"By the way, Lumine," Akio turned to her and said, "when you arrive in Sumeru, if you happen to meet a girl named Collei, give her this."
As he spoke, he held out a glowing white orb of energy.
"What is this?" Paimon asked curiously.
"It's one of my Authorities—a power that can instantly restore someone on the brink of death," Akio replied with a gentle smile.
"Whoa! That's seriously valuable! You know this Collei girl?" Paimon asked, wide-eyed.
"I don't," Akio said. "But once you give this to her, tell her to crush it. The lingering resentment of a god should be purified. That girl… she went through horrific human experimentation. I feel for her."
"Human experimentation?!" Lumine's eyes widened, fury flashing in them. What kind of monsters could do something so cruel?
Akio wasn't some saint, but even he drew the line at such vile practices. Giving Collei a chance to be freed from Eleazar was a small effort for him—but for her, it could be the light that banished a life of darkness.
"I understand." Lumine nodded and accepted the energy orb.
Akio nodded back, his gaze deep. The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata needed to be saved. He absolutely could not let her be erased.
Who wouldn't love a gentle, wise big sister figure like her? And besides—if Nahida truly inherited everything from Rukkhadevata, would she still be the same Nahida?
What exactly was Forbidden Knowledge? Akio didn't know. In his past life, the devs only briefly mentioned it as knowledge that came from beyond the world—a power foreign to Teyvat.
And Forbidden Knowledge was the root of all evil. The destruction of entire nations and gods by Celestia proved that well enough.
King Deshret, Rukkhadevata's close friend, lost control because of it and was devoured by the Dendro Dragon Apep. Even Apep was corrupted by it. That alone showed how terrifying Forbidden Knowledge truly was.
Akio wasn't sure whether he had the power to eliminate Forbidden Knowledge from the world, but he could at least use divine authority to save those tainted by it.
After all, if he wanted the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata to return willingly, he'd have to make a genuine effort to fight against Forbidden Knowledge.
As he thought of this, a smile crept onto Akio's lips. Looks like the Greater Lord wouldn't be able to escape after all.
And the Little Lord Kusanali… heh heh…
A legal loli, after all! A wicked glint flashed across Akio's face.
"Akio, what are you thinking about? You've got that… evil smile again." Lumine asked suspiciously.
"It's nothing, nothing," Akio chuckled, taking Lumine's hand and leaving the Serenitea Pot with her.
Soon, the three arrived at the base of the mountain, at the Kamisato Estate.
Inside the Yashiro Commission, Kamisato Ayaka and Kamisato Ayato were discussing preparations for an upcoming festival when a samurai rushed in to report.
"Lord and Lady Kamisato! The Lord Akio has arrived."
"It's Akio!" Ayaka's eyes lit up at the mention of his name. She jumped to her feet and ran outside, totally forgetting her usual refined lady-like demeanor.
"Ayaka…" Ayato sighed. Ever since his sister had officially gotten together with Akio, she'd been completely head over heels.
The moment she heard any news about him, she'd light up like a lantern. She'd only just returned to the Commission a few days ago and already couldn't stop talking about Akio.
Only the heavens knew how many times Ayaka had mentioned him in Ayato's ear these past few days.
"My little sister's all grown up. Got herself a man and forgot about her big brother," Ayato muttered, shaking his head in mock bitterness. Then, chuckling softly, he stood up and followed her outside.
In the Kamisato family's garden pavilion, Akio was chatting with Lumine and Paimon. Lumine had visited the estate several times before and really liked its elegant aesthetic.
"Akio!" A familiar, affectionate voice called from behind.
He turned around just in time to catch a beautiful girl as she threw herself into his arms.
"Ayaka." Akio gently hugged her slender frame, meeting her gaze full of longing.
They held each other for a long while before finally separating.
"Ayaka!" Lumine called out.
"Huh? Lumine?" Ayaka blinked and finally noticed her. Her face instantly turned red.
Lumine had totally seen her acting all lovey-dovey just now… So embarrassing!
"Hehe, don't be shy~" Lumine teased with a playful smile.
"No need to be shy, sweetheart," Akio added with a grin. "Lumine's also my lover now—she's your sister from here on out."
"Eh?" Ayaka stared blankly at Akio, then at Lumine. Of course she knew who Lumine was—she was the Traveler! And now Akio had won her heart too?
"What's wrong, darling?" Akio asked with a smirk.
"It's nothing! Just… surprised," Ayaka shook her head. "I always thought someone like Lumine wouldn't fall in love."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lumine puffed out her cheeks. "I'm still a girl, okay? Akio's amazing—falling for him is totally normal!"
"True. I've never doubted Akio's charm," Ayaka giggled.
"Greetings, Lord Akio!" Ayato arrived just then, giving a respectful bow.
"Ah, the head of the Kamisato Clan. Everything well lately?" Akio nodded with a smile. Ayato was technically his brother-in-law now, yet he still acted this formal…
"Thanks to you, Lord, Inazuma is peaceful and prosperous. No demons dare stir," Ayato replied cheerfully.
"Inazuma still relies on all of you to function. I trust in your capabilities." Akio waved his hand, and a glowing blue-and-white sword, gleaming with a gentle radiance, appeared before Ayato.
"What is this?" Ayato felt a strange connection to the sword, as if it had been made just for him.
"It's called Haran Geppaku Futsu. I heard from Ayaka that your family practices the Kamisato Art—this blade suits you well."
"Lord, I… I can't accept this without merit…" Though clearly tempted, Ayato shook his head.
"No merit?" Akio chuckled. "The Kamisato Clan has done more than enough. Besides, Ayaka is now my woman—so that makes you my brother-in-law. I'm giving this to you as family. Who would dare question that?"
