “My handwriting is average. Is that funny?”“No, no! It’s just… I assumed someone as scholarly and refined as Sensei would have immaculate calligraphy. I didn’t expect—pfft!”“You little rascal. I’ve spent my life running around, reading a lot, but not sitting still to practice brushwork. When it comes to calligraphy, I can only say that I can write. If I want to be pleasing to the eyes, it's too embarrassing to me."She flicked the brush lightly against Ayaka’s forehead and smiled indulgently.Ayaka’s heart skipped again. Her cheeks flushed red. She quickly lowered her head.“S-sorry, Sensei. I shouldn’t have laughed.”“Silly girl. What’s there to apologize for? It’s true. If anything, I should be calling you Sensei in the art of calligraphy.”“No, I—I mean…”“Alright, alright. No more teasing. Sit still—I need to focus.”Kaguya smiled again.Ayaka composed herself immediately, not daring to disturb her further.Kaguya planned to write three memorials:The first part is on the impact of unprepared interruption of trade on Inazuma.All the statistics of grain output and trade volume, as well as many industries connected to foreign trade, are included. Use data to intuitively illustrate the huge disaster facing Inazuma now.The second part is an analysis of the current problems of the Inazuma.Food shortage, overpopulation, and a large number of foreign trade-related industries collapsed overnight. The Commissions not only failed to properly resettle unemployed people, but instead over-taxed food in the name of war at this critical moment... These situations were already turned upside down in the godless nation. Due to the belief of God cannot be subverted, the result is that the hell of people's miserable life is constantly spreading.The third part is about the path that Inazuma will take next.In order to feed the current population, it is necessary to open the sea again and quickly import large amounts of food from Mondstandt and Liyue at any cost. After the people can have a meal, cleaning up and adjusting the industrial structure can gradually unfold until the political structure is fixed and Inazuma becomes a healthy country.Thanks to her experience in governance during the Honkai world, Kaguya had no trouble forming these concepts. The challenge was rendering them in the archaic, formal style used in Inazuma’s official memorials.Yes—this god-ruled, feudal nation still used stiff, convoluted classical prose for state documents. That was the real pain.Despite this, the first piece came together quickly.But by the end, Kaguya’s face had gone pale and sweat glistened on her forehead.Ayaka kept dabbing her with a handkerchief, worried sick. She wanted to stop her several times, but seeing the unyielding focus on Kaguya’s face, she couldn't bring herself to interrupt.As soon as the first piece was finished, Ayaka jumped in.“You’ve finished the first one, Sensei. Please, let’s rest a bit!”She gently supported Kaguya’s trembling frame, her brows furrowed in concern.Kaguya shook her head.“Help me store this properly, then lay out fresh paper. My thoughts must flow without interruption.”“But… Sensei…”“Ayaka. Listen to me. This matter is more important.”“…Yes, Sensei.”Ayana Kamiri bit her lip, endured and nodded.In these past days, Kaguya’s wisdom and quiet charisma had utterly captivated her. There was something of a wise elder sister, a beloved teacher… but also something else—something harder to define.A young girl, awakening to first love, wouldn't have the words for it—but the feelings were already growing.Ayaka endured her heartache and meticulously prepared the conditions for Kaguya to continue writing.Kaguya smiled gently at her. No words were needed.Then she picked up the brush and began the second memorial.Regarding the situation of Inazuma, she needs to have a more condescending overall perspective and use words accurately and sharply. This will consume more effort than the previous piece.Midway through writing, she suddenly choked. She turned her head.“Khh!”Blood sprayed across the inkstone, splattering the desk. Some of it mixed into the ink itself.Ayaka turned ghost-pale.“Sensei!”“Cough—! I’m fine. Just a bit…”“Sensei, stop for now! Let’s pick it up again tomorrow. The ink and inkstone are already dirty. They need cleaning, right? So we’ll continue tomorrow!”Kamisato Ayaka hurriedly offered up an excuse while holding Kaguya’s weakening body and trying to gently pry the brush from her hand.But Kaguya’s grip was tight.Ayaka didn’t dare use more strength—she was terrified she might hurt her further. Her eyes reddened with frustration and helplessness.Kaguya looked at the inkstone, now tinged with blood, and wryly smiled.“Using blood as ink… it feels fitting.”“Sensei!”“Ayaka. I told you—I won’t die until I see hope. This is important. I must write them out while my thinking is coherent."Her lips were stained with blood, and her voice was faint, but the look in her black eyes—burning like fire—made every word land with the weight of a thousand truths.Ayaka still held the brush, biting her lip, tears silently streaming down her cheeks.Eventually, she let go.Kaguya… Sensei…She stared at the girl before her, her name now etched deeply into her heart.At that moment, Kamisato Ayaka knew—she really fell.---Chapter 36 – “Does Inazuma… still have people like this?”Kamisato Ayato received the three written memorials from his teary-eyed sister.He hadn’t even begun reading when the iron tang of blood mixed with ink drifted into his nose.He paused.“…Why does this smell…”“Sensei coughed up blood—twice—while writing. She used her own blood to finish these. Brother… please… don’t let her effort be in vain.”Ayaka’s voice was hoarse.Ayato could already picture her clinging to the memorials, breaking down in tears in some corner, before composing herself enough to hand them to him.He reached out and gently stroked her hair.“…I will do everything I can to ensure these documents reach the Shogun through Lady Guuji.”But if even Yae Miko refused, or was powerless, or if the Shogun herself simply ignored them—Sigh…Ayato let out a long, heavy breath.If that were the case, then both Kamisato’s future, and Ayaka’s, would leave him with no choice.Father, Mother… no matter what, I will protect Ayaka. But if it truly comes to that… please forgive me. I may no longer be able to protect the honor of the Kamisato name. If Inazuma is doomed to drown in this mire… then the Kamisato family cannot go down with it.Grim thoughts flashing through his mind, Ayato took a deep breath, sat at the table, and began reading.He lit two extra candles. In the brightened room, he carefully reviewed Kaguya’s memorials.It took him over an hour to finish.Afterward, he looked out toward Mt. Yougou, the usual calm in his eyes replaced by a mix of worry… and quiet determination....“I wish to speak with you in private, Lady Guuji. I have matters to discuss—serious ones.”“Oh, it’s the Kamisato boy? If it’s about festival affairs or borrowing shrine maidens, just speak with Asaki. Don’t bother me with it—it’s boring.”The seductive fox-eared woman stood before the Sacred Sakura tree, lazily twirling her gohei like a stick, looking utterly carefree.But Ayato knew better.The Yashiro Commission managed festivals and rituals, making it closely tied to the Grand Narukami Shrine. And ever since the Shogun closed the country, Inazuma had been plagued with evil spirits, resentful gods, and leyline corruption.Suppressing and cleansing such evils was the shrine’s domain.Yae Miko might look leisurely, but she was likely overwhelmed.In fact, Ayato had spent days making sure today was a rare moment of availability before approaching her.He smiled politely.“Lady Yae… I need a quiet place to speak.”“Oh?”Miko narrowed her eyes, examining the young noble carefully.Between intelligent people, many things needn’t be said aloud.Moments later, they were seated in a quiet chamber deep inside the shrine.Before Miko could say a word, Ayato pulled out the three memorials and laid them before her.She blinked, her sharp senses catching the faint scent of blood from the pages. She wrinkled her nose and gave him a side-eye.“…Are you trying to disgust me?”“Please read them. Once you’ve finished, you’ll understand.”“…Fine.”Miko didn’t particularly like Ayato. Too calculating, always hiding something, always playing the long game. It made her, as a fox, feel like scratching someone.But she had to admit—he was capable. Far more palatable than the rotting mess that was the other two commissions.She opened the first scroll and began reading.Her expression changed quickly.From disinterested, to serious, to… alarmed. Even her fox ears twitched uncontrollably.It was a full hour before she finally set the documents down.Then she looked up, eyes sharp enough to kill.The air around her shifted.Even without directing it at Ayato, the spiritual pressure of a five-hundred-year-old kitsune yokai and Raiden’s closest attendant made the nobleman break into a cold sweat.“Inazuma’s this far gone? What are you Three Commissions even doing? And where did this data come from?”“We stole a large number of records from the Tenryou and Kandō Commissions… and extracted the data.”Ayato answered plainly. There was no point lying to a fox demon.Then, he hesitated.Miko slapped the table.“No time to be coy! Speak clearly!”“Yes, ma’am. I believe the real situation is likely even worse than what’s written. Many grain imports were probably smuggled, bypassing official records to dodge tariffs. And many workers weren’t registered properly, to avoid head taxes.”“So, you’re saying the truth is worse than the numbers show?”“…Yes, Lady Guuji.”Ayato sighed deeply.At this point, he dropped all pretense. If there were ever a time for truth, this was it.Now, everything rested on Yae Miko’s reaction.She rubbed the bloodstained papers slowly.Then asked quietly:“This name—Houraisan Kaguya. Who is she?”“Well… it started with a personal request from Kujou Sara. Please allow me to explain in full.”Knowing there could be no more secrets, Ayato laid everything out—everything except for the most extreme thoughts he’d been hiding in the back of his mind.And so, Miko heard a story that moved her heart.A scholar who foresaw Inazuma’s famine, gathered high-yield seeds, and tried to save lives—only to have it all destroyed by foolish war. In a hurry, she almost died suddenly on the spot.She was entrusted into the Kamisato family by Kujo Sara, and then raised questions about Inazuma, which were valued and respected by the brother and sister duo of the Kamisato family.Driven to collapse, coughing blood, she still analyzed data and poured out three masterpieces of policy—written in her own blood.“A person like this… exists in Inazuma?”“She finished these last night. When I left this morning, she was still unconscious. The physician says… she has very little time left.”“I want to see her.”As Ayato finished speaking, Yae Miko was already gone.---Chapter 37 – “What do you think of a duel before the Shogun?”“I go up the mountain, and she immediately shows up at the Kamisato estate. She’s definitely going to get us noticed…”Ayato rubbed his temples, but he wasn’t truly worried.To keep appearances clean, he lingered in the shrine for a little while longer before gracefully taking his leave.As he stepped outside, a shrine maiden hurried over.“Lord Kamisato, do you know where Lady Guuji went? You were in the quiet room with her earlier.”“Ah, pardon me—has Lady Guuji been very busy lately?”“Yes. There have been frequent reports of corruption and evil spirits across the land. She’s been overwhelmed.”“I see. I just wanted to consult her about some upcoming festival activities. But she dragged me to a quiet room without a word, chatted briefly, then told me to sit and wait before disappearing on her own. I suspect she’s gone off to sneak a break somewhere again.”He delivered the lie smoothly.The shrine maiden paled.“What?! She ran off again?! We’ve got so much left to do!”Chaos erupted at the Grand Shrine. The priestesses fanned out to search for their Guuji.It wasn’t unusual. Miko vanishing like this happened from time to time. It wouldn’t raise suspicion.Only once the fuss had truly begun did Ayato descend Mt. Yougou with perfect composure and return to his normal duties....Miko knew full well she shouldn’t visit the Kamisato estate openly, otherwise it would be easy for people to associate. She is not afraid of anyone, but she just doesn't want unnecessary turmoil because of herself.She moved with practiced grace, avoiding all eyes, and slipped into the estate. It wasn’t long before she found Kaguya, just as Ayato had described—lying unconscious.“Lady Guuji?!”“Yo. Little Ayaka—it’s been a while. Keep your voice down, alright? Don’t let anyone know I’m here.”“…Understood.”Ayaka, clever as ever, quickly understood the situation. She stepped outside and quietly dismissed the nearby servants.When she returned, she found Yae Miko holding a gohei over Kaguya, performing a slow ritual.Soft pink glimmers fell into Kaguya’s body.Miko, as the High Priestess of the Grand Shrine, was also Inazuma’s most powerful practitioner of purification and healing.But as her expression gradually darkened, Ayaka’s anxiety grew.“…Her life force is severely damaged—draining constantly. I’ve done all I can to stabilize her, but… spiritual healing has its limits. Just as medicine cannot cure old age.”Coming from Miko, it was a death sentence.