At that moment, while Li Mo was telling his story in Liyue Harbor, events were also unfolding in Inazuma.
The Plane of Euthymia.
After many years, the Raiden Shogun once again stepped into this realm.
The moment she entered the Plane of Euthymia, a surge of Electro energy erupted, coalescing into the form of a young woman.
She looked exactly like the Raiden Shogun.
"You have come…"
"State your purpose."
She was the true Electro Archon herself—Beelzebul.
The Raiden Shogun's expression shifted slightly upon seeing Beelzebul.
"Today, I dreamed of that person again."
"I want to know who Brother Li Mo truly was and where he went."
When Beelzebul created her, she had imparted all knowledge of Inazuma to the Raiden Shogun… but the memories of those early days were conspicuously absent.
Who was this brother named Li Mo?
Across from her, the Electro Archon Beelzebul's calm expression shifted upon hearing the name Li Mo, though she forced herself to remain composed.
"You awakened me from my eternal meditation… and it was only to ask this?"
The Raiden Shogun pressed further. "I want to know what truly happened in the ancient era…"
Having dreamed of the same person multiple times, she—as Beelzebul's substitute—could clearly sense the emotions Beelzebul held for Li Mo.
It was the same as the love she held for her sister, Baal.
It was longing.
Beelzebul looked into the Raiden Shogun's determined eyes and once again sank into memory.
She sighed.
"Since you wish to know, I will tell you… If it does not interest you, you may treat it as a clichéd tale…"
"The truth is… Li Mo was not my or my sister's biological brother…"
"He was our savior, our teacher… It was he who laid the foundation for Inazuma's strength."
...
Within the Plane of Euthymia, the true Electro Archon Beelzebul ended her meditation, risking further erosion as she delved into the memories of the ancient era.
She spoke slowly…
It was Brother Li Mo who risked his life to seize the sacred Feather of the Divine from the great Tengu clan, saving the two sisters…
It was Brother Li Mo who taught them swordsmanship, forging the unparalleled martial skill they would later possess…
It was Brother Li Mo who proposed the system of the Three Commissions, laying out the blueprint for the future Inazuma City…
It could be said that without Li Mo, there would be no Inazuma as it stood today.
After hearing the story…
The Raiden Shogun still did not have the answer she sought. "I want to know… where is he now?"
Beelzebul fell into thought, her expression tinged with confusion.
"I do not know…"
"Once, my sister and I were engaged in battle with a fearsome god. When we awoke, we had both gained the power of Electro Visions."
"Brother Li Mo… had vanished."
As if he had never existed.
No matter how Baal and Beelzebul searched, they could not find any trace of him.
Even before the incident in Khaenri'ah, they had never given up.
But they found nothing.
After hearing this, the Raiden Shogun suddenly spoke. "What if I said I could feel Brother Li Mo's presence? Would you believe me?"
Beelzebul's expression flickered, though she quickly suppressed it. "You do not need to test me… My pursuit of eternity has not wavered."
She had never stopped searching for Li Mo.
But over the long centuries, she had endured her sister's brutal death and the loss of her companions.
She had long since lost her way.
With that, Beelzebul dissolved back into consciousness, retreating into the blade Musou Isshin, sinking into endless meditation.
The Raiden Shogun said nothing more and departed from the Plane of Euthymia.
But…
The moment she stepped out, she saw Yae Miko rushing toward her, clutching a stack of papers.
Yae Miko spotted her as well. "Your Excellency! Good morning!"
The Raiden Shogun replied coolly, "Yae Miko, why are you in such a hurry?"
Yae Miko hugged the stack of papers, looking quite pleased with herself.
"I just acquired quite a few interesting stories from a traveler who came from Liyue."
"Look at this—someone in Liyue is actually telling stories about your Excellency, and the traveler wrote them down…"
"These are perfect source material for light novels."
Though Yae Miko had not yet read them, anything involving the Raiden Shogun piqued her interest.
The Raiden Shogun was taken aback. On Morax's turf, someone was telling stories about her?
Someone actually dared to do such a thing?
Were they not afraid of being punished by that Morax?
The Raiden Shogun said with utmost seriousness, "Give me a copy."
Though reluctant, Yae Miko picked out the best of the light novel material and handed it to the Raiden Shogun.
"Your Excellency, after you finish reading, you must return it to me."
"I imagine it is filled with nothing but praise for you."
The Raiden Shogun's expression remained cold. "I will do so."
With that, she turned her gaze to the paper in her hand and the story written upon it.
The story was simple—a boy who became the Thunder Demon risked his life to challenge the great Tengu chieftain and save two infant girls.
And the names of those two infants… the elder sister was Baal, the younger sister Beelzebul.
Upon reading this story and seeing the names within it, the Raiden Shogun stood frozen in place.
There was no mistake… the story on the paper matched her dreams exactly.
Brother Li Mo… might have returned.
Suddenly, the elemental energy around the Raiden Shogun erupted.
A flash of lightning engulfed everything around her in an instant.
Yae Miko jumped back in alarm. "Your Excellency! What is wrong?"
A moment later, the lightning dissipated, and the Raiden Shogun's figure reappeared.
The paper filled with the story of the boy and the Electro Archon had already been reduced to shreds, scattered across the ground.
The one she had longed for, the one who often appeared in her dreams… Brother Li Mo… had truly reappeared.
A glimmer of tears appeared at the corner of the Raiden Shogun's eyes. "Yae Miko, accompany me to Liyue."
Yae Miko blinked, thinking she had misheard. "Your Excellency… what did you say?"
The Raiden Shogun's expression turned ice-cold as she enunciated each word: "I said, we are going to Liyue. Now."
Yae Miko was taken aback.
Having served the Raiden Shogun for so many years, she knew her to be rational and serious.
This was the first time she had seen such a cold, unwavering look in her eyes.
But…
Inazuma was facing more and more problems by the day.
If she left now and something went wrong, who would handle it?
Yae Miko was about to try persuading her, but the moment she saw the Raiden Shogun's icy gaze and resolute eyes, she knew there was no talking her out of it.
"Very well. I will make the preparations…"
"But before we depart for Liyue, please ensure that matters in Inazuma are properly arranged."
...