"Resurrection?"
"Five hundred years later?"
Raiden Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu exchanged stunned glances.
For them, death had been a single frozen moment.
For Ei and Miko—
It had been five centuries of loss.
No wonder the two had clung to them like drowning souls grasping driftwood.
Still…
Resurrection?
Such a thing had never existed in Teyvat.
Had some supreme existence descended upon the world?
Their questions only multiplied.
But for now—
Being alive was enough.
"Five hundred years… and you're still the same, Ei."
Makoto smiled gently.
"But Miko… you've grown so much."
Saiguu chuckled softly.
"Indeed. The little fox has become quite the Guuji."
Outside, the chant of Inazuma's people echoed thunderously:
"Everlasting order, Narukami eternal!"
Makoto's eyes softened.
"It seems you've governed Inazuma well these past five centuries."
Silence.
An awkward, suffocating silence.
Miko crossed her arms with a knowing smirk.
Ei lowered her head in shame.
Extraordinary Chat Group
Alice: Governed well? Oh, absolutely well~ (evil grin)
Venti: Yes, yes—just handing governance to the puppet and hiding in Euthymia for five hundred years! (doge)
Zhongli: Merely implementing the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree. Nothing dramatic. (doge)
Nahida: Just civil unrest, resistance armies, and internal strife. Minor matters. (doge)
Furina: She looks exactly like a kid who broke something and is waiting to be scolded~
Lumine: Sisterly "educational correction" recommended! (doge)
Paimon: Once isn't enough? Then ten times! Shut-ins must be disciplined! (doge)
Ei wanted to sink into the floor.
But she couldn't argue.
Mistakes were mistakes.
Makoto's smile faded.
"…Ei?"
She felt it immediately.
Something was wrong.
Was Inazuma poorly governed?
Knowing her sister…
That possibility wasn't small.
Saiguu and Miko both watched with subtle amusement.
Foxes, both of them.
Ei panicked.
"Say something… scold me… don't just be silent…"
Makoto sighed.
Then softly said:
"If Inazuma prospered, it is your achievement."
"If it faltered, it is my fault."
"If I had not died so suddenly, you would not have been forced to inherit the throne."
"You were never suited to rule."
"I placed upon you a burden that was never yours."
"So do not blame yourself. The fault is mine."
The chat fell silent.
Mockery dissolved into admiration.
This—
Was why Makoto had been beloved.
Gentle.
Responsible.
Willing to shoulder blame even in death.
Ei trembled.
"…Makoto…"
She had expected reprimand.
Instead—
She was forgiven.
No.
Not forgiven—
Protected.
But Ei shook her head firmly.
"No."
"A mistake is mine alone."
"As the god of Inazuma, failure to govern is my responsibility."
"I already have a plan."
Her plan had been a public self-criticism.
Now—
It evolved.
She would return the throne to Makoto.
Stand beside her instead.
Let Inazuma flourish under both blade and blossom.
Makoto saw the resolve in Ei's eyes and smiled with pride.
She didn't yet know Ei intended abdication.
If she did—
Her reaction might not be so serene.
Saiguu clapped her hands lightly.
"Shall we leave national policy for later?"
"Your Highness and Miko have something important to do."
Ei turned to Miko.
"Resurrection again?"
"My coins are gone."
"Your scroll remains."
"Chiyo first?"
Ei briefly explained Chiyo's fate.
Makoto and Saiguu's eyes dimmed.
Another friend lost.
Miko shook her head.
"The first will not be Chiyo."
"It will be Hanachirusato."
"Hanachirusato?"
Makoto and Saiguu were puzzled.
Ei, however, understood immediately.
"…Her."
She glanced at Saiguu with complicated emotion.
Saiguu's heart stirred.
Hanachirusato…
Was connected to her.
"Hanachirusato is… alive."
Ei frowned.
"How do you resurrect someone who still exists?"
"…Unless."
Realization dawned.
Miko smiled faintly.
"I will kill her first."
"And then revive her."
Makoto and Saiguu both widened their eyes.
What kind of logic was that?!
Chat Group Reaction
Barbara: Isn't that what Barbatos joked about before?!
Venti: Theoretically effective~ (whistle)
Zhongli: She can specify the resurrection target. Risk is minimal.
Nahida: But Hanachirusato is composed of filth and corruption…
Furina: The item removes all negative states, right?
Neuvillette: If the impurity is removed… does Hanachirusato remain?
Silence.
If corruption was erased—
Would she disappear entirely?
Miko typed calmly.
Yae Miko: Think positively.
Yae Miko: Perhaps she revives as herself, with Lady Saiguu's memories—but without corruption.
Yae Miko: Trying offers a chance. Not trying guarantees loss.
No one argued.
Hanachirusato was doomed once the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual ended.
This was her only possible salvation.
Konda Village — Beneath the Well
They found her.
Red-and-white shrine attire.
Mask covering her face.
Waiting.
For the "Child of Man."
For the ritual.
For her own end.
She turned at the sound of footsteps—
And froze.
"Lady Makoto… Lady Ei… and… Lady Saiguu?!"
Her voice trembled.
She recognized them from inherited memories.
Saiguu stepped forward.
"I am Saiguu."
"I was resurrected."
"So was Makoto."
"We came for you."
Hanachirusato smiled faintly.
"So that is what happened…"
"I'm glad… truly glad… to see you."
She spoke calmly of her origin—
A being born of memory and calamity.
Of duty.
Of cleansing Narukami Island.
Of unease.
"I know I am impurity."
"But seeing you alive…"
"I feel… at peace."
She mentioned Ioroi.
The stone-sealed tanuki.
Saiguu nodded softly.
"That game of hide-and-seek must end."
Hanachirusato inhaled slowly.
"So… you came to perform the ritual."
"To say farewell."
"No."
Saiguu's voice was firm.
"The ritual is ours to bear."
"You are not obligated."
"I am part of you."
"No."
"You are not me."
"You are not anyone's shadow."
"You are Hanachirusato."
The words struck deep.
Identity acknowledged.
Existence affirmed.
Saiguu continued:
"We did not come to say goodbye."
"We came to save you."
"To free you of corruption."
"To let you live as a true kitsune."
Silence.
Emotion surged behind the mask.
"…Thank you."
"I am Hanachirusato."
"Not anyone else."
"But to save me… no—"
Miko stepped forward.
"There is a way."
"But first…"
"We must kill you."
Hanachirusato: ???
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito