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Tenshukaku stands as the dwelling of the deity and the tallest building in Inazuma. Standing atop its highest floor, one can survey the entire nation.
Su Ran currently occupies this very room, the private chambers of the Raiden Shogun, surrounded by the remnants of the ruler herself. The Shogun's eyes have long since lost their luster. Her body is no longer whole, scattered in fragments across the floor.
It is a relief that she is merely a puppet. Su Ran feels a prickle of annoyance. He knew that defeating this archon would not take much effort, but he never expected to shatter the long-awaited Thunder Archon into such a state with such casual ease.
Repairing her is certainly feasible. He just needs to understand the principles of her construction first.
"I suppose I will just upgrade her systems when I fix her. Consider it compensation."
With his capabilities, enhancing the Raiden Shogun's configuration and increasing her intelligence is well within his reach. Su Ran picks up the Shogun's head and stares into those vacant eyes.
A knock echoes at the door.
"Come in."
Outside, Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko draw a deep breath. They push the door open, bracing themselves for what lies ahead. The sight inside, however, makes them immediately regret entering.
A strange man sits before them, holding the head of the Shogun and studying it with keen interest. Scattered around him are... the body parts of the Raiden Shogun.
Kamisato Ayaka stares at the puppet fragments blankly, unable to comprehend the scene. She knows that the Shogun is not a puppet, yet the ruins before her are clearly that of the Shogun. If the person they serve is flesh and blood, then who is this puppet on the floor?
Yae Miko's heart, however, sinks into total despair. She drops to her knees, looking at the remains of the Shogun. If it has been destroyed to this extent, she fears for the fate of Ei as well.
As a close friend to Raiden Ei and a familiar of the Narukami, Yae Miko knows full well that this puppet serves as Ei's vessel. She was the one who taught Ei the method of anchoring consciousness to an object. If the Shogun is destroyed, there is little hope left for Ei.
Seeing Yae Miko's reaction, a grim premonition grips Kamisato Ayaka. A thought she never dared to entertain surfaces in her mind: Could the fragments on the floor actually be the Shogun herself?
"Oh? I didn't expect the two of you to show up," Su Ran says, looking at them with genuine surprise.
He expected Yae Miko, but Kamisato Ayaka's arrival is entirely outside his calculations.
"Even though the vessel is ruined, I have not seen her."
Raiden Ei has always remained in seclusion, and the Shogun never transmitted any information to her. However, with the Shogun's body—the vessel—destroyed, the gates to the Plane of Euthymia are surely locked tight. Yae Miko feels a slight sliver of relief. As long as no one says explicitly that Ei is dead, there is still hope.
"May I ask for your name, milord?" she asks, adjusting her posture to initiate a dialogue.
Though she feels no oppressive aura from this man—who looks like an ordinary person devoid of the presence of a powerhouse—the fate of the Shogun leaves her no room for defiance. She has no choice but to face him with humility.
"Su Ran. An outlander. My current occupation is Fatui Harbinger."
"?"
Yae Miko and Kamisato Ayaka exchange a glance, their eyes filled with confusion. A Fatui Harbinger? Has the Fatui become so terrifying that a mere Harbinger can now slay a true archon?
"Why? Do you think I am lying?" Su Ran sets the Shogun's head down and looks at them with a gentle smile.
The smile is warm, yet it sends a chill down their spines.
"Not at all. It is just... I never imagined the Fatui could recruit someone like you."
Even if it were a joke, Yae Miko would have to accept it.
"I originally intended to visit Inazuma as a guest. I never thought the host would be so ferocious. My little heart is still thumping away in fright." He places a palm over his chest, feigning shock. "It is just unfortunate that this host was more show than substance. I accidentally broke her while playing."
"Heh..."
Even with her fists clenched and her heart trembling with fear, Yae Miko forces a smile to accompany him.
"You!" Su Ran suddenly points at Kamisato Ayaka.
"Me?"
The sudden gesture changes the girl's voice. Her body begins to tremble uncontrollably with terror. If he had moved to kill her, she would not be afraid. To die and follow the Shogun into the afterlife would have been a worthy end. But he did not.
"You are beautiful."
Kamisato Ayaka's breathing hitches. It is not out of bashfulness, but out of fear. Now that she realizes the debris on the floor is likely the Raiden Shogun, she is terrified. Even as Su Ran compliments her, she can only feel dread.
"I have been sitting in this room for an entire day, and my shoulders are a bit stiff. Would you mind massaging them for me?"
He uses words like 'please' and 'help', which only makes Kamisato Ayaka feel unsettled.
"As you wish, milord."
She walks behind Su Ran with caution, reaching out with her delicate hands to massage his shoulders.
'This man smells so pleasant,' she thinks.
Aside from the fear, that is the second thought to cross her mind as she draws near. Yae Miko watches her with a complex expression.
"The environment in Inazuma is much better than in Snezhnaya. Every time I step outside there, everything is covered in white snow, and the girls there are bundled up like dumplings," Su Ran remarks.
"If you enjoy it, milord, you are welcome to stay in Inazuma," Yae Miko says with a forced laugh.
"Hm, that is precisely what I intend to do. By the way, do you have more of the materials used to create the Shogun?"
"I do. How much does milord require?" Yae Miko dares not ask what he intends to use them for.
"I need to fix the Raiden Shogun. Remember to prepare plenty."
"Understood! I will see to it at once."
Yae Miko finally lets out a breath. This is good news. She couldn't repair the Shogun, but perhaps this deity can. Without the Shogun, Ei cannot manifest in the world.
"Go and prepare it. As for Kamisato Ayaka, she will stay by my side and serve as my handmaiden for now."
"As you command!"
Yae Miko departs quickly, without a moment's hesitation. The sudden departure leaves Kamisato Ayaka, who is still massaging his shoulders, stunned. The Guuji has left, and she has been left behind?