Thinking this, Shiki slowly drew the Kujikanesada from her waist. Yae Miko, the entire fox, was stunned. Wait, was she really going to murder him to silence him?
"Hey, hey, little one, I advise you to put down that dangerous idea!"
"I'm saving him. Allergies this severe can kill people." After speaking, Shiki aimed the Kujikanesada at a Line of Death on Arataki Itto's chest and stabbed down.
When she returned the Kujikanesada to its sheath, Yae Miko was even more dumbfounded. Where was the blood?
But the most shocking part was yet to come. Arataki Itto, whose entire body had been swollen and red, suddenly returned to normal. Then, like nothing had happened, he performed a carp jump and stood up from the ground.
"Hahahahahaha, your Big Boss is back! It seems even bean products can't defeat me now, hahahahaha!"
"That's a bit optimistic of you. Allergies don't just go away. The reason you can stand here and laugh right now is because I eliminated your allergic symptoms."
Shiki was rather speechless. Where did this weirdo come from? However, the man's appearance was highly recognizable: white hair plus red eye shadow. He must be a new character released later.
"Oh, is that so! Well, thank you very much!"
"Ore wa Arataki Itto! Ore wa the Finisher of Contests! Wanna join my Arataki Gang?"
While speaking, Arataki Itto pulled out a comb from who knows where and tidied up his slightly messy hair caused by lying on the ground.
"I refuse."
Shiki rejected him without thinking. An organization belonging to such an eccentric person must also be eccentric, and she didn't want to get infected.
"Ah, what a pity. Then let's be friends! After all, you did me a favor. How does that saying go? You *huala huala* me, and I *gudong gudong* you."
"That's called 'A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring.' Was your Chinese teacher your gym teacher?" Shiki was completely numb now.
"Right, right, a drop of kindness should be repaid with something! By the way, you still haven't told me your name!"
"...My name is Shiki."
"Alright, Shiki! From now on, you are the friend of Arataki Itto, the Number One in the World! How about that? Are you happy? Hahahahaha!"
Arataki Itto stretched out his hand and forcefully patted the girl's shoulder, then burst into laughter again.
Shiki didn't understand. Did this person... no, did this Oni endorse Wahaha? He kept saying "hahahaha."
"Mhm, today was a truly pleasant day! Not only did I thwart the pink fox, but I also made a good friend!"
"Oh, right, Yae Fox! Hurry up and pay!"
"Honestly, why are you making such a fuss? It's not like I won't pay."
Hearing this, Yae Miko reluctantly pulled out her wallet. As a fox who loved Fried Tofu, losing a speed contest to an Oni who was allergic to bean products was a complete disgrace!
For some reason, seeing this scene made Shiki feel much better, and her worries about Inazuma's future situation were also slightly eased.
After sending off the eccentric Oni youth, Shiki looked at Yae Miko playfully and said, "Did you meet your match?"
"What does this have to do with me? I was just slurping noodles here; he was the one who came looking for trouble," Yae Miko complained.
"Keep talking. I'll pretend to believe you."
However, Shiki didn't believe a single word. The Fox must have done something first, otherwise why would he challenge her to a contest?
"Hmph, boring."
"Let's talk about you. Why did you suddenly run off to Inazuma City? Aren't you holed up in Konda Village anymore?"
Yae Miko tried to change the subject, and Shiki didn't want to waste time, so she succeeded.
"I came out to relax and tell you something."
"What is it?"
"The Kamisato Clan plans to use Yae Publishing House to distribute a journal across all of Inazuma. The profit will be split fifty-fifty, and we will bear the burden of content layout and costs. Yae Publishing House only needs to provide a distribution channel. Doesn't that sound reasonable?"
"It's not that it's reasonable; it's more like I'm getting a huge bargain. You must have other objectives, right?"
After hearing Shiki's words, Yae Miko immediately realized that this matter was definitely not simple, as there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
"Of course, but we can't discuss it here. Let's go to Grand Narukami Shrine." Shiki didn't deny it, but she also didn't plan to say anything now. Who knew if there were any Kujou Clan informants here?
