Looking at the large stack of unprocessed documents on the desk, the Shogun felt a dull ache in her head. She sighed softly and pressed her fingertips between her brows to ease her mind.
Because of the Fatui's affairs over the past few days, she had no energy left to deal with Inazuma's domestic matters. Now, everything had piled up together—truly exhausting.
Well, it wasn't as if she hadn't done this before. She might as well be honest and get it over with. As the saying goes—the longer one delays, the less one accomplishes. Laziness is the greatest taboo... haa~!
She placed the pile of documents beside her, pulled out several lists and letters, and leaned on her elbow, resting her cheek against her hand as she read the text in boredom, occasionally jotting something down with her pen.
The Tenshukaku was as quiet as always. Nothing could disturb her. Anyone else might have dozed off after a few minutes on the tatami, but not her—she had no need for sleep, though she did have a bedroom.
"..."
After some thought, she stopped writing and pulled out another list from the other side of the desk. It was a record of Crystal Marrow transactions between the Fatui and the Kanjou Commission—a list she had conveniently taken from the Delusion Factory earlier. Her eyes moved back and forth over the words, noting the personal signature of the Kanjou Commission's clan head in the lower right corner.
"Crystal Marrow..."
She murmured softly. It seemed to be the main material used to craft Delusions. She was certain that the Kanjou Commission had been exploiting the International Trade Association to acquire such resources—after all, President Kurisu had complained about them before.
Truly conspiring with the Tenryou Commission for private gain. When the time came, this would serve as evidence against them. After all, if the Tenryou Commission fell, the Kanjou Commission would be dragged down with it. Those two were now grasshoppers tied to the same rope.
Fuu...
A faint tickling sensation rose from her thighs beneath the desk. The Shogun frowned slightly but didn't react, her gaze still fixed on the documents before her.
Fuu...
Again came that teasing, ticklish touch. She exhaled softly and shifted her legs into a more relaxed, slanted posture before returning to her work.
Yet a few seconds later, the tickling sensation returned once more. Finally losing her patience, she straightened her posture and looked down at the figure resting her head on her lap—Ei.
"Behave yourself."
She spoke in a tone of mild reproach.
"...Am I bothering you?"
Ei, who had been shifting her position restlessly, froze for a moment before lifting her head to meet the Shogun's gaze.
The Shogun looked at the childlike woman and sighed softly before explaining,
"The ends of your hair keep brushing against my legs."
"...Does it feel unpleasant?"
Ei understood and lifted her head slightly from the Shogun's thighs, which were wrapped in black stockings trimmed with violet lace.
"...A little ticklish."
Her face flushed slightly as she offered the embarrassed explanation.
"Pfft..."
Ei stifled a laugh, tucking her strands of hair behind her shoulders before pulling the hem of the Shogun's kimono over her lap, resting her head back down again. That way, she'd be lying on fabric rather than bare skin.
"You... haa... forget it."
Seeing her actions, the Shogun sighed helplessly and decided not to say more.
"Hmm?"
Ei tilted her head, puzzled.
"Nothing~!"
The Shogun replied in exasperation.
"Rebellious phase?"
Ei asked playfully.
"Long over."
The Shogun answered without missing a beat.
"...Doesn't seem like it."
"If you've got time to tease me, how about helping me process these documents?"
The Shogun ignored her quip, pen still moving as she spoke.
"...Approving documents is the eternal variable."
Ei mumbled lazily, pressing her cheek against the Shogun's abdomen through the kimono, her tone faintly spoiled.
"...Slacker~"
The Shogun looked down at her with helpless affection and poked her cheek gently with a fingertip.
Pat...
However, Ei caught her hand and refused to let go, intertwining their fingers one by one until their hands were clasped together.
"...Ei."
The Shogun felt a twinge of shyness at having her hand held, but didn't pull away. She allowed Ei to hold it.
Then, Ei slowly sat up, meeting the Shogun's eyes at close range. She turned her gaze toward the stack of documents on the desk, picked up a pen, and began to work.
...She's really helping?
The Shogun froze for a moment. She hadn't expected Ei to actually help. What was going on today?
