Seeing Yae Miko remain silent with that leisurely expression, Raiden Ei grew increasingly anxious.
If Yae Miko could use comparative arguments to criticize her pursuit of "Eternity"—especially by pointing out that Eternity couldn't bring Makoto back—did that mean there was a method outside of Inazuma that could resurrect her sister?
Or at least… a glimmer of hope?
When it came to the possibility of reviving her sister, Raiden Ei couldn't remain composed.
Even the "Eternity" she had devoted herself to could be set aside for now.
After all, wasn't her pursuit of Eternity born from the despair of losing her sister?
"Yae!"
"Say something!"
Ei's eyes burned with urgency.
Her sword had long been sheathed, and she was now circling Yae Miko restlessly.
Watching her flustered state, Yae found it darkly amusing.
Oh, now you're in a hurry?
When I tried telling you the other day, you couldn't have cared less!
Back then, Yae had been the one nearly frantic with worry, while Ei remained utterly indifferent.
Now?
The tables had completely turned.
The one desperate for answers wasn't Yae anymore—it was Ei herself.
"Yae, please, just tell me." Ei pleaded.
She was desperate for Yae to give her an answer.
But now, it was Yae's turn to ignore her!
With her arms crossed, Yae suddenly rolled her right shoulder slightly.
Ei's eyes lit up.
In an instant, she teleported behind Yae and began massaging her shoulders. "Yae, won't you tell me? Please?"
Oh?
Since when did she become so perceptive?
Yae wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.
This fool, Ei—normally, she wouldn't have understood the hint even if Yae spelled it out for her.
She'd probably just ask, "Does your shoulder hurt? Or is it itchy?"
But now?
With the thought of reviving her sister dominating her mind, Ei's brain was actually working overtime.
She was even learning to read the room.
Progress, I suppose.
"My, my~"
Yae put on an exaggerated look of surprise and gently pushed Ei's hands away. "I couldn't possibly let the Almighty Shogun massage my shoulders."
Ei's face brightened.
It didn't matter what Yae said—as long as she was speaking, that was enough!
"Yae, you're my dear friend! Between friends, there's no need for formalities!" Ei declared earnestly.
Yae rolled her eyes and shrugged her delicate shoulders. "Get lost. You don't know your own strength."
Ei awkwardly withdrew her hands.
As a warrior, this was to be expected.
If you asked Ei to explain the precise force behind a sword strike, she could write you an entire thesis.
But when it came to massage pressure?
She'd just stare at you blankly.
"Yae…" Ei looked at her pitifully.
"Now you want to listen?"
"Ahhh~"
Yae let out a long, dramatic sigh. "How difficult it's been—I've exhausted every trick just to get our Almighty Shogun to talk to me properly. And now, at last, I've succeeded~"
Ei blinked in surprise.
"Surprised?"
Yae chuckled softly. "You've spent your whole life losing things. To stop the losses, you chased after Eternity, didn't you?"
Ei nodded.
As she watched Yae, connecting her earlier words with this new statement, Ei began to understand what she was getting at.
"You locked yourself away in the Plane of Euthymia, leaving all your burdens behind. How convenient for you."
Yae's smile remained, but her tone carried a chilling calmness. "But what about me?"
When Makoto perished, Yae had still been young—but old enough to understand.
She had been abruptly thrust into the role of Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, forced to listen to one tragic report after another.
If Ei had suffered loss, hadn't Yae suffered just as much?
She simply never let those emotions show on her face.
No one ever saw her moments of vulnerability.
"You were one of my few friends… and the only one I could still rely on." Yae sighed softly.
This was Yae Miko, after all.
If this had been someone like certain other individuals, they might've spiraled into darkness long ago.
So many loved ones lost, and the one person left whom she could lean on had abandoned her to wallow in solitude.
That Yae had endured this long was a testament to her incredible mental fortitude.
If she had been an Archon, the erosion from this alone would've been far worse than five centuries of time could inflict.
"Yae, I…"
Ei wanted to explain, but the words died in her throat.
"But Lady Yae is magnanimous—so I forgive you~" Yae said with a playful smile.
"Yae, you're really…"
Ei was deeply moved.
Yae was truly too good to her!
Thinking back, she realized just how much Yae had done for her over the years.
[Paimon]: Bro, you seeing this? If they get any more emotional, they're gonna hug it out any second now!
[Aether]: Oh, I believe it. C'mon, I wanna see that scene!
Romance between men and women? Boring.
But beautiful women embracing? Now that's peak entertainment.
Aether grinned like a gossip-hungry spectator, joined by four freshly awakened companions crowding around his screen.
