To be honest, there's quite a story behind Thoma's arrest. With Ayato around, how could Thoma have been captured?
Of course, it's also possible that Ayato was preoccupied with too many arrangements and temporarily overlooked Thoma's situation.
Another possibility is that this was all part of Ayato's plan—deliberately orchestrating things so the Traveler would confront the Raiden Shogun directly, then use the opportunity to seek out the resistance.
If this really was part of the plan, then even Ayaka—and perhaps even Thoma himself—might have been kept in the dark.
But no matter what, Thoma certainly didn't spend all that time touring Inazuma with the Traveler for nothing. When trouble came, she really stepped up.
In the story, the Traveler goes to rescue Thoma, and the Raiden Shogun is already drawing her blade.
Another illustration appears—this one shows the Raiden Shogun stepping forward, pulling the Musou Isshin from her chest, with the Electro seal behind her resembling an eye, as if watching the Traveler.
Well, that's one hell of a… divine surprise.
[Raiden Shogun: "I will enshrine you within the statue."]
With a swing of her blade, space shatters, pulling the Traveler into a separate realm—the Plane of Euthymia.
At this point, readers realize that the Raiden Shogun possesses such an ability.
Kujou Sara is also stunned. Between the Shogun outside and the one inside… which one is the real Shogun?
Wait… isn't this double the happiness!?
It has to be said, this series of illustrations is incredibly effective. Even some who originally disliked the Raiden Shogun are starting to forgive her.
FPS players and their classic "little head controlling the big head" mentality.
Kujou Sara grows increasingly eager to return home. It's rare to "feast" so well, yet she can't even properly paste these illustrations on her walls—what a shame!
Meanwhile, in the Kujou estate, Kujou Takayuki eagerly anticipates the Shogun enshrining the Traveler within the statue. With this outsider out of the picture, many problems would be resolved.
And just as he hoped, once pulled into this "QQ Space"-like realm, Lumine is no match for the Raiden Shogun. After a few blows, she's knocked to the ground, unconscious.
Paimon frantically shakes Lumine, trying to wake her, but she remains motionless—seemingly just unconscious, but in reality, she's been "gone" for a while now.
From an outsider's perspective, the Traveler collapses in an instant, as if her lifespan had simply run out—a natural death, one might say.
Lucian writes in the book that after defeating the Traveler, the Raiden Shogun's eyes dim once more.
She steps forward, raising her blade. Paimon is terrified but still tries to shield the Traveler.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, Thoma breaks free from his restraints and hurls his spear, deflecting the Raiden Shogun's strike.
The Shogun parries the spear, and with a casual swing, the resulting wind pressure sends both the Traveler and Paimon flying.
Thoma seizes the moment, catches the Traveler, and makes a swift escape.
[Raiden Shogun: "Add her to the Vision Hunt Decree. The next time we meet, I will strike her down."]
If Lumine were to see her own predicament, one wonders if she'd consider returning to Liyue.
In the story, Thoma brings the Traveler back to Komore Teahouse, where she "revives."
Thoma shares intel about the resistance, urging the Traveler to seek them out.
In theory, the Yashiro Commission is part of the Shogunate and should be opposed to the resistance—logically, they shouldn't be directing the Traveler to the enemy.
But in reality, the Yashiro Commission has ambiguous ties to the resistance, which is why Thoma advises the Traveler to go to them now.
Unfortunately, the resistance doesn't truly possess the power to oppose the Raiden Shogun—at best, they can shelter the Traveler from the Shogunate's grasp.
It must be said, while the Raiden Shogun's combat prowess is unmatched, her governance leaves much to be desired.
There's a certain beauty in her being all brawn and no brains, with all her skill points dumped into strength.
Among the Tri-Commission:
The Kanjou Commission colludes with the Fatui, pursuing its own agenda.
The Tenryou Commission does the same.
The Yashiro Commission, though loyal, also has ties to the resistance—another hidden agenda.
Even the Raiden Shogun's dear friend, the Grand Narukami Shrine's Lady Yae, has connections to the resistance.
Looking around, the only truly steadfast loyalist by Ei's side is Kujou Sara—and even her authority is somewhat restricted by the Tenryou Commission.
If she weren't Baal—the Narukami Ogosho of Inazuma—she'd have been completely sidelined by now.
You might think Ei lacks loyalists at her side, yet her word remains law, her authority unchallenged. Isn't that something?
This is also why Ei is so slow to react. Though "sidelined," everyone still treats her with utmost reverence, so she assumes everything is under control.
Logically, as the Shogun, she should have the Okuzumeshuu as her personal guard, but her absolute confidence in her own strength means she barely keeps any around.
At most, a few elite samurai guard Tenshukaku. This ensures her safety but leaves her intelligence network sparse—which is how the Tenryou Commission manages to deceive her.
If she had even half of Furina's informants, none of this would have happened in Inazuma.
Back to the story—following Thoma's advice, the Traveler decides to seek out the resistance, led by the ever-"un-fin-ished" Sangonomiya Kokomi.
Along the way, they overhear two Shogunate soldiers discussing the war: the resistance has apparently been pushed to the northwest of Musoujin Gorge—their rear base. Now the Traveler knows where to go.
Currently, the Shogunate's superior logistics and numbers are overwhelming the resistance.
But it's not as effective as it seems, because the resistance always seems on the verge of collapse—yet never actually collapses.
Every time they're about to fall, it's as if Kokomi whispers, "Strategy is the key to victory," and pulls off another miracle.
This is only possible because the Raiden Shogun isn't personally dealing with the resistance. Otherwise, no amount of tactics would work on her—she's immune to "stratagem cards."
The main issue is the Tenryou Commission's skill, "Concealment from Above." To accommodate the Fatui, they've kept all matters regarding Watatsumi Island hidden from Ei.
Otherwise, the Raiden Shogun would've long since dragged Sangonomiya Kokomi to Tenshukaku to serve as a decorative fish.
"I sheltered your people and even allowed you to continue worshiping Orobashi, and this is how you repay me? You claim Kokomi is 'un-fin-ished,' but does that make me, Raiden Ei, 'finished'?"
Returning to the story—after a long journey, the Traveler and Paimon finally encounter a resistance soldier on Nazuchi Beach.
After driving off the surrounding Shogunate forces, they speak with him.
[Teppei: "Thank you for your help. I'm Teppei, a member of the resistance's Gobius Squad."]
["I was recently transferred to the front lines, hoping to make some contributions. But as you can see, my debut was… less than impressive. Sorry for the embarrassment."]
Watatsumi Island's resistance squads are all named after seafood—practically an all-you-can-eat buffet of aquatic titles.
At this moment, Teppei of the Gobius Squad stares wide-eyed at the story.
"I actually appear in this prophecy book? I thought it only wrote about important people…"
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice: Kamisato Ayato — About Inazuma Act II
"Hmm… This story aligns largely with my expectations. But since Lucian has written it, I might as well make some adjustments… Let's see… Ah, Thoma is currently in Inazuma City. Perfect timing…"