The tree trunk might not be as hard as stone, but compared to a soft mattress, it left much to be desired. Even with a layer of clothing, the friction between her back and the bark was enough to make Yoimiya feel a little uncomfortable.
Before Lucas could respond, Yoimiya had already flipped over, reversing their positions and pinning him down against the tree.
Yep. Rock solid.
Not only was the trunk firm, but it was also uneven, the bark rough to the touch. No wonder she'd been biting her lip the whole time—they'd gone through the whole thing while she bore the discomfort without a word, not wanting to worry him.
Realizing this, Lucas couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. The flash of emotion in his eyes didn't escape Yoimiya's notice.
"Don't overthink it," she said, pressing her hands to the base of his neck. "Because… now it's your turn to hurt."
The two finches that had flown off earlier thought the "treequake" had finally ended and returned to their nest, only for the branch to start trembling all over again…
"Chirp chirp!" (We can't sleep like this!)
"Chirp chirp chirrup?" (Do you humans not have nests of your own?!)
The angry birds scolded from the branches above, but to the two below, their shrill chirping merely added a playful melody to a night of tenderness laced with a hint of pain.
[Exiting Immersive Mode]
[Entering Text Mode]
[Age 21: After the wedding, you and Yoimiya finally became husband and wife in every sense. However, since you were the one marrying into the family and still needed to assist with the family business, you ended up living together with your father-in-law.]
[Fortunately, Ryuunosuke's hearing had been gradually declining—now he could only hear clearly if you shouted directly into his ear.]
[This wasn't entirely a bad thing. At the very least, your and Yoimiya's married life no longer required secrecy or tiptoeing around.]
[Meanwhile, the pressure from the Vision Hunt Decree had reached a breaking point. In order to quickly collect one hundred Visions, the Tenryou Commission ramped up their raids.]
[At the same time, the Thousand-Arms, Hundred-Eyes Faith spread their doctrine in the name of "assisting the Raiden Shogun in achieving eternity," brainwashing the populace and even persecuting the families and friends of those who possessed Visions.]
[This only fueled public opposition to the Raiden Shogun, and within the resistance, two distinct factions began to form.]
[One faction chose to flee Inazuma's jurisdiction and join the resistance on Watatsumi Island, hoping to restore order and awaken the Raiden Shogun from her delusion.]
[The other faction saw the Shogun as irredeemable—cruel and tyrannical beyond salvation. For them, there was only one path: destroy the Shogun and crown a new ruler.]
[Naturally, this faction gravitated toward the Arataki Gang, hoping to assist in the execution of the "Raiden-Slayer Plan." Among them were many gifted individuals.]
[Age 22: Tang Jingbai, a tea connoisseur and esteemed member of Liyue's noble Zhuang clan, arrived in Inazuma seeking rare tea leaves to craft a brew worthy of Morax himself. Possessing a Dendro Vision that resonated with tea plants, she lost her Vision to the decree and ultimately joined the Arataki Gang.]
[That same year, a female warrior drenched in blood arrived with a heavy brocade box, seeking an Arataki Gang contact. She identified herself as Kujou Shouki—like Kujou Sara, an adopted daughter of Kujou Takayuki.]
[She revealed that she had always lived in the shadow of Kujou Sara, consistently outperformed in every competition. When the Vision Hunt Decree reached its peak, both adopted daughters—lacking Kujou blood—were ordered to surrender their Visions. Yet Takayuki chose to protect Sara and made Shouki surrender hers.]
[That betrayal pushed her over the edge. Refusing to give up her Vision, she killed the Tenryou Commission officer who came to confiscate it and fought her way out of the Kujou estate.]
[Her "entry offering" to the Arataki Gang was none other than the severed head of that officer.]
[Her recruitment stirred much debate within the gang—after all, no one could be sure whether she was truly a turncoat or a deep-cover agent. But Arataki Itto agreed to let her in without hesitation after seeing a single photo.]
["The look she gave Kujou Sara? Pure disgust—exactly like mine. No way she's a fake!" —That was Itto's reasoning.]
[Age 23: A blacksmith named Sugawara Rinko joined the Arataki Gang. Her goal wasn't to kill the Raiden Shogun, but to study the weapons the gang wielded.]
[These weapons, secretly forged by you, were what gave the gang the power to stand against the Tenryou Commission's formal forces.]
[Rinko, too, possessed a Geo Vision. She had an extraordinary understanding of minerals and believed your craftsmanship had fully unlocked the potential of each ore. She asked to become your apprentice, offering the Shogun's death as her "apprenticeship fee."]
[The Arataki Gang accepted her in the end—after all, with more members joining, the demand for quality weapons kept growing. There was no way you could continue supplying them alone without exposing your identity. Rinko's arrival eased that burden.]
[That same year, a one-armed wanderer joined the Arataki Gang—none other than Yokaze, the swordsman who had once dueled your father and lost an arm in the process. He claimed that since the Raiden Shogun had slain the enemy he had sworn to defeat, it was only right that he offer his life in return.]
[Age 24: At last, after years of growth, the Arataki Gang had become a resistance force rivaling Watatsumi's in threat level. Through constant assassinations of Shogunate officers, capture squads, and leaders of the Thousand-Arms, Hundred-Eyes Faith, they successfully disrupted the Vision Hunt Decree's enforcement.]
[On the other hand, your skills had also grown. You were now no less capable than Ryuunosuke himself in fireworks crafting. More importantly… you finally possessed the skill to craft the ultimate weapon you'd long dreamed of—one capable of slaying the Raiden Shogun.]
[After dozens of failed prototypes, you finally completed a battle-ready firearm. Though it couldn't channel elemental energy like a catalyst or Vision-infused weapon, it could load specialized ammunition for various attack types.]
[You named it "Nationbreaker" (Kokubou), which corresponds to "Raikiri". But, Nationbreaker was not made to sever her head—it was meant to blow her to smithereens.]
[The name "Nationbreaker" (Kokubou) comes from a legendary cannon, said to possess the power to obliterate an entire country. Of course, that's likely just an exaggeration—not to mention, even if such a cannon really existed, there'd be no way for you to lug something like that around for an assassination attempt on the Raiden Shogun.]
[Besides, before Nationbreaker was even completed, you'd already developed several similar long-range firearms. Unfortunately, they each had critical flaws: some lacked firepower, while others couldn't withstand the recoil and shattered upon firing.]
[Still, these so-called "failures" were more than enough as conventional weapons. With some basic training, anyone who wielded one could rival the Fatui's Pyro Agents. Against ordinary Tenryou Commission soldiers, they were overwhelmingly effective. You had already passed on the crafting method for basic firearms to Rinko, so with her help, the supply of weapons was no longer as tight as before.]
[However, before you even got a chance to test Nationbreaker in the field, the door to your workshop was suddenly slashed open. A Tenryou Commission officer, followed by a squad of soldiers, barged in.]
[That officer was someone you recognized—his name was Kiyomizu Kuchiki. He'd already been serving in the Tenryou Commission since your teenage years. Though he didn't possess a Vision, his swordsmanship was formidable, capable of going toe-to-toe with Vision bearers.]
[But he had one glaring flaw: a violent, combative streak. He'd only joined the Tenryou Commission to fight within the boundaries of the law. Even then, he frequently broke it. Over the years, his achievements and infractions more or less canceled each other out, leaving him stuck in a middling rank as a squad leader.]
[You were well aware of his strength—your own father, a famed swordmaster, once acknowledged it. Right now, however, there were no elite Arataki Gang members by your side. Your own swordsmanship was mediocre, and Rinko wasn't a fighter either.]
[Kiyomizu Kuchiki stepped forward with a blank expression and said coolly, "Thought I was just chasing down a petty thief, turns out I've stumbled on the motherlode. I remember you. For your father's sake… I'll at least leave a complete corpse."]
[Just then, Kujou Shouki appeared and stepped in front of you, sneering, "Didn't expect to see you here. But if you think taking down the Arataki Gang's precious number three is going to be easy, think again."]
[It was common knowledge: the Arataki Gang's leader was Arataki Itto, with Kuki Shinobu as his right-hand woman. Despite your youth, your seniority and the fact that you were the mastermind behind the "Raiden Severing Plan" made you the undisputed third-in-command.]
[Of course, because of your delicate features and slim figure, you'd also become something of a mascot for the gang. No one would've guessed that this seemingly harmless man had once launched a solo assassination attempt on the Raiden Shogun herself.]
["Tsk tsk… Looks like I get to execute a rebel and drag back a traitor all in one go." Kiyomizu Kuchiki didn't seem fazed—if anything, he looked thrilled. "I've always wanted to cross swords with you. Once I take you down, even Kujou Sara might not be a match for me."]
[At the mention of "Kujou Sara," both you and Kujou Shouki reacted—but for very different reasons. For you, the name stirred memories of an old flame. For Shouki, Sara was the lifelong rival who'd always overshadowed her. And from the way Kuchiki spoke, he clearly saw a gulf between Shouki and Sara in terms of strength.]
[That alone was enough to enrage Kujou Shouki. She charged forward and engaged Kuchiki in fierce combat, telling you and Rinko to retreat.]
[By rights, Kujou Shouki should've been evenly matched with Kuchiki—especially with her Vision amplifying her strength. But as the battle began, she was shocked to find she couldn't draw upon her Vision's power at all.]
