Chapter: 175-178Chapter 175: The Girl from the Naganohara Family
Under Amon's guidance, Qiqi followed his instructions and raised her hand to shoot an arrow.
She looked up at Amon and asked in her soft, childlike voice, "Amon... is this correct?"
Amon followed the direction of Qiqi's finger.
To his surprise, the arrow had landed squarely on the bull's-eye.
"Qiqi, you did an amazing job!"
He paused, his tone tinged with regret. "However, you hit the bull's-eye of another contestant's target, so you won't earn any points for that."
"You need to aim for the target directly in front of you. Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, little Qiqi nodded enthusiastically. "Qiqi... understands now."
Afterward, Amon moved on to teach Shen He, Beidou, and Keqing the basics of using a bow and arrow.
Beidou, known for her strength, pulled the bowstring back to its full extension each time.
Amon grew concerned that she might snap the bowstring and reminded her to ease her strength.
Beidou pouted and muttered, "Bows and arrows really aren't my thing. If you ask me, two-handed swords are way more fun!"
Shen He nodded in agreement. "I'm used to wielding spears, so this weapon feels a bit unfamiliar to me. Still, it's a good form of training."
Keqing, standing nearby, couldn't contain herself any longer. She ran over and said in an irritated tone,
"Beidou, Shen He, you can't hog Brother Amon all to yourselves!"
"What I mean is... Brother Amon hasn't even had time to teach me archery yet!"
Watching the girls bicker, Amon didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Maintaining his principle of treating everyone fairly, he smiled wryly and said, "Ladies, I promise to teach each of you properly. No need to fight over it."
As for Sara, Amon didn't feel the need to give her much guidance.
Since Sara had been hunting with a bow from a young age, she was already familiar with the basics.
Compared to the others, Amon felt more confident in her abilities.
Soon, the archery competition officially began.
Each contestant was given ten arrows to shoot. Points were awarded based on how close the arrows landed to the target, and the total score was calculated after all ten shots.
The younger participants weren't tall enough to reach the targets, so they had to stand on small stools to shoot their arrows.
Amon, ever patient, helped the little ones climb onto the stools one by one before stepping aside to ensure their safety.
Qiqi performed impressively in her first three shots, landing all of them on the bull's-eye.
However, her attention soon wandered toward a nearby sparrow, causing her next few arrows to miss entirely.
Her final score was a modest 30 out of 77 points.
As for Beidou, Shen He, and Keqing, the three girls were focused throughout the competition.
Yet, as it was their first time handling bows and arrows, their lack of experience showed.
Each of them ended up with an average score of around 50 points.
Despite not placing in the top three, the girls were delighted with their results.
After all, it wasn't about winning—it was about having fun and participating.
Over time, thanks to Amon's guidance, the girls had become more optimistic and cheerful.
In contrast, Sara showcased her exceptional archery skills from the very start.
Having used bows and arrows since childhood, she handled them with remarkable ease.
Additionally, the Tengu bloodline gifted her with a natural advantage in archery.
Sara shot five arrows in rapid succession, each one landing close to the center of the target.
Her precision was matched by her speed—each arrow seemed to follow the previous one almost instantly.
The onlookers were stunned by the display.
Exclamations rippled through the crowd as they marveled at the young girl's remarkable skills.
Then, the murmurs of awe grew even louder.
Another participant, about the same age as Sara, had displayed equally impressive archery skills.
This girl also fired five arrows in a row, all landing near the center of the target.
The girl's most striking features were her light yellow hair and her fiery red dress adorned with intricate firework patterns.
Amon's gaze lingered on the little girl for a moment, and his eyebrows arched in curiosity.
The girl from Naganohara Fireworks Shop?
...
Chapter 176: I Didn't Expect Sara to Be a Wingman
Amon observed carefully.
Yoimiya's archery skills were impressive—precise, fluid, and without any unnecessary movements. The entire process was seamless, completed in one smooth motion.
When compared to Sara, their archery skills seemed to be evenly matched. The difference lay in their styles. Sara's habit was to shoot arrows consecutively, creating the illusion of a connected string of arrows from a distance. Yoimiya, on the other hand, had a more intensive approach. Her arrows resembled a rainstorm, striking with precision and in rapid succession, akin to a focused aerial bombardment.
As the contestants finished shooting, the organizers began calculating the scores.
Yoimiya and Sara both achieved an impressive score of 95 points, tying for first place in the competition.
When the organizers announced the results, the audience erupted into cheers.
Although this was just an entertainment event, scoring 95 points was no small feat. What made it even more remarkable was that the achievement came from two young girls.
For a moment, the crowd was abuzz with excitement and speculation. Many whispered that Inazuma would undoubtedly have two exceptional sharpshooters in the future.
Soon, the organizers brought the two girls, Sara and Yoimiya, to the front desk to receive their prizes.
