"The Sangonomiya Shrine is the sacred ground that enshrines the great Watatsumi Omikami. Outsiders are not permitted to enter…"
"We'll just take a look from outside. No need to go in."
"So, it's Captain Beidou? My apologies, my apologies!"
Leaving Bourou Village, Beidou led Victor Wang straight toward Sangonomiya with clear purpose. The guards stationed at the shrine's entrance moved to stop them at first, but upon recognizing her, hurriedly stepped aside.
"Well then, when you first set foot on Watatsumi Island, this rare concave landform didn't seem to surprise you much. But how about those enormous coral formations behind Sangonomiya—larger even than the Jade Chamber—do they shock you now?"
"A bit… yes, they're really huge. Looking at them like this, they seem even bigger…"
That ornate shrine, framed by massive corals at its back, looked like a playful child perched upon a throne far too large for him. Even Victor Wang had to admit that—even though he had seen it before in the game—it was still breathtaking in person.
"But I have a question. Why do they look more like shells?"
"…How rude. These are corals! They grew into this form because they were taken from the body of the Watatsumi Omikami."
A shrine maiden, her attire nearly identical to those of the Grand Narukami Shrine except in blue and white instead of red and white, approached slowly upon hearing Victor Wang's words.
"Long ago, when our ancestors still struggled to survive beneath the sea, it was the Watatsumi Omikami who defeated the Abyssal Bathysmal Vishap and brought us into the sunlit lands. The Omikami manifested in the form of a colossal serpent adorned with corals. These shells are indeed coral, but they are also its scales…"
So, the coral branches assimilated with Orobashi, taking on the form of scales. That's why, once removed, they looked like shells?
I see!
This harmless mystery that had long lingered in his heart was finally solved today. Victor Wang bowed slightly in apology. "Forgive me. I didn't know enough about Watatsumi Island. But with your explanation, I understand now."
"Hahaha! You really have guts, kid—daring to speak like that on someone else's sacred ground!"
Seeing Victor Wang's sincerity, the shrine maiden's expression softened. "It's fine. Conveying the true history of Watatsumi is my duty. Since you spoke without malice, there's no need for guilt."
After viewing Sangonomiya, Beidou beckoned Victor Wang to follow her a short distance back, onto the vast coral terrace directly opposite the shrine. She gestured for him to look down. "Did you notice when we crossed the bridge just now? There's another strange sight beneath Sangonomiya."
Sangonomiya lay below sea level, as did most of Watatsumi Island.
Normally, any fluctuation of the sea would submerge it. Careful observation revealed that the ring of mountains encircling the island bore countless waterfalls—seawater pouring down into the sunken basin.
These waterfalls roared ceaselessly, thundering and plunging downward. The mist they raised mingled with a mysterious power, draping the island's lower regions in a veil of mist that never dispersed. Beneath that veil lay the secret of why Watatsumi never drowned.
The island's rocky terraces spiraled inward. Seawater cascaded into the outer rings, then trickled step by step toward the center. And at the spiral's heart was the enormous whirlpool beneath their feet.
Water poured endlessly into its depths, yet the level never rose. The center was pitch-black, bottomless, currents of unknown energy flowing within. Even to the uninitiated, its extraordinary nature was in plain sight.
This was what it looked like before the seal of Enkanomiya had been broken. After the seal's removal, he recalled, the whirlpool's center would glow with light.
He had wondered how Watatsumi managed to supply its daily water needs when surrounded by seawater. But upon seeing the whirlpool, Victor Wang felt reassured. If even the God of Salt could leave behind the Salt Chalice and the Salt Ruler, then surely Orobashi could purify seawater as well.
Besides, with spectral jellyfish drifting through the skies and inexplicable bubbles floating about, it was clear this land was far from ordinary. Likely these were manifestations of Orobashi's lingering power, or perhaps the coral's blessing.
"Standing so close to the edge—if you fell, who knows where you'd end up?" Beidou 'kindly' teased while Victor Wang stared into the abyss.
But the shrine maiden from earlier explained gently from behind, "There's no danger. Legend says that below lies our ancestral home, Enkanomiya. It was sealed away by a barrier for certain reasons. Ordinary folk cannot enter, even if they wish."
Beidou gave a helpless smile. "I only joked because he looked like his soul was about to be drawn in."
"R-really? I just… worried you might misunderstand, like that scholar from Sumeru who misrepresented Watatsumi…"
"It's clear you care deeply about this."
Kazuha's casual remark struck right at her heart. Blushing, the shrine maiden scratched at her hair and quickly turned her head aside.
A Sumerian Scholar who misinterpreted Watatsumi? During the Sakoku period, that could only mean the Eccentric Kaushik, who once claimed Watatsumi had two serpent gods, and Mondstadt's Four Winds actually numbered five.
Though a minor character, his bizarre theories had left an impression. Which meant this shrine maiden must be Mochizuki, who had exchanged words with Kaushik. Unfortunately, matters concerning Enkanomiya were under Tsuyuko's jurisdiction.
