As expected, after hearing the soldier's words, Ei and Kujou Sara exchanged a knowing glance.
Ei did not believe her old friend would change her mind so quickly… but one could never be certain.
Either way, Miko joining Mount Shu was unquestionably a good thing.
History was surging forward like a flood. Inazuma could not stand as an ant trying to halt a cart. Since the entire world was pursuing the path of spiritual revival, even if Ei hated it, she had no choice but to accept.
In the past, pursuing "eternity" had not been an issue. In fact, isolation had its advantages, shielding Inazuma from the chaos destined to engulf Teyvat.
But now, clinging stubbornly to eternity was sheer folly. In the near future, as spiritual energy revival spread across the continent, Inazuma would be swept into the garbage heap of history.
Change—or perish.
Ei yearned for eternity, yes, but not at the cost of Inazuma itself. Before, the sacrifices had been tolerable—price to pay on the road to eternity. But now? To continue would mean sacrificing all of Inazuma. That was unacceptable.
Sara's eyes shone with determination. She sensed that the Shogun standing before her was no longer the cold, mechanical figure she had once been. Perhaps now was the time to speak.
She steeled her resolve, and said softly:
"Your Excellency… we must change the current course."
"The war between Resistance and Shogunate must end. If not, all of Inazuma will be destroyed by what is to come."
"And to find the High Priestess, we must rely on Kaedehara Kazuha's aid. Jueyun Karst has become a forbidden zone—we cannot reach Mount Shu alone. Only through him, the sole cultivator presently in Inazuma, can we send word."
Sara bit her lip, then pressed further:
"Your Excellency, in truth, the Vision Hunt Decree no longer matters. The real problem is the Sakoku Decree. Please, recall the thunderstorm, end the Vision Hunt, and make peace with the Resistance!"
Ei's heart clenched. She had withdrawn from the world since that tragedy long ago. But Inazuma… Inazuma was her last treasure. She could not let it be destroyed.
The Vision Hunt—what meaning did it hold now? With martial cultivation rising across the nations, who cared for Visions anymore? Who needed them, when they could cultivate immortality?
As for the Sakoku Decree… even if she wished to maintain it, she knew she could not. Against the tide of the age, Inazuma was but a small island before a crushing wheel.
She drew a deep breath, ready to nod her assent. What use was eternity, if Inazuma perished before it could reach it? Survival came first—everything else could be compromised.
But before she could speak, her body froze. A surge of powerful resistance welled up from within her.
Her eyes widened.
The Shogun… is resisting me!
Dread filled her heart. The program she herself had written—the Shogun's unwavering pursuit of eternity—was now rebelling. To such a mind, what were "cultivation" and "revival of spiritual energy"? Meaningless. Dangerous. Surely it would conclude: the more perilous the outside world, the more Inazuma must remain sealed.
She cursed her own folly. To have set the program so… inhuman.
Sara, receiving no answer, grew anxious.
"Your Excellency, there is no time to hesitate! Once the revival spreads to Inazuma, we will be destroyed!"
"Even if you cannot abolish both decrees immediately, at the very least, we must send envoys to Mount Shu!"
Ei nearly groaned aloud. She wanted to do exactly that—end the chaos, meet Mount Shu, reassess later—but her body refused to obey.
After a long, suffocating silence, Sara readied herself to plead again—when Ei, through immense effort, forced the Shogun's will down. Her face remained calm, but within she was spent.
"…As you say."
"The Shogunate and Resistance are forbidden to clash further. Kujou Sara—you will personally go to the Resistance. Through Kaedehara Kazuha, find a way to contact Miko. Then assemble envoys to travel to Liyue."
The effort drained her further; she could scarcely restrain the Shogun's rebellion.
Sara, not noticing, felt only joy. Today, the Shogun had indeed changed.
She pressed boldly onward:
"And the decrees? The Vision Hunt and the Sakoku—?"
Ei's face stiffened. The Shogun's backlash grew violently stronger. Her expression shifted; without replying, she teleported back to Tenshukaku in a flash of lightning.
Thunder rolled, cloaking the palace. To keep the Shogun's rebellion from sabotaging Sara's mission, Ei sealed herself away. But the storm raging across Inazuma—she could no longer control.