In this competition, the top three winners were allowed to select souvenirs from the prize pool. The first-place winner would choose first, followed by the second and third places in turn.
However, the organizers found themselves in a dilemma.
With Sara and Yoimiya tied for first place, it was impossible to determine the order of selection in a way that felt fair to both.
Yoimiya stepped forward with her characteristic cheerfulness.
"Hey, this is just a fun competition, right? There's no need to get so hung up over rankings!" she said with a grin.
She paused before continuing, "Why don't we let the contestants decide?"
Stepping back, Yoimiya made way for Sara. "Although I scored the same as this sister, she finished her shots faster than I did."
"So, in my heart, she's number one!"
Yoimiya turned to Sara with a bright smile. "Sister, your archery is amazing. Can you teach me sometime?"
"Of course, I won't make you teach me for free. I'll invite you to watch the fireworks!"
She beamed with pride. "The Naganohara family's fireworks are the best in all of Inazuma!"
Sara, unfamiliar with such enthusiasm from a peer, nodded shyly. "I can teach you archery, but... what are fireworks?"
Having spent most of her life in the mountains and forests, this was the first time Sara had heard of fireworks.
"Wait, you don't know what fireworks are? Hmm... how do I explain it?"
Yoimiya animatedly described them, using sound effects to mimic their brilliance: "They go high up in the sky, boom boom boom, and then, clatter clatter clatter!"
Despite Yoimiya's best efforts, Sara's expression remained one of polite confusion.
"Ah, never mind! I'll just show you later!" Yoimiya declared. "But you have to promise to teach me archery after the fireworks, okay?"
"Even though I lost this time, that doesn't mean I'll always lose to you!" Yoimiya said, her voice brimming with determination. "I'll practice hard, and next time, I'll surpass you for sure!"
As the self-proclaimed "King of Children," Yoimiya's competitive spirit wouldn't allow her title to slip away.
Compared to the exuberant Yoimiya, Sara remained quiet and reserved. After a long pause, she finally said, "Okay, keep going."
Yoimiya's decision to forfeit the first-place position left the organizers visibly relieved. The problem had been resolved by the cheerful girl herself.
Under the guidance of the organizers, Sara approached the prize pool to make her selection.
Among the prizes, her gaze fell upon a hunting bow—a beautifully crafted Raven Bow. The sleek design, adorned with crow feathers, immediately caught her attention. It was a high-quality weapon, perfect for hunting.
For a moment, Sara seemed mesmerized by the bow. But then her eyes shifted to something else: a silver necklace with a gleaming gem at its center.
The necklace was elegant and delicate, its beauty undeniable.
Without hesitation, Sara turned to the organizer and asked, "Big sister, can I choose that necklace?"
"Of course, little one," the organizer replied warmly. She carefully packed the necklace and handed it to Sara.
Amon, watching from a distance, was puzzled.
He had clearly seen how much Sara admired the Raven Bow. Why, then, had she suddenly chosen the necklace instead?
Before Amon could figure it out, Sara, clutching her prize, dashed off with her tiny legs.
Concerned, Amon quickly gathered the other children and followed her.
To his surprise, Sara was running toward Raiden Ei.
"Shogun, I am Sara... I am Brother Amon's subordinate," she said, her voice a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Afraid that Raiden Ei might not recognize her, Sara introduced herself earnestly. Her tone betrayed her awe and nervousness—understandable, given that the Raiden Shogun was the supreme authority of Inazuma.
After a brief pause, Sara held out the necklace. "Brother Amon asked me to give this to you. He said he hopes you'll like it!"
Amon, who had arrived just in time to hear this, was taken aback.
Sara had given up the bow she clearly loved in favor of the necklace, all so she could present it to Raiden Ei in Amon's name.
Her intention was clear: to help Amon win favor with the Shogun.
Moved by Sara's thoughtfulness, Amon couldn't help but smile.
The saying that daughters are "warm little cotton-padded jackets" had never felt truer.
Seeing how well-behaved and considerate Sara was, Amon silently resolved to gift her the best bow he could find.
"Little Sara," he thought to himself, "forget about the three-star bow. I'll get you a five-star bow worthy of your talent."
Because she deserved more!!!.
Chapter 177: Fireworks are disappear quickly, but They Can Also could be another form of Eternity
Raiden Ei looked at Sara standing in front of her, then at the necklace in her hands.
"To be honest, I don't usually wear necklaces," Raiden Ei said plainly.
"They make me feel a bit uncomfortable, and I fear they might affect my ability to swing my blade swiftly."
"General, don't you like this necklace?" Sara asked, her voice trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill at any moment.
Sara had reluctantly given up the Raven Bow she loved to choose the silver necklace instead. If Raiden Ei refused her gift, it seemed certain that the little girl would burst into tears.