Victor Wang thought for a moment, then asked Mochizuki, "Hearing this makes me curious as well. Hasn't anyone considered returning to Enkanomiya?"
"Because it's only a legend. To recklessly break the seal would be too dangerous. None of us know what lies below—Bathysmal Vishaps? Treasure? Flooded ruins? There are few records, and most are vague, offering little information and knowledge to rely upon."
After her serious answer, Mochizuki added, "Still, tradition dictates that once every few centuries, Watatsumi must send someone to Enkanomiya to retrieve the Coral Branch of a Distant Sea for the Omikami Festival. And… unfortunately, it falls to our generation."
"Could outsiders enter? For example, adventurers?"
"History records that outside adventurers have been asked before. But not now. We can't contact the Adventurers' Guild during wartime, so no adventurers can be permitted entry."
"That's a shame… a sealed sunken kingdom, buried who knows how long? My adventuring spirit is already burning with excitement," Victor Wang intoned in monotone.
"…Since you're Captain Beidou's friend, if you really want to go, leave your name. If we lack other candidates, we'll contact you."
Wait, what? Where did you get the idea that I'm eager to go down there?
"Ahem. And… when exactly will that be?"
"A few months, perhaps. A year, at most. It depends on how long Watatsumi's land can hold out."
The passage to Enkanomiya was only temporary. Once the Coral Branch of a Distant Sea was retrieved and the festival is completed, the entrance would be sealed again—preventing Bathysmal Vishaps from escaping upward, and the Fatui or Treasure Hoarders from sneaking down. The fact that the seal required reopening every few centuries proved as much.
Of course, there were forbidden ways to slip inside outside of tradition—but Victor Wang had no knowledge of them.
If he missed this chance, he'd either have to persuade Watatsumi to break the seal again just for him, or wait a few centuries.
Time. That was what Victor Wang had been fishing for—the exact time Enkanomiya would open. But there was no precise answer to be had.
"I… I truly want to go! Please, when the time comes, don't forget to inform me!" Victor Wang declared with unconvincing fervor.
"Alright, alright. I feel your adventuring spirit loud and clear."
Watatsumi was not known for prosperity, but its scenery was striking. Lands of blue, purple, and pink stretched before them, its flora painted in the same dreamlike hues—far too strange for farming common crops.
In the pink and violet inner island, Victor Wang noted the absence of Sweet Flowers, Sunsettia trees, and Valberry bushes… only Mint grew here. But Mint was hardly tasty, nor did it offer much energy.
There were downsides, but also blessings. Watatsumi's corals and Sango Pearls were famous, the latter being unique across all of Teyvat.
With Beidou and Kazuha leading him, Victor Wang visited Watatsumi's pearl farms.
Row upon row of special purple-pink corals bloomed like great flowers, each cluster bearing luminous, round Sango Pearls like radiant, oversized stamens—unguarded, ripe for the taking.
These pearls were half the island's economy.
And they needed little tending. Leave the corals near water, and they would bear pearls on their own, ready for collection.
After wandering for a long while, sunset arrived at last…
"The Crux Fleet transports Watatsumi's goods to the outside world for sale. We calculate prices the same as before the war with the Shogunate. Whatever surplus profit you make belongs entirely to the Crux.
In return, the Crux Fleet purchases supplies equal in value to our goods and delivers them back. That completes one exchange. Each time, Watatsumi pays with a portion of our specialties, to be delivered later in full to the Crux.
In truth, this policy is much like before. But with trade restricted, our funds have dwindled. We've no choice but to resort to bartering. Captain Beidou, we must trouble you to find buyers."
Alcohol was banned during wartime on Watatsumi, but roasted fish alone was enough to intoxicate the soldiers. Fish was after all the only meat the island could offer…
And midway through this lively banquet, Sangonomiya Kokomi called Beidou outside. Their voices carried faintly, reaching Victor Wang's ears.
Raising a glass of rare fruit juice with Kazuha and Gorou, Victor Wang made certain decisions in his heart.
Reputation. People often say 'false fame is hollow' or 'a name without substance is dangerous.' When reputation exceeds one's true strength, it can thrust a person into peril, forcing them into positions they cannot uphold.
That was why Furina struggled for five centuries beneath her facade.
But reputation can also be a boon—'a man's name spreads like a tree's shadow'. When strength and fame align, it smooths life's path: earning respect, avoiding needless trouble, opening doors everywhere.
That was why Lumine received favor in every land she traveled.
Now, Victor Wang's own strength was passable. He could solo most of the forty-resin bosses. A third element was within reach. He had attack, defense, swordsmanship, even a god's-eye perspective like cheating. The only thing missing was reputation—to stride onto Teyvat's stage with confidence.
Lumine had made her mark with Mondstadt's battle against the dragon, her fame echoing far and wide. In Liyue, she was noticed by Childe and Zhongli. In Inazuma, by Kamisato Ayaka and Yae Miko. In Fontaine, by Furina herself.
All the benefits of her renown.
It was time, Victor Wang thought, to carve out a name for himself as well—and step formally onto Teyvat's grand stage.