However, before proceeding with the next step of the plan, there was one more thing to do—summon Lucian.
Lucian had always wanted to visit Inazuma, and everyone present was deeply curious about this prophet. Could there be a better time to summon him?
So, Lumine sent Lucian a message informing him that she had already settled in Inazuma and that he could come anytime.
Before long, Lucian teleported over and immediately felt the weight of everyone's gazes fixed on him.
"Little Author, we finally meet." Yae Miko was delighted. The two key players she had been waiting for had arrived simultaneously—this was going to be interesting.
"Tricky Fox?" Lucian hadn't expected to encounter Yae Miko so soon.
Yae Miko's smile stiffened slightly. What kind of nickname was "Tricky Fox"?
"Ahem, I mean, the incomparably wise and beautiful Lady Yae Miko," Lucian quickly corrected himself.
It was mainly because he was used to calling her 'Tricky Fox' in private. It was like playing League of Legends—you might blank on who 'Vi' is, but if someone said 'Pink-haired Punch Lady,' it'd snap into place.
Or if someone mentioned "Rek'Sai," you might pause to think, but if they said "the Drill," you'd know right away.
Nicknames like "the Drill" or "Pink-haired Punch Lady" just rolled off the tongue.
At that moment, Yae Miko was thinking, Later, I'll have Mr. Lucian try out the anti-Raiden Shogun training device I meticulously developed. He'll definitely love it.
"Well, this saves The Steambird the trouble of delivering the new book. I'll hand it to you directly." Lucian retrieved a book from his Vision and passed it to Yae Miko.
This immediately caught the attention of everyone except Arataki Itto and Paimon. They were all curious—was this the second act of the Inazuma story?
Yae Miko was equally intrigued. She opened the book and confirmed that it was indeed the second act!
"In that case, the anti-Raiden Shogun training can wait. I'll head to Yae Publishing House first. Next time, I'll reward you properly~, little author~." Yae Miko smiled as she tucked the book away and left.
Lucian was stunned. That training… involves me too?
The fox had taken the book away without letting anyone else peek at its contents first. A truly professional editor-in-chief.
The others, however, felt as if their hearts were being scratched by a cat. What exactly is the second act about? Let us see it too!
With the Tricky Fox gone, Lucian continued mingling and getting to know the others.
"Mr. Lucian, it's an honor. I am Kamisato Ayato, head of the Kamisato Clan," Ayato said with a smile.
"Kamisato Ayaka, of the Kamisato Clan," Ayaka introduced herself more elegantly, giving a slight bow.
Lucian was more than happy to chat with the siblings.
"Ayaka, I'd like to introduce you to a few people when there's a chance," Lucian said.
He wanted to introduce her to Barbara, Yun Jin, Nilou, and Furina.
Ayaka smiled and nodded, naturally not refusing Lucian's goodwill, though she didn't know who he intended to introduce.
Meanwhile, Arataki Itto circled Lucian, looking him up and down. He hadn't expected the prophet to be someone around his own age.
"Mr. Lucian, may I ask… has the Kujou Clan truly betrayed the Shogun?" Kujou Sara asked.
Earlier, she had planned to return to the Kujou Clan to investigate thoroughly, as she was unwilling to take Kamisato Ayato and Yae Miko's words at face value.
But Lucian was different—he was the prophet. Even if you didn't want to believe his words, they were still the future.
She hadn't expected the Traveler to summon the prophet here, so she had prepared herself to investigate the Kujou Clan. Now, it seemed unnecessary.
"It's true," Lucian nodded. Even if the head of the Kujou Clan didn't consider it a betrayal, his actions undeniably were.
Kujou Sara felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Though she had braced herself for this possibility, she had still clung to a sliver of hope.
The Kujou Clan head was her adoptive father—how could she bear to admit that he had betrayed the person she admired most?
"I… I must return to the Kujou Clan!" Kujou Sara gritted her teeth.
Betraying the Shogun was unforgivable, even if it was the Kujou Clan head!
She would use her blade to demand answers from Kujou Takayuki—how could he, one of the Tri-Commission leaders trusted by the Shogun, commit such treachery?
"Wait, now is not the time to return," Ayato stopped Kujou Sara.
If she went back now, she might never return.
Kujou Sara was strong, but not strong enough to take on the entire Kujou Clan and the Fatui alone.
To deal with the Tenryou Commission, they had to account for the Fatui as well. The best approach was to divide them—after all, they weren't united to begin with.
Moreover, Kujou Sara held high prestige within the Tenryou Commission. If Kujou Takayuki could be put at a disadvantage, or even balanced, many within the Tenryou Commission might defect to her side.
Such a valuable piece couldn't be recklessly thrown into the fray.
Kuki Shinobu, already experienced in restraining Itto, had long since grabbed Kujou Sara to prevent her from acting impulsively.
Kujou Sara was usually a calm person—unless the matter involved the Shogun.
At this moment, she was furious, wanting nothing more than to return to the Kujou Clan and force the clan head to commit seppuku.
For such a grave sin, he should at least die with dignity!
"I've already arranged everything. It's not yet time for you to return. Wait a little longer," Ayato said.
"Arranged everything?" Kujou Sara looked at Ayato.
The prophet's revelations about Inazuma's story had only been out for half a month.
Had he prepared everything in just half a month? No—the Yashiro Commissioner must have laid the groundwork long ago, waiting only for the right moment.
Now, the Traveler's arrival and the prophet's story had provided the perfect opportunity.
Kujou Sara sighed. Clan Head… Clan Head… how could you ever outmaneuver the Yashiro Commissioner?
In truth, Ayato's preparations were even more extensive than she imagined. He had even arranged for the resistance to disguise themselves as Shogunate soldiers and infiltrate Inazuma City, nearly storming Tenshukaku.
Keep in mind that Tenshukaku was guarded by elite Hatamoto samurai—ordinary people couldn't slip in.
Kujou Sara had already calmed down, but then Lucian delivered the final blow.
He retrieved a painting from his Vision—an official illustration of the Raiden Shogun, the iconic "chest sword-pull" image.
Kujou Sara's eyes locked onto it instantly. Even the Kamisato siblings were drawn to the painting.
As Inazumans, who could resist such an image?
The painting in Lucian's hands was like a cat toy in front of a feline—every "cat head" would follow its movements.
"Kujou Sara, if you stay calm, I'll give you this painting of Ei," Lucian said.
Really?!
Kujou Sara had already calmed down, so this was essentially a free painting of the Shogun!
In her excitement, she didn't even notice the "disrespectful" nickname Lucian had used for the Raiden Shogun.
But Lumine did.
Why did Lucian call the Raiden Shogun "Ei"? From what we've seen so far, this Archon doesn't seem like a good person…
Is it that the worse a woman is, the more men love her?
Lumine fell deep into thought.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Kujou Sara: About the Raiden Shogun Illustration
"I must correct the error in your phrasing. This is the 'Narukami Ogosho God of Thunder's Divine Portrait,' a rare and priceless treasure."