Raiden Ei glanced at Sara's tearful face, then turned her gaze toward Amon, who stood in the distance.
After a moment of silence, Raiden Ei spoke. "Trying something new every now and then won't hinder my pursuit of eternity."
She crouched slightly, softening her tone. "Little girl, thank you for bringing me this gift. And thank you, Amon, for thinking of me."
"I will accept this necklace. Thank you."
In the end, Raiden Ei accepted the necklace, though she still felt a bit uneasy about it.
As someone accustomed to battle and discipline, she likened the experience to a girl used to wearing flat shoes suddenly being asked to don high heels—it felt unnatural.
But this was Amon's heartfelt gesture, so after some thought, she resolved to accept it.
However, Raiden Ei didn't put on the necklace immediately. The thought of doing so in front of others made her feel self-conscious. She decided to wait until she returned to the Plane of Euthymia, where she could try it on in solitude.
At that moment, a whistling sound filled the air.
Instinctively, everyone turned their eyes to the sky, where a streak of red flame soared upward before exploding into a brilliant display of colorful fireworks.
The fireworks had been prepared by the Naganohara family, and the crowd marveled at the vibrant spectacle above them.
While everyone else admired the fireworks, Raiden Ei's expression shifted dramatically. Her face turned serious, and her body tensed.
What is that in the sky?
Could it be a monster attack?
Were enemies planning an ambush while everyone was distracted by the festival?
Her sharp gaze locked onto Amon, as though the potential threat was directed at him.
Without hesitation, Raiden Ei gripped her naginata tightly. Lightning crackled around her, filling the atmosphere with a foreboding charge. The sky darkened, mirroring her intensity.
Before anyone could react, she positioned herself in front of Amon, shielding him from harm.
Looking at Raiden Ei's protective stance, Amon was baffled. "Ei, what are you doing...?"
Raiden Ei turned her head slightly and said, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
"As long as I'm here, no monster will harm you."
Amon was momentarily stunned by her words.
It dawned on him: Raiden Ei, unfamiliar with fireworks, had mistaken them for a monster attack.
She's never even seen fireworks before?
What a sheltered warrior, he thought, finding her misunderstanding endearing.
Looking at her serious expression, Amon couldn't help but smile.
"Ei, you've misunderstood," Amon said gently.
"The things in the sky aren't an attack—they're fireworks."
"Fireworks are harmless. No monsters have appeared, so there's no need to worry."
Raiden Ei blinked in surprise. "No monsters? Fireworks? What are those?"
Amon patiently explained the concept of fireworks: an artistic display created for people's enjoyment during celebrations.
Once she understood there was no threat, Raiden Ei let her lightning power dissipate.
Her gaze shifted upward, watching the bursts of color illuminate the night sky. She furrowed her brow.
"Fireworks are so fleeting. They vanish even faster than flowers. Why do people like them so much?" she mused aloud.
"Is this another way to express love for someone?"
She tilted her head slightly, her amethyst eyes filled with curiosity.
Having spent so much time in isolation within the Plane of Euthymia, Raiden Ei felt increasingly out of touch with the changes in Inazuma.
Perhaps her sister had been right—she should venture out more often to understand the world better.
Amon, sensing her confusion, offered a thoughtful response.
"Even though fireworks are fleeting, the moment they create remains in people's hearts forever, forming cherished memories."
"Memories are precious and timeless. They, too, can be part of the eternity you seek."
Raiden Ei fell silent, lost in thought as she reflected on Amon's words.
Just then, a man wearing a cap and holding a paintbrush approached them.
"Excuse me for interrupting," the man said with a warm smile. "I happened to catch a glimpse of your touching moment and couldn't resist capturing it in a painting."
He handed them the artwork. "Please accept this as my gift to you both, with wishes for your love to last forever."
Amon and Raiden Ei exchanged a glance, realizing the artist had misunderstood their relationship.
Still, Amon accepted the painting out of courtesy.
When he unrolled it, the image revealed a dramatic scene:
Raiden Ei stood at the center, clad in her signature attire, her long purple hair billowing in the wind. She wore a fox mask, exuding an aura of mystery and strength.
Her naginata crackled with electricity, and lightning illuminated the backdrop, casting an ethereal glow.
Behind her, Amon and the children were shielded under her protective stance.
Anyone unfamiliar with the situation would likely assume this was a family portrait, portraying a fiercely protective wife safeguarding her husband and children.
Amon chuckled softly at the thought.
Raiden Ei, oblivious to the painter's implication, simply nodded.
In her mind, protecting Amon was nothing less than her duty.
Chapter 178: Makoto: My Clumsy Sister
Makoto, Plane of Euthymia
As the purple space-time rift opened, Raiden Ei slowly stepped inside.