“...How can this be?”Ayaka collapsed to her knees, tears welling in her eyes. At this moment, the anger and light burning in the little girl's eyes made the Miko quiet.“…To be honest, I don’t think I can get these memorials into the hands of the Shogun.”“Why? These were written with her very life! Aren’t you the Shogun’s closest attendant?!”Ayaka stood up, eyes blazing with emotion.Her fury and passion made even Yae Miko fall silent.To the world, the Raiden Shogun was one god.But Miko knew better.There were three:●​ The original—Makoto, long gone.​●​ The sister—Ei, now lost in a dream.​●​ And the puppet—the current ruler of Inazuma.Ei secluded herself in the spiritual world, and the puppet controls the political situation of Inazuma.Because she could no longer reach her old friend, Yae Miko had once tried countless ways to draw Ei’s attention, hoping to bring her out of her isolation.But Ei was far too stubborn, rigid as stone.After too many attempts, Ei began to see Miko’s efforts as nothing but distractions from her meditation on the path to “eternity.” In response, she cut off Miko’s access to Tenshukaku. Now, if Miko even approached the place, the puppet Shogun would strike her down with a single slash—not to injure her, but to fling her far away.As for tossing written petitions into Tenshukaku? The puppet Shogun would treat that as a new form of harassment and shred them on sight.Reciting them aloud from outside? She’d just block the sound. Not a single word would be heard.Yae Miko was certain: if these three memorials reached Ei, they would shake her deeply—at the very least, enough to make her step outside and witness Inazuma with her own eyes. Even if they only made it to the puppet Shogun, they might still force her to emerge and take matters into her own hands.But the problem now was…She couldn’t even get that far.“Ei… Your Inazuma has turned into this—why can’t you just look outside, even for a moment?”Yae Miko lowered her head, unable to meet Kamisato Ayaka’s piercing questions.Ayaka’s eyes dimmed slightly.“It’s about lunchtime. Sensei may wake up soon. I’ll go prepare a meal. Lady Guuji, please… feel free to stay or go.”“…Mm.”As Ayaka left, Yae Miko looked down at the blood-stained petitions in her hands, her heart filled with bitter frustration.Thud!Behind her came the sound of someone trying to sit up, failing, and falling back.She quickly turned around and rushed forward to help Kaguya, who was struggling to rise.What met her gaze were eyes far deeper and calmer than she had imagined—like the immovable Mt. Yougou itself: silent, but full of quiet strength.Kaguya’s hand was small and weak, yet rough, callused, bearing traces of past labor—the hand of someone who had once worked the land.Faced with such a person, even Yae Miko couldn’t bring herself to act cheeky or flippant. She could only look at her gently, with sincere respect in her eyes.“…It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Kaguya. I am—”“Yae Miko, Guuji of the Grand Shrine. I heard your conversation just now.”“Ah… Miss, I…”“As the Raiden Shogun’s closest attendant… Lady Guuji, had you really never considered any of this before?”Kaguya’s tone was peaceful—not angry, not accusatory. Just a calm, genuine question.Miko opened her mouth, but her throat was dry.As the Shogun’s confidante, her status surpassed even the Three Commissions. But she wasn’t involved in governance.Her responsibilities lay in suppressing corruption, cleansing evil across the land. Governing the people—that was the duty of the Three Commissions. So she hadn’t meddled in it. And without understanding it, she’d never realized—until Kaguya’s documents—just how dangerous things had become.Kaguya, seeing that Miko didn’t reply, seemed to understand something. Then she said:“You can’t deliver these petitions to Tenshukaku. The Tenryou Commission won’t allow anything unfavorable to reach her, and by tradition, you can’t force them. So the usual ways are useless.”“…”“I have an idea. What do you think about this: I’ll challenge the Raiden Shogun to a duel before the throne.”“Wha—!?”Yae Miko froze.Crash!Ayaka, who had just entered carrying a bowl of hot porridge, stood frozen in place, eyes wide, hands trembling. The bowl shattered on the floor.Anyone in Inazuma knows that challenging the Raiden Shogun… was suicide.---Chapter 38 – Falling In“Sensei… Kaguya-sensei… what are you saying? A duel before the throne? That’s a joke, right?!”“…”“Say something! You’ll die! Those duels are life-and-death, without mercy! Once you step onto that stage, the Shogun won’t hold back!”Ayaka dropped to her knees in front of Kaguya, desperately trying to dissuade her.But Kaguya only looked at her with eyes gentle as flowing water.“We’ve known each other so long, and you still call me ‘Sensei’? Why not call me by name—just as I call you?”“…S-Sensei—Kaguya…”“Mmm. Lovely. It sounds even better when you say it, Ayaka.”“Kaguya, please don’t—”Ayaka’s voice trembled as she tried to speak. But Kaguya pulled her into a soft embrace.It felt like sinking into a warm ocean—safe, comforting, and quietly fulfilling. The gentle scent of medicine clung to Kaguya, mixing with a soft, pure fragrance, reminding Ayaka of her late mother.She melted instantly, like a kitten too small to bare its claws.“You’re the kindest girl I’ve met in all of Inazuma.”“Kaguya…”“Listen to me. Life is finite—we all must die. I know my own body well. I’ve traveled across most of Inazuma. I’ve seen the wailing, the hellish suffering. If I can use what little life I have left to change something… if I can create a better world for you to live in… then I’ll die content.”“But I don’t want that! I don’t want you to go!”Ayaka looked up, sobbing uncontrollably, an absolute mess.Kaguya’s heart twisted painfully.She wasn’t actually going to die, of course—but her persona was. And seeing such a sweet girl crying her heart out for her… hurt more than any wound Angel had ever inflicted.She reached out and gently wiped Ayaka’s tears—but they only came faster. It was true what they said: beautiful girls were made of water, especially when they cried.Kaguya turned, silently pleading with Yae Miko for help.But Miko stepped back, averting her gaze.So familiar… Was this how Ei and Makoto parted, too?It wasn’t intentional. Miko truly didn’t know what to do.Kaguya sighed and cupped Ayaka’s tear-streaked cheeks, gently rubbing them with a comforting smile.“Alright, alright. Look at you—crying like a little kitten. If you keep this up, you won’t be pretty anymore.”“T-Then promise me… promise you won’t go…”Kaguya was silent.But… how else was she supposed to get close to the Shogun?Without confronting Ei, how could she change this country?Every moment wasted was another moment of death and suffering.Unless she dropped a god into Inazuma right now to blast Ei out of Tenshukaku…No. Angel's power that was stolen from the Heavenly Principles wasn’t something to be squandered like that.Survival—smart survival—meant using the most efficient method available.After a long silence, Ayaka seemed to understand. She stopped crying, but bit her lip, eyes shimmering with tears and stubborn resolve.“Then… take me with you. I’ll go too.”“Don’t be silly, it’s— …Fine. We’ll go together.”Kaguya wanted to refuse. But seeing Ayaka’s fragile state, she could only agree.She then looked silently to Yae Miko—something passed unspoken between them.Miko nodded.Kaguya smiled.“I’ll take you. So no more tears, okay? I already said you’re cuter without them.”“…Mhm.”“Even if you’re not looking your best, to me, you’re still Inazuma’s cutest girl. I promise.”“Kaguya…”Ayaka’s heart trembled. Her body melted again into Kaguya’s arms.Some time later, the three sat at a table.Miko sat alone. Kaguya and Ayaka sat together, hands tightly clasped.“Sigh…”Miko facepalmed.She didn’t know if Ayaka had truly thought things through. But as someone who had lived for over 500 years, Yae Miko could see it clearly:The girl had fallen. Completely.Thank goodness the Kamisato family had an undesirable older brother. Otherwise… their bloodline might’ve ended here.But the real tragedy was—Yae Miko looked at Kaguya’s delicate, pale face and saw death clinging to it like sunset shadows. Just as Ayaka fell for her, Kaguya was already fading.Cruel. Brutally cruel.“What the hell is this situation?”If only Ei weren’t so stubborn. If she hadn’t locked herself away…Kaguya, with her brilliance and heart, could’ve shone in her own time, met Ayaka naturally, built a bond slowly…It would’ve been a love story even gods would remember.But now, it was already too late.Miko’s grudge against Ei’s wooden-headedness grew deeper.With her thoughts settled, Yae Miko finally spoke.“A duel before the Shogun… yes, that will allow you to meet her. As far as I know, it’s still treated as a high-priority event—even by the puppet.”“But you have more to say, right? Please. I’m not a warrior. I don’t know the rules of such duels.”“Kaguya, you can’t just say, ‘I want to fight the Shogun,’ and expect her to show up. She’s sacred. You’ll be assigned a general—someone she picks or someone you name. Then, in her presence, you’ll fight to the death to prove your cause.“If you win, you may be allowed to speak directly to her or make one reasonable request. Whether she accepts… is another matter.”Miko didn’t say the final part out loud.But everyone understood—with Kaguya’s fragile body, stepping into that ring would be suicide.And even if you did fight, who had ever beaten one of her generals? Elite warriors handpicked and trained by the Shogun herself—defeating them was nearly impossible. Therefore, duels in front of the imperial court have been similar to dying for nothing since ancient times.Not to mention… Ei might not even be watching.“We still have to try. It’s our only chance.”Kaguya smiled that she understood.---Chapter 39:From that day on, Yae Miko began secretly visiting the Kamisato estate every day.Partly to help stabilize Kaguya’s condition with her own spells and techniques.But also… to observe.After all, she was a fox yokai who had lived for five hundred years. Her vigilance and caution weren’t easily worn down.And yet—like the Kujou siblings and the Kamisato siblings before her—Miko quickly came to the same conclusion:Who in the world would fake something like this, with their own life on the line?Kaguya’s state was beyond critical—her vitality depleted, her spirit flickering like a candle in the wind. Yae Miko began to feel ashamed of ever having doubted her.How petty, she thought. Even a seasoned yokai like me… still couldn’t help but be suspicious of such purity and brilliance.“Lady Guuji, why do you always look so distressed after your rituals? I’m not bothered, but every time you visit, Ayaka ends up glued to my side all day, terrified I’ll vanish if she so much as blinks.”“Oh? And here I thought you’d be happy about it. You do know how rare it is to meet someone as elegant and adorable as little Ayaka, don’t you? In my five hundred years, I’ve only seen a handful like her. Having her around is a blessing—every breath smells sweeter!”Yae Miko quipped lightly, effortlessly teasing.With her centuries of charm, she could close emotional distances in a heartbeat when she wanted to.Sure enough, Ayaka couldn’t take it—her face flushed crimson as she quietly scooted behind Kaguya, trying to hide from the fox’s teasing gaze.Kaguya reached back and gently patted Ayaka’s head, a soothing gesture. Then she turned to Yae Miko.“Lady Guuji, we’ve confirmed the reports. General Kujou Sara will return to Inazuma City tomorrow to report to the Tenryou Commission on the status of the front lines. That means, if I initiate a duel before the Shogun during this time… there’s a high probability she’ll be the one assigned to face me.”Yae Miko’s playful expression faded.“I know Kujou Sara well. Even if you two have a history, if you challenge the Shogun’s authority, she won’t hesitate. She’ll go all out—for the sake of the Shogun’s dignity. So… why pick her?”“Because she’s the only general I might actually be able to trust.”Kaguya’s voice was calm, composed, yet filled with certainty.“Lady Guuji, don’t forget—all generals under the Shogun fall under the Tenryou Commission. And given the Tenryou Commissioner’s current behavior… do you think he’d allow someone to face me in a duel and let me speak?“Any other general might silence me on the spot, no questions asked.”“But Kujou Sara? Even if only a slim chance, she’s the one most likely to grant me that opening.”Her reasoning was airtight. Carefully considered, deeply thought through.It was paradoxical—so cautious, and yet marching straight toward death.Which only made her all the more worthy of respect.Yae Miko fell into silent contemplation.Kaguya’s logic was… hard to argue against. Though she feared that even Kujou Sara, with her loyalty, might still strike Kaguya down without hesitation.But that loyalty—that sense of duty—was precisely why Kaguya believed she had a chance.Because deep down, Kujou Sara still had a conscience.And that slim thread of righteousness might be the only gap Kaguya could squeeze a voice through.But when the opponent in question was Kujou Sara, it all made sense.That tengu—if she believed something was right—was indeed capable of setting aside her loyalty to the Kujou Clan.