["What's wrong? You Vision-dependent weaklings… Without that little trinket, you're helpless, aren't you?" Kuchiki sneered as if he'd been waiting for this moment. "To capture your kind, the Raiden Shogun infused special talismans with her own power. They can temporarily suppress all Vision abilities. Now… you're powerless, aren't you? Hahaha!"]
[Sure enough, stripped of her Vision, Kujou Shouki's combat strength dropped drastically. In terms of pure swordsmanship, she was no match for the seasoned Kuchiki, and she was quickly covered in wounds.]
["Don't be stubborn. If you surrender now and reveal the names of your fellow traitors, the old man might show mercy for the sake of the past," Kuchiki said nonchalantly. "It's just a Vision. Is it really worth giving up your life of luxury in the Kujou Clan?"]
["It is." Shouki gritted her teeth. "To them, I was just a tool. But in the Arataki Gang—I'm one of them." She shouted, "Now!"]
[The moment the words left her mouth, Shouki dropped to the ground. Kuchiki's instincts flared—something was wrong. But it was too late.]
[With a thunderous bang, he felt a searing pain shoot through his entire body—and then, nothing. His head rolled to the ground, and what he saw was his own obliterated corpse scattered in chunks across the floor.]
["Incredible…" he managed to whisper. Then, with a strangely satisfied smile, Kiyomizu Kuchiki closed his eyes for the last time.]
[Behind the mangled remains stood a man holding a long-barreled firearm—it was you. At the critical moment, you had fired Nationbreaker. The shot had not only reduced Kuchiki's body to pulp, but also blasted a gaping hole through the wall several dozen meters behind him.]
[The power of that shot exceeded even your own expectations. But the tremendous recoil had torn your palm open, and your shoulder was dislocated from the shock.]
[Yet you barely felt the pain. Years of work had finally borne fruit. With this weapon, even the Raiden Shogun would be hard-pressed to withstand a direct hit.]
[But just as joy surged through you, a new wave of footsteps echoed from outside…]
[A swarm of Tenryou Commission soldiers poured in, surrounding you and Rinku completely. It was clear that the Commission had gathered enough intelligence and was ready to strike a decisive blow against the Arataki Gang.]
[While Arataki Itto was the gang's nominal leader, intelligence claimed he was little more than brawn with no real strategic mind. The real threats were Kujou Sara's former subordinate Kuki Shinobu, who acted as the group's tactician and logistical brain, and a mysterious weaponsmith—namely, you—who had been providing the gang with increasingly dangerous weapons.]
[At this point, your arm was too injured to fire another shot from "Nationbreaker," and Kujou Shouki was too wounded from her battle with Kiyomizu Kuchiki to fight any longer, let alone cover your retreat. Surrounded by a tide of soldiers, there was no escape.]
["What the heck is this? Mobilizing a whole army just to catch a few nobodies? The great Arataki Itto's not about to let that happen!" A booming voice echoed from above, and in the next instant, a burly man wielding a massive spiked club descended from the sky, kicking up a cloud of dust as he landed.]
[It was, of course, Arataki Itto. His sudden appearance stunned all three of you. Despite his usual antics, he was still the real leader of the Arataki Gang. If he were captured here, the blow to morale would be devastating.]
["Big bro Itto—" you started, only to be cut off as he barked back, "There was a traitor in the gang. I took care of it. That's on me. As the boss, protecting my crew is my job. You all get going. Leave this to me!"]
[You knew full well that even though Arataki Itto was strong, taking on the Tenryou Commission's full military force alone was impossible. Worse still, his Vision had been confiscated ages ago—meaning he couldn't even use elemental power.]
["I get it. Compared to you and Shinobu, I'm just a big dumb oaf," Itto said, turning to flash that same carefree grin as always. "So if someone's gotta lose their head... might as well be me. I mean, come on! I'm Arataki Itto! I do everything full throttle—even dying!"]
[You knew he wasn't wrong, but years of brotherhood made it impossible to abandon him. Yet before you could say anything, he swung his club with a fierce gust of wind, hurling the three of you through the blast hole left by Nationbreaker.]
["Time to throw down!" he bellowed, slamming his spiked club into the ground and blocking the hole with his own body. "If one man guards the pass, ten thousand can't break through! I'm Arataki 'Number One' Itto!"]
[The sounds of fighting behind you slowly faded. Arataki Itto, with no Vision and no elemental power, used only his own strength to hold off the Tenryou Commission. He may have seemed like a fool most of the time, but right then, you knew: even if the Raiden Shogun herself came through that opening, she'd be hard-pressed to get past him.]
[After escaping a safe distance, you finally encountered backup—including Kuki Shinobu. When the others, boiling with rage, proposed charging back in to rescue Itto, she fell silent for a moment... and then coldly ordered a retreat.]
[Everyone knew the Commission's reinforcements would only keep coming. If they went back now, they wouldn't save him—they'd only be captured or killed themselves.]
["If the mountain endures, there'll always be firewood," Shinobu said, turning away, her voice like ice. "If we go now, we die. If we don't... there's still hope to finish what we started. Let him die with peace of mind."]
[Everyone was willing to lay down their life for their comrades—but someone had to stay cold enough to stop them. That someone was Kuki Shinobu.]
[Days later, news came from Tenshukaku: Arataki Itto had been captured. To make an example of him, he would be executed by lingchi—death by a thousand cuts.]
[The fact that he hadn't died in battle gave the Arataki Gang a sliver of hope. Some even suggested storming the execution site. But Shinobu shut that idea down immediately. It was obviously a trap. If they made a move, they'd walk straight into it.]
["It's not a clever plan," Shinobu said coldly, "but for hot-blooded idiots like you all, it's more than enough. On the day of the execution, no one makes a move. The weapon to defeat the Raiden Shogun is complete—we're one step away from victory. We cannot afford to fail."]
[You later confronted Shinobu privately. What she said made sense—but did it have to be this cruel?]
["You'll understand soon enough," she said. Her oni mask might have hidden her face, but not her eyes. Red-rimmed and brimming with grief, they made one thing clear: she wasn't heartless.]
[On the day of the execution, even though no one was supposed to interfere, every Arataki Gang member found their way to the execution ground.]
[Up on the platform stood Arataki Itto, bound in heavy chains. His body was covered in wounds—barely a patch of intact skin remained—but he still stood tall.]
[Lingchi was an unimaginably cruel punishment. The executioner had to cut flesh from the victim's body piece by piece, all while keeping them alive. It was grueling for both the one who suffered and the one who carried out the act. The method had been obsolete in Inazuma for decades. Only one elderly executioner still remembered how to perform it—and even he could only manage 500 cuts, a far cry from the traditional 3,357.]
["Five hundred cuts," the executioner said gravely. "If you can't hold it in, it's okay to scream."]
["Heh, just five hundred?" Itto smirked. "Scream? Please. I'm a real man!"]
[The execution began. All around you, fists clenched in silent fury. Every slash carved through Itto's flesh... and through the hearts of every Arataki Gang member watching.]
[The punishment was so brutal that even the onlookers below the execution platform were visibly horrified. Although the authorities had repeatedly claimed that the Arataki Gang was a ruthless terrorist group, the citizens knew the truth. Over the years, the gang had been openly opposing the Vision Hunt Decree and the oppressive rule of the Shogunate.]
[More than that, before the Arataki Gang's transformation, Arataki Itto had long been a well-known figure around Hanamizaka. Everyone knew him—a kind, simple-minded giant, incapable of committing any truly unforgivable crimes.]
[Cries began to ring out from the crowd, but Arataki Itto showed no fear. Instead, he threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Why are you crying?! This is the final performance of yours truly, Arataki 'Number One' Itto! Watch closely, everyone! They want to see me cry? Then I'll laugh even louder! Ha! Ha! Ha!"]
[And so, with every piece of flesh the executioner cut from his body, Arataki Itto responded with booming laughter. Even as his body became a blood-soaked mess, he never stopped laughing.]
[It broke everyone's hearts. You all knew how much this big guy feared pain—he'd scream bloody murder if a Onikabuto accidentally pinched him. But now, here he was, laughing maniacally as if mocking the Raiden Shogun's cruel punishment.]
[Even the seasoned executioner couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. He'd seen all kinds in his career—men weeping, men pissing themselves—but never one who laughed with such madness.]
[Arataki Itto's body had been carved so deeply that bone and organs were exposed, yet he still laughed on. Eventually, whether it was from fear or pity, the executioner's hand slipped, and the blade accidentally cut an extra half-inch. Blood gushed from Itto's chest.]
["Buddy… your cutting skills… kinda suck," Arataki Itto wheezed, blood frothing from his mouth as his twisted face curled into a grin. "Raiden Shogun… this time… I win…"]
[He was right. The Raiden Shogun had already "lost." The goal of this execution was to make an example, to instill fear. But in the end, Arataki Itto became a hero, while the Shogunate became the laughingstock.]
[At that moment, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, slicing through Arataki Itto's chest in an instant and ending his life.]
[The one who had unleashed that final blow hovered high above, garments fluttering in the wind—none other than the Raiden Shogun. Her gaze swept coldly over the silent crowd below as she declared, "The one-hundredth Vision has been collected. One month from now, the Statue of One Thousand Arms and One Hundred Eyes will be completed. The path to Eternity lies just ahead."]
