Ayaka had always loved fireworks.
In the stifling air of Inazuma, such carefree days were rare. Especially after the Sakoku Decree, there was only one proper festival each year.
That single night was the only time Kamisato Ayaka could truly relax and enjoy herself.
She had come to Liyue intending to stay just a few days. In the cracks between her burdens, she'd hoped to steal away a day or two to see foreign scenery and that would be enough.
She had not expected that on her very first day, her entire view of the world would be pried open.
Not only had she seen sights she'd never imagined, she'd also been forced to face her own shortcomings.
Shutting herself away.
Refusing to try new things.
She realized now that this was the greatest weakness a human could have.
In fact, this trip abroad felt more important than ten years of quiet cultivation.
People's thoughts were hard to change—especially her own, shaped by years as the "White Heron Princess" of a great clan. But now, her long‑admired idol had not only guided her through Liyue, he had lifted fireworks into the sky just for her.
To say she wasn't moved would have been a lie.
Ayaka's heart felt completely full, with no room left for anything else.
In her eyes, there was only Su Han's silhouette, outlined by the glow of the blossoms overhead.
"Thank you… my lord. The fireworks are beautiful," she said at last when she came back to herself.
It was all she could manage. Anything more felt beyond her.
Su Han looked up at the night sky and smiled. "Life is short. It's good to see as much scenery as you can. I know a bit about how people in Inazuma think. As a noble young lady, and the famed Shirasagi Himegimi, every move you make has to follow etiquette.
"But if you demand too much from yourself, you lose your own spirit.
"Take Kuki Shinobu. By everyone's expectations, the best path for her would have been to become a shrine maiden. Instead, she chose to study abroad and come back as a ninja.
"I hope that when you return to Inazuma, you can walk your own road too. Right now… the Shogun might not be so different from you."
Ayaka listened in silence, tasting each word carefully.
Her family's views were heavy, yes. But what truly bound her hadn't been others.
It had been Kamisato Ayaka herself.
Going out to see the world was far better than staying at home, reading herself in circles.
"Yes. I'll remember it," she said softly. "The Sakoku Decree is really too wrong. Ordinary people can't go out. Those who left can't come home. Thinking about it now, it's no wonder Lady Guuji is so angry… it's only right.
"Lord Su Han… when will you be able to come to Inazuma? I think… even without defeating the Raiden Shogun, you might be able to persuade her."
Outside, the world was changing every day.
The neighboring nations grew stronger and stronger, while Inazuma stood still. Internal strife hadn't stopped either.
If the Shogun truly understood that, Ayaka thought, her heart wouldn't be at ease.
Su Han fell quiet at her question.
He was weighing his options: should he wait until he truly had to defeat the Raiden Shogun before setting foot in Inazuma? Or would it be enough to stand toe‑to‑toe with her once?
Perhaps, if he had the strength to cross blades with her, that reclusive deity might be willing to hear him out.
As he sank into thought, Ayaka's fingers tightened around his hand.
Seeing his startled look, she whispered, "My lord… there is something you might not know.
"Right now Inazuma is in chaos. Delusions are everywhere. Even ronin have started wielding that power. The shogunate's forces… have taken heavy losses.
"Please. I beg you. Help us. As long as you and Lady Guuji stand together… you can save Inazuma."
After the Fatui Harbinger Scaramouche returned to Inazuma, he had begun mass‑producing Delusions and selling them at exorbitant prices. With the Kujou clan's backing, he had been free to line pockets and stoke flames.
Behind the scenes, he'd even fanned the wars between Watatsumi Island and Yashiori Island, leaving the common people to suffer for it.
Su Han shook his head. "In the current situation, my going there won't help. It still comes down to the Shogun. If I show up at her doorstep for no reason and start making demands, what do you think will happen?"
"T‑this girl… doesn't know," Ayaka admitted.
"As a foreign powerhouse, acting without cause would only anger her. At that point, I have two possible endings.
"One: I defeat her and win her respect.
"Two: she defeats me.
"I won't die either way. But if the Geo Archon were to descend as well, and two deities started fighting in earnest… Narukami Island wouldn't survive it."
Ayaka's face went pale.
He was right. Challenging the Shogun without reason, as an outsider, would only provoke her.
Looking at the anxious little beauty in front of him, Su Han softened his voice.
"I know you're worried. Lady Yae is just as anxious. The reason she hasn't gone to confront the Shogun is because she understands her too well. Otherwise, do you really think she'd just sit and watch?
"We just have to wait a bit longer. All we need is a proper opportunity, and I can enter Inazuma. Once that happens, things will start to turn around."
"Yes. I'm… I'm sorry, Su Han," Ayaka said, bowing repeatedly. "I ruined the mood today. It should have been a happy time, but I made it like this. I'm truly sorry…"
Su Han only smiled. "I understand how you feel. There's nothing to apologize for. If my own country ran into this kind of problem, I probably wouldn't handle it as well as you.
