At the same time, in Fiore's private room…
The girl in the wheelchair was preparing black tea for the two of them. Though she knew little outside of magecraft, she had learned at least the basics of brewing tea.
The crisp clink of teacups occasionally reached the ears of the woman standing by the window. The violet-haired woman in short kimono gazed out at the scenery beyond.
The midday sunlight draped across her body like a veil of golden silk bestowed by invisible angels, softening her fair skin, her dreamy violet eyes, and her delicate face, made even gentler under the warmth.
Fiore poured the perfect amount of black tea into the Shogun's cup, then filled her own. Setting them down on the table, she glanced once more toward the beauty at the window. From the depths of her heart, she thought the Shogun was a woman so beautiful that even she herself could not help but be captivated. Though truthfully, Fiore's own appearance was not inferior either.
"Shogun, are you very interested in the outside world?"
She wheeled herself closer and asked softly.
"..."
The Shogun gave a direct nod.
"This vessel… it is my first time seeing lands beyond Teyvat. I am somewhat curious."
She raised her hand, letting her slender palm rest against the window glass. A light of wonder flickered in her eyes.
Fiore, seeing her like this, felt that the Shogun was somewhat adorable… almost childlike.
"…Shogun, would you like some tea? I brewed black tea… if you don't mind, please try it?"
She thought of the steaming tea she had just made. After a brief moment of hesitation, she reached out carefully, tugging lightly at the sleeve of the Shogun's kimono.
When the Shogun turned her head, Fiore instantly withdrew her hand, the movement like that of a timid little animal.
The Shogun regarded her for a moment before nodding. Together, they went to the table and sat opposite each other. For a brief instant, the Shogun instinctively wanted to kneel in the Inazuman way, but realizing this was not her homeland and that chairs were provided, she simply smoothed her skirt and sat down. She lifted the teacup and took a sip.
"…How, how does it taste? Is it… good?"
Fiore, holding her own untouched cup, watched anxiously for the Shogun's reaction, her voice cautious.
"…Not bad. The flavor is acceptable."
The Shogun's answer was sincere, not spoken for comfort. Though it differed from Inazuma's tea ceremony, the taste carried a unique quality, something rather intriguing.
"Haa… I see, that's good."
Fiore let out a relieved breath.
"Still, I am surprised… that beings of this world also share the habit of drinking tea."
The Shogun lowered her gaze to the reflection in the tea, murmuring quietly.
"Hehe…"
Hearing this, Fiore could not hold back a laugh, covering her mouth lightly.
"…What makes you laugh?"
The Shogun looked up at her in puzzlement. Her face, usually expressionless, carried subtle shifts in her features that were unexpectedly charming.
"It's nothing… hehe… I just think that sometimes, the Shogun says very cute things."
Fiore's smile carried a faint blush.
"..."
The Shogun froze at those words… She had heard such remarks before, teased by acquaintances—Ayaka, Ei, Yae Miko… Speaking of Ei, she wasn't truly a friend, but more like her guardian.
"Shogun?"
Hearing Fiore's soft call, she returned to herself.
"You seemed lost in thought just now…"
Fiore's gentle smile remained fixed on her.
"Haa… nothing. I merely recalled some memories of the past."
The Shogun shook her head faintly.
"I see… Speaking of which, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am your Master, Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia. Please just call me Fiore. For the next seven days, I hope Shogun will guide me well."
Fiore placed her cup down, her clear, melodious voice carrying practiced courtesy.
"Beelzebul. As I said before, call me Shogun."
The Shogun responded in kind, observing proper etiquette. Ei had once told her to freely use her own name, just as a mother might give everything to her daughter.
"Mm, Shogun~!"
Fiore called sweetly.
"..."
Being addressed in such a way, however, left the Shogun with a faint sense that something was amiss.
"When I entered this world… some information was implanted into my mind. Do you… know about this?"
The Shogun had always only half-understood these fragments of knowledge. Since the girl before her seemed to know more, she decided to ask.
"I see… so it's true then. They say that during summoning, modern knowledge is transmitted. I didn't think it was real…"
Fiore's tone carried faint wonder.
"What do you mean?"
"Mm—honestly, I don't really understand it either. But according to my uncle, it's something like the world itself making corrections. If languages or customs differed, communication would be troublesome, wouldn't it? Yet now, you and I can speak normally."
Fiore patiently explained to the Shogun.
"I understand. But then—how did you summon me? Through what?"
This was what the Shogun found hardest to grasp. She had no connection to this world at all. Why was she summoned? Was it because she had once used Musou Isshin to cut through the barrier of worlds?
"Shogun means the catalyst? Actually, it was a flower…"
Fiore wheeled herself to the bedside and handed her a violet box.
The Shogun opened it and saw the bellflower inside—identical to the one she wore in her hair.
Almost instinctively, she raised her hand, brushing the blossom in her hair with a puzzled expression. Then, noticing the Command Spells on Fiore's hand, she wordlessly reached out and lifted the girl's palm, gently tracing the marks with her delicate fingers.
"Mm…///"
Fiore flushed red at the touch, lowering her gaze shyly. The Shogun's cool fingertips brushing against her hand left her with an unexpectedly pleasant warmth.
Studying the three-pronged crest upon her hand, the Shogun narrowed her eyes.
"The symbol of Electro…"
"Eh? Electro…?"
Fiore asked, confused.
"It is one of the elemental sigils of Teyvat."
Over the next while, the Shogun began to tell the girl across from her about her homeland—Teyvat. She explained its Seven Nations, the Visions, and her identity as the God of Thunder. She did not, however, mention the Vision Hunt Decree—there was no need, and she feared it might leave a poor impression.
Fiore listened intently, absorbed by the Shogun's cold yet elegant voice as it recounted the stories of Teyvat.
"So that means… the Shogun is the god of Inazuma?"
After about an hour, Fiore looked at her with a face full of admiration.
"Yes. Each of the Seven Nations has its own god. This vessel is one among them."
Now standing once more by the window, the Shogun gazed at her own palm as she spoke, her tone utterly calm—as though long accustomed to this truth.
"Haa… that's wonderful."
Fiore sighed with relief.
The Shogun turned back toward her, puzzled at why she would say such a thing.
"I had always worried that my Servant might be reckless, violent, or disobedient. But knowing the Shogun's character, I feel at ease. Somehow, being with you makes me feel safe. Even in this deadly Holy Grail War, I am no longer afraid."
Fiore touched her chest, closing her eyes as she spoke from the heart.
"You overpraise me. This vessel… is not as dependable as you claim."
The Shogun sighed lightly, answering with humility.
"Hehe… Regardless, in my heart, the Shogun is reliable. Isn't that enough~?"
Fiore herself thought it strange. By any normal measure, to judge a person without true battle experience was improper. Yet the Shogun carried an undeniable charm that made her want to believe.