[You stared at the Raiden Shogun floating above, your eyes bloodshot and burning with rage. If before your desire to assassinate her had been rooted in rebellion against the Vision Hunt Decree and tyranny, now your heart burned with pure hatred.]
[Killing her wasn't enough anymore. You wanted her to suffer a thousand times more pain than what Arataki Itto had endured.]
[The "Statue of One Thousand Arms and One Hundred Eyes Completion Festival" set for one month later was your final chance to enact Operation Raikiri. And you were ready.]
[During the festival, the Raiden Shogun would personally ascend the altar to embed the final Vision into the statue. That moment, when she lowered her guard, would be your only opening. If everything went as planned, you would take her life with a single blast from the "Nationbreaker."]
[Only you could deliver the final blow. The Nationbreaker, for all its power, was notoriously difficult to control. Only you—its creator and the one most familiar with its ammunition—could unleash its full potential.]
[But before the assassination, there was one more critical matter to settle: choosing a new leader for the Arataki Gang.]
[While everyone in the gang saw each other as family, every group needed a leader—if not in command, then at least in spirit.]
[As expected, the gang chose to hold a vote to elect their new leader. You thought Kuki Shinobu would win by a landslide—after all, even before Itto's death, she was essentially running things. But to your surprise, you won by a wide margin.]
[In hindsight, it made sense. When it came to the decision of whether or not to rescue Arataki Itto, Kuki Shinobu had made the right call. But her hardline stance left a bitter taste in some members' mouths. That's likely why they cast their votes for you instead.]
[Only then did you finally understand what Shinobu had meant when she said, "You'll understand soon enough." From the very beginning, she had swallowed her grief over losing a friend and forced herself into a cold, ruthless role—so that you could rise to leadership. Her foresight shook you to the core.]
[But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. A month later, the "Statue of One Thousand Arms and One Hundred Eyes Completion Festival" began. No one knew that beneath the heavily guarded surface, gaping flaws had already formed in the defenses.]
[Two captains responsible for security suddenly doubled over in pain from severe stomachaches. What they didn't know was that their favorite teahouse, Komore Teahouse, had long been infiltrated by a certain "Tang Jingbai" of the Arataki Gang. Thanks to her exquisite tea-making skills, she had spent years quietly gathering intel and recruiting allies.]
[Just yesterday, she had "spiced" the tea of these regular customers, ensuring they'd be stuck in the restroom at a critical time. As expected, the moment they left their posts, Arataki Gang members Sawaki Byakuya and Kujou Shouki—long in position—knocked them unconscious and took their uniforms.]
[For Kujou Shouki, who had spent over a decade working for the Tenryou Commission, infiltrating it again was child's play. And Kuki Shinobu had already arranged for a master of disguise to make both of them look exactly like the real captains.]
[They weren't the stars of the show today, so no one paid them much attention. All eyes were fixed on the high platform where the Raiden Shogun stood. In her hand, she held the final Vision—the last piece needed to complete the Statue of One Thousand Arms and One Hundred Eyes.]
Lucas had no idea that while he was still immersed in the simulator, the door to his room had suddenly creaked open, pushed by a breeze from who knows where.
A curvaceous, pink-haired woman in her sleepwear peeked in through the door. Two fox ears twitched from atop her head as she quietly slipped into the room. Her steps were so light they made no sound at all, her bare feet leaving delicate plum blossom-shaped imprints across the polished wooden floor.
Of course, it was Yae Miko.
Technically, this should have been prime time for sleeping. Yet here she was, sneaking into a guest's room.
The reason? Simple. Not long ago, Lady Saiguu had used the Dreamwalking Rite to enter Lucas's dreams and, well… shared a rather steamy encounter with him. And that vague, teasing expression of hers during the whole thing? Yae Miko had seen every bit of it.
At first, she hadn't thought much of it. But after lying down, trying to sleep, she just couldn't settle. She kept tossing and turning, her mind replaying her past entanglements with that man, and the way he had made her feel.
The little fox was downright itching with frustration!
So, as if possessed by some mischievous spirit, she tiptoed her way over to Lucas's room.
After all, dreamwalking wasn't exactly a high-difficulty spell. If Lady Saiguu could do it, she certainly wasn't going to be outdone.
Granted, without incense or a tailored ritual, she couldn't control the dream content, and even she didn't know exactly what dream she'd step into. But that also saved her the trouble of a complex setup.
Most importantly, Yae Miko was confident—no matter what kind of dream Lucas was having, she'd find a way to lure—ahem—to attract his attention.
Looking at Lucas's sleeping face, Yae Miko felt an odd mix of joy and melancholy stir in her heart. She gently caressed his cheek and murmured, "If I let you indulge in a dream again, maybe… just maybe… you won't be able to keep hiding your true identity once you wake up, hmm?"
With that, she lowered her head and placed a light kiss on his forehead. Then, without hesitation, she lay down beside him and wrapped her snowy arm around his shoulder. Soon, she too drifted off into sleep.
When she opened her eyes again, Yae Miko was stunned to find herself standing in the middle of Inazuma City.
What surprised her wasn't just the setting, but what it meant. Dreams reflect the heart, after all. Lucas was from Liyue—shouldn't his dreams have taken place there? And yet, here he was, dreaming of Inazuma.
That only piqued Yae Miko's curiosity further. What kind of dream could he possibly be having?
Wait… what was that?
In the distance stood a towering statue—the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God. But it looked different from its real-world counterpart. She saw Raiden Shogun herself, holding a Vision in both hands, slowly walking up to the statue, clearly about to embed it.
Ordinarily, something like embedding a Vision into a statue wouldn't require the Shogun's personal attention—unless this particular Vision held special meaning.
For most people, suddenly finding themselves in another's dream would be disorienting.
But Yae Miko was no ordinary person. It didn't take her long to get her bearings.
Between the not-yet-completed statue, the packed crowd below the platform, and the heavily guarded perimeter, the situation became immediately clear.
Still, Yae Miko wasn't interested in the political implications. What she cared about now was one thing:
Where was that man she came looking for?
[Entering Immersive Mode]
[Objective: Defeat Raiden Shogun]
Still deep in the simulation, Lucas had no clue that an uninvited guest had just crashed his "dream."
He was way too nervous to notice anything.
In the simulator, he only possessed the strength of his simulated self. Honestly, even his real-world self probably wouldn't stand a chance against the Shogun. And the simulator version of him? Way weaker physically.
His only real hope of winning was the "Nationbreaker" he carried with him.
Right now, he was perched atop a tall nearby building, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Nationbreaker" was his proudest creation since "Raikiri." Not only was it incredibly powerful, but it also came with a variety of functions.
By tweaking the barrel and ammo types, it could adapt to different scenarios.
For long-range targets, it could switch to a sniper mode—sacrificing power for pinpoint accuracy.
For mid-range skirmishes, there was the rapid-fire mode—ideal for suppressive fire.
And then there was the most devastating one—burst mode. Maximum power, but only effective at very close range.
Given his current distance from the Shogun, sniper mode could technically reach her.
But there were two issues: one, there was no guarantee the shot would land; and two, sniper mode lacked the sheer firepower to take her down. Which meant he had no choice but to try and get closer, whatever it took.
By now, Raiden Shogun had already stepped onto the platform. She was just a few paces from the statue.
Then, suddenly, a disturbance broke out in the crowd.
"RAIDEN SHOGUN!" a voice bellowed. A one-armed swordsman burst through the masses, waving a katana. "I'm taking your head today!"
It was, of course, Yokaze. His face was flushed red, and a gourd-shaped flask dangled from his waist. He looked every bit the drunken ronin.
Interrupting such a solemn moment was, naturally, unacceptable. Two captains barked orders immediately: "You there! Get that drunkard under control!"
One of the guards hesitated and whispered, "But sir, we're assigned to guard the platform. If we leave our post, and someone takes advantage of it—"
SMACK! The captain slapped him across the face and snapped, "You think we're not enough?! Besides, Her Excellency is powerful beyond measure—who could possibly harm her? If that drunk ruins the ceremony, you'll all be executed!"
The guards didn't dare question him further. They swarmed toward Yokaze, thinking subduing a crippled drunkard would be easy.
But to their surprise, the ronin's swordsmanship was fierce. Even with one arm, he held his own. Within moments, the disturbance turned into full-blown chaos.
The sudden commotion seemed to catch the Raiden Shogun's attention. She turned her head and looked to Kujou Sara. "What's going on?"
Kujou Sara lowered her head immediately and replied, "It appears someone is causing trouble. There's no need for concern, Your Excellency. The guards will take care of it."
"Hmph. If they were capable of handling it, would there still be such a ruckus?" Raiden Shogun said coolly. "Today marks the completion of the Statue of a Thousand Arms and Hundred Eyes, and also the day I step closer to the path of eternity. No mishaps are allowed. Take your men and put an end to the disturbance. If you can't quell the chaos… then eliminate the source."
Kujou Sara frowned slightly. "But what if someone uses this chance to strike at Your Excellency—"
"Foolish," the Raiden Shogun said flatly. "If there really were someone capable of opposing me, do you think any of you could stop them? In all of Inazuma, who could stand against me? What, the Arataki Gang and their ragtag band?"
"Understood…" Kujou Sara replied respectfully, then turned to the guards behind her. "We move. Make it quick."
None dared to delay. They all descended from the platform at once, heading toward the site of the disturbance.