Not to mention Yae Miko, even the weakest of the Three Commissions, the Kamisato Clan, knew of her appearance in Inazuma City from the very beginning. One can imagine that the Kujou Clan, as the Tenryou Commission, must have informants spread throughout the entire Inazuma City.
"Oh? It seems to be a very significant matter."
Yae Miko followed Shiki to the outskirts of the city, then teleported to Grand Narukami Shrine.
The scenery at Grand Narukami Shrine now wasn't much different from before. The Divine Sakura bloomed eternally, its power sufficient to ensure Grand Narukami Shrine was not disturbed by wind or snow.
"Can you speak now? There won't be any irrelevant people here."
"I have a plan..."
Shiki laid out her entire plan. In front of this Fox, hiding anything was meaningless; it was better to tell her everything from the start.
Furthermore, Yae Miko also didn't want to see Ei abandon her physical body and remain secluded in the Isshin Pure Land. The story of Inazuma shouldn't be frozen Five hundred years ago.
"Little one, do you really want to do this? Inazuma's land has remained unchanged for thousands of years. You're not just facing the Fatui, but the entire Inazuma and the Raiden Shogun!"
"Are you truly prepared to face a god?"
Yae Miko's eyes were complex. She wouldn't stop Raiden Ei from pursuing eternity, but it shouldn't be in this manner.
The trap had already been set; now she just needed a Catalyst. But, honestly, was the girl in front of her truly that Catalyst?
"How could I be prepared? That's the Raiden Shogun, who can cleave an island with a single strike of Musou no Hitotachi!"
Shiki shook her head. Although she prided herself on being able to kill anything alive, even a god, she had no confidence at all if she were to truly fight the Electro Archon.
That Musou no Hitotachi, in the game, even made time stop for a moment. What could she use to resist that?
Moreover, in the game, the Traveler didn't defeat Raiden Ei but rather changed her mind through the wishes of the people. If it came to a true fight, they couldn't win at all.
"Regarding her cleaving an island with her blade, you don't need to worry. Inazuma City has a large population, so she won't use her full power to unleash that strike."
"On the contrary, you can unleash your power without restraint, as long as you don't break that blade. Anything else doesn't matter."
Yae Miko's words made Shiki fall into contemplation. "Anything else doesn't matter"—did that mean destroying the puppet was also acceptable?
Come to think of it, Raiden Ei's consciousness resided within Musou Isshin. How the puppet fared seemed not to affect her.
However, it was still too early to talk about this; at least, the time hadn't come yet.
"One step at a time. So, you agree to the magazine collaboration?"
"Why not? I get Mora without doing anything. Such good things don't come often." Yae Miko smiled, but she didn't think that way in her heart.
The book of Inazuma had been stagnant for Five hundred years. Whether the next page could be turned now depended on the girl in front of her.
"Then I'll be going. I'll come find you when we reach the next stage."
"Wait!"
"What is it?"
"Can you finish writing the subsequent chapters?"
"???"
Shiki turned and left Grand Narukami Shrine with a speechless expression, then headed to Inazuma City. She hadn't forgotten what she came out for.
'The new chapter needs to be written, and your own chapter also needs a good ending!' Yae Miko thought to herself.
Shiki, dressed in a furisode, was quite conspicuous among the many people wearing padded clothes. Passersby were curious about this girl dressed so lightly in the snow.
She walked aimlessly through Inazuma City, and then a warm current drifted over with the breeze. Shiki looked up and realized she had unknowingly walked to a hot spring.
This shop was called Akisato Komore Teahouse, and it was said to have some Natlan style, though she didn't know if that was true or just a gimmick.
"Speaking of which, I haven't been to a hot spring since coming to this world."
"Let's go in and take a look."
Upon entering the building, the middle-aged, portly owner quickly came to greet her. Usually, he would stand at the storefront promoting his hot spring, but in winter, it was truly unbearable, so he could only stay indoors.
"Is this your first time visiting my hot spring, esteemed guest? Would you like me to recommend some popular pools for you?"
What? How did he know it was her first time? It was because he would definitely remember such a distinctive girl!
He was a pervert... no, that's not right, he was only forty, not old yet.
"You can choose for me. As long as it's a private pool, the price doesn't matter."