“So, Sensei, you’re suggesting… we show her your blood-written petition in advance? But she’s still the adopted daughter of the Kujou family. The debt she owes them… her loyalty to the Shogun… It’s hard to say which weighs more.”“Lady Guuji,” Kaguya said gently, though with an undertone of steely resolve, “please give her the documents—gauge her stance. If she chooses to ignore the nation’s crisis… then I’d rather not let the Tenryou Commission catch wind of this prematurely. And I definitely don’t want to face her on the dueling grounds. Can you make that happen?”It was a calm request—but one that carried the cold edge of a death sentence.In some ways, this was no different from ordering one of the Shogun’s retainers to commit treason.Yet Yae Miko didn’t mind the tone. After a moment of thought, she nodded.The memorials made Inazuma’s state abundantly clear. If, at this point, that tengu still couldn’t see it—well, then it really would be time to decide whether she should be spared or removed.“To be honest,” Kaguya said with a faint smile, “with your help, Lady Guuji, we could probably purge the Three Commissions entirely. But the rot begins in Tenshukaku itself. If the Shogun refuses to open her eyes, nothing will change. This duel… it started as a desperate thought, but the more I consider it, the more I believe it must be done.”“…I’ll go see Kujou Sara now,” Yae Miko replied, then turned to leave.Partly because time was short.But also because being in the same room as Kaguya—looking into those calm, self-sacrificing eyes—filled her with guilt she couldn’t bear.The room was left with just Kaguya and Ayaka.“K-Kaguya… d-don’t look at me like that…”“Oh? And how exactly am I looking at you?”Kaguya teased gently, running her fingers along Ayaka’s flushed cheek.Ayaka hadn’t expected the mood to change so quickly.Then again, neither had Kaguya—she hadn’t expected to win Ayaka over so fast.But Ayaka was too pure, and Kaguya’s persona… was just too perfectly tailored to her ideal type.But since it had reached this point, the greedy Kaguya naturally will not let go.Ayaka, now behind Kaguya, hugged her gently, nuzzling against her like a baby bird.“…Kaguya, could you… tell me about your past?”“My past? It’s mostly a blur. I just remember walking across many parts of Inazuma, without realizing how far I’d come. Compared to that, I’d rather hear your story, Ayaka.”“M-Me? There’s not much. I studied calligraphy, swordsmanship, and shogi since I was young. I helped my brother with negotiations and official duties, and…”“…and you secretly snuck off to read romance novels?”Kaguya grinned as she gently tapped Ayaka’s nose.Ayaka’s face turned bright red, mortified. “T-That was just… sometimes! D-Don’t tease me!”“Haha, I think it’s adorable.”“A-Ahhh!”Unable to handle it, Ayaka covered her face and bolted out of the room, utterly flustered.Kaguya watched her retreating figure, resting her chin in her hand with a satisfied smile.“See? I told you she’s adorable.”[Tch. We get it—you’ve got game. Stop showing off.][But now you’ve got a problem. This body of yours can’t afford to die—not with her around.]Kaguya sighed, nodding in silent agreement.Yes. She’d need to tone things down. What a shame. She had originally planned to give the Raiden Shogun a lifelong regret moment or two.She turned to look out the window, quietly awaiting Yae Miko’s return.Through Kamisato Ayato, she’d reached Yae Miko.Through Yae Miko, she would reach Kujou Sara.A true puppet master never lifts the blade themselves....Later that night, Yae Miko returned.“The little tengu was furious. She’ll help.”“Then I wasn’t wrong. She’s still redeemable.”“If your petition is accepted… what comes next?”“Step one: just as written—open the borders and import grain to prevent famine. Step two…”Kaguya’s voice didn’t waver.“Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill them all. From the highest of the Three Commissions down to the lowest.""Step three: clean up the country and rebuild.”---Chapter 40 – I Request a Duel Before the ThroneYae Miko said nothing about the potential lack of qualified people to replace the officials.After reading Kaguya’s memorials, she had gone to see things for herself—how the people suffered, how the commissions rotted.After seeing it firsthand, she thought to herself: Even a mediocre fool who’s at least willing to do their job would be better than these clowns.She lowered her gaze.“…I’ll remember what you’ve said, Sensei.”“Good. If I’m not around by then… I’ll be counting on you to push it through. I know ruling isn’t your duty, but at this point, no more slacking off, alright?”“Ugh… spare this little fox, won’t you?”Yae Miko whined, but mostly to ease the heavy atmosphere. She couldn’t bear to look directly at Kaguya’s smile—one that felt more and more like a farewell.“By the way, Lady Guuji,” Kaguya said lightly, “as a great yokai and Inazuma’s most revered shrine maiden, do you happen to know any… harmless spells? Like something that induces sleep? Or maybe… forgetfulness?”“…Sleep is easy. As for forgetting—please don’t be so pessimistic. I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”She understood instantly who the spell was for, and responded seriously.Kaguya smiled and nodded.That night, Yae Miko didn’t leave. The two of them chatted deep into the night—about Inazuma’s politics, history, the tedious life of shrine work, and even her grievances against Ei.Maybe it was because she was talking to someone with one foot in the grave.Maybe that’s why she finally let it all out.The next morning, Ayaka came to deliver Kaguya’s porridge as usual.And then promptly passed out on Kaguya’s bed.Kaguya gently brushed Ayaka’s face as Yae Miko and Ayato walked in.“She’ll sleep peacefully. No aftereffects.”Yae Miko reassured them.Kaguya nodded and turned to Ayato.“Lord Ayato… I leave Ayaka in your care.”“…I’m her older brother, you know.”He sighed, half-exasperated—but his gaze at Kaguya was complicated: filled with admiration, worry, and reluctant acceptance.He knew his sister—her purity, her devotion. If Kaguya didn’t return… how would Ayaka survive it?Kaguya gave a faint, silent smile, then turned to Yae Miko.“…Let’s go.”“I’ll help you. It’s a long walk to Inazuma City.”“Thank you.”“Pfft, don’t thank me. I’m not worthy.”Yae Miko forced a bright smile. Whether today ended in victory or tragedy… Inazuma owed Kaguya everything.So did she....The road to Inazuma City was smooth. It remained one of the few places still alive and thriving.Under the Shogun’s gaze, no rot was allowed to fester. As the gods are always watching, even if they follow the heavenly deity that covers the sky with one hand, they dare not let dirt spread here.Perhaps that’s why Ei believed all was well. Occasionally glancing out from her sanctum, all she saw was a city bustling with life. She never looked beyond it.“It looks clean, sure. But the people… the anxiety, the despair in their eyes… compared to before…”Yae Miko had felt it before—but dismissed it as temporary. In the past, she only regarded it as the pressure from the Vision Hunting Decree. Now, after seeing what Kaguya had shown her, she couldn’t ignore it anymore.Damn it. I was supposed to be a lazy little fox, lounging around and editing novels… and now I’m a depressed fox worried about national collapse. Who do I even blame for this mess?Yae Miko shot a bitter glare up at Tenshukaku’s peak, then muttered:“I’ll stop here. Any closer and she might think I’m trying to provoke her. Even if ‘duel before the throne’ is sacred, I don’t trust that puppet’s judgment anymore.”Kaguya nodded. “That’s fine. This is enough.”She patted Miko’s hand and slowly stepped forward alone.Yae Miko found a rock nearby and sat down, watching Kaguya’s frail form disappear into the city.“Makoto… she’s like you.”The real Raiden—five hundred years ago—had also worried for her people, cared deeply about their well-being.Yae Miko took a deep breath, tilting her head back to keep tears from falling.500 years have passed. Makoto wouldn’t want to see her crying. Not even now....The stairs of Inazuma City were steep.Or maybe it was just that Kaguya’s body was too weak.Angel’s dedication to realism meant that if Kaguya claimed to be at death’s door, then her body was actually at death’s door. She could keep her from dying—but every symptom beyond that was real.Soon she was sweating, breath shallow, steps unsteady.“Hey, miss—are you okay?”A clear, cheerful voice rang out beside her.Kaguya turned her head, trying to focus through the dizziness.A bright, concerned face appeared—orange-gold hair, vibrant amber eyes, like fireworks in human form.“I’m fine. Just… a little tired.”“You don’t look tired—you look seriously ill! Come on, let’s get you to a doctor!”“No need. Could you just… help me stand? I want to go higher… to the Statue of the Omnipresent God.”“Huh? You look like you’re gonna collapse… Alright, fine, I’ll take you up. But after that, we’re going to the doctor. Seriously, you’re scaring me.”The cheerful girl introduced herself as Naganohara Yoimiya, and chattered the whole way—mostly about Kaguya’s condition, her worry evident in every word.Kaguya remembered her vaguely. In the past, she’d even joked about her being “wife material.” Funny how their first real meeting came in a moment like this.Despite her bubbly nature, Yoimiya was surprisingly attentive—she matched Kaguya’s slow pace perfectly, never once pulling or rushing.Her voice was like birdsong—lively, unfiltered, full of life that felt almost out of place in Inazuma.But it suited her perfectly.She is indeed her 'wife' she had recognized.They arrived.“That’s it—the Statue of the Omnipresent God. Though, uh, people don’t usually come here much anymore. Lots of guards… and that whole Vision Hunt Decree thing… Anyway, you’ve seen it now, so let’s go find a doctor—wait, why do you look like you’re about to collapse again?!”Kaguya shook her head, gently releasing Yoimiya’s hand.“Thank you. You should go now. Things are about to get… complicated. I don’t want you caught up in it.”“Huh?! What are you talking about?! This isn’t funny—you really shouldn’t be playing around like this!”Yoimiya was confused, but her instincts screamed that something serious was about to happen.Kaguya didn’t answer. She used the last of her strength to walk toward the statue and sat down beside it.Then she looked up at the nearby soldiers—alert and wary.And smiled.“Would you kindly… pass along a message to Tenshukaku?”“Miss, this statue is a sacred symbol of the Shogun’s authority. Please don’t cause any trouble here—why don’t you move along befo—”“Tell them… I request… a duel before the throne.”“!!!”Her voice was faint—almost inaudible.Yet to the soldiers, it felt as loud as thunder.The guard stared at her—this pale, frail woman, drenched in sweat—hesitating."Miss, this really isn’t a place for jokes."“Didn’t you hear me? I, Houraisan Kaguya, hereby request a ceremonial duel before the Raiden Shogun!”Kaguya raised her voice as much as she could, her face adorned with a calm and composed smile.The scene immediately fell silent—so quiet one could hear a pin drop.At the same time, Kujou Sara, who had long been waiting beside the statue, turned and walked toward the gates of Tenshukaku.“Inform the Shogun: someone has requested a ceremonial duel!”Her clear and resounding voice echoed in all directions, stirring a commotion even inside Tenshukaku. Kujou Sara’s expression was cold as usual, but her eyes carried unprecedented determination.No one knew exactly what Yae Miko had said to her, but at that moment, Kujou Sara was prepared to lay down her life for her country.BOOM!!!Thunder cracked.The Raiden Shogun, long absent from the world, stepped out from Tenshukaku under the awestruck gazes of the masses.---Chapter 41: Kujou Sara Requests to Fight“You seek a ceremonial duel?”The Raiden Shogun in front was no different from a true god, exuding a cold and proud momentum. But in actuality, she is actually a puppet of the divine. Now, she is standing in front of Kaguya.Ceremonial duels were serious business. As the saying goes, “A nation's great affairs lie in war and worship.” These duels embodied both: they were a battle and a sacred rite, a means to present truth before the Raiden Shogun. Naturally, countless Inazuman citizens surrounded the arena, their eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.The Raiden Shogun frowned. With divine vision, she saw that Kaguya’s life force had completely dimmed. It would be no surprise if she died with her next breath. She spoke coldly, clearly displeased:“Out of consideration for your impending death, let this farce end here.”“Wait—what do you mean it’s over before it’s even begun?”“You no longer have the strength to stand, let alone wield a weapon in battle.”“Oh, is that what you meant? I thought not even a ceremonial duel could bring you out. That’s great… that’s really great… So as long as I can stand and hold a sword, we can duel, right?”Breathing heavily, Kaguya lifted her head. Though her pale face and sweating brow suggested it was impossible, she wore a blissful smile.Her eyes shone like stars, filled with a pure will that made all who saw it stop and take notice.No one knew what she was thinking or planning just yet.The Raiden Shogun frowned again, but before she could speak, Kaguya looked down at her body. As though commanding it, she said:“Stand up…”“Stand up…”“Stand up, damn it!”BOOM!!!As her voice grew louder and finally exploded across the arena, lightning and thunder erupted beside the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God.Kaguya stood, her body bathed in lightning. In her hand was a luxurious violet gemstone—“A Vision?”