To be fair, with just Yokaze's strength alone, it would have been difficult to convincingly stall over a dozen Tenryou Commission guards. But the surrounding crowd had already been seeded with Arataki Gang members, ready to stir things up at the right moment. With just a bit of effort, they easily turned the scuffle into full-blown chaos.
As for the Raiden Shogun? She hadn't taken any of this seriously. Perhaps to her, it was nothing more than a coincidental hiccup. Or maybe she saw through the trick but dismissed it outright—too arrogant to care.
After all, when one wields absolute power, strategy and subterfuge feel meaningless.
Just as the Shogun began the ritual to embed the Vision into the statue, Kujou Shouki gave the signal. Arrows with grappling hooks flew from all directions, embedding themselves into the Statue of a Thousand Arms and Hundred Eyes.
Moments later, a dozen black-clad figures slid down the ropes and landed squarely on the ceremonial platform.
This was Kuki Shinobu's plan. Had the hooks been fired anywhere else, the Shogun could have easily sliced them down. But by anchoring them to the statue itself, she would be hesitant to strike—unwilling to damage it in the process.
These dozen fighters were elite members of the Arataki Gang, all fully prepared to die for this assassination attempt. Including Lucas himself.
That's right—he was among them, waiting for a moment to fire the fatal shot while the others kept the Shogun occupied.
"Tch…"
Faced with a dozen assailants, the Raiden Shogun showed no sign of panic. Her face remained expressionless as she said, "Interesting. I pursue eternity, yet there are always those eager to rush toward death."
"The one dying here today may not be us," Lucas said coldly. "Raiden Shogun, it's time you paid for your tyranny."
Without hesitation, the assassins drew their weapons and launched their assault.
They had drilled for this moment countless times. Every movement was rehearsed to perfection. No matter how the Shogun responded, they had a counter prepared.
"Something's wrong!"
Meanwhile, down below where the chaos had spread, Kujou Sara caught sight of the disturbance atop the platform and her heart skipped a beat. "Assassins! Protect Her Excellency, now!"
Compared to the riot, Raiden Shogun's safety was far more important to Sara.
But just as she turned to rush back, two figures blocked her path. Recognizing them as Tenryou Commission captains, she snapped, "What are you waiting for?! Protect the Shogun—"
Before she could finish, both men drew their blades and lunged from either side.
They were Kujou Shouki and Sawaki Shirono, who had been in disguise. As they attacked, they shouted, "Brothers, now's the time—down with the tyrant!"
"Down with the tyrant! Today is the day!"
With that rallying cry, Arataki Gang members hidden in the crowd sprang into action, clashing with Tenryou Commission soldiers. Even some ordinary citizens, stirred by the moment, joined in the resistance.
Kujou Sara was slightly stronger than Shouki alone, but with Sawaki Shirono joining the fray, she found herself quickly outmatched.
Though she trusted Raiden Shogun's strength deeply, an inexplicable unease gnawed at her—some inner fear for her Excellency's safety.
"I don't understand why you resist me," said the Shogun, fighting twelve attackers at once without breaking a sweat. "I merely took back what never belonged to you."
She continued, voice steady, "Frankly, your Visions were wasted in your hands. Being enshrined within the Statue of a Thousand Arms and Hundred Eyes is a far greater honor."
"You took my wife's Vision!" one of the warriors shouted, his voice cracking with rage. "She withered away in despair because of you!"
Brandishing his twin axes, he charged, yelling, "Give her back!"
"No!"
Lucas had just raised his weapon—Nationbreaker—when he saw the berserker rush forward. He tried to call out and stop him, but it was already too late. The man's reckless charge shattered their formation.
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly and, in a flash, cleaved his head clean off.
"Mortal flesh, daring to strike down a god?" she murmured as she flicked the blood from her blade. "Very well… Let your blood christen the statue's new robe."
"Damn it!" These warriors were Lucas's comrades—brothers from the Arataki Gang. Now they were lying cold and lifeless at her feet. He tried to aim Nationbreaker, but her movements were like a ghost—impossible to target.
It was no use. In this simulated body, his reaction speed and agility were far too limited. If it had been his real body, he might have landed a clean shot, maybe even splattered her head like a watermelon.
That single death tore a gaping hole in the team's coordination. Against such overwhelming power, they were like lambs to the slaughter—one after another falling before the Shogun.
And then, the survivors shared a glance.
Without a word, they all surged forward together, throwing themselves at the Shogun to restrain her by force.
According to the original plan, the death squad would engage Raiden Shogun in battle, and once she exposed a weakness, Lucas would seize the opportunity to shoot her down.
But that was only the ideal scenario.
To prepare for the unexpected, Kuki Shinobu had, of course, devised alternative contingencies.
Like this one.
"What are you standing around for?!"
One of the death squad members roared with all his strength, "Fire the cannon!"
Strictly speaking, the "Nationbreaker" in Lucas's hands was technically a firearm. But anyone who had witnessed its true power knew full well—it hit harder than a real cannon.
Which meant that pulling the trigger now would also blow up all of their comrades who were holding Raiden Shogun down.
"How foolish," Raiden Shogun furrowed her brow slightly, her voice calm and cold. "Do you really think something like that could harm me?"
"In that case…"
Lucas clenched his teeth hard enough to draw blood, forcing back the tears that welled in his eyes. He raised Nationbreaker, took aim at Raiden Shogun, and said, "Let's find out."
Bang!
With a thunderous crack loud enough to tear the sky apart, a grotesque spray of blood and flesh painted the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed Statue in a sickly shade of red.
Clink…
A Vision dropped to the ground and rolled to a stop at Lucas's feet—it was the last piece Raiden Shogun had intended to embed into the statue.
Raiden Shogun herself, now with only one remaining eye, silently stared at the man before her.
Those who had restrained her were mere mortals—flesh and blood—and had already been reduced to pulp in the blast. As for her own body, only about a quarter remained. Her once flawless face had been reduced to a single eye.
The rest of her form, no longer human flesh, was now exposed: intricately engineered mechanical components.
The sheer power of Nationbreaker, bolstered by the [Godslayer] trait, had actually blown Raiden Shogun to pieces in a single shot.
"To think… you managed to destroy this puppet," Raiden Shogun's remaining lips twitched slightly. Despite being just a partial head, her voice still emerged clearly through the vocal unit. "Commendable. But ultimately, meaningless."
"You've got to be kidding," Lucas sneered. "Look at yourself now. What more can you possibly do?"
"This puppet is nothing more than a vessel," she replied, more parts clattering to the ground as her systems failed. Even her speech was beginning to crackle with static. "So long as the vessel is replaced… I can revive without any loss… commencing transfer—"
"No, you don't!"
Lucas's heart clenched with dread. He immediately raised Nationbreaker again and aimed to destroy what remained of her.
Bzzt… bzzt… It's pointless, Raiden Shogun's body began twitching erratically. My body may perish, but the will of the divine… lives on… bzzt…
A wave of despair surged through Lucas's chest.
If Raiden Shogun's consciousness could really transfer to another vessel, then that meant… there would never be a way to truly destroy her.
"Ah ah, can't have that."
Just then, a slender hand suddenly pressed down on Raiden Shogun's ruined head. With a sharp crack, she casually popped it off.
To Lucas's utter shock, the person who had acted—was Yae Miko.
Was this what they meant by "misfortunes never come alone"? One Raiden Shogun was already bad enough, and now Yae Miko had shown up too?
"Just as I thought…" Yae Miko inspected the eye on the decapitated head and murmured, "You're not Ei. Looks like Ei's consciousness has already been imprisoned by you. Tsk tsk, you really managed to hijack her—pretty impressive."
"Yae… bzzt… Miko?" Even Raiden Shogun's mechanical voice carried a hint of anxiety now. Bzzt… don't… ruin… my plans…
"No can do. Naughty kids like you—need to be punished," Yae Miko said with a sultry smile. "Soul Seal Technique!"
She pressed her long index and middle fingers against Raiden Shogun's forehead. A faint wisp of smoke rose—and then, a glowing character for "seal" (封) appeared on her brow.
"What… what is this?" Raiden Shogun's voice faltered, disbelief dripping from every syllable. "I… I can't transfer… my consciousness…"
"This is a failsafe I built in back when I helped design these puppets," Yae Miko said, grinning with undisguised glee. "It traps your consciousness permanently in whatever 'vessel' it's attached to. I thought I'd never get the chance to use it… but turns out, this dream—hehe, I mean, this situation—worked out perfectly for me."
"Um…"
Lucas, completely lost, looked around blankly. "Are… are you really Lady Guuji Yae?"
"Mmm… yes, I am." Yae Miko's eyes sparkled as she nodded with a smile. "And who might you be?"
At this moment, both of them were playing their own game of pretend.
Lucas assumed Yae Miko was just an NPC created by the simulator, and so she was feigning ignorance.
Meanwhile, Yae Miko believed this was all a dream conjured by Lucas—so she decided to play along with his "fantasy."
Thankfully, the Yae Miko in this simulation didn't seem to be allied with Raiden Shogun.
Thinking along these lines, Lucas cautiously replied, "I'm the leader of the Arataki Gang… and also the mastermind behind the assassination of Raiden Shogun."
How interesting.
This was just too interesting!
Yae Miko was absolutely fascinated. Lucas's "dream" was way too wild—not only had Raiden Shogun imprisoned Ei's consciousness, but even the Arataki Gang had become a rebel force resisting her tyranny.
