"I lost. According to the rules of the Archon War, the victor reigns, and the defeated submits. I am willing to relinquish my position as the Raiden Shogun. Do as you will."
Ei spread her arms, closed her eyes, and tilted her head back slightly, as if ready to face death.
"Oh?" Yun Fan tilted his head, a playful smile spreading across his face. Truth be told, he had no interest in the position of the Raiden Shogun. His battle with Ei was merely for fun, to satisfy his whims.
As for killing this "country bumpkin" of a god, he had no such intention. However, he could still give her a little scare.
With this thought, Yun Fan raised Stonefire Dream, the blade reflecting a bone-chilling light.
"In that case, I'll grant your wish."
Yun Fan swung the blade, sending a crescent-shaped golden wave of energy toward Ei. Of course, he didn't aim for her vitals. By his calculations, this strike would at most cut off a few strands of her hair and nothing more.
However, at that moment, a pink figure suddenly appeared in the sky. She grabbed Ei's arm and pulled her aside.
Whoosh—
The golden wave missed its target and flew past Ei, striking a distant mountain and slicing off a corner of the natural wonder that had formed over countless years.
"That was close!" Yae Miko sighed in relief, patting her chest with her delicate hand, clearly shaken.
"Ei, why didn't you dodge? You almost died just now!" Yae Miko grabbed Ei's shoulders with both hands, her face filled with anger as she questioned her.
"I lost. According to the rules of the Archon War—"
"But the Archon War is over!" Yae Miko shouted, cutting Ei off. Why was her best friend so stubborn?
"I..." Ei opened her mouth slightly, but no words came out.
"Ei, take this. Hold onto it." Yae Miko glanced at Yun Fan, and seeing that he made no move, she quickly pulled a purple chess piece from her bosom and placed it in Ei's hand.
"Is this... my Gnosis?" Ei looked at the ornate piece in her hand, unsure as she asked Yae Miko. It wasn't that she had forgotten it, but the Gnosis was now glowing with an intense purple light, interspersed with golden specks.
"Yes, Ei. Close your eyes and feel the power within it." Yae Miko clasped Ei's hand, speaking earnestly.
"Alright." Ei didn't question her best friend's words. She immediately gripped the Gnosis tightly and focused her consciousness within it.
Seeing that the stubborn Ei had actually listened to her, Yae Miko breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to Yun Fan with a charming smile.
"Divine Sovereign, you truly don't know how to cherish beauty. How could you be so ruthless to such a beautiful girl like Ei?" Yae Miko said with a radiant smile, though inwardly she thought, I wonder how long it will take for Ei to absorb the faith energy. I must buy her some time.
"Hahaha, Yae Miko, has anyone ever told you that your smile... feels a bit fake?" Yun Fan gestured toward Yae Miko, his expression mischievous.
"Giggle, Divine Sovereign, you jest. Someone like me—"
"Enough, no need to keep diverting the topic," Yun Fan waved his hand, cutting Yae Miko off.
"You're just trying to buy time for Ei. Don't worry, I won't interfere until she completes her transformation."
"Why? What's your goal in doing this?" Yae Miko was momentarily stunned by Yun Fan's words, then furrowed her brows deeply.
"Goal?" Yun Fan raised a hand, lightly stroking his chin. "I don't really have a goal. I just do as I please. In other words, as long as I'm happy, that's enough."
"..." Yae Miko was left speechless by Yun Fan's words. After all this trouble, causing such a commotion, it was all just for his own amusement? What a mischievous personality...
Meanwhile, within Ei's consciousness...
"Is this the inside of the Gnosis?" Ei opened her eyes to find herself in a vast, white space, devoid of any life or objects.
Tap, tap, tap...
Ei walked alone through the white expanse, the sound of her heels clicking against the ground adding a touch of color to the monotony.
Tap, tap, tap...
Ei continued walking, and after what felt like an eternity, she suddenly saw a figure dressed as a fisherman.
"Who are you?" Ei, on guard, drew Musou Isshin and pointed it at the fisherman, who had his back to her.
"Huh?" The fisherman turned around, and upon seeing Ei, his face lit up with joy. "Your Excellency, it's really you!"
"Who are you?" Seeing that the fisherman recognized her, Ei lowered her guard slightly and sheathed Musou Isshin.
"Hahaha, my name is Gin. I'm just an ordinary fisherman. Meeting Your Excellency is the greatest honor of my life," the fisherman named Gin said with a hearty laugh. Then he turned and called out to the space behind him.
"Everyone, the Shogun is here!"
As if summoned by Gin's call, more and more fishermen emerged from the white void, appearing in Ei's field of vision.
"It's really the Shogun! Long live the Shogun!" a young fisherman shouted excitedly.
"Ah, to see the Shogun in my lifetime... I can die in peace," an elderly man said, his eyes filled with contentment as he looked at Ei.
"Wow, is this beautiful big sister the Shogun?" The voice belonged to a little girl, happily eating a lollipop. When Ei looked at her, the girl reached into her tattered pocket, trying to pull out another candy. However, her hand passed right through the pocket.
"Huh? I'm sorry, Your Excellency. Kagura's pocket is broken. I don't have any candy to give you," the little girl named Kagura said softly, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Thank you, Kagura. I'm not hungry," Ei's usually cold face softened as she crouched down and gently stroked the girl's hair.
"Your Excellency, you're such a kind and gentle big sister!" The girl felt the warmth on her head and smiled again.
"Thank you," Ei nodded with a smile, then turned her gaze to the crowd, her brows furrowing slightly.