Sara was left stunned. Soldiers looked to her, bewildered.
"General Kujou… did Her Excellency mean to lift the decrees, or not?"
Sara shook her head.
"It doesn't matter. The Vision Hunt is suspended. Inform the ranks—half the army is to withdraw and rest. There will be no conflict with the Resistance."
"As for the Tri-Commission… contact Kamisato Ayato. While I am away, he will oversee the Shogunate. The Tenryou Commission is forbidden from collecting Visions further. Any violators—will be judged by him directly."
The soldier gaped.
"General, isn't that… inappropriate?"
"There is nothing inappropriate!" Sara snapped. "Inazuma stands at life and death. The rear must not descend into chaos. Ayato understands me—he will act as needed. Go to him yourself. Tell him everything."
The soldier bowed deeply, accepting her command sigil.
Sara set out alone. Soon, she reached the Resistance camp.
Her arrival drew alarm; the Resistance braced in battle formation.
Sara removed her Vision and held it aloft.
"By order of the Shogun, I come to meet with Lady Sangonomiya Kokomi, to discuss an embassy to Liyue to seek the immortals."
The camp erupted in shock.
Moments later, Gorou stormed out, glaring at her.
"So! You did plant spies in our ranks."
Sara said nothing, only meeting his eyes calmly.
He snorted, then turned.
"…Come in."
From this day forth, Inazuma—last holdout against the cultivation tide—resolved to rejoin Teyvat's great current.
Fontaine.
After long absence, Furina and Clorinde finally returned to the Opera Epiclese.
No trial was in session today. But, as expected, Neuvillette was present.
The two descended gracefully on flying swords, alighting before the opera house.
At once, the crowd stirred.
News of their entry into Mount Shu had long since reached Fontaine—especially of Furina, who had stood out among countless prodigies, passing the Heart-Testing Array, even drawing the Sect Master's personal appearance. Not for obsession with cultivation, but for her resolve to protect Fontaine.
A feat never before seen, never to be repeated. And it was hers.
Enough for Fontainians to boast for generations.
Cheers and applause thundered. Their eyes burned with reverence and pride.
No longer the gaze they once gave to a star or performer. Now, they looked upon their Archon with awe—and devotion.
She might be scatterbrained, even frivolous. But her heart for Fontaine had moved them all.
She was, in truth, their perfect God.
Returning home, Furina raised her head high, waving grandly to the people, basking in their adoration. The cheers redoubled.
Clorinde sighed inwardly. This lightheartedness was not entirely bad… but Furina was the future King of Fontaine. How could such a sovereign maintain majesty?
Suppressing her worry, she urged Furina forward, into the opera house. The crowd was held back at the gates by guards.
Inside, with no one around, Clorinde fixed her with a stern look.
"Lady Furina, as sovereign, you must uphold dignity. Not flippancy. I believe it is time I give you instruction in kingly bearing."
Furina giggled.
"Don't be so stiff, Clorinde. Who says a ruler must always be grim? This is what you call a people's king!"
Clorinde did not yield.
"Your… accessibility goes too far. You must learn the bearing of a sovereign."
"Tch…" Furina pouted, ready to argue again—when a tall figure emerged from the shadows. His face was solemn, his presence commanding.
Compared to him, his kingly gravitas far surpassed hers.
"Lady Furina. Lady Clorinde." Neuvillette bowed slightly.
"Welcome home. Your performance in the Mount Shu trials has spread across Fontaine. The people take pride in you. And so do I."
Furina arched a brow, smiling impishly as she stepped toward him. She almost reached to clap his shoulder—never had she seen him speak so warmly.
But Clorinde coughed sharply, staring her down.
"Tch… being a king is such a bother!" Furina muttered under her breath.
Neuvillette, puzzled, glanced between them. But this was not the time. He suppressed his questions and said quietly:
"Let us speak in my office. I trust you both have much to share."
Furina nodded brightly.
"Oh, we'll talk, certainly. But before that—I've got a certain shut-in to drag out!"
She strode past Neuvillette, eyes fixed on the Cardinal of Prophecy's chamber.
Drawing a deep breath, she called loudly:
"Focalors! Stop hiding! Come out and listen to the story!"
Neuvillette stiffened. His eyes narrowed.
"Focalors? Then… who are you?"
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