She shifted slightly and sat down beside Ei again. Their shoulders were only a few centimeters apart. Picking up another stack of documents, she began processing them together with the woman beside her—identical in appearance. Splitting the work in half would certainly make things faster.
"Ei..."
"Hmm?"
Hearing the Shogun's soft voice, Ei replied gently and turned to look at her.
"I told you before that I went to the Delusion Factory."
"That's true."
Ei nodded, unsure of what she was leading to.
"I met 'Kunikuzushi' there."
"..."
Ei's expression froze, her hand halting for a moment before she slowly put down her pen. Turning fully toward the Shogun, she reached out and took her arm, urging her to look back.
"?"
Feeling Ei's movement, the Shogun turned her head in confusion and met her gaze.
"What did he say to you?"
Ei's voice deepened, her tone suddenly serious.
"He..."
The Shogun hesitated at her change in tone.
"He said he was my brother..."
"...That's not wrong. He was a prototype, and you were created afterward. By generation, he does count as your elder brother."
Ei nodded faintly, not denying it.
Is that so? Sorry, I cut off his arm, the Shogun thought mischievously to herself.
"But... these things aren't really important. You and he had never met before; there's no need to acknowledge that blood relation."
Perhaps fearing that she would be troubled, Ei comforted her softly. It was true—though that prototype bore the golden adornments of a god, she had never placed her hopes in him, even exiling him instead.
Maybe, from another perspective, both she and Raiden Makoto had wanted a daughter back then. Before leaving, Makoto had told her that the 'Shogun' should be a girl—first, to resemble them both; second, because they both preferred having a daughter rather than a son.
The Shogun then recounted every word Kunikuzushi had said to her in their encounter. As Ei listened, her face gradually darkened until, at last, she gripped the Shogun's hand tightly.
"Don't believe his words."
Ei's expression grew complicated as she held the Shogun's warm hand and comforted her softly.
"Ei?"
The Shogun looked at her in confusion.
"I never saw you as a tool, nor have I ever used you. To me... Shogun, you are my daughter, my family—whatever you wish to call it. No matter what, you are not what he said you were. Never."
Ei wrapped her arms around the Shogun, pressing her soft lips close to her ear, whispering sincerely. She feared the Shogun might overthink, might grow distant from her—the thought terrified her. She didn't want to lose anyone again. The idea of being alone once more terrified her to her core.
"Ei... don't worry. This body will never abandon you."
Feeling the slight tremor of Ei's body, the Shogun's heart ached. She returned the embrace, her voice gentle. Indeed, this fragile side of Ei was one she showed only to her.
Ei... had already been hurt enough.
How could she possibly leave her?
"When I tried to place that fragment of Makoto's lightning into Kunikuzushi's heart, I found that he was crying."
At that, Ei's eyes flickered faintly as she kept her arms around the Shogun, quietly listening to a story she had never heard before.
"An unfinished puppet, not yet awakened, shed tears before ever receiving a 'heart.' I knew then he couldn't bear the burden—that it would be unsafe to entrust him with it. His heart was too fragile... far too fragile to carry the weight of Musou Isshin."
Ei lifted her face slightly from the Shogun's neck, their eyes meeting closely within the embrace.
"...Musou Isshin is a true blade. If even the blade can barely bear its burden, how could that crucial 'heart' withstand it? That lightning is a true soul—Makoto's own essence. If I had placed that lightning within Kunikuzushi, his body would have been destroyed by its power. He wouldn't have even opened his eyes."
"So... Shogun, you are perfect. Do you understand?"
Ei's gaze was filled with warmth as her hand caressed the Shogun's cheek with tender affection. She was the one capable of bearing Musou Isshin, of perfectly harmonizing with Makoto's soul, of allowing Ei's consciousness to dwell within her—and even resonating with the Plane of Euthymia.
"Hearing you say that... this body really is rather complicated, isn't it?"
The Shogun sighed lightly, the corner of her lips curling into a faint smile as she teased.
"Yes, very complicated."
Ei smiled, then pulled her close again. Her eyes softened as she closed them, as if the Shogun's warmth was the safest, most peaceful place in the world—a sanctuary of warmth and happiness.
The two remained in that tender embrace for a long time, completely forgetting about the unfinished documents still spread across the desk.
"...We completely forgot about these documents."