Just how vivid did someone's imagination have to be to come up with something this absurd?
She decided then and there—she'd go along with this game. She'd pretend to be the character in his dream.
After all, it was just a dream. No matter how chaotic it got, there were no consequences.
"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful…" Yae Miko covered her mouth and laughed softly. "A true hero in the making."
Lucas was completely baffled.
A "hero"? Him?
He was the one who'd just assassinated Raiden Shogun!
"Wait… did you mishear me?" Lucas asked in disbelief. "I just killed Raiden Shogun."
"The one you saw wasn't the real Raiden Shogun," Yae Miko said, making things up on the fly without batting an eye. "She imprisoned the real Raiden Shogun's will and tried to take her place. But now, her fake consciousness has been sealed inside this puppet's core. She won't be causing any more trouble."
"O-Oh… I see…"
Only then did Lucas finally understand why Raiden Shogun had seemed so unhinged in the simulator.
In the real world, Ei had secluded herself within the Plane of Euthymia, leaving her duties to her puppet, the Raiden Shogun—who carried out her role faithfully, never overstepping her bounds.
But in this simulated world, the Raiden Shogun had grown so obsessed with eternity that she sealed Ei's consciousness away, intending to replace her entirely and fulfill her vision of an unchanging realm.
This was why she had allowed the Vision Hunt Decree to bring suffering upon Inazuma's people. In the face of eternity, everything—even herself—was expendable.
Though the Raiden Shogun was supremely confident in her power, she had still prepared numerous backup puppets. If this body were irreparably damaged, she could simply transfer her consciousness to another vessel.
In that sense, she was nearly unkillable.
But how could she have anticipated that Yae Miko—a visitor from another world—would possess a spell specifically designed to counter her?
When the Raiden Shogun was publicly reduced to dust before the eyes of Inazuma's citizens, the entire nation fell into stunned silence. Rebels of the Arataki Gang, Shogunate loyalists, and the panicked civilians alike froze in disbelief.
A god had just been slain.
Of course, they didn't know that the "Raiden Shogun" killed was merely a puppet, not the true Electro Archon. But the "truth" before their eyes left them no choice but to believe it.
The Shogun's death shattered the morale of the Tenryou Commission's forces. Even Kujou Sara, their stalwart general, lost the will to fight.
"I have failed… I must atone with my death!"
She drew the tanto at her waist and aimed it at her abdomen, preparing to commit seppuku—but before the blade could descend, Kujou Shouki struck it away with his own sword.
"What… are you doing?" Sara murmured, her voice hollow. "Why won't you let me die?"
"You've lost. You're now a prisoner of the Arataki Gang," Shouki said with a triumphant smirk. "Your punishment will be decided by our leader. At long last… I've beaten you."
"She surrendered on her own…" Sawaki Shirano muttered under his breath.
"Looking for a beating?" Shouki cracked her knuckles, grinning. "If you've got a problem, how about we settle it right now?"
Sawaki Shirano immediately stuck out his tongue in surrender, drawing laughter from the surrounding Arataki members.
After years of struggle… they had finally won.
This was their victory.
---
Tenshukaku
After leaving the cleanup to Kuki Shinobu, Lucas finally found a chance to speak with Yae Miko. He had far too many questions.
"So… all of this happened because of a flaw in the Raiden Shogun's programming?" Lucas summarized. "Where is she now?"
"Right here." Yae Miko pinched a glowing puppet core between her fingers, grinning. "Her consciousness is sealed inside this core. One little squeeze, and she'll vanish forever."
Lucas was familiar with puppet cores—he'd handled them before while repairing Scaramouche. Sure enough, within the translucent core, a wisp of consciousness thrashed like a trapped spirit, refusing to accept defeat.
"It's just…" Lucas sighed. "This ending feels too merciful for her."
The memory of Arataki Itto's brutal execution made his jaw tighten. But with the Raiden Shogun reduced to a mere soul, the cruelest punishment he could imagine was trapping her in eternal imprisonment.
"Oh? Want to punish her properly?" Yae Miko swayed the core teasingly. "There is a way, you know."
"What way?" Lucas blinked.
"Find a new vessel and shove her inside," Yae said, covering her mouth with a sleeve. "For example, put her into some random person's body, torment her to your heart's content, and if you accidentally kill the host… just switch to another vessel and start over."
Her tone was light, but the implications were horrifying—true "no escape, no release" suffering.
"I see… But where would we put her? A puppet wouldn't feel pain, and using a human body would harm an innocent person," Lucas mused. "Unless we find someone truly evil, it'd be unjust."
"My, my," Yae giggled. "I didn't take you for such a softhearted man."
"Don't tease me, Guuji Yae," Lucas said tiredly. "No matter how tyrannical the Shogun was, I'm still a regicide. History will remember me as a villain."
"Relax. History is written by the victors," Yae said with a sly smile. "But back to the topic—I do have the perfect vessel in mind."
"Who?" Lucas tilted his head.
Yae Miko placed a hand on her chest.
"Me."
Lucas stared. "What?! No way!"
"Hear me out," Yae said, her fox ears flicking. "The Raiden Shogun's consciousness is hardened against physical suffering—but psychological humiliation? That breaks her. She may be a puppet, but she sees herself as a god. Tell me, what could be more degrading for a deity than being slain by mortals?"
Lucas shook his head blankly.
Yae rose onto her tiptoes, cupped her hands, and whispered into his ear in a voice like silk:
"Treat her like livestock… and ruin her."
Lucas's face flushed, but the logic was sound. More importantly, this method wouldn't physically harm the "vessel."
Still, he hesitated. "But using your body… That's too much."
Although this "punishment method" didn't actually harm Yae Miko…
It still meant using her body.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not one of those women with some weird kink," Yae Miko gave Lucas a gentle push, her cheeks puffed slightly as if mildly annoyed. "It's just that, in all of Inazuma, only my bloodline can suppress Raiden Shogun's consciousness. If you were to put her into someone else, they'd either instantly lose their mind or be completely taken over."
Seeing how "insistent" Yae Miko was, Lucas didn't argue any further. After all, this was just a simulator. Besides, if even Yae Miko herself didn't mind, then dragging things out would just make him look narrow-minded.
"Alright then… let's go with that," Lucas scratched his cheek to cover up his internal thoughts. "But what about your own consciousness? What happens to it?"
"No need to worry about that," Yae Miko blinked at him. "While you're 'punishing' the Raiden Shogun, my consciousness will enter a temporary sleep state. It'll automatically awaken after twelve hours. Until then, whatever you do to her... doesn't matter."
For some reason, hearing her say that made Lucas feel a strange surge of excitement.
Yae Miko's body… inhabited by the Raiden Shogun's consciousness.
Weird. Really weird.
As for Yae Miko herself, she still thought this was all just a dream. And in a dream, well—why not make things as fun and ridiculous as possible?
"Alright, we'll begin shortly." Yae Miko placed the core containing Raiden Shogun's consciousness between her palms, pressing them together and rotating them in a ritual-like motion. "When I open my eyes again, I'll be her."
She closed her eyes. Instantly, her pink hair began to rise as if stirred by windless energy, spiritual power swirling around her. When she opened her eyes again, the seductive softness had disappeared—replaced by a razor-sharp gleam.
The eyes were still purple, but Lucas knew: the woman standing before him was no longer Yae Miko. It was… the Raiden Shogun.
She still seemed in disbelief at what had just happened. She looked at her hands, then sneered coldly. "That foolish fox actually thought her bloodline could suppress my consciousness? Hmph… she'll soon learn what it means to truly regret something."
Then she looked up, locking eyes with Lucas. Her gaze crackled with fury, as if lightning was about to burst forth. She gritted her teeth. "And you, you lowly wretch—I'll have you locked in the deepest dungeons, tortured day and night until you beg for death!"
She raised a fist and threw a punch at Lucas's chest—yet he didn't dodge at all.
Not because the punch was too fast.
But because it was… too soft.
That's right. The blow landed gently on his chest. Rather than an attack, it felt more like a teasing pat from a young girl throwing a playful tantrum.
Yae Miko and Raiden Shogun had personalities that were polar opposites. Seeing that normally mischievous and ever-smiling face now contorted into a deadly serious expression—it created a bizarre, almost indescribable… urge?
"H-How can this be?" Raiden Shogun was stunned that her "full-strength" punch didn't even faze him. She furiously threw a few more punches. "Impossible! How is this dumb fox's body so weak?!"
Though Yae Miko looked like a delicate girl, she was a kitsune with over 500 years of cultivation and pure bloodline. Even if her martial skill didn't match the Raiden Shogun, her physical body should still be far stronger than an ordinary human. These punches should've at least caused some internal damage, if not serious injury.
But Lucas didn't even flinch. He wasn't bleeding. He didn't even frown.
Meanwhile, in the subconscious depths of that body, the real Yae Miko was grinning.
That whole thing she'd told Lucas—about her consciousness going to sleep? Totally made up. In reality, not only was she fully awake, but she could also take back control of her body from the Shogun at any time.
In simpler terms, if Yae Miko's body were a machine, she and the Shogun were both operators. But Miko was the main user, and only when she was in "standby mode" could the Shogun take the controls.
Even better—every sensation this body experienced was shared by both of them.
