Seeing Kokomi's dazed expression, Gorou couldn't help but worry.
In his memories, everything Kokomi did brought warmth and confidence, just looking at her made one feel reassured.
He had never seen her look so lost, so sorrowful.
For a moment, Gorou didn't know how to comfort her.
Beidou gently patted Kokomi's shoulder.
"The reason why Watatsumi Island can still worship Orobashi today,"
"is because the Raiden Shogun knows Orobashi's secret."
"She knew that death was his only destination, otherwise, none of you could have escaped your fate."
"Perhaps once, Orobashi struggled to survive, but after meeting all of you, he became a true god."
"That's also why the Raiden Shogun has always silently allowed your worship of him."
"He died for all of you."
Kokomi gave a faint, bitter smile. A single tear slid down her cheek.
"So… it was for such a ridiculous reason?"
"Because he saw what he shouldn't have, learned what he shouldn't know, Celestia decided to erase us?"
"Orobashi-sama had to die just to protect us?"
"What is she, really…? What gives her the right to treat Teyvat this way?"
"The Archon War, the ancient kingdoms beneath the snow and in the white nights, Khaenri'ah…"
"So all the world's blood and tears began because of her."
Seeing Ayaka's agitation, Beidou pressed her lips together.
Kokomi caught that subtle reaction and spoke gravely:
"Captain Beidou, please don't hide it. I know, there's more you haven't told us."
Beidou sighed softly.
"You know, don't you, the true cause behind the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree… also lies with Celestia?"
Kokomi fell silent.
Beidou's voice lowered, almost mournful:
"Morax once told me, the current Raiden Shogun is the younger twin sister of the first Electro Archon."
"Raiden Ei and Raiden Makoto, the Twin Goddesses of Thunder."
"The elder sister, Raiden Makoto, was gentle to her very core."
"Under her rule, Inazuma prospered, its people lived in peace and happiness."
"Even the Geo Archon said that no one was more suited to be the Electro Archon than Baal."
"Everything should have continued that way, Makoto governing within, Ei leading battles beyond.
Inazuma was meant to remain eternally stable."
"But five hundred years ago, Celestia summoned the Seven to Khaenri'ah, commanding them to destroy it."
"The First Electro Archon, Raiden Makoto, died there."
"She died so suddenly that she could only pass her divine authority to her sister, Raiden Ei."
"By the time Ei arrived at Khaenri'ah, all she could do was hold her sister's lifeless body amid the spreading flames of war."
"The fall of Khaenri'ah brought forth dark beasts that nearly consumed all of Inazuma."
"Back then, the Grand Narukami Shrine's priestess, Kitsune Saiguu, personally acted, sacrificing her life to seal the corrupted ley-line miasma."
"From then on, all of Ei's dearest friends were gone.
Only one remained, the current Guuji of the Shrine, Yae Miko."
"After that, Ei's heart died.
She tried to resist Celestia, she struck with the Musou no Hitotachi, cutting down all mortal things, yet even that could not wound the heavens."
"So, to protect the last relic of her sister, Inazuma, Ei chose the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree."
"She chose the flawed Eternity you see today."
"If we count every calamity you've endured," Beidou said quietly, "then by the words of the Geo Archon himself , yes, Raiden Ei bears some fault. But at its root… it all begins with Celestia."
Kokomi lowered her head, her expression unreadable.
But Gorou was already furious.
He slammed his hand against the table.
"Damn it! How can she be so lawless?! Is Teyvat just her plaything to toy with?!"
Beidou shook her head solemnly.
"If we must be honest… Teyvat truly is ruled by Celestia's word alone. She commands Sky Island. The Geo Archon once said that even the divine beings who ascend to Celestia, the Original Gods, become her puppets."
"The gods of Sky Island may still yearn toward the Seven Nations, but they no longer control themselves."
"And as for Celestia's ruler, her power is immense. She is the Second Throne, the true sovereign of all Teyvat."
"Everything you've seen, everything that happens in this world, one way or another, traces back to her."
"Even the Geo Archon once said that if Celestia wished him dead, it would take her little effort."
Gorou bowed his head in despair.
"I see… I think I finally understand the Shogun now."
"When hatred so deep cannot be repaid… to protect her sister's legacy from being destroyed, that truly was the only choice left to her."
"Celestia… So it was all Celestia's doing from the very beginning…"
Kokomi took a deep breath and looked at Beidou calmly.
But Beidou could see it, the burning hatred that was beginning to take form deep in Kokomi's eyes.
"The Second Throne, Celestia… she must have incited the First Throne to act."
"Our ancient records say, the lost Kingdom of the White Night was once not ruled by the Seven Archons of today."
"A grudge spanning thousands of years…"
Kokomi closed her eyes. After a long silence, she spoke softly but firmly:
"I understand now. We'll reorganize both the Resistance and the Shogunate's forces. I'll assist the Shogun in restoring order to Inazuma."
"Then, Inazuma will join the alliance wholeheartedly, to stand against Celestia!"
"Orobashi-sama died for us… now it's our turn to fight for him!"
"Even if it leads us to death, we'll tear a piece of flesh from Celestia itself!"
Beidou patted Kokomi's shoulder, saying nothing more.
Much of what she'd said tonight had come from Dashi's whispered reports,
including the fact that Makoto had truly been revived.
It was shocking… but not unbelievable.
After all, so many adepti and immortals had already returned from death,
so what was one more god, one more miracle?
And besides, who else but Makoto herself could have moved Ei's heart so swiftly?
That night, few in Inazuma found rest.
Kokomi knelt in silence before the statue of Orobashi, remaining motionless for a long time.
Meanwhile, Kujou Sara and Kamisato Ayato worked tirelessly to spread the news,
the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree had been abolished.
They began summoning personnel to investigate the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission.
Makoto herself was left to clean up the many lingering matters of this turbulent era,
while Ei silently stayed by her side, just as she had, long ago.
Inazuma was a sleepless land that night.
On Narukami Island, fireworks burst endlessly in the skies.
Yoimiya was overwhelmed with new orders, yet smiling brighter than ever.
Only in Liyue did a rare calm settle.
There, Zhongli guided Azhdaha, helping him grow familiar with the modern Liyue.
Ningguang sat with Yelan, quietly discussing the potential recruitment of Rosalyne 's and Tartaglia's former Fatui subordinates.
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