Ei, still holding the Shogun in her arms, suddenly remembered that they were supposed to be working. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she released the slender waist of her 'daughter' and reached for her pen again.
"Forget it..."
However, the Shogun gently stopped her with a few quiet words.
"?"
Ei paused, confused, turning to look at her.
"I'll handle them alone tonight."
The Shogun gestured at the pile of documents on the desk as she spoke.
"...You're staying up late again? Disobedient~!"
For once, Ei furrowed her delicate brows, her tone carrying a motherly scolding.
"There isn't enough time during the day, so I have to make up for it at night."
The Shogun closed her eyes slightly and turned her head aside, as if preparing to argue.
"Haa... How many times have I told you not to stay up late?"
Ei let out a soft sigh. It was one thing for her to have done so in another world, but here in Inazuma, still not following a proper schedule?
"This body is that of a puppet. What difference does it make if I stay up?"
The Shogun opened her eyes and met Ei's gaze, her tone full of reason—like a child talking back to her mother.
"..."
Ei stared at her silently.
"..."
The Shogun quickly averted her eyes, as if feeling a little guilty or shy. The sight was... unexpectedly adorable.
"Look at me."
Ei said softly.
"No."
The Shogun's refusal was immediate.
"I'm angry now."
Ei lowered her voice slightly, narrowing her eyes—not truly angry, but the act was convincing enough. It worked; the Shogun obediently turned her gaze back.
"...It's just staying up late. Why are you angry?"
Her voice softened, filled with faint helplessness, and her eyes showed a touch of innocent grievance—making her look even more like a sulking child.
Pfft...
Ei couldn't help but laugh inwardly but kept her expression cool.
"Shogun... I've already told you many times. Even if you're a puppet, you should maintain the habits of a normal human being."
Ei said patiently.
"...Why?"
The Shogun lowered her eyes and asked softly, like a little girl being gently scolded.
"Because I want you to live like a person. Only by doing so can your long life feel less lonely and dull. Do you know how long you'll exist? A very long time—perhaps endlessly. And besides, I don't want you to wear yourself down."
At those words, a hint of sadness appeared in Ei's face.
"...This body can wear down?"
The Shogun blinked, puzzled.
"Of course. Everything deteriorates with time. Even though you're a puppet, the chance of wear is only reduced—not eliminated."
"..."
The Shogun froze, looking somewhat dazed.
"Haa... Perhaps you'll understand one day."
Ei shook her head softly, affectionately brushing her fingers through the Shogun's hair.
"At that time..."
"Hmm?"
Ei looked at her.
"At that time... will you... still be here?"
The Shogun hesitated but finally asked. It was a question that had lingered deep in her heart.
"..."
Ei was taken aback, silent for a moment. When she raised her eyes again, she saw faint moisture in the Shogun's violet pupils. It wasn't obvious, but she could tell—the child before her had become attached, was afraid.
"Mm... I will."
Ei took her hand and smiled warmly, speaking in a soft, reassuring voice. In truth, her heart was overflowing with warmth. She was deeply moved.
Honestly... if it were her old self, she might have treated the Shogun as she had Kunikuzushi.
But now... she couldn't. To her, the Shogun felt like her own flesh and blood. She knew the pain of losing someone important—she didn't want this child to feel the same. To atone for her past regrets, she wanted to give all her remaining tenderness to the girl before her.
And besides, the Shogun was so exceptional. With such a capable, obedient daughter—what more could she possibly ask for?
"Mm..."
The Shogun nodded quietly, saying nothing more. The two sat together in serene silence, holding hands affectionately, no awkwardness between them.
Knock, knock!
The next moment, someone knocked on the Tenshukaku's grand doors.
The Shogun glanced toward Ei, who also looked back at her.
"Lie down on my lap."
The Shogun patted her own thigh, signaling for Ei to rest her head there.
Ei nodded, letting the Shogun guide her head down to rest on her lap. Her body relaxed and sank into the position, perfectly concealed by the desk in front of them. Ordinary subordinates were required to stand below the stairs, so with the angle from where they stood, Ei's position was completely out of sight—an unseen blind spot.
"Enter."
The Shogun returned to her usual tone, calling out to the guards outside.