And just to make things easier for Lucas, and to avoid unnecessary conflict, Yae Miko had even gone out of her way to suppress her physical strength. Right now, she was weaker than a normal human woman. Against Lucas—whose body was solid and iron-hardened from years of forging weapons—it was like trying to shake a tree with a feather.
"Damn it!"
Realizing she'd been tricked, Raiden Shogun bolted toward the door and shouted, "Guards! To me! Kujou Sara! Kill this traitor!"
Lucas didn't move to stop her. He simply let her throw the doors open. But the moment she saw what lay beyond them, her face froze in disbelief.
The Tenshukaku—the palace she'd ruled from for years—was now completely overrun by Arataki Gang members. Her subordinates were nowhere to be seen. Even the elite bodyguards of the Shogunate, the Okuzumeshuu, had all been captured. They knelt in defeat, covered in grime and dust—nothing like the proud warriors they once were.
"H-How could this be…? My Tenshukaku… my path to eternity…" Raiden Shogun trembled, unable to accept the truth.
Lucas stepped up beside her and said calmly, "Inazuma… is no longer your domain."
He reached out and gently pushed the door closed. The light from outside narrowed into a sliver, then vanished completely.
"You foolish mortals," Raiden Shogun murmured, her voice hollow. "Without the protection of a god, you'll all destroy yourselves."
"First," Lucas said, pinching her cheek like a pair of iron tongs, a cold smile on his face, "humanity can survive just fine without gods."
"Silence!"
The Raiden Shogun's voice trembled with fury. "How dare you—"
Lucas's fingers traced downward as he spoke deliberately, "If you truly were a god, why can't you resist at all right now?"
The Shogun struggled, but every feeble movement of this borrowed body only stoked Lucas's resolve.
"You… what do you intend?" The Raiden Shogun's voice wavered as realization dawned.
"Punishment, of course." Lucas pulled a rectangular stone tablet from his robes and set it on the ground—Arataki Itto's memorial plaque.
With a firm press, he forced the Shogun to her knees before the plaque.
"This might seem disrespectful," Lucas said coldly, "but I'm sure Itto would be laughing his ass off in the afterlife."
"A god may be slain, but never humiliated!" Even on her knees, the Shogun refused to bow her head. "No torture will make me yield."
"I know pain means nothing to you." Lucas unfastened his collar, revealing a lean but powerfully built frame. "So I'll punish you another way."
"W-What?" A flicker of unease crossed the Shogun's eyes.
"It's… happening!" Yae Miko's gaze gleamed with anticipation.
Lucas leaned close, his breath brushing the Shogun's ear as he whispered:
"I'll defile a god."
"NO—!"
The Shogun's eyes widened in horror, but against Lucas's overwhelming strength, resistance was futile.
The irony was palpable—Yae Miko's body, housing the Raiden Shogun's soul. The very premise was intoxicating.
"Itto, watch closely!"
Lucas slammed the Shogun forward, her forehead pressed against the memorial plaque. His voice was steel.
"This is your vengeance."
What followed was a relentless storm of humiliation.
For the Raiden Shogun—who had once gazed down upon mortals from her divine throne—this was the ultimate degradation.
"This… this is SACRILEGE!" Her voice shook. "A mere… mere mortal…!"
Yae had been right. Nothing could break the Shogun faster than this.
"True, I am just a mortal," Lucas sneered. "But right now, Your Excellency, you're beneath even that. You look like… a bitch in heat."
"Silence!" The Shogun bit her lip. "I command you to STOP!"
"As you wish."
Lucas released her abruptly. Momentum sent the Shogun sprawling face-first across the floor.
Yae's body, though drained of power, remained resilient. The Hakushin bloodline ensured she wouldn't easily bruise—but the Shogun's spirit was another matter.
Now limp, she couldn't even lift her head.
Lucas stepped forward, planting his foot on her skull with cold dominance.
"How does it feel?" He smirked. "This move's called 'Raven Takes Flight.'"
He assumed Yae's consciousness was dormant. He didn't know his sole was also crushing the head of the very fox who'd orchestrated this game.
The same Yae Miko who'd spent centuries toying with others now lay beneath a mortal's boot—and to her surprise, the sensation wasn't entirely unpleasant.
Tears streamed down the Shogun's face. Though Lucas knew the truth, seeing Yae's features twisted in shame made his throat dry.
"Kill… me…" The Shogun's voice was hollow. "Grant me… mercy…"
Her despair ran twofold:
First, the unthinkable—a god, brought low by human hands.
Second, the horrifying realization that this degradation didn't feel like punishment at all.
If she accepted it… would she truly be any better than a groveling dog?
"I believe in fair retribution." Lucas sighed. "You had Itto sliced 500 times. Let's call this… 500 rounds."
"YES!" Yae's spirit cheered internally.
The Shogun paled. "Th-That's not how this works—!"
"And that's not all." Lucas counted on his fingers. "Twelve fallen warriors, plus our brothers. Ten for each stolen Vision, ten for each life lost, five for every injury… Total? 3,720 rounds."
Yae's eyes sparkled with glee.
The Shogun's soul withered.
"I… refuse to submit like this!" With a final burst of defiance, she lunged for a nearby pillar—"If you won't kill me, I'LL DO IT MYSELF!"
THUD.
She collapsed… then blinked.
Not a scratch. Not even a red mark.
Between her weakened state and Yae's durable form, suicide was off the table.
"Troublesome to the end." Lucas crouched beside her, unbothered. He unrolled a cloth bundle, revealing an array of curious implements.
"In Liyue, we have a saying." He lifted a peculiar rod, blew dust off its tip, and smiled darkly.
"'A wise man knows when to yield.'"
....
This little "journey" with Yae Miko didn't stop until the car ran completely out of gas.
Same twenty rounds—Raiden Shogun took an entire day and night to get through them, while Yae Miko wrapped it up in less than half the time.
That alone left Lucas scratching his head. This simulator really was full of odd little tweaks this time around.
It was one thing for Ei's consciousness to be locked away by the Raiden Shogun.
But now Yae Miko had somehow turned into a full-on drift king behind the wheel.
Of course, Lucas had no idea that the skills Yae Miko was using now were all ones she'd honed on him five hundred years ago. In a way, this was the literal definition of "reaping what you sow"—only he was both the one who sowed and the one now reaping.
Lucas didn't have a cooldown period, but that didn't mean Yae Miko didn't. After bottling up five hundred years' worth of frustration, she finally had the chance to let loose—and she wasn't holding back in the slightest.
What surprised her even more was how real everything felt. This was supposed to be a dream, yet it was indistinguishable from reality. Normally, her dreamwalking techniques weren't this potent.
Dreamwalking wasn't exactly a rare or difficult art to learn. The outcome, however, varied widely depending on the practitioner's strength. A weaker user would find themselves wandering through murky chaos; the stronger they were, the more vivid and realistic the dream.
It was said that some of Liyue's more accomplished Adepti could even train inside their dreams using similar techniques.
And this dream… felt exactly like real life to Yae Miko. Had her cultivation improved so drastically without her even realizing it?
In truth, her dreamwalking shouldn't have allowed her to enter Lucas's simulation world at all. After all, the so-called simulator was essentially a real parallel universe. Two of the same person couldn't coexist in one world.
The only reason she got in was because the system had intentionally "loosened the rules," temporarily lifting the barrier. Not only did it allow her to enter the dream, it let her consciousness directly possess this universe's version of herself.
As for why the system did that, well… that was another story. Even the system hadn't expected Yae Miko to become the wildcard of this simulation. Based on its original projections, Lucas had less than a 1% chance of defeating the Raiden Shogun this round.
After all, she could infinitely "revive" through her puppet body. The simulation estimated it would take over thirty million attempts for success.
But then Yae Miko just casually broke the Raiden Shogun's cheat code.
"We'll stop here for today," Yae Miko said, getting dressed with a lingering, unsatisfied look on her face. She traced a finger along her lips and smiled. "I'll be holding on to Raiden Shogun's consciousness for now. If you want to 'punish' her some more, you know where to find me."
"I… got it…" Lucas was about to respond when there came a knock on the door.
Followed by Kuki Shinobu's voice: "Are you two finished talking?"
The moment he heard her voice, Lucas instantly tensed up. Thank the Archons they had just finished—any later, and he might've completely panicked.
If the Arataki Gang were a school, Kuki Shinobu would definitely be the terrifying, no-nonsense head disciplinarian. Even Lucas, the so-called "principal," didn't dare push his luck when she was around.
If she found out that he and Yae Miko had spent nearly two whole days in this room doing everything except discussing business… well, his fate would be sealed.
"No one?" Kuki Shinobu's voice came again, calm and composed. "Then I'll come back later."
Lucas breathed a sigh of relief.
And then Yae Miko, still kneeling nearby with that ever-charming smile, said sweetly, "Oh, someone's here. Please come in."
As she spoke, she gently blew a puff of air toward the door—and the previously locked door clicked open by itself.
Lucas stared, speechless.
Whether it was the simulator or real life, Yae Miko really was a pure agent of chaos—always out to stir the pot.
Then again, it made sense. As the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, her status wasn't much lower than the Raiden Shogun's. Even though the Arataki Gang had just toppled the Shogun, the situation remained precarious. One wrong move could mean total disaster. With her keen instincts, Kuki Shinobu would never dare offend Yae Miko at a time like this.