"Alright, alright."
Yae waved her hand dismissively. "Let's get to the main topic."
This wasn't the main topic yet?
A pang of guilt shot through Ei's heart.
Had Yae been so hurt that she considered her own struggles unimportant?
"Stop overthinking." Yae flicked Ei's forehead with an exasperated sigh.
"Ow—"
Ei clutched her head, stunned.
"You're so dense that when something's bothering you, it's written all over your face."
After that blunt remark, Yae continued, "But yes, there is a way to bring Lady Makoto back."
"!"
Ei's expression instantly sharpened.
"There's a place called the Card Shop—it sells all kinds of mysterious cards."
Yae briefly explained the Card Shop before adding, "The erosion affecting Archons can be purified. From what I've heard, Morax, Barbatos, and others have already had their erosion nearly cleansed. Even the deranged Azhdaha has been completely cured."
"Erosion… can be healed?"
Ei was stunned, then instinctively glanced upward.
"Don't worry about that one up there."
Yae's tone was indifferent. "Compared to the Card Shop, let's be honest—that one is nothing."
"Yae, be careful with your words!" Ei frowned. "Others might not fear repercussions, but I don't want you in danger!"
"Fine, fine."
Yae waved her off. "The point is—the Card Shop has everything. The method to revive Lady Makoto might be there."
"Yae, it's not that I don't trust you, but…"
Ei's expression was complicated.
She was torn between excitement and fear—thrilled by the possibility, yet terrified it might just be a beautiful dream.
She knew she wasn't dreaming now.
But Yae had already said it: to obtain these cards, one had to rely on gacha.
And what if she never pulled the card that could bring her sister back?
Hope existed, yes—but how long would she have to wait?
Instead of answering Ei, Yae turned toward a drone that had quietly approached and asked,
"Mr. Lu, do such cards exist in your shop?"
"Who are you talking to?" Ei tensed.
"The owner of the Card Shop," Yae replied. "He's been watching everything just now."
"The owner…"
Ei's expression turned solemn.
[Paimon]: Oh, they exist, sis! Cards that can revive people come in nine different categories!
[Aether]: There's nothing the cards can't do—only things you haven't thought of yet.
Yae picked up her phone and showed Ei the messages.
With such cards in existence, Ei couldn't possibly remain calm.
But the question remained—how long would it take?
Ei asked, "Mr. Lu, may I ask… how can I obtain such a card?"
[Aether]: Depends on your gacha luck.
Gacha luck?
That sounded… unreliable.
Ei's anxiety returned.
"Don't stress."
Yae reassured her, "At least now there's a chance, right? Isn't that better than no hope at all?"
"…You're right!"
Ei exhaled, her tension easing.
Yes.
Compared to absolute despair, even a sliver of hope was a blessing.
She didn't know how long it would take, but Ei could wait.
As an Archon—now with a way to counteract erosion—she could live for thousands, even tens of thousands more years.
She had time.
"Just be patient. Even Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, who had truly perished, has been revived. And she's doing just fine."
This was something Yae hadn't known initially.
But after adding Lu Heng as a friend, she could browse his social media.
Out of curiosity, she had—and there, in his posts, was a photo of a loli-fied Rukkhadevata.
Ei gasped. "Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is alive?"
Her death hadn't been a secret.
As the guardian of Irminsul, her role had been too vital.
All the Archons knew when she had died—they just hadn't been able to help, much less reverse it.
[Aether]: Yep, Ei. I'm back now.
"?"
Ei pointed at the screen, confused.
"Contextually, that's Rukkhadevata typing. She must be with Mr. Lu right now," Yae explained.
"I see."
Ei nodded in understanding, then smiled. "Congratulations."
[Aether]: Thank you. And don't worry—you'll have your chance to bring Makoto back too.
"Mm!" Ei nodded firmly.
"Now, let's discuss Inazuma's problems," Yae said, her tone turning serious.
"Inazuma's problems?" Ei waited.
"You don't actually understand the damage the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree have caused, do you?" Yae smirked.
Twenty minutes later.
After Yae summarized the catastrophic future Inazuma had been headed toward, Ei fell silent.
She had known about the Vision Hunt Decree.
But she hadn't truly grasped what losing a Vision did to people.
She'd assumed that since Vision holders were few, confiscating them wouldn't matter much.
Now, hearing the truth—
It wasthisbad?
Seeing Ei's horrified realization, Yae jabbed at her mercilessly, "Why don't we just execute all Vision holders outright? Clean and efficient."
"Yae, I've already recognized my mistake. No need to mock me."
