Ayaka took a deep breath and asked in a solemn tone:
"Guuji Yae, I have a question."
The Guuji tilted her head toward Ayaka, amusement flickering in her eyes.
"You have many questions, and I have many answers. But I won't say them of my own accord. Whether you can ask them out properly—that's a skill in itself."
"How about it, little Ayaka, isn't that interesting?"
Ayaka ignored her teasing. After a moment of thought, she slowly spoke:
"When I was in Liyue, I heard Rex Lapis and the others mention the Shogun, calling her Beelzebul…"
"But in my memory, the Shogun's true Archon name should be Baal, the Raiden Shogun…"
"The Anemo Archon also said that of the current Seven, only he and Rex Lapis remain as the original sovereigns…"
The Guuji fell silent for a while, then gave a slight nod, her expression tinged with melancholy.
"That's right. The current Raiden Shogun is not Makoto—but her twin sister, Ei."
"They were twin gods, sisters, who fought side by side to win the Archon War."
"Makoto was gentle and kind, skilled in governing the people."
"Ei was strong-willed and aloof, unmatched in battle."
"After Makoto became the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, Ei became her shadow—a kagemusha—protecting her and Inazuma in secret."
"Back then, when Orobashi invaded from the east, it was Ei who cut him down with a single stroke."
"By all rights, with Makoto's unmatched gift for governance and Ei's unparalleled talent in combat, the two sisters complemented each other perfectly…"
"Under their joint rule, Inazuma flourished. And indeed, back then, that was the case."
"Rex Lapis commanded Liyue as the strongest, leading countless adepti and even other gods—but next in strength was Inazuma."
The moment the Guuji spoke of Makoto, her usual carefree demeanor shifted—her tone carried remembrance and sorrow…
Even though her expression barely changed, Lumine could see in her eyes a glimmer of longing and grief.
"Then… Lady Baal…"
Ayaka bit her lip and finally asked the question.
If it was truly Baal, the Archon Makoto, then judging from the family records and old tales of Inazuma…
She was a god of infinite gentleness, one who led Inazuma to greater strength and prosperity, ensuring her people lived happily.
But…
"She… has passed away."
"What…?"
Hearing the Guuji's words, Ayaka's heart jolted, her eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at her.
The Guuji lowered her head, her gaze and expression hidden, saying nothing.
Lumine seemed to realize something and softly murmured:
"It was… five hundred years ago… on the battlefield of Khaenri'ah…"
The Guuji gave a slight nod.
Ayaka clenched her fists tightly.
"Lady Baal… perished on the battlefield of Khaenri'ah…"
The Guuji drew in a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and spoke slowly:
"Makoto's death was the final straw that broke Ei."
"Across these thousands of years, Ei had already lost too many friends…"
"Kitsune Saiguu, Sasayuri, Toranosuke, Chiyo…"
"She witnessed far too many partings, far too much grief—too many friends who gave their lives for Inazuma because she did not arrive in time…"
"Finally… it was her sister, Makoto…"
The Guuji turned her head slightly, her gaze soft as it fell upon the Sacred Sakura.
Back then, she had been little more than a tiny fox, alternating between curling up in Kitsune Saiguu's arms and Makoto's embrace.
Those were the happiest days of her life.
Kitsune Saiguu would groom her fur every day, and Makoto would bring her fried tofu as a treat.
Ei never left Makoto's side, following her like a shadow.
The three humans and one fox would sit together in the shrine. At that time, there was no Sacred Sakura, but there were also no wars, no farewells.
Makoto would tease Kitsune Saiguu for spoiling the Guuji too much, saying she'd grow into a chubby fox-eared girl.
Kitsune Saiguu would retort that Makoto was turning Ei into a battle-obsessed warrior, leaving her no chance of marriage.
They chatted, they bickered—it was a lively, joyful scene.
But when the moon rose, the three and the little fox would lie on the carpet of fallen cherry blossoms.
Looking up at the moon, Makoto would whisper with gentle certainty:
She would make Inazuma stronger, her people happier, and grant her subjects dreams that would last a thousand generations.
Ei, usually silent, would say:
"No matter when, I will lay down my life to protect my sister, to protect the people of Inazuma."
The Guuji, still very small then, could only curl up in Kitsune Saiguu's arms—this mischievous shrine maiden would eventually use her as a living blanket.
The three humans and one fox would hold each other tightly and drift into a peaceful sleep.
And all of this happiness…
was buried five hundred years ago.
This was the source of Ei's deepest pain, and the Guuji's most despairing memory, one she never wished to speak of.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled faintly, wiping the corners of her eyes.
"What a troublesome evening wind it is…"
With that, she turned her head and looked solemnly at Ayaka and Lumine.
"Do you know… who was truly responsible for all of this?"
Ayaka froze for a moment, then said softly:
"Was it… Khaenri'ah?"
The Guuji shook her head.
"Khaenri'ah was at most just the spark. Even if you asked Ei, she would not say she hated Khaenri'ah."
"The true cause of all this…"
The Guuji did not finish the sentence, but Lumine already understood.
She raised her head to the sky. It was pitch-black, not a single star in sight.
"Celestia!"