"Come on. It's getting late. Work in the morning, and in the afternoon we'll head to Mondstadt. I'll show you around there. The construction's going very well now. We'll take the sea train—tomorrow is its first day running."
"Alright. I understand," she said.
As they were about to part, something seemed to occur to Ayaka.
She stopped and turned back. "Thank you again for today. It's just… this place isn't suitable for dancing. Otherwise, I would have liked to show you my steps.
"When you come to Inazuma, I'll repay you with my most beautiful dance."
With that, she lifted her folding fan to hide her face and slipped away shyly.
Watching her small figure retreat, Su Han couldn't help but smile.
"I wonder just how beautiful that dance will be," he said to himself.
He had watched it more times than he could count in the game, but never in person.
It seemed tonight's fireworks had been well worth the effort.
…
The next morning, Kamisato Ayaka spent the first half of the day as usual, immersed in translation work.
Around noon, she was invited to the sea train station.
Joining her were the Liyue Qixing and several major merchants.
Ningguang stood on a high platform, her voice carrying clearly over the crowd. "Today, Liyue's sea train officially enters service. But this is only the beginning. In the future, we will open a line to Inazuma as well. Please look forward to it."
Thunderous applause and the crackle of firecrackers rose together.
The first official run of the sea train began.
Ayaka took a window seat.
She watched the massive iron construct surge forward across the water.
"It's incredible… a train can run on the sea," she breathed. "If Inazuma could adopt this technology, we could link every island without needing to travel by ship."
Hearing her, Ningguang chuckled. "Exactly. Inazuma is made of islands. If you put a sea train into use, it would tie the people together and slowly dissipate internal strife. That's how a nation grows.
"But don't worry. The Blackcliff factory is already working on it. The line has reached the edge of the thunderstorm zone. Once the Sakoku Decree is lifted and the storms subside, the train can pass through."
She had always liked to prepare early. This time was no different.
Even with the thunderstorm, the outer ring was still accessible. They could build the rails and even artificial islands along its perimeter in advance.
All that awaited was for Inazuma to open its doors.
Once it did, the train would reach its shores as quickly as possible.
Talking and laughing, they watched the scenery change.
Before long, the sea train drew close to Dragonspine.
Because of the intense cold, the line curved away, tracing a wide arc around the mountain. That route kept the cars safe—and gave the passengers a sweeping view of the snow‑capped peak.
It was a kind of bonus.
Ayaka gazed at the mountain rising into the clouds, eyes full of wonder.
A place like that must be unimaginably cold, she thought. If only she could visit it one day.
The train rolled on and soon reached Dadaupa Gorge.
To allow the line to pass through, a sloping embankment had been built against the mountainside. The train climbed steadily, moving safely along the man‑made ridge.
Dadaupa Gorge still bore traces of old hilichurl encampments, but much of the land had already been turned into fields and pasture.
Orchards stretched in neat rows, a surprisingly peaceful sight.
"I didn't expect this place to be developed just as you said," Ningguang remarked, eyes half‑closed as she watched the landscape slide by. "Mondstadt's income must have grown a fair bit."
Behind her, Baiwen produced a folder. "According to our statistics, in just the past half‑month, land prices in Dadaupa Gorge and at Eagle's Gate have increased more than a thousandfold. From renting and selling alone, the people of Mondstadt have already earned over ten million Mora.
"And land prices at Eagle's Gate are still climbing."
"So much Mora?" Mona blurted out, stunned.
She remembered her earlier visits—Eagle's Gate had been nothing but barren shoreline.
To hear it was now worth millions…
Ganyu nodded. "That's the economic effect. Everyone knows port cities benefit from transportation. Commerce blooms there. With commerce comes higher prices.
"People also know this city is our joint investment. Its credibility is very high. Add in the fact that Su Han is stationed here, and it's probably the safest city around. Rising prices are only natural.
"By my estimate, this place will slowly surpass Mondstadt's main city."
Convenient transportation meant convenient profit.
For now, Ritou—Jingfu Harbor—was still an important port. But as Liyue's ally, Mondstadt was trading with it far more than any other nation.
This harbor's prosperity was already a foregone conclusion.
Soon, the train passed over Windrise Slope and rolled into Eagle Harbor.
Thanks to the efforts of countless laborers, the city here had already taken solid shape.
Looking out at the bustling streets, Ayaka was astonished. "You're telling me that just a month ago, this was an abandoned beach?"
"Yes. Only just established," Hu Tao replied with a mischievous grin.
Ayaka didn't even know what to say.
It felt like this new city was already more prosperous than Inazuma City itself.
The sourness that rose in her chest was hard to ignore.