“And it’s an Electro Vision?”“She’s been acknowledged by the Shogun!”Gasps and exclamations rang out from all around the stage.A Vision represented divine acknowledgement, a power beyond ordinary humans.Once someone obtained a Vision, power, status, and wealth—things most people could only dream of—were within reach.Although Visions were meant as tools to aid the will, and most holders pursued their dreams rather than worldly desires, that didn’t diminish their mythical status or the envy and awe they inspired.Even Kujou Sara’s mouth fell open before realization hit her.‘Of course. Even someone like me, dull as I am, received a Vision. With Kaguya’s virtue and talent, she likely never sought one, but the moment she needed it, a Vision descended. That’s only natural.’At that moment, her respect for Kaguya grew even deeper.‘Only someone like this can save Inazuma!’The Raiden Shogun frowned again, watching Kaguya holding her Vision. Then, within her inner consciousness, a second pair of eyes opened.[?][Since the closure of Inazuma’s borders, no new Electro Visions have been granted. Though I’ve yet to uncover the cause, I know it’s true. Who is this woman to broke this rule?][She is an anomaly, a variable, an enemy of eternity.][I know. But I will observe her myself and see what she intends.]One person applying for a ceremonial duel would not move Ei.But someone who received a Vision just to step onto the stage—that caught her eye.And when that Vision was Electro, in defiance of all known rules—that made even the withdrawn Ei take notice.Kaguya, of course, had no idea her choice of Electro Vision would catch Ei’s attention. She simply chose it because this was the land of the Raiden Shogun—Electro held the most symbolic power and would be the most impactful.“Shogun, I wish to fight in honor of the gods. Please allow Houraisan Kaguya to face me.”Kujou Sara knelt on one knee and respectfully made her request.This fit her character of unwavering loyalty to the Shogun—no one found it surprising.But below the arena, the head of the Kujou Clan had just arrived and was suddenly filled with unease.‘Damn it, why did it have to be Sara? If it had been another general… No, Sara is our best warrior and utterly loyal to the Shogun. She won’t slip up. Yes, I’m just overthinking this.’So he reassured himself.The Raiden Shogun turned her gaze to the tengu she had once mentored, and with solemn dignity, nodded.“Approved.”Kujou Sara breathed a quiet sigh of relief.She rose and walked to stand before Kaguya under the eyes of the entire nation. Then she respectfully presented a delicate short sword, clean and elegant.“This sword is named Izuminokami. Its blade is as clear as a pool of water, hence the name. It is light but sharp enough to sever hair—it’s a rare and fine blade, well suited to you. Please accept it, Kaguya.”Kujou Sara spoke with great reverence.Kaguya gazed into her eyes to confirm her sincerity. Then she smiled and took the blade.Meanwhile, the head of the Kujou Clan grew even more anxious. He recognized that sword—it was a gift from the Shogun, one Kujou Sara usually kept enshrined in her room. Why was she offering it now? Did they know each other?But regardless, the ceremonial duel began in full view of all Inazuma.Under the Shogun’s watchful eye, no one could interfere—not even the Tenryou Commission.Kujou Sara drew a long blade, lightning coursing down its edge. Her presence surged with overwhelming strength.Even the Raiden Shogun and Ei took interest.[She’s grown stronger since last time. Not bad.][Indeed. A worthy descendant of Sasayuri—a true general.]By tengu standards, Sara was still a child. But she had already touched the limits of mortal power and might one day stand alongside the generals of five hundred years past.In the eyes of all watching—tense, expectant—Kujou Sara activated the tengu clan’s divine speed. In a flash, she appeared before Kaguya.SHNK!A blade pierced flesh. Blood sprayed across the stage.---Chapter 42: Ei’s ConfidenceThe Raiden Shogun stood.Because Kujou Sara’s blade had missed Kaguya and instead pierced herself.Drip.Blood trickled from her lips and soaked her clothes, falling to the floor.Kaguya pursed her lips, unsurprised. She looked at Sara with gentle, clear eyes.With bloody lips, Kujou Sara offered a faint but breathtaking smile.“I was raised by the Kujou Clan. I owe them so much. But my loyalty lies with the Shogun and Inazuma. Ceremonial duels end only in death or victory. This is all I can do. From here, Inazuma is in your hands, Kaguya.”There was no fear in her eyes—only peace and hope.After reading Kaguya’s reports and seeing Inazuma’s reality with her own eyes thanks to Yae Miko, Kujou Sara had spent a sleepless night, tormented by the burden of her surname.Now, she had made her choice.Right or wrong—she had done her part.She gripped Izuminokami’s blade, stepped back, and forcefully pulled it from her chest. A mouthful of blood spilled forth as she collapsed—ensuring she wouldn’t burden Kaguya in her final moment.Her patriotism and loyalty were absolute.Why did you give this extremely stupid loyalty to this foolish god who ruins the country?What a waste, You should just give it to me in the future!So Kaguya decided, gazing at the Shogun, blood-soaked and smiling brightly.“Shogun, I’ve won.”“Absurd! A ceremonial duel is not a game! What did you do to my general?”“But I’ve won, haven’t I? So may I speak?”“You… may speak.”The Shogun was furious.Even the most oblivious could see this duel had gone awry. Kujou Sara had clearly thrown the match to end her own life.What could have driven a general—someone the Shogun herself had recognized—to suicide?Too many questions. So many that people forgot about the outcome—they just wanted to know what Kaguya would say.CLANG.Kaguya planted her sword in the ground, her frail form swaying, barely clinging to life. With trembling hands, she pulled a thin booklet from her robes. A gust of wind blew the papers free, scattering them across the arena.But that was fine. Copies had already been made by Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayato—the Raiden Shogun would see them eventually.“These papers… cough!!!”Kaguya reached out weakly, as if to gather them—but blood sprayed from her mouth again, and she staggered even more. Everyone could see that she was using the last of her life just to remain standing.The Raiden Shogun’s expression softened.“All this… just to submit a petition? Admirable loyalty.”“Sigh… It seems… it’s not enough. This Vision… is this all it can do?”“Electro Visions emphasize power, speed, and force. They’re suited for battle, not healing. Your Vision cannot restore your life. So speak, while you still can.”This time, it wasn’t the puppet Shogun who spoke—it was Ei herself.Having witnessed Sara’s suicide and Kaguya’s resolve, even she, secluded and obsessed with eternity, had no choice but to step forth.The puppet offered no resistance and ceded the stage to her inner self.Kaguya lifted her head toward the Shogun, her voice faint, but smiling softly.“Shogun… I’ve always had a question. Before issuing the Sakoku Decree… did you ever calculate whether Inazuma’s own production could feed its people?”“Of course I did. According to annual population and agricultural reports submitted by the Tenryou and Kanjo Commissions, Inazuma’s resources are sufficient.”Ei answered confidently. Though she was reclusive and unfamiliar with governance, she at least ensured her people wouldn’t starve.Below the stage, standing at the forefront, the head of the Tenryou Commission twitched visibly.No one understood better than him how unreliable that data was. But this was a ceremonial duel. The Shogun was watching. He couldn’t say a word.‘This is bad…’Even if they shot Kaguya down with an arrow right now, it would only enrage the Shogun and lead to a thorough investigation—that would be the worst possible outcome.The Tenryou Commission could only scramble to compose a plausible explanation in their mind, hoping to produce something that would satisfy the Shogun.Raiden Ei couldn’t sense the turmoil in the Tenryou Commission’s heart, and Kaguya didn’t care in the slightest.Kaguya simply stared fixedly at Raiden Ei, coughing blood, smiling gently as she said:“Then do you know that imported high-yield grain strains rapidly degrade?”“Hm?”“Do you know that without foreign fertilizers and pesticides, farmland will further decrease in productivity? Do you know that a thunder curtain enveloping the sea, combined with strict control over ships, is devastating to the fishing industry? Do you know that all industries tied to foreign trade have collapsed, and countless people have become unemployed drifters? Do you know how many people in Inazuma have already died?”“Nonsense! Weren’t the Three Commissions’ reports—”“Have you gone outside to see for yourself? After issuing such a nation-altering policy as national isolation, have you so much as taken a look at how the lives of the people have changed?”“…”Raiden Ei blinked in confusion.What was she talking about?What did she mean?Wasn’t Inazuma prosperous and at peace? Aside from a minor rebellion on Watatsumi Island that was being swiftly suppressed, wasn’t everything fine?“Ha… hahaha… hahaha!”As if realizing something from Ei’s silence, Kaguya laughed loudly at her, a laugh filled with madness and hatred that everyone could feel.“So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is!”“Liyue’s god descends once a year to guide the nation, but throughout the year they carefully and thoroughly observe their land, and only act with great caution. That’s what has sustained Liyue’s prosperity for hundreds, even thousands, of years.”“Mondstadt’s god entrusts all power to the people, but brings bountiful land and plentiful crops with the warm winds—ensuring its people never have to fear hunger.”“Only our god, our god, neither cares about Inazuma’s abundance nor the survival of its people. All that’s in your heart is what you think, what you feel! What is your so-called eternity? Why don’t you look at Inazuma now? Is your eternity sinking the entire nation into hunger, war, and chaos? Sitting alone in Tenshukaku, waiting for all of Inazuma to become a living hell—so you can admire a land where only you remain, together with countless vengeful spirits?!”“Is that what you want? Is that the god we follow?”“Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”---Chapter 43: The God Who Doomed Inazuma & Playing the Martyr“Impossible! What nonsense are you spouting!?”Raiden Ei panicked.Even the puppet Shogun panicked.She struck the ground hard with her naginata. But as she looked at Kaguya’s frenzied laughter and hatred, and at the strange silence among the citizens watching below, all her warrior’s dignity suddenly faded—replaced by a chill of helplessness.“Impossible… Inazuma is clearly…”“What nonsense am I spouting? That Inazuma has already starved countless people to death? That countless villages have been destroyed? That countless people have died? That all 100,000 residents of Yashiori Island are already dead? That’s what I’m spouting? Hahaha!”Kaguya truly looked insane.In the deathly silence around the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God, only her crazed laughter echoed, stabbing into everyone’s heart like a dagger—like a flame, igniting countless emotions.Splurt!Suddenly, she vomited a huge mouthful of blood.No one was surprised.When Kaguya stood on that platform, everyone could tell she was on the brink of death. After such a passionate and tragic outburst, coughing blood and dying was expected.But this time, as they watched her spit blood, the people seemed to see their own recent hardships and those of their loved ones reflected in it.“You…”Raiden Ei reached out, as if trying to do something.But Kaguya staggered backward, sword trembling in her hand as she pointed it toward Ei’s face.“The god has doomed Inazuma! The god has doomed the people of Inazuma!!!”The most blasphemous words ever uttered rang through the deadly silence surrounding the platform.Raiden Ei should have been furious that her divine authority was being insulted, but in Kaguya’s gaze—sharp as blood-soaked blades—her heart trembled, and she instinctively took half a step back.But Kaguya wasn’t done. She turned around, spread her arms, and shouted toward the people of Inazuma:“The god has doomed Inazuma! The god has doomed the people of Inazuma! Cough!!!”Blood sprayed in all directions.Kaguya collapsed backward, the light in her eyes completely extinguished, arms outstretched.Clang~The crisp sound of a blade hitting the ground rang out.But she didn’t fall to the floor—she collapsed into the arms of Raiden Ei, who had knelt down to catch her.“Hey, don’t die—explain what’s going on!”“Inazuma… is finished… Inazuma is finished…”Her dim eyes, drenched in the stench of blood, muttered one last tragic phrase.Suddenly, her eyes lit up again, and she grabbed Ei’s collar with her bloodied hand.