"Guuji-sama," Kuki Shinobu greeted respectfully as expected. "I have some matters to discuss with the boss. Would you be so kind as to…"
"No need to stand on ceremony," Yae Miko said with a smile. "We're not strangers here. Go ahead, say whatever you need to. Who knows—maybe I can help."
Kuki Shinobu's brow twitched slightly, but she couldn't say anything without seeming rude. So she nodded and continued, "The Tenshukaku has been fully swept. As for the Three Commissions, the Tenryou Commission resisted arrest and refused to surrender. Their clan head, Kujou Takayuki… has committed seppuku, with his son acting as second."
"Tch. Stubborn old man," Yae Miko muttered with a shake of her head, clearly unimpressed. "Then again, with how pigheaded he was, this ending was inevitable."
"The other two Commissions," Kuki Shinobu went on, "the Kanjo Commission has already pledged allegiance. As for the Yashiro Commission…"
She paused slightly before continuing, "Their clan head, Kamisato Ayato, wishes to negotiate with you directly."
Before Lucas could say a word, Yae Miko jumped in again.
"The Kanjo Commission's just a bunch of embezzlers with no military strength. No need to worry about them," she said. "As for Kamisato Ayato… that kid's been critical of the Shogun for a while now, and he's got plenty of ideas of his own. Working with him might not be a bad move."
Kuki Shinobu could barely contain her frustration.
I'm reporting to the leader of the Arataki Gang here—why does it feel like I'm reporting to you instead? Do you even realize how out of place you are in this conversation?
"…A talk would be wise," Lucas said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Before we find a new Shogun, maybe we can have the Kamisato Clan act as interim rulers."
At that, Kuki Shinobu let out a quiet sigh.
Yae Miko, on the other hand, couldn't hold back and covered her mouth as she let out a clear, amused laugh.
"What's so funny?" Lucas asked, confused. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Of course it's funny," Yae Miko chuckled. "Since the dawn of history, seizing power has always been a bloody, desperate scramble between countless contenders. But you? You've already cooked the whole deer and laid it out on the table—yet you're still thinking of letting someone else eat it?"
"Wait… you mean…" Lucas's eyes widened in realization. "You want me to be the Shogun?"
Kuki Shinobu rubbed her temples, looking a little exasperated. "Why else do you think I went through so much trouble just to make you the head of the Arataki Gang?"
Across the continent of Teyvat, the seven nations each have their own unique systems. Mondstadt's Archon has long since faded into the background. In Liyue, the Archon handed the reins of governance to the Qixing, acting more like a hands-off investor.
But Inazuma is different. It needs a powerful presence to balance the influence of the three great clans.
Now that the Arataki Gang had successfully overthrown Raiden Shogun's reign of tyranny, the only group qualified to fill that power vacuum was naturally the one at the top—meaning its current leader.
At first, Lucas had assumed Shinobu's plan was simply to put him in charge of the gang. But now he realized she'd been playing a much longer game—already planning for the moment after Raiden Shogun's downfall, intending for him to rise as the next Shogun in her place.
"Me?" Lucas frowned. "Can't someone else do it? Raiden Shogun's already dead, revenge has been taken, and whether or not I become Shogun... isn't really that important anymore, is it?"
It wasn't about humility. The whole idea of being in power might sound great on paper, but once you actually experienced it... the thrill faded fast.
Lucas had ruled the entirety of Teyvat before in the simulator. All it brought him was exhaustion and emptiness.
Honestly, punishing Raiden Shogun had been far more satisfying.
"You're not seriously thinking that all those people threw themselves into battle just for revenge, are you?" Yae Miko leaned in and poked his cheek, grinning. "If you become Shogun, they'll be honored as founding heroes. If you walk away now, they'll have no choice but to go back to farming. If you were in their shoes, would you be okay with that?"
"The Lady Guuji is absolutely right," Kuki Shinobu said as she pulled a silk-covered box from behind her and handed it to Lucas. "This is your new attire, prepared by everyone. Go ahead and change. I've already arranged your first public appearance—a short speech tomorrow morning."
Lucas opened the box and found an exquisite robe of deep violet, embroidered with the Arataki Gang's crest.
In Inazuma, the Electro Archon reigns supreme, and purple is the color of power. The message behind the robe was crystal clear.
In ancient times, Zhao Kuangyin donned yellow robes and became emperor. Now, Lucas would ascend in violet—rising to the status of a god.
"It's really a beautiful outfit. I'm sure it'll look stunning on you," Yae Miko said, her eyes glowing faintly with violet light. "Wouldn't you agree... my dear Shogun?"
With even Yae Miko acknowledging Lucas's legitimacy, his path to becoming the new Shogun was all but guaranteed.
"Sigh... fine, I get it." Lucas took out the robe. "I'll change into it now."
"I'll wait outside," said Kuki Shinobu, preparing to leave. But when she turned back, Yae Miko was still kneeling serenely in place, making no move to exit. She frowned. "Lady Guuji, aren't you going to give him some privacy?"
"Sorry, my legs are a little numb. I don't think I can stand just yet." Yae Miko shook her head. "It's fine, I won't look."
The great Yae Miko, immobilized by numb legs? Yeah, no one was buying that.
Kuki Shinobu narrowed her eyes and walked over, extending a hand. "In that case, allow me to help you out."
"Better not." Despite Kuki's considerable strength, Yae Miko didn't budge an inch, as immovable as a mountain. Smiling, she added, "If I stand up now... things might get a little awkward."
She cast a meaningful glance at Lucas. It took him a second to realize—after their extended "negotiations" earlier, if Yae Miko stood now, there might still be traces of those battles left behind.
The situation was eerily reminiscent of his own earlier awkward moment with Kuki Shinobu.
Except, unlike the shy and reserved Kuki, Yae Miko was shamelessly unbothered—her attitude practically shouted, "Yes, I've slept with your boss. I'm just being considerate by not rubbing it in your face. But if you found out? So what?"
Kuki Shinobu was sharp enough to sense that something was off between the two of them.
And how could she not? Who holds a "meeting" that lasts over thirty hours? Not to mention, her keen senses had already picked up signs of combat throughout the room.
With a deep scowl, she shot Lucas a fierce glare before finally letting go of Yae Miko's hand. "My apologies. I'll take my leave."
"Wait a moment," Yae Miko suddenly said. "Miss Kuki Shinobu, there's something I've been meaning to say... though I'm not sure if it's my place."
If it had been anyone else, Kuki would've shut them down with a flat "then don't say it." But this was Yae Miko. Gritting her teeth, she forced a polite smile. "Please, go ahead."
"When you're just among the Arataki Gang, your style is fine." Yae Miko gave her a once-over. "But if you're going to be serving the Shogun, perhaps it's time to reconsider your image. That mask of yours is quite... intimidating. Why not take it off?"
Lucas knew perfectly well—Yae Miko didn't care one bit about appearances. She was just messing around. She probably just wanted to see what Kuki looked like under the mask.
Trying to smooth things over, Lucas interjected, "-Shinobu's a little shy, that's all. No need to force her—"
"No, Lady Guuji makes a good point." To his surprise, Kuki actually reached up and removed the mask, revealing her face. Her tone was calm. "The mask was only ever there to hide my weaknesses. I don't need it anymore."
"I knew it..." Yae Miko narrowed her eyes and grinned. "You're a real beauty. Keeping that face hidden all this time—what a waste."
Of course, she had her own reasons. In the real world, she'd seen Kuki's face back when she served as a shrine maiden. But she was curious to see if Kuki looked the same in Lucas's dream world.
Then again, it was a dream. So why not have a little fun?
"Hurry up and get dressed," Kuki said, shooting Lucas a side-eye. "We've got a trip to the prison after this. We need to decide... what to do with Kujou Sara."
At the mention of Kujou Sara, Lucas's whole body tensed.
Indeed, after everything that had happened, things between Lucas and Kujou Sara had long grown impossibly complicated.
Not to mention—he had personally killed the very Raiden Shogun she'd sworn to protect with her life.
Tenshukaku. The prison beneath it.
This place had once been reserved for the most dangerous of criminals. Countless wrongdoers had been hunted down and thrown into its depths by Kujou Sara's own hand.
And yet, ironically, it was now Kujou Sara herself who was imprisoned here.
Once a high-ranking official under the Shogun, her fate was sealed the moment the Raiden Shogun was slain. Whatever future awaited her, it would be bleak at best.
As expected, this "new guest" immediately drew the attention of the other inmates, and the cellblock soon buzzed with mocking voices.
"Hahaha! Isn't that the Kujou Clan's loyal mutt? Look where that got you!"
"Serves you right! Feels damn good! You threw me in here back then—seventy years! Well, now it's your turn!"
"Look at that! The mighty tiger's fallen, and the dogs are all barking!"
"Hey! Who the hell are you calling a dog?!"
These prisoners were a particularly vile bunch, and now that they saw someone like Kujou Sara caged with them, they didn't hold back in the slightest. They hurled insults, crude jokes, and filthy threats at her.
But Kujou Sara simply sat there in silence, expressionless, as if she heard none of it.
"You're dead meat, Kujou Sara!"
A leering inmate grinned, baring yellowed teeth. "You pissed off so many Arataki Gang members over the years. Now that they've taken over, you're done for. If they hand you over to us… heh… we'll show you what real punishment looks like…"
He made a revolting gesture, as if the iron bars didn't even exist between him and her.
The others howled with laughter. Most of them were in for fifty years or more—some might never see freedom again. If they could get even a moment's revenge on Kujou Sara, they'd consider it a lifetime achievement.