Shiki hadn't researched hot springs much, so she naturally didn't know which ones were good or bad. As long as it wasn't a particularly bad one, she could accept it.
The owner's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing that. A rich lady? That made things easy! Everything would be top-notch!
"Please come this way, then. If you have any needs, you can ring the bell, and your exclusive attendant will come to assist you."
"I don't need anyone."
Shiki shook her head, then, led by the attendant, walked into the innermost room.
"You can go do your own thing. Don't come in unless necessary."
The attendant nodded, then closed the outermost door, while Shiki slowly untied her obi, layer by layer removing her furisode.
There were actually only three pieces: an undergarment juban, a red inner lining, and finally, a white furisode with a hint of pink.
She extended her slender leg, seemingly a bit unaccustomed, her five toes curling slightly. Then, she lightly touched the water with her tiptoe, and only after confirming the temperature was suitable did she step her entire leg in.
Leaning slowly against the stone wall, the girl's entire body was submerged, with only her head remaining above the water.
At this point, Shiki's hair was already tied up behind her head, and a towel rested on top of her head to wipe away sweat.
"Hoo..."
Shiki wasn't sure if there were any Natlan elements, but the hot spring was indeed very comfortable. She felt her entire body relax.
It was like walking all day and then taking off your shoes to step on a soft carpet; that feeling was indescribable.
Meanwhile, in Inazuma City...
"Kazuha, don't you feel like we've been watched a lot lately?" Fujiwara whispered.
"Watched?"
Kazuha closed his eyes upon hearing this, and after sensing the information carried by the cold wind, his expression became somewhat puzzled.
"Indeed, there's more, but why? Has the Shogunate increased its scrutiny of ronin?"
"Perhaps, but I always have a bad premonition."
Fujiwara said this while turning her head to look at Tenshukaku, the highest place symbolizing Inazuma's identity and authority.
She always felt that this matter would be related to the Raiden Shogun.
"Kazuha, have you ever heard of Musou no Hitotachi?"
"Naturally." Kazuha nodded. "I'm afraid there's no one in Inazuma who doesn't know of it."
"Musou no Hitotachi, that one strike can only be witnessed when divine punishment descends. That strike is the pinnacle of the Raiden Shogun's martial arts, the strongest symbol of Inazuma."
However, Fujiwara smiled. "That strike may not be unattainable."
"There will always be mortal beings who dare to face the light of thunder."
"The Raiden Shogun is the one I revere most, and the goal I pursue my entire life. If I could witness that strike with my own eyes..."
"Don't even think about it. How could we possibly witness Inazuma's strongest strike?" Kazuha said.
"Yes, how could we ever see it..."
Fujiwara sighed, saying nothing more, only tightening the katana at her waist.
...
Shiki fell asleep in the hot spring. It had to be said that hot springs were indeed very relaxing for the body and mind, but she had a dream, a very strange dream.
It was a dark space, with only a faint blue light visible far in the distance. Through this blue light, she could see that the entire space was filled with black, thread-like objects.
Her vision uncontrollably moved closer to the light source. As she passed through layer after layer of the giant web formed by the black objects, the blue light became brighter and brighter.
It was a spiral staircase similar to DNA. When she passed through all the black objects, the light had almost turned pure white, with only a slight blue edge.
She didn't know what this thing was, but the dream didn't give her time to think. The spiral began to disintegrate as her perspective moved forward, finally plunging into the light source.
Looking at the ground composed of what looked like blue vines, Shiki finally knew where the blue light came from.
Then came the strange part: a person dressed in white was curled up on the ground, eyes tightly closed as if in deep sleep, and those small blue vines were wrapped around her body.
'Is this... me?'
Splish-splash.
The dream ended, and Shiki emerged from the hot spring. Warm water droplets still clung to her fair skin, and her entire face was flushed red from the steam.
The content of the entire dream was very strange: What were the black objects? What was the spiral staircase? And those blue vines? Finally, why was she lying there, entangled by vines?
After drying herself with a towel, she put on her clothes and left the room. It was said that there were other activities after a hot spring bath, but she didn't want to experience them; it was nothing more than massages and meals.
