"You…" With just a single sentence, Keqing was rendered speechless, utterly unsure of how to respond.
"…" Seeing the conversation about to turn toward him, Akio quickly laughed and interjected, "Sweethearts, let's not talk about these boring topics anymore. The night is young, and Inazuma is full of unique charms. How about we explore the Inazuma night market?"
"Though none of you are short on Mora, tonight, all expenses are on me!" Akio said with a grin.
"Yay!" Hearing about shopping, Ningguang and Keqing's eyes lit up. Both women were quite wealthy and loved spending money!
And with their husband footing the bill, it felt completely different from spending their own money. For the two of them, this was pure joy—practically over the moon!
"Let's go, let's go!" Ningguang and Keqing flanked Akio, linking arms with him on either side. Ganyu, a bit shy, followed closely behind.
Though the Divine Coronation Ceremony in Inazuma had long since drawn to a close, the night market was still bustling with people.
Inazuma had been isolated for so long due to the Sakoku Decree. Whether they were foreigners or locals, everyone craved longer opportunities to mingle and connect.
"It's the Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven!"
"May the Great Divine Sovereign be at peace…"
…
As soon as Akio arrived at the night market, many recognized the deity and hurried to greet him. A god was worthy of their faith and reverence.
"No need to be so formal. Today, I'm just like any of you," Akio said with a warm smile, nodding to the crowd. "I'm simply here accompanying my wives for a stroll."
Ningguang and Keqing, as emissaries from Liyue, were also well-known figures.
When the crowd heard that these two women were also wives of the Great Divine Sovereign, they couldn't help but marvel. Even these prominent figures from Liyue had joined Akio's household?
The travelers from Liyue were utterly stunned. The Tianquan and Yuheng of their homeland had become the wives of an Inazuman god?
This was perhaps the most absurd thing they'd ever heard.
"Looks like it won't be long before the news of you being my wives spreads across all of Teyvat," Akio said with a light chuckle. "You might face quite a few challenges ahead."
"Doesn't matter. It's the truth, isn't it?" Keqing replied, holding Akio's hand.
"Exactly. I'd like to see if anyone dares to pressure us over this," Ningguang added with a nod.
She had many competitors in the political arena, and plenty of people had long wanted to bring her down. But she wasn't afraid in the slightest. Before her, their so-called schemes and plots were laughably fragile.
When it came to strategy, Ningguang feared nothing. Even if Rex Lapis himself descended to question her, she wouldn't flinch.
"With me by your side, you have nothing to fear," Akio said with a smile.
Long ago, Akio had bestowed the powers of the Herrscher. Their strength now rivaled that of gods, and with protective Bracelets to ensure their safety, no one in Teyvat could harm them.
Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu looked at Akio with tender eyes. With him supporting them from behind, truly, there was nothing to fear.
"Come on, sweethearts, let's try some of Inazuma's specialty snacks over there," Akio said, guiding the three women toward a nearby stall.
"Great Sovereign!" Seeing Akio approach with his wives, the vendor Tomoki felt a mix of awe and nervousness.
Truth be told, a long time ago, he might have overstepped with Akio in some minor way.
"Oh, it's you," Akio said, recognizing him. Tomoki, the vendor who sold Dango Milk.
"You've set up a stall here as well?" Akio asked with a smile.
"Yes, Lord Akio!" Tomoki nodded eagerly. "Thanks to your divine presence, my sales here have increased quite a bit."
"Ultimately, selling depends on the quality of your goods," Akio said, shaking his head. "Your Dango Milk is quite a fine treat."
"Give us four cups of Dango Milk, four servings of Takoyaki, and four sets of Tricolor Dango."
"Right away, Great Sovereign! Please wait just a moment," Tomoki said promptly.
Since it was for Akio, Tomoki worked at lightning speed, quickly preparing the snacks for the group of four.
"Oh, and make five more servings of Dango Milk and Tricolor Dango. Deliver three of them to the Tenshukaku for the Shogun, and the other two to the Tenryou Commission for Kujou Sara and Murata Himeko," Akio added.
He hadn't forgotten the other five women currently in Inazuma City.
"Of course, Great Sovereign," Tomoki replied without hesitation.
"Keep up the good work. The Shogun quite enjoys your Dango Milk," Akio said to Tomoki. "If the Shogun agrees, you might be able to secure a long-term contract to deliver Dango Milk to the Tenshukaku."
"Thank you for this opportunity, Great Sovereign," Tomoki said, nearly overcome with excitement. If he secured business with the Tenshukaku, his little stall could instantly become one of Inazuma's top snack vendors.
A delicacy favored by a god—everyone would want to try it.
"Do your best," Akio said, placing the corresponding amount of Mora on Tomoki's stall before leading the three women away.
"Praise be to the Great Divine Sovereign of Heaven!" Tomoki whispered a prayer for Akio's blessings.
"Sweethearts, give this a try. It's a dessert even Ei loves," Akio said with a smile.
"Ei likes it too?" Ningguang asked curiously, immediately taking a bite. A delicacy favored by a god piqued her interest.
"How is it?" Akio asked.
"It's an amazing texture," Ningguang mused. The soft, chewy dango paired with the rich milky flavor—she loved it.
As the wealthiest person in Liyue, Ningguang had tasted cuisines from across Teyvat. A single meal for her could cost millions of Mora, which made her quite picky. She disliked many dishes due to her discerning palate.
Yet, tasting such an ordinary street snack with Akio felt uniquely sweet to her heart.
Ningguang offered the straw to Akio, and he took a sip.
"Is it sweet?" she asked, gazing at him expectantly.
"Sweet. Even sweeter than mine," Akio replied with a grin. "Perhaps this is the taste of the Tianquan Star?"
"Hmph! Then try the taste of the Yuheng Star too!" Keqing huffed, offering her own Dango Milk to Akio.
"Hahaha! Alright, alright!"
…
Outside the Tenshukaku, gazing at the grand palace towering at the heart of Inazuma City, Sangonomiya Kokomi felt overwhelming nerves.
"What's wrong, Kokomi, dear?" Hiiragi Chisato asked, noticing that Kokomi had stopped walking.
"Chisato… I'm a little nervous," Kokomi admitted, her voice trembling.
"Don't be scared," Chisato said with a reassuring smile, linking arms with her. "You're the leader of Watatsumi Island! The Divine Priestess! And you're our sister. There's nothing to fear."
"I…" Kokomi's face contorted with worry. This was different…
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 60+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol