After searching for quite some time without finding Elliot, Kitsune Saiguu finally resorted to her specialty.
She began asking shopkeepers and passersby for information.
But the more they heard answers like "Haven't seen him," "Don't know," and "Not here," the more impatient they became.
In the end, they split up and scoured all of Narukami Island, yet still found nothing.
"Could something have happened again on Yashiori Island or Watatsumi Island!?" Zebul suddenly realized.
At her words, Chiyo and Kitsune Saiguu's hearts tightened, their expressions instantly turning serious.
"I'll head to Watatsumi Island. You two go to Yashiori Island," Zebul ordered.
"Got it!" the two replied in unison.
They set out in the morning and regrouped at Tenshukaku only by afternoon.
But the results were the same—neither Yashiori Island nor Watatsumi Island had any sign of Elliot. None of the islanders had seen him either.
Not only that, Zebul even went to the small island where Elliot had once lived, but it too was empty.
She even searched several surrounding islands, yet there was still no trace of him.
"Where could that guy have gone..." Chiyo frowned, unease creeping into her heart.
After the last two incidents, every time Elliot disappeared, all of them would instinctively fear the worst.
"How could he just leave without saying anything!" Zebul was so anxious her scalp tingled, frustration rising in her voice.
"He left last night. Said he had some business to take care of."
At that moment, Baal slowly stepped out of her room to explain.
"Sister..."
"You saw him last night?" Zebul immediately asked.
"Yes. He left last night, said he'd be back in a couple of days. He told me to pass the message on to you so you wouldn't worry."
Baal's words eased their nerves a little—but only a little.
At least it proved he hadn't vanished in silence. But he still hadn't said where he was going or what he intended to do.
They were still deeply worried about Elliot.
"Sister, you should have told me. You know Sasayuri's personality—who knows what reckless thing she might do to hurt herself."
At this, Baal gave a faint smile.
That wasn't Sasayuri's personality. That was Elliot's...
That night when Elliot left, she had come to understand many things.
But there was still one thing she could not grasp.
Why did Elliot, an outsider, go so far to protect them?
By all rights, they should have been complete strangers.
Yet this stranger, whom she had never even met before, was willing to risk his life to shield them.
Baal could not understand it.
But she did know one thing.
With Elliot gone this time... there was little chance he would return.
The might of the Khaenri'ah War was so great that even Heavenly Principles leading the Seven Archons could not completely wipe it out.
Monsters still slipped free, threatening to engulf all of Teyvat.
The strength of those creatures was such that even Chiyo could hardly withstand them, and Kitsune Saiguu would likely perish.
In a war of that scale, Baal could scarcely imagine Elliot surviving—let alone coming back alive to stand before them again.
"He left too quickly."
"But you don't have to worry. He's not the kind to fall into the same trap twice."
"He's strong enough. As long as he's careful, there's not much that can harm him."
All Baal could do now was smooth things over, reassuring Zebul and the others so they wouldn't suspect too much.
Hearing her words, the group lowered their heads in thought, realizing she had a point.
With Elliot's current strength, even they couldn't fully fathom his power.
As long as he didn't cross paths with Heavenly Principles themselves, there were hardly any in this world who could fight him head-on.
His strength was more than reliable—so long as he was cautious enough not to get caught off guard, he should be fine.
"Hmm... you're right. After what happened on Watatsumi Island, that guy will definitely be extra careful about anything important."
Chiyo seemed to be the first to accept Baal's reassurance.
Kitsune Saiguu and Zebul thought it over as well, and they too felt a little more at ease.
Unfortunately, the peace didn't last.
On the fifth day after Elliot's departure, a deafening explosion resounded from afar.
The seas around Inazuma churned violently, towering waves surging in from the distance.
But to everyone's shock, those colossal waves crashed against something invisible above the ocean.
It was as though a transparent barrier had formed, covering the entirety of Inazuma.
The sight was so overwhelming that all who witnessed it were left speechless. They saw with their own eyes waves that could flatten buildings slam against an unseen wall.
Beyond that wall of air, the sea boiled like the end of the world itself. Tornadoes of every size spun across the waters.
Massive whirlpools capable of swallowing everything churned within the storm.
Yet inside Inazuma's waters, the sea remained utterly calm, untouched by the chaos outside.
It was as if two entirely different worlds had been split apart.