"..." Ayato blinked, then beamed with joy. That one word—"family"—secured the Kamisato Clan's standing beyond question. No one would dare challenge them now.
"Yes, Brother, just take it. It's Akio's token of goodwill." Ayaka smiled sweetly.
"In that case, I humbly accept." Ayato nodded and gripped the sword, clearly delighted.
"Thank you for the gift, Lord."
"I'm just a man in love with Ayaka. It's hardly worth mentioning." Akio waved it off. "Actually, I came today with a request for the Yashiro Commission."
"Please, speak." Ayato nodded seriously.
"I once promised the Shogun and Ayaka that I'd give them a grand wedding. Now that the Divine Coronation Ceremony is drawing to a close, I'd like the Commission to begin preparations."
"Akio!" Ayaka was stunned at first, then tears welled up in her eyes. Covering her mouth, she began to sob.
"Why the tears?" Akio gently embraced her.
"I'm just… so happy," Ayaka choked out. "Akio, I'm finally going to marry you… to become your wife in name and in truth!"
She was overjoyed. A wedding for the gods—after this, all of Teyvat would know she was his rightful bride.
Ayaka, being mortal, had always dreamed of a proper wedding ceremony.
"I promised you, sweetheart," Akio whispered. "Though… your sisters will be part of it too."
"They'll be happy, too." Ayaka wiped her tears. "Even Lady Miko told me once that she dreamed of a grand wedding with you."
"Well then, is that okay?" Akio turned to Ayato.
"No problem at all," Ayato confirmed. "But may I ask who you plan to marry in this ceremony?"
"I heard the Yuheng and Tianquan of Liyue are also your lovers?" he asked.
"Not them," Akio shook his head. "They'll each get their own wedding in their homeland."
After all, he had lovers in Mondstadt, Liyue, and Fontaine. He couldn't make them all come to Inazuma to get married, could he?
He'd go to them personally.
"I understand. Don't worry, Lord. The Yashiro Commission will take care of everything," Ayato said solemnly.
"As for the guest list, Ayaka will fill you in," Akio added with a smile.
Then he turned to Lumine. "Lumine, what about you?"
She had been watching Ayaka with a hint of envy when Akio suddenly addressed her. She turned to him.
"Akio… Can I wait a bit?" Lumine asked softly. "If I get married now, I won't feel like traveling anymore. And I'm not complete yet…"
"I want to wait until my journey ends—then, I'll marry you."
She looked at him with unwavering sincerity.
"Of course," Akio smiled. "I'll wait for you."
"Thank you, Akio!" Lumine beamed.
"Then I'll take my leave. Ayaka, take good care of Lord Akio." Ayato bowed and left.
"No need—I'll be taking Ayaka and the others to the Grand Narukami Shrine," Akio said with a nod.
With that, he left the Yashiro Commission with the three girls.
"Father, Mother… Do you see this?" Ayato watched them go, a faint smile on his lips. "From now on, the Kamisato Clan's position will never be shaken. And Ayaka… she's found her happiness."
"Rest assured—we'll continue to dedicate ourselves fully to Inazuma."
…
Just as they arrived at the Grand Narukami Shrine, a voluptuous, breathtaking figure stepped out to greet them.
She walked straight toward Akio, about to throw herself into his arms—
"Hey! You! What are you doing here?!" Lumine and Paimon immediately raised their guard when they saw Rosalyne.
The same woman who had torn out Venti's heart and taken the Geo Gnosis—Lumine was instantly on alert.
In her eyes, Rosalyne was nothing but trouble.
"Oh, relax. I know you can't stop thinking about me, but do you have to keep saying my name out loud?" Rosalyne arched a brow at Lumine.
"You awful woman!" Paimon glared at her. Just seeing this woman made her blood boil!
She still remembered being frozen into a block of ice back in Mondstadt!
"You little gremlin. Still holding a grudge?" Rosalyne glanced at Paimon with a dismissive humph.
"Grrrrrr!" Paimon was fuming—but deep down, still a little afraid of Rosalyne's power.
"Alright, Rosalyne, enough." Akio stepped in. "She's your sister now. You should get along."
"Sorry, darling," Rosalyne quickly softened, clinging to his arm. She looked at Lumine and said sweetly, "If my dear says so, then I'll gladly accept you."
"???" Lumine and Paimon stared at her, then turned to Akio.
"She's not the same Rosalyne you knew." Akio explained with a smile. "Still a Harbinger, yes—but she fights for me now. She's mine."
"..." Lumine took a deep breath, then nodded. She didn't want to upset Akio.
"I know there's tension between you two," Akio said, "but as your lover, I won't allow a real fight that could hurt either of you. If you really want to settle things, I'll arrange a no-injury duel—but not today."
"I'd like that," Lumine said firmly. "I want to face Rosalyne in a no-injury duel. I need to know she's no longer my enemy."
"Hah. So arrogant, Traveler," Rosalyne sneered. "The Crimson Witch of Flames fears no challenge. Just don't cry when you lose."
"Worry about yourself," Lumine snorted.
"..." Akio and Ayaka exchanged helpless glances.
Lumine clearly still held a grudge, and Rosalyne—prideful as ever—wasn't the type to back down, except when it came to Akio. She looked down on everyone else equally.
"Akio, how could you end up with someone like her? She's a villain!" Paimon pouted.
"You little pest! If you try to drive a wedge between me and my beloved again, I'll turn you into soup!" Rosalyne's eyes gleamed with menace.
"Waaaah!" Paimon squealed and hid behind Akio.
A/N: Enjoying the story? Read 60+ chapters ahead on Patreon! Your support helps: Patreon.com/nneol