“The children… save the children! Raiden Shogun, spare Inazuma’s children… save them…”Then her hand fell limp, and her voice fell silent.But her eyes remained open, filled with the intense will of one who could not die in peace.Raiden Ei trembled, terrified. For the first time in five hundred years, she was at a complete loss. In her panic, she sensed a familiar aura approaching rapidly.“Miko! Save her!”“I don’t need you to tell me!”Before the words finished echoing, all the healing spells that had been long prepared surged onto Kaguya. Then Yae Miko’s gloomy face appeared before Raiden Ei.Seeing the rage and murderous aura on her trusted companion’s face, Ei felt lost and out of place.Yae Miko took Kaguya into her arms, pushing Ei away. With a flick of her hand, the scattered papers Kaguya had dropped returned to her. She tossed them toward Ei.“Read. If you won’t read them, we’re finished. I’ll never deal with Inazuma again.”“Miko, what are you—”“I said read! Unless you want Lady Kitsune Saiguu and the rest of us to die without peace!”Those words were a blow straight to Ei’s heart.But Yae Miko had resolved to use the harshest medicine. As she said—if even this couldn’t awaken Raiden Ei, if even this made Kaguya’s sacrifice meaningless… then there was truly nothing left for Inazuma.Raiden Ei opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. She could only suppress her thoughts for now and read the blood-soaked reports carefully.BOOM BOOM!BOOM BOOM!!As she turned the pages, dark clouds gathered over Narukami Island. Thunder, the symbol of divine wrath, rumbled louder and louder, endlessly.BOOM!!!A blinding bolt of lightning struck the uninhabited sea off the island. The enormous thunder pillar was visible to all, and its violent roar sent children and beasts alike trembling in fear.“This is impossible! How dare the Three Commissions—how dare they!?”“Hmph! How dare they? Because you never came out to look! They could do whatever they wanted, and who’s to blame?!”Yae Miko clutched Kaguya’s frail body, now hanging onto life by the barest thread, and trembled with rage.For the first time, Raiden Ei felt fear under her companion’s wrath. She frantically tried to explain:“Miko, I…”Before she could finish, a small violet glow flew out from the center of Ei’s brow and shot into Kaguya’s body.Ei saw it clearly. That glow came from the inner realm of the sword Musou Isshin—the blade given to her by Raiden Makoto on her deathbed.Both woman and fox froze.Though faint, that presence was unmistakable—similar to Ei’s, but gentler, more peaceful—without a doubt, it was the aura of the true Raiden Shogun, Makoto!...“Kaguya-sama, please hold on! Inazuma and Ei still need—gah!? Who are you?”“Me? Who are you?”Inside the mental realm—a vast, bright hall—Kaguya sat sipping tea, enjoying a moment of peace after her grand performance, staring in confusion at the strange intruder.Moments later, the intruder panicked and tried to flee.“Ei! Miko! She’s not—mmph mmph mmph!!”“Keh keh keh… You’ve seen my true form, and you want to run? Dream on!”With a wicked grin, Kaguya pinned the girl—who looked almost identical to Raiden Shogun—to the ground and clamped a hand over her mouth.Then Wendy’s consciousness peeked in to observe. The divine presence of a full-blown Archon made Makoto’s eyes widen in fear.“MMMPH!!!”And then, Angel—Mondstadt’s genius alchemist—also peeked in. She was carrying all sorts of things: traces of Celestial energy, chunks of Honkai power, fragments of Herrscher authority… Together, they were so terrifying they made even the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles look like a harmless plushie.“G-GAH—”The startled Raiden Makoto, unable to comprehend why these beings had taken interest in her sister and Inazuma, fainted on the spot.Kaguya, Wendy, and Angel: “…”---Chapter 44: Raiden Ei Bows and Scrapes“It wasn’t me!”Kaguya immediately defended herself to the other two.But at the moment, she was still pinning Makoto under her, hands all over her, her mouth covered—a proper villain bullying a helpless young maiden.“Tch. Yeah right, who’d believe that?”“Sigh… don’t go around telling people you’re Angel. It’s embarrassing.”“…”Kaguya angrily kicked both of them out of her mind.Though Kaguya herself was just an ordinary, frail avatar, she was still a Herrscher of Dominance. At least in terms of mental strength, suppressing a fragmented god’s will was effortless.The other two Angelas weren’t worried. Since Inazuma was currently Kaguya’s stage, they decided to watch from afar.After a while, the unconscious Raiden Makoto finally came to.She found herself seated at a round table. Across from her, the dark and ominous being was smiling, pouring a pitch-black liquid into a glass.Glug glug glug… fizz…The unsettling drink bubbled in the cup, releasing a sweet and tangy aroma.Having died five hundred years ago, Raiden Makoto had never seen this kind of modern stuff. She shivered.Then the dark figure sat across from her, opened a bag of chips, grabbed a bucket of popcorn, eyes shining with excitement.“I’ve got soda, you’ve got stories. What a perfect match. Please—begin your performance.”“…?”“Hurry up and tell your story! Keh keh keh… Or would you rather we run wild with Inazuma and your little sister?”“Yes ma’am!”Raiden Makoto was still full of fear and confusion, but under Kaguya’s local-style Inazuman threats, she could only cower and obediently begin telling her story.This was Kaguya’s mental space. Given the spiritual level of Angel, time here could easily flow hundreds or even thousands of times faster than in the real world. So Raiden Makoto had plenty of time to speak, and Kaguya could take her time listening without worry.And so, Kaguya heard a tale of two twin Archons who struggled to found a nation, eventually rising to the seat of the Seven. Then came the Khaenri’ah Cataclysm, which claimed the elder sister's life, leaving behind only a wisp of her consciousness sealed in a blade—usually asleep, sometimes awake, helplessly watching her sister close herself off from the world.“I see, I see. So the reason she turned Inazuma into this mess… it all started because you were gone?”“Uh… I… She actually… Okay, yes. That’s mostly true.”Raiden Makoto lowered her head in shame, unable to defend her sister.Though the past was full of pain, no amount of justification could cover up what her sister had done to Inazuma.Kaguya had long passed the stage of wild anger and emotional outbursts. She no longer felt anything toward Raiden Ei—she just wanted to fix things. So she held a bucket of popcorn, chomping away casually as she said:“So you saw me pointing out Inazuma’s problems, saw Miko growing dissatisfied with Ei because of me. You wanted to help Inazuma, and also mend things between Miko and Ei. And then… you decided to give everything up to save my life?”“Mm. Ei is far too stubborn. Before she can understand the will I left behind in Musou Isshin, even if I appeared before her, I wouldn’t be able to speak to her. Instead of waiting forever for that to happen, I believe you’re the one who can truly save Inazuma. So, I want to save you.”“Mmm, got it. Sigh… poor you. A perfectly good little sister, shut herself away. A perfectly good country, gone to waste. Well then, I have an idea. How about we make a deal?”Kaguya rubbed her hands together, clearly coming up with a new strategy for taking on Inazuma.Raiden Makoto shrank back.“No matter what, please… please don’t hurt Inazuma. Or Ei. I beg you, as long as you don’t hurt my country or my sister, I’ll agree to anything.”“Heh, relax. I’m a reasonable person—won’t go hurting anyone for no reason. Now listen carefully. Here’s what we’ll do, step by step…”Kaguya slung her arm around the delicate beauty’s shoulders, laying out her plan in detail.A little while later, Raiden Makoto’s eyes widened in adorable shock.“Eh? Ah? Th-this is…”“So? Do you agree or not?”“Yes, I’ll do it. I’ll agree to anything.”Raiden Makoto looked at the massive golden sword piercing through the heavens behind Kaguya, then at Kaguya’s bright, flawless smile. Trembling, tears in her eyes, she nodded.Then Kaguya pulled the little beauty into her arms, lifted her delicate white chin like a bully, and grinned wickedly:“Good girl, don’t be scared. As long as you listen to me, I won’t treat you badly. Keh keh keh~~”“…Yes…”Raiden Makoto hung her head like a bride taken by force, full of humiliation and helplessness....Outside, in Tenshukaku.Yae Miko was pouring all her strength into healing arts. At first, she could barely keep a sliver of life force intact. But later, she found that Kaguya’s life force had unexpectedly stabilized.It had nothing to do with her spells.Yae Miko knew her own magic well. The slow drain of life force was like aging—a natural process—and magic had little effect on that.“So it really is divine power? But how? Could it be… no, that’s impossible…”Sensing the energy inside Kaguya growing more and more similar to Raiden Makoto’s, Yae Miko’s mind was racing, her eyes flickering with doubt and realization.At that moment, Raiden Ei rushed in.“Miko, how is she?”“How’s your handling of Inazuma’s affairs?”“…I’ve ordered the Okezu clan to detain the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions for now. Among the three commissions, only the Shuumatsuban—who don’t touch military or political matters—are somewhat trustworthy. I’ve asked the Kamisato Clan to suspend all upcoming festivals and take over the Tenryou Commission’s duties temporarily, to launch a full investigation…”“Are you blind or just dumb? Didn’t you read the last official document Kaguya wrote? The first thing you need to do now is open the borders, get to Liyue and Mondstadt, and urgently buy food! Feed the people of Inazuma first—only then will they have the strength to do anything else!”“Oh, right, right, I’ll do that immediately!”Raiden Ei was blasted by Miko’s fury and dared not talk back. She rushed out to lift the lightning barrier and issue orders.She had no choice. Kaguya had written everything clearly. And from the dodging and despair of the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions during the investigation, along with what she saw during her hurried travels around Narukami Island, everything Kaguya wrote had been fully confirmed.Raiden Ei no longer dared to show even the slightest temper. All she wanted now was to save the nation and reclaim the lives of her people.---Chapter 45: Yae Miko’s Theory of ReincarnationAfter running back and forth all day across Inazuma, Raiden Ei had finally implemented the first steps outlined in Kaguya’s blood-written letter. Then, she hurried back to Tenshukaku once more.“Miko, how is she?”To begin with, Kaguya had risked her life to offer divine counsel—just that alone had made Ei care about her survival.And then, Raiden Makoto’s power had emerged from Musou Isshin, entered Kaguya’s body, and now Kaguya was radiating an aura nearly identical to Raiden Makoto’s.At this point, even the pursuit of Eternity had to wait. Ei just wanted Kaguya to wake up safely.Yae Miko stood at the bedside. She turned and cast her a flat, indifferent glance.“Her condition has stabilized. She just needs rest. Come on, let’s talk outside. Don’t disturb her.”“Oh, right. Of course.”Raiden Ei let Miko lead the way, following humbly behind.They stepped out onto a high balcony overlooking the city. Yae Miko squinted into the sea-salted breeze.“How long has it been since I stood here and simply looked at the view?”“I… I’m sorry, Miko. The Three Commissions deceived me. I always thought you were—”“I don’t feel like scolding you. Kaguya already did a thorough job of that. ‘God abandoned Inazuma. God abandoned her people’… heh. Truer words were never spoken.”“I… I didn’t…”Raiden Ei clenched her fists, at a loss.But then she remembered the desolation she saw while traveling across the land—the starving people, the broken homes—and she fell silent.Yes, the Three Commissions had failed in their duty. Yes, they had abused their power.But if she, the god, hadn’t turned a blind eye, they never would’ve rotted this far.Yae Miko glanced back and saw the chaotic energy swirling around Raiden Ei. She could tell the woman had received too many shocks today—her mind was in complete disarray. And after so many years of friendship, Miko couldn’t help but soften a little.“For the past five hundred years, I’ve had a small question.”“Hm?”“When an Archon dies, they always leave behind lingering resentment—corrupt and dangerous remnants of their divine power. Take Orobashi, for example. Dead for so many years, and still his remnants are just as foul and hazardous. Oh, and yes—Yashiori Island has become a dead zone. I went to see it. Orobashi’s sealing artifact was destroyed. The Grand Narukami Shrine is trying to figure out how to seal it again. Ever since the isolation policy, corruption has cropped up everywhere. I’ve been overwhelmed just dealing with local problems—I don’t even know how Yashiori got that bad. You should look into it. I have a feeling the Three Commissions are responsible for that, too.”“Tch! Got it.”Raiden Ei took a deep breath, suppressing the rage that made her want to cleave something in half.Yae Miko continued.“Divine residue. Divine resentment. It’s the natural aftermath of an Archon’s death. But five hundred years ago, when you came back, I don’t recall you ever mentioning what became of Makoto’s remnants.”“Makoto… didn’t leave behind any divine resentment.”Raiden Ei’s pupils shrank sharply.Yae Miko gave her a knowing, unsurprised smile.