The sleazy prisoner, encouraged by the rowdy atmosphere, doubled down: "We'll take turns, one by one—let's see how long you can last—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, a deafening gunshot rang out. A gaping, bloody hole had appeared in his stomach, and blood sprayed out in spurts.
Footsteps echoed through the corridor as Lucas stepped from the shadows, expression cold, Nationbreaker in hand.
"What was he in for?" he asked flatly.
"Koinu Tsubaki. Tortured and murdered seven women—two of them were children," Kuki Shinobu said, flipping through the file. "He's got 156 years left on his sentence."
Unlike Liyue, Inazuma rarely used the death penalty. Instead, criminals were sentenced cumulatively, with the harshest sentence being life imprisonment.
"That seems a bit too lenient," Lucas said, shaking his head as he turned to the injured man. "Don't you think so?"
Koinu Tsubaki had never met Lucas before, but seeing how even Kuki Shinobu treated him with such deference, he instantly realized who he was. Clutching his gut, he fell to his knees, groaning in pain.
"Y-Yes! You're right! Please… have mercy, General!"
The other prisoners, sensing a shift in the wind, quickly joined in.
"Spare us, please!"
"Your enemy is our enemy! We fought against the Raiden Shogun too—we're on your side!"
"I'd lay down my life for you, General! I swear it!"
"We all would!"
Lucas's lips curled into a faint smile.
Koinu, thinking he had struck a chord, eagerly added, "Why not declare a general amnesty right now—"
Bang!
Another gunshot. This time, the bullet blasted straight through Koinu Tsubaki's head, spraying blood and brains across the prison floor. In an instant, the entire cellblock fell silent.
"Amnesty, my ass…" Lucas sneered. "Every one of you has killed at least three people. If I let you out, Inazuma would be thrown into chaos. Honestly, it'd be cleaner to just kill you all and save food."
His sudden brutality wasn't without cause—he was furious over the way they had just insulted Kujou Sara. Otherwise, he wouldn't have resorted to killing.
"You… you can't do this!" one inmate shouted. "It's inhumane! If word gets out that you're massacring prisoners, your name will be reviled across all of Inazuma—no, across all of Teyvat!"
"You make a fair point," Lucas said with a nod. Then he turned to Kuki. "Shinobu, when you searched Tenshukaku earlier, what did you find regarding the status of these prisoners?"
Kuki Shinobu immediately understood his meaning. "Raiden Shogun had already issued execution orders for all of them."
"Ah, what a shame," Lucas said, shifting Nationbreaker into assault mode. As the gun whirred to life, he opened fire on the remaining inmates, mowing them down with a frightening calm. "Such a pitiful end. Make sure their bodies are cremated properly."
In seconds, the dungeon became a blood-soaked purgatory. Screams echoed off the stone walls, each one cutting like a blade through the air.
Nationbreaker had felled even the Raiden Shogun—these criminals didn't stand a chance.
Yes, they all deserved death, but the sheer ruthlessness of the execution was still hard to watch. Even Kuki Shinobu found herself unable to look directly at the carnage.
A small part of her couldn't help but wonder—was this cold-blooded man really the same adorable little brother she once knew?
Or had he already become this person long ago—only hiding his true nature behind a gentle smile when she was around?
Within minutes, the prison floor was littered with corpses, the muzzle of Nationbreaker glowing faintly red from the heat.
Only Kujou Sara remained in place, as still as ever, her gaze unwavering.
"I won't question your decision," Kuki Shinobu said quietly. "But that was… a bit extreme. Some historian might record this someday. It might end up in a future textbook."
"It won't," Lucas said, shrugging. "Trust me—give it three generations, and no one will remember. This is Inazuma, after all."
The people here had been raised to revere their sovereigns without question. If the monarch spoke, it was truth.
In the end, even Lucas—usurper, regicide—might go down in history not as a villain, but as the hero who freed Inazuma from tyranny.
"Shinobu, head out for now. The blood in here is too thick."
He turned his gaze toward the woman sitting at the far end of the cellblock, and slowly walked toward her.
"Never thought it'd come to this, Sara," he said softly. "Of all the ways we could've met again… it had to be like this."
Kujou Sara finally lifted her head. The man in front of her overlapped with the image of the boy in her memories—but deep down, she knew. He wasn't that person anymore.
She tried to move, but the belts had her tightly bound to the chair. They were made from tanned hilichurl ox-hide—tough and unyielding. Even with the brute strength of a tengu, she couldn't break free.
"Sara… you know, only the Shogun ever used to call me that," she murmured flatly, her tone emotionless. "But what am I supposed to call you now? Yama-san? Boss of the Arataki Gang? Or... just Lucas?"
"I'll always be the one you knew," Lucas said, gently taking one of her hands and letting it brush against his cheek. He smiled. "It's all over now."
"Yeah. Including my life," Sara replied, a flash of hatred finally surfacing in her gaze. "Maybe… I should've killed you back then. Then Her Excellency… she wouldn't have…"
"No. Even if you knew how it would end, you still would've let me go," Lucas shook his head. "The bond between us... doesn't it matter more than the Shogun?"
"You'll never understand," Sara growled. "This was my mission. To protect the god of Inazuma, no matter what. In the end, it was me who got her killed. I had so many chances to end you. But now… now I'll never get another one."
"Well then, I'll give you one."
Lucas pressed a button on the chair. Instantly, the belts restraining Kujou Sara snapped open.
She blinked in surprise—then sprang to her feet and tackled Lucas to the floor.
"You idiot…"
Meanwhile, in the surveillance room, Kuki Shinobu stared at the screen, a helpless look on her face. "Good thing I injected Kujou Sara with a suppressor beforehand. Otherwise, you'd already be in pieces."
Of course, as a meticulous strategist, Kuki Shinobu had more than one contingency plan prepared when dealing with a tengu.
But neither Lucas nor Kujou Sara had any idea about that.
Now, Sara was straddling him, hands gripping his throat. If this had been her at full strength, she could have twisted his neck off like it was nothing.
"You really dared to set me free?" Sara seethed. "You killed the one I swore to serve—I'll kill you here and now!"
And yet, Lucas didn't look afraid at all. In fact, he was smiling.
Sara growled, "What are you smiling at?!"
"Doesn't this scene feel a little familiar?" he asked, dropping the grin. "Same prison. Same… position."
That jogged her memory.
After his first failed assassination attempt on the Raiden Shogun, Lucas had been imprisoned. It was Sara who used her authority to secretly release him. And during that time, the two of them had... completed a wedding night that was never meant to be.
This time, though, the roles were reversed.
Now it was Sara behind bars. And Lucas was the one in control.
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" she asked again.
"You had so many chances already," he replied with a laugh. "Even if time rewound and you knew I'd one day kill the Raiden Shogun, you'd still make the same choice. Am I wrong?"
Her hands trembled. She wanted to apply pressure—but in the end, her grip loosened.
"You're right," she said softly. "Loyalty and love can't coexist. That's my fate. I can only… atone with death."
"You've done nothing wrong," Lucas said, shaking his head. "So what's there to atone for?"
"I failed to protect Her Excellency. Isn't that a grave enough sin?" Sara sighed.
"But the one you tried to protect wasn't even the real Electro Archon," Lucas sneered. "She was a fraud."
Then, Lucas briefly explained the truth behind the Raiden Shogun's secret.
But the information was so overwhelming that Sara couldn't process it at first. She muttered, "That… that can't be true…"
"You've known something was off for a long time," Lucas pressed. "Back when I first tried to kill her, you noticed her severed arm wasn't made of flesh—it was a sophisticated mechanism. And more importantly… if she truly were a god, could a mere human have killed her?"
"You… you're right…" Sara murmured. Her beliefs crumbled. A bitter smile twisted her lips. "My vows, my convictions… they were nothing but a joke."
"No," Lucas said, gripping her hand, "you can still hold on to them. Serve me now. We can start over. Together."
"Start over, huh…"
A new seed of belief sprouted in the broken soil of her heart. She seemed lost. "But… where should we start?"
"Well, maybe somewhere small," Lucas said.
He was still pinned beneath her. And now, his smile turned a little more teasing.
"Serving the Raiden Shogun and serving me… are two very different things."
"W-We're doing this here?" Sara blushed, glancing around at the shattered corpses. "Isn't that a little weird?"
It wasn't that she feared corpses—she'd seen her share of blood. But doing that next to a literal mountain of bodies? It was… well, weird.
"Isn't it perfect?" Lucas replied, lifting the hem of her robe and diving in. "Death and rebirth always walk hand in hand. Now… let me give you new life."
It was a grotesque scene. Dismembered limbs and gore were scattered everywhere.
And in the middle of that carnage—two perfect bodies were celebrating the miracle of rebirth.
"…Ah, geez."
In the surveillance room, the sole witness to this entire event, Kuki Shinobu, stared at the monitor with the expression of a stunned commuter on the subway. She'd passed every exam, studied countless theories, and seen all kinds of bizarre stuff…
But nothing—nothing—was weirder than what she was seeing now.
"So weird… gotta look again."
[Immersive Mode Ended]
[Entering Text Mode]
[Mission Complete: Defeat the Raiden Shogun]
[Reward Acquired: Nationbreaker]
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Author's Note: Have a nice day again my lovely readers! (If you're still here, comment)
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