The two identical sisters embraced each other, and for once, the cold, solemn Tenshukaku was filled with warmth.
Perhaps even the Raiden Shogun, the puppet within, could sense Ei's overwhelming emotions, because she finally stayed quiet, ceasing her struggle for control.
She understood well enough: this was a hug Ei had waited five hundred years for.
Now that Makoto had opened her arms to her, anyone who dared interrupt… Ei would cut them down without hesitation.
Even if it were Celestia itself standing in her way, Ei would raise her blade against the heavens.
Makoto gently patted Ei's back, a soft, indulgent smile forming on her lips.
Beside them, Paimon had even stopped chewing so loudly, staring at the reunited sisters with wide, envious eyes. She leaned toward Lumine and whispered:
"Hey, Lumine, if Paimon and you were separated for a really long time, would you say you missed Paimon when we met again?"
Lumine rolled her eyes.
"If you got lost, I'd probably clap my hands and celebrate not having a bottomless pit eating all my Mora anymore."
"What?! You're so stingy!"
Paimon puffed out her cheeks angrily.
"Paimon would miss you, you know! Hmph! That's it! I'm not being friends with you anymore! When we get back, I'm telling Ryen that from now on, I'm only his guide!"
Lumine laughed and poked Paimon's cheek.
There were words she didn't say aloud.
Paimon had been her very first friend in this world, the best one.
And if anyone dared lay a hand on her, dared to separate them… Lumine would hunt them down without hesitation.
There would never be a "separation" between them.
Even if that little creature hid secrets or a mysterious identity, Lumine didn't care.
Even if Paimon ever tried to leave on her own one day, Lumine would tie her down and keep her here.
After all… she was her carefully raised "emergency food."
No one dared interrupt Ei and Makoto's reunion.
Besides, watching such a peaceful, heartwarming scene between sisters… it eased everyone's spirits.
No one knew how long it lasted before Ei finally loosened her grip. Her eyes were slightly red, something rare for her, as she sat behind Makoto, very close.
It was the same spot she always sat in back then, during meetings in Tenshukaku or when friends visited.
Just as Yae Miko once said:
Ei never truly cared for the title of the Raiden Shogun.
All she ever wanted was Makoto.
As long as Makoto was by her side, Ei was willing to be the blade in her sister's hand.
Whatever Makoto desired, Ei would retrieve it for her, no matter the cost.
Having lost her sister once, Ei would never again allow herself to be separated from her.
If another Cataclysm like Khaenri'ah ever occurred, she would lose her mind completely.
Makoto looked at Ei, a hint of concern flashing in her eyes.
"Your body… you've turned it into a puppet, haven't you?"
Ei nodded slightly, a trace of guilt in her voice.
"For the sake of eternity… and to resist erosion."
Makoto sighed softly and shook her head.
"I don't see how making a puppet ruler has helped you resist erosion at all."
"After a few days, you should go to Liyue with Miko and the others."
Immediately, Ei's expression turned defiant.
"I don't want to go to Liyue! What if you get into danger while I'm gone?"
"This is Inazuma! How could I possibly be in danger here?"
"You said the same thing back then, when you went to Khaenri'ah! You even wrote in your letter that with all Seven Archons together, there'd be no danger!"
"That was then! And look, I'm perfectly fine now, aren't I?"
"But… you did die once, Makoto."
"That's exactly why I'll be careful this time! Even if something did happen, you'd be in Liyue, you could just revive me!"
"No! Even if revival is possible, I won't let anything happen to you!"
Just moments ago, the two sisters had been wrapped in warmth and affection, yet somehow, they were arguing again.
Fortunately, both Lumine and Ayaka had brothers.
They could understand the unpredictable shifts of emotion that came with family.
Lumine herself often started with a peaceful conversation with Aether… only for it to end in a sudden argument.
Makoto folded her arms, tone firm and decisive.
"In any case, I've already signed a contract with Morax and the others in Liyue. You must go."
"This also concerns Inazuma's future development. Don't worry about me, once things here settle down, I'll head there myself."
Seeing that Makoto's tone left no room for negotiation, Ei could only pout slightly and nod in reluctant acceptance.
Despite Makoto's gentle demeanor, once she made up her mind, no one could sway her.
After a moment of silence, Ei turned her head toward Lumine, awkwardly murmuring:
"About the other day… I'm sorry. And… thank you for bringing Makoto back."
At that, Lumine's spirits immediately lifted. She gave a playful huff.
"Oh? And who was it that chased us down with Musou Isshin like a madwoman, again?"
Ei averted her gaze, voice lowering.
"I… didn't fully understand what I was doing then."
"Hmph! An apology like that needs some sincerity!" Lumine crossed her arms dramatically.
"Nothing too much, just, say, a few dozen billion Mora for each of us should do!"
Ei blinked, genuinely confused.
"Only Mora?"
To Ei, Makoto was priceless, she would have gladly sacrificed her entire fortune if it meant bringing her sister back.
"W–wait, huh?!"
Lumine froze, staring blankly at Ei. That was not the reaction she'd expected!
"Hold on… are you actually rich?"
Because from what Lumine had seen so far, out of the four Archons she'd met, plus Ryen, who wasn't technically a god but was way stronger than one, none of them were wealthy.
Zhongli? A shameless freeloader.
Venti? A broke drunkard.
Ryen and Nahida? Entirely funded by Ningguang's generosity.
Neither of them could cough up even a single Mora if their lives depended on it.
As Ryen once said, he couldn't even be bothered to farm Zhongli's "skin fragments."
In Lumine's mind, gods were supposed to be broke, except for the occasional exception.
So why was Ei suddenly acting so… generous?
"Mora is of no use to me," Ei said calmly, shaking her head.
"I don't have any myself, but the Inazuman treasury holds many priceless weapons and antiques."
"If you want Mora, you can take some of those and trade them."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ei suddenly remembered, she was no longer the ruling Shogun.
She quickly turned to glance at Makoto.
But Makoto only smiled and didn't object.
"This resurrection was thanks to Lumine and her friends. It's only right that we offer them some gratitude.
You may choose freely from Inazuma's treasury."
"Although," she added with a knowing look at Lumine, "I doubt you'll find much there that truly interests you."
Lumine grinned playfully.
~~----------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters:
[email protected] / Dreamer20