She pulled out a large handful of Mora under the delighted gaze of the owner, then pushed open the shop door and stepped onto the street.
The low temperature cleared her head, which had been somewhat drowsy from the dream. She tightened the collar of her kimono and walked towards the Adventurers' Guild.
She had no particular thoughts about this dream; she could only put it aside for now and write it down after she returned.
Even in winter, our Catherine remained in her unchangeable green dress.
It was said that Catherine was a robot developed by Snezhnaya. In the game, if you stayed near her for too long, you would even hear the words "abnormal."
"Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild."
"I'm here to ask about the commission posted half a year ago. Is there really no news at all after such a long time?" Shiki asked.
"I apologize, Miss Ryougi. As you know, northlander billets are exceptionally precious. Even mobilizing the entire Inazuma Adventurers' Guild has proven quite difficult."
"..."
Shiki didn't reply. The northlander billet was a crucial link; without it, Hana Sanri could only reside in Kujikanesada, which was clearly not a solution.
If things continued like this, Hana Sanri's soul would only grow weaker and weaker; she had to move.
"Then add another condition: if anyone has a four-star weapon, I can pay one million five hundred thousand Mora to purchase it, plus a reasonable condition."
"Alright."
Catherine added the additional content to the commission. Just then, a gentle voice tentatively said, "If Miss Ryougi needs a four-star weapon, I have one here."
Shiki spun around abruptly upon hearing this, scrutinizing the person from head to toe before asking, "Are you sure? If you're trying to scam me, I advise you to give up now."
"How could I? I wonder if Miss Ryougi has heard of the polearm, Wavebreaker's Fin?" the refined young man said, waving his hand.
"Wavebreaker's Fin? What's that?" Shiki didn't know about this weapon that appeared only after her transmigration.
"Wavebreaker's Fin was a weapon used by a shrine maiden on Watatsumi Island Five hundred years ago. After Her Excellency the Shogun slew the great serpent Orobas, this shrine maiden was surrounded and killed, but her weapon was preserved by us."
"I can make the decision to sell this polearm to Miss Ryougi, but in return, you need to agree to one condition of mine."
The refined young man introduced the origin of Wavebreaker's Fin. Although she hadn't seen it with her own eyes yet, Shiki was mostly convinced about this weapon that hadn't appeared in the game.
After all, a polearm that a family could preserve for Five hundred years certainly wasn't trash.
"Alright, but I need to see it first. If this so-called Wavebreaker's Fin doesn't reach four stars, then our transaction will have to be called off."
"No problem. Then, would you be able to come with me to the Tenryou Commission residence later? The polearm is too valuable to carry out."
"Tenryou Commission? Are you from the Kujou Clan?" Shiki's eyes narrowed. Could it be that Kujou Masahito still wasn't giving up? Wasn't he already confined?
"Yes, I am the second son of the Kujou Clan, Kujou Renji." The refined young man openly admitted his identity.
"Miss Ryougi, please rest assured, it's not an embarrassing condition. I only hope that when my elder brother's wedding day arrives, you will be able to attend the banquet."
"I can see that you have no interest in my elder brother, but at least this way, his regret might be lessened."
Shiki was silent for a moment. If that was the case, of course, it was fine, but would it truly not cause him even greater regret?
'Forget it, I don't care. Anyway, I'm not the one regretting it. Helping Hana Sanri move is the most important thing.'
Thinking this, Shiki nodded lightly and said, "Alright, but all of this is on the premise that Wavebreaker's Fin is a four-star weapon."
"It's good that Miss Ryougi agrees. I can guarantee that Wavebreaker's Fin is a genuine four-star weapon." Kujou Renji's face lit up with joy. When he saw the girl fall silent just now, he was already thinking about whether to add some more chips.
As for whether Wavebreaker's Fin was a four-star weapon, he hadn't seen a pig run, but he had seen pork, right? The family records contained a complete definition of weapon grades, and Wavebreaker's Fin perfectly fit the definition of a four-star weapon.
It will not diminish in luster even after a hundred years, and it possesses special abilities.
