Her fingers brushed gently across the girl's back…
"…"
Watching the ever-spreading patches of bruises, the Shogun fell into silent thought.
'It seems the bruising shows no signs of stopping.'
She reached out to Ei in thought.
[If this continues any longer… her life will be in danger.]
Though Ei's tone was not overtly anxious, there was still a clear seriousness within it.
'If I use elemental power to drive it out, and then follow up with treatment, would that work?'
The Shogun offered her idea.
[…]
Ei was silent for a while, seemingly considering.
[Use the Electro Seal.]
At last, she gave her conclusion.
'My style of healing…'
[Though the Electro Seal is considered a recovery technique, it can also serve as a highly effective healing art. In the past, when I was wounded, I used this method for self-healing. But there is one condition… the recipient must endure the pain.]
Pain. Ei's words made it clear. This was the hardest part to endure. And the girl beneath her was already gravely injured.
'…'
The Shogun fell silent for a moment.
[What is this—could it be you pity the girl?]
'Foolish question. If this is the only way, then I must attempt it. Otherwise, there will be no saving her.'
Resolute, the Shogun's decision was made. Ei, reassured, once more closed her eyes in meditation.
The Shogun gently caressed Fiore's battered back with the back of her hand…
"Mm~!"
The girl lying on the bed trembled again, a small pained whimper escaping her lips.
Then, the Shogun pressed her palms together and separated them again. A sphere of violet light emerged between them. The next instant, she pressed the index and middle fingers of her right hand against the bruises on Fiore's back.
With her other hand, she absorbed the sphere's power—violet patterns of the Electro Seal formed upon her palm. Just before she placed that palm upon the girl's back, she lifted her eyes to look at the dazed Fiore.
"When this hand descends, the pain will be unbearable. If it becomes too much, you may cry out, or—"
She raised her other hand before the girl's lips.
"—you may bite my hand instead."
Fiore, seeing this, shook her head weakly without hesitation. She could not bring herself to treat the Shogun that way.
Seeing her refusal, the Shogun no longer hesitated either. She pressed the palm marked with the Electro Seal directly upon the center of the bruises on her back!
Bzzzt—!
In an instant, lightning spread across her skin, seeping deep into the girl's body.
"Uwaahhh!!! Uhh… nnngh!!!!"
The pain magnified severalfold at once, surging from her back like a wildfire. Fiore could not contain it—she clutched the bedsheets tightly, burying her face deep into them, screaming aloud.
Sweat instantly drenched her forehead and hair, soaking her clothes as her body convulsed uncontrollably…
"Ahh! Uhh… haah… haah…"
She gasped desperately for breath, trembling, her eyes spilling tears born of pain.
"Bite me."
Seeing signs that the girl might faint from shock, the Shogun pressed her palm to Fiore's lips, offering it for her to bite and endure. Her own body, a puppet, would not be harmed.
Through teary eyes, Fiore saw her hand and words. Trembling, she placed both her own hands over it, and with effort, shook her head once more. It was as if she would rather die than leave a single mark upon the Shogun.
"Mm… mm…"
Perhaps not wishing to worry her further, Fiore forced herself to muffle her cries instead, pressing her wrist over her lips to suppress the sound. Her moans became subdued.
The Shogun turned her eyes back to the girl's back. The bruises were fading at a speed visible to the naked eye. The purplish blotches cleared, restoring her fair skin and natural tone. Fiore's convulsions weakened, and her muffled cries grew quieter. At last, as the Electro Seal's healing came to an end, silence returned to the chamber.
The Shogun lifted her hand, looking down at Fiore now lying sprawled on the bedding, gasping desperately for breath.
"Haah… haah…"
"How do you feel?"
The Shogun asked softly.
"Haah… better… haah… much better."
Through her tears, the girl opened her blue eyes, still wet with sorrow, and answered in a faint but relieved voice.
At this moment, Fiore's hair was disheveled, her whole body soaked… her fair skin glistened with crystalline sweat. Her legs and feet, wrapped in white silk stockings, were stained with rain and flecked with traces of dirt from the storm. Normally, one would clean such things before lying in bed, but the urgency of her condition left no room for such concerns. Only her shoes had been removed, now left in a damp heap beside the bed.
Sensing the Shogun's thoughts, the girl shyly shrank her bare upper body, her face reddened… but without any hint of rejection.
"Forgive me… for letting… the Shogun see me… in such a disgraceful state."
