Early this morning,
the three from Narukami Shrine, after washing up, directly arrived at Kamisato Estate via a teleport waypoint.
Kamisato Ayaka, walking ahead of the other two, looked a bit uneasy.
She was like a well-behaved girl staying out all night for the first time, unsure how to face her elder brother, who cared for her like a father.
"Relax, Ayato-xiong supports us being together, and who knows, he might even join my side eventually?"
Jack held Kamisato Ayaka's hand, giving her confidence.
Jack had two alternative plans for Kamisato Ayato, his brother-in-law.
The first plan was if he was willing to be a mortal and make the Kamisato Family flourish.
Then Jack would strongly support Ayato-xiong and assure him that the Kamisato Family would stand strong for thousands of years to come.
The second plan was was to make Kamisato Ayato his apostle, just like Diluc.
This way, the Kamisato Family would, in a sense, have no descendants, but he would gain eternal life and then support a group of like-minded people to achieve his vision of a peaceful and prosperous era.
Yae Miko was noncommittal about these two plans.
Based on her understanding of the Kamisato Family's young master, Kamisato Ayato was not interested in women, so he would naturally not choose the first plan's philandering route.
In comparison, although the second plan meant losing freedom, it allowed one to touch the truth.
For an idealist like Kamisato Ayato, this was a fatal temptation!
...
Inside the side hall of Kamisato Estate.
Only Jack and Kamisato Ayato were present.
Jack sipped Inazuma's special tea while explaining his purpose.
"I have already explained the general situation to Ayato-xiong. As of now, the head of the Ragnvindr family, a great merchant from Mondstadt, the Liyue Adepti, and the Wind and Rock Gods have all become my colleagues."
"Teyvat is my starting point, by no means my end. I believe Ayato-xiong, being a more experienced strategist than me, understands better the benefits of entering early and gaining more insights."
Kamisato Ayato showed a wry smile upon seeing Jack's sincere and persuasive attitude.
"Ayaka must have told you something, but Brother Qu, you truly don't need to give me so much special treatment. Whatever the Ragnvindr family head paid, I should pay equally, otherwise, this pursuit of eternal truth might crush my conscience."
"Heh, to be able to resist the temptation of immense benefits, it seems Ayato-xiong is indeed an upright person."
"I've always been this way with friends and family."
The two intelligent men clinked their cups, drinking the water in them as a substitute for wine.
Then Kamisato Ayato stood up, flicked his long sleeve, and knelt on one knee.
"I, Kamisato Ayato, head of the Yashiro Commission in Inazuma, hereby swear!"
"From now on, I shall be guided by the will of Entara, the Creator, never retreating, never giving up, and dedicating all my strength to upholding my Lord's eternal truth!"
Such a chuunibyou Inazuman.
Jack gently waved his hand, and a current of air helped his brother-in-law to his feet.
Then he took out a Maid Charm.
"Remember, Ayato-xiong, when you accept this charm, an unremovable barrier will be placed between you and the mortal world, making you a servant of eternal time."
Since that was the case, Jack also acted chuunibyou for once.
Kamisato Ayato's expression was serious, and he nodded heavily.
"If I can achieve the prosperous era in my heart where every household in Inazuma is reunited, I am willing to do so!"
"Good!"
Jack felt his will, silently recited the invitation, and the charm transformed into a black stream of light that enveloped Kamisato Ayato.
Ten seconds later.
Jack gained another scholarly general under his command.
...
In the afternoon.
At the Minecraft World Linjian Cabin, Jack brought Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko to move into the Linjian Cabin.
In the large living room, everyone gave them a warm welcome.
"Welcome newcomers, I'm Amber, let's get along well from now on!"
"Excellent! Our ice-element sisters gain another strong member!"
"Yay! It's a new big sister!"
Jack, with Klee on his left and Qiqi on his right, was a bit overwhelmed, but still instructed, "Not everyone is here yet. Let's have a welcome party together at dinner time."
"Indeed, then I'll take Sister Ayaka upstairs to tidy up her room first?"
"Go ahead, I'll check Klee's homework."
Today was the Mondstadt group's collective day off, and Jean had brought Eula and Amber to the cabin.
Keqing was not present, so the helpful Jean acted as a guide, leading Kamisato Ayaka towards the room they had chosen yesterday.
"Where's Sister Ganyu? Why isn't she here?"
Yae Miko looked around, then leaned on Jack and asked.
"Ganyu might not be back until evening. Occasionally, she brings files back to read, but coincidentally, today isn't one of those times."
"Alright."
Yae Miko's eyebrows drooped.
Not being able to see her acquaintance Ganyu, and being the only non-human present, she still felt a bit awkward.
"Eh? The big sister also has something fluffy on her head, th-that... can Klee touch it?"
"Fluffy?"
Yae Miko saw the little red-haired girl suddenly looking at her fox ears, and instinctively covered her ears, feeling as if she had seen this child somewhere before.
"This is Alice-nushi's daughter, you know?"
Jack said with a mischievous smile to Yae Miko.
"What?!"
Yae Miko quickly retreated four or five steps, looking at the seemingly harmless blonde loli in front of her with surprise and uncertainty.
Upon closer inspection, weren't these features a miniature version of Alice-nushi!
Dormant memories began to attack Yae Miko.
The time she spent with Alice was a dark history she could never erase from her life. Thus, Miss Fox righteously refused Klee.
"No! These are the ears of a fox demon, you can't just touch them, otherwise you'll be cursed by the demon and wet your bed in the middle of the night~"
"Ah! How can this be..."
Klee sighed regretfully, but her big eyes still blinked at Yae Miko's ears.
Her eyes darted around, thinking of instigating Qiqi, the little adeptus, to plead with her. With an adeptus present, she shouldn't have to fear the fox demon.
But Qiqi was busy replenishing her brother's energy and had no mind to pay attention to mischievous Klee.
Kamisato Ayaka, having finished arranging her room, walked down the staircase, looking at the joyful and playful scene in the living room, and smiled from the bottom of her heart.
"Does it feel very lively?"
"Ah, Miss Jean... Yes, the sisters are all beautiful, and Klee and the others are very cute. This is a family life I've never experienced before."
"Actually, I only began to feel the true sense of life after meeting Qu."
Jean sighed with a smile.
"Real? Hmm, now that you mention it, my previous experiences do seem to be..."
"Like characters in a painting, arranged within a script?"
"Yes! Miss Jean's analogy is truly apt."
"Not at all, he told us all of this."
Jean looked at Jack, who was peeling an orange for Qiqi, her eyes full of doting affection.
"Perhaps it's truly as he said. Originally, we were merely pre-set programs, whether tragedy or comedy, all meticulously designed scripts by others. We never truly lived for 'ourselves'."
"And now, Miss Jean, are you living for yourself?"
"That's why you can see me today."
Jean didn't explain further, but stretched and moved her limbs.
She, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, had delegated most of her work, thus enjoying a more leisurely work schedule of five days on, two days off, even more relaxed than Ganyu and Keqing.
And this was proof that she was living for herself.
-------------------------------
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