“Exactly. That’s it.”“Miko, what have you figured out?”“I’m saying—if there were no remnants, no resentment… then how can we be sure Makoto actually died?”“I saw her fall with my own eyes. We said goodbye in the mental realm! She left her sword to me!”Raiden Ei couldn’t believe it. Or rather—she didn’t dare believe. Because if she did, and that belief was proven false… it would hurt worse than anything.Yae Miko looked at her calmly and said:“But today, Makoto’s power flew out of your sword.”“I…”Ei had no answer.Yae Miko didn’t draw it out. She said directly:“What I’m about to say is just a theory. Listen, and judge for yourself whether it makes sense.”“Go ahead.”“My theory is this: Makoto wasn’t quite dead back then. She was just so severely wounded that she could no longer maintain her divine existence. Believing death was inevitable, she said her final goodbyes to you in the mental realm. After that, her consciousness and power split in two. One part, still tied to you, merged with Musou Isshin, staying with you in slumber. The other part, like a mortal soul, merged with the ley lines and drifted away.”Yae Miko spoke slowly.Raiden Ei held her breath. Her whole body began to tremble.“And we both know how stubborn Archons are—how hard it is for them to truly die. Even as her essence flowed through the ley lines, that part of Makoto never truly vanished. After five hundred years, it returned to the place she loved most: Inazuma. Her subconscious instinct caused her power to coalesce into a new human form, allowing her to walk these lands once more.”“We couldn’t sense her before because that power had been in the ley lines too long. It lost most of its divine traits, became closer to mortal. So we didn’t recognize her—but the part of her inside Musou Isshin did. When the two parts met today, they naturally fused. She became Makoto once again. That’s why she now carries Makoto’s aura.”“She may be weaker now, may have changed somewhat—but you, as her twin, should know best. You tell me, Ei. Whose aura is that?”Yae Miko laid her entire theory bare. It was, for now, the only explanation that fit every piece of evidence. And those fleeting moments when she had felt Kaguya resembled Makoto—she now believed it was her instinct as a kitsune that had picked up on it.Raiden Ei listened, then collapsed to her knees.Another question answered. If it was her sister… then of course she could gain an Electro Vision without effort.....At the same time, in the realm of consciousness inside Kaguya, she was happily munching on watermelon, nodding to herself—this melon is sweet. All her emotions condensed into one line: Miko’s a damn genius!Raiden Makoto, meanwhile, bound tightly in Kaguya’s arms, gave a bitter laugh. Powerless and in pain, she listened as Yae Miko handed Kaguya a perfect script before she’d even done anything. Her emotions, too, condensed into one sentence: Miko, f* you!“So? What do you think of that script?”“Ah, it’s… really quite wonderful, Your Grace.”“Hmm? You sound like you’re forcing that smile. Hey, I haven’t even done anything bad yet. Given the state of Inazuma, I’m a savior! That kind of smile… you trying to insult me?”“Not at all. I sincerely thank you, Lady Kaguya.”Raiden Makoto’s smile became genuinely "sincere*.Kaguya smiled too, pinching Makoto’s soft, squishy cheeks with great satisfaction....Meanwhile, high up in the branches at Windrise, Wendy was scratching her chin.---Chapter 46: Inazuma Can Only Have One Future[The inner, eternal premise is the peace and stability of the Inazuma. ]"Indeed. That's true."[That means isolationism is no longer viable. First, we need to stabilize the country. These issues stemmed from my own governance—I’ll reflect and recalibrate my protocols. For now, I need you to personally clean up the mess in Inazuma.]"Mm, it's my responsibility too."Late at night, Raiden Ei sat reading an urgent intelligence report on the current state of Inazuma, sent by Kamisato Ayato, while simultaneously conversing with the Shogun, deep within her consciousness.Raiden Ei had sealed herself inside the puppet, while the puppet—bound to the ideal of eternity—isolated itself in Tenshukaku. The chaos now unfolding across Inazuma was their shared responsibility. The puppet needed introspection, a rebalancing of its governing logic. As for Ei, she needed to step into the mortal realm and fix the situation with her own hands.And the moment the Raiden Shogun set foot back into the world, Inazuma’s problems quickly began to untangle.The phrase “the god is dead, and Inazuma is lost” had been more dramatic than literal—meant to provoke Ei into action. After all, centuries of rule and faith had cemented the god’s unshakable authority. When the Raiden Shogun decided on a course of action, there simply was no real resistance.If she wished to close the nation’s borders, they would close. If she wished to govern, the whole nation would mobilize.In just a single day, there was an upheaval in the leadership of the Tri-Commission, and fleets of merchant ships had already begun forming to procure grain. Soon, they would set sail for Liyue and Mondstadt.As Ei read through the reports, a quiet fury smoldered within her—frustration with no outlet. Her eyes kept drifting to a particular wall—beyond it, where Kaguya slept.[Can you confirm—could she be Baal?]“I’m… not certain. Miko’s looking through ancient records for possible clues. We’ve also assigned a team to investigate her origins. If everything eventually points to what Miko suspects…”Despite Inazuma’s lack of manpower, Ei and Yae Miko had assembled a team solely dedicated to investigating everything about Kaguya. In a nation ruled by gods, a god is its foundation—it was the right thing to do.Ei’s thoughts were uneasy. She clenched her fist—then heard the Shogun speak:[If that’s the case, then my logic will face an irreconcilable contradiction.]“Hm?”[Baal was the original Electro Archon, and you and I are her shadows. In theory, Baal held supreme authority, and determined the future of Inazuma’s people. But at the same time, according to my logic, this body is the most exalted vessel in the mortal realm—meant to grant the people an eternal dream. Baal and Eternity… Inazuma cannot have two futures. You must choose one: deny Baal, or deny me.]“…We’re not at that point yet. Go back to your reflection.”Raiden Ei closed her eyes, tired and overwhelmed with emotions.Her sister. Eternity. At this moment, she was unsure of anything—unable to untangle the many doubts clouding her mind.First, she had to restore order to Inazuma. At the very least, the nation her sister left behind must not descend into a state where the people could no longer live in peace....While Ei was speaking with another version of herself, Kaguya was also conversing with another “self.”[We’ve got a problem. From Raiden Makoto’s memories, I’ve found two fascinating concepts: Istharoth, the Ruler of Time—God of Thousand Winds, Sun, and Moon, omnipresent in the eternal realm. And the World Tree, a convergence of ley lines, repository of all information and wisdom.]The Angels were speechless.Teyvat really wasn’t that big, but its structure was ridiculously complex.Time was a high-order concept in the Honkai universe—even Otto could only interfere with the past via the Imaginary Tree.So how had two time-interfering entities popped up so casually in Teyvat?[This world has to be fake.][But that’s exactly why it holds value. Honestly, I’m getting excited now. Once we bring this realm under our control, who knows how much wondrous knowledge and power we could uncover.][The question is—how do we avoid being detected by Istharoth and the World Tree?]The Angels frowned.None of them wanted to confront Celestia head-on—that would reduce the entire world to rubble, and leave them with nothing.If they were to grow and explore in secret, the current three Avatars wouldn't be enough. More would have to come in the future.That made Teyvat’s God of Time and the omniscient World Tree unavoidable threats.[Based on what we know, Istharoth is a Shadow of the Primordial One—in other words, part of Celestia. I don’t think She can see our future, nor understand the nature or authority of a Thousandfold Herrscher.]It was simple logic—if even Istharoth could see that far, Celestia wouldn’t be so unimpressive, and Angel wouldn’t still be hiding in Teyvat playing this game.[So, if we just avoid regular contact and restrict communications to Herrscher-level abilities, that should be enough to block her from peeking in.][Also, Wendy needs to keep researching Thousand Winds. That’s part of Istharoth’s domain—if she can crack it, maybe we’ll even find a way to counter it.][As for the World Tree... and that little Dendro Archon in confinement... hmm…]That part was trickier.If the tree recorded all the world’s information, it might have documented everything the Angels had done—or maybe recorded nothing about them at all. Either scenario revealed a vulnerability.[Picture this. I’m just a newly born Lord of Thousand Winds, unfamiliar with this world. I couldn’t find Barbatos, who should theoretically be my superior. And then I happen to stumble upon the Abyss Order threatening our Dragon of the East… So I go ask the wise Geo Archon of Liyue for help, and while I’m there, I casually bring up topics like the World Tree. Sounds reasonable, right?][Mm. Very reasonable.][Then I mention that I saw chaos in Sumeru through my Thousand Winds power, and I feel like the tree’s about to blow. I’m super anxious. So with some warm greetings from our Geo big bro, I go visit the little Dendro Archon—ask her if she’s picked up on anything she shouldn’t have, and while I’m there, I get a close look at the World Tree. Reasonable again, right?][Very. And if some Corruption just so happens to leak during your inspection, even more reasonable.][Perfect~~]The Angels finalized their plan.Wendy would investigate the World Tree—and while doing so, also test the waters with the other two Archons to see if any of their recent moves had raised suspicion.The Mondstadt-based Angel added:[Theoretically, the ley lines are the roots of the World Tree—they’re connected. If you can’t meet the Archon or the Tree, just drop a bit of Corruption into a leyline node somewhere in Sumeru. Maybe you’ll be able to trace it back. Just be careful. Secrecy comes first.]And so, the first draft of their “World Tree Strategy” was complete.---Chapter 47: At This Point, Not Dying Would Be RudeYae Miko’s spellwork had done its job. Kamisato Ayaka had slept for a full day before waking. Though she felt no physical discomfort, she was acutely aware of what had happened.Thankfully, her brother Ayato had anticipated this. He’d left a letter detailing everything that had happened with Kaguya, so Ayaka wasn’t left in the dark.To this day, no one knew what Kaguya and the Shogun had spoken about. By the end of it, Kaguya could barely speak.What the public knew was that after Kaguya collapsed, Yae Miko arrived, and the Shogun flew into a rage. Soon after, the top ranks of the Tri-Commission were purged, and the nation’s gates reopened.Inazuma was abuzz with speculation. Though much remained hidden, it was known that Kaguya’s dying remonstration—and Kujou Sara’s martyrdom—had triggered these changes. Stories also spread rapidly about how Kaguya had miraculously received an Electro Vision right before rising to prominence.As for Kaguya herself, people had only seen her being carried by Yae Miko into Tenshukaku, with the Shogun by her side. Whether she lived or died remained unknown.Ayaka had heard the same version of events. So she rushed to Tenshukaku. Thankfully, Yae Miko had left a token by her bedside that granted her direct entry.“Kaguya…”Ayaka looked up at the solemn and majestic Tenshukaku. Her reverence and instinctual awe for the Raiden Shogun rose again—but she quickly took a breath, suppressed the feeling, showed her token to the guards, and entered.‘Sigh…’Kaguya knew she could no longer pretend to be asleep. She slowly opened her eyes and tried to sit up despite the weakness in her body.Raiden Ei appeared, sitting by the bed, helping her rise.“You/You…” ×2The one who said “You (formal)” was Kaguya, respectfully, in line with Inazuman customs.Ei’s heart trembled. This wasn’t the reaction she had hoped for.Yae Miko’s parting words echoed again:“Even if my theory explains everything, it’s still just a theory. And even if it’s true—if part of her really did circulate through the ley lines for 500 years—how much of her is left? Can she ever return to how she was? It’s all unknown. Just don’t get your hopes too high. Stay calm. Let me finish investigating first. Whatever happens—be kind to her. She’s done a lot for Inazuma.”Ei steadied her emotions and looked at the woman before her—so like her sister Raiden Makoto.“How are you feeling?”“I’m alright… It’s strange—I feel like I’ve been reborn. I’ve recovered so much. Is this your blessing? Ah… I thought I was going to die. I acted rashly for the sake of saving the people… Please forgive me. But… how is Inazuma now?”