Fiore's weak apology slipped out as she lay prone, speaking softly to the Shogun, who supported herself with one hand against the mattress.
"…Such words are unnecessary. To endure the pain of the Electro Seal is no small feat. Your resolve just now—this vessel is satisfied."
The Shogun shook her head slightly, her tone softened with a trace of gentleness. This was a divine healing technique. For a human to endure it through willpower alone—what more could be demanded?
"To satisfy the Shogun… I'm glad…"
Fiore closed her eyes slightly, whispering faintly.
"But your injuries are not yet healed. You must continue to rest in the days ahead. As the saying goes, 'a hundred days to heal bone and sinew.' Though the Electro Seal hastens recovery, do not take it lightly."
Cold yet tender, her voice carried reassurance. It was a comfort so profound that Fiore felt she could entrust her entire body to her.
The Shogun then picked up Fiore's discarded blouse and dressed her again, though she left the buttons undone. Her alluring figure was exposed in the center, with the faint outlines of her curves hidden just behind the loose fabric.
"If your body feels numb, lie on your side. It won't affect your wounds."
Hearing this, Fiore shifted her numb body slightly, rolling onto her side. Her gaze fell directly upon the Shogun kneeling gracefully upon the bed.
Inside, her heart was torn between grievance and gratitude… unable to express herself. All she could do was slowly extend her right hand, carefully covering the Shogun's resting hand upon her lap.
"…"
Feeling the warmth upon her hand, the Shogun lowered her gaze briefly. Fiore did not move further—neither drawing closer, nor withdrawing—remaining like a lost child unsure of how to respond.
"Shogun's people… must all be so happy, mustn't they?"
Fiore's lips curved in a weak, blissful smile as she whispered.
"…"
At her words, the Shogun's violet eyes flickered subtly before closing halfway.
"Why do you think so?"
She did not feel anger. To blame an ignorant girl for such words would only be unreasonable.
"…Because of the Shogun's kindness… to have a god who brings such comfort…"
The hand upon hers tightened slightly, shifting from a caress to a grasp. Seeing this, the Shogun looked into Fiore's eyes.
"If I were… the Shogun's subject… I would be so happy. Strange, isn't it? To say something like that…"
Fiore lowered her gaze, flustered, her expression both shy and enchanting.
"Haa…"
The Shogun only sighed softly.
"…You would not be."
"…Eh?"
Fiore looked up in confusion.
"This vessel… is not a worthy god. I am not… 'her,' nor anyone else. I have evaded the flow of time, sealing it within a single moment. The so-called God of Eternity—perhaps that is all it truly means."
Her eyes dropped again, gazing upon the blue eyes that still shone at her unwaveringly.
"To stand within or to remain without—that is the difference. If you were one of Inazuma's people, you too might despair of me. Perhaps even rebel."
Her words carried no emotion, only a calm, resigned smile.
Fiore shook her head faintly.
"I don't know the truth… but even if it is as you say, I would not despair of you. Because I know you must have your reasons—your own stance. I have come to know the Shogun's nature. You've been kind to me… and responsible. That's enough."
"Haa… Is this meant to comfort me? Perhaps there is subjectivity in your words… but this sentiment, I will accept, Fiore."
She spoke with a faint smile.
"!"
The moment Fiore heard her name spoken from the Shogun's lips, her face instantly flushed, her heart skipping a beat. The woman before her was far too captivating—she could hardly bear it!
"In Teyvat… there is a nation called 'Liyue.' Their god is the God of Contracts. A contract means promise, exchange, and commitment. Now, I too shall follow his ways, and forge a contract with you."
Her violet eyes glowed faintly as she gazed upon Fiore's flushed, entranced face.
"In this war, I will guide you to the door of victory, and help fulfill your wish. In return for this contract, Fiore, you must live resolutely for my sake."
Fiore's eyes widened slightly. The Shogun asked not for her wish, but only for her survival—for her sake. Why… why was she still thinking only of her?
Suddenly, a pang welled within her chest. Her nose stung, and tears fell once more, though her gaze never left the woman before her. She nodded firmly.
"Yes! I will!"
She would not let the Shogun down!
The Shogun also nodded calmly in response.
"Shogun… could you tell me stories of Teyvat? About Inazuma, perhaps… I can't sleep… would you?"
The girl pulled the blanket over herself, still lying on her side, revealing half her face as she spoke with soft pleading.
"Haa… if that is your wish, I shall recount a tale."
To her, perhaps the story would only make sleep more difficult. But still… better this than silence between them.