The more allogenes Wavebreaker's Fin faces, the stronger the elemental power its wielder can exert. This is history recorded from that war, and it cannot be wrong.
The primary criteria for a four-star weapon are exceptional toughness, far exceeding ordinary weapons, followed by some special abilities.
For example, greatly enhancing the wielder's element control.
"Then let's go. Show me your so-called Wavebreaker's Fin."
This was Shiki's first time visiting Kujou Manor. As the Tenryou Commission, which commanded military power, the Kujou Clan was located next to Tenshukaku. No wonder Kujou Takayuki could secretly cause trouble for the Shogun; living right next door certainly makes it easy!
"Miss Ryougi, please take a seat. I will go retrieve the Wavebreaker's Fin. Please wait a moment."
"No trouble at all."
Shiki shook her head, then picked up the tea brought by the servant and took a sip.
It truly lives up to its reputation as the Tenryou Commission; the taste is much better than the tea at Shimura's.
After a short while, Kujou Renji returned, holding a long, rectangular wooden box. Shiki estimated it to be over two meters long, but the exact length would only be known once it was opened.
However, since it was a naginata used by a shrine maiden, its length was probably around 2.1 meters.
Click.
Kujou Renji opened the latch, and as he lifted the lid, a naginata with a light blue blade and a purple hilt came into view.
The blade did not have the traditional curve of a naginata; its straight spine made it look somewhat like a watermelon knife.
Her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception appeared, and the iridescent blue light made the nearby Kujou Renji tremble. This was the instinctive reaction of a creature fearing death, uncontrollable.
The sturdier an object, the fewer death lines it has. In a sense, this also serves as the identification ability of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
For example, her Kujikanesada has a total of six intersecting death lines of varying lengths on its blade, while on this naginata, there are only four.
Two on the blade, two on the hilt.
"It is indeed a four-star weapon. I accept your terms. The Mora will be delivered by a designated person tomorrow," Shiki said, retracting her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
"Good. Then please come to the Tenryou Commission Manor next Saturday at 1 PM, Miss Ryougi. As for this Wavebreaker's Fin, you may take it now."
Shiki did not say things like, "Aren't you afraid I won't come?" or "Do you trust me that much?" This was a fair transaction; she received the item, and naturally, she would give what she had promised.
As for whether Kujou Masahito would feel less regret, what did that have to do with her?
With the two-meter-long wooden box on her back, Shiki left the Tenryou Commission Manor and then went to the Inazuma branch of the Northland Bank.
As a currently popular light novel author, Shiki was a complete VIP customer of the Northland Bank. The moment she entered, she was warmly welcomed by the counter girl.
Although Shiki disliked the Fatui, there was nothing she could do since they had the only bank in all of Teyvat. The royalties from Yae Publishing House were also deposited into this account.
"I want to withdraw 1.5 million Mora. The amount is substantial, so I need you to personally send someone tomorrow to deliver it to Kujou Renji at the Tenryou Commission Manor. No one else will do."
"Alright, no problem. Do you have any other business you'd like to conduct?"
Hearing an amount in the millions, the counter girl could only silently scream "rich woman" in her heart.
Snezhnaya's technological development is very advanced. Not only do they have Ms. Catherine, who resembles a robot, but their banks also have management hubs similar to a network.
This means that no matter where a person is, as long as it's the person themselves, money can be withdrawn.
But for some reason, Snezhnaya, with such a high level of development, has not incurred the destruction of the Heavenly Principles. Perhaps it lacks some necessary factor?
For example... the Abyss.
If technology developed solely by relying on elemental power, it seems it would not provoke the destruction of the Heavenly Principles.
Click, click, click.
The sound of high heels came from behind her. Turning her head, Shiki saw an unexpected woman.
The Eighth Harbinger of the Fatui, "The girl."
White, wavy hair, a high-slit dress, and surging evil—it was indeed her.
'Appearing so brazenly in Inazuma City, is it because of the Vision Hunt Decree?' Shiki thought to herself.
'Should I eliminate her here?'
Her peripheral vision swept over the white figure gradually ascending to the second floor. Shiki's right hand slowly moved towards her sword hilt. If she used Tsubame Gaeshi, the opponent would definitely not be able to dodge.