“I’ve already taken charge. Your letter addressed the heart of Inazuma’s problems—I’ve accepted all of your proposals. The merchant ships have already departed to purchase grain. In the meantime, I’ve opened the national granaries. The people will make it through this. And as for the duel—you don’t need to carry that guilt. To write with your blood and speak your truth to a god—that is righteous. It’s we who owe you thanks, on behalf of Inazuma.”Without being autistic, this god is so normal that Kaguya is surprised.She stared at Ei’s face—flawlessly beautiful, but firm and resolute like a warrior, distant and proud like a god. That transcendent elegance… it reminded her of Raiden Mei, but she paid it no mind. Alternate selves across the Tree of quantum were common. Angel knew that much well.They weren’t the same person. Kaguya wouldn’t confuse them."Kaguya..."Ayaka reached the doorway just in time to see Kaguya awake, sitting upright and smiling softly—surprised, but gentle. What caught her next was the Raiden Shogun, seated right beside her, supporting her as intimately as if they were longtime companions.It was a striking scene—one that felt like a moment out of legend. Still, Ayaka didn’t let her imagination run wild. Such thoughts would be disrespectful to a god.Following the instincts of a devout Inazuman, she knelt."Kamisato Ayaka, pays her respects to Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho!""You may rise. Since you're acquainted with her, stay and tend to her for now. I have matters of state to attend to."With that, Raiden Ei dissolved into a streak of lightning and vanished.Miko had been right—this matter was too important. All the more reason to proceed cautiously, and wait to observe any further changes in Kaguya. But for now, it was Ayaka who had bonded with her. There was no reason to intervene.It had been five hundred years. She was no longer the lost fool who fell apart after losing her sister. Right now, what mattered more than anything was stabilizing Inazuma—because this fragile land, if neglected for even a moment, could once again spiral into chaos.Now, finally, only Ayaka and Kaguya were left in the room.“Um… good morning?”Kaguya spoke tentatively.Tears burst from Ayaka’s eyes before she could say anything. She just stood there crying, silent, overwhelmed. And really—what could she even do? Despite her title and noble upbringing, she was still just a young girl.Kaguya gave a helpless smile, bracing herself against the bedframe. Her bare feet touched the floor as she tried to stand, intent on comforting the girl.Ayaka rushed forward, wiping her tears away as she gently supported Kaguya’s body.“Please… please don’t move too much. My brother’s letter said you were covered in blood. He wasn’t even sure you’d survive.”“Okay, okay—I won’t move. But I survived, didn’t I? See? I wasn’t lying.”Kaguya raised her arm and gave a weak, mock-bodybuilder pose—flexing an invisible muscle with a smile.But paired with the frail aura of someone who’d just recovered from near death, the gesture only made Ayaka burst into teary laughter.“Liar!”“Sorry~ It won’t happen again?”“...It’s hard to believe anything Kaguya says now.”“Fair enough. But at least stop crying. It really hurts to see you like this.”Kaguya looked at her with genuine warmth, gently wiping Ayaka’s tear-streaked cheeks.Ayaka sniffled and, unable to hold herself back, leaned into Kaguya’s embrace.In the heart of Tenshukaku—the symbol of absolute divine authority—two girls held each other close. Kaguya, a little taller, her weakness radiating a soft gentleness; Ayaka, delicate and refined, perfectly complementing that softness. Together, they looked like a pair of perfectly matched jade figurines—flawless and inseparable.In Kaguya’s warmth, Ayaka recovered the part of her heart that had nearly shattered.And Kaguya, as she cradled Ayaka’s trembling body, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—yet another reason on why she can’t bring herself to leave Inazuma.She looked out the window, quietly listening as Wendy sent updates through the Angels’ network. From what she heard, Inazuma had fully shifted its focus to disaster relief and restoring stability. Only then did she truly let out a breath of relief.‘Miss Chisato… I’ve done what I promised you. I didn’t fail the body you lent me. So rest now—in peace.’...Meanwhile, over in Liyue, at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor...There sat two familiar figures: the parlor’s esteemed guest consultant, and Liyue’s most famous incognito wanderer—Zhongli.They both stared in silence at a letter laid on the table before them.[To the Esteemed Lord of Geo, I am the newly born Anemo Archon of Mondstadt. I come with important matters. Might I be allowed to visit in person?]That was the gist of the message, though it was written in extremely respectful and courteous language. Along with it came a selection of fresh Mondstadt fruits and a single windwheel aster—symbol of the City of Freedom.Zhongli felt an odd sense of familiarity… and unfamiliarity.The familiarity came from the old Barbatos, who often sent invitations on the wind.What's more strange is that this is too polite, right? The etiquette is quite appropriate, and it is in sharp contrast to the casual Barbatos.As for how this new Archon had identified him… well, being the Lord of Thousand Winds, it wasn’t hard to imagine how.‘Is Barbatos running out of strength?’That was Zhongli’s first thought. As the eldest of the Seven, he understood the logic behind Archon succession far better than Barbatos’ former followers.His second thought was more personal—‘This second-generation Anemo Archon... They are completely different from him.’Zhongli pondered for a moment. Without much hesitation, he gave a nod.---Chapter 48: A Proper GiftMondstadt. A warm, sunny day.“Great and benevolent Lord Barbatos…”Jean stood at the window of her office, hands folded, praying to the breeze that danced beyond the glass.The weather had been excellent lately, and Mondstadt had seen many positive developments.First and foremost, the Wolf Cavalry Unit had been successfully established—thanks to Angel's powerful academic and alchemical prowess. She had flawlessly solved a series of complex technical problems: infrastructure, rations, gear, wolf breeding, even the soldiers’ compensation system.What’s more, it was a project officially endorsed by Andrius himself—an embodiment of a divine will. That alone kept even the arrogant Fatui from interfering, and made internal resistance in Mondstadt virtually nonexistent. After all, Andrius hadn’t become some out-of-control Stormterror—he remained a respected and revered divine entity. Who would dare question the will of the Anemo Archon?So, the first batch of Wolf Cavalry had already joined patrol and rapid-response forces. Their unmatched agility and sensory awareness greatly alleviated the Knights’ manpower shortage.Then came Angel’s next surprise: a new type of knightly musket, reportedly inspired by Fatui designs. She also introduced a wind-element enchantment technique, capable of enhancing a knight’s blade—sharpening its edge, producing wind blades, even creating defensive wind walls. Lisa, as always, had an eye for talent—her decision to invest early had yielded results beyond anyone’s expectations.These strings of victories lifted morale across the Knights of Favonius. The uncertainty caused by the redeployment of their main forces had begun to fade. As the official protectors stabilized, so too did the mood of the entire city—People are more at ease, businesses are more stable and prosperous, and everything is mutually influencing.Jean mentioned all of this in her prayer, asking the Anemo Archon to watch over the brilliant young alchemist, Angel.She ended her prayer with customary praise.Only Jean knew that things had gone so smoothly because she, as Acting Grand Master, had found the confidence to push forward decisively and fearlessly. And that confidence… well, the source needed no explanation.Prayer complete, Jean returned to her desk, gave her cheeks a light slap for energy, and got ready to return to her work.“Whoosh~”A breeze swept across her desk.Jean sensed something and turned to look—there lay a small assortment of rare materials: horns, claws, fangs, crystals, herbs. Nothing looked like trash. In fact, every item seemed like a precious, hard-to-find crafting component.“Lord Barba—ah, ahem… Musician, my deepest respect!”Jean quickly stood up. On the other side of the desk, leaning gracefully on one elbow, was the figure from her dreams—an otherworldly beauty, smiling mischievously.Especially the full and white hemisphere arc is even more eye-catching.Wendy beamed at Jean and said, “No need to be so stiff. You’re making me look like some sort of villain.”“Of course not! You are generous and kind. Forgive me—my reverence got the better of me. Oh, may I ask… are these materials…?”Jean eyed the materials on the table, recognizing several items Angel had recently requested—supplies the Knights desperately needed.But surely the Anemo Archon wouldn’t personally deliver crafting supplies to the Knights? Not because it would diminish her dignity or anything—but if the Archon were truly this compassionate, Jean might actually cry from being so moved.Wendy shrugged, stood upright, and spread her hands.“I was hoping to trade these with the Knights for some Mora. I need to take a trip to Liyue to visit the Geo Archon, but it’d be a little rude to show up empty-handed. Wild fruits and flowers won’t cut it. I need some proper gifts, don’t I?”“If that’s the case… the Church has a special fund set aside for offerings to the Anemo Archon. I can allocate it directly.”“Oh no, no. That’s for Barbatos. And ultimately it’s for the people of Mondstadt, right? I’m just a humble musician—it wouldn’t feel right to dip into that.”“But… Musician…”Jean looked troubled.If the Anemo Archon was planning an official visit to Liyue, then naturally, Mondstadt should cover the costs. In fact, the thought that they hadn’t already prepared a formal sendoff was enough to shake her faith. If they let the Archon travel in want, she wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.Wendy looked a bit sheepish as well. Technically speaking, she was still an anonymous, newly-born Archon. It would be a bit distasteful to accept Mondstandt's offerings casually. Character design needs to be presented through daily details, and following rules is for longer-term value.Jean thought for a moment and said:“May I ask what kind of gifts the Musician is hoping to prepare? The Knights can help arrange it.”“Ah, let’s see…” Wendy tapped her chin. “First, a decent tea set and some good tea leaves. I mean, I’m visiting our big brother after all—gotta serve proper tea. Then some local treats: dried fruits, smoked meats, Mondstadt wine. Just light gifts with heartfelt meaning. Oh, and since I’ll be visiting the Adepti too, we’ll need one gift set for each of them. That’s about it. What do you think?”Jean thought for a moment, then nodded.“In that case, I have someone perfect in mind. The Dawn Winery specializes in all of this. Their goods are best-in-class, and they have strong ties with Liyue’s merchants—they could even help with tea. The only concern is… Diluc is exceptionally sharp. He might suspect something.”“Eh, that’s fine. I know Diluc—solid guy. Just help me place the order, and I’ll swing by Dawn Winery in three days to pick it up. Thanks a ton~”A gentle breeze blew past, carrying Wendy’s waving silhouette away, leaving only the precious materials on the table.Jean blinked, then smiled and gave a respectful bow.“Farewell, Musician.”After completing the formalities, she picked up one of the fangs. It still carried the faint scent ofblood—easy to imagine it recently being part of some beast’s mouth.She fell into thought.“Best to regard these as blessings from the Anemo Archon—and make sure they’re recorded in the Church’s chronicles. As for the gifts, I’ll take them from the Church’s offering fund. I’ll need to speak with Diluc carefully. There can’t be any slip-ups.”After all, if they really sold the materials for Mora to buy gifts, it would become a transaction between the Knights and the Archon. How could the Knights dare overstep that way? If the Archon needed something, the people of Mondstadt should offer it freely—without condition.That, to Jean, was simply common sense.At the same time, Wendy—having had her fill of admiring Jean’s pretty face and perfect butt—floated off in delight.“Mm~ Not bad at all~”She was the only Angel still wandering the countryside, living off the land. Of course she needed an excuse to visit a few lovely ladies once in a while. If not for that annoying World Tree business, she’d be in Mondstadt every other day—teasing the little nun, the maid, and the charming Captain. What a life that would be!---Chapter 49: A Divine BlessingActing Grand Master’s Office – Knights of FavoniusDiluc had received Jean’s urgent summons.Although he wasn’t fond of the Knights, he understood Jean’s character well enough to know she wouldn’t call on him lightly. So, despite his reluctance, he came.But what he heard next made his brows furrow in confusion and growing irritation:“The finest wine, dried fruits, and smoked meats. Elegant and formal gift packaging. Also, the best tea set and premium tea leaves. All of this, prepared for the most important figures in Liyue. No cost limit. Use the Church’s special offering fund. And three days from now, an esteemed guest will come collect it from Dawn Winery. We’ll need to clear all staff beforehand. Only I may receive them. Has the Knights lost their minds?”