Yae Miko: "The black-robed figure you saw earlier had previously appeared in Sumeru. It's incredibly powerful—able to evade detection while escaping from three Original Archons. This is no ordinary foe."
Ei: "It sustained severe injuries. Had that not been the case, its earlier plan would have succeeded. In its current state, it's no match for me. However, its techniques are bizarre, and it possesses the ability to traverse space. If you encounter it, don't engage in prolonged combat. Notify me immediately."
Yae Miko nodded in agreement.
Though she was a great yokai, her chances of defeating a being as formidable as the black-robed figure remained slim.
"The black-robed figure itself isn't my main concern. What worries me is... Orobashi's remains have been gradually vanishing during this period, coinciding with the figure's reappearance. The Abyss possesses the eerie ability to resurrect dead Gods. If they were to resurrect Orobashi..."
Ei: "Then I shall strike him down again with the Musou no Hitotachi!"
Yae Miko sighed. She couldn't shake the feeling that the situation was far more complex than it appeared.
"That Traveler..."
Yae Miko pondered the possibility of the Traveler breaking the deadlock. But after much deliberation, she realized the "buffs" she could exploit in this situation were minimal. And judging by the Traveler's current strength, their assistance would likely be of limited help.
-
The incident in Inazuma City had profound repercussions.
Immediately, Shogunate soldiers patrolled every street and alley, transforming the night into a bustling spectacle.
Kujou Sara led a detachment of the Shogunate Army to the outskirts of Inazuma City, precisely to the area where Ei's Musou no Hitotachi had previously scorched the earth into charcoal.
Though Ei had withdrawn her strike, the domineering Electro energy still lingered over the area, refusing to dissipate.
"This... this is the Raiden Shogun's handiwork!" Kujou Sara, a fervent loyalist of the Raiden Shogun, instantly recognized her liege's Musou no Hitotachi.
"My lady, Lady Kujou!" A Shogunate officer rushed forward. "Preliminary investigations reveal that someone infiltrated the Kuki House in the dead of night and attacked Kuki Yuna. Judging by the devastation at the scene, the attacker possessed immense power. Bloodstains were found, likely Kuki Yuna's. According to eyewitness accounts, Kuki Yuna and Kuki Shinobu were last seen being escorted away by Lady Guuji Yae. Kuki Shinobu is unharmed, but Kuki Yuna has fallen into a coma."
Kujou Sara's face froze with cold fury. She immediately ordered the Shogunate Army to continue their investigation.
Then, she prepared to depart for Grand Narukami Shrine.
Little one, please, don't let anything happen to you.
-
Lumine and Paimon were staying in the Serenitea Pot and hadn't heard any of the commotion outside.
When they emerged from the Serenitea Pot the next morning and arrived in Inazuma City, they immediately noticed something was off. There were far more guards than usual, all heavily armed.
Puzzled, Lumine and Paimon were about to ask someone what was going on when they saw Itto rushing toward them, his face etched with worry.
"Itto? What's wrong? What happened?" Lumine asked.
Itto's face was a mask of anxiety, practically screaming his concern.
"No time to explain! Quick, come with me. I'll tell you on the way."
Lumine and Paimon immediately joined him. Lumine and Itto sprinted ahead, with Paimon flitting beside them.
"What's going on?" Lumine pressed.
"Yuna's in trouble! Someone attacked her at home yesterday. There was blood at the scene, and I heard she's unconscious. That fox woman already took her to the Grand Narukami Shrine."
Itto accelerated his pace as he spoke.
"What?!" Lumine exclaimed.
Lumine and Paimon were stunned. How could this be? They had been eating together just yesterday!
Could it be the Abyss?
Lumine's gaze sharpened. "Do you know who did this?"
Itto, furious as a lion, gripped his hair tightly. "No! Damn it! Which bastard was it? If I find out, I'll kill them myself!"
Though Itto got along well with many people, Granny, Shinobu, and Yuna held a special place in his heart. They were his family, his untouchable Achilles' heel.
Anyone who dared to cross that line would face the wrath of a berserk oni—a force not to be trifled with.
Lumine stopped, spotting a Teleport Waypoint.
Paimon understood instantly, and together they sprinted toward it.
"Itto, we'll go check it out first!"
Hearing their voices, Itto turned to see Lumine and Paimon already vanishing beside the Teleport Waypoint.
Without hesitation, Itto spun around and sprinted toward Grand Narukami Shrine with even greater speed.
-
Kamisato Estate.
Inside a room.
"Thoma, how is Yuna?"
"Miss, Yuna sustained some injuries, but they don't appear to be serious."
Thoma had returned from Grand Narukami Shrine with the latest news.
Ayato stood beside him, silent, waiting for Thoma to continue.
"The Raiden Shogun is also there, along with Kujou Sara. The Shogun's orders are... prepare for war."
"Hmm?"
Even Ayato's expression showed a hint of surprise. He turned to Thoma. "The target is..."
"The Abyss," Thoma replied.
"Brother!" Ayaka's voice trembled with anxiety. Ayato gently raised his hand, signaling her to remain calm.
"The Abyss... they've come after all. But sooner than I anticipated."
The Traveler had journeyed through four nations, and the Abyss had already targeted three of them, leaving only Inazuma untouched.
Now it seemed their target was... Yuna?
Rola Ragnvindr, Mu Qingge, and Kuki Yuna—what did they have in common?
Without the crucial missing piece, Ayato couldn't decipher the puzzle.
Those who knew about Pure Souls were notoriously tight-lipped, and the Yashiro Commission had been unable to glean any information.
"Thoma." Ayato rose to his feet.
"Head of the House."
"As per the Raiden Shogun's orders, prepare for war. We'll discuss the specifics later."
Ayato intended to personally visit Grand Narukami Shrine. He needed to uncover the secrets behind this major event.
-
Grand Narukami Shrine.
Yuna patted Paimon, who had been clinging to her arm and crying since they arrived. "Paimon, I'm fine, see?"
Lumine's heart surged with a tumultuous wave of dread when she learned from Yae Miko that the attacker was the black-robed figure.
That thing is still alive?
Lumine had witnessed the black-robed figure battling three Gods from afar—a spectacle of terrifying power!
And then there was the mysterious disappearance of Orobashi's remains...
If the Abyss strikes now, they'll have at least two God-level combatants!
Though Yae Miko claimed the black-robed figure was severely injured, Lumine knew firsthand the Abyss's horrifying depth after battling them for so long. Their resources defied all reason. Even if they currently possessed only one God-level combatant, several more could emerge at any moment.
Lumine voiced her fears to Yae Miko, whose expression turned grave, but she had no immediate solutions.
Lumine turned to find Paimon.
Paimon seemed dazed when Lumine pulled her out, having just been cradled in Yuna's arms.
"Paimon, we need to ask for help."
"Ask for help?"
"Yes! We can't let anything happen to Yuna. We need to find Venti and Zhongli!"
Lumine was certain that Venti and Zhongli would never stand idly by if they learned the black-robed figure was still alive.