Seeing that within this sealed consciousness space, they had left behind their own romance.
Lumine asked in shock, "Is the puppet Shogun truly invincible?"
Ei explained, "This is a consciousness space. Her existence is indeed difficult to shake."
"She was created to resist erosion. In terms of will, she can surpass all living things, including you and me."
Paimon spread her hands. "Then this battle will never end, won't it?"
[Ei: This great battle might truly have no end. After a disaster occurs in Inazuma, I will simply report it briefly.]
[Yae Miko: Now that you have changed your own way of thinking, is the Shogun alright?]
[Ei: I am finding it increasingly difficult to use this body now.]
[Paimon: So Ei will have to fight the Shogun now until she earns her recognition through skill?]
[Ei: I firmly believe that victory will come in the future.]
Ei's voice remained resolute. "Perhaps. But I must prove to her that my current will is by no means a product of erosion. The future I will forge will be a great undertaking that withstands erosion."
"Without doing this, the Shogun's rules cannot be changed, and Inazuma cannot advance. This is my responsibility. No matter how long this battle lasts—years, months, decades, centuries—no matter how many times, I will defeat her."
Lumine asked the key question. "Then what happens to Inazuma during this time?"
[Yae Miko: Yes, Ei. If you just leave like this to duel the Shogun, what are we supposed to do?]
[Ei: Miko, I believe you will handle things very well.]
[Yae Miko: But if I have to deal with the Shogun's official documents, I will have no time to read light novels.]
[Paimon: What a bizarre reason. As expected of Miko.]
[Lumine: Perhaps Ayaka could help.]
[Ei: Miko, I am counting on you.]
[Yae Miko: Since it is a deity's request, I accept.]
Ei replied, "Five hundred years ago, humanity proved their strength through battle. Now, they rely on their wishes to eliminate old evils. Just as an ancient sakura tree can grow new branches, I should learn to trust them."
Lumine pressed further. "Can you bear to let the people move forward alone?"
Ei did not turn around. "I understand. But if it is true that dreams are the true eternity, then the Shogun is but a fleeting moment, nothing to fear."
"If it is for Inazuma's boundless future, no matter how long my battle lasts, it is but an instant within eternity. I promise the subjects of Inazuma that I will return. This promise, you will witness."
[Ningguang: This promise, I witness.]
...
[Yae Miko: For some reason, I suddenly feel very happy.]
[Lumine: The burden on your shoulders can be set down. You were always worried about Ei before. Now, everything is moving in a good direction. You can focus entirely on reading novels. That is why you are so happy, right?]
[Furina: I have found a good story, very suitable for performing in Sumeru.]
[Paimon: What kind of story?]
[Furina: The story of the farmer and the snake. It tells of a farmer who tenderly cared for a snake, only to be bitten by it. The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata of Sumeru sacrificed herself to resolve the contamination caused by forbidden knowledge, yet the newly born Dendro Archon was treated that way."
"During the time I am away, I leave everything to Miko and the others."
Paimon wanted to say more, but the next moment, she was expelled from the consciousness space.
Paimon said, "We have been kicked out, haven't we? Ei is very stubborn and easily paints herself into a corner. If she becomes too obsessed with winning and loses sight of her original intention, she might never come out."
Lumine agreed. "That is right. We cannot just ignore this. Let us go find Yae Miko."