The border nobles of Khaenri'ah held a surprising amount of intel.
The Kanjou Commission's intelligence network pieced together a detailed picture of Khaenri'ah's recent state.
Initially, though the royal family and elite forces were wiped out, order didn't collapse entirely.
Surviving border nobles, scholars, and knights stabilized things somewhat.
They even appointed a regent, but it couldn't save them. The Khaenri'ahns found themselves monstrous.
A great entity—whether blessing or cursing them—granted them immortality.
Undying Khaenri'ahns consumed massive resources, sparking civil war. Both sides, mostly immortal, accelerated the collapse of order.
Knights and scholars, blind to the chaos, clung to maintaining "order." The border nobles, self-proclaimed clever, fled early, refusing to go down with Khaenri'ah.
They also noticed that few among them carried the immortality curse.
Most border nobles could still die, which was exactly why they bolted.
"So, Khaenri'ahns are truly immortal?" Reisen Riou rubbed his chin. "That's kinda terrifying."
He shared the news with Raiden Ei, who frowned and pulled out her Gnosis to contact Celestia.
No response.
"Looks like our actions against Khaenri'ah hit the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles hard. She's not answering," Ei said, brow furrowed.
"We can only warn everyone to stay sharp and hope Khaenri'ahns are too busy to retaliate," Reisen said.
"Hope so," they sighed in unison.
Reisen suddenly pulled Ei close. "Ei… how about—"
"Report! Sangonomiya visitor!"
Reisen's grin froze. His hand, sneaking to Ei's waist, was swatted away.
"Damn kid, worst timing ever," Reisen grumbled.
"Sangonomiya Kyouen greets the General," said Reisen's daughter, lacking the Sangonomiya's hereditary Hydro Vision.
Two reasons: Sangonomiya Eigetsu was still alive, and Kyouen inherited Reisen's Electro bloodline, letting her wield lightning naturally.
Great for most, but for the Sangonomiya's pure Hydro lineage, it was an impurity.
She'd need multiple Three Realms Gateway Offerings to purify her blood for deeper inheritance.
Their exchange was formal. Kyouen reported Watatsumi Island's status.
Thanks to heavy aid, their soilless cultivation tech was yielding results.
This year, Watatsumi achieved self-sufficient grain and vegetable supplies without polluting its water sources. The Watatsumi Pearls remained top-quality.
Kyouen offered the finest pearl from this year's harvest.
Ei gifted books in return and promised to train Watatsumi's spellcasters.
Then Ei dismissed the attendants. Once alone, Kyouen dropped her formality, turning lively.
"Greetings, Mother. Greetings, Father," Kyouen said.
"What're you doing on Narukami Island? Don't you know it's dangerous?" Reisen snapped, annoyed at her reckless trip.
"Well, I heard the General…" Both Ei and Reisen's moods sank.
"So it's true," Kyouen said, wiping sweat.
"If you can't talk, don't," Reisen glared, then comforted Ei.
"I'm off to see Yae. You two chat," Kyouen said, bolting.
…
Reisen left handling Sangonomiya Eigetsu to Ei.
He hadn't expected Ei to spare Eigetsu.
He guessed Ei took in Kyouen as a stepdaughter.
The truth was close but not exact. Neither Ei nor Eigetsu spoke of it, and Reisen couldn't guess what deal Makoto had brokered between them.
Kyouen's "Mother" for Ei gave him a hint, though.
Reisen helped Ei with paperwork, then had a flash of inspiration.
"I've got an idea. Keep working."
He slipped into the Serenitea Pot next door, easily accessed from the office.
Inside, he ran a full check on Makoto's soul, confirming no issues, then began his plan.
His method: talk therapy.
Or rather, soul-calling, summoning her spirit.
He spoke, monitoring which words stirred Makoto's soul most.
"Inazuma" in Inazuman topped the list, followed by "Raiden Ei"/"Baalzebub."
Then her own name, "Raiden Makoto"/"Baal."
Next, "Yae Saiguu," "Miyushi Chiyo," "Asase Hibiki," and "Reisen Riou."
Reisen was surprised his name ranked alongside her closest vassals.
Events mattered too. War-related terms roused her most, then festivals.
"You don't need to keep trying," a weak voice said.
"When'd you wake, Big Sis Makoto?" Reisen asked, grinning awkwardly.
"When you mentioned festivals," Makoto smiled. "Thanks for the trouble, you and Ei. Stop wasting resources. I'm just a bit weak. Set up a Thunder-Rich Field, and I'll heal my soul myself."
"Already got one ready," Reisen said.
"Need a body?" he asked.
"No, I can handle what you can," Makoto replied.
Reisen guided her soul to the prepared Thunder-Rich Field.
Its guardian was the Thunder Manifestation.
The field, crafted with care, used Liyue's Lianshan Secret Curse technique, aligning its Electro to nature's purest form for optimal healing.