From the first episode of the Previous Life Series, it was clear that the keywords always formed the core of the entire video.
That was why the phrase "Subjugating the Gods" caught Raiden Ei's particular attention.
What did it mean?
In Inazuma, there were only a few gods—Makoto, herself, and Orobashi.
From the perspective of later generations, Orobashi was merely a demon god, not a true deity.
So Ei leaned toward one conclusion—did it mean her and her sister were the ones who had been "subjugated"?
By Gu Chen?
Why?
Ei couldn't understand.
If she herself had been subdued, she could accept that with a sigh of relief.
But if it was her sister… she couldn't, not in this life or the last.
"Why worry so much?"
Seeing Ei's restless, uneasy expression, Yae Miko sighed and shook her head. "You're overthinking again. Things of the past should stay in the past. Just wait until you see how it ends."
Ei only shook her head gloomily, saying nothing.
Miko didn't press further.
She knew Ei well—this woman was always a bit slow to grasp the subtleties, sometimes even… adorably dense.
Perhaps all warriors were like that—single-minded to a fault.
But why was Morax so clever, then?
Miko decided not to dwell on it. Her gaze drifted back to the video.
Time in the projection flew by quickly.
Inazuma's development changed dramatically in the blink of an eye.
Nearly a hundred years seemed to pass in that single clip.
From a small village, it had grown into a great city under Gu Chen's rule, with a population of hundreds of thousands.
From stone to bronze, and then to iron—all within thirty years.
From wild fruit to cultivated rice—in three years.
From leaves to woven clothing—in one year.
The scale of change within a century was staggering.
In less than a hundred years, Gu Chen had transformed a primitive people into the spark of civilization.
And all this while the land was surrounded by monsters.
This was not growth in peaceful times—it was development under constant peril.
Fortunately, both Ei and Gu Chen possessed overwhelming strength to protect Inazuma.
Over that century, Raiden Makoto learned much from Gu Chen. She untangled the complex relationships among the races and reconciled them cleverly so they no longer harbored hostility.
Her greatest proof of success was appointing Kitsune Saiguu of the Hakushin lineage as the High Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
At that time, the shrine was far less magnificent than in later ages—it was a humble place of worship, with no festivals, no ceremonies, not even plans for such things.
Civilization could never be built overnight; it always crossed the river by feeling for the stones beneath.
For Inazuma, the greatest boon was Gu Chen's knowledge—he came from another, far stronger empire. Even when he didn't know exactly how to proceed, he always had a grand vision in mind.
One day, Makoto accompanied him as usual.
She had grown used to such days—learning, observing, staying close to Gu Chen.
He sat upon the throne, reading a book. Paper, by now, was already in use.
The only sound in the hall was the gentle rustling of pages.
After hesitating for a while, Makoto finally spoke.
"Say it."
Gu Chen didn't even raise his head.
Smiling slightly, Makoto began, "I've analyzed our current situation. I think it's unwise to keep the capital by the coast. If sea beasts rise up and stir great waves, too many lives will be lost. I propose we move the capital to higher ground."
She handed him her drafted map.
Gu Chen glanced at it, and the book in his hand dissolved into specks of light. He pulled a sheet of paper from the drawer and said, "Have a look at this."
Makoto leaned in beside him, eyes widening. "You already planned this?"
"It's not because of sea beasts."
Gu Chen shook his head, pointing to a spot on the map. "A nation's capital shouldn't be built here—it's too cramped. We must think long-term. The capital should be the grandest, most important place. Here—this site will allow for future population growth, with vast plains left open for farming."
The more Makoto listened, the more she realized how short her own foresight was.
She was a god of Transience—she valued the present.
Not that she lacked vision, but compared to Gu Chen, she fell a little short.
"Since you already have a plan, why haven't you begun?" she asked.
Gu Chen shook his head. "Moving the capital isn't my decision to make. I've been waiting for the right time to report it to you. You are Inazuma's god, after all."
Makoto blinked, then smiled. "You still think of yourself as an outsider, don't you?"
"My lady god," Gu Chen replied with a faint smile, "this isn't about being an outsider—it's about doing things properly."
Makoto tilted her head. "Then… has Inazuma's slow progress been my fault?"
Gu Chen froze.
Was Inazuma's growth slow?
Without external threats—yes, perhaps unbearably so. But with monsters constantly attacking, this pace was understandable.
When he didn't answer, Makoto's expression turned solemn. Lightning crackled in her hand and coalesced into a blade—Dreams One Heart.
Her divine weapon.
"From today onward, you shall act in my stead," she said firmly.
"You trust me that much?" Gu Chen asked, slightly taken aback.
"Of course!" Makoto beamed and started counting on her fingers. "First, if you're bound to me, it's like having another me—super cost-effective, right? Second, your knowledge can help Inazuma prosper even faster! So honestly, having you as my retainer is a total win for me!"
Seeing the goddess's radiant, almost girlish smile, Gu Chen accepted the blade and said quietly, "He who serves his lord must serve well."
"Don't be so serious," Makoto laughed. "Let's just be friends."
Gu Chen hesitated, then nodded. "In that case, I won't hold back."
"Good!" Makoto nodded enthusiastically, tucked away her map, and said, "I'll go check the site in person then. See you later!"
Once she stepped out of the hall, she exhaled deeply, then broke into a bright grin—humming a victory tune as she walked away.