“Diluc… this is very, very important. More important than anything else happening in Mondstadt right now. I just have one question—can it be done?”Jean’s expression didn’t change. She was calm. Serious.Diluc frowned even deeper.This kind of task shouldn’t be taken this far.But Jean’s tone carried weight—it wasn’t just formal, it was deeply reverent.After a moment of silence, Diluc gave a short nod.“…Don’t call me ‘senior’.”“Understood, Senior Diluc. Thank you.”Jean gave a relieved smile.Diluc turned with a dark expression and left.‘What’s going on here? What sort of "esteemed guest" must only be received by me? Why all the secrecy? …Wait. The Church’s offering fund? A gift for Liyue’s most important people? No way…’As he stepped out of the Knights Headquarters, Diluc turned back, looking at the towering building behind him.Even with his firm will, a strange sense of awe stirred in his chest.In Mondstadt, there were really only two kinds of Barbatos believers: the devout, and the slightly unhinged.Which one was Diluc?Hard to say—but either way, he was definitely a believer. At least, he had been… before Barbatos turned into a lazy “eh-heh” bard who lounged in Angel’s Share drinking himself silly every day in the plot.Still, deep down, the reverence had never truly left him.“No matter what… I have to make this perfect.”With that, he made up his mind to personally oversee every detail....Three Days Later – Dawn WineryAll the servants had been dismissed. The estate was unusually quiet.Diluc wore his finest formal attire and paced slowly around the carefully arranged gift boxes, checking and double-checking for any imperfections in presentation.He hadn’t asked Jean to confirm his suspicions. Her vague wording had already told him everything.He didn’t even bother checking if the payment had gone through.He simply prepared everything to the best of his ability.Knock knock.He heard the door.His heart skipped a beat—just slightly. He quickly walked over, took a deep breath, and opened it.The slight tension on his face quickly faded into his usual stern expression.“Why is it you?”Jean gave an awkward smile and scratched her cheek.“Well… I am the Acting Grand Master. It’s only natural I come for something like this, right?”If the Anemo Archon was making a quiet visit, it made perfect sense for Jean to come alone and discreetly to see them off.Still, Diluc knew Jean too well. She was devout.He didn’t believe she came only for formality. More likely, she just wanted one more chance to see the Archon face-to-face.Not that he could blame her. What Mondstadter could?Just then, a gentle breeze blew past them.And from that breeze… came the soft jingle of gift boxes being gently lifted.They both turned—and saw her.A dazzling smile. A fairy-like presence. The breeze itself wrapped around her like a divine cloak.“Yo! Good morning, Jean. And you must be Diluc of Dawn Winery—nice to meet you.”“Jean, paying respects to the Musician.”“The… Musician?”Jean bowed deeply. Diluc blinked, confused for a moment.“Yup!” Wendy chirped. “No idea why, but these days they call me the best musician wandering the world~”She twirled her fingers in the air like a conductor, that radiant, innocent smile lighting up her face.Diluc suddenly understood.Of course. The stories said the Anemo Archon disliked excessive ceremony. He often walked among mortals in ordinary form, only revealing his true self when fate called for it.And now, the overwhelming power of wind flowing from her—and Jean’s reverent demeanor—left no room for doubt.“Diluc Ragnvindr, pays his respects to the Musician.”He bowed deeply.He had many grievances with the Knights. Many criticisms of modern Mondstadt.But when it came to the god who had founded and watched over this city, his faith was the same as any Mondstadter’s: unwavering.“Alright, alright~ No need to be so formal. Even Barbatos wasn’t that serious in the scriptures, right?”“It’s not about formality,” Jean said, rising to her feet. “This is Mondstadt’s respect. If it makes you uncomfortable, we’ll endure it.”She smiled gently, then looked to the wall of gift boxes.“Musician, are these enough? If you need anything else, we can have it prepared immediately.”“No, no—it’s more than enough. I’m visiting the Geo Archon, the literal source of Mora. What could he possibly lack? And the Adepti? They’ve got more rare treasures than they know what to do with. This is just a small token. Honestly, it’s probably too much. A separate gift for every Adeptus?”Wendy tilted her head in mild frustration.To be fair, Diluc had really gone all out. Once he guessed the truth, he spared no expense. The quality was unmatched, and there were so many boxes stacked up it practically formed a small fortress.“Ah! Got it. Let’s just give the extras to some of the folks who’ve been working hard lately. Like… hmm… Dvalin and Andrius should get one each too. Come to think of it, I’ve never actually given them gifts.”Snap!Wendy snapped her fingers. A breeze picked up and began lifting gift boxes into the air.Two were gently delivered—one to Jean, one to Diluc.“Musician?” ×2“Take it. You’ve both worked hard.”Wendy beamed. She had just used Diluc’s own gifts… to reward him.But neither Jean nor Diluc found that odd in the slightest. In fact, they were visibly moved—hearts pounding.This is the gift of the Anemo Archon Babatos, it is the grace of God!Compared to that, who cared about its actual origin or material worth?These gifts were prepared for the Geo Archon and the Adepti—and now also given to Dvalin and Andrius, Archon’s chosen. To receive one was an unspeakable honor.Wendy watched their reactions with a gentle smile, a faint touch of regret in her heart—If only she had a faith system in place… she would have seen +N Faith Points pop up right now.---Chapter 50: The Little Archon Knows What She’s DoingBefore leaving, Wendy gave Diluc a firm pat on the shoulder.Then, leaning in close to Jean, she gently rested a hand on her shoulder and said, her tone suddenly serious:“I know you’re probably worried. This trip to see the Geo Archon—yes, it’s about something very important. But don’t worry, Mondstadt will be fine. While I’m away, Dvalin and Andrius will be watching over things... Don’t underestimate Andrius just because of how he looks. If he wanted to, he could still manifest fully as a complete god and roam across Mondstadt’s lands. So really—don’t worry about safety. Live well, and keep chasing the freedom you believe in.”And with that, Wendy vanished—swept away on the wind, along with the remaining gift boxes.Inside the mansion, Jean and Diluc held their gifted boxes in silence, still digesting the glory they had received, and the gentle greatness of the Anemo Archon.A long moment passed before Diluc solemnly placed his gift on the main table and said:“No wonder your entire demeanor changed lately. So, when exactly did you all meet Barba—uh, the Musician?”When it came to how to address the Archon, Diluc adapted quickly.Jean smiled, shaking her head. “That’s a long story—one both amusing and unforgettable.”She shared the tale—how a priest and a Knight-in-training stumbled upon the Anemo Archon playing music, and the sight of Dvalin dancing in the wind. The accidental revelation, the panicked confessions, and finally, their return to Mondstadt under the Archon’s encouragement and melody.Because she trusted Diluc’s integrity, Jean also shared what Wendy had said about the Seven Nations.Diluc frowned deeply.“So the other nations… things are already that turbulent? Then Mondstadt may not be able to stay untouched for long. What we’ve faced so far might just be the beginning.”Jean nodded. “That’s what I thought too. Maybe… maybe that’s why the Musician awakened. When the storms sweep through the six nations, perhaps she wants to guard Mondstadt once more—just like she did in the past. What compassion… what greatness. Praise Barbatos. Praise the Musician.”She closed her eyes and began to pray.Diluc stood in thoughtful silence.He had long believed Mondstadt had serious problems. But now, it seemed the entire continent of Teyvat was stirring with unseen tides—and Mondstadt’s troubles might be the least of them.He, too, silently offered a prayer.And resolved, from now on, to intensify his efforts as the Darknight Hero—to do more for Mondstadt, and more for the god who watched over them all....Wendy, meanwhile, was floating happily through the skies, sniffing her fingertips with a dreamy expression—savoring the memory of Jean’s hair brushing against her hand.“Sigh… we're still not close enough. I wanna cuddle already…”As the saying goes, “it’s not envy of scarcity, but of uneven distribution.”If everyone were lonely, she could accept it. But her other two selves were already cuddling away as much as they wanted, and yet she still couldn’t? That was just unfair!“No, no, Wendy! Focus! They’re all too distracted with girls now—I’m the only one holding the line! One day, I’ll be the most dependable of us all!”She pumped her fists, cheering herself on.And so, she drifted into Liyue.Since Zhongli was in Liyue Harbor, Wendy decided to descend on a nearby mountaintop—Tianheng Peak. There, she boiled spring water brought by Thousand Winds, set out a tea set, and made no effort to hide her immense wind power. Her presence was immediately noticed—not only by Zhongli, but also by the Adepti across Jueyun Karst and Dihua Marsh.Naturally, Zhongli arrived shortly after.He stepped onto the mountaintop, seated himself at the tea table Wendy had prepared, and accepted the cup she pushed toward him with ceremony.“Please, Grandfather Rock~”“Grandfather?”Zhongli blinked, looking at the vibrant, radiant young Archon seated across from him.The title made him chuckle inside.Is that how all of you wind Archons refer to me now?Still, since Wendy was being so courteous—using an almost filial term—Zhongli accepted the “grandfather” role without complaint. His gaze softened as he looked at her.“Mm. Fragrant and calming. Excellent tea.”“Of course! I trekked deep into the wilderness to find rare ingredients, and paid quite a bit of Mora to buy this from Mondstadt’s Dawn Winery.”“You went to great lengths. But Liyue and Mondstadt have been allies for millennia. I am also an old friend of Barbatos. You don’t need to be so formal.”Zhongli’s voice grew even gentler.This little Archon clearly got it. He wasn’t stingy with his support to begin with, but with her being so respectful and polished, he felt even more inclined to help however he could.Wendy smiled sweetly and handed him a gift box.“Just a little something—a courtesy gift. I hope you won’t mind the intrusion.”“Far too kind. So—what do you need help with?”“Well, I’ll be honest with you—no point dancing around it. The Abyss Order has been making moves in Mondstadt lately. All signs point to them targeting Dvalin. You remember the battle with Durin, right? Dvalin drank the dragon’s tainted blood, and he’s been suffering for the last 500 years. I thought something was wrong. So after talking with him, we had him relocate—temporarily—just to block the Abyss’s plans. But…”“But the Abyss won’t give up easily. If they fail in one plan, they’ll hatch another—maybe an even worse one. I understand. The threat of the Abyss isn’t something one nation or one god can face alone. If you need anything, say the word. I’ll do everything in my power to assist.”Zhongli’s eyes gleamed with solemn resolve—his aura shifting into that of the martial god who once shook the world.When Barbatos had first come to visit, Zhongli had assumed it was for help. Turned out, it was just to drink. He’d been stunned for days.Now the second Wind Archon had come, and he had expected another casual chat over tea. But this time—there was real business.He became completely serious.Wendy nodded rapidly, like a pecking chick.“Exactly! I’m keeping tabs on the Abyss Order’s movements behind the scenes. But Barbatos is still asleep, and as the current Lord of Thousand Winds, I can’t even locate him. I just don’t have the experience. I’m flying blind here. If anything changes… please, Grandfather Rock, lend me a hand? I’ll have Barbatos thank you personally later!”She looked up with wide, pitiful eyes—like a lost little girl begging a kindly neighbor for help because her guardian wasn’t home.Zhongli couldn’t help but chuckle. The scene reminded him of when Ganyu was still a child.“You don’t need to ask like that. We’re allies, and this concerns the Abyss—of course we must stand together. Also… I can sense the power in you. Among the Seven, your wind element is already quite formidable. Don’t sell yourself short.”“Well, sure... I do think I could beat Dvalin and Andrius in a fight now. But this is the Abyss we’re talking about! Who wouldn’t be scared? And Barbatos just won’t wake up, so I’m left to handle this alone. Who wouldn’t be freaking out?”“Barbatos… I fear his days are numbered. He may not be able to help much anymore. You’ve likely already realized it—your birth carries purpose. This is no accident.”Zhongli’s tone grew quiet, tinged with melancholy.Another old friend, on the verge of passing from the world.Time moved on. The elements shifted. In the end, was he—the unyielding stone—all that remained?Wendy didn’t reply. She simply poured more tea for him, silently.(Barbatos, I never said anything bad about you… If the whole world starts saying you’re on your way out, don’t blame me, okay?)