"Yes, Shogun-sama!"
Clatter...
A fully armored Ootake guard opened the door, stepped into the hall, and closed it behind him. Advancing until he stood before her, he knelt smoothly and swiftly, every movement crisp and disciplined.
"What is it?"
The Shogun asked evenly, her hand still resting beneath the desk, gently brushing across Ei's forehead.
"Your Excellency, an envoy from Snezhnaya is waiting outside, requesting an audience."
The Ootake guard reported respectfully.
"..."
Beneath the desk, Ei's eyes narrowed slightly. She instinctively glanced upward at the Shogun—indeed, her expression was much the same.
"Do you know who it is?"
The Shogun asked.
"Yes! She identified herself as one of the Tsaritsa's Fatui Harbingers—'La Signora.'"
The guard replied clearly and decisively.
"Bring her in."
A faint chill flickered through the Shogun's gaze, though she masked it quickly. She reined in her divine pressure, speaking as calmly as ever.
"As you command!"
Step.
The guard rose, turned, and exited the hall.
"...How do you plan to deal with her?"
Ei asked softly from her place on the Shogun's lap.
"The moment she steps into Tenshukaku, no one will be able to save her."
The Shogun's tone was cold, resolute.
"...As I thought."
Ei smiled faintly and slowly sat up, meeting the Shogun's gaze.
"She serves the Tsaritsa as a Harbinger. Don't take her lightly. Never let your guard down."
Though she and the Shogun were gods and had no need to fear mortals, Ei knew well that arrogance was the worst enemy of a warrior. As one who had lived through countless battles, she reminded the Shogun of this truth.
The Shogun nodded silently.
Ei smiled softly, patted her shoulder, then dissolved into a swirl of shimmering violet particles that coalesced into Musou Isshin, merging seamlessly into the Shogun's chest.
The Shogun rose from her seat, stepping toward the large folding screen at the back of the chamber. Upon it gleamed the sigil of Electro. She lifted her arm slightly, standing in solemn silence as she awaited her guest.
Clatter...
Moments later, the sound of footsteps approached, followed by the creak of the great doors opening. The 'legendary' Harbinger entered the room.
Hearing the noise, the Shogun tilted her head slightly to glance at her. Just as her title 'La Signora' implied, she was a strikingly elegant woman radiating a frosty aura. Cryo, without a doubt.
Her attire was elaborate and theatrical—a long gray-and-white gown resembling a formal evening dress, draped with a black-and-red gradient fur cape. Her wavy, pale golden hair was styled in a complex updo, her expression cold yet alluringly seductive. A black mask crowned her head, concealing her right eye. On her feet, sharp black heels clicked softly against the marble floor, and beside her floated a strange, white, relic-like object—part weapon, part ornament. Altogether, she looked less like an envoy and more like a witch.
La Signora caught the Shogun's assessing gaze and smiled faintly.
"Your Excellency, it's been too long. Still as beautiful as ever. 'La Signora' offers her greetings—"
With that, she stepped forward, striding boldly up the stairs to stand at eye level with the Shogun, disregarding all decorum.
"Stand down."
The Shogun's voice was sharp and commanding.
"!?"
La Signora froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing slightly. She shot a brief, disdainful glance at the woman before her but quickly masked it, stepping back down to the lower platform.
Tch... just a hollow puppet clinging to borrowed authority. How arrogant... she sneered inwardly, her eyes full of contempt.
"Still as stern as ever, I see, Your Excellency."
Her tone remained polite, though laced with feigned amiability.
"..."
The Shogun finally turned to face her fully, her expression unreadable.
"Harbinger of the Fatui, why have you come today?"
Her voice was cold, stripped of all the gentleness she sometimes showed.
"...Ever so distant, aren't we, Your Excellency? I've come today to discuss the continuation of the Vision Hunt Decree—to ensure your path toward Eternity proceeds... more smoothly."
La Signora smiled leisurely, her voice calm and practiced.
More smoothly?
No—more in line with your ambitions, isn't it? To hasten Inazuma's downfall?
The Shogun scoffed inwardly.
"...Go on."
For appearance's sake, she folded her arms and let the woman continue. She wanted to hear what kind of joke this envoy would tell next.
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