[Kaeya]: Oh no, from ruler and subject to friends… Does that mean next they'll become lovers? @Traveler, your thoughts?
[Venti]: Go, Gu Chen! Charge!! (cheering)
[Yae Miko]:smirks
[Nilou]: Ahhh! Lady Makoto looks so happy being friends with Gu Chen! Her joy is practically glowing through the screen!
[Collei]: I feel bad for Miss Traveler, but… Miss Makoto's so sincere! I even caught her sneaking glances at Gu Chen while learning governance!
[Furina]: Ship them! Ship them hard!
[Kujou Sara]: Acting in place of the god… does that make Gu Chen the Raiden Shogun? pondering
[Kamisato Ayaka]: The elegance in Mr. Gu Chen's demeanor… it's captivating. blushing
[Traveler]: Everyone's having fun shipping while I feel out of place! angry
[Paimon]: Hard to comment. faints
[Raiden Ei]: …How am I supposed to face Gu Chen now? self-isolating
[Furina]: One person's pain for everyone's joy—worth it! Traveler, you must remember, you met Gu Chen through these past-life videos too. You were the first! So hold your ground. teasing grin
[Traveler]: I know, I've already prepared myself! (huffs)
A traveler must always think ahead.
Even though the real Makoto had long fallen, that didn't make Traveler feel safer.
Whether coincidence or fate, both past-life videos involved Gu Chen.
So Traveler resolved to grow stronger, more dazzling—beauty, presence, grace.
Later arrivals might catch his attention for a time, but Gu Chen's heart would always belong to her!
Paimon, seeing Traveler's renewed confidence, relaxed.
Back in the video—
Relocating hundreds of thousands wasn't easy. Many were reluctant to leave. Gu Chen didn't force them; he wasn't abandoning the old site, merely building a new capital for the future.
Three years later, Inazuma City was complete, and Makoto named the twin gods' residence Tenshukaku.
Though different in detail, the city's layout was seven parts similar to the modern one—its geography demanded it.
With order came structure.
Gu Chen formally established the Bakufu, completing the governing framework: beneath it, the Three Commissions, and below them, various departments.
The people, in reverence, began calling him the Regent General—a title Makoto herself would soon officially bestow.
[Yoimiya]: Wow! The structure's exactly like our Inazuma today!
[Ayaka]: Yes, the first place must have been Konda Village. The new capital looks almost the same as now—perhaps even grander. And the system's nearly identical… incredible!
[Gorou]: It feels like Gu Chen time-traveled from our era to ancient Inazuma to start reforming it!
[Raiden Ei]:nods
[Furina]: Ooh, this just got more interesting!
[Xingqiu]: Could it be… Gu Chen is like a light novel protagonist—someone who crossed into ancient Inazuma?
[Sara]: So now he's officially "General." shock
[Yae Miko]:"Reborn: I Became Emperor of Ancient Inazuma!"
[Kaeya]: Publish it now!
[Venti]: @Gu Chen — tell us the truth, did you transmigrate with modern memories? grins
[Gu Chen]:"Reborn in Ancient Inazuma: With Makoto on My Left, Ei on My Right, I Led the Nation to Glory." (wink)
[Traveler]: Oh great, now you're just saying it outright!
[Paimon]: I bought a washboard.
[Raiden Ei]:draws sword
[Yae Miko]: I need that book right now!
[Alice]: Heh, little Miko, I'll write one for you when I'm free—Gu Chen the Emperor, Baal the Empress, Beelzebul the Consort… and you, Miko… can be a palace maid. giggles
[Klee]: Mommy!
[Alice]: That's my Klee!
[Gu Chen]: Send me an uncut copy when you're done, Sister Alice. Thanks!
[Alice]: Of course! cheerful Klee noises
[Yae Miko]: A palace maid? Really? Give in the general's post instead—she doesn't belong in a harem! smirking
[Raiden Ei]: …I don't even qualify for the harem?
Ei fell silent.
She had never thought about such things before—but her face was almost identical to her sister's.
If Makoto could be Empress, why couldn't she even enter Gu Chen's harem?
She lifted her gaze toward Miko. "Why?" she asked seriously.
Miko blinked.
It was just a joke, yet this dummy took it seriously?
"What, you want to join his harem? Shall I go tell him?" Miko teased.
Ei hesitated, then shook her head. "No. I'm just… curious. Why am I only fit to be the general?"
Ah. So that's all it was.
Miko nearly burst out laughing, tears in her eyes.
Ei just stared at her, sulking.
Truly, foxes were insufferable!
"Alright, alright," Miko finally said, her smile fading into something thoughtful. "There's work to do, Ei. Don't dwell on nonsense. Do you really think Traveler could be with Gu Chen just because of one memory? Unlikely.
And about that governing system Gu Chen created—it's still in use today, isn't it? Perhaps it wasn't copied later… maybe it's been preserved unchanged since ancient times."
Ei froze. "What do you mean?"
"There's no record of anyone named Gu Chen in history, right?"
"None," Ei frowned. "Not in my memory."
Miko chuckled softly. "Light novels often feature people whose existence was deliberately erased."
Her words were quiet—
but in Ei's ears, they thundered.
Her pupils dilated, her breath quickened—
the impact of that idea left her utterly shaken.
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