Ei took a deep breath. "I'll admit my errors and correct them. But the Shogun…"
This was like an emperor's dilemma.
An emperor couldn't be seen as fallible.
Their mistakes were always pinned on their subordinates.
Because an emperor needed authority!
"At this point, do you really think the Shogun can still 'never make mistakes'?" Yae countered.
"Ah…"
Ei hesitated, then sighed. "I understand."
If everyone could see her mistakes through a game, then surely all of Inazuma would eventually know too.
"Your mindset still hasn't fully adjusted," Yae remarked.
"I'll issue an official acknowledgment of my errors," Ei declared.
"That's more like it." Yae nodded in satisfaction. "Now, what about the Kamisato and Kujou clans?"
"Conspiring with the Fatui to harm Inazuma is unforgivable. Execution is justified," Ei stated coldly.
"And what about my rebellion?" Yae asked coyly.
"Rebellion?"
Ei blinked, then smiled faintly. "Wasn't it just… loyal opposition?"
[Paimon]: What about me? What do I get?
[Aether]: Verbal commendation.
Ei straightened up. "The Traveler played a pivotal role in the original future. They deserve…"
She paused, then glanced at Yae.
Recalling Aether's livestream, Yae teased, "How about a specially hand-stitched omamori from the most beautiful shrine maiden in the world?"
[Paimon]: YES! YES!
[Aether]: Pathetic.
Aether, Aether… you're truly hopeless.
A cheap little charm and you're already satisfied?
"Of course, the omamori is just a token of appreciation. We should also consider practical rewards."
Yae smiled. "Inazuma can't offer too much more than Mondstadt or Liyue—let's say 1.2 million Mora. But personally, Ei and I will gift you 5 million Mora."
Plus a house.
Mondstadt had given 1 million Mora, equipment, a phone, and permanent lodging with the Knights.
Liyue had given 1.2 million Mora, plus a residence courtesy of Ningguang.
If Inazuma suddenly handed out 10 million, it'd make the other nations look stingy by comparison.
But a personal gift? That wouldn't embarrass anyone.
"We'll also reserve a room for you in Tenshukaku," Yae added.
[Paimon]: You know what? Ever since I came to Teyvat, Inazuma's been myfavoriteplace!
[Aether]: Any extra rooms left? (hehe)
"How about the Grand Narukami Shrine?" Yae offered.
[Aether]: Perfect. I asked—he'd love the shrine. (All those shrine maidens~)
[Paimon]: Wait, Aether didn't send that!
"Then it's settled—a room in Tenshukaku and the Grand Narukami Shrine." Yae grinned, then glanced at Ei. "No objections?"
"None!" Ei shook her head immediately.
Tenshukaku was massive—sparing two rooms was nothing.
As for the shrine? That was Yae's domain!
[Paimon]: WHAT?! Aether gets to stay in Tenshukaku and the shrine?! What about me?!
"The shrine's all booked up~" Yae said sweetly.
[Paimon]: This is favoritism! BLATANT FAVORITISM!!
"Waaah—!"
The ageless girl let out a dramatic wail.
"She's playing favorites!!"
Paimon pounded the bed in frustration.
"Quit your whining."
Paimon wiped her face. "If anyone had to choose between you and Aether, who do you think they'd pick? People want to cling to the strong, and what are you? Someone who passes out the moment they see the Raiden Shogun."
"Shut up! Don't remind me!"
Paimon clenched her fists. "Hmph! The Raiden Shogun's nothing! With my invincible dodge frames, as long as I time it right, she can't touch me! I could even tank the Musou no Hitotachi!"
"Sure, sure. Fighting the Raiden Shogun just means 'insufficient Adventure Rank' flashing in red." Paimon sighed.
"Paimon!"
"You're not cute anymore!"
Paimon rolled her eyes. "And whose fault is that? You dragged me into your gacha addiction on stream… Now everyone says Paimon's gone abstract. I could've just relied on my adorable face, but nooo—good thing I've got talent too."
Talent?
Aether gave her a deadpan stare.
[Aether]: No room? No problem. You can share with me.
Aether knew this wasn't Lu Heng typing.
Lu Heng wouldn't casually say something like that.
"What? Can't handle the abstract life anymore?" Paimon snatched Aether's phone and typed rapidly.
[Paimon]: YES! Absolutely! I'dloveto share with Aether! Preferably with Yae Miko too!
Yae Miko: "?"
Girl, what exactly is going on in that head of yours?
Aether: "…"
Just how unhinged was this version of Paimon online?
Terrifying.
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T/N:
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