'Forget it, it's not time yet.'
Her right hand dropped back down. It wasn't the time to kill. Acting brazenly in Inazuma City would likely incur the Raiden Shogun's divine punishment, as "The girl" was still nominally a diplomat from Snezhnaya.
Only after all the Fatui's misdeeds were exposed would acting be justifiable.
Don't forget, she was currently a consultant for the Kamisato Clan. If she were to be wanted, the Kamisato Clan would also suffer.
In short, acting now had far more disadvantages than advantages, and besides, the plan was already set in motion; it wasn't for this moment.
Shiki walked out of the Northland Bank's main entrance as if nothing had happened, and after she left, the girl, who was on the stairs, dispersed the Frozen element power in her hand.
Just now, she had sensed a faint, almost imperceptible killing intent. Although it was fleeting, it made all the hairs on her body stand on end.
With the power bestowed by the Tsaritsa, the girl considered herself strong, but judging from the situation just now, the opponent's strength was at least on par with her own.
'Who could it be?'
The girl frowned, but aside from the Raiden Shogun, there were no other high-tier combatants in all of Inazuma. She had seen Kujou Sara, that tengu, and knew she was no match for her.
"Compile a list of all personnel entering and exiting the Northland Bank today and give it to me."
"Yes, my lady!"
If the killing intent was directed at her, then the opponent should be in the same space as her. She only felt this killing intent after entering the Northland Bank, which means that person must have been to the Northland Bank, or even still be there now.
As soon as she thought of this, the girl's relaxed body tensed up again. Her eyes scanned the surroundings intently until she found no suspicious individuals before she swung her coat and headed to the second floor.
The girl, who had been battling wits with the air, naturally didn't know that the culprit had already returned home. If Shiki knew that her unintentional action had made the girl feel as if she were facing a formidable enemy, she would probably laugh until her stomach hurt.
"Hana Sanri, please transfer into this naginata for now. I apologize, I really couldn't find a northlander billet."
"It's alright. I am already content that you helped me escape the defilement."
Hana Sanri's soul emerged from Kujikanesada, then drilled into Wavebreaker's Fin.
"How do you like this new home?"
"It's very good. If your sword was a leaky straw hut, then this is a wooden house with proper insulation."
"That's good. By the way, can you see the outside world now?"
Shiki asked this crucial question. She couldn't use a naginata, and besides, she couldn't always carry such a long object, could she?
"Hmm... I can see, but not too far. It starts to blur about fifty meters away," Hana Sanri said after thinking. "But I think this is more important than how far I can see."
Hana Sanri then re-condensed her spiritual body, but this time, her spiritual body had no illusory feeling whatsoever; it was like a real person.
And Hana Sanri even picked up the naginata and skillfully twirled it around a few times in her hand.
"Hoh, you seem no different from a normal person now. As expected of the ancient Grand Narukami Shrine's inherited spell."
Shiki sighed. A soul, after losing its physical body, is like water without a source, yet it can nourish itself through a weapon and even become exactly like an ordinary person.
Raiden Ei was like this. Yae Miko taught her this spell, allowing her to house her consciousness in Musou Isshin.
"I still have to thank you, my lady..."
Since she could inherit the Shogun's power, she must have extraordinary qualities. Hana Sanri firmly believed that in time, the girl would become the new Raiden Shogun.
Archons are immortal; even if their power and consciousness completely vanish, they will reappear in this world thousands of years later.
After all, Archons are inherently the embodiment of certain things, unless that thing completely disappears from Teyvat.
Each thing corresponds to a Archon, but the Raiden Shogun is an exception. Just as there are two types of Electro Slimes, gold and purple, there are also two Raiden Shoguns.
In other words, even if Raiden Ei were still alive, it would not prevent another Raiden Shogun from being reborn into the world.
"Didn't I say not to call me 'my lady' anymore? Just call me Shiki."
"No, I think 'my lady' sounds more natural."
'Of course, if it were 'Shogun-sama,' that would be even more natural,' Hana Sanri thought to herself.
Shiki couldn't argue, so she didn't say anything more. Lady it was; it wasn't a forbidden title.
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