After Lumine's proactive revelation, the pace of resolving Sumeru's problems was essentially pushed to its maximum.
Dehya and Cyno accelerated their search for the Eremite mercenary groups, while Lumine had already mounted a dragon and was heading toward Liyue with Alhaitham.
If nothing unexpected happened, Sumeru's crisis would likely be resolved within a week.
This was a timeline Lumine had calculated herself, and she was quite satisfied with it.
One week was just about enough time for Ryen and the others to finish exploring the Twilight Forest and unlock the next mod.
By then, with Sumeru's affairs settled, she could devote herself wholeheartedly to researching the new mod.
In reality, however, Ryen's group was progressing even faster than Lumine had anticipated.
By the time Lumine had been gone for only two or three days, Ryen and the others had already pushed deep into the Twilight Forest, reaching the Dark Tower.
Next would come the Snow Queen, trolls, giant warriors…
And finally, the Final Castle.
Within the Twilight Forest.
Compared to when they had first entered the forest a few days ago, everyone had clearly evolved once again.
Although the main objective over these days had been speed-clearing, they hadn't completely avoided all monsters just to rush bosses.
At the very least, Druid Mages still had to be dealt with.
Perhaps because Ryen had previously obtained a master-grade staff from a Druid Mage, this time they encountered another one wielding a master-grade staff.
The enemy was dealt with effortlessly, yielding yet another Staff of Eternal Frost.
Ryen immediately handed it to Ganyu.
With the boost of a master-grade staff, Ganyu's strength was likely approaching that of a mid-tier god.
For now, however, no one was in a hurry to push the next boss.
They returned to the Firefly Forest to rest for a while.
No one had slept for days. Although, given their power, sleep was hardly a necessity, mental fatigue still needed to be relieved.
After hastily setting up a few simple huts, everyone gathered around a campfire, chatting and laughing.
The atmosphere between Ei and Makoto had eased somewhat, though it was still obvious that Ei occasionally seemed downcast.
Yae Miko had tried to smooth things over between the two sisters, but unfortunately, it was futile.
Until the matter of the Shogun was resolved, Makoto would not truly forgive Ei.
In this, even Kujou Sara and the others could do nothing.
This was less a matter of state and more a deeply personal issue between sisters, one they could not intrude upon.
Their usually gentle and approachable Shogun had rarely been this angry.
"Kokomi, how are you feeling?"
Makoto looked gently at Kokomi beside her and asked with patience.
"Are you adapting to exploring this world?"
Despite this being Makoto's first time in the Twilight Forest as well, she behaved as though she were already quite accustomed to it.
Warmth rose in Kokomi's heart, and she replied softly:
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Makoto. Although I still have many doubts, world development comes first right now. I can barely keep up."
"This isn't Inazuma. You don't need to call me 'Shogun.'"
Makoto smiled lightly.
Kokomi glanced somewhat nervously at Ei, who was kneeling quietly behind Makoto, and lowered her voice:
"Yes… Makoto… sister…"
Ei's gaze tightened slightly as she glanced at Kokomi, making Kokomi feel a little uneasy.
Since Makoto had scolded Ei harshly yesterday, she had spoken to Ei only four or five times at most.
Ei didn't even dare call her "sister" anymore.
Yet Kokomi had done so.
Kokomi pressed her lips together, worried that Ei might hold a grudge, and asked softly:
"Makoto-sister, will you really not talk to Lady Ei?"
"There's nothing to talk about,"
Makoto replied quietly.
"In the past, I indulged her too much. She has great power, but she gradually lost herself."
"As a god, being strong is not enough. One must understand the people and possess compassion."
"Look at her now. Look at what she's done. Is there even a trace of mercy?"
"Irresponsible. Cold-hearted. If I don't correct her now, what about the future?"
"Am I supposed to stay by her side forever, teaching her how to act?"
"She's grown up. She can't always rely on me to teach her how to be a qualified god."
Kokomi paused, then spoke again:
"But, "
"There is no 'but,'"
Makoto interrupted softly.
"A god's every action concerns Inazuma's future. I must correct Ei's mindset."
"Inazuma cannot have an irresponsible Electro Archon. As my sister, she has always borne too much from the start."
"This is something she must accept."
Makoto glanced at Ei, who had her head lowered, and a trace of melancholy passed through her heart.
She loved Ei more than anyone else, but in Makoto's heart, Inazuma came first.
In Ei's heart, however, Makoto was everything.
Deep down, Makoto felt a sense of comfort at this, but she knew it could not continue.
Ei was a god, a top-tier god, and Inazuma's greatest combat power.
Makoto had to ensure that Ei always retained a sense of responsibility.
Otherwise, what had happened in the past might happen again in the future.
Taking a step back, if a great war against the Heavenly Principles came and Makoto were killed…
With Ei's current mindset, she would likely lose control immediately, charging at the Heavenly Principles without regard for anything else, seeking mutual destruction.
If it were only Ei herself, Makoto would feel heartbroken but could accept it, that would simply be her sister's love.
