The situation that briefly stunned Durandal successfully caught Ei's attention, making her unable to resist asking a question.
"Earlier, during the Shogunate's negotiations with the Fatui, an Abyssal Mage controlled several Electro Hilichurl Baller Kings to cause damage, but my Main Body stopped them."
Durandal briefly recounted what had just happened to Ei. Hearing that the Abyss Order was active in Inazuma, Ei's eyes also grew serious.
"Does the Shogunate need to send people to handle this matter?"
"There's no need, and the Abyss Order is not something the Shogunate's samurai can handle. Acting rashly would only lead to corrosion by the Abyss's power, causing greater casualties."
In any case, unless absolutely necessary, it's better not to let ordinary people get involved with matters concerning the Abyss Order.
Those with a Vision can do something, but others would only complicate matters.
"Alright, if there's anything you need, just tell me, and I'll arrange the relevant affairs immediately."
"Until you gain Makoto's approval for your ability to handle government affairs, you don't need to worry about these things."
Durandal said irritably. She wasn't comfortable letting Ei handle matters yet. She would wait until Ei was competent before letting her deal with these things.
"Currently, the Abyss Order's objective is unclear. A thorough investigation would only waste the Shogunate's resources and attract the Abyss Order's attention. Maintaining the status quo is fine; you don't need to worry so much. If any real problems arise, I will handle them."
"...You're not from Inazuma, yet you care so much about Inazuma's affairs. Should I arrange a position for you, as thanks for your contributions to Inazuma during this time?"
Ei said, pretending to be casual. If Durandal agreed, she would immediately contact Raiden Shogun, having her and Makoto arrange the matter as quickly as possible, giving Durandal no chance to regret it.
But Durandal would not agree to Ei's offer, not even as a joke.
"No interest. I have no interest in being confined to the nation of Inazuma. I... still need to accompany Lumine on her travels through various nations, to witness the end of her journey. I won't stop here."
"...Alright," Ei mumbled softly.
She had thought Durandal would refuse her because of Shenhe, but she didn't expect her to refuse her invitation because of that blonde girl.
Judging by her tone, their relationship seemed quite intimate?
"Is she very important to you? To give up this opportunity because of her."
"She is, indeed, a very important friend of mine. She is the most important friend who'saved' me from my predicament."
Although she often caused her trouble, constantly raising her blood pressure and making her unhappy, she would absolutely never change her decision to stay by her side.
Lumine, like Klee, was a presence that brought light into her dark life. Her importance... could not be replaced by any official position.
"The most important friend"... Well, that's truly enviable. Once upon a time, she also had such friends.
Ei felt a little melancholic. She often dreamt of herself as she used to be, with her friends, under the beautiful cherry blossom trees during the season of blooming sakura, drinking sake and chatting about happy things.
"Then... what about me? Can I be your friend, like her?"
"You... forget it. I have no interest in being friends with someone who locks herself away, spending every day reading light novels and eating sweets."
Hearing Durandal's rejection, Ei, who had been a little dejected, heard the latter part of the sentence, and her beautiful face flushed with anger.
"I... I didn't do such things! I've always been meditating here. How could I do something that would disgrace the Raiden Shogun's dignity!"
"Oh, is that so? Then what about all the sweets and light novels I saw on the floor when I first came in?"
"..."
This conversation couldn't continue! It was too painful! In the past, since only Yae Miko came to the Plane of Euthymia, she hadn't bothered with the Plane of Euthymia's cleanliness.
Rather, this was a special space that wouldn't get dirty with dust like the outside, so there were no hygiene issues at all.
This made Ei overlook this aspect, and the result... Oh, if only she could go back in time to supervise herself, at least have Yae Miko take away the empty sweet boxes and light novels, so this embarrassing situation wouldn't have happened.
"However..."
As Ei was completely defeated by her own dark history, Durandal continued.
"If you can become an excellent Archon who can stand on her own, and Makoto can confidently entrust Inazuma to you, then I might consider being friends with you."
"There's still a condition, how demanding. But... I accept."
Ei smiled, "I will become excellent, making Inazuma even more prosperous under my governance than it is now, making you, my sister, and everyone else look at me with new eyes!"
At that time, you'll have no reason to refuse to be my friend.
"Then I look forward to your performance."
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