According to their original agreement, her elder sister, Raiden Makoto, would emerge to oversee Inazuma later that afternoon.
…
Sensing the return of Raiden Shogun, Makoto put down the repair tools in her hands, raised her head, and greeted her sister with a soft smile.
"Welcome back, Ei."
Raiden Ei glanced at the puppet standing in standby mode before shifting her gaze to Makoto.
"Makoto, what are you doing?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
"Oh, you mean this doll?" Makoto replied, putting her hands behind her back, her eyebrows arched in a playful smile.
"After you left, I found myself with some free time, so I decided to study the puppet."
"You wouldn't believe how intricate its internal structure is," Makoto continued. "You're truly amazing to have invented such a complex creation."
Makoto paused briefly before adding, "By the way, I made a few adjustments to the puppet. Now, it's more intelligent and can govern Inazuma even better in your stead."
As Makoto spoke, the Raiden Shogun puppet's eyes slowly opened.
Lightning flickered in its gaze, emanating a sense of majesty and power. Yet, unlike before, the puppet's eyes seemed less cold, carrying a subtle hint of liveliness.
This sight touched Raiden Ei's heart.
Makoto's brilliance was undeniable. In such a short time, she had deciphered the puppet's mechanisms and even improved upon them.
Makoto, however, waved her hand dismissively. "There are still a few areas that need tweaking, but those are minor issues."
Turning her attention to Ei, Makoto smiled. "So, Ei, how was your trip to Inazuma? You seem... unusually happy."
"Though your face doesn't show much expression, I can tell you're in a good mood."
"Did this trip give you something special?"
The two sisters had grown up together and knew each other well. Makoto understood that Ei wasn't adept at expressing her emotions outwardly.
But when Ei was in high spirits, her pace quickened, and she spoke more than usual.
Makoto surmised that Ei's joyful demeanor was linked to her recent experiences.
Raiden Ei pondered her sister's words for a moment before nodding slightly.
"Yes, this trip was quite rewarding for me," she admitted.
"During my time there, Amon shared many intriguing insights with me. Thanks to his patience, I've gained a new understanding of myself, Inazuma, and even the concept of 'eternity.'"
Makoto's eyes sparkled with interest. "Really? It sounds like you learned a great deal."
"Would you say this was all thanks to Mr. Amon's guidance?"
Makoto softly spoke Amon's name, and the image of the young man briefly crossed her mind.
After a moment of silence, Makoto asked, seemingly without reason, "Ei, what kind of person do you think Mr. Amon is?"
Hearing the question, Raiden Ei paused to consider her answer.
She lifted her head, her expression unusually serious, and replied earnestly.
"Amon is... very gentle. The children adore him and are always eager to be near him."
"If it weren't for the fact that restrooms are separated by gender, I think they'd even follow him there," she added with a faint smile.
"But beyond that, Amon has a unique way of thinking. Many of his casual remarks have given me new perspectives."
"I enjoy spending time with Amon. It's an experience unlike anything I've had before."
Raiden Ei's voice softened as she spoke, and without realizing it, her eyes sparkled with a gentle light—a light distinct from the thunderous power she wielded.
It was a soft, tranquil radiance, like the surface of a serene spring touched by a gentle breeze.
Makoto, of course, noticed this subtle change.
Propping her chin on one hand, she teased with a sly smile. "This is the first time I've heard you give such an elaborate evaluation of someone, Ei. It's quite rare."
"I still remember when you once evaluated me. You tilted your head, thought for ages, and finally said, 'Sister is gentle and smart.'"
"At the time, I thought you were just at a loss for words. But now I see—you were simply too lazy to say more."
Makoto grinned mischievously. "It seems Mr. Amon holds an important place in your heart."
Flustered by Makoto's teasing, Ei lowered her head, her cheeks faintly red. She hurriedly changed the subject.
"Makoto, you should take some time to go out," Ei suggested.
"Inazuma is much livelier now than it was in our time. You'd enjoy it."
"I can handle the maintenance of the puppet myself."
Makoto chuckled, observing Ei's shy and blushing demeanor. She left the Plane of Euthymia with a knowing smile.
As she exited, she glanced back at Ei's retreating figure and murmured to herself, "She didn't deny it, so does that mean she agrees?"
"This is the first time I've seen Ei blush like that. How adorable."
"My clumsy sister. She probably doesn't even realize what's happening to her."
With Makoto gone, silence fell once more in the Plane of Euthymia.
Raiden Ei retrieved the gift box containing the necklace.
Although she knew it might interfere with her swordsmanship, she decided to wear the necklace anyway.
As she fastened it around her neck and gently touched the pendant, she found herself enveloped in an unfamiliar yet wonderful emotion.
She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but it left her looking forward to seeing Amon again the next day.
…
T/n: Yep it's done