"Traveler, who was that woman?"
Watching Ei walk away, Paimon scratched her head curiously.
It was the first time she'd met someone so... confident.
She'd shown up wanting to buy Lumine's Super Telephone...
...and even claimed that if they ever visited Inazuma, they could simply mention her name.
"No idea."
Lumine rested her chin on one hand as she guessed, "Maybe her family has a lot of influence in Inazuma."
She never once considered that the woman might actually be the Raiden Shogun.
For one, she'd never been to Inazuma before and didn't know what the Electro Archon looked like.
And for another...
Who would ever imagine that Inazuma's god would personally come over to buy something from her?
Still...
The conversation reminded her of something.
She no longer needed to continue searching for her brother.
But she could still visit Inazuma.
She could even take pictures of the buildings there and add them to their miniature homeland.
Thinking of that, Lumine pinched Paimon's cheeks.
"Paimon, after we're done reading today's manga, how about we go sightseeing in Inazuma?"
"Sure!"
Paimon nodded enthusiastically.
They'd already explored Mondstadt and Liyue.
Of course they had to visit Inazuma too.
If they ran into trouble, they'd just mention that woman's name.
Wait...
(⊙_⊙)
"...Traveler, we're doomed!"
"That woman never told us her name!"
The realization instantly made Paimon slump.
This was basically getting taken advantage of for free!
Actually...
Paimon was unfairly blaming Ei.
Just like how Ei herself used to go out without carrying any money.
Whenever she needed something, her subordinates simply brought it to her.
She'd naturally assumed Lumine already knew who she was.
So she hadn't bothered introducing herself.
Who would've thought...
...they didn't recognize her at all?
"It's fine."
Lumine waved it off casually.
"Han Feng should know."
"We'll just ask him when the time comes."
She wasn't particularly concerned.
After all, her own strength had grown considerably.
She had plenty of methods to protect herself.
And even if she really encountered danger...
She could always escape.
The Anywhere Door was her greatest source of confidence.
"...I guess that's all we can do."
Paimon sighed.
She hadn't become a billionaire...
And now she didn't even know the woman's name.
This was a massive loss.
Forget it.
She'd just find some comfort in Han Feng's manga instead.
"So, you managed to contact her?"
Han Feng smiled as Ei approached.
"I did."
Ei nodded gently.
"Makoto has already begun making preparations."
"There should still be enough time."
Even so...
She still wanted to prepare for the worst.
If something unexpected happened, she'd at least have a backup plan.
Unfortunately...
She didn't know what else she could do.
So she turned to Han Feng for advice.
"Boss."
"I'd like to leave myself another contingency plan."
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"Simple."
Han Feng picked up the copy of Dragon Ball lying on the counter.
"Read this."
"According to the legend in this manga, there exist seven Dragon Balls."
"If you gather all seven and recite the proper incantation, you can summon Shenron."
"He can grant any wish."
"No matter what it is."
"As long as someone gathers the Dragon Balls..."
"...any wish can come true?"
Ei stared at the manga in her hands, completely stunned.
This reward had already surpassed everything she could imagine.
Compared to spirit swapping...
Compared to the Super Telephone...
It was on an entirely different level.
"Ei."
The Raiden Shogun's expression became solemn.
"The Dragon Balls must be treated as a top priority."
"The previous rewards could at most pose a minor threat to Eternity."
"They were still within my control."
"But if these Dragon Balls truly appear..."
"...the entire situation will change instantly."
Just imagine...
What if an ordinary person...
Or an enemy faction...
Collected all seven Dragon Balls?
What would happen?
If, as the Boss claimed, they truly could grant any wish...
Then they might overturn all of Inazuma.
Perhaps even reshape the whole of Teyvat.
The consequences were terrifying.
The Raiden Shogun wasn't worrying over nothing.
This was simply human nature.
When people possessed little power...
They might work diligently and help others.
But once someone suddenly gained overwhelming power...
Everything changed.
Without sufficient self-control...
People became arrogant.
Ambition would inevitably grow.
Over the centuries...
The Raiden Shogun had seen countless examples.
That was precisely why she'd insisted on the Vision Hunt Decree.
Although...
Its execution had admittedly gone somewhat astray.
"I know."
Ei nodded.
She didn't need the Shogun to remind her.
She would have paid close attention regardless.
This was the best possible way to save her sister.
Even if Makoto ultimately failed...
As long as Ei herself could gather all seven Dragon Balls...
She could still bring her sister back.
With that thought, she looked toward Han Feng.
"Boss."
"Has anyone obtained Dragon Balls yet?"
"Two people have."
Han Feng smiled.
"As for who they are..."
"...you'll have to find out yourself."
Two Dragon Balls had already appeared.
Soon enough...
More and more factions would inevitably join the search.
After all...
The reward was simply too tempting.
That much was obvious even from the original manga.
"Two already..."
Ei thought quietly.
She didn't know who possessed them.
But with enough effort, she could certainly investigate.
At least the Dragon Balls now existed somewhere in Teyvat.
That was far better than chasing something completely unknown.
Having confirmed that, she decided not to act immediately.
Instead...
She would secretly have people observe the situation.
Once all seven Dragon Balls had appeared...
She would strike like lightning.
With her strength...
As long as the other Archons didn't interfere...
There shouldn't be much of a problem.
"...Though the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya could be troublesome."
Thinking of that woman, Ei frowned slightly.
Still...
That was a problem for the future.
There was no need to worry about it now.
What she really wanted...
Was to hurry home and try growing those Delicious Radishes.
The thought alone made her impatient.
After saying goodbye to Han Feng, she left the shop together with Kujou Sara.
"By the way..."
Once they returned to the alley outside, Ei suddenly remembered something.
"What reward did you receive?"
Sara respectfully replied,
"A spell called Expelliarmus."
"It can seize an opponent's weapon and bring it to my side."
"However, it doesn't work against those who are much stronger."
"Not bad."
Ei smiled.
"It suits you quite well."
She immediately understood how useful the spell would be.
On a battlefield...
It would provide an enormous advantage.
"Your Excellency."
Sara suddenly spoke.
"I request permission to pursue Thoma."
She still wanted to test whether the spell worked on Visions.
If it did...
She would gain an entirely new method of confiscating them.
"Go ahead."
Ei waved her hand casually.
Right now...
Her thoughts were completely occupied by manga and rewards.
The Vision Hunt Decree...
The Sakoku Decree...
Neither interested her as much as before.
Besides...
Weren't those matters supposed to be handled by the Raiden Shogun anyway?
As for her...
She'd rather stay out of them.
Raiden Shogun: ???
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