But if something happened to Makoto, Ei would have to shoulder the entire future of Inazuma.
She would have to restrain herself rationally and lead Inazuma forward according to the plan.
Otherwise, she would drag all of Inazuma down with her, to be buried by the Heavenly Principles.
Besides, death itself was no longer irreversible.
What Makoto needed was simply to cool Ei's emotions, to force her to grow up quickly and stop acting without regard for the consequences.
Makoto understood this very clearly.
When the war against the Heavenly Principles finally erupted, she and Guizhong, both resurrected gods, would undoubtedly be the first targets the Heavenly Principles would seek to eliminate.
And unfortunately, their strength still did not compare to Zhongli and the others.
Makoto's worst-case plan was simple: she would be killed in that battle, while Ei would continue to shoulder Inazuma's future, cooperating with Zhongli and the rest to defeat the Heavenly Principles.
Afterward, Makoto could simply be resurrected.
But now…
It wasn't self-flattery, Ei loved her too deeply. If anything were to happen to Makoto, Ei would lose all rationality without question.
Gods could be resurrected in this world, but what about the ordinary people of Inazuma?
Makoto had to force Ei to grow, to understand priorities and consequences.
It was cruel, but necessary.
As the sister of the Raiden Shogun, Ei didn't only need to serve as her shadow warrior. She also had to be ready to take full responsibility at any moment.
Kokomi seemed to grasp Makoto's intentions and immediately felt a pang of sympathy.
Their Shogun was constantly planning for Inazuma's future, considering everything on its behalf.
Clenching her fists, Kokomi said earnestly:
"Makoto-sister, we will definitely protect you!"
Makoto smiled softly and said nothing.
Nearby, Venti took a hearty swig of wine and grinned as he slung an arm around Zhongli's shoulder.
"Old man, once we're done with the Twilight Forest and checking out the new mod, we need to start preparing the new map."
"This year's Lantern Rite Bedwars isn't going to be child's play!"
Zhongli caught the heavy scent of alcohol on Venti and frowned, shaking him off.
"If you're going to speak, then speak properly. Don't cling to people."
"Tch…"
Venti pouted, then grew excited again.
"I'm planning to take all those Bedwars maps Ryen gave us, build a lot more of them, and then expand everything to twice the scale!"
"Lantern Rite lasts a whole week, right?"
"Day one, we do Capture the Flag. Day two, Sheep Wars. Day three, parkour. Day four, The Walls…"
"And finally! A four-nation, thousand-player mixed Bedwars showdown! The winners get the premium right to mock the losers! What do you think?"
Diluc rubbed his forehead with a headache and sighed.
"Is there anything you can think about besides playing?"
"Of course there is!"
Venti lifted his chin proudly.
"On Lantern Rite night, we gather everyone together and let the greatest bard in the mortal world sing for them!"
"..."
Diluc sighed again and chose not to respond.
Venti argued confidently:
"We've worked hard for half a year, can't we relax a bit?"
"World development needs a balance between work and rest!"
Ryen deadpanned:
"I've never seen you work, only rest. Up to now, what effective construction have you actually been responsible for?"
"Why wouldn't there be any!"
Venti stared at Ryen seriously.
"All those Bedwars maps and parkour courses you gave us, didn't I personally lead people to build them block by block?"
"And the purpose?"
"To play, of course!"
"..."
Venti curled his lips and complained:
"I'm responding to your plan, you know!"
"Didn't you say future construction needs character and civilization?"
"I don't know how to build cities!"
"Creating highly distinctive entertainment facilities also enriches your world's diversity, doesn't it?"
Ryen shook his head calmly.
"You're just too idle. Once we explore the new continent and establish a base, you'll lead a team yourself."
Venti froze, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
"Is that really necessary? Sounds dangerous…"
"What's dangerous about it?" Ryen replied casually.
"The new continent isn't much different from the ones we've already developed. Whatever exists here exists there too."
He glanced at Venti.
"You can wander around freely on this continent. Why wouldn't you be able to do the same over there?"
"Well… that's true."
Venti spread his hands helplessly.
"But this continent is full of bases and very safe. The new one's still undeveloped wilderness. What if something goes wrong?"
"If something happens, we'll revive you with a Totem of Undying."
Diluc added lightly.
"We weren't deliberately farming revival counts, but we've accumulated plenty. Reviving just you won't be a problem."
Venti laughed awkwardly and muttered:
"Let's not go that far. It's better not to die if possible."
"Oh? Then why did you burn through four or five Totems of Undying in one week playing Bedwars?"
"Can you really lump those together?"
"Personally, I think it's perfectly comparable."
In an instant, Venti and Diluc started bickering again.
Ryen, leisurely holding Klee and Nahida, gazed at the eternal night of the Twilight Forest and murmured:
"Judging by the timing, Lumine should be…"
"You can't calculate her."
Yae Miko smiled slyly at Ryen.
"That child never follows the usual path. She might already be on her way back."
"…That's a good point."
Ryen smiled faintly and said softly:
"Let's move out. Leave new markers around the portal."
"I have a feeling… she'll be back very soon."